Trump News for Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Trump remains ‘in a quandary’ despite Iran war ceasefire extension

Al Jazeera English

Barbara Slavin says Trump’s decision to extend a ceasefire with Iran is a relief, but a diplomatic solution is far off.

Trump’s Media Company Names Kevin McGurn Its Interim CEO As Devin Nunes Exits

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Trump Media and Technology Corp., which operates the social media platform Truth Social, has named Kevin McGurn as interim CEO to succeed Devin Nunes. McGurn, a former executive at T-Mobile USA, Vevo and Hulu, has been an advisor to the company since December…

Paraguay plans to accept 25 third-country migrant deportees from US

Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera English

The Trump administration has signed multimillion-dollar deals with foreign countries to accept non-citizen deportees.

RFK Jr. says NIH cuts are 'painful,' defends firing of former CDC director

Arthur Jones II, Abcnews.com

RFK Jr. was pressed on cuts to the National Institutes of Health, vaccine messaging and the firing of the former director of the CDC during a hearing on Tuesday.

Trump administration sues Southern Poverty Law Center on fraud charges

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The civil rights group has long been a target for conservative activists who object to its characterisations.

Tucker Carlson’s Trump Apology Is Too Little, Too Late

Nikkimccannramirez, Rolling Stone

Tucker Carlson apologized for his role in getting Donald Trump elected as he criticizes the president over the Iran war.

Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges

The Associated Press, NPR

The Justice Department alleges that the SPLC improperly raised millions of dollars to pay informants to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups.

Why the Pentagon is dropping a flu vaccine mandate

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: Hi readers — Donald Trump announced a last-minute exte…

NASA Invites Media to Jordan Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony

Jennifer M. Dooren, NASA

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 23, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will host Ambassador Dina Kawar of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and U…

Sam Altman opens up about the Molotov cocktail attack on his home: 'The way Anthropic talks about OpenAI doesn't help'

Brent D. Griffiths, Business Insider

"I think the doomerism talk hasn't helped. I think the way certain other labs talk about us hasn't helped," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said.

We translated the Palantir manifesto for actual human beings

TC. Sottek, Adi Robertson, The Verge

Palantir CEO Alex Karp is a man in charge of one of the most important and frightening companies in the world. Karp's new book, co-written with Nicholas Zamiska, is called "The Technological Republic." After claiming "because we get asked a lot", Palantir pos…

Tim Cook started courting Donald Trump with a phone call. It worked.

Peter Kafka, Business Insider

Tim Cook and Donald Trump don't seem like natural allies, at all. But Cook unlocked Trump fairly early in his first term. There's a secret to how.

Pro-Palestine legal aid requests stay high in 2025 amid US campus pressure

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Legal aid group says the rate of requests shows pro-Palestine advocacy persists despite Trump administration's tactics.

Tech leaders, Trump, and more react to Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO

Chance Miller, 9to5Mac

Apple announced its major leadership transition yesterday, with John Ternus officially set to take over as CEO from Tim Cook later this year. Following that announcement, tech leaders (and others) have taken to social media to congratulate Cook on the new…

US issues more Iran sanctions on eve of possible talks in Pakistan

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The Trump administration targets 14 individuals and entities over alleged links to Iran's arms industry.

Azealia Banks Skips Hearing in Ex-Manager ‘Stalking’ Case

Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone

Azealia Banks was a no-show at a court hearing, but a damages trial to determine her liability for stalking and defaming her ex-manager is proceeding.

“Fraud!”: Alex Jones spirals on social media as The Onion prepares to take over Infowars

Garrett Owen, Salon

The host and conspiracy theorist posted angry, shirtless clips in response to the news.

Murder, she wrote: Ex-FBI chief wants some ransomware crims charged with homicide

Jessica Lyons, Theregister.com

Lawmakers decry CISA cuts: 'We are shooting ourselves in the foot' If a cyberattack leads to a death, that's murder. A former FBI cyber division chief urged the US Justice Department to consider felony homicide charges against ransomware actors when attacks o…

Trump announces extending Iran ceasefire but says blockade remains

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US president says attacks will be held off until Iranian leaders 'come up with a unified proposal' to end war.

