Trump News for Monday, April 20, 2026
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‘Predators’: Amnesty slams Netanyahu, Putin, Trump as human rights decline
Anealla Safdar, Al Jazeera English
Global rights group says leaders of three countries behind devastating wars inspire other states to carry out abuses.
Apr 20, 2026, 11:43 PM
Trump Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct probe
Alex Galbraith, Salon
The Trump Cabinet pick was in the midst of an internal investigation into alleged misconduct.
Apr 20, 2026, 11:26 PM
A deal to end the Iran war seemed close. Then Trump started posting on social media
Alayna Treene, Kevin Liptak, CNN, CNN
As the weekend approached, the US and Iran appeared to be closing in on a deal to end the seven-week war.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:54 PM
Spirit Airlines Wants a Trump Bailout as Jet Fuel Prices Skyrocket
Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is reportedly meeting with the airline this week.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:29 PM
Tim Cook to remain involved in Apple’s government relations around the world
Marcus Mendes, 9to5Mac
Apple confirmed today that although Tim Cook will be leaving the role of Apple CEO come September, he’ll still be involved in a key area of the company. Here are the details. more…
Apr 20, 2026, 10:25 PM
Outcry grows over Israeli soldier smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon
Ali Harb, Al Jazeera English
Some of Donald Trump's former MAGA allies denounce the desecration of Christian religious symbol by Israeli soldier.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:12 PM
Caught In The Crackdown: As Arrests At Anti-ICE Protests Piled Up, Prosecutions Crumbled
A.C. Thompson and Gabrielle Schonder, Techdirt
This story was originally published by ProPublica and Frontline. Republished under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 license. The National Guard soldiers in desert camo piled out of unmarked vans in East Los Angeles last June, cordoning off East Sixth Street, a residential s…
Apr 20, 2026, 10:00 PM
Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran
BBC News
The US president's comments come amid uncertainty over whether Iran will attend peace talks in Pakistan this week.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:52 PM
Trump’s Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns
Ted Johnson, Deadline
Another Trump cabinet member is out: Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the secretary of labor, resigned on Monday. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement that she “will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector. …
Apr 20, 2026, 9:50 PM
The lucky few who can apply for tariff refunds
Andrew Prokop, 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 is letting businesses apply f…
Apr 20, 2026, 9:49 PM
ANOTHER ONE: LABOR SECRETARY OUT...
Reese Gorman, Jasmine Wright, Notus.org
A Labor Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:19 PM
White House Is in Full Panic Mode as Trump Doubles Down on Iran War
Edith Olmsted, The New Republic
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles summoned dozens of Republican political consultants from across the country for a meeting Monday at the Waldorf Astoria, a person familiar with the plan told Politico’s Playbook.The gathering of Republican operatives com…
Apr 20, 2026, 9:12 PM
FBI Director Kash Patel sues Atlantic for ‘false’ reporting on drinking
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
The Atlantic defends its reporting as Kash Patel denies allegations and files a $250m US defamation lawsuit.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:09 PM
Trump boasts on ‘winning war’ on social media posts
Al Jazeera English
Donald Trump has released various social media comments throughout the day, preaching about winning the war.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:01 PM
Palantir Goes Mask-Off For Fascism. It Won’t End Well.
Mike Masnick, Techdirt
Earlier this month, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has proven to have great war fighting capabilities and equipment. Just ask our enemies!!!” — notably including the stock ticker, because why not just make the market ma…
Apr 20, 2026, 7:58 PM
Report finds Gaza needs more than $71bn in next decade for recovery
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
Devastated sectors in Palestinian enclave include housing, health, education, commerce and agriculture, EU and UN find.
Apr 20, 2026, 7:05 PM
Gensler set to design Trump Tower Tbilisi as country's tallest building
Tom Ravenscroft, Dezeen
The Trump Organization has announced plans to build a 70-storey skyscraper in Tbilisi, Georgia, which would be the tallest building in the country. Planned in collaboration with Biograpi Living, Archi Group, The Sapir Organization, Blox Group and Finvest Geor…
Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 PM
Ford CEO says Tesla doesn’t have an ‘updated vehicle,’ and now he’s pivoting to catch up with his real competitor: China’s BYD
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Yahoo Entertainment
Ford CEO Jim Farley drove a Chinese EV for six months and liked it so much he didn’t want to give it back. Now he’s overhauling Ford.
