Good morning everyone. Sorry for the late post this morning. It was a very sleepless night with my newborn, but all is okay. This week is already shaping up to be extremely busy from a news perspective, and we are seeing that play out in real time. Overnight, Donald Trump posted more racist and Islamophobic videos and images on Truth Social that I cannot stay silent about as a journalist and have to call out. Meanwhile, Iran is rejecting ceasefire proposals and even mocking Trump online, as the United States and Israel continue strikes on Iranian universities and petrochemical facilities. At the same time, more Democratic lawmakers, along with some Republicans who previously worked for Trump, are raising calls to consider the 25th Amendment.
I refuse to soften what we are seeing just to maintain access. Trump is speaking this afternoon at 1 p.m., and I will watch so you do not have to. As parts of the mainstream media continue to erode in real time, I am not going to follow that path. I am not going to soften the truth, and I am not going to look away.
I am going to tell you exactly what is happening clearly, directly, and without excuses.
If that matters to you, subscribe and support independent journalism.
Here’s the news:
- Overnight, Trump posted an openly Islamophobic video on Truth Social targeting Muslim women in a public space, using somber music to frame their presence as something negative, and then amplified an unfounded claim that most of them were on welfare. Earlier yesterday, he made an unhinged Easter post threatening attacks on Iranian infrastructure if his demands weren’t met. This is not normal, again. While some may just say it is Trump being Trump, I refuse. Some lawmakers responded by calling for consideration of the 25th Amendment.
- Trump’s threats to target Iranian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges have drawn sharp international criticism, with Iranian officials and others arguing such actions would constitute war crimes under international law. European leaders have also stressed that attacking civilian infrastructure is illegal and warned of the humanitarian consequences of escalation. Critics, including U.S. lawmakers, described Trump’s rhetoric as dangerous and destabilizing, while Iran has warned it would respond with “much more devastating” retaliation if such strikes occur.
- More lawmakers call for the 25th Amendment:
- Trump’s former Communications Director did the same:
- Iran has rejected a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, telling mediators from Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan that it will not accept short-term deals tied to U.S. conditions. It also refused to meet American officials in Islamabad and described U.S. demands to end the war as unacceptable. The rejection has stalled mediation efforts and highlights Iran’s position that negotiations cannot take place under pressure or ultimatums.
- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released video footage showing U.S. strikes on multiple Iranian targets across the country, offering visual confirmation of ongoing military operations and the scale of the campaign.
- Trump spent part of Easter Sunday going to his Virginia golf resort instead of attending church, despite his strong support from evangelical Christians. His trip was not publicly scheduled, and press access was limited once he arrived. This took place while tensions and conflict with Iran were ongoing, with U.S. troops deployed abroad. The situation drew criticism for the contrast between him enjoying a golf outing and soldiers remaining in harm’s way.
- Sharif University of Technology, one of Iran’s top engineering schools often compared to MIT, was reportedly bombed in Tehran, with surrounding educational facilities also damaged. The university has long been a major center for scientific talent, producing engineers who have gone on to work in Silicon Valley and contribute to major tech companies. The strike raised sharp criticism and concern about targeting an academic institution in a densely populated city of around 10 million people.
- Israel carried out a major strike on Iran’s South Pars petrochemical facility, a critical site responsible for roughly half of the country’s petrochemical production, triggering large explosions and raising concerns about escalation. The attack hit part of the world’s largest gas field, shared with Qatar, and came despite ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Airstrikes also hit Tehran, killing senior Iranian military figures, including the intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guards, while Iranian missiles struck Israeli cities like Haifa, causing deaths.
- The conflict has expanded across the region, with Iran launching missiles and drones at targets in Israel and Gulf countries, prompting nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait to activate air defenses. Key global energy infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted, contributing to rising oil prices and broader economic disruption. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for about a fifth of the world’s oil supply, remains central to the conversation, with Iran restricting access and increasing pressure on global markets.
