Trump News for Wednesday, April 1, 2026

FBI agents from US arrive in Cuba to probe lethal speedboat shooting

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump administration has denied involvement after Cuban government says a boat of armed men tried to infiltrate island.

WATCH: Artemis II crew lifts off for the moon

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Artemis II has launched, taking four astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The Artemis II crew lifted off at 6:35 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

South Dakota GOP, Governor Get Their Voter Suppression On

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Because South Dakota governor Larry Rhoden is forever obligated to serve Kristi Noem and Kristi Noem is forever obligated to serve Donald Trump, he and his GOP buddies are making America MAGA again, starting with his home turf. Non-citizens have never really …

WATCH: Eight-year-old dances down hallway after beating cancer

ABC News, Abcnews.com

A heartwarming moment as 8-year-old Royce rings the bell to celebrate the end of his cancer treatment for leukemia at a children’s hospital in Fort Worth, TX, even hitting a cartwheel along the way.

US removes sanctions on Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US has exerted growing influence over the Venezuelan government after abducting former President Nicolas Maduro.

The Internet Is Having A Field Day After Donald Trump Literally Said He "Doesn't Believe In Building Libraries"

Alexa Lisitza, Buzzfeed

A president who doesn't believe in building libraries or museums. HELP.View Entire Post ›

Amazon Facilities in Bahrain Hit Again as Iran Follows Through on Threat, Report Says

Ece Yildirim, Gizmodo.com

Iran had promised to hit American tech companies on April 1st.

Melania Trump’s Response to Barron Leak Gets Renewed Context From Mar-a-Lago Insiders

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

“Melania would go to the ends of the earth to protect Barron from any evil intentions,” an insider said about the holiday season leaks.

Why the PS6 Handheld Will Matter More Than the PS6

Kyle Barr, Gizmodo.com

After the second round of PS5 price hikes, our best hope for an affordable next-gen console may be Sony's rumored PS6 handheld.

SpaceX files to go public, paving way to make Elon Musk first trillionaire

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Company has captured public attention through vast network of satellites and focus on space exploration.

Trump’s new attack on mail-in voting, briefly explained

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: President Donald Trump is still trying to limit mail-i…

Iranian Americans Have Turned Against the War, New Poll Finds

Matt Sledge, The Intercept

At the start of the U.S.–Israel war, Iranian Americans were split. Now a NIAC poll found that two-thirds want to see it end. The post Iranian Americans Have Turned Against the War, New Poll Finds appeared first on The Intercept.

The Anger Trailing Congress Around the Country

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Russell Berman, The Atlantic

Even TMZ is channeling the national discontent.

‘Which interests being served by war?’ Iran’s Pezeshkian asks US public

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

In open letter, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urges Americans to see beyond 'flood of distortions' as war rages.

The Anti-Intellectualism of Silicon Valley Elites

Elizabeth Spiers, Elizabethspiers.com

I recently re-read Richard Hofstadter's Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, and now every time a reactionary Silicon Valley billionaire opens his mouth, I think about it. So I wrote about it for The Nation. Here's the column: On Instagram, there’s an acti…

Ecuador claims 28% drop in homicides amid concerns over anti-crime campaign

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

President Daniel Noboa has led a hardline effort against local criminal networks, including military operations with US.

‘Hits close to home’: US Supreme Court hears birthright citizenship case

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Case could determine future of century-old practice of infants being born in US automatically being granted citizenship.

WATCH: With the help of their closeout crew, the Artemis II astronauts entered the Orion crew module, which they named "Integrity."

ABC News, Abcnews.com

With the help of their closeout crew, the Artemis II astronauts entered the Orion crew module, which they named "Integrity."

Marvel Rivals Is Not Where I Expected To See A Reference To The ‘No Kings’ Anti-Trump Rallies

Kenneth Shepard, Kotaku

The new Lower Manhattan map draws a line between Trump and Kingpin

Iran's president sends message to people of the United States

DPA, Dpa-international.com

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the US war against his country in an open letter to the people of the United States on Wednesday, calling it...

Not just the base: Dems flipping independent and Republican votes...

Edward Wu, Molly English, CNN

Two special election victories in Florida provided more evidence that the Democratic success in elections since Donald Trump’s return to the White House rests not just on a motivated base but also on winning over Republicans and independents.

"Lives will be lost": How the U.K.'s aid cuts may affect parts of Africa

Fatma Tanis, NPR

In March, the UK announced it would trim its global aid budget and set new priorities in 2027. This has some countries and organizations worried that on top of the US aid cuts, this could be unsurvivable.

