Or at least close. I'm sure the Presidential Palace still has power. At Hat Hair, John Sexton reports Cuba's Energy Grid Collapses, Entire Island Loses Power, Anti-Communist Street Protests Erupt in Cuba and Trump: Cuba's President Has Got to Go. VodkaPundit at Insty calls it CHANGE I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN: "Trump says he thinks he will have the ‘honor’ of taking Cuba. Here’s how much the Commie regime cracked on Monday: Cuba plans to open up to investment from nationals living in U.S., as Trump puts pressure on island." Althouse cites her NYT: "The move would topple a key figurehead but leave in place the repressive Communist government that has ruled Cuba for more than 65 years." ""The Americans have signaled to Cuban negotiators that the president must go, but are leaving the next steps up to the Cubans, the people said. The United States so far is not pushing for any action against Castro family members, who remain the country’s top power brokers, two of the people said. That is consistent with the general desire of Mr. Trump and his aides to force regime compliancerather than regime change in their foreign policy...." From "Trump Administration Said to Tell Cuba That Its President Has to Go/The United States has told Cuba that for meaningful progress to be made in negotiations, President Miguel DÃaz-Canel must step down, said people familiar with the talks" (NYT). This, of course, is merely a bank shot from the Venezuelan affair. Atop Da Hill says It’s all about China: Trump’s seemingly chaotic global policy all makes sense.
From NYPo, Trump briefed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is probably gay — and president has priceless reaction, "President Trump and aides reportedly laughed aloud at the intelligence report." At TownHall, Matt Vespa thinks The Reactions to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei Being Gay Are Hilariously Outrageous, not that there's anything wrong with that. Dave Manney at PJM hears Reports Claim Mojtaba Khamenei in 'Low Condition,' Said to Be Dull-Witted. Clay Travis @ClayTravis, "Iran has reportedly kidnapped the families of the Iranian women’s soccer team members who requested asylum & the women are now abandoning those claims and returning to the country to face torture or death. No prominent left wing American women’s soccer players have said a word." VodkaPundit at PJM thinks Iran Looking *Almost* Ripe for Regime Change. At Hat Hair Dave Strom looks at signs Are Iranian Security Forces Turning on Each Other?
Hat Hair's Capt. Ed cites Axios: Trump Mulls Kharg Island Seizure; 'Hormuz Coalition'. From Fox, US could take Iran’s main oil export hub ‘at a time of our choosing,’ Jack Keane says. "Keane says seizing Kharg Island would control 50% of Iran's budget and 80-90% of oil distribution points." Ace hears Trump: I'm Thinking of Seizing Iran's Critical Port Island, Kharg "I'm calling this island "Dinky Greenland."" Sounds like a good idea. Send the Marines in sneakers so you can deny "boots on the ground."
At RedState, Nick Arama sees a Mic Drop: Trump Shreds European Countries' Response on Ships for Strait, Adds Hilarious Take on France. Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh, "HOLY SMOKES. President Trump just EVISCERATED American "allies" refusing to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz, openly MOCKS them "Do you have any minesweepers? 'Well, we'd rather NOT get involved, sir!' I said, you mean for 40 YEARS we're protecting YOU and you don't want to get involved in something that is very minor?!" "Very few shots going to be taken because they don't have many shots left." "But they said, 'we'd rather not get involved!'" "We'll protect them! If ever needed, they WON'T BE THERE FOR US. I knew that for a long period of time!"" Rapid Response 47 @RapidResponse47, "Reporter: Have you been speaking with President Macron about the coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? @POTUS: "Yeah, I have spoken to him. He's been, on a scale of 0-10, I'd say he's been an 8. Not perfect — but it's France."" Guy Benson @guypbenson, "(Iran attacked a British base during this conflict and has actively plotted multiple murder plots on UK soil)." Quote Lucas Tomlinson @LucasFoxNews "Starmer: Britain will ‘not be drawn’ into war with Iran." John Sexton hears Germany and Spain Say No but Other Countries Ready to Help in Strait of Hormuz. No oil for you! OSINTdefender @sentdefender, "During an interview Sunday with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the UAE’s Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy said that the United Arab Emirates is “doubling down” on its agreements with the United States following continued attacks by Iran..." Hat Hair's Beege Welborn notes The Misadventures of Our Northern Syrupean Neighbors Continue. Harrison Faulkner @Harry__Faulkner, "Mark Carney says Canada will never participate in the U.S./Israel military campaign against Iran: "Canada is not participating in the offensive operations of Israel and the United States and will not ever."" Dave Strom observes Al Jazeera Is Now More Positive on US-Israeli Strategy Than US Media. "When you look at what has actually happened to Iran’s principal instruments of power – its ballistic missile arsenal, its nuclear infrastructure, its air defences, its navy and its proxy command architecture – the picture is not one of US failure. It is one of systematic, phased degradation of a threat that previous administrations allowed to grow for four decades." Capt. Ed at Hat Hair VIP, Trump: It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Mullah Sings; PLUS: What MBS Told Trump. "According to several officials, the advice Mr. Trump is getting from the prince is to keep hitting the Iranians hard — essentially repeating the advice that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who died in 2015, repeatedly gave to Washington: “Cut off the head of the snake.”" Jim Geraghty @jimgeraghty, "I would note that Trump’s unexpected attacks against Venezuela and Iran have added to his own personal version of the “madman theory.” Nobody knows what Trump will do in the near future, in part because Trump probably doesn’t know himself. Nicolás Maduro thought so little of President Trump that he mocked him with a little dance. He’s probably not dancing in his cell in the Metropolitan Detention Center this morning. Last October, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sneered that Trump’s speech to the Knesset was “empty words” and “buffoonery.” The ayatollah could not be reached for comment, nor could his son." Having no firm ideology, Trump is free to react to events.
Harold Hutchinson at Da Caller hears Sen Fetterman Does Not Spare Fellow Dems Over Gov’t Shutdown Effects: ‘Why Would You Wanna Punish All These Workers?’ A Larry vid at Hat Hair argues Adam Schiff Sweats As Democrat War on DHS Starts Backfiring.
Tom Knighton at BA sees Virginia Democrats Pass Measure That'll Screw Over Younger Military Members. Bryce Reeves @ReevesVA, "Well so much for being the most veteran and active duty friendly state. This bill passed today is extremely limiting and restrictive taking away 2nd Amendment rights for those under 21. Take note no democrat senators have served in law enforcement nor the military yet make laws when the have zero ideas like the patron what they are even talking about. It’s going to make it illegal for any military member under 21 in Virginia to have a firearm." Shooting News Week, The Gun Control Push in Virginia is About More Than Just Banning ARs and 30-Round Magazines This isn’t just about banning scary guns and magazines, it’s about destroying the gun culture in the long term. You will still have your guns and your mags, but those who aren’t yet into shooting (or who are too young right now) will be denied them. For the same reason, announcing “I will not comply” isn’t enough. Sure, go ahead and have your secret gun collection that your kids or grandkids will then turn in once you die. That’s some “win.”"
The Manhattan Contrarian wants to know, Dear Mayor Mamdani, Just Wondering, Are You Planning To Pay Your Own Millionaires' Tax? "You might ask, does Mamdami have income in excess of $1 million per year? That depends on what counts as “income.” His official salary is $258,000, which would appear to leave him far below the million dollar threshold. But how about the perks? To start with, there’s Gracie Mansion, into which he recently moved..."
