Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 - Trump's Doesn’t Think About Your Finances, Pentagon Rebrands Iran War, Epstein Survivor Testimony

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 - Trump's Doesn’t Think About Your Finances, Pentagon Rebrands Iran War, Epstein Survivor Testimony

Today's Headlines: Trump had a full episode between 1am and sunrise Tuesday, posting dozens of times about the 2020 election, the reflecting pool, and Barack Obama — before waking up and telling reporters he doesn't think about Americans' financial situations "at all." He also disowned his favorite pool guy after the reflecting pool paint job came out bubbly, uneven, and full of holes, despite having previously bragged about this being the greatest pool contractor in history — he then flew to China to meet Xi Jinping, bringing 16 CEOs including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, to meet with the country actively helping Iran win his war. On the war front, the Pentagon is considering renaming the conflict "Operation Sledgehammer" — not just rebranding, but a legal strategy to restart the 60-day congressional authorization clock — while Hegseth told Congress the $29 billion war could resume without their approval, which even some Republicans found uncomfortable but not uncomfortable enough to act on. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Kash Patel denied the drinking allegations before Congress and offered to take an alcohol disorder test only if Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen takes it with him, which is a choice. In Epstein files news, Democrats held a field hearing in Palm Beach where Epstein survivors testified, including one woman appearing publicly for the first time only because her name was published unredacted in the files, who revealed Epstein was assaulting her while in prison and that she couldn't report it because her visa was tied to him — one of at least 55 people whose immigration status was connected to his estate. In a completely under-covered story, the former mayor of Arcadia, California pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent for China after running a fake local news site publishing pro-China propaganda on government directives. And finally, Stephen Colbert's late night show ends next Thursday, closing out with Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and both Jimmys — which was a good TV moment in an otherwise chaotic week. Resources/Articles mentioned:  CNN: In wild late-night posting spree, Trump attacks Obama with imaginary quote and false conspiracy theories [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/12/politics/trump-posting-spree-obama-false] NBC News: Trump says he’s not thinking about Americans’ finances ‘even a little bit’ in Iran talks [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-not-thinking-american-finances-iran-talk-rcna344785]  NYT: Reflecting Pool Repairs Appear Uneven and Behind Schedule, Officials Say [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/politics/lincoln-memorial-pool-repairs.html] NYT: Trump to Be Joined by Elon Musk and Other CEOs at Xi Summit in China [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/us/politics/trump-china-musk-cook.html] NBC News: Pentagon considering renaming Iran war ‘Sledgehammer’ if ceasefire collapses [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/pentagon-considering-re-naming-iran-war-sledgehammer-ceasefire-collaps-rcna344630] AP News: Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump's end game [https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-iran-war-congress-pentagon-7e9173700a2cf1ea8d5c4b1a85a6bce3] The Hill: Patel agrees to take alcohol test after heated exchange with Van Hollen [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5874784-fbi-director-drinking-test/] The Guardian: Epstein survivors give tearful testimony in House field hearing in Palm Beach [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/12/jeffrey-epstein-survivor-palm-beach-hearing] ABC News: California mayor charged with acting as illegal agent for China [https://abcnews.com/Politics/california-mayor-accused-acting-illegal-agent-china/story?id=132860574] NYT: Stephen Colbert Hosts 4 of His ‘Best Television Friends’ [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/arts/television/stephen-colbert-strike-force-five.html] Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com [http://betchesnews.substack.com/] Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 - Iran Ceasefire Dead, Reflecting Pool Paint Job Cost $13M, TX Sues Netflix

