The Political Markup for April 20, 2026
Politics
Trump and the Republican Party have $1 billion in funds for the midterm elections.
An RFK Jr. loyalist is fundraising and donating to MAHA candidates this election cycle, and hopes to keep the movement going for the remainder of the Trump Administration and beyond.
Trump Administration
Trump’s labor secretary is resigning due to scandals. This is the third cabinet member to have left in Trump’s second term.
The Trumps are planning to attend the White House Correspondents Association dinner for the first time.
Trump loyalists have created a 250th anniversary group that is competing against the official one for events and federal funding.
Economics
Trump is considering a government bailout or investment for Spirit Airlines. Spirit and other low-cost airlines are also asking for tax incentives due to high fuel costs from the Iran war.
Trade negotiations between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are supposed to begin next month.
Iran War
The U.S. is now the one blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Arab Emirates has asked the U.S. for financial support because of the Iran war.
Trump claims Israel didn’t pressure him to start the Iran war, despite other reports saying Netanyahu pitched the plan at the White House.
International
An Israeli soldier was photographed destroying a statue of Jesus in Christian village in Lebanon.
Israel continues to conduct strikes in Gaza. A study estimates it’ll cost $71 billion to rebuild Gaza after Israel destroyed it.
The U.S. struck another boat in the Caribbean which they said was trafficking drugs.
Japan is building up its defenses and allowing its defense contractors to make sales abroad.
The Czech Republic is interested in aligning with France’s nuclear weapons plan.
JPMorgan is expanding its defense investment strategy to Europe.
The U.S. military is conducting drills with the Philippines near Taiwan. China warned the two countries about it.
The U.S. may limit North Korea intelligence sharing with South Korea.
French business leaders have created a Christian think tank to advance a conservative agenda leading into the country’s presidential election next year.