Politics and views in the United States

President Donald Trump touts a new deal with Iran. Americans are increasingly frustrated about the affordability crisis and the future of the economy and Orlando honors the 10th anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Subject to finalization of documents, we should get done over the next few days.

Probably have a signing maybe in Europe.

President Donald Trump says the U.S. and Iran have agreed to stop fighting.

The White House says they'll sign a 90-day ceasefire in Switzerland on Friday, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the blockade of Iranian ports.

The U.S. is to release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, and the countries have 60 days to negotiate on Iran's nuclear program.

Tehran is calling it a victory and Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon may still complicate the situation.

Gas prices are falling but remain well above pre-war levels.

Depleted fuel stockpiles could take months to recover.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs warns right now the oil market seems too focused on the immediate outcome of the war and not enough on underlying fuel supply and demand issues.

This comes when the economy is at a fragile point.

Despite some economic growth and relatively low unemployment so far in Trump's second term, Washington Post reporting confirmed surveys showing voters are worried by the president's trade policies and the slashing of government staff and services.

And the paper says they're deeply concerned that artificial intelligence is threatening career prospects.

A new report from progressive group Demos argues the huge disparity in wealth is driving the growing affordability crisis.

Demos says 900 billionaires now have almost twice the net worth of the entire bottom half of all households.

Jeffrey Gustavuson with the Washington state nonprofit Firelands Workers United says solving that starts with breaking corporate influence.

These are companies that have essentially rigged the system in their favor for a very long time, and it's especially strong in our state given the presence of large tech companies that are some of the wealthiest companies in the history of the world that are raking in record profits year after year.

It's been 10 years since the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, when a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub, killing nearly 50 and injuring even more.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the community is coming together to honor and remember Our community has come together again through a variety of remembrance activities, from various church services, the Mental Health Association Luncheon, to our sports teams, creating the Orlando United Church to benefit the Orlando Resiliency Services.

June is Pride Month, but there's a growing disparity in attitudes.

For six years, gay advocacy group Out Leadership has measured the business and workplace climate for gay and transgender people.

Their index shows rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment and legislation, including so-called don't say gay bills in Florida, Indiana, Kansas and North Carolina.

University of California professor Brandon Robinson says a backlash shouldn't stop people from observing the month.

We should be really celebrating it.

We should be saying we're here.

We matter.

We're important.

We have value.

It's needed more now than it has been lately.

A Public Religion Research Institute poll from March finds nearly three-quarters of Americans support non-discrimination protections and almost two-thirds support same-sex marriage.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.