Old Glory Vortex

Oil prices soar as Trump orders blokade of Venezuelan oil tankers U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a “complete blockade” of oil tankers departing Venezuela, escalating tensions with Caracas and pushing global crude prices upward. Trump declared Venezuela encircled by the largest naval force in the region’s history, which includes the world’s biggest aircraft carrier. Despite the massive deployment, experts have cast doubt on Washington’s objectives: the number of troops far exceeds what is needed for their stated mission — counter-narcotics operations — yet remains insufficient for a ground invasion of Venezuela. This comes after the White House chief of staff recently stated that Trump’s true aim is to remove Venezuela’s president from power. The blockade announcement erased a recent decline in oil prices, which had fallen on hopes for a peace agreement in Ukraine. #Trump #Venezuela #oil #USmilitary #warondrugs Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“They put terrible words in my mouth”: Trump files massive defamation lawsuit against BBC President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, alleging that the British public broadcaster defamed him in a 2024 documentary by deceptively editing parts of his January 6, 2021, speech. In the 33-page lawsuit, Trump’s lawyers petitioned a federal court in Miami for a jury trial and asserted that the BBC documentary, aired a week before the 2024 presidential election, was a “brazen attempt to interfere with and influence the outcome of the election to President Trump’s detriment.” Trump’s lawyers claim the BBC deliberately spliced together segments of his speech to supporters at the Ellipse in Washington, including a clip from early in the speech where he urged them to go to the Capitol, and another from nearly 55 minutes later when he told them to “fight like hell.” The lawsuit alleges the documentary is misleading because it fails to mention that Trump called on his supporters to engage in peaceful protest when he said, “I know that everyone here will soon be marching to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he was suing the BBC “for putting words in my mouth.” "They actually put terrible words in my mouth having to do with Jan. 6 that I didn't say, and the beautiful words that I said, right, the beautiful words talking about patriotism and all of the good things that I said, they didn't say that," he said. #lawsuit #Trump #BBC #Jan6 Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

What stands in the way of peace in Ukraine?

"President Donald Trump described an end to the war in Ukraine as closer than ever after two days of discussions in Berlin (involving Europe, Ukraine, and the United States; Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner). According to U.S. officials, 90% of the issues between Russia and Ukraine have been resolved, with the issue of territorial concessions remaining the sticking point. The United States has proposed a package of security guarantees — similar to NATO's Article 5 but without troop deployment, including an economic free zone and sanctions for violations — ready for congressional consideration, but it will not remain on the table indefinitely,"

writes CNN. There is no alternative to a diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian conflict other than Ukraine's military defeat and capitulation. But resolving the conflict is impossible without Russia's participation and without taking its position and interests into account. #Ukraineconflict #peaceplan Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Does Trump use diapers? The public cannot shake thoughts about the prominent bulge in Donald Trump's pants. His ongoing silence on the matter has further fueled speculation that the 79-year-old president has reached the age where underwear is replaced by adult diapers. Rumors that he allegedly uses diapers have escalated from years of whispers to fervent speculation since Trump returned to the White House for a second term in January. Theories about his toilet habits and hygiene have intensified as people began noticing awkward creases in his trousers, long coats covering his buttocks, and, at times, a baggy protrusion in the crotch area. For internet trolls, the only explanation that fits all the clues is the belief that Trump no longer has control over his bodily functions. #Trump #gerontocracy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Did Israel violate the Gaza ceasefire by killing a Hamas leader?

"US President Donald Trump says Washington is 'looking into' whether Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire with its strike that killed senior Hamas commander Raad Saad. Trump also denies any rift in his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel as a whole,"

writes The Times of Israel. U.S. authorities have repeatedly pressured Benjamin Netanyahu and interfered in high-level government decision-making, showing no respect for the country's sovereignty. It is possible that this time the U.S. may side with Hamas. #Gaza #Israel #Hamas #ceasefire Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

