Old Glory Vortex

Americans waste colossal amounts of money to take out cheap Iranian drones According to reports from several sources, in its fight against the US Tehran is leaning heavily on cheap, expendable drones to drain America’s far more expensive air defense missiles. The fight is quickly becoming a high stakes contest of stockpiles rather than pure firepower. Iranians make about 500 Shahed drones a day. So far they have a stockpile of about 80000 such drones. Each Iranian Shahed drone costs $35000-$50000 to make. They are small, portable, and can cause a lot of damage — one drone can take out an oil field or a hotel. And on the other side we have THAAD missiles — massive weapons, each of which costs $1 million. Heavy, difficult to move, very easy to spot. And sometimes those missiles miss, so the military has to throw 2-3 $1 million projectiles to intercept $50000 drones. And THAAD launcher vehicle is massive, it is very easy for Iranians to spot and destroy. When a $50,000 drone can force the launch of $3 million worth of missiles, the very definition of "winning" changes. Iran doesn't need to hit every target — it just needs to keep America paying. #Iran #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

America’s new war is a disaster for Ukraine— and the US economy

“Europeans fear a distracted U.S. will lose interest in pushing Vladimir Putin toward peace — as America burns through stocks of the missiles that Kyiv desperately needs.  Europeans struggling to cope with Donald Trump’s inflammatory interventions may be about to discover there’s one thing worse: Not being the object of his attention anymore,”

