On the morning of August 16th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former US President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation, confirmed by Zelenskyy’s communications advisor. The call included a discussion with NATO leaders. Both the White House and Zelenskyy’s office described the conversation as “lengthy.” Further details regarding the content of the call have not yet been released.
President Trump seemingly displayed a misunderstanding of U.S. geography leading up to his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, repeatedly referring to Alaska as if it were a foreign country or a destination separate from the United States. During a Fox News interview and a White House press conference, Trump stated he would “go back to the United States” from his meeting with Putin, and on another occasion, said he was “going to Russia.” This is not the first time the president has made such comments, leading to public criticism and questions about his awareness of the location of his meeting. At the meeting’s conclusion, Putin suggested future talks in Moscow, which Trump seemed open to.
Documents with U.S. State Department markings were discovered at an Alaskan hotel, revealing details of the Trump-Putin summit. The eight-page packet, found in a hotel printer, contained the summit’s schedule, meeting locations, U.S. staff phone numbers, and even a planned ceremonial gift for Putin. The documents also included a detailed lunch menu and seating chart, showcasing a lapse in professional judgment. This incident adds to a series of security breaches by the Trump administration, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in sensitive information handling.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is employing a combative and meme-heavy social media strategy, modeled after Donald Trump’s online persona, to counter Republican initiatives. This involves all-caps threats, pop culture parodies, and AI-edited content. Newsom’s strategy includes mocking Trump on social media while also responding to redistricting plans in Texas. The governor’s team is adopting tactics like trolling and parody to shift the narrative in Democrats’ favor, which is resonating with Democratic voters. However, some strategists warn that this viral appeal may not translate into broader support.
Behind-the-scenes footage released by RT, a Russian state-run news network, depicts President Trump engaging with Vladimir Putin backstage following their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The video shows Trump initiating a two-handed handshake with Putin and then shaking the translator’s hand, with both leaders laughing together. The footage was released by the Kremlin shortly after the public remarks, where neither leader took any questions. The White House has not released similar candid footage. This is the latest instance of the Kremlin providing more details than the White House.
The summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska has been met with jubilation in Russia, as Putin secured a meeting with his US counterpart without making any concessions. Despite Trump initially threatening consequences if Moscow refused a ceasefire, the summit yielded no tangible results, and Trump instead embraced Putin’s preferred path of a comprehensive peace agreement. This shift was seen as a victory for Putin, as Trump appeared to shift responsibility to Kyiv and Europe while potentially applying pressure on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to meet Putin’s demands. Moscow’s confidence is high, with Russian officials openly contradicting Trump and state media celebrating the summit as a sign of Russia’s international standing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to spend up to $50 million on a new international PR campaign, following previous “Stronger Border, Stronger America” ads starring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This campaign, running from September to March, is being managed by People Who Think LLC, a company with ties to the GOP and Noem’s unofficial chief of staff, Corey Lewandowski. The move comes amid intense criticism of Noem, including mockery on *South Park* and scrutiny over her promotional activities. Despite a DHS spokesperson denying the spending is related to Noem’s coverage, Democrats have raised concerns over the use of taxpayer dollars and demanded records.
Despite the historic summit and high expectations, President Trump and President Putin concluded their Alaska meeting without announcing a deal to end the war in Ukraine, though both leaders expressed optimism about future progress. The meeting, marked by a military flyover and a presidential limousine ride, included three hours of talks, yet yielded no details on a ceasefire or any concrete agreements. While Putin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict, suggesting continued demands that Ukraine would likely reject, Trump left without taking questions. This outcome has fueled speculation that the summit served as a stalling tactic, despite Trump’s previous warnings of severe consequences for failure to reach an agreement.
In a recent Zoom call with Texas state Democrats, former President Barack Obama delivered a sharp critique of efforts to gerrymander congressional districts and suppress voting, specifically targeting actions perceived as an assault on democracy. The meeting served as both a pep talk and a strategy session, during which Obama emphasized the need to fight for democratic principles. He also expressed gratitude to the Texas Democrats for their efforts in highlighting the redistricting fight and inspiring other states to retaliate against Republican plans. Obama’s involvement underscores his commitment to combating partisan gerrymandering, further evidenced by his upcoming fundraiser to support Eric Holder’s National Democratic Redistricting Committee.
President Trump disclosed an agreement in principle with Vladimir Putin for a “territory swap” between Russia and Ukraine during an interview with Fox News. He emphasized that the deal’s success hinges on Ukraine’s acceptance, specifically President Zelenskyy’s approval. Trump acknowledged potential sticking points, including land swaps and security measures, but did not provide specifics on the deal’s terms, rating the deal’s chances at fifty-fifty. Trump indicated he would urge Zelenskyy to make a deal, highlighting Russia’s significant power advantage.
John Q. Hosedrinker