I Found the Veterans at the Huge Anti-Trump Protest. Their Views on Iran Were Revealing.

Nick Allison, Slate Magazine

As one told me, “I’m a former war planner and I still don’t understand what we’re trying to do.”

Latest Trump administration email pushes SAVE student-loan borrowers to find a new repayment plan — now

asheffey@businessinsider.com (Ayelet Sheffey), Business Insider

The SAVE student-loan repayment is dead, and borrowers will have to find a new plan by the fall. Trump is advising them to switch as soon as possible.

Oracle Lays Off Thousands to Offset AI Spending

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

Over 500 Oracle workers are being laid off in Kansas City alone.

“Casualty Cover-Up”: The Pentagon Is Hiding U.S. Losses Under Trump in the Middle East

Nick Turse, The Intercept

The Pentagon has sent outdated statements on the number of U.S. troops killed or wounded during the Iran war, resulting in undercounts. The post “Casualty Cover-Up”: The Pentagon Is Hiding U.S. Losses Under Trump in the Middle East appeared first on The Inter…

Donald Trump's Poll Numbers On The Economy Are Breaking Records For Reasons He's Realllllly Not Gonna Like

Megan Liscomb, Buzzfeed

If he could read, he'd be so mad right now.View Entire Post ›

What IAEA docs say about Iran's nuclear program, before the bombs fell

Meetdewey.com

I fed all 138 IAEA Board of Governors reports on Iran into an AI research tool and asked what they actually say. Here is what the documents show about enrichment levels, undeclared sites, and the state of each facility before the June 2025 strikes.

Even this Supreme Court seems unwilling to end birthright citizenship

Ian Millhiser, Vox

If you’ve been worried that this Supreme Court might give President Donald Trump the power to strip citizenship away from Americans, you can go ahead and exhale. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging an e…

Trump to address nation at critical moment in his war with Iran

Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR

The address comes after weeks of uncertainty over when and how the U.S. could extricate itself from the conflict .

Iran authorities await war ‘victory’ as supporters mark 1979 anniversary

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

Officials, government supporters take to streets to mark Islamic Republic Day, even as US, Israel continue bombing.

Hedge funds' first-quarter returns are rolling in. Here's how big names fared in choppy markets.

Bradley Saacks, Business Insider

$33 billion Balyasny lost money through the year's first three months thanks to a rocky March.

Supreme Court hears challenge to birthright citizenship as Trump attends arguments

Domenico Montanaro, NPR

A majority of Supreme Court justices peppered Solicitor General D. John Sauer with skeptical questions about the Trump administration's position that birthright citizenship should not apply to babies born to immigrants in the country illegally.

WATCH: President Trump attends Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Trump is attending oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, a historic first for a sitting president, as the justices consider his executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.

WATCH: New Hampshire governor and her security team assist driver after crash: Police

ABC News, Abcnews.com

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her security detail were among those who assisted in a fiery crash at a New Hampshire toll plaza — helping pull the driver from the fiery vehicle, police said.

DOJ Admits ICE Has Engaged In Illegal Courthouse Arrests For Most Of The Past Year

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

This is big. This is going to cause a whole lot of problems for the administration in the hundreds of ICE-related lawsuits it’s defending itself against. It’s a Perry Mason moment, albeit one that implicates the entity delivering it, rather than the other way…

What do Trump's latest comments on leaving Nato mean for the alliance?

BBC News

what Trump has criticised Nato members for showing a lack of support for US objectives in Iran.

ICE Warehouse Concentration Camps Put on Hold as DHS Corruption Spills Into Full View

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Federal investigators are starting to wonder why DHS has been paying tens of millions more for ICE warehouses than the buildings are worth.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Explains His Relationship With Trump

Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Apple's CEO Tim Cook has maintained a working relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, and he touched on that in a recent interview. Cook sat down with Esquire's Ryan D'Agostino to discuss Apple's 50th anniversary, but he was also asked about how h…

Federal judge rules DHS illegally stripped immigration status from thousands who entered through CBP One App

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR

Tuesday's ruling reinstates the immigration status of those who came via CBP One and whose status was terminated.

A New York Times reporter went to South Dakota to report on Kristi Noem's husband. Then the story broke.

Peter Kafka, Business Insider

New York Times reporter Shawn McCreesh thought there might be a good story to tell about Kristi Noem's husband, Bryon.

Asian Immigrants Would Be Hit Hardest...

