Thursday Afternoon News Updates: Putin Talks Nukes, Trump Talks Ballroom – 5/21/26
A busy Thursday so far with nuclear drills, Iran updates, a tobacco bribery scandal, and more on Trump's $1.776 billion slush fund
Hi all, Ben here. It’s Thursday and we have a lot to get through today. Before we dive in, a quick note. We have a big day of live programming ahead. I’ll be live on YouTube at 4:30 PM ET with Ben on Breaking News, and then tonight at 8 PM ET, Brett, Jordy, and I will be live for the MeidasTouch Podcast. Ron will also be back later this evening on Substack with his comprehensive daily bulletin. Don’t miss any of it.
Now, here is what we are tracking today:
Russia and Belarus conducting nuclear drills with 64,000 troops and live missile launches
Iran rebuilding its military faster than expected, Supreme Leader blocks uranium export demand
Iran floating a Strait of Hormuz toll system targeting U.S. allies
Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund in open revolt among Senate Republicans
Senate Republicans blow up their own reconciliation bill over the slush fund and Thune sends senators home until June
The MAHA betrayal: tobacco money, a White House lunch, and an FDA commissioner who resigned in protest
Trump’s approval hitting record lows — 31% approve, 65% disapprove in the latest ARG poll
A federal judge orders Susie Wiles and the White House to comply with presidential records law
The DNC releases its 2024 election autopsy
Colorado Democrats formally censure Governor Jared Polis
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani launches a Twitch show. Yes, really. It’s great.
And MeidasTouch is the number one podcast on YouTube again. Thank you all.
Before I go any further, if you haven’t yet joined as a paid subscriber, consider doing so now by clicking here to support our work. This is how we grow. If you’re already a Meidas+ paid Substack subscriber, thank you for your support of pro-democracy media!
Let’s get into it.
