Good morning everyone. There is a lot of news to cover as two major fractures are emerging within the White House and Republican circles. First, Donald Trump is now acknowledging that his mass deportation effort has not gone according to plan, while Republican leaders are quietly urging members to stop talking about it ahead of November. Second, the war in Iran is beginning to split Trump’s base, as the United States sends thousands more troops to the region in what could be preparation for a ground operation, while gas prices continue to rise.
Meanwhile, overnight, the FCC approved a massive merger between Nexstar and Tegna that will fundamentally reshape the media landscape. We are already seeing the consolidation of national media with figures like the Ellisons taking control of major networks like CBS and potentially CNN. Now local media is being consolidated as well, with a deal personally approved by Trump that could centralize control over hundreds of stations across the country.
Independent media has never been more important. We answer to no one but you, and I cannot overstate how critical that independence is in this moment. If you believe in this work, subscribe to support it, help us continue building in the face of these growing monopolies, and ensure that the truth continues to reach millions of households.
Here’s the news:
- The FCC approved Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, creating the largest local TV station operator in the U.S., despite an ongoing lawsuit from multiple states seeking to block the deal on antitrust grounds. Critics say the approval lacked transparency and could concentrate media power significantly, with the combined company reaching over 60% of U.S. households after regulators waived existing ownership limits.
- Eight states, including California and New York, sued to block Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, arguing the merger would violate antitrust laws, reduce competition, and harm local journalism. Officials warn the deal could consolidate control of hundreds of TV stations under one company, potentially raising consumer costs and limiting independent news coverage in key media markets.
- President Donald Trump is facing growing uncertainty and mounting risks in the Iran war, with analysts warning the conflict may be slipping beyond his control as it expands economically and militarily . Despite early battlefield gains, Iran has countered by disrupting global oil flows and raising costs, while the administration lacks a clear endgame, leaving Trump with a difficult choice between escalation or an increasingly hard-to-achieve exit.
- Trump has privately acknowledged to advisers that some of his administration’s mass deportation policies went too far and is now pushing to scale back their visibility, shifting focus toward targeting “bad actors” rather than broad sweeps. The change reflects concern within his inner circle that aggressive immigration tactics and rhetoric like “mass deportation” may be politically damaging ahead of elections, prompting a recalibration of both messaging and enforcement strategy. This is the response from some in MAGA this morning:
- According to The Guardian, the U.S. is reportedly considering occupying or blockading Iran’s Kharg Island—a critical oil export hub handling about 90% of Iran’s oil—to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could significantly escalate the war and expose U.S. forces to heavy retaliation. The conflict continues to intensify across the region, with strikes on energy infrastructure, drone attacks on Gulf states, rising civilian and military casualties, and growing fears of a broader economic shock driven by surging global oil prices and inconsistent messaging from Washington.
- NBC News exclusively reported that the father of a U.S. service member killed in the Iran war pushed back on claims by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump that grieving families urged leaders to “finish the job,” saying he never made such a statement and instead expressed uncertainty about the war’s necessity. While he described both officials as compassionate during private meetings, he emphasized that families are focused on personal loss rather than policy, raising doubts about how their sentiments are being publicly characterized as support for continuing the conflict.
- As Iranians mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year, many express hope for better days after years of conflict and recent airstrikes that have disrupted daily life and caused civilian casualties. Residents describe a mix of resilience and hardship, with ongoing attacks affecting work and safety, while volunteers on the ground recount the human toll of the war, underscoring both the severity of the situation and the determination to carry on.
- The Iran war is escalating with no clear end in sight, as Iran struck a major Kuwaiti oil refinery and Israel killed a senior Revolutionary Guards spokesman, while continued missile exchanges and attacks on energy infrastructure deepen regional instability . The conflict has already disrupted roughly 12% of global oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a prolonged economic shock, with allies hesitant to intervene militarily and U.S. officials weighing further troop deployments even as the war grows more costly and politically risky.
- A senior Iranian military spokesperson warned that U.S. and Israeli personnel could be targeted globally, including in “tourist centers” and recreational areas, as retaliation for ongoing strikes that have killed Iranian officials. The statement signals an expansion of threats beyond traditional battlefields, raising concerns about potential attacks on soft civilian locations worldwide.
