Monday Afternoon News Updates: Trump's Robbery in Plain Sight — 5/18/26

While American families struggle with surging inflation, Trump's DOJ is handing $1.776 billion in taxpayer money to January 6th criminals and MAGA loyalists.

Hi all, Ben here. It’s Monday, and we need to start today with what may be one of the most brazen acts of corruption this administration — or any administration, quite frankly — has ever committed.

Top stories we’re tracking today:

• The DOJ creates a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” a taxpayer-funded slush fund for January 6th insurrectionists and MAGA loyalists

• Putin arrives in Beijing tonight to sign ~40 agreements with China, including a declaration on a multipolar world

• Iran launches the Persian Gulf Strait Authority along with a corresponding social media account, formalizing official control over the Strait of Hormuz

• Trump posts delusional social media fantasy about Iranian surrender while real negotiations collapse

• CPI inflation on track to hit 5% this year

• Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, the governor of Louisiana, makes a surprise appearance in the country

• Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, is out on the campaign trail in Kentucky today, in clear violation of the Hatch Act

• Democrats hit their highest generic ballot lead ever — plus 11 — as Trump’s approval hits a historic low

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Let’s get into it.