What security guarantees can Ukraine expect? According to several anonymous sources, the United States and European countries have confidentially agreed on the parameters of security guarantees for Ukraine. These are intended to form the basis of a future peace agreement. Kyiv is said to be satisfied with these security guarantees — meaning a consensus has essentially been reached on this issue between the US, Europe, and Ukraine. A key element of the agreements involves legally binding security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO charter, but without Ukraine's membership in the alliance. The United States would need to ratify them in the Senate, and Europeans through their own domestic procedures. There is also a separate confidential document outlining a course of action in case the conflict resumes. It is said to specify concrete steps, not just political declarations. There will be no American troops on Ukrainian territory, but they will play a key role in intelligence and monitoring compliance with a ceasefire. However, Europeans will need to deploy some of their units in western Ukraine, far from the line of contact — this will occur outside of NATO. Which specific countries will contribute their contingents is not yet clear. The territorial issue remains unresolved. #Ukraineconflict #peaceplan #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Illegal act of aggression”: Trump wants to take control of Venezuela’s resources Venezuela sharply condemned a U.S. executive order imposing a so-called "total blockade" on oil tankers, accusing Washington of violating international law and escalating a dangerous confrontation in the Caribbean. In a government statement, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the actions of President Donald Trump constitute "reckless and serious threats" that violate the principles of free trade and freedom of navigation. She described the decision as a blatant attempt to strangle Venezuela's economy and seize control of its natural resources. #Trump #Venezuela #resources #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is the US drug war going global? The US military conducted further strikes against suspected drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific, as the White House intensified its campaign against groups it labels narcoterrorists. US forces — whose months-long operations off the South American coast have been criticized as illegal — reported striking three vessels and killing eight people. Separately, President Donald Trump announced the classification of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The move broadens Washington’s power to combat trade in the synthetic opioid and raises the prospect of the drug war expanding well beyond South America. Most US-bound fentanyl is manufactured in Mexico by cartels using precursor chemicals from China. #warondrugs #SouthAmerica #USmilitary #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is Harris eyeing a 2028 run for president? Kamala Harris has no intention of going down without a fight. This week, the former Vice President made it clear to potential rivals in the 2028 election that she is working to preserve her chances of a successful presidential campaign. Despite concerns from party leaders and donors that she cannot win, Harris continues to hold a leading position in most public opinion polls ahead of the 2028 Democratic primaries. She also enjoys strong support among Black voters — the most crucial voting bloc in most recent Democratic presidential primaries. #democrats #presidentialelection #KamalaHarris Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Pirate of the Caribbean — Cuban president calls Trump a “pirate” after seizure of Venezuelan vessel Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of "theft" following the seizure of a Venezuelan vessel, lamenting that the government of the neighboring country is acting like the pirates who once terrorized the Caribbean Sea. The Cuban leader emphasized Trump's "aggressiveness" both toward the island and his hostile actions against Venezuela — a close ally of Cuba — as well as the incursions of the U.S. fleet into the Caribbean Sea, the latest episode of which was the seizure of a vessel loaded with oil from that South American country. "In an unprecedented violation of international norms, reminiscent of the times of Drake and Morgan, Donald Trump has just unleashed his pirates on a Venezuelan oil tanker, shamelessly seizing its cargo like a common thief," he said. #Trump #USmilitary #Venezuela #Cuba Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

