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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🗳️ Republican wins Tennessee special election. Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by nine points in Tennessee's 7th District special election. However, Donald Trump won the district by 22 points, signalling a possible bellwether for a weaker GOP performance in 2026.
🚔 ICE targets Somalis in Minnesota. The Trump administration ordered ICE to round up Somali illegal migrants in the Twin Cities. Hundreds are expected to be targeted this week, though about 95 percent of Minnesota's Somali population is US citizens.
💰 Billionaires donate $6.25B to "Trump Accounts". Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to fund investment accounts for 25 million American children. The donation supports Trump's program, giving every newborn a $1,000 federal grant, with the Dells adding $250 for children under 10 in lower-income areas.
🏪 Costco sues Trump administration over tariffs. Wholesale giant Costco filed suit seeking a refund of tariffs paid on imported goods. The company claims it faces an urgent customs law deadline that threatens its ability to recover the duties.
INSIDER RADAR
Marco Rubio on recovered alien technology
Insiders behind the paywall: Marco Rubio, Tom Homan, Scott Bessent, and Pete Hegseth.
QUICK AND IMPORTANT
Another Afghan national arrested for threatening terror
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THE MAIN STORY
Steve Witkoff’s secret Russia negotiations
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
This topic was recommended by Upward News member Janet Null. If you’d like to request a story, become a member and use the link at the bottom of the newsletter.
A leaked phone call between US envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Kremlin aide revealed Witkoff engaging in secret negotiations with the Russians to end their war in Ukraine…
_FACTS AND INSIGHTS_
The initially leaked 28-point peace plan, drafted by Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was essentially a list of Russian demands.
The administration is pushing hard for a negotiated settlement, while Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he's winning and has little incentive to compromise.
Exclusive analysis and uncensored facts behind the paywall: Details of the Russians’ plan, Ukraine’s response, and what Vladimir Putin may be attempting to achieve in the negotiations.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Do you trust Steve Witkoff leading negotiations with the Russians?
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame the ongoing negotiations with Russia
Mentioned behind the paywall: The Independent, PBS News, The Daily Wire, and The European Conservative.
_THE DAILY DEBATE_
📊 Is Trump’s strategy too soft on Russia, too hard, or about right?
POLLS RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you approve of Kash Patel's performance at the FBI?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ✅ Approve (1,145)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ ❌ Disapprove (65)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤷♂️ Somewhere in the middle (248)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (61)
✅ Approve: “The FBI is so used to corrupt leadership that they don’t recognize someone with integrity.” — Marlene
❌ Disapprove: “All he has done is continue to prop up the deep state.” — Gary
🤷♂️ Somewhere in the middle: “I like the man and his mindset, but I am not sure of his effectiveness given the state of the agency.” — GW
_HAVE THOUGHTS?_
COMMENT OF THE DAY
“The tone of their seditious video was saying to each person in the military, ‘Before you carry out any order of the president or your superior, stop and check with your attorney to see if the order is legal or not.’ The damage to our military by presenting this video is catastrophic.”
_POP QUIZ_
Who is suing the Trump administration over its tariff policies?
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ariel David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
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