Signal Gate 2.0: Hard Boiled (and now 3.0?)
Welcome to Monday newsletter. The episode dropped on Friday, and between recording last Wednesday and today - we have updates, updates, and more updates! Can the administration stick to one position for more than a week? SO ICYMI, here's what we covered on the show last week and some quick updates.
Upgrade Your Signalgate to the Latest Version
Well well well - just when you thought it couldn't get anymore strange. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was so JUICED to tell the homies in his fantasy football league about military strikes that he installed a "dirty" internet line in his Pentagon office. This allows him to access the broader web without going through the basic security protocols that the SAME WARRIORS HE KEEPS TALKING ABOUT have to follow. And now the (not so) private phone number he used to access Signal... is all over the internet.
Oh and send this email from HIS MOTHER to anyone you think is backing old Secretary of Signal Hegseth.
Trump's Ukraine Peace Deal for Russia
Trump surrogates have been pushing for a Russian/Ukrainian peace deal that (surprise, surprise) largely favors Russia. The initial deal, reportedly developed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steven Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, was presented to Zelensky as Trump's "final offer" before withdrawing US support.
For the Russians, the deal recognizes their control of Crimea, as well as all other territory they currently occupy. It promises that Ukraine will never join NATO, lifts sanctions that have been in place since 2014, and promises more economic cooperation in energy and industrial sectors. For Ukraine, the deal offers a "robust security guarantee" (not from the US but Europe) and does not prohibit its entry into the EU. It returns a small portion of Kharkiv oblast and promises unimpeded access to the Dnieper River. It also offers compensation and rebuilding assistance but does not specify from whom and when this will come. All and all a rather bleak offer for the Ukrainians who have already lost over a hundred thousands lives in their fight to maintain their independence.
Over the weekend however, Trump and Zelensky met briefly at the Vatican where both were paying their respects to Pope Francis. Zelensky had traveled to Rome with a counterproposal for peace, but that proposal has yet to be published. On his plane ride home, Trump seemed to change his stance a bit, criticizing Russia for its continued attacks and questioning their commit to a peaceful solution. Zelensky posted, “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you @POTUS.”
Russia meanwhile has upped its attacks on Ukraine, including bombing a restaurant where Putin claimed people “deserving the most serious punishment” were “drinking vodka” there. Putin is seemingly pushing his advantage and testing how far Trump is willing to go in his support. Even though Trump's proposed deal heavily favors Russia, it still doesn't go as far as Russia had hoped when it launched its invasion. Trump can't seem to understand why big homie won't just admire his Art of the Deal.
Trump's patience with the war appears to be stretching thin as his response to the bombings gave voice to his frustration, “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Rubio announced on Sunday that the Trump Administration would decide this week whether they will continue pursuing a negotiated settlement to end the war or abandon the effort, and possibly Ukraine along with it.
JD Vance First 100 Days & His Ill-Timed Visit with Pope Francis
On the show, Travis outlined the gaffe-filled first 100 days of Vance's term as VP, making note of how often Vance is traveling overseas. Mayhaps Trump does not enjoy his company? In any case, Vance paid a visit to Pope Francis last week, who completely coincidentally died within 24 hours. Such is the luck of our sad sack VP.
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