TOP STORY

Canada stands up to Trump

If Americans want to see what a leader with integrity looks like, maybe all we need to do is look north.

On Tuesday, Canada’s newly-elected prime minister Mark Carney deftly handled fascist manchild Donald Trump—by being both polite and friendly—but also firm and unwavering.

SOME BACKGROUND: Trump has picked an idiotic trade war with Canada—one of our biggest trading partners and closest allies—as part of a broader effort to scapegoat globalization for the broader failures of late-stage capitalism.

• Additionally, Trump has also incensed the Canadian public by suggesting—on more than one occasion—that Canada become the 51st state.

Trump has soured the relationship with our northern neighbor so much that Carney rode Canadian anti-Trump sentiment to a surprise election win two weeks ago.

WHAT HAPPENED: That raised the stakes for the pair’s first in-person meeting yesterday at the White House.

• Instead of coming at Trump aggressively, the ever-polite Canadian leader stroked Trump’s fragile ego, calling him a “transformational president.”

But at the same time, when reporters asked about Trump’s outrageous 51st state comments, Carney politely but firmly rejected the insane idea:

BIG PICTURE: That’s how you do it. You stand firm against the schoolyard bully. You placate him when you need to to protect others—but you don’t give in.

Maybe some Democratic leaders could use a lesson in this.

MAKING NEWS

India fires missiles on Pakistan in what Islamabad calls ‘act of war’

A deadly mass shooting by extremists in Kashmir has brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war—again—after six years of peace. Yesterday, in retaliation for the shooting, India launched strikes against what it called terrorists sites in Pakistan killing at least 24 people. Pakistan has vowed to retaliate. This is truly scary because both countries have a deep hate for each other—and both have nuclear weapons. Full story from AP.

Supreme Court allows Trump to implement trans military ban

In a significant and disheartening loss, the Supreme Court ruled that it would allow Trump’s transphobic ban of transgender military personnel to stand while the ban is challenged in lower courts. Just over 4,000 transgender people currently serve in the military, though some activists put the figure much higher. It’s not a permanent loss, but it is devastating for those affected. Full story from NBC News. 

Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says

Israel is again saying the quiet part out loud: they intend to ethnically cleanse all of Gaza. The country’s finance minister vowed Tuesday that “Gaza will be entirely destroyed” and that its Palestinian population will be forced to “leave in great numbers to third countries.” The remarks come a day after Israel’s government approved a new, massive military campaign in the already devastated region. Full story from The Guardian.

The conclave to choose a new pope begins today

The leaders of the Roman Catholic Church will begin their secret meetings to elect a new pope shortly at the Vatican. It’s unclear who might replace the amazingly progressive Francis, or how long it will take. Though all conclaves since 1900 have been under four days long. Full story from NPR.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION: Yesterday we asked, given the craziness in our country right now—have you considered leaving?

Carol voted yes and said what so many people are feeling: “Our present government is full of liars and people completely out of touch with the average American life. There is way too much hate and greed. I don't even recognize my own country any more.”

SBelasco echoed many people as well saying: “I lack the financing to make such a move. If I were 10-20 years younger at this time, I would be gone already.”

Still others disagreed. Donna voted no and said, “We need to stay and fight back.”

Pat was more defiant—and we love it: “Trump and his staff are the ones that need to go. They love Russia so let them all go there. Leave America and never come back.”

TODAY’S QUESTION: Given the recent troubles at Newark Airport—not to mention crashes and near misses—do you still feel safe flying?

IN DEPTH

Dems’ chances of taking back the Senate keep getting better

A few months ago, it looked like a foregone conclusion that Democrats had no chance in hell of taking back the Senate in 2026.

• But thanks to Trump’s idiotic trade war and historic tax increase—plus some major news about who will and will not be running next year—the Senate is looking increasingly back in play.

SOME BACKGROUND: Unlike the House of Representatives, only a third of the Senate is up for election next year.

• But of the 34 seats up for election, only six are competitive—and Democrats are defending four of those.

Democrats would need to hold all four—and pick up another four seats—to have a majority. A very steep task.

BUT BUT BUT: Trump’s free-falling poll numbers have scared a handful of prominent Republicans out of key races, fearing they’ll lose in a blue wave.

• Last month, the popular Republican former governor of New Hampshire Chris Sununu said he wasn’t running, giving Dems a boost there.

• And yesterday, Georgia’s popular Republican governor Brian Kemp said he wasn’t running either, in what may be the closest race defending Jon Ossoff’s seat.

THE NEWS GETS BETTER: Democrats also hope they’ll be running against massively unpopular MAGA politicians for the seats.

• One of America’s most despicable human beings, Majorie Taylor Greene, is said to be considering a Senate run in Georgia—who would almost certainly lose to the more humane Ossoff.

• Meanwhile in Texas, another MAGA wacko and disgusting fascist Ken Paxton has announced a primary challenge to long-serving establishment Republican Jon Cornyn. Insiders think an extremist like Paxton would be much easier to beat than a known quantity like Cornyn.

And according to Politico, several more MAGA figures are considering runs for open seats or primary challenges.

BIG PICTURE: In swing states, anyone guzzling the Trump Kool-Aid is political poison. The more MAGA deadbeats Democrats get to run against, the better their odds of flipping the Senate.

It’s an uphill climb to be sure—but still, there’s hope.

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UNDER THE RADAR

Stories the algorithm may have kept out of your feed.

• The next big day of protests against Trump has been set

• Another judge skewers Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act for deportations to El Salvador

• Your Social Security card will soon be available digitally—here’s what to know

• As we predicted yesterday, the Senate has confirmed DOGE’s takeover of Social Security

• Trump takes aim at a last bulwark protecting the VA

• Why a 64-year-old social worker was dragged out of a Republican town hall

• Bernie has a message for Democrats: resisting isn’t good enough

• Why Trump will regret messing with this Democratic governor

• Lawrence O’Donnell slams Trump for “the stupidest thing” any president “has ever said”

• Luigi Mangione's legal defense fund just hit a major milestone

• 20 cops raided a gay bar, evoking a violent history — but a Drag Queen had other ideas

• A progressive paper in Great Britain takes Prince Harry to task over his latest crybaby complaint

• Trump announces two new national holidays—with a catch