Good morning everyone, and happy Saturday. There is a lot of news to cover today.
Evangelical leaders unveiled and blessed a statue of Donald Trump in South Florida, while critics condemned the imagery as idolatry. Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans are outraged after former President Obama met with Canada’s prime minister, with some online voices bizarrely suggesting it amounts to a “coup.” Millions of dollars are now being wagered on prediction markets tied to the hantavirus outbreak as the infected cruise ship prepares to dock in the Canary Islands today. A large oil spill is also developing near Iran, and a Frontier Airlines flight struck a person on the runway during takeoff in Denver.
So yes, it is already an incredibly busy morning. I’m also hoping to share some major updates next week on the AI front that could affect all of us. Many of you have messaged me saying it looks like I may be shadow banned on other platforms. That happens. It is also one of the reasons I am here, because no corporation, political party, or billionaire gets to control what I say.
Here’s the news:
A 22-foot bronze statue of Donald Trump, nicknamed “Don Colossus,” was unveiled on a seven-foot pedestal after being commissioned for $450,000 by cryptocurrency supporters behind the $PATRIOT memecoin. Created by Ohio sculptor Alan Cottrill and coated in gold leaf, the statue was intended to symbolize Trump’s resilience following assassination attempts. Trump joined the event by phone to thank the evangelical leaders praying over the statue. Several Christian leaders and critics condemned the display as idolatry, arguing it blurred the line between political support and religious devotion.
A Politico report says Republican donors are growing increasingly anxious over President Trump’s massive $300 million political war chest and the lack of clarity about how it will be used ahead of the midterms. Some GOP donors fear the White House is underestimating electoral risks tied to the Iran war, inflation, and rising gas prices, while others worry Trump could redirect much of the money toward personal legacy projects or positioning a 2028 successor instead of defending congressional majorities. Trump allies insist spending plans are still being developed and argue Republicans will not face a funding disadvantage. Still, several donors warned that if no clear strategy emerges by summer, panic inside donor circles could intensify.
Former President Obama visited with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Canada ahead of a keynote speech he was scheduled to give:
In response, many influential figures within MAGA called for Obama’s potential arrest and even suggested that he was launching a “coup” for visiting Canada and meeting with the Prime Minister. Mind you, Donald Trump met with world leaders when he was not in office too:
A new wave of speculation on prediction-market platforms like Polymarket has seen users wager nearly $3 million on whether hantavirus could become a pandemic this year, despite the World Health Organization stressing the risk remains low. The betting surge followed a deadly outbreak aboard a cruise ship, but public health officials emphasized the virus spreads very differently from Covid-19 and requires close contact for transmission. Experts quoted in a Mother Jones report warned that gambling on disease outbreaks reflects the growing normalization of speculative betting and may worsen gambling addiction and financial harm. Critics argue prediction markets increasingly turn public health crises into opportunities for profit and sensationalism.
Federal and Florida officials are discussing shutting down the Everglades immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which was championed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. According to the New York Times, Homeland Security officials have concluded the facility is too expensive and ineffective, with Florida spending more than $1 million per day to operate the remote camp. Critics have long accused the center of unsafe and inhumane conditions, while state officials defended it as a temporary but necessary deterrent against unauthorized immigration. The facility has housed nearly 22,000 detainees since opening, despite ongoing legal challenges and delayed federal reimbursements to Florida.
Spanish authorities are preparing for the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Canary Islands after a hantavirus outbreak onboard left at least three people dead and several others infected. Reuters reports that several European countries, including Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, are sending evacuation planes to Tenerife to retrieve citizens from the cruise ship MV Hondius after a deadly hantavirus outbreak onboard.
The World Health Organization says eight people became ill and three died, prompting a coordinated international response led by Spanish authorities and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Passengers will be evacuated in stages once the ship arrives near Tenerife, while the vessel will later continue to the Netherlands for full disinfection. This is the letter released to the people of Tenerife this morning by the WHO:
The future of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is reportedly uncertain after a series of controversial decisions under the Trump administration triggered backlash from public health experts, lawmakers, and agency staff. Critics say the FDA has become increasingly politicized, pointing to disputes over vaccines, vaping approvals, drug reviews, and reports that research on Covid and shingles vaccine safety was suppressed. Former officials and researchers warned that rapid leadership turnover, morale problems, and pressure from the White House are undermining public trust in the agency’s scientific independence. Although some conservatives defend Makary as a reformer challenging industry influence, others inside the administration reportedly see him as a political liability.
