Good morning everyone. There is a massive amount of news breaking this morning. Trump is now moving forward with plans for an “election integrity army” that would reportedly operate across all 50 states ahead of the midterms. At the same time, MAGA supporters are furious after spending millions on Trump-branded phones that still have not shipped and may never arrive. Overseas, Iran negotiations have effectively stalled, oil prices are rising again, and tensions inside the Republican Party are exploding.
On top of all of that, so many of you reached out overnight about the major updates I am rolling out for this community, and the response honestly blew me away. This is growing faster than we ever expected, and we are building it together in real time. Our first paid subscriber live Q&A will be this Wednesday at 7 PM EST, and I genuinely cannot wait to hang out with all of you. I’ll send out another reminder as we get closer.
This week I’ll also be covering several major developments, including the high-stakes Trump-Xi summit and tomorrow’s major Epstein hearing in Palm Beach featuring survivors and testimony surrounding Leon Black. I’ve spent the weekend working to prep members ahead of the hearing, and we’ll have extensive coverage and analysis as new details emerge.
A lot of people have asked how they can help support and grow this platform even more. The biggest thing you can do is subscribe, gift a subscription to someone else, or upgrade your current subscription today. We are expanding rapidly, adding new features, increasing coverage, and investing back into this community every single week, so stay tuned, and thank you for being part of this from the beginning.
Here’s the news:
Tensions between House and Senate Republicans are creating major challenges for the GOP’s legislative agenda ahead of the midterm elections. Lawmakers in both chambers are blaming each other for delays on key priorities, including housing legislation, surveillance powers, and a major spending package tied to President Trump’s agenda. Although Republicans recently agreed on a budget blueprint and passed a partial Homeland Security funding bill, disagreements over issues like central bank digital currencies and spending proposals continue to divide the party. Senate Republicans are especially frustrated that ongoing disputes could prevent them from passing legislation aimed at addressing voters’ concerns about affordability and the economy.
Republicans’ recent redistricting victory in Virginia could create new complications for Speaker Mike Johnson as he tries to pass key spending legislation before the midterms. The court decision improves Republicans’ chances of holding more House seats, but it may also make vulnerable GOP lawmakers more cautious about supporting controversial spending proposals. One major point of debate is a plan that includes $1 billion for security tied to President Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project, which has faced criticism from voters. Party leaders are now worried that divisions within the GOP could make it harder to meet Trump’s June 1 deadline for passing the legislation.
President Trump issued an executive order that would expand the U.S. Postal Service’s role in mail-in voting by having it help verify voter eligibility and reject ballots from people not on approved voter lists. The proposal has raised concerns among voting-rights groups, election officials, and postal workers, who argue it could politicize the USPS and interfere with states’ constitutional authority over elections. Critics also warn that the financially struggling Postal Service lacks the resources and infrastructure to handle such a major new responsibility. Multiple lawsuits have already been filed challenging the order, with opponents arguing there is no evidence of widespread fraud in mail-in voting. He is also sending an “election integrity army” to all 50 states for the midterm election:
The United States and Iran are at a deadlock after both sides rejected each other’s peace proposals following recent military clashes. President Trump called Iran’s latest offer “totally unacceptable,” while Iranian officials insisted it was fair and reasonable. The growing tensions have raised fears of renewed conflict and instability around the Strait of Hormuz, an important global oil route. As a result, oil prices have risen and concerns about wider economic disruption have increased. Remember, this post was 50 days ago:
Oil prices rose sharply after President Trump rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal, increasing fears that tensions in the Middle East could worsen. Brent crude oil briefly jumped 4% to about $105.50 per barrel before easing slightly later in the day. Investors are worried that continued conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could threaten global oil supplies and hurt the world economy. The market reaction reflects growing uncertainty about whether peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will succeed.
Gas prices continue to remain stubbornly high due to the war as well:
A shortage of aluminum cans in India, caused by disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has made Diet Coke harder to find across the country. The unexpected shortage inspired Ishika Gupta, a marketing consultant in New Delhi, to host a Diet Coke-themed party that quickly became popular with Gen Z attendees. The event featured Coke-inspired drinks, music, and alcohol-free socializing, reflecting a growing interest in healthier lifestyles among young people in India. The story highlights how global political tensions are affecting everyday products and sparking unusual cultural trends.
Nearly 590,000 people reportedly paid deposits for the Trump Mobile T1 smartphone, generating about $59 million in sales, but customers say the phones still have not shipped nearly a year later. The gold-colored phone, promoted by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump as a U.S.-made alternative to Apple and Samsung devices, faced repeated delays with changing release dates and little communication from the company. Journalists who placed deposits reported poor customer service, missing updates, and problems with the ordering process. Concerns are growing among buyers as refunds appear uncertain and no confirmed customer deliveries have been reported.
