Good Morning, and Happy Saturday! Welcome to The Flag's Five, your nonpartisan breakdown of the week’s five most pressing headlines. Dive into what happened, why it matters, and how perspectives from the left and right shape the conversation.

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1. Musk's DOGE IRS Access Raises Privacy Fears

• Here's what happened: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to the Internal Revenue Service’s Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), a sensitive database that holds taxpayer information such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and addresses. The move is part of DOGE’s broader effort to uncover what it deems government waste, fraud, and abuse, although it remains unclear if the assigned software engineer has been granted permission to view the data. Musk previously questioned irregularities in IRS records, including nearly 1.5 million taxpayers listed as over 150 years old. (Aimee Picchi, CBS News)

• Here's why it matters: A lawsuit has been filed by privacy advocates aiming to block DOGE from accessing sensitive IRS records, citing fears of potential overreach and unauthorized use of personal data. Some observers warn that granting DOGE such access could set a precedent for how government agencies handle private information. (Scott Horsley, Obed Manuel, NPR)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Right-leaning outlets suggest that DOGE’s determination to investigate IRS processes puts it on a collision course with the agency, arguing that its pursuit of potential government fraud is both necessary and confrontational. Some see the dispute as evidence that entrenched bureaucratic interests are resisting oversight from Musk’s team. (Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Left-leaning commentators argue that Musk’s push for IRS data reveals an alarming overreach by DOGE and raises questions about the boundaries of government power under private influence. They emphasize the risks of allowing a high-profile figure’s initiative to gain access to personal tax records, framing it as a privacy threat. (Malcolm Ferguson, The New Republic)

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2. Trump’s Controversial Slam on Zelenskyy

• Here's what happened: President Donald Trump made incendiary remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alleging he “started” the war with Russia and referring to him as a “dictator.” Trump’s comments come amid heightened tensions in the region, where fighting has continued for three years. Critics warn that such statements could undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. (Brett Samuels, The Hill)

• Here's why it matters: Trump’s assertion that Ukraine initiated the war has drawn scrutiny, with fact-checkers noting Russia’s role in launching the ongoing invasion. Observers fear this narrative could shift public perception of the conflict and influence U.S. foreign policy. (Justin Spike, AP)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Some conservative voices view Trump’s comments as a signal of waning U.S. commitment to Ukraine, characterizing it as the beginning of an American retreat from supporting Kyiv. Concerns are raised that these remarks might embolden Russian aggression and potentially weaken Ukraine’s position on the world stage. (Jim Geraghty, National Review)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Left-leaning outlets report that Republican hawks are distancing themselves from Trump’s statements, criticizing his skepticism of U.S. assistance to Ukraine as contrary to America’s strategic interests. Some suggest Trump’s rhetoric could drive a wedge within the GOP and reshape the party’s stance on foreign interventions. (Connor O'Brien, Joe Gould, and Jack Detsch, Politico)

3. Trump-Putin Ukraine Talks

• Here's what happened: A measles outbreak in West Texas has rapidly spread over the past three weeks, reaching infection levels not seen in the state since 1992. Health officials identified the first cases in early February and have now confirmed 58 infections across multiple age groups, with an additional eight cases reported in nearby Lea County, New Mexico. Experts point to low vaccination rates in Gaines County, including some within a local Mennonite community, as a key factor driving the spread. (Neha Mukherjee, CNN)

• Here's why it matters: Public health experts warn that the growing outbreak underscores a statewide decline in measles vaccination rates, which fell below the 95% threshold recommended to curb community spread. If not contained, the situation could strain healthcare systems and place vulnerable populations—especially young children—at significant risk. (Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Right-leaning outlets highlight parental responsibility and question how weakened vaccine policies may be contributing to the outbreak. Some argue that ignoring routine vaccinations is creating avoidable public health risks, especially in school settings where close contact accelerates transmission. (Angelica Stabile, Fox News)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Commentators on the left focus on the role of prominent vaccine skeptics in fueling the crisis, noting that if figures like RFK Jr. challenge vaccination efforts, they may face harsh public scrutiny in light of the growing outbreak. They emphasize that the resurgence of a preventable disease points to broader systemic failures in ensuring widespread immunity. (Phil Boas, Arizona Republic)

4. Trump Moves to Lower IVF Costs Nationwide

• Here's what happened: President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to propose policies that would reduce out-of-pocket expenses for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The order aims to protect and expand IVF access by tackling high treatment costs, which can range from $15,000 to $25,000 per cycle and are rarely covered by insurance. Trump noted that many families appreciate this effort, tying it to his campaign promise of making IVF free. However, some Republicans and pro-life groups remain concerned about the creation and discarding of multiple embryos. (Andrea Shalal and Ahmed Aboulenein, Reuters)

• Here's why it matters: By calling for “radical transparency,” the executive order pushes government agencies to clarify the costs and processes around IVF. Critics and supporters alike say this move could significantly affect reproductive health policy and the affordability of fertility treatments for hopeful parents. (Darlene Superville and Michelle L. Price, AP)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Some pro-life advocates argue Trump’s approach to IVF contradicts conservative values, urging him to reconsider policies that permit the creation of excess embryos. They suggest imposing stricter “guardrails” to align IVF practices with pro-life principles. (Jamie Joseph, Fox News)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Left-leaning commentators claim the new order falls short of truly expanding IVF access, noting the lack of immediate policy changes to curb high costs or mandate insurance coverage. Critics argue that if the administration were serious, it could leverage broader healthcare reforms to make IVF more accessible. (Julianne McShane, Mother Jones)

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5. AP Barred From White House Over ‘Gulf of America’

• Here's what happened: President Donald Trump barred the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One, citing its refusal to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The move has prompted a wave of criticism from more than 40 media organizations—spanning both left- and right-leaning outlets—that signed a letter urging the AP’s reinstatement. In an effort to reverse the ban, AP Executive Director Julie Pace met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in Florida behind closed doors. (Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill)

• Here's why it matters: Media experts say the White House action could raise concerns about press freedom and editorial independence, as the dispute centers on political pressure to alter established journalistic standards. The AP’s surprising allies—including conservative outlets—underscore that even fierce media rivals see a potential threat to First Amendment rights if the ban is upheld. (Sonam Sheth, Newsweek)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Some conservative commentators argue that the AP’s inconsistency on updating certain geographic or cultural terms highlights editorial bias. They suggest the ban reflects Trump’s pushback against media organizations he perceives as unwilling to align with his preferred language. (Olivia Rondeau, Breitbart)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Left-leaning outlets contend that the standoff speaks to a broader pattern of media control, viewing the White House’s attempt to force a name change as part of a larger campaign to dictate press coverage. They warn that caving to such demands may risk normalizing government interference in journalistic content. (Margaret Sullivan, The Guardian)

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