memeorandum: Inside Donald Trump's secret plan to end the Ukraine-Russia war (Washington Post)

6:50 PM ET, April 7, 2024

Top Items:

Suspect Arrested in Arson at Burlington Office of Senator Sanders — For Immediate Release — U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont — Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that Shant Soghomonian (also known as Michael Soghomonian) …

Discussion: Washington Examiner, USA Today, Axios, NBC News, Associated Press, UPI, KDFX-TV, RedState, The Daily Beast, Politico and NPR

Shauneen Miranda / Axios:

Trump: Would be a “great honor” to be jailed for gag order violation … - “We have to Save our Country from these Political Operatives masquerading as Prosecutors and Judges, and I am willing to sacrifice my Freedom for that worthy cause,” he said. … - Merchan expanded the gag order …

Discussion: Rolling Stone, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Raw Story, HuffPost and CNBC

Reuters:

Trump: it would be ‘great honor’ to go to jail for violating gag order — Former U.S. President Donald Trump said it would be “my great honor” to go to jail for violating a gag order imposed by the judge who will hear his upcoming trial on charges stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn star.

Discussion: USA Today and New York Post

Dan Pfeiffer / The Message Box:

Why is the Press Making Trump Seem More Normal? — Believe it or not, much of the political press has an inadvertent pro-Trump bias — On Thursday morning, Donald Trump was a guest on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. Hewitt is a one time Never Trump conservative turned obsequious Trump flunkie.

Discussion: Digby's Hullabaloo and Political Wire

Marianna Sotomayor / Washington Post:

‘Increasingly chaotic’: Why House Republicans are heading for the exits — The decision by 21 Republican lawmakers to step back is indicative of the broader morale problem within the GOP conference — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise thought he had a good argument for Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).

Discussion: Business Insider and Raw Story

Khaleda Rahman / Newsweek:

Melania's Appearance With Donald Trump Sparks Mockery: ‘Checking the Clock’ — Melania Trump's appearance at a fundraiser with husband Donald Trump has prompted mockery on social media. — The former first lady has maintained a low profile as her husband seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024.

Discussion: KDFX-TV, CNN, Raw Story, CBS News, ABC News, Fox News and PinkNews

Steven Shepard / Politico:

The polls are suggesting a huge shift in the electorate. Are they right? — It's a significant reversal from recent history: President Joe Biden is struggling with young voters but performing better than most Democrats with older ones. — Something weird is happening beneath …

Discussion: Axios, The Daily Caller and New York Magazine

Axios:

Gaza buildings and land decimated in 6 months of war … - More than 100 Israelis are still being held hostage in Gaza. — Even prior to Oct. 7, years of Israeli blockade and military operations in the densely-populated enclave left many in Gaza with inadequate access to clean water, electricity or sewer.

Barak Ravid / Axios:
6 months in, the Gaza war is in limbo — which may help Bibi stay in power

Discussion: The Times of Israel and Raw Story

Sanjana Karanth / HuffPost:

José Andrés Frustrated It Took Foreign Aid Workers' Deaths To Spark Global Outrage Over Gaza — The chef said that while the World Central Kitchen attack was devastating, it should not have taken six foreigners' deaths for the world to care about Gaza. — LOADING

Discussion: Associated Press, Rolling Stone and CAIR

NBC News:

Trump tells billionaires he'll keep their taxes low at $50 million fundraising gala — Biden hit Trump for promising to extend the tax cuts in a video released Saturday. — WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of extending his signature tax cuts …

Discussion: Rolling Stone and Associated Press

Washington Post:

Inside Donald Trump's secret plan to end the Ukraine-Russia war — Foreign policy experts and some Republicans warned that pressuring Ukraine to cede land would reward Putin — Former president Donald Trump has privately said he could end Russia's war in Ukraine by pressuring Ukraine …

Discussion: USA Today, New York Post, The Moderate Voice, WiredPen, Raw Story, The Kyiv Independent, Democrats, RedState and Reuters

Rachel Leingang / The Guardian:

‘Mischief and problems’: rightwing activists ramp up drive to hand-count ballots — Mike Lindell and fellow influencers have hit the road since Donald Trump's 2020 loss, threatening chaos for the 2024 election — The fight for democracy is supported by — This article was published …

Discussion: Raw Story and Alternet.org

Filip Timotija / The Hill:

Former GOP rep says Trump ‘appeals to the worst of us,’ calls on Biden ‘to recognize the moment’ — Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh (Ill.) said that former President Trump “appeals to the worst of us” when discussing his rhetoric and called on President Biden to “recognize the moment” …

Discussion: Washington Examiner

Miranda Nazzaro / The Hill:

Rep. Adam Smith says he trusts Speaker Johnson will ‘not abandon Ukraine’ — Democratic Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.) said on Sunday that he trusts House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) 's pledge not to abandon Ukraine and predicted Johnson's ability to fulfill that pledge would give little reason to Democrats to oust him.

Discussion: Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, KDFX-TV, Washington Times and CBS News