Trump News for Tuesday, February 24, 2026

WATCH: U.S. hockey team meets with President Trump in video shared by White House

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Members of the men's U.S. Olympic hockey team met with President Trump in the Oval Office and showed off their gold medals, in video shared by the White House on social media.

How to use AI for your taxes — and how not to use it

Adam Clark Estes, Vox

Tax season starts early this year. Or at least it should for you, because this one is a doozy. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which Congress passed in 2025, there are some significant and potentially confusing changes coming to your tax ret…

WATCH: Burnt-out buses cleared from street after cartel violence in Mexico

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Crews in Puerto Vallarta began removing burnt-out buses on Monday that were set on fire during the wave of violence that followed the killing of the drug lord known as "El Mencho."

Trump Claims the State of the Union Is Going to Be Long. Is It Just a Polymarket Pump?

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

Someone clearly wants the public to believe Trump will speak for more than two hours.

Immigrants Will Make America Great Again Faster Than Natural-Born Citizens

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

There’s not a single conservative left in the GOP. The ideals that were formerly considered “conservative” — small government, fiscal responsibility, etc. — have been replaced by white Christian nationalism, water-carrying for would-be autocrats, and immense …

State of the Union live: Trump to address nation amid tariff, Iran tensions

Joseph Stepansky, Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera English

The US president is expected to use the primetime platform to push his agenda and bolster support before the midterms.

President Trump set to deliver first State of the Union address of his second term

Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR

Facing low approval ratings and ahead of midterm elections in November, President Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term as president Tuesday night.

Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum considers legal action after Elon Musk criticism

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

President Sheinbaum responds to accusations from Musk that she was repeating what 'cartel bosses tell her to say'.

Russia ‘has not won’ as Ukraine war enters fifth year, Zelenskyy says

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

European leaders travel to Kyiv to mark the war's fourth anniversary and pledge continued support for Ukraine.

The Epstein files Trump’s DOJ is withholding

Cameron Peters, Vox

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration isn’t being honest about the …

Meta Gets Back into Crypto, Plans Stablecoin Integration Later This Year

Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com

Remember Meta's Libra Project, later renamed "Diem?" Well now Meta appears to be moving ahead with a stablecoin that is neither of those.

US to provide consular services in illegal Israeli settlement

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US embassy services will be available in the illegal West Bank settlement of Efrat, starting on February 27.

Pete Hegseth Gives Anthropic Choice to Abandon AI Safeguards or Be Labeled ‘National Security Threat’

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

Taking a hit for upholding safeguards probably isn't the worst thing for your reputation.

Apple to Build the Mac Mini in the United States for the First Time

Alex Valdes, CNET

Apple will begin manufacturing the wee desktop computer in Houston later this year.

Exclusive: No. 2 House Democrat to skip Trump's State of the Union address

Alexandra Hutzler, Abcnews.com

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark told ABC News she will not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

James Cameron Complains About Netflix/Warner Bros Merger, Doesn’t Acknowledge A Paramount Deal Would Be Much Worse

Karl Bode, Techdirt

We’ve explained in detail how Larry Ellison is trying to scuttle Netflix’s planned merger with Warner Brothers because he wants to buy CNN and HBO, and, as he’s doing with CBS (and now TikTok) turn them into a safe space for right wing zealots, autocrats, and…

China and the US alter foreign aid strategies

Fatma Tanis, NPR

China's foreign aid strategy has shifted in the last few decades and now its model may be the one the US is adopting as China moves away from it.

Bongino Loses It Standing Up For Pentagon Pete’s ‘Manhood’

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino melted down on his show over a Daily Beast article that he felt mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “manhood...

What to expect from Trump’s State of the Union address

Al Jazeera English

Trump’s State of the Union preview: foreign policy, immigration, tariffs, and the influence of Project 2025.

Flavor Flav is among women's hockey team fans outraged by presidential snub

Neda Ulaby, NPR

The rapper, who also serves as the official "hype man" for multiple U.S. Olympic teams, invited the female hockey players to Las Vegas for a "real celebration."

Trump’s Chance to Turn Things Around Tonight

Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic

A conversation with Jonathan Lemire about what Donald Trump’s State of the Union address could achieve—if he doesn’t get in his own way.

Republican Sex Scandal Could Paralyze House...

Joe Perticone, The Bulwark

Republican Sex Scandal Could Paralyze House... (First column, 6th story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Hegseth threatens to cancel Anthropic's $200 million contract over "woke AI" concerns

Bobby Allyn, NPR

The company's Claude chatbot is one of the few AI systems cleared for use in classified settings. But a standoff between Anthropic and the Trump administration is putting its government work at risk.