Today's Headlines: The Iran ceasefire is on "massive life support" per Trump, while Iran's foreign minister insists their latest proposal was reasonable — and the administration responded by sanctioning 12 companies helping ship Iranian oil to China, days before Trump flies to Beijing to meet Xi Jinping, where that will definitely not be awkward. This is further complicated by reports that China was preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran last month, meaning both China and Russia are now actively supporting Iran, great. On the Hantavirus front, 18 Americans from the cruise are back in the US, at least 2 appear infected, and the other 16 are being monitored at a federally funded biocontainment facility in Nebraska — the WHO still says global risk is low and this is not another COVID. In other news, Trump's plan to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "American flag blue" was quoted at $1.8 million — it's actually $13.1 million, no other contractors were allowed to bid, and the justification was that delays would cause "serious injury to the government." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy filmed a road trip reality show visiting historic landmarks, which a watchdog group alleges was sponsored by Toyota, Boeing, and United Airlines — companies he's supposed to regulate — through a conveniently named nonprofit funded by auto companies. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Max Miller was accused in court filings of throwing boiling water on his ex-wife while their 2-year-old was present — also not his first abuse accusation, having previously been accused of assault by then-White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham in 2020. Texas sued Netflix for spying on children, collecting user data without consent, selling viewing habits to data brokers, and designing the platform to be addictive — Netflix says the lawsuit lacks merit. The guy who stormed the White House Correspondents Dinner pleaded not guilty, with his attorneys arguing that both acting AG Todd Blanche and Jeanine Pirro should recuse themselves since they were both at the dinner. And finally, NBC is launching a Wordle game show hosted by Savannah Guthrie and Jimmy Fallon.  Resources/Articles mentioned: AP News: Passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship fly to home countries for monitoring [https://apnews.com/article/hantavirus-outbreak-hondius-cruise-ship-df0e7e1fb9c7fd3e4092be06e684f644] CNN: Live updates: Trump says ceasefire with Iran on ‘massive life support’ after he rejects Tehran’s proposal [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/11/world/live-news/iran-war-proposal-trump] NYT: Reflecting Pool Repairs to Cost $13.1 Million. Trump Had Promised $1.8 Million [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/us/politics/reflecting-pool-paint-contract-trump.html] Reuters: Netflix sued by Texas for allegedly spying on children, addicting users [https://www.reuters.com/world/netflix-sued-by-texas-allegedly-spying-consumers-2026-05-11/] The Hill: Watchdog group asks Transportation IG to probe Duffy’s ‘road trip’ with family [https://thehill.com/homenews/5873035-watchdog-group-calls-for-probe/] Yahoo: MAGA Congressman Accused of Beating and Burning His Ex-Wife [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maga-congressman-accused-beating-burning-160957312.html] AP News: Man charged in White House correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guilty [https://apnews.com/article/trump-correspondents-dinner-allen-shooting-d9a2d4ddab8c6a48d3e365f72eea9a86] NYT: Wordle to Become Prime-Time TV Show, With Savannah Guthrie as Host [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/business/media/wordle-nbc-savannah-guthrie.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email] Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com [http://betchesnews.substack.com/] Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Monday, May 11th, 2026 - Iran Peace Deal Rejected, Russia Drone Offer, RFK Jr. comes for your Lexapro, VA Redistricting Overturned, Trump Phone Revolt

Today's Headlines: Trump kicked off the week rejecting Iran's latest peace proposal with "I don't like it — totally unacceptable," while a confidential Economist document reveals Russia offered Iran 5,000 advanced drones and training for 10,000 soldiers to use them against American troops. Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei hasn't been seen publicly since being severely injured in the airstrike that killed most of his family, complicating Iran's ability to negotiate. Someone also unveiled a 22-foot golden Trump statue at a Florida golf course, which his evangelical adviser insists is definitely not idol worship. In the redistricting wars, Virginia's Supreme Court struck down the congressional map that Virginia voters just voted for — the same court that previously cleared it — handing Republicans a significant midterm advantage before the south has even finished gerrymandering. Trump announced an "election integrity army" in every state this November, the FBI opened a new investigation into Wisconsin's 2020 election results, and the DOJ subpoenaed Fulton County for the names of every 2020 election worker, which Fulton County is fighting in court. To distract from all of this, the Pentagon started releasing UFO files, which is a thing that is happening. In brain worm updates, RFK Jr. is reportedly exploring banning certain SSRIs including Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro — his department denied it, though he just announced initiatives to reduce SSRI prescriptions. The Trump administration is also planning to cut Social Security disability benefits for people living with family members by up to a third, potentially affecting 400,000 people — call your congresspeople. Trump Media posted a $405 million loss on just $900,000 in revenue, 600,000 MAGA fans who paid a nonrefundable deposit for the Trump Phone in 2025 still don't have their devices and are finally revolting, and the Hantavirus cruise passengers are being carefully evacuated home from the Canary Islands with isolation protocols in place. And finally, Rudy Giuliani — who was read his last rites last week — is attempting to get his hospital bills covered by a federal fund for 9/11 first responders, which is one way to handle bankruptcy. Resources/Articles mentioned: Newsweek: Pastor defends Golden Trump statue from biblical backlash [https://www.newsweek.com/pastor-defends-golden-trump-statue-from-biblical-backlash-11933490] WSJ: Trump Blasts Iran's Response on Reopening Hormuz, Handling Uranium [https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-trump-news?mod=hp_lead_pos1] The Economist: Secret document reveals Russia’s plans to aid Iran [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/05/07/secret-document-reveals-russias-plans-to-aid-iran] NYT: Virginia Court Strikes Down Redistricted Voting Map in a Huge Blow to Democrats [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/us/politics/virginia-redistricting-supreme-court.html] Advance Local: Trump: GOP will have ‘election integrity army’ in every state during 2026 midterms [https://www.al.com/politics/2026/05/trump-gop-will-have-election-integrity-army-in-every-state-during-2026-midterms.html] Wausau Pilot & Review: FBI is investigating Wisconsin's 2020 election, sources confirm -  [https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2026/05/10/fbi-is-investigating-wisconsins-2020-election-sources-confirm/] PBS: Justice Department seeks the names of 2020 election workers in Georgia's Fulton County [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/justice-department-seeks-the-names-of-2020-election-workers-in-georgias-fulton-county] NBC News: Pentagon releases declassified UFO files including videos and photos held by the government for decades [https://www.nbcnews.com/science/ufos-and-anomalous-phenomena/ufo-uap-files-pentagon-release-trump-rcna344204] Politico: Wiles cracks down on leaks [https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook-remaking-government/2026/05/08/susie-cracks-down-on-leaks-00912661] CNBC: U.S. payrolls jump more than expected, but the report had several red flags for the economy [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/08/jobs-report-april-2026.html] The Daily Beast: MAGA Fans Revolt Over Trump Phone Disaster [https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-fans-revolt-over-trump-mobile-phone-disaster/] Bloomberg: Trump Media Posts $405 Million Loss Driven by Crypto Holdings [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-09/trump-media-posts-405-million-drop-driven-by-crypto-losses] CNN: Live updates: Hantavirus outbreak, passengers disembark cruise ship in Tenerife [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/health/live-news/hantavirus-cruise-outbreak] Reuters: Exclusive: Kennedy's health officials explored US ban of some widely used antidepressants [https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kennedys-health-officials-explored-us-ban-some-widely-used-antidepressants-2026-05-08/] ProPublica: The Trump Administration Aims to Penalize Disabled Adults Who Live With Their Families [https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-social-security-ssi-disability-benefits-cuts-parents-children] The Daily Beast: Rudy Giuliani Wants 9/11 Health Fund to Cover His Medical Bills [https://www.thedailybeast.com/rudy-giuliani-wants-911-health-fund-to-cover-his-medical-bills/] Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com [http://betchesnews.substack.com/] Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Friday, May 8th, 2026 - Trump's Iran "Love Tap," Gas Prices Hit $4.50, The South Returns To Jim Crow, Ransomware Crashes Canvas

