Newsweek readers have expressed thought-provoking opinions on critical issues this week — from sweeping cuts at the Department of Education to attempts to boycott Tesla.
One reader wrote that the plan to decentralize U.S. education and shift control to the individual states “poses several risks” and could exacerbate inequalities.
While another reader warned that “Trump is moving rapidly to create a dictatorship” in the U.S. after 50 days in office.
Read below for the most engaging comments of the week.
Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA/AP
Trump’s Plan To Eliminate Department of Education
Original article: Donald Trump To Eliminate Department of Education: What To Know
Background: Trump campaigned on a promise to close the Department of Education and leave school policy to the states. Sweeping job cuts were also announced at the department this week, cutting its workforce roughly in half.
Highlighted comment: “The proposal to further decentralize U.S. education by abolishing the Department of Education and shifting control entirely to individual states poses several risks. First, it could exacerbate inequities between wealthier and poorer regions, as local districts would continue to rely heavily on property taxes for funding, leading to significant disparities in resources and quality. Without federal oversight, there would be inconsistent educational standards across states, making it harder for students to receive the same quality of education, regardless of where they live. Additionally, accountability could weaken, with fewer mechanisms in place to ensure that schools adhere to national standards and civil rights protections.
“Comparing this to successful systems like Finland and Singapore, which balance centralized oversight with local flexibility, the U.S. stands in contrast. These countries maintain high educational standards, equitable funding, and clear accountability measures, resulting in consistently high academic performance. While the U.S. is already struggling with disparities in education, further decentralization could only worsen the situation, deepening existing gaps and undermining national cohesion in educational standards. In short, moving away from central oversight risks exacerbating the very issues that already limit the U.S. educational system.”
Calls For U.S. Nuclear Weapons
Original article: Poland Asks Donald Trump For Nuclear Weapons
Background: Since the start of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia has made repeated nuclear threats and deployed atomic weapons to its closest ally Belarus. Some neighboring European nations, including Poland, are now calling for the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in their countries.
Highlighted comment: “Trump has shot the export prospects of the U.S. defense industry in the foot. Trump has shattered the trust and respect of his allies that the U.S. is a reliable partner. This is compounded by his denial of intelligence and communications directly to Ukraine, but also indirectly to European allies, rendering U.S. manufacturers assets unusable.
“For example, the U.K. has ordered F35 fighters but they only use American GPS, so what use would they be if the U.S. (Trump/GOP President) can veto their use in a standoff with Russia. Should they cancel the order and buy Sweden’s Griffen fighter? Trump’s foreign policy is totally contradictory to his primary policy of regenerating manufacturing in the U.S.. But is that of no consequence to him because it doesn’t matter to MAGA adherents who remain blinkered in their isolationist bubble?”
Trump’s Approval Rating After 50 Days In Office
Original article: Donald Trump’s Approval Rating After 50 Days Compared To Joe Biden
Background: Trump’s approval rating was lower than Biden’s after his first 50 days in office this week, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.
Highlighted comment: “Like any normal person. Shocked and horrified. It sure looks like Trump is moving rapidly to create a dictatorship here, and take over other countries.
“50 days in with Biden, the U.S. still looked much the same as it did on inauguration day. There is no comparison possible between Trump’s early days and those of any other president. Trump’s actions during his first 50 days have been unprecedented and norm-shattering, and represent an existential threat to the country. And he’s just getting started.”
Highlighted comment: “Trump’s approval and disapproval ratings both currently stand at 48 percent, which is unsurprising since he won with 49 percent of a really lackluster vote. The media did that. The media worked hard to get Trump elected when he was running against Hillary Clinton, giving him more free air time than all the other candidates from both parties put together. And they did the same thing this time constantly going after Joe Biden over his age, but never asking Donald Trump’s supporters a single time about his background interactions with the law.
“Why would the media do that? Because Trump is a cash cow and he sells magazines and papers and the media is a business in this country, just like healthcare. If healthcare is going to put profits over people, then why wouldn’t the media do the same thing?”
Tesla Boycott Attempts
Original article: Donald Trump Calls Tesla Boycotts Illegal
Background: Trump has branded attempts to boycott Tesla as illegal amid protests in the U.S. and Europe. Elon Musk‘s car company has faced a waning stock price in recent weeks.
Highlighted comment: “Trump’s stance on boycotts exposes a glaring double standard: free speech is a right—unless it’s used against him or his allies.
“The First Amendment protects not just spoken words but also expressive conduct, including economic actions like boycotts. Yet, Trump calls the Tesla boycott ‘illegal and collusive’ with no legal basis. He falsely equates consumer activism with unlawful behavior, despite his own history of calling for boycotts against companies he opposes.
“Trump paints Musk as a patriotic hero, implying that opposition to him is un-American. This false dilemma suggests one must either support Musk or be a ‘Radical Left Lunatic.’ He also shifts the focus from the Tesla boycott to himself, comparing it to his own political battle in the 2024 election. This serves to frame the boycott as part of a larger personal attack against him, rather than as a legitimate critique of Musk’s actions.
“Trump’s selective application of free speech is nothing new. He supports conservative-led boycotts while condemning progressive ones as ‘economic warfare.’ His performative politics—like pledging to buy a Tesla to ‘support’ Musk—insists that consumer choice should be politically driven, but only when it serves his interests.
“His argument relies on emotional manipulation, casting Musk as a victim rather than a billionaire facing consumer backlash. This exposes a hypocritical view of free speech, where economic choices are legitimate only when they align with his political agenda. True free speech means accepting it even when it’s inconvenient—something Trump refuses to do.”