Military Leaders Warn European War on American Big Tech Comes With Real Security Risks

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

Military officials say Europe is too dependent on U.S. tech to break away now.

Immigration is Trump's best and worst issue: ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll

Emily Guskin, Abcnews.com

We asked Trump approvers and disapprovers what his best and worst moves were.

The End of Diplomacy

Vivian Salama, The Atlantic

The once-bustling corridors at Foggy Bottom are tomblike as ambassadors scrap for information.

How to Watch the 2026 State of the Union

Jonathan Zavaleta, Rolling Stone

President Trump will deliver his first official State of the Union of his second term amid the partial government shutdown. Here's what to know.

Warner Bros gets new offer from Paramount but still recommends Netflix bid

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

If Warner’s board changes course and deems Paramount’s latest offer superior, Netflix will be able to revise its bid.

ICE Promised A MN Supreme Court Justice It Would Stop Raiding Courthouses. It Immediately Broke That Promise.

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Checks and balances. That’s the mantra. That’s what makes America great. That’s the system we deployed to prevent being just another iteration of the British empire. It was never perfect, but it seemed to get the job done most of the time. The gentleman’s agr…

Life in Cuba Under Trump's Pressure Campaign: No Electricity, No Oil, and Impossible Choices

Abraham Jiménez Enoa, Wired

As the United States takes new steps against the regime that has ruled the island since 1959, the Cuban people face 20-hour blackouts, decreased internet access, and shortages of basic supplies.

Trump Hit by New Epstein Files Bombshell Before Big Speech

Yahoo Entertainment

Trump State of the Union updates: Erika Kirk among guests invited to attend speech

Alexandra Hutzler, Abcnews.com

Trump will deliver his State of the Union as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he's handling immigration and the economy, according to an ABC/Post/Ipsos poll.

U.S. Men's Hockey Flies to Washington D.C. On Military Plane To Meet President Trump

TMZ Staff, TMZ

After partying their butts off at E11EVEN in Miami just hours ago, the United States men's hockey team is already on their way to Washington, D.C. to link up with President Donald Trump ahead of Tuesday's State of the Union address -- and they're traveling co…

Israel’s opposition leader voices support for ‘broad’ Middle East expansion

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Yair Lapid says expansionist view for Israel taking over the Middle East is based on Zionist and biblical foundations.

TINA BROWN: DIRTY WEB OF EPSTEIN...

Tina Brown, Substack.com

TINA BROWN: DIRTY WEB OF EPSTEIN... (First column, 8th story, link) Related stories:Arrest of Ex-Ambassador Mandelson Rattles UK Politics... MAG: Scandal suggests everything awful we've ever believed is true...

US re-asserts 2025 strikes ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear programme

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The White House comment comes after a senior Trump aide said Iran is a week away from having material for nuclear bomb.

Banks are testing a new type of crypto dollar called stablecoins. Here’s what that means for consumers

Megan DeMatteo for OpenSea, Opensea.io

OpenSea reports banks are testing stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to the USD, to enhance payment efficiency for consumers.

Iran’s government stresses ‘red lines’ as students protest in universities

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

Some protesting students have already been suspended, and the office of the prosecutor general is now overseeing cases.

At Trump's State of the Union, Supreme Court justices will be in the spotlight

By Jan Wolfe, Yahoo Entertainment

By Jan Wolfe Feb 24 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump, who has excoriated the U.S.

Every Day, the Chocolate We Eat Gets Worse. Some of It Is No Longer “Chocolate.”

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Even as the price of chocolate returns to lower levels, companies are realizing something scary: Americans will buy their fake chocolate.

Lebanon’s army tells soldiers to act after post comes under Israeli fire

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Israeli attack carried out near Lebanese observation post being constructed in the Marjayoun area, Lebanese army says.

Mortgage rates just fell below 6%, but not for the reasons Trump wants

jsor@businessinsider.com (Jennifer Sor), Business Insider

The rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to a multiyear low on Monday. Investors have flocked to safe havens amid fresh fears about the trade war.

Three myths about the Russia economic war

Maximilian Hess, Al Jazeera English

Has Moscow really overcome the sanctions regime? It is time to talk facts, not fiction.

WATCH: Four years in, Ukrainian soldier reflects on cost of war

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News visits Roman, a firefighter-turned soldier, to see the toll it has taken on him, his family and his country.

