⌨Trump's appearance at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden with Elon Musk, RFK Jr., and other cabinet nominees dominated morning coverage, symbolizing the consolidation of his emerging power structure. The event highlighted the fusion of political, tech, and media figures in Trump's coalition.
By afternoon, news shifted to Biden's authorization of ATACMS missile use inside Russian territory, marking a departure from previous policy restrictions. This move, coming during the transition period, generated discussion about its impact on Trump's stated Ukraine peace plans.
Pete Hegseth's Defense Secretary nomination faced complications as reports emerged of an NDA-linked sexual assault settlement. House Speaker Johnson moved to keep Matt Gaetz's ethics report sealed, citing his status as a "private citizen," while Senate Democrats prepared for confirmation battles.
Evening coverage focused on Pope Francis's call for an investigation of potential genocide in Gaza, as an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut.