Do you discuss current events at therapy appointments?

Sometimes I would discuss current events in therapy with my former T. Sometimes just as an opener we would chat about something in the first few minutes before settling into what we were really going to talk about that day. I'm also in a book club so current events come up and sometimes in talking about the book club books it would spawn a discussion on current events. I tried to not let these discussions go on too long because they were distractions from what I was really there for. Sometimes my former T could get on a soap box a bit. But she was such a great T that this little flaw I overlooked.

Yes, I follow current events and often have a lot of anxiety about what's happening. So I talk about those feelings, memories that events bring up and fears about the future. Also about what is within my control, what I can do. So I don't discuss the news the way I would with a friend but in a "therapy" way.

It went well.
He said he couldn't remember the comment so he couldn't say what he'd been thinking at the time and said he wasn't trying to be evasive, he just genuinely couldn't remember. But he reassured me that he didn't think the two things were in any way comparable and it was clear from his response and tone that he feels the same way about the person in question that I do, and he indicated support for the person speaking out about the terrible person in question.
I said the thing about how I haven't asked about his political beliefs and if he's a [member of a certain party] I definitely don't want to know and he kind of jumped in to assure me that that was definitely not the case.

I'm really glad I brought it up because even though I was like 97% sure that that was not the case based on little things I've pieced together and that he didn't believe what it sounded like he was saying, the little bit of doubt would have still really really bothered me

We actually talked about politics a bit more later when I was explaining my father's verbal/emotional abuse and bullying and said that I actually couldn't even bring myself to watch the debates and I really hate watching videos of a certain politician because I have like a visceral reaction and, even though I know it's not the same, the bullying and lying/misrepresenting and authoritarian attitude and absolute insistence on being right and even some of the mannerisms still make me feel like I'm 10 and arguing with my father again and it's super triggering (it's not nearly to the same extent as my father's behavior because there's not enough yelling and physical intimidation, but it's reminiscent enough to make me feel unsafe and attacked in a visceral way even though I know it's irrational).
And my T was in agreement about the politician's behavior and started matter-of-factly that he was a bully and clearly held contempt for the person and was understanding/validating about that being triggering for me.

Ugh, I had a treatment provider dismiss homophobia too. Quite certain he would have dismissed racism, misogyny too. Our society definitely has an impact on our mental health. Definitely glad I briefly saw a social worker who "got" it where psychologists and psychiatrists did not.

Only as it relates to my care. We just don't discuss things in general. There is a reason for it.