Thursday Afternoon News Updates: Iran Sends Chilling Warning to Trump — 4/30/26

The Ayatollah just sent the U.S. a chilling warning while Trump posts QAnon memes and attacks Jimmy Kimmel

Hi all, Ben here. It’s Thursday and there’s been a ton of news already. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what we’re tracking today:

• Iran’s Ayatollah declares the only place America belongs in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters”

• Trump spent the morning posting QAnon memes, renaming the Strait of Hormuz, and demanding Jimmy Kimmel get fired

• PCE inflation hits 3.5% — highest in three years — and Brent crude breaks $120 a barrel

• Hegseth testifies before the Senate, calls Democrats the biggest threat to America

• MAGA Congress members grade Trump on the economy: “A”

• New polls show 68% of Americans oppose Trump’s signature on paper money; White House ballroom gets 28% support

• House votes to reauthorize FISA Section 702

• Trump pulls Casey Means nomination, taps Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier for Surgeon General

• House passes partial DHS funding bill, likely ending the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history

Before I go any further, I want to thank all our paid subscribers. At MeidasTouch, you know we don’t care about access. We don’t care about offending power. We don’t act as stenographers for Trump’s lies. We care about getting you the truth. If you’re already a Meidas+ Substack member, thank you. If not, join us today and support our unapologetic reporting.

Now let’s dive deeper.