It’s Wednesday, September 23. Here’s your daily briefing.
Here are the top stories we’re tracking today:
The U.S. and Israeli delegations walked out as Iran’s president addressed the UN and displayed images of Iranian civilians killed in the war
A cargo vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran reiterated its conditions for reopening the chokepoint
Iran says its contact with the U.S. in NYC was conducted via Qatar and was used to deliver Iranian demands, not negotiate them
China is openly defying the Trump regime’s new sanctions targeting Iranian airlines, as Xi is set to visit the U.S. later today
Trump’s own energy secretary is warning against a diesel export ban the White House is reportedly preparing as prices hit record highs
Federal prosecutors have opened a probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer and accountant, who currently serve as executors of his estate
Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate attacks on energy infrastructure
The DOJ defends Trump stripping CNN, MS NOW, and Politico of their White House access under the guise of “national security”
New polling and race ratings show significant movement for Democrats ahead of the midterms
Now Trump officials are reportedly discussing putting Trump’s name on Ford’s Theatre, and other landmarks
Paid subscribers can access today’s video update from Ben here, entirely ad-free:
Now let’s dive in:
Iran Confronts Trump at the UN
Just a day after much of Iran’s delegation walked out during Trump’s speech in which he threatened the annihilation of Iran, the U.S. and Israeli delegations returned the favor, walking our as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian began to speak. Pezeshkian directly responded to Trump’s characterization of Iran as terrorists by pointing to the innocent Iranian civilians killed by the U.S. and Israel during the war, displaying photographs of victims of the strike on the girls school in Minab and the destruction of a sports hall.
He also emphasized Iran’s position on the negotiations. He says Iran remains willing to engage in diplomacy, but not under threats or coercion. He said increased sanctions and pressure would only increase Iranian resistance. Meanwhile, Iran says there was contact with the U.S. in NYC, though its Foreign Ministry says it took place via Qatar mediators. Iran says it used the channel to reiterate its demands to end the war, stop U.S. military action, end the naval blockade and economic war, and release frozen Iranian assets. So basically, exactly what had been agreed to in the MOU.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the same contact a bit differently, telling the press he didn’t want to characterize anything as a “major breakthrough,” but saying it was significant enough that there was a conversation. But I thought Donald said we ended the war a long time ago, Marco?
Another Ship Burning in the Strait
At about the same time, another incident unfolded in the Strait of Hormuz. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, caught fire, and was left adrift. The crew evacuated and two casualties were reported. Some regional accounts attributed the strike to Iran’s IRGC and reported that one Indian national was killed and another injured, but UKMTO has yet to identify who carried out the attack or confirm the vessel’s nationality.
China Just Defied Trump’s Iran Sanctions
Remember when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened “Economic D-Day” and declared that beginning September 23, today, that Iranian airlines would officially be shut down around the world? He threatened airports and companies that provided Iranian carriers with fuel, landing services, or ticketing with exclusion from the dollar system. Well, that day has arrived, and China told him to get lost. A Mahan Air flight from Tehran landed in Guangzhou Wednesday, while China’s Foreign Ministry publicly rejected the U.S. sanctions, saying the country opposes unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorization from the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is set to arrive later for a state visit, and in a rare move, Donald Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac.
The Diesel Crisis Expands…
Politico is now reporting that the Trump regime is preparing a possible 90-day ban on U.S. diesel exports as the national average hits about $6.52 a gallon. It was $2.83 a year ago. Many people, including Trump’s own energy secretary Chris Wright, believe this is an awful idea that will only make the problem worse. Wright publicly said that an export ban “definitely doesn’t work” and said it could force refiners to reduce output and ultimately put upward pressure on gas and jet fuel prices. Oil industry experts also say the move would badly backfire and lead to higher costs in the long term. But Trump is reportedly desperate for something to help him in the short term as the midterms fast approach, despite the consequences his actions would bring later on.
The Russia-Ukraine Energy War Escalates
Ukrainian accounts reported Russian attacks on gas stations and transportation hubs around Kyiv, while a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia was photographed engulfed in flames. Russia claims its attacks were aimed at Ukrainian drone production, military logistics, and energy facilities, claims that have not been independently verified.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has now destroyed 45% of Russia’s refining facilities. When asked about the concern about what those strikes are doing to global fuel prices, he responded, “ Our lives are more important than the price of energy.”
A New Epstein Probe?
The Wall Street Journal reports that federal prosecutors in Manhattan have opened a probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. Both now sit as executors of Epstein’s estate. Prosecutors reportedly have begun to interview potential witnesses and seek emails and financial records relating to the men’s dealings with Epstein. I’ll put this one in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” category.
Trump DOJ Defends His War on the Press
The Trump DOJ made a truly deranged filing late last night, defending Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, from entering the White House. The DOJ is arguing that their reporting constitutes a “national security threat.” That’s their go-to line at this point to defend all their illegal moves.
Rats Fleeing the Sinking MAGA Ship
The cracks are growing inside MAGA. Fox host Laura Ingraham now keeps repeating on her show that she “wasn’t a fan” of the Iran war. Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tom Tiffany said the U.S. should be “exiting Iran” and that it’s “time to come home.” Some Republican U.S. Senators are now even supporting investigations into Don Jr. regarding a recent story from ProPublica detailing how his wedding was partially bankrolled by a Russian oligarch with close ties to Putin. Republican Senator John Curtis (R-UT) called for Don Jr. to be subpoenaed yesterday. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said that he “would support Senator Curtis’s request.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he “[doesn’t] have any problem with [a potential subpoena].” And this all comes as more and more Republicans remove Trump’s name from their websites ahead of the midterms. For the first time in a long time, Republicans are telling pollsters that they identify as a Republican first, rather than a Trump supporter. That’s a reversal than just last year.
Midterm Moves
An NPR/Marist poll of Texas now shows Democratic candidate James Talarico at 50% against Republican Ken Paxton at 44% in the race for U.S. Senate. Gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is at 49%, with incumbent Governor Abbott at 46%. Fox News’s Power Rankings moved 15 House races towards Democrats, including races in Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia. An Economist/YouGov poll among registered voters presented them with a hypothetical choice between a democratic socialist supporting Medicare for All, ending military aid to Israel and abolishing ICE, and a MAGA Republican supporting mass deportations and always voting with Trump. The result was 51% to 34%, respectively, with 15% unsure.
This Again??…
So what’s Trump focused on right now? Well, he attacked Canada again earlier, claiming the country is “destroying itself.” And MS NOW is reporting that Trump regime officials have discussed putting his name on additional federal landmarks, including Ford’s Theatre, the DC theater where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. And amid the chaos, Fox found time to bring on Melania Trump as a guest this morning. When asked how her husband was doing as president, she replied, “He’s doing the best that he can.”
There you have it. Thanks for reading, liking, restacking, and subscribing. We are so grateful for your support. And thanks as always to everyone who has preordered our book WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy.
Shoutout to the Meidas Mighty!
"The DOJ defends Trump stripping CNN, MS NOW, and Politico of their White House access under the guise of “national security”
Wait! Natalie Harp is a national security risk with all HER deranged posts on Truth Social. FOX News and Newsmax also a national security risk with the propaganda they report.
“He’s doing the best that he can,” ha ha. We actually agree.