Good evening everyone. The Trump White House is facing intense backlash after a staged event this afternoon involving DoorDash, a grandmother, and a $100 tip. What was meant to be a simple political message has instead spiraled, adding to a growing wave of criticism as the President defends posting an image of himself as Jesus, continues attacking the Pope, and faces resistance from NATO allies over U.S. efforts in Iran.
Simply put, it has been a chaotic and consequential day, and I have everything you need to know right now.
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Here’s what you missed:
Donald Trump staged a DoorDash delivery at the White House to promote his “no tax on tips” policy, even tipping the driver $100 as part of the photo-op. But the moment didn’t go as planned, as the driver, Sharon Simmons, avoided engaging with broader political questions and redirected attention to her own financial struggles and the policy itself. The interaction, along with her reluctance to weigh in on unrelated issues, led some observers to see the stunt as backfiring—drawing mixed reactions and undercutting the intended messaging.
DoorDash, in a statement, confirmed the stunt:
Simmons spoke on Fox News about her financial struggles. She said that the “no tax on tips” policy helped her situation. Simmons explained that she couldn’t afford her husband’s cancer treatments without that relief.
This is not the first time Sharon Simmons has appeared alongside Republicans. In 2025, during a House Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Nevada, she testified about how the “One Big Beautiful Bill” would impact her life.
Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, which sparked widespread backlash. Critics—including some of his own supporters—called the image “disgusting” and “blasphemous,” leading him to delete the post. When asked about it, Trump said, “it wasn’t a depiction, it was me,” though he also claimed it was meant to show him “as a doctor making people better.”
But, if he was claiming that today’s image was him as a doctor, then what was he when he posted this image after Pope Francis died?
During an exchange, Donald Trump asked whether men should play in women’s sports. Simmons responded, “I really don’t have an opinion on that.” She added, “I’m here about no tax on tips,” redirecting the focus to her main concern.
Trump said Iran wants to “work a deal,” claiming he was contacted by “the right people” during a White House briefing. He insisted Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon” and warned that if no agreement is reached, “there’ll never be a deal.”
Giorgia Meloni criticized Donald Trump’s remarks about Pope Leo XIV as “unacceptable,” emphasizing the pope’s role in calling for peace. Trump had called the pope “weak” and refused to apologize, continuing a public feud. The episode, along with backlash to Trump’s earlier Christ-like AI post, put pressure on his allies and highlighted growing tensions even among supportive leaders. Here is Trump refusing to apologize:
Rep. Andy Ogles made a controversial statement targeting Rep. Eric Swalwell, saying, “Let’s hang him.” He added, “Rapists should be hung, period,” framing his remark as part of a broader stance on punishment. The comments drew attention for their violent language and political focus.
The S&P 500 rose more than 1% and has now erased all losses since the Iran war began on Feb. 28. The rally came despite oil prices climbing, with U.S. crude rising over 2% to around $99 per barrel. Stocks were boosted by optimism that the conflict could de-escalate, along with Donald Trump saying he had been contacted by “the right people” in Iran.
According to CNN, U.S. officials are scrambling to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before it expires, warning that intelligence agencies could “go blind” during a fragile ceasefire with Iran. The law allows surveillance of foreign targets but has sparked controversy over potential impacts on Americans’ privacy, dividing lawmakers across parties. With key figures in Donald Trump’s administration pushing for renewal, it remains uncertain whether Congress will approve an extension in time.
António Guterres called for renewed talks between the U.S. and Iran, saying “there is no military solution” to the conflict after weeks of fighting. He urged that the ceasefire be preserved and emphasized the need for diplomacy. Guterres also called on all sides to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected planned U.S.-mediated peace talks between Lebanon and Israel, calling them “worthless.” He urged Lebanese leaders, including Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam, to withdraw from negotiations, arguing Israel continues attacks with U.S. backing. Qassem said the group would choose “resistance and confrontation,” claiming the talks would only lead to concessions and defeat for Lebanon.
The Cook Political Report shifted four Senate races:
North Carolina (open seat) — from Toss Up → Lean Democrat
Georgia (Jon Ossoff reelection) — from Toss Up → Lean Democrat
Ohio (Jon Husted) — from Lean Republican → Toss Up
Nebraska (Pete Ricketts) — from Solid Republican → Lean Republican
Eric Swalwell has announced his intention to resign from Congress:
Margarita Robles, Spain’s defense minister, criticized U.S. threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as “senseless,” warning it would further escalate the crisis. She described the conflict as “absurd” and said it is affecting multiple countries across the region. Robles also expressed concern over stalled diplomacy and emphasized that the situation should be resolved through diplomatic channels.
Donald Trump’s media company dropped its defamation lawsuit against The Guardian and other outlets over reporting about potentially suspicious payments, backing down after earlier legal setbacks. The case had already been dismissed once by a judge, and the company ultimately withdrew it without explanation, marking a rare retreat in Trump’s aggressive legal strategy against the media. The move was widely seen as a climbdown, with critics noting the lawsuit failed to prove wrongdoing in the reporting.
Péter Magyar won a landslide election in Hungary, defeating Viktor Orbán and ending his 16-year rule. Magyar pledged to usher in a “new era” and go after those who “plundered” the country, while restoring rule of law, media freedom, and democratic institutions. With a two-thirds majority, he is expected to push major reforms and shift Hungary back toward closer alignment with the EU.
See you soon.
— Aaron