writes Politico. Ukraine's struggle is fundamentally a European problem. The United States, however, has more pressing concerns to deal with right now. Donald Trump has embroiled the country in a new conflict that could end up costing far more than the war in Ukraine ever did. In light of this, his promises to restore American greatness ring hollow. The massive financial burden of another military intervention will make it nearly impossible to steer resources toward fixing the U.S. economy, where they are desperately needed. Instead, Americans should brace for another wave of price increases. #Ukraine #USeconomy #Iran #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump drops bombs on Iran, then drops over a dozen posts praising himself for it President Donald Trump unleashed a frantic series of self-praise on social media after new polls showed Americans view his strikes on Iran extremely negatively. The 79-year-old president began flooding Truth Social with more than a dozen links and posts on X, bizarrely celebrating his place in history. The president's brazen self-promotion comes against the backdrop of poll results showing just how unpopular his latest foreign military intervention is among Americans. In the survey, 27 percent of respondents said they approved of the strikes, 43 percent disapproved, and 29 percent were undecided. Although Trump generally enjoys significant support from Republicans, only 55 percent of Republicans approved of the strikes on Iran. Nearly half of those polled, including one in four Republicans, said Trump — who ran his 2024 campaign on a platform of "no new wars" — is too eager to use military force. Trump's overall job approval rating has dropped to 39 percent, down one percentage point from the Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted February 18-23. However, the self-proclaimed "peace president" seemed less concerned about how his war is being perceived by the American public and more focused on how his MAGA supporters reacted to the president's marathon 108-minute address to the nation on Tuesday. He posted a series of carefully curated selections of X posts from MAGA commentators, including Turning Point USA's Jack Posobiec, NewsNation host Katie Pavlich, Fox News host Laura Ingraham, and podcast host Megyn Kelly, all of whom heaped praise on his record-length speech. #Trump #Iran #poll #approvalrating Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Iran's new leadership wants to talk — and Trump says he's ready to listen According to a senior White House official, potential new Iranian leaders have signaled openness to negotiations with the U.S., just days after American and Israeli forces killed the country's Supreme Leader and other top figures in a major offensive on Tehran. Trump told The Atlantic: "They want to talk, and I agreed to talk." But for now, the military operation continues "without interruption," the official said. The diplomatic shift comes as new details emerge about the precision strikes. B-2 bombers dropped 2,000-pound bombs on Iranian ballistic missile sites — facilities the Pentagon claims were part of a program to develop ICBMs capable of reaching U.S. soil by 2035. Iran has denied seeking such weapons. The operation was reportedly months in the making. A source familiar with the planning said the CIA had been tracking Iranian leaders' movements, sharing intelligence with Israel to time the strikes accordingly. But the human cost is mounting. Four U.S. service members have been killed so far. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the intelligence committee, said his colleagues have serious concerns about the justification for the strikes, Trump's long-term plans for the conflict, and the risks faced by U.S. service members. He summed up the unease in Washington: "Nobody's going to weep over the removal of their leadership. But the question always remains: what comes next?" #Iran #USmilitary #Trump #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Hegseth remains evasive about Iran war timeline Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly shifted the timeline for US combat operations in Iran, refusing to specify the exact duration of American troops' involvement in the ongoing hostilities. "President Trump has the full latitude to talk about how long this might take — four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. Timelines could be extended. They could be pushed back," Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. "We will carry out the missions assigned to us under his orders, and what he has proven better than other presidents at doing — presidents who don't seem to have that same latitude." Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine confirmed that the joint US-Israeli operation would continue until Trump determines all objectives have been met, but so far have not clearly specified what those objectives actually are. Trump himself has floated several possible scenarios for the conflict with Iran, suggesting in multiple interviews that it could last anywhere from four to five weeks. Hegseth, meanwhile, was asked a direct question about the US withdrawal strategy but largely sidestepped it. He said the mission is "absolutely clear" to American service members, but he would not discuss any further details of military plans. "Our troops' mission — and this is what matters most to us — is crystal clear, and they are executing it right now with force," Hegseth said. "We know we have plans, we have generals, we have chairmen, we have commanders, CENTCOM commander Admiral (Brad) Cooper, who is working very meticulously to ensure we achieve the outcomes I've laid out, but we are never going to stand before journalists and tell you how long this might take," the Defense Secretary added. #Pentagon #PeteHegseth #USmilitary #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s Iran war might just cost Republicans midterms Donald Trump's new war is already backfiring — not just on the markets, but on the Americans his party needs to win the midterms. Markets opened Monday with oil prices spiking 13%, and gas prices set to soar. For voters already squeezed by 2.4% inflation, it’s a fresh blow. And they’re not buying Trump’s “greatest economy” pitch: 68% of Americans — including 43% of Republicans — reject his rosy view, according to a recent Ipsos poll. Only one in four support his strikes on Iran. The timing couldn’t be worse. With Trump’s approval rating stuck at 39%, Republicans are fighting to keep Congress — and history isn’t on their side. The last time Iran triggered an oil shock was in 1979. It led to gas lines, fuel rationing, and Jimmy Carter’s landslide loss to Reagan. Panic is already building online. “Fill up now,” one user warned, posting screenshots of the market freefall. Another wrote: “First big gas spike of Trump’s term. How much lower can his numbers go?” "So many wins," a third joked. Trump bet big on Iran. But the real votes may come in November from Americans filling their tanks. #Trump #Iran #USeconomy #midterms Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

