
About this episode
August 22, 2026
On August 18, Sen Darline Graham of South Carolina explained that she is not that informed on national security - although senators are supposed to manage national security, Graham is a perfect representation of today’s Republican Party, With little political experience, she is echoing Republican culture war talking points that worked for Trump in 2016, Trump told a rally in South Carolina that the election is really about him, Two former teachers endorsed by Democrats flipped the Sarasota Florida school board, The Republican Party tied itself to Trump and remains tied to him as he devotes his time to celebrating himself, Meanwhile the country is embroiled in a war in Iran, the economy is slowing, prices of food and gas are rising, and Americans are horrified by ICE and by Trump's corruption, Trump imposed a tariff on goods from Canada and Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs, The field is open for Democrats to redefine the nation’s policies, Pete Buttigieg recorded a video assuring Americans who oppose the Trump administration that they are in the large majority.
Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-
Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
You can also find me:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get every episode summarized
Each time Letters from an American publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Letters from an American

Asking the U.S. Government to Regulate AI
Letters from an American

The Writing is Already on the Wall
Letters from an American

The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of 9/11
Letters from an American

A Chokepoint for World Trade
Letters from an American