Good morning everyone. A full-blown MAGA civil war has erupted, larger than anything we’ve seen before, after the President posted an image of himself as Jesus and then spent the night attacking the Pope. This morning, MAGA influencers, politicians, and commentators are openly denouncing him, calling this a line that should not have been crossed. A serious fracture is now out in the open, unfolding as the Pope declares he does not fear Trump and as the administration moves forward with a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting today.
Some of you said I look especially exhausted this morning. You’re right. My newborn did not sleep much last night. But I am pushing through on adrenaline and caffeine.
This is shaping up to be an extremely consequential week. From the internal MAGA rupture to the escalating conflict with Iran, the stakes are high and the pace is not slowing down. I will be bringing you real-time updates throughout the day, every day. We will be speaking with leaders and activists and breaking this all down as it happens. Stay tuned.
Here’s the news:
Overnight, Donald Trump enraged Catholics, including many conservatives, by posting the following image depicting him as Jesus:
Donald Trump further posted a lengthy attack of Pope Leo:
Pope Leo responded to the personal attack from Donald Trump by reaffirming his mission and independence from political influence. He emphasized that his role is to speak boldly about the Gospel rather than engage in politics or foreign policy in the same way a political leader would. He also positioned himself as a peacemaker guided by faith. As he stated, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel… I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
Responding to criticism from Donald Trump, Pope Leo delivered a message emphasizing peace and justice during remarks in Algiers. He reaffirmed his belief that nonviolence and moral principles will ultimately prevail over conflict and wrongdoing. As he said, “The future belongs to men and women of peace… justice will always triumph over injustice… violence… will never have the last word.”
A reporter asked why Trump criticized Pope Leo. Trump responded that he believes the pope is doing a poor job and suggested the pope is too tolerant of crime. He also claimed the pope supports positions like allowing nuclear weapons and being lenient on crime, which he disagrees with. Overall, Trump concluded that he is not a fan of Pope Leo.
Republicans have erupted at the President, including many that regularly still support him, due to his attacks on the Pope and framing himself as Jesus:
More from MAGA:
The U.S. military announced it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas at 10 a.m. ET, escalating tensions in the region. While President Donald Trump initially suggested a broader move to stop all ships in the Strait of Hormuz, officials later clarified the policy would be more limited. Ships traveling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to pass through the critical waterway.
Iran dismissed Donald Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as a “bluff,” calling on him to respect the Iranian people. Ebrahim Rezaei said the U.S. should accept its “defeat” and not try to gain through negotiations what it failed to achieve militarily. He also warned that Iran could reveal additional strategies or actions it has not yet used.
Thirty-one vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, with some carrying cargo such as oil, chemicals, or liquefied petroleum gas. As of early morning, 11 ships were in the strait, including three Iranian-flagged vessels and several tankers and cargo ships, though most were not fully loaded. This activity came amid Trump’s threat to block the waterway, raising concerns about global shipping. However, U.S. Central Command later clarified that ships traveling between non-Iranian ports would still be allowed to pass.
Iran’s embassies across the globe continue to mock Trump:
According to NBC News, satellite imagery and tracking data indicate activity by Iranian vessels near Kharg Island, a key oil export hub. Two ships were seen traveling to and from the island, suggesting possible loading of oil or goods. In total, five vessels were identified in the area, four of them Iranian-flagged and one Cuban passenger ship docked at the island. The movements of the Iranian ships have been ongoing since Saturday, according to tracking data.
Ursula von der Leyen said there can be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon remains engulfed in conflict. She called for an end to hostilities, emphasizing that “security is indivisible.” She also warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are causing significant damage and stressed that restoring freedom of navigation is critically important.
A United Nations Development Programme report warns that war-related economic fallout in the Middle East could push over 32 million people into poverty worldwide. It describes a “triple shock” affecting energy, food, and economic growth, with developing countries suffering the most. Alexander De Croo emphasized that conflict reverses development, undoing years of progress in a short time. The report highlights how crises force difficult trade-offs between stabilizing economies and investing in essential services like health and education.
Eric Swalwell announced he is dropping out of the California governor’s race following multiple sexual misconduct allegations and mounting pressure from allies and fellow Democrats. He denied the accusations, calling them false, but apologized for past “mistakes in judgment” and said he would fight the claims outside of the campaign. The allegations, reported by media outlets and supported by accounts from several women, prompted calls for investigations and even his resignation from Congress. Despite ending his campaign, his name will remain on the ballot due to election deadlines.
European leaders celebrated the defeat of Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, as challenger Peter Magyar and his party secured a sweeping election victory. The result was widely seen as a boost for European unity and a setback for allies of Russia and Donald Trump. However, analysts cautioned that Orbán’s influence over Hungary’s institutions may be difficult to undo quickly. Magyar has pledged to restore democratic checks and strengthen ties with the European Union.
X (formerly Twitter) has reduced payments to users who post clickbait or recycle content, cutting payouts to “aggregators” by about 60% to prioritize original creators. The change, introduced under Elon Musk’s leadership, aims to discourage low-quality reposts that crowd out original content. Executives said accounts that repeatedly use misleading tactics or repost without adding value may face ongoing penalties. The platform is also testing tools to better identify and reward original authors.
Bernie Sanders warned that the U.S. economy could worsen, arguing that growing inequality and the influence of billionaires threaten workers. Speaking at a rally alongside Zohran Mamdani, he called for stronger unions and major economic reforms. Both leaders highlighted concerns about automation and artificial intelligence replacing jobs and weakening worker protections. Sanders urged collective action, saying workers must organize to challenge the power of wealthy elites and protect democracy.
According to the Guardian, TikTok content creator, Ashley Guillard, is appealing a $10 million defamation verdict after falsely accusing Rebecca Scofield of involvement in the 2022 Idaho student murders. Guillard had used tarot card readings to make baseless claims in videos, despite the killings later being solved with Bryan Kohberger pleading guilty. A jury awarded damages to Scofield for financial harm and punitive reasons, rejecting Guillard’s claims. Guillard argues the verdict was flawed and is seeking to overturn it on appeal.
See you soon.
— Aaron