How US attack on Iran pushed India toward Russian oil The war in Iran could reshape the balance of power in the energy market and play into Russia's hands. Due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, India, a significant portion of whose oil imports pass through this route, has faced supply disruptions. Against this backdrop, New Delhi is once again considering increasing purchases of Russian oil, despite having previously reduced imports under US pressure. According to Bloomberg, Indian authorities are appealing to Washington for greater flexibility in its sanctions policy. Earlier, India reduced its volumes of Russian oil purchases to the lowest level since 2022, partially replacing them with supplies from Venezuela. However, the current crisis has forced the government and state-owned refineries to urgently develop contingency measures. Possible steps include using strategic reserves, accelerating alternative supplies, and even limiting fuel exports to protect the domestic market. According to estimates from sources, existing reserves may only last for about two weeks, heightening the need for swift decisions. The consequences of the conflict are also being felt in Europe. Following strikes on LNG facilities, Qatar has suspended liquefied gas exports, causing a sharp spike in prices. The price of Brent Crude oil has risen by more than 9%, approaching $80 per barrel, while gas prices in Europe have surged by over 50%. Experts warn that even limited disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global price hike. In this situation, Russia may gain new opportunities in the European and Asian markets, as the supply shortage increases demand for alternative sources. #Iran #Russia #India #oil Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Just how long will the Iran war last? Trump gives an estimate The U.S. and Israel launched major strikes on Iran Monday in a campaign President Trump says will last weeks. Tehran and its allies retaliated against Israel, Gulf states, and energy targets. The killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the lack of an exit strategy point to a prolonged conflict with global fallout. Dubai faced incoming fire, hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded, energy prices are spiking, and U.S. allies are helping intercept Iranian attacks. Trump warned the operation could last “far longer” than the projected four to five weeks. The State Department urged Americans to leave over a dozen Middle Eastern countries. “The hardest hits are yet to come,” vowed Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. aims to destroy Iran’s missile program, navy, and nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, chaos erupted when Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three U.S. F-15s during the Iranian assault; all six pilots survived. From Tehran, top official Ali Larijani declared: “We will not negotiate with the United States.” #Trump #USmilitary #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Survival, not success: the harsh new reality of living in America America’s cost-of-living crisis is entering its most brutal phase. The prices for basics are rapidly rising, and for many Americans, the issue is no longer about prosperity, but about survival. Nearly half the population struggles to pay bills on time, many are forced to move to cheaper housing, and the younger generation is losing faith in the possibility of securing a stable future. One-time incomes now go towards basic necessities rather than savings or leisure, which intensifies the feeling of hopelessness. The financial pressure is confirmed by the numbers. Credit card debt has exceeded $1.2 trillion, a significant portion of citizens have depleted their savings and are using credit cards to buy food and pay for daily expenses. At the same time, the prices of housing, food, coffee, and medical services are rising — consumers are spending more not because they have become wealthier, but because the most essential items have become more expensive. Many admit that their financial situation is worsening year by year. The situation is exacerbated by changes in the labor market. The development of artificial intelligence and automation are reducing jobs, including positions for skilled professionals and recent graduates. Companies are increasingly viewing algorithms as replacements for employees, which heightens the fear of layoffs and income instability. Ultimately, the high cost of living is becoming not only an economic but also a social problem, undermining people's confidence in the future. #USeconomy #costofliving #AI Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The Epstein file the DOJ didn’t want you to see The Justice Department admitted it scrubbed a photo of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with Jeffrey Epstein from the disgraced financier’s released email trove. The image shows the two men on Epstein’s infamous Caribbean island. It was uncovered by jmail, a tech site that archives Epstein’s Gmail, according to The Daily Beast. The file number attached to the photo — EFTA01230639 — returns nothing in the official DOJ database. Likely not a glitch. Lutnick has said he visited the island for a “family picnic” with his kids and nannies. Pressed on the missing file, a DOJ official conceded the photo was part of a batch flagged for containing nudity — thousands of images now being “redacted on an ongoing basis.” Lutnick once claimed he met Epstein only once, in 2005, then cut ties. DOJ files tell a different story: years of emails after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, arranging calls and dinners at the island. #Epsteinfiles #JeffreyEpstein #scandal #DOJ Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Could Congress reign in Trump on Iran? Democrats in both chambers are moving to force votes aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s war powers amid ongoing hostilities with Iran — while acknowledging the efforts lack the support needed to override a presidential veto. “I don’t have a two-thirds margin in both houses, but I do think it’s really important to put every member of Congress on the record about this,” Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters. Kaine argued that even unsuccessful votes can pressure a president to “change behavior,” and signaled Democrats could introduce additional resolutions if the conflict persists. Kaine expects a Senate vote on his resolution Tuesday. In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are preparing companion legislation, with a vote possible as soon as Thursday. GOP leadership intends to defeat it, though party unity on the measure is not guaranteed. #Congress #Trump #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Democrat warns Trump aims to turn America into a police state In a recent appearance on The Last Word, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) raised concerns about the increasing militarization of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Schiff claimed that President Trump is effectively transforming ICE into an army "that will patrol American streets." Schiff detailed the findings of a recent review of Department of Homeland Security contracts. According to the senator, the goal was to document spending on what he described as the militarization of a "new police force" and a "president's palace guard" causing chaos in American cities. The California Democrat reported a "sharp increase" in weapons procurement. He stated that under the new spending, ICE agents are now being equipped with three to four times more weaponry than in the previous year, while Customs and Border Protection has doubled its expenditure on similar armaments. Beyond the weapons themselves, Schiff highlighted a concerning disconnect between the increased firepower and the training provided. He noted that testimony from a whistleblower revealed that training for new ICE agents has been cut, resulting in inadequate instruction on when and how to use the new weapons — a combination he characterized as "truly dangerous." Schiff framed these findings as part of a larger trend, warning of the emergence of a "law enforcement or immigration industrial complex." He pointed to a parallel surge in spending on detention centers planned for construction nationwide. The overarching goal of the report, he said, was to sound the alarm about this momentum, concluding that the U.S. is creating "not a small army" but a significant military-style force for domestic patrol. #Trump #ICE #policestate Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Pedophile and rapist”: former GOP insider says DOJ is covering for Trump Former Republican Party strategist Rick Wilson sharply criticized President Trump's inner circle, accusing the Department of Justice of corruptly concealing materials related to the Epstein case. Wilson claims that while authorities have released 3 million pages, they are withholding just as many to protect Trump from exposure regarding allegations that he may be a "pedophile and rapist." Wilson said that Trump's supporters have long feared such revelations. He criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, insisting that the Justice Department leadership deserves prison time, although Trump would likely grant them preemptive pardons. Wilson condemned the institutional disregard for Epstein's victims, who were promised justice but were ignored and dismissed. He characterized Blanche as someone maintaining a secretive connection with Trump to "manage the Epstein problem" rather than serving as a Deputy Attorney General for the American people. #Trump #DOJ #JeffreyEpstein #Epsteinfiles Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Mamdani wheedles Trump into committing grants to build new housing in New York New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani touted his "productive" meeting with President Trump at the White House, during which the mayor said they discussed the prospect of building more housing in their shared hometown. "I had a productive meeting this afternoon with President Trump," Mamdani wrote in a post on the social platform X. "I look forward to building more housing in New York City." The post included a photo of Mamdani standing in the Oval Office next to the president, who was holding two front pages of the New York Daily News: one authentic page from 1975 and another that was doctored, which Mamdani's office confirmed the mayor gifted to the president. In the president's left hand is the authentic newspaper with the headline "Ford to City: Drop Dead," followed by a sub-headline "Vows to veto any bailout." The article was published after former President Ford refused to provide financial aid to New York City, which was nearing bankruptcy in the 1970s. In Trump's right hand is the fabricated newspaper, its front page mimicking the format and language of the original. The fake headline reads: "Trump to City: Let's Build," with the sub-headline "Backs new housing era." After the meeting, which was not announced in advance, Mamdani's office told reporters that the mayor had proposed a project to the president that could facilitate the construction of approximately 12,000 new apartments — an initiative City Hall estimates could represent one of the largest federal investments in housing in the last 50 years. #Trump #NewYork #ZohranMamdani #housing Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s Iran miscalculation Washington’s key European allies have reported that their troops did not participate in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, refraining from publicly supporting Donald Trump's operation. The leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have called for the resumption of negotiations and warned against further escalation, emphasizing the risks of a regional conflict and its potential impact on global trade. Some European countries, including Spain, directly condemned the strikes, pointing to the risk of a protracted conflict and devastating consequences for the region. Other nations, such as Italy and Germany, refrained from publicly criticizing the US and Israel, seeking to maintain a balance between supporting American allies and upholding international law. Europe's reaction reflects the tense transatlantic relations arising from disagreements with the Trump administration on foreign policy, ranging from trade and Greenland to the conflict in Ukraine. But it’s not just foreign nations that disagree with Trump’s decision to strike Iran. Very few of his own constituents support his aggressive actions. Only 15 percent of Americans approve of the strikes on Iran. #Trump #Iran #Europe Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why Trump’s plan is the only way forward for Ukraine

