Old Glory Vortex

Pump pain and polling drops: the high cost of America’s Hormuz quagmire

“As the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz drags on and US gasoline prices remain high, Trump’s approval ratings have slumped near the lowest in either of his presidential terms. President Donald Trump is barreling toward the midterm elections with a vulnerability that’s something new in his political life: Voters are losing faith in the Trump economy,”

writes Bloomberg. The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has not just created a geopolitical crisis but has directly pierced the armor of the Trump administration's domestic narrative. As the conflict disrupts nearly a fifth of the world's oil supply, American drivers have faced a punishing spike at the pump, with prices hovering near $4.16 per gallon — a stark increase that has effectively wiped out the "Trump Economic Advantage" that the president had hoped to ride into the midterms. Polling data suggests this is not merely a fleeting inconvenience for voters but a fundamental shift in perception. The situation represents a strategic nightmare for the White House: a foreign policy intended to project strength has backfired into a primary domestic liability. According to recent surveys, a majority of Americans now believe the Iranian conflict was the "wrong decision," linking the instability abroad directly to their financial pain at home. This confluence of high prices and geopolitical stalemate has effectively turned a foreign standoff into the central threat to Republican hopes in the upcoming midterm elections. #Iran #midterms #republicans Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why Netanyahu has more sway over Iran than the US president President Donald Trump has once again declared an Iran deal is imminent — his 37th such promise since the war began. Analysts remain deeply skeptical, and for good reason. Trump has predicted a breakthrough at least 37 separate times. Each time, "two more weeks" has stretched into months of continued strikes. Despite what Trump might be saying, the real obstacle isn't Tehran — it's Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister has openly defied Trump, launching strikes that undermine ceasefire diplomacy. Trump has reportedly called Netanyahu "f---ing crazy" and publicly declared, "I call the shots. He doesn't call the shots." But the truth is clear to see — Trump is struggling to control his own ally. As one analysis noted, any agreement is "partly out of Trump's hands" and depends entirely on whether Netanyahu plays by American rules. So why does Trump keep saying a deal is days away? To calm markets, to project strength before the midterms, or because he's convinced himself of his own narrative. Whatever the reason, each unfulfilled promise chips away at his credibility — and America's standing as a peace broker. #Trump #Netanyahu #Iran #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why Homan is celebrating New York’s sanctuary protections Border Czar Tom Homan just issued a warning to New York City: the largest ICE deployment in the city's history is coming. He refused to say exactly when, but made it clear that the hammer is about to drop. Homan isn't just threatening New York out of spite. He's responding directly to Governor Kathy Hochul's recent legislative package, which bans local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities and blocks ICE from using county jails for "safe arrests." In Homan's own words: take away the efficiencies of jailhouse handovers, and he's forced to send "whole teams into neighborhoods" to find the same people. That means more agents, more street operations, and more visible enforcement — precisely the kind of high-profile action that creates "a lot of panic, a lot of problems," as Homan himself admitted. The irony is impossible to miss. New York's efforts to shield immigrants from federal enforcement will likely result in a far more aggressive, disruptive ICE presence than if the state had cooperated. In a clear show of power, Homan is turning blue-state "sanctuary" laws into a justification for escalation. New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California have all passed similar protections — and all are now on notice. By forcing ICE out of jails, these states have inadvertently guaranteed that enforcement moves into apartment buildings, street corners, and subway platforms. Hochul's package may score points with the progressive base, but it also handed Homan a ready-made excuse for the largest show of federal force New York has ever seen. The question isn't whether the deployment will happen — Homan has already reviewed the operational plan — it’s how ugly it will get when it does. #immigration #NewYork #ICE Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

