The Political Markup for Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Politics
The White House reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination is covered by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Reuters also has a collection of Charlie Kirk memorial photos.
Ryan Routh, the man who attempted to assassinate President Trump on his golf course, is choosing to represent himself in his upcoming trial.
Far-right commentator Nick Fuentes gets a profile in The New York Times, highlighting his growth as an influencer and detailing his frustrations with President Trump.
The Star Tribune analyzes what wings of the Democratic Party that Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan represent in their U.S. Senate race.
The Wall Street Journal has the story on how the UFC fight at the White House came to be.
An innovative event called Style Across the Aisle featured New York political figures and fashion designers.
Media
President Trump threatened to sue The New York Times over its reporting of his notorious birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein. He previously filed a similar lawsuit against the publisher of The Wall Street Journal for its original reporting of the drawing.
NPR named a new editor in chief. Thomas Evans comes to the public radio company from CNN, where he was a VP and London bureau chief.
Megyn Kelly planned to take her popular show on the road this October and November to Texas, New York, Florida, Georgia, California, and Arizona. Guests include Tucker Carlson, Piers Morgan, Glenn Beck, Mark Halperin, Glenn Greenwald, Adam Carolla, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump. Tickets went on sale last week. No word yet on if the tour will be postponed or changed following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, her friend and fellow conservative commentator.
Andrew Davies, who adapted the original House of Cards in the U.K., is profiled by The New York Times.
Economy
Neel Kashkari with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis spoke at a roundtable event about current political and economic issues.
Trade
Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa, and a collection of other countries regrouped, as the world faces global trade turmoil following tariff actions by President Trump. Separately, these countries have been working to expand trade deals with each other and other countries, to counter lost markets with the U.S.
Agriculture
U.S. soybean farmers are suffering after China refuses to import their crops due to Trump’s tariff agenda.
John Deere faces financial challenges in Brazil due to President Trump’s tariffs and other economic and political matters.
A subsidiary of Land O’Lakes that focused on carbon credits and other sustainability efforts is folding after President Trump cut funding that it had received from USDA.
Corteva is considering a split into two companies, to separate its well-known seed brand Pioneer from its pesticide products.
International
Peter Mandelson, the U.K. ambassador to the U.S., was forced out of his position after more info was released on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson had been an influential and visible figure, as the U.K. established a relationship with President Trump for his second administration.