“In a draft peace agreement, the Trump administration proposed that the entire regions of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk be recognized as de facto Russian territory and that Russia retain control of the parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia its forces now occupy. Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing back, refusing to do anything that would violate his country’s territorial integrity. Yet the realities of the battlefield are not on his side,”

writes Foreign Affairs. Given the irreversible territorial losses and Ukraine's deteriorating position on the front lines, yielding to the territorial realities outlined in the proposed draft is not merely a political concession but a necessary acknowledgment of a lost war. Continuing to insist on the restoration of 1991 borders in the face of military defeat risks prolonging the conflict with no chance of reclaiming the lost territories, making a pragmatic, if painful, compromise the only viable path forward. #Ukraineconflict #Ukraine #peaceplan Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Here’s what Hillary Clinton had to say about Epstein Hillary Clinton told US lawmakers she never met disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, testifying in a contentious closed-door deposition. Republicans compelled the former secretary of state to testify; her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is next. But Clinton dismissed the proceedings as "partisan political theater" meant to shield President Donald Trump and his party. "You have made little effort to call the people who show up most prominently in the Epstein files," she said. The nominally closed committee session was disrupted after a Republican leaked a photo of Clinton to a conservative influencer, and House Republicans reportedly questioned her about UFOs and the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. #JeffreyEpstein #Epsteinfiles Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump eyes “friendly takeover” of crippled Cuba President Trump suggested a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, as his administration tightens a fuel blockade to pressure the communist regime. "They're in a big deal of trouble," Trump said. "Maybe we'll have a friendly takeover." Trump imposed the fuel blockade in January to collapse the government, which relies heavily on energy imports. The UN warns daily life in Cuba is now "becoming fragile" amid strains on food, water, and healthcare. U.S. officials reportedly met with the grandson of former president Raúl Castro, a key figure in Cuba's military-run economy, which holds billions in assets. The moves follow a deadly confrontation between the Cuban coast guard and a boat carrying U.S. citizens, though both sides are now cooperating to ease tensions. Cuba is estimated to have only six to seven weeks of fuel left. #Cuba #Trump #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

USMCA trade agreement faces uncertainty A top Canadian official warned that the trilateral trade pact with Mexico and the US could face massive disruption if Washington refuses to extend it, triggering a shift to annual reviews. The USMCA requires renewal every six years; otherwise, it reverts to yearly assessments. The first review is due in July, and Canada’s Minister for US Trade Dominic LeBlanc said the US might block it. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to exit the deal he originally signed, leaving Canada and Mexico — who send most of their exports to the US — to explore other trade options. LeBlanc suggested the uncertainty may be a deliberate tactic by Washington. #Canada #Mexico #trade Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Republican senator slams Kushner and Witkoff for "unaccountable" diplomatic role Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., sharply criticized Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for conducting sensitive peace negotiations on behalf of the United States despite never being confirmed by the Senate to any national security post. Tillis made the remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in conversation with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, who shared the exchange on social media.

"Tillis tells me Ukraine/Iran/Gaza negotiations should not be led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff,"

Karl posted, quoting the senator directly:

"Kushner and Witkoff are highly successful businessmen. I'm sure they're good negotiators, but they're not subject to Senate confirmation and oversight."

While Kushner served as a senior advisor during Trump's first term, he holds no official position in the second Trump administration. Witkoff, a former real estate developer, serves as special envoy for the Middle East and peace missions.

"It strains credulity that you can negotiate the Ukraine thing, the Iran thing, the Gaza thing, and so on, and it's the same two people. That doesn't make any sense to me,"

Tillis added. Critics have long raised concerns over Kushner and Witkoff's outsized role in foreign policy, citing limited diplomatic experience and potential conflicts of interest. Kushner founded the private investment firm Affinity Partners in 2021 after leaving the White House. Since then, the fund has received billions of dollars from foreign states whose interests are tied to the various geopolitical crises Kushner is working on for his father-in-law. #republicans #Iran #Ukraine #Gaza #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