Trump’s US Fed nominee Warsh vows independence, says he’s no ‘sock puppet’

Andy Hirschfeld, Al Jazeera English

Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing shines spotlight on doubts over his independence as Trump pushes again for rate cuts.

How FedEx, UPS, and DHL plan to pass tariff refunds along to customers

Dominick Reuter, Business Insider

Three top shipping companies said they plan to file for tariff refunds through the US Customs portal and repay customers for any applicable tariffs.

Trump on Tim Apple

John Gruber, Truthsocial.com

AI, sock puppets, and the richest Fed chair in history: 3 takeaways from Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearings

Allie Kelly, Business Insider

Former Wall Street exec Kevin Warsh testified before Congress Tuesday about his nomination as Fed chair.

Nicaragua’s president says Trump ‘mentally deranged’ over war on Iran

Al Jazeera English

Nicaraguan President has criticised his US counterpart Donald Trump, over the war on Iran.

US forces detain Iran-linked tanker Tifani with ceasefire talks on edge

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Ship, detained under US policy to stop all Tehran-linked vessels, is under sanctions for smuggling Iranian crude.

From Epstein to sock puppets: Key takeaways from Kevin Warsh's Fed confirmation hearing

BBC News

Kevin Warsh denied making a deal with Donald Trump on interest rates and said he wanted regime change at the central bank.

Flu vaccine no longer mandatory for soldiers, says US military chief

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Pete Hegseth says the decision is based on principle of 'medical autonomy' and criticises the mandate as 'overreaching'.

Judge Acquits Penis Costume-Wearing Grandma While Saying Some Dumb Stuff About Probable Cause

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Last fall, an Alabama police officer decided he wasn’t going to allow a 62-year-old woman to exercise her First Amendment rights — not if she was going to do so from inside an inflatable penis costume. Yes, these are sentences we actually have to write here a…

What smart people are saying about the future of the Fed under Kevin Warsh

Allie Kelly, Business Insider

With concerns over Fed independence, Trump nominee Kevin Warsh could still face an uphill battle in the Senate.

Family of Boulder attack suspect ordered released from ICE custody

Laura Romero, Abcnews.com

The family has been detained in immigration custody for more than 10 months at the family detention facility in Dilley, Texas.

Trump Brags That Tim Cook Would ‘Kiss My Ass’ as the Apple CEO Steps Aside

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

"When I got the call I said, wow, it’s Tim Apple (Cook!) calling, how big is that?"

U.S. Personnel Who Died in Mexico Were Working For the CIA, Sources Say

Nick Turse, The Intercept

Two Americans killed in Mexico, previously identified only as “staff from the United States Embassy,” participated in a raid on a drug lab. The post U.S. Personnel Who Died in Mexico Were Working For the CIA, Sources Say appeared first on The Intercept.

OIL SPILLS SEEN FROM SPACE

Averee Nelson, Themirror.com

OIL SPILLS SEEN FROM SPACE (Main headline, 6th story, link) Related stories:TRUMP APPROVAL: 32% MATCHING CARTER LOWS MORE WAR CONFUSION IRAN WARNS 'NEW CARDS' ON BATTLEFIELD SCAMMERS IN STRAIT

Iran war has become political baggage for Vance: ANALYSIS

Hannah Demissie, Emily Chang, Abcnews.com

The war in Iran has put Vice President JD Vance, viewed by many as the MAGA heir apparent, in a politically tough position if he decides to run for president in 2028.

