Tuesday Afternoon News Updates: Trump’s Golden Ballroom Cannot Stop a War — 5/19/26
Hi all, Ben here. It’s Tuesday, and first I want thank you so much for all the birthday wishes today. I am genuinely moved by all the love from this community. The Meidas Mighty truly are the best. I’ll write a longer note to all of you a little later, but for now, let’s get into it because there is a lot happening.
Here are the top stories we are tracking today:
Iran threatens to fire hundreds of missiles per day at Gulf energy infrastructure if U.S. strikes resume
Trump holds a chaotic press event outside his Golden Ballroom construction site, claims the building will protect all of Washington
Trump boasts the ballroom roof will host snipers with a clear view of all of Washington
Putin lands in China as Trump’s global standing crumbles
30-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2007
Government waste, fraud, and abuse rose 13% under Trump and DOGE
Alligator Alcatraz closes after burning $1 billion to house 1,400 immigrants
Todd Blanche melts down before the Senate while defending Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund
John Cornyn gets humiliated as Trump endorses Ken Paxton over him
Two U.S. KC-135 tankers collided over Iraq amid possible enemy fire and the Pentagon covered it up
5,000 U.S. troops being withdrawn from Europe
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 and it would honestly be such an amazing birthday present (only if you are able). If you’re already a Meidas+ paid Substack subscriber, thank you for your support of pro-democracy media!
Let’s get into it.
