The Political Markup for August 17, 2026
Politics
A Chinese man, whose business went bankrupt in Britain and who was later living in the United Arab Emirates, made a $100 million investment in World Liberty Financial, the crypto company started by the Trump and Witkoff families. Where he got the money, most of which was pocketed by members of the two families, is unknown.
Pete Hegseth campaigned in Iowa for Zach Nunn, raising questions that the visit is also to help position Hegseth for a presidential run in 2028.
A Trump voter shares the story of his wife being detained by ICE, despite being in the country legally with a pending immigration case.
The White House said a CNN reporter’s children should be embarrassed about her questioning Trump in the Oval Office.
The DOJ is planning to send 1,000 poll watchers to targeted voting locations this November.
Colorado is suing the Trump Administration for blocking funds to the state after it convicted a county clerk of tampering with voting machines in 2020.
The Supreme Court denied a request from Trump to reconsider a $5 million judgement against him for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll.
Economy
As a sign of how the middle class is financially strapped, people are increasingly using pay-later loans for their mortgages, rent, and utilities.
Consumers spent less at retail stores in July and preliminary data indicates that sentiment will be down this month.
The costs of typical back-to-school supplies are up nearly 8 percent from last year.
Tyson Foods is closing three more beef processing plants in the U.S. due to low cattle supplies.
The Trump Administration delayed a rule which would have helped with faster identification of the cyclospora source. The administration continues to be slow to respond to the outbreak, just now sending FDA investigators to the Mexican plant believed to be where the issue originated.
The company which retrofitted the Qatari-donated jet into Air Force One fired its CEO for misconduct.
Mexico is investing in a 190-mile railroad from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean which they hope will be another option for global shipments.
International
Russia was plotting to assassinate a U.S. citizen in Poland.
With the latest U.S.-Iran ceasefire ending, Israel again is stoking the Mideast conflicts by striking Lebanon and killing 11 people including children.
Trump said he would bomb Oman if it interferes with the his and Israel’s war against Iran.
Attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue.
Some UK naval drones were found to be transmitting their location and operational status to China.
Last month a U.S. naval ship lost power for four days while it was deployed near China.
Sweden is positioning itself for nuclear defense amid worries over Russian threats.
The new British prime minister exchanged text messages with someone pretending to be Susie Wiles.
Canadian citizens gathered enough signatures to force their parliament to debate removal of the U.S. ambassador.
Minnesota
A judge denied the Trump Administration from getting voter registration lists.
A Liberian government official has received $36 million in government funding to operate 24 group homes in the Twin Cities.
James O’Keefe pretended to be a state resident and register voters at Minneapolis voting locations during the primary election, in an attempt to criticize state law allowing same-day registration where registered voters can vouch for others who want to vote.