StudyFinds Analysis, Studyfinds.com

Asian Immigrants Would Be Hit Hardest... (Top headline, 6th story, link) Related stories:Supreme Court: Case to limit birthright citizenship... President accused of trying to bully judges to their faces! HE STORMS OUT OF HEARING... Ch…

UK to host meeting of 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Before talks with 35 countries, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says reopening strait 'will not be easy'.

Tim Cook remembers Steve Jobs on Apple’s 50th anniversary: ‘It’s definitely still his company’

Chance Miller, 9to5Mac

As part of Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down with Esquire for an in-depth conversation. In the interview, Cook discussed his memory of Steve Jobs, remarking that Apple is “definitely still his company.” Cook also once again…

What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

Al Jazeera English

The Middle East conflict has cut off 20 percent of the world's fuel supply. Countries are scrambling for alternatives.

Russia to continue helping Cuba after first oil shipment arrives: diplomat

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also called on the US to lift its energy blockade on the island nation.

Iran denies Trump’s claim Iranian president requested ceasefire

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump says US will continue 'blasting Iran into oblivion' until Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

Why Costco is winning the gas war by refusing to behave like a normal gas station

Inc.

With the conflict in Iran pushing gas prices higher, Costco’s fuel program has quietly become one of the most effective ways for consumers to cut expenses. Even as national averages climb, Costco’s gas is typically $0.05 to $0.40 per gallon cheaper than local…

Trump to give primetime address on Iran war as questions swirl over his next move

BBC News

The US president finds himself under growing pressure at home to avoid a protracted conflict.

Trump Admin Sues Coca-Cola for Daring to Let Women Network Without Men

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Even the president’s favorite soda isn't safe from his trigger-happy crusade against anything that smells faintly of DEI.

WATCH: Details about the historic Artemis II launch

ABC News, Abcnews.com

After more than 50 years, NASA is taking a key step towards its long-term return to the moon with Artemis II.

Oral arguments underway in Supreme Court's landmark birthright citizenship case

Peter Charalambous, Laura Romero, Armando Garcia, Abcnews.com

The Supreme Court's oral arguments in its landmark birthright citizenship case are underway.

Splinter: Rahm Emanuel's Run for President Is Proof that Centrist Dems Are Beyond Cooked

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.

Will Trump really leave Nato?

BBC News

Trump considers leaving Nato, as Starmer says he won't change his position on Iran.

“All of Humanity’s Problems Stem From Marc Andreessen’s Inability to Sit Quietly in a Room Alone”

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

Tech investor and billionaire Marc Andreessen has many bad opinions (as evidenced by his investment portfolio). On a recent podcast, he shared a real boner: tha

Trump to address nation with 'important update' on Iran

Jack Moore, Abcnews.com

President Donald Trump will address the nation Wednesday night to give an "important update" on Iran as the war continues in its fifth week.

Trump’s Fateful Choice

Nancy A. Youssef, Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic

The military is waiting for the president’s go-ahead for high-risk ground operations in Iran.

US to leave Iran 'pretty quickly' and return if needed, Trump tells Reuters

By Steve Holland, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON, April 1 (Reuters) - The United States will be "out of Iran pretty quickly" and could return for "spot hits" if needed, President Donald Trump...

Could You Convince Donald Trump Your Child Is a U.S. Citizen?

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case challenging Donald Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship. It itsn't just about immigration.

Minerals for aid: Are new US health deals ‘exploiting’ African countries?

Shola Lawal, Al Jazeera English

Zimbabwe and Zambia have pushed back against 'lopsided' agreements after US asks for health data and minerals.

Bruce Springsteen Declares ‘War’ Against Trump at Defiant Tour Opener in Minneapolis

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

"The America that I love, that's been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world, is in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration," Springsteen said

Brendan Carr Ignores The Law, Rubber Stamps More Right Wing Media Consolidation, Then Lies About It

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Right wing broadcasters are having a very good time under Brendan Carr, who has looked to destroy all remaining media consolidation limits to let them merge. Such companies, like Sinclair, Nexstar, and Tegna, don’t do journalism so much as they do soggy, righ…

GOP Congressmen Won’t Pass the SAVE Act, so Trump Is Trying to Seize Control of Voting with Executive Orders Instead

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

The President of the United States isn't getting the SAVE Act, so he just ordered the Postal Service to not accept American votes.

How are NATO allies pushing back against Trump’s Iran war demands?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump says he is considering a NATO exit as allies resist cooperation in US-Israel war on Iran.

US Supreme Court to hear constitutional test of birthright citizenship

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Advocates warn of fallout for immigrants as challenge to Trump executive order to be heard before top US court.

