WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

✍️ Trump signs revenge porn bill. President Trump signed the bipartisan "Take It Down Act," which criminalizes publishing non-consensual intimate imagery and requires platforms to remove explicit content of minors within 48 hours. The bill was championed by First Lady Melania Trump and Rep. Brandon Guffey (R-SC), whose 17-year-old son died by suicide after falling victim to an online sexual extortion scam.

📞 Trump brokers Russia-Ukraine talks. President Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine will "immediately start negotiations" toward a ceasefire following his two-hour call with Vladimir Putin. Previous talks collapsed when Russia demanded Ukraine surrender four illegally annexed regions. This suggests that Putin may be using these negotiations tactically while maintaining territorial claims to prolong the war.

🔎 GOP probes Harvard's ties with China and Iran. House Republicans have launched an investigation into Harvard's alleged training of Chinese paramilitary officials and collaboration with Iran-linked researchers. Committee chairs demanded documents detailing Harvard's work with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, sanctioned for its role in the Uyghur genocide.

💰 Ashli Babbitt’s family received a $5M settlement. The Trump administration has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the estate of Ashli Babbitt, shot by Capitol Police during the January 6 riot. The lawsuit claimed the officer opened fire without warning, accusing Capitol Police of negligence. This comes as Trump made pardoning everybody involved in Jan. 6 a priority, having dismissed over 1,500 cases.

CORRECTION

Yesterday, we stated that Arlington, Virginia, had now become a sanctuary city. However, Arlington is not actually a city — it’s a county.

I can’t believe I’ve gone 28 years without knowing that. And I almost moved there!

-Brandon

Corrections are included in newsletters for transparency.

INSIDER RADAR

RFK Jr. on new federal dietary guidelines

Insiders behind the paywall: RFK Jr., Glenn Beck, Dan Bongino, Jeffrey Epstein, Steve Witkoff, Kristi Noem, and LaMonica McIver.

HOAX TRACKER

“JD Vance ‘snubbed’ by the new pope after Mass”

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QUICK AND IMPORTANT

• The DOJ is investigating Chicago’s hiring practices after Mayor Johnson (D) said he made decisions "solely on the basis of race.”

• House Republicans plan to interview and subpoena Biden White House staffers who controlled the autopen used to sign legislation.

• The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration authority to revoke the protected status of over 300,000 Venezuelans.

• President Trump called for "major investigations" into Kamala Harris’ massive campaign payments to celebrities.

• The most clicked link in our last newsletter was our insider exclusive article: “DOJ Officials Claim Stephen Miller, not Bondi, Calling the Shots.”

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INSIDER EXCLUSIVE

UK runs to the right on immigration

Prime Minister Keir Starmer rolled out plans aimed at scaling back immigration to the United Kingdom — though he may be decades too late.

His policy shift comes amid voter frustration over record migration levels and the growing electoral challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which has made fighting mass migration a top priority…

Read Now

THE MAIN STORY

US military sees a historic resurgence

WHAT’S HAPPENING_

The US military has surged under the Trump administration, reversing years of recruitment and retention challenges.

After missing targets during the Biden-Harris years, every military branch has smashed its recruiting goals for the 2025 fiscal year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have prioritized this military revival, focusing on combat readiness, higher standards, and a renewed “warrior ethos.” This shift comes with promises of pay raises for service members and cultural changes in the military and its academies.

_THE FACTS_

• The Army missed recruitment goals by historic margins under Biden, falling 15,000 recruits short in 2022.

• Now, it has reached 85 percent of its 2025 goal of 61,000 new recruits with five months remaining.

• The Navy will exceed its target of 40,600 new sailors in 2025.

• Air Force recruitment hit 15-year highs for December through February.

• The Marine Corps is reporting historic retention rates.

• The Army's Holistic Health and Fitness program, which Hegseth implemented more widely, has demonstrated 23 percent higher combat test pass rates, 27 percent better marksmanship scores, and a 500 percent drop in substance abuse cases.

• Hegseth’s January order created major changes at West Point — the nation’s preeminent military academy — by removing critical race theory and gender ideology from the curriculum.

• Hegseth has also ordered a 20 percent cut to the number of four-star generals, firing those deemed to have put ideology over military readiness.

• President Trump promised "substantial pay raises" to troops during his May 15 visit to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

_OUR INSIGHTS _

Insights and analysis are for members only.

Insights behind the paywall: Pete Hegseth’s role, a recent interview, and giving men a purpose.

_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_

What do you think about Hegseth’s leadership? What other changes would you like to see in the military?

_{Comments are open for everyone.}

MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER

How left and right outlets frame the Take It Down Act

Mentioned behind the paywall: PBS News, Politico, The Daily Signal, and Breitbart.

THE DAILY DEBATE

POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY

Do you support the FDA banning fluoride products for children?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (1214)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (71)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (86)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Other (Comment) (8)

POP QUIZ

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