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2:40 PM ET, May 19, 2026

memeorandum

 Top Items: 
Greg Sargent / New Republic:
Trump's Angry Jan. 6 Tirade Accidentally Hands Dems Midterm Weapon  —  Now that Donald Trump has created his very own political slush fund with $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to hand out to allies, the very least that Democrats can do right now is this: Do everything possible to force Republicans to vote on it—over and over again.
RELATED:
Paul Krugman:
The Looting of America  —  So the Trump administration is creating a $1.776 billion slush fund — 1776, get it? — to pay off victims of “lawfare and weaponization.”  Just to be clear, if you're a U.S. taxpayer, this action means that almost $1.8 billion of your money will be handed …
Discussion: Raw Story
Josh Gerstein / Politico:
Justice Department expands Trump settlement to cover his tax audits … The waiver specifically encompasses “tax returns filed before the effective date” of the settlement, which was Monday.  —  Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the addendum, dated Tuesday.
Andrew Duehren / New York Times:
Top Treasury Lawyer Resigns After Creation of ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’  —  Brian Morrissey, the department's general counsel, stepped down hours after the Trump administration announced the $1.8 billion fund.  —  The top lawyer at the Treasury Department stepped down on Monday in the wake …
Zachary Basu / Axios:
Trumpworld's presidential gold rush  —  Democrats erupted Monday over President Trump's $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for MAGA allies who claim political persecution, vowing to investigate what they called textbook corruption. … - The taxpayer-backed fund will be overseen …
Rebecca Beitsch / The Hill:
Senators put Blanche on defense over $1.776B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
Jay Willis / Balls and Strikes:
The Trump IRS Lawsuit Settlement Will Use Your Tax Dollars to Make January 6ers Rich
Chris Geidner / Law Dork:
Read Trump's “settlement” with the Trump admin to create a nearly $2 billion slush fund that Trump ultimately controls
Scott MacFarlane Reports:
“DAY AHEAD” - Senators Launch Probes of Justice Dept after Trump Establishes Fund for Convicted Criminals
Discussion: New Republic
Wall Street Journal:
See How Trump's Accounts Were Busy Trading Big Tech Stocks
Discussion: Bloomberg
G. Elliott Morris / Strength In Numbers:
Independents and 2024 non-voters have swung back left  —  The big story in the new NYT/Siena poll isn't Trump's 37% approval (although that's very bad) — it's a 24-point swing among persuadable voters  —  I received six emails from major news outlets on Monday asking me to comment …
RELATED:
Tamara Keith / NPR:
These men voted for President Trump.  They have very different views of how he's doing  —  Gerald and Wally are Black men who live in the suburbs of Atlanta.  Both grew up voting for Democrats and voted for President Joe Biden in 2020.  Then in 2024, they switched to voting for President Trump.
Discussion: Raw Story and Bloomberg
Kate Riga / Talking Points Memo:
Trump Finally Endorses Paxton over Cornyn in Texas Senate Primary  —  President Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) over Sen. John Cornyn (R) in the Texas Senate primary runoff Tuesday after months of waffling.  —  “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas …
RELATED:
New York Times:
Republican Senators Are Livid at Trump's Endorsement of Paxton
Lauren McGaughy / New York Times:
A Single Donation Could Upend the G.O.P. Primary for Texas Attorney General
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Five dead, including two teenage suspects, at San Diego mosque shooting  —  A security guard at the Islamic Center of San Diego was among those killed outside the building on Monday morning, police said  —  The San Diego Union-Tribune, TERI FIGUEROA |  The San Diego Union-Tribune and CALEB LUNETTA |
RELATED:
Julie Watson / Associated Press:
Teenage gunmen open fire on San Diego mosque, killing 3 men and then themselves  —  Two teenage shooters opened fire at a San Diego mosque on Monday and killed three men before killing themselves a few blocks away, police said.  The attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being investigated …
John Towfighi / CNN:
30-year US Treasury yield hits highest level in 19 years  —  Investing The Middle East Interest rates  —  A bond rout is deepening as inflation fears take hold of the Treasury market, threatening to raise borrowing costs across the US economy.  —  The 30-year US Treasury yield just hit 5.2% …
Discussion: UPI, CNBC, NewsMax.com and Reuters
New York Times:
G.O.P. Supporters Back Trump, but a Third Seek a New Direction for the Party  —  While President Trump remains overwhelmingly popular within the Republican coalition, a New York Times/Siena poll found, a sizable share wants the party's next nominee to take a different approach.
RELATED:
Nate Cohn / New York Times:   A Generational Fracture Emerges for Republicans Over Foreign Policy
Fox News:
Unearthed posts show Dem Senate hopeful praising vulgar graffiti, making crude porta potty admission  —  GOP strategist calls the yearslong trail of posts a ‘character issue’ ahead of a potential race against Susan Collins  —  Editor's note: This story contains graphic language.
Demetri Sevastopulo / Financial Times:
Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Putin might ‘regret’ invasion of Ukraine  —  US president also suggested they should co-operate with Russian leader against the International Criminal Court  —  Xi Jinping told Donald Trump during their talks last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin might end …
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Book on Truth in the Age of A.I. Contains Quotes Made Up by A.I.  —  Steven Rosenbaum, author of “The Future of Truth,” said he had started his own investigation after The New York Times asked about the fake quotes.  —  The author of a nonfiction book about the effects of artificial intelligence …
Wall Street Journal:
Russia's War Is Going Badly—on the Ground and in the Air  —  Putin shows no signs he is rethinking his aims  —  KYIV—Ukraine's military has wrestled Russia's much-larger army almost to a halt in recent months, having gained a tactical and technological edge.
RELATED:
Bloomberg:
Ukraine Sees US Seeking Technology Transfers in Drone Deal
Discussion: NewsMax.com
KFF:
What We Know So Far About 2026 ACA Marketplace Enrollment, Premiums, and Deductibles  —  Authors: Matt McGough, Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, and Cynthia Cox  —  News Release: The Average Marketplace Deductible Grew by About $1,000 Per Person in 2026, With More Enrollees Shifting to Higher-Deductible Plans as Enhanced Tax Credits Expired
RELATED:
Christopher Rowland / Washington Post:
Millions expected to lose Affordable Care Act coverage as costs spike
Discussion: Newsweek
Courtney Tanner / Salt Lake Tribune:
After Sharon McMahon controversy, Utah colleges must now vote on commencement speakers  —  When author and educator Sharon McMahon was initially named this year's Utah Valley University commencement speaker, there was no official vote or debate where members of the public could weigh in.
Edward Luce / Financial Times:
America's ailing one-trick pony  —  Trump's excessive faith in military power is squarely within the US tradition  —  Count the obliterated targets.  Tally the corpses of senior leaders.  Behold America's military prowess.  By any measure, Iran has taken a pummelling.
Wall Street Journal:
The American Rebellion Against AI Is Gaining Steam  —  Booed commencement speakers, blocked data centers, plummeting poll numbers: Fast-growing industry has a faster-growing crisis  —  The only thing growing faster than the artificial-intelligence industry may be Americans' negative feelings about it …
Gwynne Hogan / The City:
Immigrant Detained in Court A Day After Judge Barred Most ICE Arrests  —  A Honduran man was arrested after a hearing inside 26 Federal Plaza a day after a judge barred most arrests inside New York City immigration courts.  —  Court observers and advocates were shocked Tuesday morning …
Discussion: Mercury News and The Independent
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel / Washington Post:
Health worker shortage will worsen with federal loan limit, 25 states say in suit  —  The lawsuit comes after the Education Department finalized rules that reduce the amount of money graduate students can borrow from the federal government.  —  A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states …
Amy B Wang / Washington Post:
NAACP calls for college sports boycott in states targeting Black voting power  —  The group urges Black athletes to withhold commitments to athletic programs in eight states over redistricting, and it also asks fans to stop buying tickets.  —  Summary  —  The NAACP is calling on Black athletes …
 
