Friday’s Mini-Report, 3.14.25
Today’s edition of quick hits.
Newly released filing reveals Newsmax’s $40 million settlement with Smartmatic
A case involving a conservative media outlet and a voting machine company has been resolved — but a similar case involving Fox News remains.
Trump’s preoccupation with the U.S.-Canada border takes a weird turn
The American president recently started fixating on the line separating the United States and Canada. It’s worth asking why.
The collapse of Trump’s Guantanamo plan adds to a growing list of embarrassments
When drawing up a list of White House debacles, be sure to keep the failure of Trump’s Guantánamo Bay policy near the top.
What Trump doesn’t know (but should) about the European Union
It’s not just that Trump is wrong about the EU being formed “to screw the United States.” It’s also the question of who put this absurdity in his head.
Ministry of Truth | A New Book by MaddowBlog's Steve Benen
Steve Benen's new book, 'Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past,' with an audio version read by Rachel Maddow is now available.
Pete Hegseth appoints his personal lawyer to a powerful Pentagon post
The defense secretary made his personal lawyer a Navy commander in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. The closer one looks, the worse it appears.
Republicans might not realize just how unpopular Elon Musk is
Some key Republican officials seem to believe that Musk and DOGE enjoy broad public support. There’s a lot of evidence to the contrary.
On multiple fronts, Trump ups the ante on his territorial ambitions
When it comes to Panama, Greenland, Canada, Gaza, and Mexico, the president’s imperialistic vision has come roaring back.
Amid economic warning signs, White House moves the goalposts
A member of Donald Trump’s team said there might be a recession, but it’d be “worth it.” That’s not what voters were told before the election.
Trump picks the wrong fight, smears federal employees who ‘don’t work at all’
If the president wants to spark a debate about firing federal employees who don’t work enough, is there room for a conversation about his own schedule?
Thursday’s Campaign Round-Up, 3.13.25: Pete Buttigieg passes on Michigan races
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
Facing bipartisan opposition, White House abandons outlandish CDC nominee
Matt Gaetz was Donald Trump’s first personnel fiasco, but not last. Take Dave Weldon's failed CDC nomination, for example.
Latest Trump pardon shows just how much the rules have changed (for the worse)
The president’s habit of handing out pardons like party favors was a scandal in his first term. It’s worse now.
Trump has decided that Chuck Schumer is ‘not Jewish anymore’
The American presidency is a powerful position, but it does not include the power to decide who is and is not Jewish.
More MaddowBlog
Democrats reject partisan GOP bill ahead of shutdown deadline, but for how long?
On the surface, it looks like Senate Democrats are playing “hardball” with time running out before a government shutdown. But it might not be that simple.
Wednesday’s Mini-Report, 3.12.25
Today’s edition of quick hits.
DOJ reportedly slashes staff at office focused on prosecuting public corruption
The Trump administration has never come out and said it’s tolerant of corruption, but given the circumstances, does it really have to?
USAID instructs its staff in D.C. to shred and burn documents
If Team Trump had a problem with document destruction in the first term, the issue appears to have metastasized in the second term.
Trump signals indifference to business leaders’ concerns about erratic tariff agenda
Executives from the private sector are urging the White House to pursue a clear and consistent agenda. The president doesn’t appear to care.
Wednesday’s Campaign Round-Up, 3.12.25: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announces her retirement
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
White House’s Elon Musk suggests Social Security could face cuts
After labeling Social Security “a Ponzi scheme,” Elon Musk’s offensive against the social-insurance program took another aggressive turn.
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