Team USA Men's Hockey Parties in Miami After Olympic Gold Win in Milan

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Team USA’s men’s hockey team took a spin through Miami on their own personal victory lap Monday night after clinching the gold at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Check out the clip -- the gold medalists were thrilled to party at…

Iran cannot defeat US military might, but it can still win

Yang Xiaotong, Al Jazeera English

Capitulation in the form of a deal will not stave off US aggression. Defiance through regional alliances could.

US Olympics Hero Jack Hughes Breaks Silence After Women’s Team Rejects White House Invite

Karina Babenok, Boredpanda.com

“Say you're MAGA without saying it…”

Trump Won’t Stop Trying to Punish Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Liliana Segura, The Intercept

A federal judge must decide whether Abrego is the target of a “vindictive prosecution” by the Trump administration. The post Trump Won’t Stop Trying to Punish Kilmar Abrego Garcia appeared first on The Intercept.

How to watch Trump's 2026 State of the Union address live tonight

Sarah Beth Hensley, Abcnews.com

The address will be Trump's first State of the Union during his second term.

Trump Demands Firing Of Netflix Board Member For Suggesting U.S. Corporations Might Someday Be Held Accountable

Karl Bode, Techdirt

We’ve noted repeatedly how Trump wants to scuttle Netflix’s proposed merger with Warner Brothers because his friend and key donor, billionaire Larry Ellison wants to buy Warner Brothers (and CNN) instead. In fact the two have already purportedly met to discus…

David Ellison's Paramount Skydance is revising its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery as it battles Netflix

James Faris, Business Insider

Paramount Skydance just revised its bid for WBD. David Ellison's new offer could force Netflix to pay more money, or drop its pursuit altogether.

US military boards third oil tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Associated Press, Abcnews.com

The Pentagon says U.S. military forces have boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea

Epstein files fallout: Muted US response vs political reckoning in Europe

Elis Gjevori, Al Jazeera English

The newly released Epstein files have triggered political fallout in the UK and parts of Europe, but far less in the US.

DOJ hides Trump-related Epstein files. And, what to know for the State of the Union

Brittney Melton, NPR

An NPR investigation found that the DOJ withheld some Epstein files related to abuse allegations against Trump. And, what you need to know ahead of the president's State of the Union address tonight.

Apple shares more details, photos, and video of US Mac mini plant

Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac

Apple yesterday announced plans to start manufacturing the Mac mini in the US and has now shared more details of the initiative, alongside photos and video footage. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company is also accelerating production of AI servers made in t…

10 Tuesday AM Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

My Two-for-Tuesday morning train WFH reads: • A Yale Professor’s Investment Formula Says You Need More Stocks. See How It Works. James Choi’s research suggests most investors are too conservative with their asset allocation — and he’s got the math to back it …

Is the YIMBY movement doomed?

Greg Rosalsky, NPR

For decades, rising home prices have been an engine for middle-class wealth. Now a growing movement wants to slow — or even reverse — that trend. Are the politics around new housing development inherently stacked against them?

State of the Union: Trump expected to tout achievements ahead of midterms

Michelle Stoddart, Abcnews.com

The president will make his case to Americans amid growing controversy over his domestic and foreign policies.

“It’s Inappropriate”: Melania Trump’s Governors Dinner Outfit Sparks Fierce Backlash

Gabija Saveiskyte, Boredpanda.com

“That outfit is loud and tacky and definitely not black tie…”

A Careful GOP Midterm Message Delivered by Everyone but Trump

Michael Scherer, The Atlantic

Just because the president says it doesn’t mean candidates should repeat it.

New Trump tariffs take effect days after Supreme Court decision

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

New tariffs on imported goods come into effect as Trump moves to rebuild his trade agenda after top court's ruling.

Ukraine and Russia ravaged by 4 years of full-scale war without an ending in sight

Kevin Shalvey, David Brennan, Abcnews.com

After another year of talks, a war-ending deal remains frustratingly elusive.

Supreme Court justices will be at Trump's SOTU. Will sparks be flying?

Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, USA Today

President Trump's State of the Union speech could be an awkward night for the Supreme Court justices who struck down his sweeping tariffs.

Morning news brief

Steve Inskeep, NPR

Trump to deliver first State of the Union address of his second term, what's next for Mexico after killing of cartel leader, NPR investigation finds DOJ withheld some Epstein files related to Trump.

'We have preserved Ukraine': Zelenskyy marks 4 years of Russia's war

David Brennan, Abcnews.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country on Tuesday, saying "We have defended our independence."

