Trump Plays Peacemaker: Thailand‑Cambodia Sign Deal He Brokered

October 26, 2025

trump arch — (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump witnessed the signing of an expanded cease‑fire between Thailand and Cambodia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, advancing efforts to stabilize a border conflict he helped mediate.

The original cease‑fire was brokered after five‑day clashes in July that killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people. Under the expanded agreement, Cambodia will release Thai‑held soldiers and both nations will begin removing heavy weaponry and land mines from the border.

The agreement marks a significant diplomatic step toward stabilizing a volatile region that has experienced repeated border clashes. While the cease-fire expansion offers hope for long-term peace, its success will depend on continued cooperation, third-party monitoring, and trust-building measures between both governments. Regional stakeholders and international observers will closely watch implementation in the coming months.

Chris Murphy, Trump’s Tariffs Are Just a Cash Grab

October 26, 2025

During Sunday’s broadcast of CNN’s State of the Union, Sen. Chris Murphy (D‑CT) accused President Donald Trump of weaponizing tariffs not to boost U.S. manufacturing, but to enrich himself and reward political allies.

Host Jake Tapper asked Murphy to respond to the recent imposition of tariffs on Canada. Murphy replied: “I think it’s just further confirmation that these tariffs have nothing to do with us. Prices are going up on everything in this country. Manufacturing jobs are leaving. We’ve lost already this year about 30,000 manufacturing jobs.” He went on to say that the tariffs serve as “a political tool that the president uses to help himself, sometimes to enrich himself.”

Murphy cited what he described as disturbing instances of corporate behavior: “You’ve seen companies openly admit that they’re making investments in his cryptocurrency… to try to get better treatment on the tariffs. You saw Apple make a $1 million contribution to his inauguration and then magically get an exemption from the tariffs.” He also claimed the tariffs were being used to punish speakers overseas who criticize Trump, drawing a parallel with what he labeled Trump’s efforts to suppress free speech domestically.

“Those tariffs aren’t about rebuilding our economy. They aren’t about helping regular consumers,” Murphy added. “There’s just — they’re just about giving Trump additional powers to try to benefit himself politically and financially.”

Mass Shooting Shatters Homecoming at Lincoln University — Multiple Victims Reported

October 26, 2025

A shooting erupted during the homecoming celebration at Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania, leaving multiple people injured and sparking a broad law‑enforcement response.

Authorities said the incident occurred just after 9 p.m. Saturday evening near the university’s football field as part of the homecoming “yard‑fest” event. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed a shooting involving multiple victims and asked the public to avoid the area while the investigation remains active.

Initial reports indicate seven people were shot, though the exact number of injured and the severity of their conditions remain unclear. No arrests have been announced, and law enforcement has not yet released a motive.

As law enforcement continues to investigate, the focus now shifts to ensuring campus safety and providing support for the victims and broader student community. Incidents like this prompt renewed discussions on event security, emergency preparedness, and the role of local and campus authorities in preventing violence. Institutions across the country may look to reassess safety protocols in the wake of this tragedy.

Hillary Clinton’s Birthday Backfires, Online Backlash Follows

October 26, 2025

Former Secretary of State and two‑time presidential candidate Hillary Clinton turned 78 this week and marked the occasion with a childhood photo and a call to action for others. “I’m 78 today, and thinking of all the people who helped this young girl grow and thrive along the way,” she wrote on social media. “Today I’d love to hear about how you’re showing up, in ways large or small, for the next generation.”

Instead of warm birthday wishes, Clinton’s post was met with harsh criticism online. One commenter compared her to “the mean little girl whose father owned the general store on The Little House on the Prairie.” Another labeled her “the definition of a battle axe,” while a third simply called her “the Devil in disguise.”

Twitter users also dug up an old tweet from 2016 where Clinton proclaimed, “Happy Birthday to this future president,” accompanied by a young‑girl photo of herself. That post became a focal point for critics who reminded her of her defeat to President Donald Trump less than three weeks later. In 2019, Trump’s team even resurfaced that tweet to poke fun at her loss.

