Dr. Ben Carson reflects on the results of the 2024 presidential election on 'The Story.'

Just over five years ago, our nation faced a moment that felt more like fiction than reality—a global pandemic and a national emergency, brought on by a virus we had never seen before. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Americans turned to our frontline healthcare workers, public health leaders, and scientists to help guide us through. And we trusted them—because historically, we’ve had good reason to.

But as the weeks turned into months, something began to shift. Decisions that lacked consistency and transparency started to erode that trust. Schools were closed to protect children—yet we later learned how deeply it harmed them. Mask mandates changed repeatedly. Beaches were shut down, while large political gatherings were permitted. These contradictions did more than confuse people—they undermined confidence in those charged with guiding us through the crisis.

Many Americans endured great sacrifices—missing weddings, funerals, and final goodbyes with loved ones—while some officials appeared to operate by a different set of rules. The phrase........

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