memeorandum: Exclusive: Iran alerted Russia to security threat before Moscow attack, sources say (Parisa Hafezi/Reuters)

9:30 AM ET, April 1, 2024

Top Items:

Chris Geidner / Law Dork:

“Trending: Easter Controversy,” or: How little lies pave the way for the next big lie — No-News Weekend Internet is stupid-dangerous in the Trump era — as this weekend's attack on the Transgender Day of Visibility shows. — This weekend's gaslighting from the right around Easter falling …

Discussion: Washington Post, HuffPost, New York Daily News and The Hill

Paige Skinner / HuffPost:

Caitlyn Jenner ‘Disgusted’ Over Trans Day Of Visibility Being On Easter — Transgender Day of Visibility has been on March 31 since its inception in 2009. Easter is a different date each year, however. — LOADING — Caitlyn Jenner, a trans woman, wrote on social media Saturday that she is …

Discussion: New York Post, KXAN-TV, The Gateway Pundit, WGN-TV, MeidasTouch, USA Today, Breitbart, Alpha News, Fox News, Mother Jones and CNN

Nick Robertson / The Hill:

Here's what Trump and Biden said in their Easter messages — President Biden and former President Trump shared starkly different Easter messages Sunday. — Biden marked the holy day with a solemn message, while Trump lashed out at political opponents in an all-caps post on Truth Social.

Discussion: Politico, The White House, The Bulwark, Raw Story, Boston Herald, Breitbart, The Gateway Pundit, PoliticusUSA, The Guardian, Crooks and Liars, National Review and Associated Press

The Insider:

“Unit 29155's scope is global for conducting lethal operations and acts of sabotage. Their mission is to find, fix, and finish, all in support of Vladimir Putin's imperial dreams." — Originally conceived as a training unit within the GRU, it was reorganized and expanded in 2008 …

Discussion: Politico, Agence France-Presse, CBS News, The Daily Beast and Axios

Peter Wade / Rolling Stone:

Trump Launches Another Attack on Judge's Daughter, This Time with Photos — The former president accused Judge Juan Merchan's daughter of presenting a conflict of interest, possibly violating a gag order — Donald Trump launched yet another attack against the daughter …

Discussion: The Hill, Althouse, The Bulwark, The Daily Beast and Raw Story

Reuters:

Would-be Tesla buyers snub company as Musk's reputation dips — The ranks of would-be Tesla buyers in the United States are shrinking, according to a survey by market intelligence firm Caliber, which attributed the drop in part to CEO Elon Musk's polarizing persona.

Discussion: Fortune and Bloomberg

Parisa Hafezi / Reuters:

Exclusive: Iran alerted Russia to security threat before Moscow attack, sources say — Iran tipped off Russia about the possibility of a major “terrorist operation” on its soil ahead of the concert hall massacre near Moscow last month, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Discussion: Reuters and KDFX-TV

Politico:

The anti-abortion movement is losing the battle on IVF. It's preparing to win the war. — The groups are not advocating banning IVF but want new restrictions that would significantly curtail access to the procedure. — Anti-abortion advocates worked for five decades to topple Roe v. Wade.

Alex Thompson / Axios:

Exclusive: Trump allies plot anti-racism protections — for white people … Targets would range from decades-old policies aimed at giving minorities economic opportunities, to more recent programs that began in response to the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd.

Discussion: Raw Story

Judd Legum / Popular Information:

New smear campaign puts first Muslim appellate nominee in jeopardy — Republicans first attempted to sink the nomination of Adeel Mangi, who would be the first Muslim American to serve on a federal appellate court, on allegations that he was an anti-semitic terrorist sympathizer.

Davidrlurie / Public Notice:

The GOP's extremism problem predates Trump — And it will outlast him. … There's an old adage that politics has no tolerance for losers. But since 2016, the Republican Party has proven otherwise. — Whatever the outcome of the 2024 election, Donald Trump will have realized …

Amanda Marcotte / Salon:

“Stand where he tells you to stand”: Why the GOP is doubling down on misogyny in 2024 — Republicans placate an evangelical base that's getting nastier with sexism — even if costs the party women's votes — “Stand where he tells you to stand, wear what he tells you to wear, and do what he tells you to do.”

Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times:

El Paso judge orders release of migrants accused of ‘border riot’ — An El Paso magistrate judge on Easter Sunday ordered the release of migrants accused in a “border riot” when a stampede overwhelmed National Guard troops along the Rio Grande. — Court officials noted that undocumented migrants …

Discussion: Breitbart, The Gateway Pundit, The Daily Caller, New York Post, Instapundit, RedState, Fox News and Frontpage Mag

CNN:

Johnson sounds out key Republicans with speakership and Ukraine aid on line — Days after his speakership was put on notice by a far-right member, Mike Johnson strategized with a key - and perhaps surprising - source: firebrand GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, the architect of the last effort to remove a speaker.

Discussion: The Hill, Washington Examiner, New York Post, USA Today, KDFX-TV, Raw Story, Axios, Breitbart and Washington Times

Alexandra Marquez / NBC News:
Rep. Don Bacon: 'It's possible' Mike Johnson could lose speakership over Ukraine

Discussion: The Hill, Mediaite, Washington Examiner and New York Post

Shannon Pettypiece / NBC News:

They came for Florida's sun and sand. They got soaring costs and a culture war. — Florida has seen a population boom in recent years, but many longtime residents and recent transplants say rising costs and divisive politics have them fleeing the Sunshine State.