 
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 More Items: 
Katie Drummond / Wired:
Tom Steyer Wants to Save California From Billionaires. But Also Doesn't Want Them to Leave
Discussion: Los Angeles Times
Julia Manchester / The Hill:
Trump to appear in campaign-style event with vulnerable Mike Lawler
Discussion: Bloomberg and NewsMax.com
Andrew Pantazi / Axios:
Ghislaine Maxwell will not get pardon recommendation, Blanche says
Agence France-Presse:
Iran stages mass weddings for couples ready for war ‘sacrifice’
Samantha Michaels / Mother Jones:
Memphis Is “Under Full-Blown Occupation” by ICE. Here's Why You May Not Know That.
Discussion: Reason
Brian Krebs / Krebs on Security:
CISA Admin Leaked AWS GovCloud Keys on Github
Kenny Stancil / Talking Points Memo:
Democrats Shouldn't Let Russell Vought Fly Under the Radar
 Earlier Items: 
Ronda Kaysen / New York Times:
Trump's Deportations Are Costing Americans Jobs
Paul Waldman / Public Notice:
No one is coming to bail Trump out of his disastrous war
Bill Scher / Washington Monthly:
Democrats Have the Biggest Midterm Election Lead in May, by any Party, in 20 Years
Discussion: Sabato's Crystal Ball
NOTUS:
Trump Is Pressuring John Thune to Fire the Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Funding
 

 
From Mediagazer:

Gene Maddaus / Variety:
A US judge orders a temporary halt to the Paramount-WBD merger, as a 12-state coalition, led by California, argues it would violate federal antitrust law

MJ Franklin / New York Times:
How publishers are cashing in on surging public interest in The Odyssey through splashy reissues; Circana BookScan says sales of The Odyssey rose by 76% YoY

Andrew Marchand / The Athletic:
Memo: ESPN's Jimmy Pitaro announces layoffs, mostly due to the NFL Network acquisition; sources: on-air personalities Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark are affected

 
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