Mapping Russian attacks and territorial gains across Ukraine

Hanna Duggal, Al Jazeera English

On the war's fourth anniversary, Russia occupies 20 percent of Ukraine's territory, but the front line shifts slowly.

Jon Stewart Dubs Kash Patel ‘Make-A-Wish Man’ for Partying With U.S. Hockey Team

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone

Jon Stewart called Kash Patel "Make-A-Wish Man" for partying with the U.S. hockey team after their big Olympics win.

US women’s gold medal ice hockey team declines Trump’s State of the Union

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Team has politely turned down an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend Tuesday's address in the capital.

Team USA Women’s Hockey Stars Refuse White House Invite Following Trump’s Controversial Remark

Karina Babenok, Boredpanda.com

"Evidently, the women's team has more integrity than the men's team.”

Hong Kong conglomerate says Panama Canal ports seized by authorities

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

CK Hutchison says the Panama government now has 'administrative and operational control' of its two ports.

France restricts US ambassador’s access to officials after summons no-show

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US Ambassador sends embassy official in his place, his second time to skip a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.

France ups the ante in the spat with US ambassador, says ministers will no longer meet him

The Associated Press, NPR

France's spat with the U.S. ambassador to Paris has taken another turn with the French foreign minister now saying the top U.S. diplomat in France must explain himself after ignoring a French summons.

Devastation and frozen frontlines: Ukraine marks four years of Russia’s war

Mansur Mirovalev, Al Jazeera English

Ukrainians are repelled by the prospect of capitulating to Moscow as the war barrels into another year.

WATCH: Russia cripples Ukraine’s energy system in the midst of a brutal winter

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News’ Ian Pannell reports on the unrelenting Russian attacks on Ukrainian soil and how it's left the young and vulnerable without water or heat during Ukraine’s coldest winter months.

FedEx sues US government for tariff refund after Supreme Court ruling

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

The logistics giant seeks to recoup tariff fees, although the courts have yet to establish a refund process.

MAHA People Are Mad At RFK Jr. And For Good Reason As He Reverses Stance On Glyphosate

Timothy Geigner, Techdirt

One of the more perplexing questions in all of the coverage I’ve done on RFK Jr. has been whether or not Kennedy is some misguided true believer or if this is all some grift for power, influence, and/or money. While most people who watch how RFK Jr. has opera…

Christian leaders denounce Trump actions, warn of 'crisis of faith'

Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, USA Today

Their statement says Christians have a moral obligation to condemn the demonization of immigrants and attacks on civil rights and diversity.

WATCH: Massive fire triggers bridge collapse in Lincoln, Nebraska

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The bridge is primarily used for freight trains. No word on the cause of the blaze.

Trump set to deliver second term’s first State of the Union: What to expect

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

The US president's polarising policies risk voter backlash in the November midterm elections.

Trump hits out at reports that top general flagged risks of attacking Iran

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president slams reports that General Dan Caine warned him of risks of war with Iran as '100 percent incorrect'.

Maryland sues Trump administration to stop construction of ICE detention facility

Laura Romero, Abcnews.com

Maryland is suing the Trump administration to stop the construction of an immigration detention facility in the state.

Politics take center stage as Paramount submits new offer for Warner Bros. Discovery

Meg James, Yahoo Entertainment

Over the weekend, President Trump threatened Netflix, telling the streamer to fire Susan Rice from its board or "pay the consequences."

Trump Demanded El Mencho’s Head. Mexicans Are Paying the Price.

Noah Hurowitz, The Intercept

The violence in Mexico is fueled by U.S. guns and money. Killing a cartel boss won’t change that. The post Trump Demanded El Mencho’s Head. Mexicans Are Paying the Price. appeared first on The Intercept.

Trump weighs strikes against Iran for nuclear program he says he 'obliterated'

Anne Flaherty, Abcnews.com

Trump aide cites highly enriched uranium left behind after U.S. bombing.

War Propaganda and Iran: Script Used for Every Failed US War Hauled Out Again

Glenn Greenwald, Substack.com

From Vietnam to Iran and every U.S. war in between, the same propaganda narratives are deployed, no matter how discredited and debunked they are from all the prior times they were exposed as lies.

Scientists must step up to avert a nuclear breakout

Karen Hallberg, Nature.com

The end of the US–Russia treaty to cap the number of nuclear weapons places the world at risk. Here’s what researchers can do.

Nuclear weapons testing is harmful — there’s no case for a restart

Nature.com

Scientific knowledge about the damaging effects of nuclear-weapons testing helped to end such tests. Those findings haven’t changed.