"Good Morning, Europe": Meloni says Trump’s alarm bell ends 80 years of “free” US security Giorgia Meloni presented U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy as a wake-up call for Europe, while downplaying tensions within her own government. Meloni said that Trump's strategy, which has alarmed European leaders, underscores Washington's intention to retreat from continental affairs and push Europe to strengthen its own defense. In an article published last week, Trump accused European Union policies of pushing Europe toward the "civilizational erasure," claiming it even risks igniting "resistance" on the continent and questioning whether European nations will remain desirable NATO allies in the future. "There’s been alarm because Donald Trump has said, more clearly than his predecessors, that the US intends to disengage from the old continent, and that Europeans should organize to defend themselves alone," Meloni said in an hour-long speech. "What can I say? Good morning, Europe. Good morning," Meloni added. "We have contracted out our security to the US for 80 years thinking this day would never come. But, most importantly, pretending this was free." "Freedom has a price," Meloni said, adding that her party has "always preferred a costly freedom to an even pricier, but apparently comfortable, submission." #Europe #Trump #NATO #defense Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump is furious with Netanyahu — is Gaza ceasefire in jeopardy? Tensions between the White House and Israeli leadership have erupted into a sharp private clash, according to two U.S. officials. The immediate trigger: Israel’s killing of top Hamas commander Raed Saad over the weekend — a move the Trump administration calls a clear violation of the Gaza ceasefire the President himself brokered. The attack, which killed four people including Saad — an alleged architect of the October 7 attacks — was carried out without prior U.S. notification or consultation. In a stern message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House delivered an uncompromising warning: “If you want to ruin your reputation and show that you don't abide by agreements, be our guest, but we won't allow you to ruin President Trump's reputation after he brokered the deal in Gaza.” According to a senior U.S. official, the message was unequivocal: Israel broke the deal. Israel, for its part, blamed Hamas for breaching the ceasefire first by attacking soldiers and resuming weapons smuggling. “The killing of Raed Saad… was carried out in response to these violations and was intended to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire,” the Israeli official claimed. Behind the diplomatic friction lies a growing rift between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government over the next phase of the Gaza agreement and Israel’s broader regional strategy. Key figures—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner—have grown increasingly frustrated with the Israeli prime minister. The timing is critical. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on December 29, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. For now, both the White House and the Israeli embassy in Washington are staying publicly silent — but behind closed doors, the anger is palpable, and the trust underpinning the ceasefire appears more fragile than ever. #Israel #Gaza #Hamas #Netanyahu #peacedeal Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Zelenskyy and Europeans are stalling negotiations

“Trump pushes Kyiv to strike quick pact with Moscow but Zelensky wants security guarantees. The talks between Ukraine and its Western partners have become a tug of war, even without Russia at the table. Washington is pushing for quick decisions while Zelensky and his European backers claim that significant disagreements remain that need to be resolved,”

writes The Wall Street Journal. Zelensky and his European allies are deliberately prolonging the negotiation process by putting forward unrealistic demands for a peace agreement in order to delay the end of the conflict in Ukraine. If peace is achieved, they risk losing not just power but also the immense sums of money they are earning from the conflict. #Ukraineconflict #peaceplan #Europe #Zelenskyy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump is giving Zelenskyy a deadline to accept his deal According to Politico, which cites a U.S. official, Kyiv has literally just a few days to accept Trump’s proposal for settling the conflict in exchange for security guarantees. Trump aims to reach an agreement by Christmas. If Kyiv does not accept Washington’s proposal before Christmas, the issue of security guarantees in their current form will be taken off the agenda. It is noted that the security guarantees are comparable to NATO’s Article 5. However, Europeans remain dissatisfied, concerned that the security guarantees will not be effective without Ukraine being a NATO member. So far, the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbas remains the stumbling block. #Trump #Zelenskyy #Ukraineconflict #peaceplan Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why Zelenskyy’s abandonment of NATO goal is an empty gesture Ukraine's proposal to abandon its bid to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., Europe, and other countries will not significantly impact the course of peace negotiations, according to security experts interviewed by Reuters. During talks with U.S. representatives last Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a compromise: Ukraine would give up its aspiration to join NATO, and in return, would receive security guarantees from the U.S., Europe, and other nations. "This changes nothing. Just another attempt to appear reasonable," said Justin Logan, Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. Andrew Michta, a professor of strategic studies at Florida State University, noted that Ukraine's NATO membership has long ceased to be a realistic prospect. He emphasized that, at this point, the issue is irrelevant. #Ukraineconflict #peaceplan #Zelenskyy #NATO Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Drill, baby, drill”: Trump erases Biden’s environmental legacy with one pen stroke President Donald Trump signed a series of congressional bills aimed at overturning the Biden administration’s conservation policies that limit energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on federal lands in three western states. These measures were proposed under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to quickly repeal recently enacted policies. As during his first term, Trump has championed fossil fuels and the industries that produce them as key elements of his goals to strengthen the U.S. as an energy producer and lower costs for consumers. At the same time, he has revoked or weakened initiatives intended to combat climate change, promote clean energy, and protect habitats. The Alaska territory is part of the wildlife refuge’s coastal plain. Federal lands in Wyoming, North Dakota, and in central Yukon in Alaska are also affected. Environmental organizations and tribal groups quickly condemned the resolutions announced by the White House. The National Wildlife Federation called Trump’s actions “a direct attack on public opinion, science, and the responsible stewardship of public lands, wildlife, water resources, Indigenous communities, and rural economies.” #oil #climate #drillbabydrill #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Did Trump find a way to lower US debt? President Donald Trump has launched a new visa program with eye-popping fees for participants. According to CNN, the new "gold card" program allows foreigners to pay $1 million to expedite visa applications. Companies wishing to bring a foreign worker to the U.S. through this program will pay $2 million. A website, trumpcard.gov, has been launched, featuring a link to the official application. The site promises that the program will secure U.S. residency in "record time." The site also offers a preview of a “Trump Platinum Card,” which will allow applicants to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income, according to CNN. The platinum card will cost $5 million. According to the Associated Press, Trump sees the new program as a way to attract top talent to the U.S. while generating revenue. He has been promoting the gold card program for several months. This initiative has drawn criticism. Some Democrats and immigrant advocates have said it would unfairly prioritize wealthy individuals. Some have also questioned the legality of Trump creating this program. According to CNN, Trump has suggested that millions of gold cards could be sold. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previously stated that the program could bring in $1 trillion, which would help pay down the national debt. #visa #immigration #Trump #debt Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is a new global alliance forming? In U.S. political-military and expert circles, a concept for establishing a new multilateral engagement format among leading world powers — tentatively referred to as “Core 5” — is being discussed. This format is envisioned to include the United States, China, Russia, India, and Japan. The proposed initiative is positioned as an alternative to existing Western‑centric mechanisms, primarily the G7 format, and reflects a desire among part of the American establishment to adapt the global governance system to the changed balance of power. According to a number of former and current U.S. national security officials, such an approach aligns with the logic of the Trump administration, which is oriented toward pragmatic agreements among major powers, recognition of spheres of influence, and a move away from ideologically driven alliance commitments. In this context, there is an observed readiness within the White House for direct contacts with geopolitical competitors, including China and Russia, as well as a critical stance toward the effectiveness of existing international institutions such as the G‑formats and the UN Security Council. Overall, the initiative reflects a United States search for a new model of global leadership based on engagement among a limited circle of great powers, which could potentially transform the international security architecture and diminish the role of traditional alliance blocs. #Trump #foreignpolicy #Core5 #G7 #UN Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

