The Political Markup for May 21, 2026
Politics
In a sham settlement and incredible abuse of power, Trump had the DOJ and IRS agree to never audit Trump family and business tax returns, and set up a nearly $2 billion fund to award Trump supporters who were investigated during Biden’s Administration.
Karl Rove writes, “Probably the hardest thing Team Trump needs to do is let Republican candidates create distance from the president.”
Trump says he doesn’t need current congressional approval for his arch in D.C. because a commission approved a similar, unbuilt project 100 years ago.
Trump called on Senate Republicans to fire their parliamentarian after she said his $1 billion ballroom project couldn’t be included in an immigration enforcement bill.
Susan Collins will be recording her 10,000th consecutive vote in the Senate.
A man received an $825,000 settlement after being jailed by a county sheriff for reposting a meme about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
The Supreme Court justices try to work through the political tensions facing the country.
Economy
The U.S. and EU are finalizing a trade deal effective through March 2028.
James & Kathryn Murdoch’s Lupa Systems bought New York magazine and Vox Media’s podcasts.
International
In recent phone conversations, Benjamin Netanyahu has encouraged Trump to keep warring with Iran.
Trump’s war with Iran and cuts to humanitarian aid are exacerbating famine in poor countries.
In some cases during the war, the U.S. has used $4 million missiles to take out $35,000 Iranian drones.
Iran said it would expand the war beyond the Mideast if it’s attacked by the U.S. again.
Syria may benefit as a transportation route if the Strait of Hormuz continues to be blocked. Syria’s president is a former al-Qaeda leader that was imprisoned by the U.S. for five years.
The Pentagon’s inspector general is investigating the U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean that Trump says are drug traffickers.
The U.S. is pushing Greenland for greater military presence, mineral rights, and to prevent adversaries from being present on the island.
Vladimir Putin met with Xi Jinping in Beijing.