Today's Headlines: The Iran war is very much back on — Trump threatened Iran with "one big glow," called the exchange of fire "just a love tap," and bragged about sinking small boats, while US intelligence confirmed Iran still has about 70% of its missiles intact despite Trump claiming it's down to 18-19%. Gas prices have hit $4.50 a gallon — up over 50% since the war started — with CEOs warning that consumer spending is collapsing and everyone is borrowing to get by. Shell, meanwhile, posted $7 billion in Q1 profits, more than double the previous quarter, which seems fine. As if the war weren't enough to worry about, on the redistricting beat, Tennessee signed a new map eliminating the state's one Democratic seat by splitting Memphis into four suburban districts, Alabama passed their gerrymandering legislation while tornado sirens blared and the building flooded, and Mississippi is planning their own special session in a Jim Crow-era capitol that's been a museum for years. On top of that, Marco Rubio announced new sanctions on Cuba's state-owned industries and military conglomerate, while the State Department quietly beefs up disaster preparedness in South Florida in anticipation of further Cuba hostilities. Somehow Kash Patel is in the news again, he reportedly ordered polygraphs for over two dozen staff to find out who talked to The Atlantic about his drinking, while launching a criminal leak investigation against the reporter he's also suing for $250 million. Elsewhere, Trump's 10% tantrum tariff was ruled illegal by the Court of International Trade, Elon Musk was formally summoned by the French government to cooperate in their X investigation after skipping a voluntary interview — with Trump's DOJ calling it a "criminally charged criminal proceeding" — and Kalshi raised a billion dollars bringing its valuation to $22 billion, which means someone should probably check if their headquarters exists. And finally, a ransomware attack on Canvas knocked out coursework for students at over 3,000 schools, which is either a crisis or the greatest thing ever depending on your GPA. Resources/Articles mentioned: Axios: Iran and U.S. exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz [https://www.axios.com/2026/05/07/us-iran-hormuz-strait-fire-exchange] Bloomberg: Consumers Are ‘Running Out of Money’ and Cutting Back, CEOs Warn [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/gas-prices-hit-record-high-hurting-consumer-spending-ceos-warn] Bloomberg: Consumers Are ‘Running Out of Money’ and Cutting Back, CEOs Warn [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/gas-prices-hit-record-high-hurting-consumer-spending-ceos-warn] NYT: Shell Reports Nearly $7 Billion Profit After Oil Prices Surged Amid U.S.-Iran War [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/business/shell-profit-oil-iran-war.html] WaPo: U.S. intelligence says Iran can outlast Trump’s Hormuz blockade for months [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/05/07/cia-intelligence-iran-trump-blockade-missiles/] Axios: Rubio announces new Cuba sanctions [https://www.axios.com/2026/05/07/rubio-cuba-sanctions] Mother Jones: After SCOTUS Destroyed the Voting Rights Act, Southern States Rush to Pass Jim Crow Voting Maps [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/after-scotus-destroyed-the-voting-rights-act-southern-states-rush-to-pass-jim-crow-voting-maps/] WVLT: TN governor signs new congressional map into law, dividing Memphis and marking end of special session [https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/05/07/tn-governor-signs-new-congressional-map-into-law-dividing-memphis-marking-end-special-session/] The New Republic: Alabama Republicans Vote to Pass New Map as Tornado Sirens Blare [https://newrepublic.com/post/210063/alabama-republicans-vote-gerrymander-state-tornado-sirens-flood] The Guardian: Mississippi house to hold redistricting session at Jim Crow era capitol [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/06/mississippi-redistricting-old-capitol] MS Now: Kash Patel ordered polygraphs of more than two dozen members of his team, sources say [https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patel-ordered-polygraphs-of-more-than-two-dozen-members-of-his-team-sources-tell-ms-now] NYT: Trade Court Rules Trump’s 10% Global Tariff Is Illegal [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/business/economy/trump-global-tariff-ruled-illegal.html] WSJ: Elon Musk Summoned to France to Face Criminal Charges [https://www.wsj.com/tech/elon-musk-summoned-to-france-to-face-criminal-charges-589acd6c?mod=hp_lead_pos10] NYT: Kalshi, The Prediction Market, Is Now Valued At $22B  [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/business/dealbook/kalshi-fundraise-22-billion.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email] WSJ: Harvard, Berkeley and Thousands of Schools Suffer Cyber Outage [https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/harvard-berkeley-and-thousands-of-schools-suffer-cyber-outage-b4299a7f?mod=hp_lead_pos5] Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com [http://betchesnews.substack.com/] Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 - Epstein's Suicide Note, Kash Patel's Personalized Bourbon, Trump’s $1B Ballroom