Apr 20, 2026, 6:01 PM
Rep. Mike Johnson Tries, Fails To Sneak Clean Section 702 Re-Authorization Past The Goal Line
Tim Cushing, Techdirt
Despite a bunch of Republican lawmakers being extremely (and mostly performatively) upset that their communications were accessed during investigations of the January 2021 insurrection attempt, the current version of the Trump administration seems to prefer a…
Apr 20, 2026, 5:58 PM
Republican Rep. Obsessed With Hating Muslims Unveils MAMDANI Act
Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic
Republican Representative Chip Roy is taking aim at free speech and freedom of religion, introducing a bill that would target immigrants who support “socialism, communism, Chinese communism, Marxism, or Islamic fundamentalism.” Roy calls his assault on the F…
Apr 20, 2026, 5:53 PM
FBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic over story about 'excessive drinking'
Jacob Shamsian, Business Insider
FBI director Kash Patel asked for $250 million in damages following an article from The Atlantic about his drinking.
Apr 20, 2026, 5:49 PM
These are difficult times for the world, so what will Pakistan do?
Maleeha Lodhi, Al Jazeera English
The talks between the United States and Iran mediated by Pakistan have not failed. They do face significant challenges.
Apr 20, 2026, 5:33 PM
US launches tariff refund system as thousands of importers line up
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
More than 330,000 importers paid up to $166bn in tariffs on 53 million shipments of imported goods.
Apr 20, 2026, 5:16 PM
Lebanon, Israel to meet again Thursday for direct talks, US says
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
US confirms second round of negotiations between two the countries as the Israeli military annihilates Lebanese towns.
Apr 20, 2026, 5:15 PM
SCOTUS to Decide on Funding for Schools That Reject Same-Sex Parents
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a new religious rights case that could challenge a landmark 1990 decision.Parents within the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver, which runs 34 preschools across Colorado’s capital city, have challenged a state mandate requi…
Apr 20, 2026, 5:06 PM
What is President Donald Trump's approval rating? See latest polls
Kinsey Crowley and Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY, USA Today
President Trump's approval rating has long been underwater, spelling trouble for Republicans in the midterms. Iran, high gas prices aren't helping.
Apr 20, 2026, 4:38 PM
Trump Considers Bailing Out UAE as It Invests in His Family’s Ventures
Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic
The Trump administration is considering a bailout for the United Arab Emirates over economic losses sustained as a result of the U.S. war with Iran.The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that UAE officials are speaking with the White House about providing fi…
Apr 20, 2026, 4:36 PM
Court To Bondi: Demanding Platforms Censor Speech And Bragging About It On Fox News Is, In Fact, A First Amendment Violation
Mike Masnick, Techdirt
For the better part of five years, we’ve been treated to an elaborate performance about the unprecedented constitutional horror of “jawboning.” Jim Jordan held hearings. Missouri’s AG sued. The Supreme Court heard Murthy v. Missouri and concluded there wasn’t…
Apr 20, 2026, 4:31 PM
Trump Secretly Created “Denaturalization” Team at Citizenship Agency
Edith Olmsted, The New Republic
Donald Trump’s administration has quietly transformed the agency overseeing legal immigration into yet another arm of the president’s mass deportation scheme. An internal agency document reviewed by The New Yorker’s Jonathan Blitzer revealed that the U.S. Cit…
Apr 20, 2026, 4:11 PM
NASA Welcomes Latvia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
Elizabeth Shaw, NASA
The Republic of Latvia signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 62nd nation to commit to responsible space exploration for all humanity. “We are proud to welcome Latvia to the…
Apr 20, 2026, 4:01 PM
Progressive Group Founded by Bernie Sanders Endorses Billionaire for California Governor
Akela Lacy, The Intercept
With voters on the left split across a wide Democratic field, Our Revolution says it backed Tom Steyer to avoid handing the seat to a Republican. The post Progressive Group Founded by Bernie Sanders Endorses Billionaire for California Governor appeared first …
Apr 20, 2026, 4:00 PM
The Stock Market Can Stay Irrational Longer than You Can Stay Solvent
Jacob Weindling, Jezebel
Yes, the stock market is utterly deranged, no, that doesn't mean it has to crash.
