Wednesday Afternoon News Update: Putin and Xi Send a Message to Trump — 5/20/26
From market manipulation to slush funds to Coast Guard cringe, this administration's corruption is on full display.
Hi all, Ben here. It’s Wednesday. Here are the latest updates. First, the headlines:
Top stories we’re tracking today:
Putin and Xi unveil “Unbreakable Alliance” exhibit in Beijing
Massive U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve drawdown raises serious market manipulation concerns
More claims of Iran deal negotiations, but Tehran’s parliament speaker is talking about rebuilding for war
Ben-Gvir posts video taunting bound flotilla detainees; global backlash erupts
Trump’s $1.776 billion IRS slush fund — and what everyone is missing about it
Don Jr.’s investment firm surges 1,650% in a year
Raul Castro indicted as Trump escalates pressure campaign toward Cuba
Primary night results: Massie out, Keisha Lance Bottoms makes history in Georgia
NAACP launches campaign urging Black athletes to withhold commitments from Southern programs
Katie Phang hits 587K YouTube subscribers one year in with MeidasTouch
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.