Trump’s Fed Pick Says There’s Only One Thing They Disagree About

Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic

Kevin Warsh, the man Donald Trump tapped to run the Federal Reserve, told Congress Tuesday that there’s only one detail that he and the president disagree on.In the midst of a heated exchange with Senator Elizabeth Warren over his previous pledges to “stand u…

Tariff War, Post-SCOTUS Update

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

Everybody’s attention has been focused on the Iran War,1 but I want to draw your attention back to a different war — the prior Trade War. Eighteen months ago, the Trump administration was elected to its second term. After November 2024, there was a lot of noi…

Pete Hegseth Restores FREEDOM to His WARRIORS by Defeating WOKE Flu Vaccine. AMERICA!!!!

Claire Guinan, Jezebel

After OBLITERATING Biden’s flu vaccine mandate, Hegseth said our military finally!!!!! has the freedom again "to express their religious convictions."

NASA Breaks Silence on Deaths and Disappearances of Scientists With Ties to Space Tech

Ellyn Lapointe, Gizmodo.com

Eleven missing or dead scientists are now at the center of a federal investigation, and three had direct ties to NASA.

Bolton: Trump ‘afraid’ of making bad Iran deal ‘because he’ll look like’ Obama

Yahoo Entertainment

CNN To Air Matt Friend Comedy Special On Eve Of White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Comedian Matt Friend, known for his satire and impressions of Donald Trump and other political figures, will headline a comedy special from Washington, D.C. that will air on CNN on the eve the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The special, Ameri…

Trump Is Warming Up to Anthropic Again, Says the Company Could ‘Be of Great Use’

Ece Yildirim, Gizmodo.com

The President's comments come after the government's sudden interest in Mythos.

Another Trump Cabinet Member Is Out

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

Lori Chavez-DeRemer was supposed to take the GOP in a more worker-friendly direction. Instead she is departing amid scandal.

Trump Claims He Would Have Won Vietnam War—Which He Dodged

Edith Olmsted, The New Republic

President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday it would’ve taken him just five months to end a war he refused to fight in. Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump bragged about how quickly he ended the war in Iran—shortly after threatening to resume attacks if things do…

Tucker Carlson Says He’s “Sorry For Misleading People” To Support Donald Trump, Says He’ll Be “Tormented By It For A Long Time”

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Tucker Carlson offered a mea culpa on his podcast for supporting Donald Trump in his 2024 presidential campaign, telling his viewers and listeners that he will be “tormented by it for a long time.” In a conversation with his brother Buckley, a Trump speechwri…

The war in Iran didn’t end; it became something new

Joshua Keating, Vox

Are the US and Iran on the verge of a full peace agreement — or a return to all-out war? On the one hand, President Donald Trump has told multiple reporters in recent days that Iran has effectively agreed to all US conditions and that talks are going well, wi…

This Ex-Trump Ally Said He Feels "Tormented" By His Support, And The Comments Are MAGA People Saying The Same Thing

Natasha Jokic, Buzzfeed

"We’re implicated in this."View Entire Post ›

Game theory explains why the US's goals in Iran keep changing

Petros Sekeris, New Scientist

The ongoing conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has become a situation in game theory known as a war of attrition. The maths behind it can help explain what's going on, says Petros Sekeris

Trump says he opposes extending Iran ceasefire amid talks uncertainty

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president says Iran has 'no choice' but to show up to the negotiations in Pakistan and accept a 'great' deal.

Donald Trump Claims Apple CEO Tim Cook Once Called the President to ‘Kiss My Ass’

Todd Spangler, Variety

President Donald Trump praised Tim Cook, who’s stepping down as Apple’s CEO later this year, as “an incredible guy!!!” who had “an AMAZING career.” Trump also said the tech exec once called him during his first term in office to ask for help on an unspecified…

My University Hired a Terrorist

FacultyLeaks.com, Facultyleaks.com

A Faculty Search Committee Story

FBI investigating possible links between deaths and disappearances of at least 10 scientists

Claire Cameron, Scientific American

This announcement from the FBI came after President Donald Trump highlighted the recent deaths of several scientists and government workers who may have had access to sensitive information

In Big Sky Country, Big Political Intrigue

Michael Scherer, The Atlantic

Montana Democrats thought they found a novel way to win control of the U.S. Senate—until the party faithful started fighting back.

