WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🚀 Trump unveiled the Golden Dome missile defense system. President Trump announced the selection of a design for America's new shield to protect against incoming missiles, appointing the Space Force to oversee the $25 billion project. Trump promised a "success rate very close to 100 percent" for intercepting incoming missiles. This sophisticated defense system redefines America's defensive capabilities beyond anything in its military history.
🇮🇱 Trump is pushing Netanyahu to end the Gaza war. President Trump has reportedly expressed frustration with the ongoing Gaza conflict and pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “wrap it up.” Trump, concerned by images of suffering Palestinian children, wants to secure hostage releases and increase humanitarian aid. Despite initially fully supporting Israel’s offensive, it has seemingly become an obstacle to Trump's vision for regional transformation.
🪖 Hegseth launched an Afghanistan withdrawal investigation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the creation of a special review panel to investigate the Biden administration's "chaotic" 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. The panel will examine the decision-making that led to what Hegseth described as "one of America's darkest and deadliest international moments." The Trump administration is pledging transparency about the withdrawal that cost 13 American service members their lives.
💉 The FDA overhauled the COVID vaccine approval process. The Food and Drug Administration is shifting its COVID-19 vaccine approval policies to target Americans over 65 and other high-risk individuals, while imposing stricter standards for approving vaccines for low-risk populations. This move abandons the previous "one-size-fits-all" approach to align American guidelines with European nations. The administration appears to recognize the collapse of public trust in health institutions and is adjusting accordingly.
INSIDER RADAR
Marco Rubio’s dire message on Syria
Insiders behind the paywall: Marco Rubio, Jake Tapper, Lara Trump, Megyn Kelly, RFK Jr., and Kash Patel.
QUICK AND IMPORTANT
The US has reportedly received intelligence that Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear sites.
The Senate unanimously passed a bill eliminating federal taxes on tips — a Trump campaign promise.
A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the US Institute of Peace.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took questions from reporters’ kids on Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day — it was shockingly cute
INSIDER EXCLUSIVE
How Trump is shaping a new Middle East
THE STORY
There is a famous quote attributed to the communist pioneer Vladimir Lenin: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
Such a quote summarizes the last few weeks in America’s Middle Eastern policy, which has borne witness to a fundamental shift in how America conducts foreign policy in the Middle East.
Walking in lockstep with Israel is out — closer ties to Syria and Saudi Arabia may just be in.
THE HISTORY
Since Israel’s independence in 1948, it and the United States have been extremely close allies. America was one of the first to recognize the existence of an Israeli government, doing so on the day independence was declared.
Since then, America has consistently supported Israel. The country’s victory in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 was due in large part to the Nixon administration’s round-the-clock shipment of American supplies and weaponry. Likewise, no American president has ever called for a one-state solution (the preferred solution of the Palestinians)…
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Do you think Trump should be more closely aligned with Israel instead of Saudi Arabia and Syria?
Comments are open for everyone.
THE MAIN STORY
Jill Biden under fire for concealing Joe’s decline
WHAT’S HAPPENING_
Former First Lady Jill Biden has found herself under scrutiny for her alleged role in keeping Joe Biden in office despite his visible decline.
A new book, Original Sin, and a wave of insider accounts suggest she was not just a supportive spouse, but a central figure in a White House culture that concealed the president’s deteriorating health.
With Joe Biden now diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, Jill is now being considered to have prolonged his presidency far past the point of viability, paving the way for his political collapse.
_THE FACTS_
Speaking to Original Sin authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, one Biden administration staffer said, “Five people were running the country and Joe Biden was, at best, a senior member of the board.”
Tapper and Thompson also reported that Jill Biden was a driving force behind Joe Biden’s decision to run again in 2024.
Joe and Jill Biden recently appeared on The View, where she discussed her own initiatives on women’s health research.
Jill also had to step in to answer a question on President Biden’s mental health, after the latter gave a meandering answer.
The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin called it "unhelpful" for Jill Biden to be there.
A former Biden medical doctor claimed on MSNBC that Joe Biden “probably” had prostate cancer dating back to 2021.
A Justice Department official suggested Jill Biden could face elder abuse charges for allegedly hiding Joe’s health issues.
Jill Biden’s former press secretary lambasted the Bidens for being "allergic to transparency.”
_OUR INSIGHTS _
Insights and analysis are for members only.
Insights behind the paywall: Beau Biden, Kamala Harris, and Trump’s victory.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Do you believe Jill Biden is primarily responsible for the cover-up?
Comments are open for everyone.
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system
Mentioned behind the paywall: The Associated Press, The Washington Post, RedState, and The Daily Signal.
THE DAILY DEBATE
📊 Do you agree with President Trump telling Israel to “wrap up” the war?Results will be in tomorrow's newsletter |
POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Who do you think is most responsible for the military recruitment surge?
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🦅 Donald Trump (385)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🪖 Pete Hegseth (231)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🤝 It's A Team Effort (693)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (10)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Other (13)
🦅 Trump: “Having a conservative and patriotic president helps influence those who would already lean toward joining the military — they feel prouder of their country and more ready to help defend it!” — Deena
🪖 Hegseth: “Hegseth has been the leader and role model that has been the tip of the spear.” — Em
🤝 Team Effort: “Commander in chief has set the tone and Hegseth is the right man for the job.” — John
💬 Other: “Getting rid of DEI, critical race theory and all that woke stuff was a big help.” — JJW
POP QUIZ
What bill did the Senate unanimously pass? |
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, 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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