Today's Headlines: A federal judge unsealed what the DOJ claims is Jeffrey Epstein's suicide note yesterday — found tucked inside a graphic novel by his former cellmate. On related Epstein news, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors at the House Oversight Committee about his relationship with Epstein, his former next-door neighbor whom he claimed to find "disgusting," and yet somehow visited Epstein's island for lunch with his family and several nannies after Epstein's 2008 conviction — his explanation being that he only meant he wouldn't have a "1 on 1" relationship with Epstein, which is genuinely one of the worst answers ever offered to a congressional committee. Elsewhere in this administration, The Atlantic has more reporting on FBI Director Kash Patel, revealing he flies on government planes stocked with personalized Woodford Reserve bourbon engraved with his name and the FBI shield, which he hands out as gifts — one of which ended up on an online auction site. Speaking of taxpayer resources being used creatively, Republicans in Congress are reportedly proposing to give Trump a billion taxpayer dollars for his White House ballroom-slash-bunker, and debris from Trump's East Wing demolition that was dumped at a National Park Service golf course has tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals. In Trump vs The Pope news, Trump accused Pope Leo of supporting Iran getting a nuclear weapon, the Pope responded that he isn't afraid and will keep advocating for peace, and Rubio flew to Rome to meet with him anyway. Back home, the FBI raided the office of Virginia Democratic state senator Louise Lucas, who led the redistricting effort that netted Democrats four new congressional seats, though the investigation's subject remains undisclosed. In tech news, Anthropic and SpaceX announced a partnership giving Anthropic access to SpaceX computing power for Claude Pro and Max, and Kevin O'Leary's Manhattan-sized Utah data center got approved despite furious local protests he dismissed as fake and possibly AI-generated. And finally, RFK Jr. withdrew an FDA rule that would have banned minors from indoor tanning beds — which the WHO classifies as a Group 1 carcinogen on par with cigarettes and asbestos — because apparently that was next on the list. Resources/Articles mentioned: NYT: Jeffrey Epstein’s Purported Suicide Note Is Released by Federal Judge [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/nyregion/epstein-suicide-note.html] NBC News: Howard Lutnick evasive during Epstein testimony, House Democrats say [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/howard-lutnick-congressional-showdown-epstein-files-island-visit-rcna343523] The Atlanic: Kash Patel’s Personalized Bourbon Stash [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/05/kash-patel-fbi-bourbon/687066/] NBC News: Republicans propose $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to secure Trump ballroom [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/republicans-propose-1-billion-taxpayer-dollars-secure-trump-ballroom-rcna343637] WaPo: White House East Wing debris dumped at nearby golf course has toxic metals, report says [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/05/05/trump-east-wing-debris-golf-course/12fbc4a2-48ae-11f1-a119-857cd2bf4fd4_story.html] NYT: Rubio to Visit Rome After Trump’s Feud With the Pope and Meloni [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/world/europe/rubio-rome-trump-pope-italy.html] Politico: FBI raids office of Dem state lawmaker in Virginia who led redistricting efforts [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/06/louise-lucas-fbi-virginia-00908222] NBC News: Anthropic and SpaceX announce major partnership as AI arms races continues [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/anthropic-spacex-partnership-compute-power-rcna343902] Gizmodo: Kevin O'Leary's Massive Data Center Project in Utah Gets the Greenlight, Locals Are Furious [https://gizmodo.com/kevin-olearys-massive-data-center-project-in-utah-gets-the-greenlight-locals-are-furious-2000755168] LA Times: RFK Jr. clears path for minors' use of tanning beds, much to the dismay of dermatologists [https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-05-06/rfk-hands-major-win-to-indoor-tanning-industry-to-dermatologists-dismay] Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com [http://betchesnews.substack.com/] Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]