While birthday messages usually generate friendly nostalgic posts, Clinton’s effort backfired spectacularly. Instead of inspiring heartfelt reflections on mentorship or public service, the message spurred a wave of sarcastic and vitriolic replies. Some observers said the post exposed a disconnect between Clinton’s message of community service and the strong feelings her public image now evokes.

At a time when political figures often use birthdays to promote legacy and goodwill, Clinton’s post served as a stark reminder that past actions, long memories, and polarized perceptions continue to shape public reaction.

Trump‑Backer Gives $130 Million to Cover Military Pay During Shutdown—Billionaire Heir Emerges

October 26, 2025

leadership — Military helmet (israel palacio/Unsplash)

A reclusive billionaire heir has been identified as the anonymous donor who contributed $130 million to help ensure U.S. troops receive paychecks amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Officials say the donation was accepted by the Department of Defense under its “general gift acceptance authority,” raising questions about legality, transparency, and oversight.

The donor is reported to be Timothy Mellon—heir to the Mellon banking fortune and a major backer of Donald Trump and other conservative causes. Mellon had previously donated tens of millions to the 2024 campaign cycle and is known for his low‑profile giving.

The donation was publicly acknowledged by Trump, who described the giver only as “a friend” and a “great American.” According to Pentagon officials, the funds were earmarked specifically “to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits.”

The donation arrives amid a budget stalemate that has left the government partially shut down and military payrolls in limbo. The Pentagon says it shifted unused research and development funds to meet mid‑month pay, but warned the next paycheck could still be at risk without congressional action.

TikTok Shake‑Up, Trump Strikes Huge Deal with China

October 26, 2025

The United States and China have reached a final agreement to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to American hands, with the official signing set to occur this Thursday during a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the deal on Sunday, stating that all terms had been ironed out and the final step would be the formal signing between the two leaders. The announcement marks a major geopolitical milestone and ends months of tense back-and-forth over the future of the popular video-sharing app.

Under the terms of the deal, TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance will retain less than a 20% stake. The remaining 80% will go to a group of American investors, including tech billionaire Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch, aligning with U.S. laws mandating Chinese divestment from TikTok for national security reasons.

The Trump administration had set a strict deadline for divestment, threatening to ban TikTok from U.S. app stores if ByteDance failed to comply. Trump has extended that deadline several times to allow negotiations to continue.

Bessent also hinted at an economic breakthrough beyond TikTok. A previously threatened 155% tariff on Chinese imports is now “effectively off the table,” he said, easing tensions between the two economic giants. The U.S. currently imposes around a 55% tariff on most Chinese goods.

In a move that may have major implications for the agricultural sector, Bessent added that U.S. soybean farmers can expect “extremely favorable” results from the broader deal with China, potentially reversing recent frustrations over international competition from countries like Argentina.

With TikTok ownership shifting and trade tensions softening, Trump’s Asia tour is shaping up to be a turning point in U.S.–China relations.

Newsom Melts Down Over DOJ Election Monitors: ‘No Business Here!’

October 26, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted the United States Department of Justice’s decision to send election monitors into the state’s upcoming vote, calling it federal overreach and a threat to free elections. The DOJ asserts the move is routine oversight under federal law, but Newsom and other Democratic leaders say it amounts to intimidation and interference in a state‑run election.

Newsom posted sharply on social media: “Donald Trump’s puppet DOJ has no business screwing around with next month’s election… We will not back down.” He claimed the deployment is aimed at “intimidation” and “voter suppression.”

The DOJ responded through Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, noting that federal election monitors have been deployed for decades under previous administrations, including Democrat‑led ones. Dhillon wrote on X: “Lol calm down bro… The @TheJusticeDept under Democrat administrations has sent in federal election observers for decades, and not once did we hear that this was voter intimidation from states such as California.”

The monitoring will cover five California counties — Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno — for the Nov. 4 special election on Proposition 50, which seeks to amend the state constitution to allow temporary redistricting of U.S. House seats.