- According to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense, Iran launched a large-scale barrage in the past 24 hours, including 2 cruise missiles, 12 ballistic missiles, and 19 one-way attack drones targeting the country. UAE air defense systems successfully intercepted these threats, though such attacks are part of a sustained campaign that has repeatedly targeted the country during the ongoing conflict.
- Diplomatic efforts are ongoing but fragile, with mediators proposing a potential 45-day ceasefire as a step toward ending the war. Iran has confirmed receiving proposals but rejected being pressured by deadlines or threats, emphasizing its own conditions for negotiations. At the same time, Trump has issued ultimatums demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of severe military consequences if it does not comply.
- Newly released emails reveal that members of Elon Musk’s private security team were deputized as federal agents despite some lacking required training. The U.S. Marshals Service approved the request, reportedly coming from the White House, allowing them to carry weapons in certain federal buildings. The decision has raised concerns about standards and oversight in granting federal authority. It sheds light on unusual arrangements involving private security and government power.
- CBS News has confirmed that the CIA World Factbook, a long-standing and widely used public database of global information on countries, was abruptly shut down by the Trump administration after more than six decades. The Factbook had served as a free, centralized source of data on geography, governments, economies, and cultures, used by students, researchers, and policymakers worldwide. Its closure sparked backlash and concern about losing a trusted, easily accessible source of information, with critics warning it may become harder to find reliable global data. The move was framed by the CIA as part of shifting priorities, but it also raised broader questions about access to knowledge and transparency.
- The Supreme Court of the United States cleared the way for the Trump administration to dismiss the criminal contempt case against Steve Bannon, who had already served four months in prison for defying congressional subpoenas related to the January 6 attack. The court sent the case back to a lower court, effectively undoing a prior appeals ruling that upheld his conviction. The Trump administration has said it plans to drop the case “in the interests of justice,” which would erase the conviction after the fact. The move is largely symbolic but reflects broader efforts by Trump and his allies to revisit or undo legal actions tied to January 6.
- According to Politico, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum quietly removed educational materials linking Nazism to American racism and canceled or altered programs focused on democratic fragility after Trump returned to office. Internal changes included renaming a workshop to avoid politically sensitive language and taking down resources about topics like Jim Crow and Holocaust-era racial parallels. Former employees said these moves appeared to be preemptive, aimed at avoiding backlash from the Trump administration, even though officials denied any direct pressure. The changes occurred alongside broader efforts by the administration to reshape cultural institutions and remove diversity-related content, while leadership shifts at the museum further aligned it with Trump-appointed figures.
- Trump requested a massive $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027, a 44% increase over the previous year, which immediately drew skepticism from lawmakers. Senator Tim Kaine and others questioned whether such a large increase could be justified and indicated Congress would closely review it. The proposal is expected to face significant challenges in getting approved.
- Senator Ruben Gallego is considering a run for president in 2028, pointing to his background and appeal to Latino voters as key strengths. He emphasized themes of patriotism and representation, noting the contributions of Latino Americans despite ongoing challenges. His potential candidacy reflects broader positioning within the Democratic Party ahead of the next election cycle. This signals early movement in what could become a competitive 2028 field.
- Democratic politicians across the country are increasingly embracing tax cuts as a central campaign idea to address cost-of-living concerns. Proposals range from federal tax exemptions on certain income levels to eliminating state income taxes for specific groups like teachers. These plans are aimed at winning back working-class voters and expanding appeal ahead of future elections. The trend shows a shift in messaging and economic strategy within the party.
- Steve Hilton, a candidate for California governor, has received an endorsement from Donald Trump, signaling Trump’s backing in the race and potentially boosting Hilton’s visibility and support among Republican voters.
- According to Politico, Serbia’s top military and intelligence officials said Ukraine was not responsible for an incident involving a large cache of explosives found near a gas pipeline on the Hungarian border. This directly contradicts claims made by Viktor Orbán, who had suggested Ukraine was behind the suspected attack.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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