Wednesday Afternoon News Updates: SCOTUS Guts Voting Rights, Iran War Escalates — 4/29/26

Wednesday's news is a lot. Here's everything you need to know.

Hi all, Ben here. It’s Wednesday. Let me run through the top stories we’re tracking today before I dig into the details. Remember to like and re-stack.

Top stories:

• Trump posts a 4 AM AI meme of himself holding an AR-15 with Iran exploding in the background

• The Supreme Court guts the Voting Rights Act 6-3, paving the way for racist gerrymandering nationwide

• Pete Hegseth has a disastrous hearing before the House Armed Services Committee

• Democrats file contempt charges against Pam Bondi — and within 45 minutes, Republicans suddenly find a date for her testimony

• New horrific details emerge from the Epstein investigation in New Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

• Gas prices hit $4.23 per gallon and rising, as Trump war-games the Iran blockade with oil executives

• Trump’s approval craters to 40%, and a new poll shows Americans think the economy was better under Biden

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.

Let’s get into it.