Trump FLOATS Taking Cuba (Plus: Joy Reid COMPARES US To Iran) | RISING - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-03-17

What Happened

President Trump suggested the possibility of the U.S. taking Cuba, framing it as an 'honor.' This suggestion comes as the U.S. negotiates with Cuba's leadership, seeking to open Cuba's economy to American businesses and replace President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

The Trump administration's previous actions included blocking oil flow to Cuba, leading to widespread blackouts and civil unrest on the island. These moves have added pressure on Cuba's leadership as U.S. negotiators push for significant economic and political changes.

Paul Ehrlich, the author of the influential but ultimately inaccurate book 'The Population Bomb,' passed away at the age of 93. Ehrlich's dire predictions of overpopulation leading to mass starvation were proven wrong due to advancements like the Green Revolution that increased food production.

Despite being proven incorrect, Ehrlich never recanted his predictions. Instead, he expressed a desire that his warnings had been more extreme, highlighting his lifelong advocacy for degrowth and limiting family sizes.

In a controversial statement, Joy Reid compared U.S. policies to those of Iran, particularly criticizing the U.S. for its stance on women's rights and abortion. Her comments sparked backlash from conservatives who argued her comparisons were exaggerated.

A federal judge temporarily blocked a series of vaccine policy changes initiated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. These changes included reducing the number of diseases covered by routine childhood immunizations and removing COVID vaccines from recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.

Judge Brian Murphy ruled against Kennedy's policy changes, citing that they bypassed the traditional scientific review process. This decision underscores the tension between political power and scientific institutions in the U.S., with potential implications for public trust in vaccination.

President Trump criticized Gavin Newsom's dyslexia, questioning his capability for the presidency. Newsom responded by encouraging children with learning disabilities, asserting that dyslexia should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.

Key Insights

• President Trump's suggestion of taking Cuba appears to be part of broader negotiations aimed at opening Cuba's economy and replacing its current leadership. The idea is controversial and reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuban governments.
• Paul Ehrlich's book 'The Population Bomb' was widely influential in the 1970s and 1980s, promoting degrowth and limiting family sizes. However, his predictions of overpopulation-induced catastrophe were disproven by innovations like the Green Revolution.
• Joy Reid's comparison of U.S. policies to those of Iran highlights a polarized view of America's approach to women's rights and abortion. This perspective drew significant criticism from conservatives, who viewed her analogy as overstated.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s attempt to alter vaccine policy without traditional scientific review faced legal challenges. The federal judge's ruling against these changes points to the ongoing conflict between political authority and scientific integrity in health policy.