House Republican on Patel reported alcohol use: ‘As long as it doesn’t affect his job … I’m cool’

Sophie Brams, The Hill

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) defended FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday following a report in The Atlantic alleging Patel has engaged in excessive alcohol use...

Pakistan races against time to get Iran back to US talks as truce end nears

Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera English

But a series of escalations by the US is complicating those efforts, say analysts.

Trump has a new avenger in chief

Heather Digby Parton, Salon

Joseph diGenova will pursue charges in the Florida "grand conspiracy" case against the president's perceived foes

ICE Is Looking For Parking in New York City — For a 150-Vehicle Deportation Fleet

Noah Hurowitz, The Intercept

With its last contract expiring, activists say garage owners should spurn ICE to avoid becoming complicit in Trump’s deportation blitz. The post ICE Is Looking For Parking in New York City — For a 150-Vehicle Deportation Fleet appeared first on The Intercept.

CBS Hosting Dinner Praising Trump And His Love Of The First Amendment

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Talk about pathetic. CBS has announced that the now-Larry Ellison owned network will be hosting a lavish dinner this week praising Donald Trump and his (nonexistent) dedication to the First Amendment. The dinner will be hosted at the United States Institute o…

Iran-US war: Four scenarios for what’s next as talks stumble

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

Between an expiring ceasefire and a possible deal lies a range of ways in which the war could proceed, analysts say.

What Does Donald Trump Think 'Regime Change' in Iran Actually Means?

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Trump doesn't seem to know the meaning of the phrase "regime change," if he thinks it involves the same government still being in power.

Trump praises 'Tim Apple' in a nod to his infamous name slip-up

Thibault Spirlet, Business Insider

"When I got the call I said, wow, it's Tim Apple (Cook!) calling, how big is that?" President Trump wrote, reviving his viral 2019 nickname.

‘The Right Amount of Crazy’

Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books

In Trump’s strategy of feigning madness to get what he wants, there is no longer any border between pretense and actual irrationality.

WATCH: Bodycam footage shows police taking down alleged scammers targeting N.Y. woman

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Two alleged scammers were taken down on body camera after a 75-year-old woman grew suspicious when a caller asked her to withdraw $25,000 from her bank account.

Tim Heidecker’s Next Project? Running InfoWars for The Onion

Christian Zilko, IndieWire

The satirical newspaper has mounted another attempt to buy the disgraced conspiracy site out of bankruptcy.

What was the Iran nuclear deal Trump dumped in search of ‘better’ terms?

Usaid Siddiqui, Al Jazeera English

Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA in 2018, branding it 'the worst deal ever' and seeking stronger terms.

Role of US officials killed in crash in Mexico under scrutiny

BBC News

The two died in a car crash after a Mexican-led operation to destroy a clandestine drug lab.

Strait of Hormuz: How a threat became a playbook

Al Jazeera English

How the Strait of Hormuz became a system of control, shaping power and the global economy.

This Scammer Used an AI-Generated MAGA Girl to Grift ‘Super Dumb’ Men

Ej Dickson, Wired

A med student says he’s made thousands of dollars selling photos and videos of a young conservative woman he created using generative tools. He’s not alone.

An Extra-Embarrassing White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Paul Farhi, The Atlantic

Why is Donald Trump breaking bread with the “enemy of the people”?

Trump’s cruel “dual state” runs into a legal wall

Chauncey DeVega, Salon

The president touted his judges. Now they're standing up on immigration and democracy

Ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran ends Wednesday

Kat Lonsdorf, NPR

The ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran ends Wednesday. President Trump says a U.S. delegation is going to Pakistan for talks, but Iran hasn't confirmed their attendance.