Apr 20, 2026, 3:50 PM
Americans Scramble to Get a Piece of the $166 Billion Pie as Tariff Refund Portal Opens
Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com
Importers can now apply online for tariff refunds.
Apr 20, 2026, 3:50 PM
Trump Crashes Out Online Over His Tanking Poll Numbers
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have hit more turbulence in the wake of a tense weekend that has apparently sent Donald Trump spiraling.The two countries were close to brokering a new peace agreement late last week as the deadline on the two-week cease…
Apr 20, 2026, 3:36 PM
‘Israel never talked me into the war with Iran,’ Trump says
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
US president suggests attacking Iran was his own decision as war struggles to garner public support amid energy crisis.
Apr 20, 2026, 3:23 PM
Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say
By Jonathan Saul, Yahoo Entertainment
By Jonathan Saul LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, is likely to ...
Apr 20, 2026, 3:12 PM
“Absurd”: Michigan Flat-Out Rejects Trump Demand for Ballots
Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic
The Trump administration was rebuffed by the state of Michigan Sunday after it tried to demand Detroit-area ballots from the 2024 election. Last week, the Department of Justice sent a letter, signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, to the clerk…
Apr 20, 2026, 2:59 PM
Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic Over Report That He’s Always Drunk
Edith Olmsted, The New Republic
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic Monday, after a sweeping report detailing his excessive drinking and unexplained absences. In a 19-page filing, lawyers for Patel alleged that The Atlantic had published an “art…
Apr 20, 2026, 2:45 PM
FBI Director sues ATLANTIC claiming false reporting about drinking, absences...
The Straits Times
FBI Director sues ATLANTIC claiming false reporting about drinking, absences... (First column, 7th story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support! Become a Patron
Apr 20, 2026, 2:34 PM
Trump Blocked From Iran War Plans After Screaming at Aides for Hours
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic
Donald Trump’s erratic behavior has gotten him exiled from critical peace negotiations with Iran.The president was removed from such talks by his own aides last month, who feared that his unpredictable style could hamper the discussions, The Wall Street Journ…
Apr 20, 2026, 2:33 PM
Trump’s looming downballot disaster
Russell Payne, Salon
Trump's unpopularity is putting Republican dominance in state legislatures at risk
Apr 20, 2026, 2:30 PM
MAGA Rep. Threatened to Call Pam Bondi to Block His Own Arrest
Edith Olmsted, The New Republic
Florida Representative Cory Mills threatened to call then-Attorney General Pam Bondi while he was being questioned by Washington police about an alleged assault. Police body camera footage released to The Washington Post showed officers responding to a call f…
Apr 20, 2026, 2:29 PM
Cloud over US-Iran talks: What are the key sticking points?
Usaid Siddiqui, Al Jazeera English
Trump announces new talks with Iran as fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire raises stakes for future negotiations.
Apr 20, 2026, 1:51 PM
The ‘Weaponization Working Group’ Makes Its First Move
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic
A new DOJ report purports to show bias under the Biden administration—and fails spectacularly.
Apr 20, 2026, 1:51 PM
WATCH: Japan shakes and rattles as earthquake hits off coast
ABC News, Abcnews.com
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's coast, prompting tsunami warnings.
