3642 - Inflation Spikes; The Quiet National Abortion Ban; A Labor Win w/ Jessica Valenti, Liza Xu

The Majority Report with Sam Seder delivers a stark assessment of the current political and economic landscape on May 12, 2026, opening with rising inflation driven by the ongoing Iran war and its impact on oil prices, which are eroding real wages for the first time since 2023. Sam critiques the administration’s misleading narrative that inflation is declining at a micro level, emphasizing that consumers are still suffering across the board. The episode then shifts to a grim update on abortion rights, featuring Jessica Valenti, who details how anti-abortion states are targeting telehealth abortion access through legal challenges to mifepristone, aiming to undermine state sovereignty and suppress pro-choice activism. She warns of escalating attacks on travel, speech, and even environmental regulations to further restrict reproductive care. In contrast, the show highlights a rare victory in labor rights: a 3,500-worker strike at a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, which successfully won better wages, health protections, and worker dignity despite a highly diverse, immigrant workforce. The strike is framed as a pivotal moment in challenging corporate oligopolies and inspiring future labor actions. The episode closes with a mix of satire and urgency, underscoring the fragility of democratic gains and the resilience of grassroots movements.