An NBC News report says Iran appears capable of withstanding the U.S. naval blockade for months, despite early Trump administration claims that Tehran’s oil infrastructure would quickly collapse. Analysts and Western officials told NBC that while the blockade has reduced Iran’s oil exports and forced production cuts, the regime can still refine much of its oil domestically and draw on reserves already stored overseas. Experts said Iran has experience managing sanctions and production slowdowns, making an immediate economic breakdown unlikely. Still, prolonged restrictions could gradually deepen inflation, strain government finances, and increase pressure on Iran’s leadership over time.
Satellite imagery has revealed a suspected massive oil spill near Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf. Analysts reviewing the images said the slick appeared consistent with oil contamination and may cover roughly 45 square kilometers, potentially making it one of the largest spills since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. The cause of the spill remains unclear, though the area has been affected by U.S. naval blockades, military clashes, and disruptions to global oil shipping routes. Kharg Island handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports, making any damage or environmental incident there especially significant for global energy markets.
According to NBC, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies were alarmed by President Trump’s “Project Freedom” operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, fearing it could provoke Iranian retaliation and escalate the conflict. U.S. officials told NBC that Saudi Arabia temporarily denied U.S. military aircraft access to its airspace and bases in protest, while Kuwait also reportedly restricted support until Trump abruptly paused the operation after 36 hours. Gulf leaders reportedly worried the U.S. would not defend regional infrastructure if Iran retaliated, even as Washington pushed for negotiations with Tehran.
The U.S. and Iran remain far from ending their conflict as clashes continue around the Strait of Hormuz despite a fragile ceasefire. Fighting escalated in recent days with exchanges between Iranian forces and U.S. vessels, attacks on Gulf states including the UAE, and new U.S. strikes on Iran-linked ships. At the same time, intelligence assessments reportedly suggest Iran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade for months, potentially weakening Washington’s leverage in negotiations.
An FCC proposal approved on April 30 would require phone companies to verify customers’ identities before activating service, including collecting government ID, legal name, address, and existing phone numbers. The agency says the measure is aimed at stopping illegal robocalls and preventing bad actors from exploiting weak telecom oversight. Critics argue the plan would effectively end anonymous or semi-anonymous phone use in the US, raising major privacy concerns for journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and domestic violence survivors who rely on prepaid phones for protection. The proposal could also require carriers to retain customer identity records for years and potentially check users against law-enforcement watchlists.
Russia held its smallest Victory Day parade in years amid fears that Ukraine could target the event with drone or missile strikes. President Donald Trump announced a temporary U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire beginning Friday, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin the opportunity to proceed with the annual military display in Moscow. Despite the ceasefire, the scaled-back ceremony reflected growing security concerns and the continuing strain of the war on Russia’s public events and military posture.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mocked Vladimir Putin by issuing a tongue-in-cheek decree temporarily exempting Moscow’s Red Square from potential Ukrainian strikes during Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade “for humanitarian purposes.”
A Louisiana pastor, Terry Reed, was convicted of sexually abusing two teenage boys, marking his third conviction involving minors over nearly three decades. Prosecutors said he used religion and scripture to manipulate vulnerable teens who had moved into his home. Reed had previously pleaded guilty to similar offenses in 1997 and 2017 but received probation in those cases. He now faces the possibility of decades in prison after being found guilty on multiple rape and molestation charges.
A Utah judge ruled that cameras will be allowed in court during proceedings against Tyler James Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year. Robinson’s attorneys argued extensive media coverage could prejudice potential jurors and undermine his right to a fair trial, but the judge rejected the request to limit press access. Prosecutors say Robinson fatally shot Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University and later surrendered after a statewide manhunt. Robinson faces aggravated murder charges and could receive the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.
According to The Guardian, the Trump administration is rolling back hunting restrictions across dozens of national parks, refuges, and wilderness areas after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered agencies to expand hunting and fishing access on federally managed lands. Changes under consideration or already implemented include allowing hunting dogs, extending hunting seasons, permitting alligator hunting in some protected areas, and easing rules on retrieving and cleaning game. Supporters argue the moves protect outdoor traditions and support conservation funding, while critics warn they could endanger visitors, disrupt wildlife management, and weaken longstanding park protections. Former park officials say the administration is bypassing established scientific and public-review processes in favor of broader deregulation.
See you soon.
— Aaron