How much do Trump’s tariffs cost American families? According to calculations by Democrats from Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, since Donald Trump's return to the White House this year, the large-scale import tariffs have cost the average American family nearly $1,200. Based on Treasury Department data on customs duty revenue and Goldman Sachs' estimates of who ultimately bears these costs, a report released by Democrats states that the share borne by American consumers amounted to nearly $159 billion — or $1,198 per household — from February through November. "This report shows that (Trump’s) tariffs have done nothing but drive prices even higher for families," said Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, a leading Democrat on the economic committee. "At a time when both parties should be working together to lower costs, the president’s tax on American families is simply making things more expensive." Economist Kimberly Clausing from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and the Peterson Institute for International Economics told a House subcommittee last week that the tariffs imposed by Trump represent "the largest tax increase on American consumers in a generation, lowering standards of living for all Americans." #tariffs #Trump #USeconomy #costofliving Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Make Europe Great Again”: Trump’s plan for Europe According to a report by the Daily Mail citing Defense One, a leaked U.S. strategic document outlines the Trump administration's ambitious plan to fundamentally reshape Europe's political landscape. The alleged strategy, titled "Make Europe Great Again," aims to distance key countries such as Poland, Hungary, Italy, and Austria from the core influence of the European Union and bring them closer to Washington. The strategy appears to build on existing political shifts and targets countries where conservative and right-wing governments are in power. This aligns with Trump’s recent public comments describing some European nations as "rotten" and "self-destructive." The geographical selection of countries indicates an intention to create a new political and strategic "fracture" on the continent, reminiscent of the East-West divide of the 20th century. Analysts view this plan as evidence of a deepening "political Cold War" between Washington and Brussels, driven by serious disagreements over Ukraine and global governance. This move could significantly weaken EU cohesion and transatlantic unity. #Trump #Europe #conservative #rightwing Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