WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🇻🇪 US may oversee Venezuela for years. President Trump says the US will oversee Venezuela “at least a year, much longer” after Maduro’s arrest. The US will control oil sales, route crude to American refineries, and collect proceeds for both countries. Trump’s team is negotiating with Chevron and Exxon to revive Venezuela’s industry.
🤰 Trump calls for “flexibility” on abortion funding. The president told House Republicans they may need to be “flexible” on the Hyde Amendment, which bars taxpayer-funded abortions. Trump previously enforced Hyde by executive order, but his latest comments suggest a possible compromise on a core GOP issue.
💸 House GOP bills provide billions in questionable spending. Three Republican spending bills include $6.5 billion in earmarks, funding left-leaning nonprofits and legal aid for illegal migrants. Fiscal conservatives warn that this breaks promises to cut spending, with some earmarks tied to groups under federal fraud investigation.
🧑💻 White House launches Jan. 6 website. A new White House website details the January 6 Capitol breach, blaming security failures on Nancy Pelosi and accusing Democrats of “gaslighting.” The site rebuts the insurrection narrative, framing Biden’s prosecutions as political retribution.
INSIDER RADAR
Tulsi Gabbard and JD Vance’s deafening silence
Behind the paywall: Tulsi Gabbard, JD Vance, Tom Homan, and John Fetterman
THE MAIN STORY
How Trump’s AI revolution could shift the 2026 elections
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
In January, President Trump, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced the $500 billion Stargate AI data center project.
The president’s AI agenda creates an opening for Democrats in 2026 and 2028, and for Republican contenders looking to break from him in 2028…
Behind the paywall: How Trump’s full-throttle AI push is reshaping the Republican coalition, why Silicon Valley’s influence is colliding with voter demand for regulation, and how the AI divide could upend the 2026 elections — and beyond.
Should the Trump administration remain full steam ahead on AI development?
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame the US running Venezuela “for years”
Behind the paywall: The New York Times and The Guardian on the left, and Fox News and Newsmax on the right.
_TODAY’S DEBATE_
📊 What should Republicans’ approach to AI be?
POLLS RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you believe the officer in Minneapolis fired in self-defense?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (1,851)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (63)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (182)
👍 Yes: “I saw video from 2 different angles where he was definitely in front of her vehicle and she drove at him anyway.” — Randy
👎 No: “Three shots to the head at point blank range while the car is driving past? There is no justification.” — Ryan
🤔 Unsure: “It doesn't matter what I believe. At the end of a thorough investigation we will have answers, not speculation.” — Patricia
_QUESTIONS_
_POP QUIZ_
What is the name of the amendment that Trump said may need “flexibility?"
Thanks for joining us today. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media—Ariel David and Brandon Goldman.
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