The Political Markup for August 2, 2026
Politics
Recent polls indicate Trump’s approval rating is in the low 30’s.
After months of ludicrously blaming others, the Trump Administration admitted in a court filing that its own $15 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool was at fault, which was always apparent.
The Trump Administration subpoenaed a freelance journalist over a 2025 New York Times story he co-wrote about a covert, failed mission in 2019 to place a listening device in North Korea. The journalist has also written books about the Trump family and U.S. government.
Capital One stopped doing business with the Trump Organization in 2021 because it’s anti-money laundering team identified suspicious transactions by the business, according to a filing by the bank in its lawsuit with the Trump family.
After the election of Zohran Mamdani and a few strong primary challengers across the country, the Democratic Socialists of America contemplate if they can run a presidential candidate.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno said his ex-son-in-law, Congressman Max Miller, who is seeking re-election, should not serve in Congress following ongoing allegations of abuse by Miller upon his ex-wife and their daughter.
Hunter Biden blames his father’s cancer for the bad debate performance in June 2024.
Conservative governors are calling the Council on American Islamic Relations a terrorist organization.
Economy
Consumer sentiment increased slightly from June to July.
Tax refunds helped citizens afford higher costs in the beginning of the year, but with that extra money spent, they’ll have to start dipping into savings or cutting back on spending.
In his latest state-capitalist move, Trump committed the U.S. to a 10 percent stake in a privately-owned mining company, which will seek critical minerals in Alaska with the Administration’s blessing.
Microsoft saw a record one-day gain in market value of $450 billion, with investors signaling they like the company’s focus and strategy on AI.
The drought in Europe is forcing Hungary to shutoff its nuclear power plant that provides 40 percent of the country’s electricity.
High food prices have become a political issue in Japan.
International
Venezuelans legally pursuing work and immigration in the U.S. were deported back to their home country by the Trump Administration, and are now assumed dead after being held by Venezuela in a building which collapsed in the recent earthquakes.
The head of U.S European Command, which oversees U.S. military actions in the Mideast, says he doesn’t have enough resources to defend Israel, serve any NATO needs, and protect the U.S. all at the same time.
U.S. AI models are being used by China to develop its defense systems.
The Philippines and Taiwan raised concerns after China’s military patrolled waters near their borders.
The Trump Administration is considering blocking France’s new ambassador to the U.S. after France criticized human rights positions taken by the U.S. at the UN.
Brazil is delaying approval of Trump’s ambassador nomination after not getting consulted on the pick, a Florida ally of Marco Rubio.
North Korea threatens military action over an increased presence by the U.S. in Japan.
The former vice president of Costa Rica so far seems to have the most support to be the next leader of the UN.
Minnesota
Michigan, South Dakota, and at least four other states have joined Minnesota in experiencing cyberattacks on community water systems, believed to be initiated by Iran.
The state Supreme Court is considering whether a city can decide to use paper voting ballots or if it must use electronic voting methods provided by the city’s county.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and political candidates will be participating in forums at Farmfest this week.