Polls
Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 65% disapprove; Economist/YouGov puts disapproval at 63%
“Trump approval hits record second-term low: Survey The Hill”
Second Thoughts
Voters and former supporters reconsidering.
Odds
Betting markets active on December shutdown and Zacharia exit replacement
Catherine Rampell, The Bulwark: CEO Tarek Mansour spoke just before Kalshi parted ways with Donald Trump Jr.
“Trump Press Secretary Odds: Market Returns After Zacharia Exit Covers.com”
Corruption
The New York Times reports: Trump urged Huang to fight for his job as the scandal intensified
Reuters reports: Trump says the US does not need an Iran deal as he assigns Vance a new domestic mandate
The New York Times reports: Treasury Secretary Bessent says Commerce Department 'has the pen' on Megaspeed, while Republicans and colleagues turn on Lutnick
Reuters reports: Prediction market ended his advisory contract after his firm 1789 Capital invested in competitor Polymarket.
“The president called the Nvidia chief on Tuesday, continuing a pattern of supporting him even as the spy scandal was intensifying.”
Courts
Lower courts have ruled the policy blocking asylum applications at the southern border is illegal.
DOJ operated for nearly two years as an extension of the White House, unchecked by Republicans.
Federal ruling rejects Trump administration move to withhold New York transportation funds
David Kurtz, Talking Points Memo: The Trump Justice Department is more of a wreck than ever, facing mounting legal losses and judicial rebukes.
Stephen Miller says federal judges lack authority over immigration as legal experts expect court pushback
“The case is the latest immigration issue the justices will weigh in the coming months.”
Economy & Prices
Canada warns tariffs are raising business costs and threatening US investment as Republican opposition grows
October PPI climbs 0.3%, pushing annual inflation to 6.5% and pressuring the Fed toward more rate hikes
About 6.3 million people could lose SNAP eligibility by 2029 under a proposed USDA rule change, on top of 5.5 million who have already lost benefits.
Energy companies and traders get 90 more days to use foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other commodities.
China warns the US against new semiconductor export controls in the wake of Huang's departure
“Trump threatens to double tariffs on Mexico if it does not halt migrants Reuters”
Who's Out
White House discusses Commerce secretary's future as treasury chief publicly blames his department
Eoin Higgins, The Intercept: By not showing discipline on the Hegseth impeachment vote, Democrats seem poised to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post: An ordinary soldier demanded respect from the man who styles himself the secretary of war
Rep. Nick LaLota argues Miller's MAGA reputation makes him a credible negotiator on immigration legislation.
“What happened this week under the Trump administration.”
Fact Check
Trump said 'nobody's been killed in the last five months' despite saluting four fallen soldiers in July
DOJ's assertions about future-born voters called 'wild'
GOP results in 2026 worse than pre-election surveys predicted, Saletan argues at The Bulwark
“President Donald Trump has claimed there have been no U.S.”
Wars
European security thrust into the heart of closed-door negotiations
Putin agrees to European participation; Kushner says US working toward largest prisoner exchange of the war
Becca Wasser and Dina Esfandiary, The New York Times: A smaller US footprint means lower costs and more responsibility from Gulf allies.
Trump dials back diplomatic efforts as Tehran sticks to its demands and a third aircraft carrier arrives
UNRWA chief questions ceasefire status as mediators call for end to Israeli violations
“The hard-line position of Russian officials in closed-door negotiations about ending the war thrusts European security into the heart of the talks.”
Health
PBS NewsHour reports: The Trump administration will invest up to $4.9 million over five years in ibogaine research, with Mark Cuban's help, while senators warn against betting on unproven health trials.
USA Today: RFK Jr. helped bring measles back to the US
Associated Press reports: Documents published by AP and The Guardian refute Kennedy's congressional testimony on 2019 visit
PBS NewsHour reports: Beshear urges Trump to pick a health secretary without 'a worm in their brain'
“Alsobrooks, Wyden Warn Against Betting on Health Trials; Urge Action from HHS The Washington Informer”
What moved today
The latest tracker changes.
Economy & prices
Full dashboard →The basket, national — versus January 2025 and the 2024 average.
- Regular gasoline$4.00▲ 89 cents vs Jan 2025▲ 70 cents vs 2024 avg
- Eggs (dozen)$2.32▼ $2.63 vs Jan 2025▼ 85 cents vs 2024 avg
- Rent (Zillow ZORI)$1,932▲ $91 vs Jan 2025▲ $105 vs 2024 avg
- 30-year mortgage rate7.11%▲ 0.07 points vs Jan 2025▲ 0.39 points vs 2024 avg
Biggest mover this week: Regular gasoline ▼ 16 cents (3.8%).
Trackers
- Economy & Prices290
What everyday things cost now, versus January 20 2025 and a year ago — gasoline, electricity, natural gas, rent, mortgages, and groceries.
- Midterm races0
Every 2026 federal and gubernatorial race — 435 House districts, 35 Senate seats, 36 governorships — with consensus ratings, candidates, and key dates.
- Polls89
Our own approval averages — national, by state, and by pollster — weighted by recency, sample size, and pollster quality tier.
Get the daily number
One email a day: the countdown and what moved.