Trump to address nation on Iran war. And, SCOTUS considers birthright citizenship

Brittney Melton, NPR

Trump is set to address the nation after saying the U.S. will withdraw from Iran in 2-3 weeks. And, the president will be at the Supreme Court today as arguments on birthright citizenship begin.

Sad! The War in Iran Is So Bad That the U.S. Can No Longer Save the Whales.

Lauren Tousignant, Jezebel

The “God Squad” just cleared the way for unfettered oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico—after Pete Hegseth claimed sacrificing endangered species was necessary for “national security.”

10 Wednesday AM Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

Welcome to April! Kick off the month with my WFH reads: • The oil market’s COVID moment: During the pandemic, demand for oil plummeted by about 7 million barrels a day. Gas prices plunged, and at one point oil prices went negative in the U.S.  The Iran war is…

RFK Jr. Is An Underrated Contender for the Saddest Trump Flunky

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Even compared with the other sell-outs, RFK Jr. has torpedoed everything he believed in while pathetically trailing in Trump's orbit.

White House signals it seeks a diplomatic solution in Iran: Experts

Chris Boccia, Abcnews.com

Top Trump administration officials have touted diplomatic efforts to end the war in Iran as the president signals it could end without opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Supreme Court hears Trump bid to end birthright citizenship

Devin Dwyer, Abcnews.com

The Supreme Court is considering President Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship by reinterpreting the 14th Amendment.

The ghost of DOGE is still haunting Social Security

Allie Kelly, Business Insider

DOGE cuts worsened existing staff shortages at Social Security. Here's what beneficiaries should know about customer service and future payments.

Supreme Court considers a historic case about who is — and isn't — born a citizen

Nina Totenberg, NPR

At issue is President Trump's challenge to a constitutional provision that has long been interpreted to guarantee American citizenship to every child born in the United States.

From scrappy startup to tech giant, Apple celebrates its 50th year

Chloe Veltman, NPR

Countercultural mythmaking and global corporate dominance have helped the tech corporation sail through criticism.

Conversion Therapy Gets Speech Protections — But Trans Kids’ Existence Gets No Protection At All

Natasha Lennard, The Intercept

The Supreme Court ruling has far-reaching, terrifying potential consequences — and not just for trans youth. The post Conversion Therapy Gets Speech Protections — But Trans Kids’ Existence Gets No Protection At All appeared first on The Intercept.

Morning news brief

Leila Fadel, NPR

Trump tells allies who need Strait of Hormuz for oil to get it themselves, how the Iran war is impacting the U.S. and global economy, SCOTUS to hear arguments on birthright citizenship.

War on Iran: Three key takeaways from Araghchi’s interview with Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Araghchi confirmed direct talks with Witkoff but denied that they constituted negotiations in an exclusive interview.

US could 'finish the job' in Iran in two or three weeks, Trump says

BBC News

President Trump says the US will "leave" Iran "very soon" as Iran's president says Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war.

Iran attacks cause fire in Kuwait, Bahrain; kill man in UAE

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Shrapnel from an Iranian drone interception kills a Bangladeshi national in the UAE's Fujairah city.

Iran war: What is happening on day 33 of US-Israel attacks?

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Trump says US could leave Iran war in 2-3 weeks without a deal; Iran’s FM Araghchi says he has no faith in talks.

WATCH: The science behind how astronauts’ bodies respond in space

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with UCLA director of space medicine Dr. Haig Aintablian on how astronauts are preparing for their trip to space ahead of the Artemis II launch.

Judge halts Trump ballroom project; Trump says work can go on

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump seemed to suggest work on the $400 million White House ballroom could continue despite a judge’s order.

Trump unveils presidential library plans with gold Trump statue, gifted jet

Meghan Mistry, Michelle Stoddart, Abcnews.com

The president told ABC News that he does not want the project to start until after his current term in office.

Trump, 79, Struggles to Read From Huge Notes

Yahoo Entertainment

Hegseth lifts suspension of Apache flight crew that hovered near Kid Rock's Nashville home

Lloyd Lee, Business Insider

Two Apache helicopters flew near Kid Rock's Nashville home over the weekend, triggering a suspension of the flight crews and an internal review.

Nothing Works in Trump’s America — Except Racism ....

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

Nothing Works in Trump’s America — Except Racism. “Trump is objectively bad at running the government, but he’s objectively good at running a Klan rally, and hi

Judge temporarily halts Trump’s $400m White House ballroom project

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

District Judge Richard Leon says construction has to stop until Congress provides statutory authorisation.

Trump tells allies ‘get your own oil’, says Iran war could end in 2-3 weeks

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Under pressure as domestic petrol prices soar, US president says no deal needed to end war on Iran.