Good evening everyone. I hope you were able to get at least a moment of rest this Easter Sunday. I spent the day with my wife and daughter—she kept us on our toes, but the newborn chaos is still pretty incredible.
I want to start tonight with something serious. All day, I’ve watched large parts of the media sane-wash and normalize what we saw from the President. Whether it was an unhinged Truth Social post or open threats to bomb Iran—including civilian infrastructure, which would constitute a war crime—too many outlets softened the language, blurred the reality, or tried to explain it away. This isn’t analysis. It’s distortion.
At the same time, I’ve heard from many of you who just want one peaceful weekend. I get it. I want that too. But that’s not the moment we’re in—and pretending otherwise doesn’t make it true.
So here’s my commitment to you. I will not sane-wash the President—ever. Not this one, not the next one, not anyone, regardless of party. And I will be here reporting the news every day—weekdays, weekends, holidays—because that’s the job, and I take it seriously. If you need to step away, do it. I’ll be here when you come back.
You’ve given me the ability to do this independently. Your support makes it possible to report without fear, without pressure, and without compromise. As we watch parts of the mainstream media degrade in real time, I’m not going to bend to it. I’m not going to soften the truth. I’m not going to look away.
I’m going to tell you exactly what’s happening—clearly, directly, and without excuses.
If that matters to you, subscribe and support independent journalism.
Here’s the news:
- Donald Trump said he expects the conflict to end “in days, not weeks,” signaling confidence that a resolution could come quickly. He did this for one reason, however: the market is opening tomorrow and he wants to expel confidence. In the same statement, he warned that if no agreement is reached, the U.S. would escalate dramatically. He emphasized that “very little” would be off limits in such a scenario. The comments reflect both urgency and a willingness to pursue extreme measures if diplomacy fails.
- I saw Trump’s Easter post and how parts of the media rushed to soften and normalize it, which I think is deeply wrong. This is not normal behavior, and if any other president had posted something like that, it would have been treated as a major scandal. That double standard is exactly why independent journalism matters—I’m not going to sanitize or excuse it. What I saw was unhinged, dangerous, and completely beneath the office of the presidency.
- Members of Congress called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked today:
- Here’s another:
- Peter Doocy commented on the unhinged Truth Social post, noting it contained explicit or inappropriate language. He said he would avoid repeating the exact wording and instead summarize the message.
- David Sanger described Donald Trump’s Easter threat against Iran as “unusually vivid” in his analysis.
- Trump reinforced his warning with blunt language, stating that if negotiations do not succeed, “we’re blowing up the whole country.” He framed this as an inevitable outcome if no deal is reached. The statement underscores the severity of the potential response. It also highlights how high the stakes have become in the conflict.
- Trump suggested in a Truth Social post that his ultimatum to Iran would expire at a specific deadline—Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. He framed the deadline alongside threats that “Power Plant Day” and “Bridge Day” would follow if Iran does not comply, implying potential strikes on infrastructure. The post appears to clarify the exact timing of when consequences would begin if no agreement is reached.
- Trump told ABC News that deploying U.S. ground troops is not currently necessary. At the same time, he made clear that he is not ruling out that option entirely. This leaves open the possibility of deeper military involvement if conditions change. His stance reflects a cautious but flexible approach to escalation.
- He claimed he was “testing” NATO and suggested their participation was not essential. According to Trump, he invited involvement but did not push strongly for it. He indicated that NATO declined to take part. The remarks portray the situation as a strategic assessment of alliance support.
- On the issue of deadlines, Trump declined to say whether he would extend the current timeline for Iran. He insisted that there is still enough time for a deal to be reached. However, he warned that failure to do so would result in the country being “gone.” This reinforces the pressure being placed on negotiations.
- When asked about targeting civilian infrastructure, Trump avoided giving a direct answer. He said he did not want to discuss that topic. His response leaves ambiguity about potential limits in a military campaign. It also raises concerns about what actions could be considered.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene called on Christians within Donald Trump’s administration to oppose his actions. She criticized the current direction of policy, saying it does not align with the “Make America Great Again” message. Greene described the situation in stark moral terms, calling it “evil.” Her remarks signal a notable break from Trump among some of his political allies.
- Iran has rejected a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, signaling it is not willing to compromise on key demands. It also refused to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad, despite mediation efforts by Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. Iranian officials consider U.S. conditions to end the war unacceptable. Overall, the stance reflects a broader refusal to engage in current diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
- U.S. Central Command confirmed that an American F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down during a combat mission over Iran, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. For the first time since the incident, CENTCOM also publicly acknowledged that both crew members survived and were recovered. The pilot and weapons systems officer were rescued in separate high-risk search-and-rescue operations inside Iran. Overall, the statement highlights both the loss of the aircraft and the successful recovery of its crew.
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded to Donald Trump by warning that his actions are dangerously escalating the situation. He criticized what he described as “reckless moves,” arguing they are pushing the United States toward chaos. Ghalibaf also cautioned that continued escalation could ignite a much wider regional war, with consequences beyond Iran and the U.S.
- The Iranian Embassy in South Africa issued a statement addressing the situation and responding to recent developments.
- A covert Central Intelligence Agency deception campaign helped buy time to rescue a downed U.S. airman inside Iran. Officials say false information was spread suggesting the airman had already been extracted, delaying Iranian efforts to capture him. This allowed U.S. forces to locate him and carry out a high-risk special operations rescue after nearly two days behind enemy lines. The mission ultimately succeeded without U.S. casualties, preventing a major political and strategic setback.
- Two Republican election officials told Politico they expect Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting to be overturned in court. They argued the order has already triggered multiple lawsuits and is likely unconstitutional, despite some agreement with its underlying goals. Critics say the policy could create confusion and undermine trust in elections, while supporters frame it as an attempt to standardize voting rules. Overall, the legal challenges are expected to determine its fate ahead of upcoming elections.
- Pope Leo XIV used his first Easter address to call on world leaders to choose peace and dialogue over violence. He warned that societies are becoming desensitized to war and suffering, urging people not to grow indifferent to human loss. Without naming specific countries, his remarks contrasted with escalating rhetoric and conflict in places like the Middle East. He framed Easter as a reminder to reject violence and pursue compassion and reconciliation.
- Senator Ruben Gallego is considering a 2028 presidential run, emphasizing that Democrats must win back Latino voters to succeed. He pointed to declining Latino support in 2024 and argued that reconnecting with that base is essential for future elections. Gallego also said he is weighing personal factors, including his family and whether he can balance a campaign with being present as a father.
- A Texas mother, Kaitlyn Rose Laura, has been charged with medical child abuse after allegedly falsifying her 3-year-old son’s health to obtain unnecessary treatments and surgeries. Investigators say she repeatedly misled doctors, pushed for feeding tubes, and sought additional invasive procedures despite no medical need. Hospital staff grew suspicious after observing the child eating normally, and covert monitoring contradicted her claims. The child has since been removed from her care and is reportedly healthy without medical intervention.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
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