The Status Kuo

I’m writing today for The Big Picture about Trump’s surprise deal with Putin to buy Russian diesel. It’s his way of “addressing” the fuel price crisis. If you’re wondering, to accomplish this the Trump regime had to set aside sanctions and violate laws on the books. On Friday, after a phone call between the two men, Trump announced that Russia would ship millions of tons of diesel to American and global markets. Within hours, a compliant Treasury issued a six-month waiver clearing the way.

My office is closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, so no regular Status Kuo today. But I did want to share with you an incredible update: Since last night, this community has already raised $29,308 for Cait Conley in the critical NY-17 House race to unseat Mike Lawler! And here’s a really cool trend: Many readers who are on Medicare relayed that had received $90 “rebates” from Trump, with which he is basically trying once again to buy their votes.

We’re in the home stretch of the midterms. Early voting is already happening across the country. And the good news is, we have the GOP on the ropes! But that definitely does not mean we let up. Not one moment. Today is the last time I’m going to ask you to help power the Blue Tsunami. The target of our mission today, should you choose to accept it, is chief MAGA apologist Mike Lawler. He’s among the most vulnerable House Republicans who currently sit in a district won by Kamala Harris.

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As Trump’s hold on power slips, he has cranked up the heat. And that could set off a dangerous spiral. Photo courtesy of CNN Many have long predicted that, as Trump loses his grip on power and grows ever more cornered, he would begin to lash out. Things would turn even darker and uglier than before, which is saying something.

This week, Democracy Docket has dropped four disturbing reports of the regime’s efforts to suppress the vote. But voting rights groups are fighting back. Hero of the Republic Marc Elias, photo courtesy of Democracy Docket On Monday, the first day California opened its ballot drop boxes for the midterms, masked ICE officers detained the parent of a student in a parking lot at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria—even though ICE claims it has “no record of activity” there.

A week of alarming, unhinged statements by Trump raises the question of whether the press can still report with clarity and courage. Photo courtesy of CNN President Donald Trump has seemed both desperate and filterless lately. In the first week of a 32-day rally blitz before the midterms, he has said plenty that no other politician could get away with. And yet the press lets him do just that, sane-washing and second-guessing his vile words.

I’m writing today for The Big Picture about the Trump family’s ever-expanding corrupt business empire—and what a Democratic Congress could do to start dismantling it. Over the weekend, the New York Times reported that Vladimir Putin pitched Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on a multibillion-dollar deal for Lukoil’s sanctioned oil assets.

A possible retirement of one of history’s most radical justices in history looms large over the midterms. Photo courtesy of CBS News So, will he or won’t he? That’s the question on many minds after Jan Crawford’s interview on CBS with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. The 76-year-old destroyer of democratic norms said he had “thought about” retiring after the Court’s last term but decided to stay on. He told Crawford he believed he could still make a valuable contribution (cough).

As we head into the election that will define our nation’s future, let us reflect upon the wisdom of our dearly departed Dolly Parton. The rest of the world sees him for what he is. Will our voters? If the polls are correct, all he’s got left are the die-hard MAGAs. Some of what happens these days you really can’t make up. Like this moment. Or this one, when the oligarchs and Trump signed the so-called “Super Intelligence” agreement.