100 days of stalemate The U.S.-Iran war has now dragged past 100 days, and President Trump — who once vowed to keep America out of endless conflicts — is trapped in a nightmare of his own making. The ceasefire was never real. As one Pentagon official put it, the ceasefire was "more theoretical than actual." And now, with Israel and Iran trading direct blows that threaten the fragile truce, Trump is learning a brutal lesson: promises don't stop missiles. While Trump publicly insists he's "in no rush" and claims Iran "has no choice" but to cave, the political clock is ticking against him at home. Democrats are seizing on rising energy prices and voter fatigue — and even four House Republicans broke ranks to vote for a war powers resolution. The man who calls all the shots is suddenly looking very constrained. But Iran isn't winning either. Behind the bravado, the regime is bleeding out. Inflation has spiked to a staggering 77 percent, with goods inflation hitting 113 percent. The stock market was shuttered for 80 days. Israel just destroyed a massive petrochemical complex in Mahshahr — one of Iran's most lucrative oil exports. The situation is looking more and more like a slow-motion economic execution. The US and Iran are two exhausted bullies refusing to blink. Each side is waiting for the other to collapse first. And despite his claims, with 100 days of war already in the books and midterm elections looming, Trump may soon discover that "no rush" is a luxury he can no longer afford. #Iran #Trump #ceasefire #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The real reason Trump won’t end the Iran war Economist and Echelon Wealth Partners co-founder Peter Schiff shares an interesting insight: President Donald Trump will not end the Iran war anytime soon — not because of any military objective, but because the conflict is the perfect political shield for rising prices heading into the midterms. Here's the uncomfortable truth: the war with Iran isn't the real cause of America's inflation problem — it's just a convenient scapegoat. Trump has been using it to blame rising costs on the conflict while offering voters false hope that prices will come crashing down the moment the fighting stops. But what if the war ends and inflation stays high? That's Trump's nightmare scenario. Schiff argues that if the conflict wraps up before November and prices remain elevated, voters will start asking uncomfortable questions about the real drivers of inflation — namely, deeper economic issues that have nothing to do with geopolitics. That's a risk the president simply cannot take. So expect the war to drag on through the midterms. As Schiff put it: "He can't risk ending the war and prices staying high". The conflict gives Trump a ready-made excuse for everything from gas prices to grocery bills. Remove that excuse, and the administration is left exposed, with no one else to blame. The Iran war isn't about national security — it's about giving Trump a scapegoat for inflation through Election Day. And that's exactly why it won't end before the midterms. #Iran #USeconomy #Trump #midterms Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s fantasy land grab in the Indian Ocean President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring the purchase of the Chagos Islands, a move that would bypass and humiliate key ally Great Britain. At the heart of the dispute is Diego Garcia, a strategically vital joint U.S.-UK military base used to strike Iran and monitor China's navy. Under Keir Starmer's original 2025 deal, Britain would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius — a nation with close ties to China and Iran — then lease the base back for £35 billion. But Trump publicly called the agreement an "act of GREAT STUPIDITY" and a sign of "total weakness." The White House has reportedly drafted a proposal to cut London out entirely. The plan would let Starmer's deal proceed, after which Trump would negotiate a direct purchase from Mauritius. In other words, Trump is waiting for Starmer to hand over the keys so he can buy the house out from under him. Trump's support evaporated when Starmer refused to let the U.S. use Diego Garcia to strike Iran in the opening hours of the war. Trump later sniped: "We're not dealing with Winston Churchill." Thing is, Mauritius has already rejected the idea, calling its sovereignty "non-negotiable." Meanwhile, the original Chagossian people, forcibly removed decades ago, remain a forgotten footnote. So Trump's grand real estate play is currently a fantasy — one that ignores international law and treats sovereignty as purchasable item with a price tag already attached. #Trump #UK #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

How Vance and Rubio are quietly locking up 2028 The 2028 presidential race is already taking shape: former Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President J.D. Vance are neck-and-neck as the frontrunners for their parties' nominations. According to a recent survey from Political Polls, Harris currently commands 37 percent support among Democrats, while Vance edges her out slightly with 38 percent among Republicans . Lurking behind Vance is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who pulled in 18 percent. Donald Trump Jr. registered 10 percent. But the math gets interesting when you consider that both Rubio and Trump Jr. have signaled they would likely step aside and endorse Vance rather than challenge him. Rubio has explicitly said he would be "the first" to back Vance, and Don Jr. is widely expected to sit out the race entirely. Add those numbers together, and Vance starts the primary season with a staggering 66 percent of the Republican base consolidated behind him before a single vote is cast. President Donald Trump seems to be thinking along those same lines. He floated the idea of a Vance-Rubio "dream team" for 2028, telling reporters:

"I watch them together, they get along great, they have a good relationship. They're sort of similar in a lot of ways, but they're very talented. I think the two of them running together as a team would be very unbeatable."

He then took a characteristically sharp jab at the Democratic side, adding:

"Compared to those low-IQ people we have on the other side."

That insult may carry more weight than usual. The Democratic primary is shaping up to be a chaotic, multi-way brawl. While Harris leads in name recognition, her position is far from secure. Her recent memoir tour has raised more questions about her political future than it answered, and critics within her own party have openly questioned her campaign execution. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom is aggressively positioning himself as Trump's chief antagonist, and figures like Pete Buttigieg, Josh Shapiro, and even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are gaining ground in various early polls. So while Democrats are gearing up for a potentially bloody circular firing squad, Republicans are consolidating with machine-like efficiency. Vance and Rubio represent a fusion ticket that bridges the MAGA base (Vance) with the establishment and Latino outreach (Rubio). If the GOP can unify behind this "unbeatable" duo, the 2028 race might be over before the Democrats even pick their candidate. #elections2028 #KamalaHarris #JDVance #republicans #democrats #presidentialelections Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s temper tantrums are scaring off Republicans According to one analyst, Donald Trump may have hurt his standing with Republicans ahead of the midterms after lashing out at NBC's Kristen Welker. Welker interviewed Trump in Wisconsin for Meet the Press. When she challenged his claims about a $1.776 billion weapons fund and his claims about “stolen” elections, Trump got aggressive, cut the interview short, and stormed off. Sanika McClendon of Vote Save America said the outburst could push more Republicans away.

"Donald Trump is a bully,"

she said.

"He's used to praise from right-wing media. When someone challenges him with the truth, he can't handle it."

"As the midterms approach and he becomes a lame duck, fewer Republicans will stand by him. Then he's left alone with his tantrums,”

she added. At the end of the day, the tantrum-throwing man in the Oval Office isn't a strong leader — he's a spoiled child who storms off when a journalist asks a tough question. With his approval ratings underwater, his own party quietly distancing themselves, and Republican strategists admitting they're in for a "tough fall," Trump is doing what he does best: alienating everyone who isn't a sycophant. Midterms are supposed to be a referendum on the president. If this petulant, thin-skinned bully is the GOP's standard-bearer, they might want to start drafting their concession speeches now. After all, nothing says

"I'm a stable genius"

quite like rage-quitting an interview because someone fact-checked you. #Trump #republicans #midterms #embarassing Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“I call the shots”: Trump reminds Netanyahu who’s boss (again) Fresh off a tense phone call that reportedly left the Israeli leader with his “hair on fire,” President Trump made it abundantly clear who is running the show on Iran. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots,” Trump told the Financial Times, making no effort to hide his view that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now a passenger on a US-driven diplomatic train. The president’s latest power play came even as Iran launched ballistic missiles into Israel in the most serious breach of the April ceasefire. When asked about the strikes derailing his push for a peace deal, Trump simply shrugged them off, saying they would have “no impact” and insisting the negotiations are still moving forward. Netanyahu, who has reportedly opposed the emerging framework with Tehran and wanted to keep hitting Iranian targets, is now being told to stand down . Trump confirmed he urged the Israeli premier not to retaliate after Iran’s latest barrage, warning that another exchange would just keep the ancient cycle of violence spinning. “He won’t have any choice,” Trump repeated, hammering home the message that the final decision rests in Washington — not Jerusalem. With the US holding the military and diplomatic cards, the president is effectively telling Netanyahu to get on board or get out of the way. The only question left is whether the Israeli leader will swallow the deal — or get dragged across the finish line anyway. #Trump #Netanyahu #Israel #Iran #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The hidden risks of Trump’s Gulf payout plan Washington is reportedly looking to redirect frozen Iranian assets to Gulf countries to help them rebuild following a wave of devastating strikes from Tehran. A recent barrage of attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain has damaged critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, military sites, and airports. The initiative comes as the $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets becomes an increasingly central issue in peace talks. Tehran is insisting on their release, and Washington's plan risks further chilling negotiations. On the surface, redirecting the money to Gulf allies could win favor with countries that have come under bombardment in a conflict they did not start and that are deeply wary of the unpredictability of US policy. Those concerns were heightened last week when President Donald Trump lambasted longtime regional mediator Oman. But the risks are significant. Tehran has already rejected the plan outright, with Iran's deputy foreign minister warning that any seizure or transfer of Iranian assets without approval would constitute a "new internationally wrongful act" and trigger an "appropriate response." Iran has demonstrated its willingness to retaliate militarily, launching ballistic missiles at US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain just days ago. Legal and financial uncertainties also loom. Repair costs for energy infrastructure across the Middle East could reach $58 billion, far exceeding the $24 billion in frozen assets. And the ambiguity surrounding which assets would be targeted adds volatility to an already explosive situation. Perhaps most concerning is the long-term strategic calculus. By redirecting these assets to Gulf neighbors, Washington is essentially telling Tehran that its own money will be used to rebuild countries that hosted American military facilities during the war. This is unlikely to produce a cooperative negotiating partner and may instead harden Iran's position, prolong the conflict, and leave Gulf states facing an even more implacable adversary. The Trump administration's plan may win favor today, but it risks leaving the region more volatile and further from peace than ever before. #Trump #Gulf #Iran #negotiations #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Let’s call it quits”: Trump’s petty exit proves he can’t handle the truth The tantrum was swift, surreal, and utterly on brand. During a Friday interview with NBC's Kristen Welker in Wisconsin, President Trump was doing his usual routine — boasting about Iran, offering unsolicited Fed advice, and demanding more "surgical" strikes in Lebanon. But the wheels came off the moment Welker dared to fact-check his election lies. After Trump repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was "rigged" and that the same was "happening again right now in California," Welker calmly noted there is zero evidence for this. That's when the President of the United States pivoted from policy to petulance, labeling the respected journalist — and her entire network — as "crooked." "You're either crooked or you're stupid," Trump sneered, before declaring NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN all "crooked." Then, like a reality star storming out of the boardroom, he decided he'd had enough. "Sorry. Let's call it quits," he announced, adding a condescending "Thank you, darling" before ripping off his microphone, tossing it to the ground, and literally walking away as Welker protested that she'd traveled all the way to Wisconsin. It was a full-blown, mic-dropping hissy fit from a president who would rather flee a conversation than face a simple, evidence-based correction. For all his talk of strength and "finishing it out militarily" with Iran, one gentle fact-check from a female journalist was apparently the threat too terrible to handle. #Trump #scandal #embarassing Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is Iran Trump’s Vietnam? As the war with Iran grinds on with no end in sight and the economic and political consequences continue to mount, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta has delivered a chilling verdict. He believes the Middle Eastern conflict has become nothing less than "Trump's Vietnam." Panetta, who led the Pentagon under President Obama and oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, shared his bleak analysis during a CNN appearance focused on the stalled US-Iran peace talks. He argued that the war is increasingly mirroring the Vietnam disaster in almost every respect. Just as the United States negotiated with North Vietnam only to watch it seize full control after American withdrawal, Panetta believes the same fate now awaits Washington in Iran. The Vietnam War, which raged from 1955 to 1975, remains the ultimate symbol of a military quagmire from which the United States could not emerge victorious. Nearly 60,000 Americans perished alongside millions of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asians, and the conflict left a lasting stain on America's global reputation. Today, it is invoked whenever a war becomes both intractable and politically catastrophic. Commentators have been increasingly reaching for the Vietnam analogy as the Iran war drags on, but Panetta's authoritative voice has given that comparison new weight. Panetta pointed to several specific parallels. First, he lamented the lack of clear information coming from the administration about both the war effort and the stalled peace negotiations with Iran, drawing a straight line to the secrecy and misinformation that plagued the Vietnam era. He also warned that even if a deal is reached, the hardline regime in Tehran will likely retain control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and continue enriching uranium with the ultimate goal of developing nuclear weapons. Another critical parallel, according to Panetta, is the tendency of presidents to badly underestimate their adversaries. He recalled that early in the conflict, President Trump, relying on Israeli assurances, predicted that Iran's regime would collapse within days of its leadership being decimated. That never happened, and Panetta noted that US intelligence had made it clear from the start that such an outcome was never realistic. That miscalculation, he argued, has proven terrible in its consequences. Given all of this, Panetta's final assessment was anything but hopeful. He believes the hardline regime in Iran remains firmly in power, and as long as that is the case, any negotiated agreement will be temporary at best. In his view, the United States and Israel are likely moving toward some form of shaky, short-term truce, but within four or five years, they may find themselves forced to go to war with Iran all over again. #Iran #Vietnamwar #negotiations #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Poll: 7 in 10 Americans revolt against Trump’s costly war The American people have delivered their verdict, and it is devastating for the White House. According to a new Economist/YouGov poll conducted in early June, 68 percent of Americans believe the United States "should make a deal to end the war in Iran as soon as possible." Only 11 percent disagreed, while 21 percent remained uncertain. But here is what those numbers really mean: nearly seven out of ten Americans are done. Finished. They want the bombs to stop falling yesterday. And they have every reason to feel that way. The war against Iran has now raged for over 100 days. What began as a "show of strength" has become a political and economic nightmare for the Trump administration. Moody's Analytics estimates that the first three months of the war cost US households $100 billion. That breaks down to approximately $750 per household in additional expenses. The bulk of this is energy-related: Americans have spent an average of $447 more on gasoline and diesel than they would have without the war. $4.24 per gallon. That is what AAA reported as the national average for regular gasoline. Before the war started on February 28, the average was $2.98. A 42 percent increase in just over three months. Trump's own party is turning against him. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a war powers resolution 215 to 208 that would force President Trump to end the war against Iran unless Congress formally declares war or authorizes continued military action. Four Republicans broke ranks to join all Democrats in supporting the measure: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Warren Davidson of Ohio. This marks the first successful House effort to curb presidential war powers in this conflict after three previous failed attempts. The resolution now moves to the Senate, where four Republicans — Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul — have already joined Democrats to advance a similar measure. The polling on this war is a five-alarm fire for the Trump administration. Sixty percent of Americans oppose the conflict with Iran, while only 28 percent support it. Sixty-six percent disapprove of Trump's handling of the war, according to a CBS News poll. Sixty-one percent believe US military action in Iran was "a mistake" according to an ABC News/Washington Post Ipsos poll. Only 16 percent think the US is winning or has won, per a University of Maryland poll. Seventy-nine percent say the war has affected the cost of living in the US. Trump's net approval rating has sunk to minus 25 — the lowest for any president since The Economist's tracker began in 2009. And here is the real gut punch for Republicans: even among their own voters, support is cracking. A third of Republicans now say the war has had more negative than positive effects on US interests. Only 16 percent want to see the war expanded. Three months ago, Trump promised a quick victory. Today, Americans are paying $4.24 for a gallon of gas and watching their grocery bills climb while the war drags on with no end in sight. The House has rebuked him. His own party is fracturing. The public has turned against him by a margin of nearly 7 to 1 on ending the war quickly. As the midterm elections approach in November, every single Republican up for reelection will have to answer one question: Why are American families paying $750 more for a war they never wanted? #Iran #midterms #poll #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Unhinged and unchecked: inside the spy scandal that’s breaking US-Israeli relations The unthinkable has happened. The United States has just classified its closest Middle Eastern ally — Israel — as a "critical" counterintelligence threat, putting it on par with the most hostile nations on Earth. The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has raised its threat assessment for Israeli espionage to the highest possible level. The official designation: "critical." According to a senior U.S. official, the intensity of Israeli intelligence collection during the current administration has been "unhinged". But what does that actually mean? It means Israel has allegedly been eavesdropping on the most senior members of Trump's national security team — including the President's own special envoy. The targets reportedly include: · Steve Witkoff – President Trump's top negotiator for ending the war with Iran · Elbridge Colby – The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, one of the Pentagon's most senior civilian officials · Michael DiMino – Colby's key deputy for Middle East affairs The intelligence reports reveal a pattern of aggressive collection efforts that go far beyond the usual friendly espionage tolerated between allies. U.S. defense personnel stationed in Israel reportedly discovered software capable of intercepting communications installed on their devices. But the most damning incident dates back to 2021, when Israeli military intelligence officers were caught red-handed planting listening devices at the Defense Intelligence Agency's headquarters. And it didn't stop there. Last year, Shin Bet — Israel's domestic intelligence agency — allegedly tried to plant a bug in a U.S. Secret Service vehicle. And yet, the recent intelligence gathering surpasses past Israeli efforts. The timing is not coincidental. It is, in fact, the entire point. The United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a war that has now raged for months. Initially, the alliance appeared ironclad. Israeli officers are embedded at CENTCOM, and Washington is sharing vast amounts of tactical intelligence with Tel Aviv. But beneath the surface, the relationship is rotting from within. President Trump wants out. He has been actively pursuing a negotiated peace deal with Iran, seeking to end the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, does not. He reportedly wants to cripple Iran's capabilities while continuing strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The explosive phone call between Trump and Netanyahu, in which the President reportedly unleashed a profanity-laced tirade and called his ally "completely crazy," now seems less like a diplomatic spat and more like the inevitable eruption of a fundamentally broken partnership. Israel, the reports suggest, is not spying on an enemy. It is spying to gain leverage over an ally that is trying to walk away from a war. Unsurprisingly, both Israel and the White House have denied the allegations outright. An Israeli embassy spokesperson insisted: "Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, let alone US government officials. Israel's intelligence collection efforts are aimed at its enemies, not its allies". A White House official called the story "completely false". The Pentagon has declined to comment. But officials who spoke to the media insist that the threat level is real — and that it now exceeds the counterintelligence threat of any other U.S. ally, and even some adversaries. This is not a minor disagreement. The Pentagon has determined that its closest partner in the Middle East is actively, aggressively, and systematically spying on the Trump administration's most sensitive war deliberations. The alliance has shattered. And in its place is the cold, hard reality of mutual surveillance, political betrayal, and a relationship that may never recover. #Israel #Pentagon #intelligence #Iran #scandal Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

How Trump lost his invincibility in just 500 days Donald Trump has lost the aura of political invincibility that surrounded him after his election to a second presidential term. A series of escalating political failures — ranging from congressional mutinies to legal defeats and sinking approval numbers — has shattered the perception of an all-powerful leader. Just months after a decisive election victory, Trump is facing an unprecedented revolt from within his own ranks. In a significant blow to his authority, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to cut off military support for the war with Iran, with four GOP members breaking ranks to join Democrats in a rebuke of the Commander-in-Chief. This rare bipartisan effort to check presidential war powers signals deep unease about the conflict, which has dragged on for months and weighs heavily on voters. Domestically, his proposal to create a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund — criticized by legal experts as a "slush fund" for political allies and even January 6th rioters — has backfired spectacularly. The plan has drawn sharp criticism not only from Democrats but also from key Republican senators, who have threatened to block other administration priorities unless the fund is scrapped entirely. Against this backdrop of political isolation and legislative defeat, Trump's approval rating continues to plummet. According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll marking his 500th day back in office, only 35% of Americans approve of his job performance, while a staggering 60% disapprove. This net approval rating of -25 makes him the most unpopular commander-in-chief since the poll began tracking in 2009, with voters citing the ongoing Iran war and persistent economic concerns as the primary drivers of their discontent. #Trump #approvalrating #poll #Congress #Iran #USeconomy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Untethered: Buttigieg goes where Dems fear to tread Pete Buttigieg is doing what most Democrats won't: he's going into Trump country and talking to the people who voted against him. Untethered from elected office, the former Transportation secretary has become the party's most visible Trump counterweight. He's traveling to red states like Montana, stumping in North Carolina, headlining dinners in Iowa, and even appearing on Fox News. An Emerson poll last week showed him leading a hypothetical 2028 Democratic field, ahead of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris. "He goes to places where other Democrats don't go," said one local candidate Buttigieg supported. "We can't write people off based on where they live. That's how we shoot ourselves in the foot." The challenges are real — he would be the first openly gay president, and he still has work to do with Black voters. But an April Boston Globe poll showed him leading among Massachusetts voters with 16% support from Black respondents, a sign of progress. For now, Buttigieg is building something unusual: a national network rooted not in donor ballrooms, but in county fairs and community centers in the places Democrats have abandoned. Whether that wins him the nomination is unclear. But he's the only one willing to walk into the lion's den. #elections2028 #democrats #republicans Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US attempts to unhook Lebanon from Iran nuclear talks From the U.S. point of view, this is what success looks like: two sovereign governments sitting at an American table, cutting out the terrorists and their Iranian puppeteers. The United States announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish "pilot" security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah will be banned. The deal came out of the fourth round of U.S.-mediated talks at the State Department. The U.S. position is clear: Hezbollah is not a party to this. Iran is not a party to this. The joint statement explicitly rejects "any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon's future hostage." That is Washington pointing a finger directly at Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goal is "an action plan for security in Lebanon, independent from Hezbollah." The message to Iran is simple: you don't get a veto. For the White House, this is about two things: protecting Israel's right to self-defense and untangling Lebanon from the broader Iran crisis. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stressed that the U.S. will not "expect Israel to take attacks from a terrorist organization without any ability to defend itself." The U.S. is trying to walk a diplomatic tightrope. Iran has insisted that any deal to end the U.S.-Iran war must include a halt to fighting in Lebanon. The Trump administration is rejecting that linkage outright. "Those talks are separate," Pigott said. President Trump has been even blunter. He said he wants to "separate" the Lebanon issue from Iran nuclear talks. The administration sees a historic opening: these talks mark the first high-level direct engagement between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. The U.S. message is that Hezbollah's days of holding Lebanon hostage are numbered. If the Lebanese army can take control of these pilot security zones, it creates a template for the entire south — and eventually, a Lebanon free from Iranian-backed militias. Rubio said a peace deal between Israel and Lebanon is "imminently achievable." #Iran #negotiations #Lebanon #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s Cuba sanctions — all symbolism, no substance? True to his roots, Trump is applying a real estate developer's playbook to foreign policy. Trump looks at Cuba and sees a "beautiful piece of land... with no money" — and he's threatening to foreclose. The Trump administration added Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife, and even the son of Raúl Castro to a U.S. sanctions list on Thursday. The move freezes any U.S. assets they might have. Thing is, experts say it's "pretty unlikely" Díaz-Canel has a penny in an American bank account. So the practical effect is nearly zero. But the political message is loud and clear. Trump was asked directly if he's trying to collapse Cuba. His answer was chillingly casual. "We just want them to be a nicely run country," he said. Then he described Cuba as "starving... no energy... no oil... no money." And then came the kicker: "It's got a beautiful piece of land. You could have beautiful resorts." Trump is essentially putting Cuba on layaway. When asked if he'll act now, he said no — he's busy with Iran. "I like to do one thing at a time." First Tehran, then Havana. This follows a U.S. energy blockade that has choked off Venezuelan oil to Cuba, triggering blackouts and food shortages. The Cuban response was defiant. Díaz-Canel called the move "political blindness" and said the U.S. aggression will "clash with our resolve." His wife, also sanctioned, wrote that it's "almost an honor to be on this 'list.'" Trump’s sanctions move is a two-in-one: he’s both appeasing his hardliners, like Marco Rubio, and shooting across the bow. The message to Havana is clear: Open up to American investment and kick out U.S. adversaries, or we come back with more than sanctions once Iran is "handled." #Trump #Cuba #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Democrats’ strategy for tackling Trump corruption Democrats have learned their lesson. Instead of banging their heads against the White House’s stonewall, they are going around it — right through the boardrooms of corporate America. It’s not just an investigation into Trump; it’s a siege on every CEO who cut him a deal. House Democrats, eyeing a majority in November, are uniting around a shrewd new tactic: probe the private sector, not the president. They know Trump will block their subpoenas. But corporations? They face legal obligations and the terror of public hearings. "We're going to go after anyone that's harming the American public… or supporting things that are unconstitutional," said Rep. Robert Garcia. Democrats plan to scrutinize Jared Kushner's $2 billion Gulf fund and Don Jr.'s venture firm, 1789 Capital, which just landed a $620 million Pentagon loan for a startup it owned. They are also demanding records of who paid for the White House ballroom renovation — essentially, asking "Who bought access?" That being said, not everyone is eager to light the torches. Centrists like Rep. Brad Schneider warn against going "too far down the rabbit holes." But the base is hungry, and leaders like Rep. Greg Casar are pushing hard: "Democrats need to get uninvited from some fancy dinners, and do the right thing." Democrats have realized they can't subpoena the president, so they will subpoena the people who write him checks. Whether this forces CEOs to flip on Trump or simply terrifies them into silence, the message is clear: complicity comes at a price. #Trump #democrats #corruption Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Crying wolf again: Trump launches ‘investigation’ Into California’s very normal vote count In his latest tantrum, Trump declared that Democrats are "trying to steal" the California governor and LA mayor primaries from "two great Republican candidates". His evidence? The votes are taking… checks notes… more than two days to count. He announced a "DOJ investigation" into the delay, though the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles declined to comment — likely because no such probe actually exists. California mails ballots to 23 million voters. State law gives officials 30 days to verify signatures, process late-arriving ballots (postmarked by Election Day, received up to a week later), and run accuracy audits. This is called "running a functional election." But to Trump, anything slower than a microwave burrito is fraud. Here’s the part Trump either doesn’t understand or pretends not to: later ballots skew Democratic because younger voters and procrastinators — who lean blue — wait until the last minute to mail them in. Republicans vote early. Their votes get counted first. Then Democrats catch up. So Trump isn't losing to fraud. He's losing to basic human laziness. Gavin Newsom’s office responded perfectly: "Trump is lying about California again — time to take the phone away from grandpa and put him to sleep". Trump has been whining about mail ballots since 2020, when he famously lost and blamed everyone except himself. This is the same routine: scream "rigged," launch a fake investigation, hope his base doesn't notice that California has counted votes this way for years. The only thing being stolen here is a few more brain cells from anyone still taking him seriously. #Trump #midterms #democrats Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