A French woman and an American passenger evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius tested positive for hantavirus after an outbreak onboard killed three passengers. The French woman is in serious condition in a Paris hospital, while the American passenger in Nebraska is asymptomatic despite testing positive for the Andes strain, which can spread between humans. More than 100 passengers from multiple countries are being evacuated and monitored as health officials work to contain the outbreak. Although officials say the risk to the public is low, countries are tracking passengers and enforcing quarantine measures to prevent further spread.
Key Harvard professors quickly noted that the use of the term “mildly” is irrelevant and akin to a guess at this point:
Donald Trump did not make any Mother’s Day remarks, but he did spend the evening posting love letters about himself:
Trump made controversial remarks about Supreme Court justices, suggesting that it is acceptable for them to remain loyal to the presidents who appointed them. During a lengthy Truth Social post, he said justices “have to do the right thing” but added that loyalty to the person who elevated them to the Supreme Court was understandable. The comments challenge the principle of judicial independence, which is meant to keep the courts separate from political influence. The remarks quickly sparked backlash.
President Trump is expected to travel to Beijing this week for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising global tensions. Trump is reportedly seeking China’s help in preventing further conflict with Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to protect global oil supplies and trade. Some analysts believe Xi may use the meeting to push for reduced U.S. support for Taiwan in exchange for cooperation. The summit is being viewed as an important moment for U.S.-China relations and broader international stability.
Many DACA recipients are facing long delays in renewing their status, leaving them unable to work and struggling financially. Recipients say the renewal process had previously been smooth, but recent delays have caused some to lose their legal protections and employment authorization. NBC News highlights the story of Erika, a pregnant intensive care nurse brought to the U.S. from Mexico as a baby, who is now unable to work because her renewal has stalled. The delays have left many immigrants feeling uncertain about their future and worried about supporting themselves and their families.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed two people and injured five others, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency. Additional attacks and shelling were reported in several towns across the region, including Yahmar al-Shaqif, Kfar Tebnit, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The violence comes despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. Both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conflict with Iran is not over and argued that Iran’s nuclear materials and military capabilities still need to be dismantled. In a CBS interview, he suggested Israel may continue military operations against Hezbollah even if a ceasefire with Iran is reached, while also claiming that weakening Iran could collapse its network of regional allies like Hezbollah and Hamas. Netanyahu additionally said he wants Israel to gradually end its dependence on U.S. financial military aid over the next decade.
The U.S. Army recovered the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco. Key and another soldier disappeared after reportedly falling off a cliff during an off-duty hike near the Cap Draa Training Area. A large multinational search operation involving more than 600 personnel, helicopters, drones, and naval vessels located Key’s body in the Atlantic Ocean, while efforts continue to find the second missing soldier. The soldiers had been participating in African Lion 26, one of the largest U.S.-led military exercises in Africa.
A petition opposing major changes to the U.S. Postal Service has gained nearly 88,000 signatures as USPS faces a worsening financial crisis and a nearly $2 billion quarterly loss. Concerns are growing that without congressional support or major reforms, the agency could struggle to pay employees and vendors by next year. President Trump has supported restructuring the USPS, including bringing it under executive control and potentially privatizing parts of the service, though USPS leadership has resisted those ideas. Supporters of the petition argue that weakening the Postal Service would especially hurt rural communities that rely heavily on affordable mail delivery.
Fire crews in South Florida are battling two major wildfires that broke out over the weekend in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The larger Max Road Fire in western Broward has burned around 5,000 acres and was only 20% contained as of Monday morning, while another blaze near Florida City has burned about 210 acres and is 30% contained. Heavy smoke from the fires has affected air quality and visibility across the region, causing traffic concerns and temporary road closures. Officials have not ordered evacuations yet, but residents are being urged to stay alert and avoid affected areas.
A major voter data breach in Alberta has raised concerns about election security and foreign interference in Canada after a separatist-linked group illegally accessed personal information from nearly 2.9 million voters. Investigators say the database included names, addresses, and contact details, and could reportedly be accessed with little security protection. The breach has intensified fears about how political groups and outside actors could use voter data to influence elections and fuel separatist movements in the province. Canadian officials, privacy regulators, and federal police are now investigating the incident while critics warn it highlights growing threats to democratic systems and data privacy.
See you soon.
— Aaron