Apr 20, 2026, 1:46 PM
Hundreds Of Veteran Journalists And Groups Urge WHCA To “Speak Forcefully” About Trump’s Attacks On Media As He Attends Annual Dinner
Ted Johnson, Deadline
When Donald Trump attends the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner for the first time as president on Saturday, the pressure will be on the journalists’ organization to make some sort of a statement about the president’s relentless attacks on the me…
Apr 20, 2026, 1:28 PM
The label wars for Trump miss the point. Look at the wreckage
Chauncey DeVega, Salon
What really matters is the destruction the president leaves behind
Apr 20, 2026, 1:00 PM
What we know about the US capture of Iranian vessel near Hormuz
Al Jazeera English
US releases video showing the capture of Iranian-flagged ship near Hormuz, Trump says it tried to breach its blockade.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:43 PM
LAPD Deployed Drones to Spy on No Kings Protest
Sam Biddle, The Intercept
Flight records show that Los Angeles police dispatched drones 32 times over last month’s No Kings rally. The post LAPD Deployed Drones to Spy on No Kings Protest appeared first on The Intercept.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:42 PM
Judge says White House can’t ‘strong-arm’ Apple into blocking ICE trackers
Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac
A judge has ruled that the Trump administration should not have coerced Apple and Google into taking down apps which track the activity of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). A preliminary injunction has been awarded, with the creators of ICE Si…
Apr 20, 2026, 12:39 PM
AI is reshaping Britain's datacenter map away from London
Dan Robinson, Theregister.com
Bit barns need to worry more about space, access to grid – overstuffed center no longer a must, say experts UK AI datacenter capacity could migrate away from London as power shortages, planning constraints and reduced reliance on low-latency connections to fi…
Apr 20, 2026, 12:38 PM
Netgear Gets Mysterious Exemption To Trump FCC ‘Router Ban,’ Refuses To Say How
Karl Bode, Techdirt
Late last month we noted how the Trump FCC under Brendan Carr announced a “new ban” on all routers made overseas (which means pretty much all of them). At the time we also noted how this was less of a ban and more of a shakedown, with router manufacturers req…
Apr 20, 2026, 12:26 PM
'We're gonna get killed': White House in full-blown panic as economic outlook darkens...
Raw Story, Dnyuz.com
'We're gonna get killed': White House in full-blown panic as economic outlook darkens... (Second column, 1st story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support! Become a Patron
Apr 20, 2026, 12:25 PM
Under Kash Patel, the FBI Is on the Rocks in More Ways Than One
Danielle Han, Jezebel
Our FBI director is actually so stable and in charge that he filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic on Monday for reporting that he drinks too much.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:22 PM
Iraq’s ruling Shia bloc races to choose PM as US, Iran watch
Alfadhel Ahmad, Al Jazeera English
Ismail Qaani's visit came at the request of PM al-Sudani amid internal divisions in the Shia parliamentary bloc.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:15 PM
Trump Calls His Own Energy Secretary a Liar on Gas Prices: 'He's Wrong'
Jim Vorel, Jezebel
It must be fun to be in the Trump inner circle, repeat his own statements on gas prices, and then have the President denounce you anyway.
Apr 20, 2026, 11:32 AM
A match made in opposition: Venezuela’s Machado courts Spain’s right wing
Graham Keeley, Al Jazeera English
Analysts say Maduro and Sanchez's political rivals align on economic policy but are split on social issues.
Apr 20, 2026, 11:20 AM
MAGA wants more teen births. It won’t work
Amanda Marcotte, Salon
Teen birth rates are at historic lows — and young women want to keep it that way
Apr 20, 2026, 10:45 AM
Transcript: Trump Accidentally Reveals His Contempt for MAGA Voters
The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, The New Republic
The following is a lightly edited transcript of the April 20 episode of the Daily Blast podcast. Listen to it here.Greg Sargent: This is The Daily Blast from The New Republic, produced and presented by the DSR Network. I’m your host, Greg Sargent.Is MAGA shri…
Apr 20, 2026, 10:38 AM
U.S. seizes Iranian cargo ship. And, tariff refund portal launches
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR
U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. And, an online government portal for processing tariff refunds launches today.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:30 AM
Second round in Islamabad: Who’s at the US-Iran negotiating table?
Mohammad Mansour, Al Jazeera English
Veteran US and Iranian negotiators gather in Islamabad for a second round of talks as a fragile ceasefire nears its end.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:06 AM
US captures Iranian ship Touska amid mediation efforts: All we know
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
The US claims the ship was trying to evade its naval blockade. Iran calls it 'piracy'.
Apr 20, 2026, 10:06 AM
As GOP interest in Bondi fizzles, Democrats push for chance to question her
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill
The small band of House Republicans who backed the effort to subpoena former Attorney General Pam Bondi have brushed off a plan from Democrats to hold her in...
Apr 20, 2026, 10:00 AM
Colossal Biosciences said it cloned red wolves. Is it for real?
Boyce Upholt, MIT Technology Review
If you want to capture something wolflike, it’s best to embark before dawn. So on a morning this January, with the eastern horizon still pink-hued, I drove with two young scientists into a blanket of fog. Forty miles to the west, the industrial sprawl of Hous…
Apr 20, 2026, 10:00 AM
Did Donald Trump Promise Iran $20 Billion? If So—Is that Treason?
