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DNC bashes Donald Trump ‘plans to screw over’ Florida seniors by ‘gutting’ Social Security, Medicare

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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is going on the offense against President Donald Trump just two days into his second term, blasting the 45th and 47th President over what they say is a plan to follow through on the controversial Project 2025 agenda, including by cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

A press release from the group points to several executive actions Trump took on Day 1 of his presidency, including rescinding an executive order from former President Joe Biden providing longer enrollment periods under the Affordable Care Act, additional funding to help people enroll and prescription drug cost-saving initiatives for patients on Medicare and Medicaid. The DNC cited a roundup of executive actions from KFF Health News.

“Trump has a long and shameful history of threatening hard-earned benefits like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare — and with help from Project 2025 architect Russ Vought, he’ll do it again,” DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman said in a statement.

“Trump has already started screwing over Floridians, and he’ll cut Social Security if he gets the chance — threatening Florida seniors’ pocketbooks while he continues to protect billionaires’ bottom lines.”

Florida has nearly 5 million Social Security beneficiaries and more than 5 million Medicare enrollees, according to the DNC.

The DNC points to Trump’s first term as evidence that the social safety net programs may be in peril, referencing reports from several news outlets about proposed budgets.

“Trump said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare. His 2020 budget cuts all 3,” a headline from Vox in 2019 reads.

The DNC rundown includes citations from PBS in 2017 about Trump’s then-proposed 2018 budget, which included cuts to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Social Security, while boosting defense and border security spending; and from Vox in 2018 about Trump’s 2019 budget proposal, which included deep cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income for disabled people.

The DNC also includes a New York Times article outlining “$1.9 trillion in cost savings from mandatory safety-net programs, like Medicaid and Medicare, the federal health care programs for the elderly and poor” in his proposed 2020 budget.

Likewise, the rundown includes a Newsweek analysis of Trump’s proposed 2021 budget, outlining “Trump’s proposed budget (that) slashes entitlements,” including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

The DNC also points out that Trump once referred to Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme” and called for privatizing the program, citing a CNN article from 2023.

Vought, one of the architects of Project 2025, is Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget. The DNC blasted Vought for “repeatedly (pushing) cuts to Social Security in Trump’s first term,” referencing an analysis from Common Dreams in November.

“President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Russell Vought, a Project 2025 architect, to lead the White House budget office was seen as further evidence of the threat the incoming administration poses to Social Security, Medicare, and other critical government programs,” the piece reads.

The threats to social security and other social safety net programs are being broadcast elsewhere, too.

Business Insider on Tuesday published a piece cautioning that “Trump’s mass deportation plan could drain more than $20 billion a year from Social Security.”

Nasdaq, on its website, outlines Trump’s pledge to eliminate taxes on Social Security income for seniors, which it acknowledges that “at first glance sounds like a good thing for folks who are already living on limited incomes.” But it also notes “there are complexities,” including reducing the amount of funds going into the program and speeding up the already anticipated insolvency of the program around 2034.

The DNC, meanwhile, says these efforts are part of his efforts to enrich “himself on the backs of his supporters.”

“While Trump tries to scam Americans out of their hard-earned benefits, Democrats won’t stop fighting to protect access to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and every critical program hardworking Floridians rely on,” Rahman said.


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Disney World’s government settles ride evacuation injury lawsuit for $50K

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Walt Disney World’s government has settled a lawsuit after a boy was injured during a ride evacuation in 2021 at the Magic Kingdom, records show.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District agreed to pay the boy’s grandfather, Richard McNamara, $50,000 and did not admit any liability for the incident, according to the terms of settlement. Both sides agreed to pay their own legal expenses.

CFTOD, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, released the settlement this week following a Florida Politics records request made late last year.

The boy, originally from Alabama, had gone through a lot in his 12 years before he came to Orlando on vacation in March 2021.

His teenager brother shot and killed their father before shooting the boy, paralyzing him from the waist down, according to media reports.

An organization that helps children in need provided the boy with a trip to Disney World.

It was on that vacation when the boy rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a popular roller coaster based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” when the coaster broke down.

“When the first responders attempted to lift (the boy) to remove him from the ride, they over-extended his leg, snapping his right femur at the knee,” the lawsuit said.

The family sued in 2022 for a claim of more than $100,000.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed last year after the two sides reached a settlement.

McNamara’s attorney, the boy’s attorney and CFTOD either declined to comment or did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

At the time, Disney did not disclose the boy’s injury on the state theme park injury report released every quarter by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Theme parks face little regulation when it comes to disclosing juries to the public. Theme parks are only required to disclose injuries if people are hurt on a ride and require at least 24-hours of hospitalization.


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Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

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Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”


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Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

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It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.


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