Albany mulls new limits on data from digital license plate readers

Arun Venugopal, Gothamist

Cars pass under E-ZPass readers and license plate-scanning cameras on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Jan. 5, 2024. The proposed restrictions come amid rising concern about immigration enforcement and medical privacy. [ more › ]

RFK Jr.’s medical racism is to be expected

Garrett Owen, Salon

Black doctors and medical community say RFK Jr.'s rhetoric poses real dangers to public health

10 Tuesday AM Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

My Two-for-Tuesday morning train WFH reads: • 50 years. 50 facts. Indexing since 1976. As the golden anniversary of index fund investing approaches, the strategy is widely available across and within asset classes. Its appeal is evident: Indexing is an easy-t…

White House Correspondents’ Dinner: Who’s Hosting Events On D.C.’s Big Weekend

Ted Johnson, Deadline

A prevailing theme of this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner will be how journalists make a statement in the presence of Donald Trump, whose attacks on the media have come in the form of social media posts and outbursts, but also more seri…

Trump pardoned nursing home owner who owed almost $19 million to a grieving family

Jeremy Kohler, Salon

The Coulson family may never receive millions from a wrongful death lawsuit it won years ago.

Trump and Netanyahu Have Royally Screwed Each Other Over

Alon Pinkas, The New Republic

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu share a lot of traits. They are both solipsistic, mendacious, narcissistic, and paranoid megalomaniacs who perceive themselves as victims of a cabal of elites. Now they share something else: They have lost a war together. D…

5 leadership lessons from departing Apple CEO Tim Cook

Ana Altchek, Business Insider

While many CEOs have struggled to follow iconic founders, Tim Cook is wrapping up a 15-year term at the helm of Apple.

Trump's Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh to testify before Congress amid Powell probe

Max Zahn, Abcnews.com

The investigation into Powell threatens to derail or delay Warsh's nomination.

As Iran crisis drags on, fears of global food crisis grow

John Power, Al Jazeera English

While global food prices have risen modestly so far, the full impact of the conflict has yet to be felt, analysts say.

Only the Men Are Allowed to Be Drunk and Shit at Their Jobs in the Trump Administration

Lauren Tousignant, Jezebel

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday amid allegations that she drank at work and had an affair with a bodyguard. She’s the third woman ousted in less than two months.

US, Iran exchange threats as fragile ceasefire set to expire

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The US and Iran trade threats as tensions escalate between the countries before their two-week ceasefire ends.

Virginia redistricting vote: What polls suggest and what voters will decide

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

The race is tight, and a win could result in more seats in Congress for the Democrats.

Iran war: What is happening on day 53 of the US-Israel conflict?

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel war on Iran are stalled as Tehran rejects talks under pressure.

Technofacism? Why Palantir’s pro-West ‘manifesto’ has critics alarmed

Simon Speakman Cordall, Al Jazeera English

Palantir's 'manifesto' has been described as an 'AI-driven threat to humanity’s existence' and 'technofascism'.

What smart people are saying about Tim Cook's legacy at Apple

Kelsey Vlamis,Aditi Bharade, Business Insider

Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after nearly 15 years. Here's what smart people are saying about his legacy.

Japan approves scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports

The Associated Press, NPR

The approval clears a final set of hurdles for Japan's postwar arms sales and facilitate its future sale of weapons such as a next-generation fighter jet and combat drones.

★ Another Day Has Come

John Gruber, Daringfireball.net

If you agree that Apple itself was Jobs’s greatest product, Cook really is a product person after all.

Trump’s Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer latest to leave administration

Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English

Chavez-DeRemer leaves the Trump administration after the recent departures of Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi.

Cuba confirms talks with US officials, wants end to Trump’s energy blockade

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

A Cuban Foreign Ministry official said exchange with Washington was 'respectful and professional' and devoid of threats.

US speeds research into mind-altering drugs — including mysterious 'ibogaine'

Max Kozlov, Nature.com

Some researchers are delighted at an executive order to streamline investigations of psychedelics but also warn that caution is needed.

Iran war live: Tehran rejects talks under threat; Trump says blockade stays

Brian Osgood, Zaid Sabah, Al Jazeera English

Iran says will not accept negotiations 'under the shadow of threats', as Trump promises to continue blockade in Hormuz.