Sister Toldja at RedState says Oops: Newsom's Revisionist Tour Hits Snag When He Makes a Florida Claim That DeSantis Won't Let Stand. Gavin Newsom @GavinNewsom, "Fox News refuses to report the truth: Texas and Florida are the REAL high-tax states." Ron DeSantis @RonDeSantis, "There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Then there is whatever you’d call the claim that California has lower taxes than Florida. Even people who like California governance acknowledge CA is a very high tax state: highest sales, income and gas taxes in the nation." Quote Tom Bevan @TomBevanRCP, "This is just a blatant, verifiable falsehood. Here's a Wallethub 2025 analysis of the overall tax burden by state: California is 4th highest. Texas is 40th." John Sexton sees yet Another Billionaire Leaves California to Avoid the Wealth Tax "Travis Kalanick, the billionaire founder of Uber, has left California behind and is now living in Texas. HIs reason is obvious based on the timing." Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes, "City of Los Angeles bought a Ramada Inn for $10.2 million to house homeless Since then, they started sending money to a NGO to takeover the project. Its now sat vacant for 4 years and $20 MILLION has been spent, meant to house only 32 people No work being done. Money laundering “For years, neighbors say construction has been slow. Where are the workers? Where is the urgency? — For almost 4 years, the property has sat unfinished. Why does it take so long and such a waste of money, there's nothing to even show for it”"
Matt Margolis observes The Obama Gravy Train Just Hit a Disgusting New Low. Grifters gonna grift.
TCW on Project Vaccine and the Epstein connection.
Kurt Schlichter identifies a possible SCOTUS candidate for Trump, Dirty Words Trump Dirty Deeds for the Next SCOTUS Pick. "Judge Van Dyke has had it. He’s had it with a judicial system that is focused not even on the needs of weirdos, losers, and mutations but on the base and disgusting desires of weirdos, losers, and mutations. We see this all the time in cases where we’re expected to simply tolerate hobos defecating on our streets, criminals stealing and killing, illegal aliens illegal aliening, and, here, adult men who are either mentally ill because they believe they are women, or, more likely, are flat-out perverts who get off on exposing themselves to little girls." Shipwreckedcrew, Mass. Federal Judge Going For Trifecta With Supreme Court -- Again Invents Law Requiring Criminal Aliens To Get MORE Due Process Before Removal To Third Countries. "Twice SCOTUS has vacated decisions by Judge Brian Murphy that imposed restrictions on ability of DOJ/DHS to remove aliens to third countries when removal to their own country is not possible."
Declassified with Julie Kelly asks Did Jerome Powell Try to 'Strongarm' His Way out of a Criminal Investigation? "Powell's attorney warned his client would remain on the Federal Reserve Board after his term as chairman ends in May...unless, of course, Jeanine Pirro made him an offer he couldn't refuse."
Tom Klingstein argues Red States Hold the Key to Deportations. Capt. Ed says Oh The Horror: Texas Now Requires Professional, Trade Licensees to Prove One Thing First, legal residency. From Fox, FBI busts convenience store clerks for 'staged armed robberies' to apply for immigration benefits, "Prosecutors allege the conspiracy involved scripted fake crimes at stores across Massachusetts starting in March 2023...Prosecutors allege the scheme centered on fake robberies designed to help clerks or store owners seek U visas, a form of immigration relief available to certain victims of serious crimes who assist law enforcement."
Simulator di tutti i Simulatori @fleshsimulator, "
“You don’t understand, I had to import a million billion migrants from third world hellholes who refuse to assimilate; the alternative was that AfD might win.” “What’s their platform?” “Not importing a million billion third world migrants, mostly.”" Quote illuminatibot @iluminatibot "Angela Merkel admitted she flooded Germany with third world foreigners for the votes. She said it was to stop the AfD party!"
DataRepublican at substack,
The Blob Eats Its Own: War on the Rocks and the Capture of Realist Journalism "What the doxxing of Cynical Publius reveals about how the national security establishment protects itself." John Konrad,
War on Rocks - The Real Reason Data Republican Is So Effective. Most effective political operators use motive-attribution. They assign intent. They build narratives. They are loud and inflammatory and they generate engagement through the anger cycle Rosenberg described.
DR does none of that. Her method is the opposite of the Marcuse playbook. No assumptions about intent. No shortcuts. No neat three-word explanations of what someone was really thinking. Cold. Hard Facts. But not just any facts. Lots of people do that. Here facts are aimed directly at the left's perception of themselves." The awesome focus of an autistic genius.