Michael Tomasky, The New Republic
Last Friday morning, Axios published a scoop about the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran. The administration, according to four sources, wants Iran to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, of which it possesses about 2.2 tons in various under…
Apr 20, 2026, 10:00 AM
These Middle Eastern News Sites Are Actually U.S. Government Propaganda Operations
Sam Biddle, The Intercept
Al-Fassel and Pishtaz News publish pro-U.S. coverage about the war on Iran and the Trump administration’s plan to redevelop Gaza. The post These Middle Eastern News Sites Are Actually U.S. Government Propaganda Operations appeared first on The Intercept.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:51 AM
Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Could Be Political Suicide for Republicans
Fred Kaplan, Slate Magazine
In so many ways, this budget is a fantasy.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:45 AM
What to know as war with Iran stretches into week 8
Justin Fishel, Abcnews.com
The United States, Israel and Iran are now in their eighth week of conflict.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:17 AM
Who owns presidential records? Trump's Justice Department says it's him
Carrie Johnson, NPR
The Trump administration asserts a nearly 50-year-old law requiring the preservation of presidential records is unconstitutional. Historians warn important papers could be destroyed.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Voters say they feel confused and misled on Virginia's redistricting vote
Jahd Khalil, NPR
Contradictory election mailers, conflicting TV ads and vague wording on the ballot have Virginia voters saying that the campaigns on either side of the redistricting vote are muddying the waters.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Spanish speakers learn strategies to pass English-only driving test in Florida
David Ovalle, NPR
A new English-only driving test rule in Florida is fueling a surge in strategy lessons for Spanish speakers where they learn to figure out the questions without having to take English language courses.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Data center disputes have been local. But the midterms might change that
Anusha Mathur, NPR
Anger over the data center boom has spilled into politics with voters unseating local politicians who support them. It's become an issue hard to ignore in the midterm elections.
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Trump Accidentally Admits What He Really Thinks of MAGA Voters
The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, The New Republic
Donald Trump just erupted at MAGA allies for oppposing his war. In one tirade, he attacked Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and others as “FAKE MAGA.” In another, he slammed them as “Low IQ.” Similarly, his pollster, John McLaughlin, claimed that the MAGA base “do…
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Trump Library Saga Takes Dark Turn: Where Did Millions in Funding Go?
Greg Sargent, The New Republic
Last year, four huge companies pledged tens of millions of dollars to help fund the creation of Donald Trump’s presidential library, a planned monstrosity in Miami that—in a perfect Trumpian twist—may also double as a hotel. The companies—ABC; Paramount; Meta…
Apr 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Morning news brief
Leila Fadel, NPR
Trump announces planned Iran war peace talks, Tehran signals it may boycott negotiations amid ongoing U.S. naval pressure, businesses can now apply for Trump tariff refunds.
Apr 20, 2026, 8:42 AM
Iran live updates: Marines from USS Tripoli seized Iranian vessel, CENTCOM says
David Brennan, Abcnews.com
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Apr 20, 2026, 7:35 AM
US releases video said to show mission to capture Iranian ship
BBC News
The US has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf as part of its naval blockade, Donald Trump has said.
Apr 20, 2026, 7:29 AM
Iran war: What is happening on day 52 of the US-Israeli conflict?
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
Islamabad talks in limbo as Iran says it will retaliate after US marines capture an Iranian ship near Strait of Hormuz.
Apr 20, 2026, 7:21 AM
Oil prices surge amid mixed signals on US-Iran peace talks
John Power, Al Jazeera English
Brent crude rises more than 7 percent as Washington and Tehran offer conflicting accounts on ceasefire negotiations.
Apr 20, 2026, 2:41 AM
Why Iran is not joining US talks: ‘Excessive demands, shifting positions and ongoing naval blockade’
Express Global Desk, The Indian Express
The US had announced it would send officials to Pakistan for possible negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel in Iran.
Apr 20, 2026, 1:06 AM
What’s behind the US army’s decision to raise enlistment age to 42?
Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera English
Changes in US Army enlistment standards could be an effort to boost recruitment as numbers have lagged in recent years.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:57 AM
What does the future hold for the thawing Arctic?
Charlotte Gehrke, Nature.com
Two experts unpack how trends in climate and geopolitics might unfold to shape the far north.
Apr 20, 2026, 12:00 AM