- Andrew Prokop @ Vox: Trump’s (very long) speech to Congress, explained in 500 words
In the first major speech to Congress of his second term, President Donald Trump made clear that he intends to barrel ahead with the MAGA agenda.
- Steve Benen @ The Maddow Blog: Trump’s address to Congress was built on a foundation of lies
The problem is not just that Trump lied throughout his national address. The problem is made worse by the apparent fact that he felt like he had to lie.
- Kate Riga and Josh Kovensky @ Talking Points Memo: Trump Loses On USAID Spending Freeze At Supreme Court
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the liberals Wednesday in reining in some of the Trump administration’s effort to block foreign aid that had been appropriated by Congress.
- Leah Feiger, Louise Matsakis, and Jake Lahut @ Wired: People Are Paying Millions to Dine With Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Business leaders are paying as much as $5 million to meet one-on-one with the president at his Florida compound, sources tell WIRED, while others are paying $1 million apiece to dine with him in a group setting.
- Rebecca Hopkins @ The Roys Report: Pastoral Team Recommends IHOPKC Founder Mike Bickle Be Banned from ‘Public’ But Not ‘Informal’ Ministry
International House of Prayer-Kansas City (IHOPKC) Founder Mike Bickle is a “chronic sexual predator” who should never serve in paid public ministry again, according to recommendations released yesterday, following an independent investigation by Firefly.
- Anna Merlan @ Mother Jones: This Pentagon Press Secretary Has a Long History of Bigoted and Xenophobic Posts
On Donald Trump’s first day in office, the Department of Defense announced a spate of hires, including 26-year-old Kingsley Wilson, who will serve as the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary. Wilson is the daughter of Steve Cortes, a longtime Trump advisor and right-wing commentator who promotes Latinos moving to the political right. Wilson is also a Trump 2020 campaign alum, and until taking the job at the DoD, ran digital media and communications for the Center for Renewing America, a pro-Trump think tank founded by Project 2025 architect Russell Vought. She’s also an overt internet troll with a long history of bigoted, xenophobic, and deliberately provocative shitposting.
