🦃 Daily Brief: A Very Happy Thanksgiving, From Upward News

Why today is the most American day of the year

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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

🇺🇦 Trump appointed Lt. Gen. Kellogg as special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. President-elect Trump named Vietnam War veteran and retired general Keith Kellogg to lead negotiations between the warring countries, intending to leverage "peace through strength" to end the war. Kellogg supports a ceasefire, territorial concessions from Ukraine, and conditional US military aid, sparking concern from Washington’s entrenched military establishment.

🤝 Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. President-elect Donald Trump hosted META CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who sought to discuss shielding his company from potential scrutiny under the incoming administration. Zuckerberg, who recently admitted regret over censoring certain viewpoints and de-platforming Trump on Facebook, is now supposedly committed to working with him and his administration.

A court upheld Texas' right to secure its border. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas can use razor wire along the Mexico border, rejecting the Biden administration’s objections. Governor Abbott (R) celebrated the decision, affirming Texas’ right to deter illegal crossings. The injunction bars federal agents from interfering with the barrier except in medical emergencies.

🖥️ Microsoft was hit with a broad FTC antitrust probe. The Federal Trade Commission, under outgoing Chair Lina Khan, has launched a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft for potentially engaging in unfair practices. These include bundling software with its cloud services, certain cybersecurity issues, and its dominance as a government contractor, which competitors argue stifles competition. With Khan expected to depart once Trump takes office, the probe’s future remains uncertain.

WHAT WE’RE HEARING
  • Joe Rogan slammed the Democratic Party for praising Dick Cheney's nomination of Kamala Harris despite vilifying him during his vice presidency.

  • Donald Trump Jr. confirmed that replacing some legacy media outlets with more popular, independent voices “may be in the works.”

  • Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) shot down the idea that Congress members should be banned from trading stocks.

  • Joy Reid had a meltdown over sharing a Thanksgiving meal with Trump-supporting relatives.

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IN THE LOOP
  • Pete Hegseth claimed a credible bomb threat was made against him and his family.

  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has an approval rating of only 15 percent.

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  • For the first time since 1980, all 50 states shifted red from the previous presidential election.

  • Elon Musk wants the Department of Government Efficiency to audit the IRS.

  • Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill banning transgender-identifying students from using facilities opposite their biological sex.

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MY THOUGHTS

Thanksgiving, Without English.

Good morning. I grew up immersed fully in an immigrant community. My family arrived in America in the early '90s, along with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and all of my family’s friends. Every celebration — from birthdays to graduations, family reunions to regular weekend gatherings — was Thanksgiving to us.

No table was complete without a heartfelt toast to this land, to America, and the opportunities it provided for us and the generations to come. These toasts were always accompanied by stories of the immigrant journey and tear-filled reflections on how far we had come.

This gratitude for America is central to the immigrant psyche. It’s always present, always looking for a moment to surface. You might think, then, that Thanksgiving wouldn’t be a big deal for immigrant families like mine. But it’s quite the opposite.

Thanksgiving is the most American day of the year.

It’s a day when immigrants can walk into a store, buy a turkey, gravy, and stuffing, place them alongside their traditional dishes (in my case, Russian food), and feel completely American. And for those who’ve only recently arrived, it’s a day they can participate in — without even speaking a word of English.

That’s what makes this day extraordinary. Immigration is a beautiful story, built on optimism and the belief that the future is brighter than the past. It’s a selfless journey where the fruits of hard work are often enjoyed most by future generations. But it’s also a harrowing journey, marked by loneliness and doubts about fitting in.

Thanksgiving, however, eases those doubts. It’s a day when new Americans feel fully American — when they can express gratitude for those who built this land before us and the ideas that have made this country the city upon a hill.

This year, as fall fades into winter, I’ll spend Thanksgiving with my family — perhaps the only day of the year we’re all together under one roof (yet another exceptional gift of this day).

It’s not just a day to express gratitude for this country — something we do every day — but to pause, reflect, and share that gratitude together. And in those moments, surrounded by family and tradition, it feels like the very heart of what it means to be American.

Ari David,

Founder, Upward News

On another note, Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season. It’s a time when news cycles slow, screens are put aside, and people focus on their families. It’s a beautiful thing.

I want to take a moment to thank you all for being here — for tuning into the work our team pours their hearts into, for sharing it, and for believing in our mission to deliver honest, fearless, and intelligent reporting to help steer this country toward another golden era. I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

P.S. If you’re not a paid member yet, please consider becoming one. We spend countless hours researching, writing, and fighting back against the mainstream media to bring you the truth and serve this country. We do it for you — for your family, for your future, and for America.

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OUR QUESTION TO YOU

📊 When does the Christmas season start?

Results will be in Monday's newsletter

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POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY

What is the best Thanksgiving food?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 🍗 Turkey (372)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🍞 Stuffing (425)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🥔 Mashed Potatoes (118)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🥧 Pie (233)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Other (comment) (97)

🍗 Turkey: “Is it really a Thanksgiving dinner without a Turkey?” — Rich

🍞 Stuffing: “That stuffing is ranking as the greatest thanksgiving food is a sure sign to me that I am amongst people of good judgement in my selection of a daily news source.” — Jaden

🤔 Other: “Whatever my wife serves.” — M.B.

1,245 votes

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Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman and Ari David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.

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