Republican state parties requested federal monitors, citing concerns about ballot security and voter‑roll accuracy. The DOJ says the deployment is about transparency, ensuring compliance with federal law and maintaining public confidence in the process.

Mark Kelly Blasts Trump’s Venezuela Move

October 26, 2025

Arizona state flag (Levi Meir Clancy/Unsplash)

In an appearance on ABC’s This Week, Sen. Mark Kelly (D‑AZ) sharply criticized the Trump administration’s deployment of naval assets and use of military force in the Caribbean, calling the push against suspected Venezuelan drug smuggling vessels “questionable” and warning it risks miscasting a law‑enforcement issue as armed conflict.

Kelly told host Martha Raddatz that when lawmakers—including Republicans—pressed the White House and the Department of Defense for legal justification, officials offered shaky answers. “The White House and the Department of Defense could not give us a logical explanation on how this is legal,” he said. “They were tying themselves in knots.”

At issue is a list of roughly two dozen groups now subject to “kinetic action” authorized by the administration—essentially treating drug‑trafficking networks as if they were combatants in a war. “You don’t move a carrier strike group unless you’re planning on conducting combat operations,” Kelly said. “Starting a war against Venezuela over what is a law‑enforcement action does not make any sense.”

Kelly acknowledged drugs were found on some boats, but he disputed the administration’s framing of the campaign, especially the claim that the maritime route used was a major conduit for U.S.-bound fentanyl. “Those boats in the Caribbean do not carry fentanyl. The story that this is about fentanyl killing people is false,” he said.

He proposed redirecting funds to the U.S. Coast Guard and other law‑enforcement agencies instead of deploying military warships. Meanwhile, Democrats continue demanding clarity on Congressional authorization, oversight, and the legal basis for the strikes.

Senator Fetterman Breaks with Democrats, Sides with Republicans to End Shutdown

October 26, 2025

John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) voted with Republicans on a funding measure to reopen the federal government, saying “It’s an easy, easy choice to pick my country over the party.”

According to the report, the bill failed 54–46 because it did not reach the required 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Fetterman noted that the shutdown stalemate was causing harm: “America is losing in this place right now.”

Fetterman criticized his party’s strategy, saying many Democrats were holding out for “an absolute ironclad kind of a deal” before reopening the government. He also praised John Thune (R‑S.D.) as “an honorable guy” and said healthcare negotiations could resume once the government is reopened.

His position creates tension within the Democratic caucus, where the majority oppose reopening unless certain policy changes—like extensions of tax credits under the Affordable Care Act—are included.

Trump’s Asia Trip 2025, Massive Trade Deals

October 26, 2025

President Donald Trump launched his Asia tour with a powerful message at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, declaring his mission to strengthen friendships, secure peace, and boost commerce across the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Trump emphasized the importance of deepening economic ties, announcing multiple agreements with regional leaders. Among them: a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, and trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia. He also signed a major critical minerals pact with Thailand.

In a bold move that drew cheers from U.S. businesses, Trump also forecast an unprecedented surge in American investment. “We’re going to be doing over $20 trillion. That’s quite a difference,” Trump said, noting this would dwarf previous administration totals.

The summit opened with a symbolic “family photo” and a band playing the iconic “Rocky” theme song—fitting for Trump’s self-styled return to global leadership. Standing alongside leaders from across Southeast Asia, Trump reiterated America’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the region.

“We’re here to promote stability, commerce, and peace—not just for the nations in this room, but for the entire Indo-Pacific,” he said. “The United States is with you 100 percent.”

Trump also hinted at upcoming deals with Japan and South Korea, setting the stage for major developments in energy, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing.

As the summit wrapped up, Trump looked ahead to Japan, where he’ll meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. Rumors suggest Japan may soon begin importing American-made Ford F-150s—something Trump joked about, calling the trucks “hot.”

From Malaysia to South Korea and possibly China, Trump’s Asia tour is already shaping up to be a game-changer.