- NBC confirmed that President Donald Trump’s joke referencing Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor drew criticism across Asia, with commentators calling it historically insensitive and highlighting the visible discomfort of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the exchange. The remark fueled backlash on social media, raised concerns about diplomatic strain, and underscored broader unease in Japan over the Iran war and the stability of U.S.-Japan relations. Here is the joke in case you missed it:
- Vice President JD Vance said Americans should take some comfort in the fact that U.S. allies are experiencing even worse impacts from rising gas prices, a remark that underscores the global economic strain caused by the Iran war. The comment is likely to draw criticism as energy costs surge domestically, highlighting the administration’s framing of shared hardship even as American consumers continue to face rising fuel prices.
- Gas prices continue to rise. Today, the average price of a gallon of gas in the United States has hit $3.91.
- The economic fallout from the Iran war is intensifying, with Scandinavian airline SAS announcing it will cancel around 1,000 flights in April after jet fuel prices doubled in just 10 days due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Executives warn the surge is directly hitting the aviation industry, forcing cancellations and fare increases as the prolonged conflict continues to strain global energy supplies and ripple across international travel and markets.
- The Justice Department seized four internet domains linked to an Iran-affiliated hacker group accused of carrying out cyberattacks, including one targeting a U.S. medical technology company, and of posting stolen data and issuing threats against journalists and dissidents. Officials say the domains were tied to Iran’s intelligence apparatus and used to claim responsibility for hacking operations, highlighting the growing cyber dimension of the broader U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
- Rep. Scott Perry suggested that Iran should ultimately pay the financial cost of the war, arguing the country has been in conflict with the U.S. for decades and has the resources to cover what could reach tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars. The proposal, raised during a media appearance, highlights growing debate in Washington over how to fund the rapidly escalating war, though Perry acknowledged such a scenario would likely depend on major changes inside Iran, such as regime change, making the idea highly speculative.
- A medical convoy was seen, by Andrew Leyden, arriving at Walter Reed from Joint Base Andrews following a medevac flight from Germany, marking at least the third such transfer since the Iran war began and signaling a continued flow of wounded personnel back to the U.S. While officials have not confirmed whether the latest flight carried casualties from the Iran conflict, recent evacuations have included injured service members transported through Germany for treatment, underscoring the growing human toll of the war.
- Iran says U.S. and Israeli strikes hit the Persian Gulf ports of Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Kangan, setting 16 civilian cargo ships ablaze and causing major damage to local infrastructure, according to Tasnim News Agency. Officials claim the attack directly impacted livelihoods, with destroyed vessels playing a key role in supporting sailors and nearby communities.
- Some Republican lawmakers are reconsidering their support for subpoenaing Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Epstein investigation after a tense closed-door briefing, where Democrats walked out over her refusal to clearly commit to testifying under oath. The dispute highlights deep partisan divisions and growing frustration over the Justice Department’s handling and release of Epstein-related files, with uncertainty now surrounding whether the subpoena will move forward.
- Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she was “manipulated and deceived” in her past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as newly released files revealed she maintained contact with him years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor . The disclosures have intensified scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family, contradicted some of her earlier statements, and contributed to a noticeable drop in public support for the monarchy.
- A senior FEMA disaster response official, Gregg Phillips, previously made violent and conspiratorial statements—including saying Joe Biden “deserves to die,” promoting election conspiracy theories, and claiming he once “teleported”—according to reporting by CNN’s KFile. The agency downplayed the remarks, calling them taken out of context and made in a private capacity before his current role, but the revelations raise concerns about the background and judgment of a high-ranking emergency management official.
- According to The Guardian, an IRS technical glitch has obscured roughly $51 million in political donations to key state-level campaign groups, creating a major transparency gap ahead of upcoming elections. Watchdogs warn the issue—occurring after significant staffing cuts—has left required disclosures blank for months, raising concerns about oversight of influential political spending and the growing role of these groups in shaping elections.
- Israeli authorities closed the al-Aqsa mosque during Eid for the first time since 1967, barring worshippers and forcing Palestinians to pray outside under heavy security, sparking outrage and fears of escalating tensions. Critics and regional organizations condemned the move as a violation of religious freedom, while Palestinians described worsening restrictions, economic hardship in Jerusalem, and deepening humanitarian distress in Gaza, where ongoing conflict continues to overshadow the holiday.
- ABC news has confirmed that the Pentagon is planning to keep thousands of National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. through 2029, extending a controversial federal mission tied to President Trump’s crime crackdown in the capital. The force, drawn largely from Republican-led states, has maintained a visible armed presence across the city while also performing civic duties, even as critics raise legal and political concerns and Guard resources remain strained by simultaneous overseas deployments tied to the Iran war.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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