Beautiful, warm morning sunrise.

Some family members drive me nuts, but, head-to-toe Team Blue, for those who need a reminder.

To all my Democratic friends, I 100% get your frustration, raw emotions, and horror when thinking about the future of Ukraine. Totally get it. But, step back and remember who the beggar was. If you want a loan and visit with your banker, in his house, you would not tell him and his advisors they are ignorant and wrong. You would ignore small jabs and stay focused on the bottom line and advancing the conversation to get what you need. I know Trump drives you nuts, and what Zelensky did may have felt good to him and many others, but, looking forward, it was likely not in Ukraine’s best interest.

What is so bizarre about this Oval meeting is that, all week the details of the “deal” were TBD. I assumed, incorrectly apparently, that if Zelensky was coming to sign it, he did so because he did not want the fight with his banker anymore and was going to throw Trump a bone, let him have his moment of “victory”. Instead, it appears he came to “convince” Trump he needs to provide a security guarantee. Whoever told Zelensky to come here and publicly challenge Trump, in his own house, should be fired. Hopefully not, but this may tragically be a public suicide for Ukraine.

An interesting political dynamic appears to be strengthening during 2.0, which was similar to the campaign: Trump’s approval rating is declining slightly, to where he is slightly underwater, while the right track/wrong track is rising to the highest number in 15/20 years. Voters seem to like the actions but less the man, something qualitative and quantitative data screamed all 2024. A lot of Dem’s conflate these two. As we figure out our path forward and develop a plan for the mid terms, we need to separate these dynamics and offer a competing change vision, not just scream maintain/return to the status quo.

The first term had "alternative facts." Perhaps the second term will have "alternative data."

The Trump administration may exclude government spending from GDP, obscuring the impact of DOGE cuts

Great to meet you Deborah! Thanks for saying hi and for watching The Morning Meeting.
@MarkHalperin
, she organizes her friends to watch, too!
Cc
@seanspicer

@2waytvapp

Another young, new voice stepping forward to run and calling for a new generation of leaders…

A Rising Democratic Star Is Ready for New Leadership — Without Chuck Schumer

There is an expression in a crisis: if you have to eat shit, don’t nibble. Team Trump can’t stop nibbling. They should rip the bandaid off, say a mistake was made discussing imminent action on Signal and it won’t happen again. Americans are pretty forgiving and generally rooting for Trump.

Note to my party: I 100% share concern with the tariffs and the economic pain they may cause Americans. But, we need to be careful to not root for failure, stating clearly our support for the goal of righting trade wrongs and fighting for American workers.

A lot of talk about tariffs. ~ 35% of this country has suffered greatly/catostrophically from global trade and we have never really done anything to correct this. These tariffs are targeted to fix those wrongs. But, ~65% of this country has benefited mightily from trade. We have had the best economy of any industrialized country the last thirty years, and many sectors and companies old and new enjoyed tremendous prosperity. The challenge for Trump - and Democrats complaining - is to fix the problems without materially disrupting the benefits. For the good of the country, we need a solution that works.

A lot of political dynamics I am watching this weekend. But two interesting ones are The House of Murdoch and the “bro influencer” world. One is dependent on the base, the other is not. Looking at the “front page” online of the
#nypost
, there is wobbliness in both.

Oof. Looks like we may start this week the way the last one ended.

Dow futures fall 1,500 points Sunday as Trump tariff market rout escalates: Live updates

Cancelling a press conference for a quick pool spray with a few reporters is not a sign of strength and confidence…

Sometimes it takes a little hand holding, but the
#freedomcaucus
finally got the spending cuts joke and approved.

I imagine this is the first of many exemptions to be quietly announced to ease burdens. It's the right thing to do, but also will undercut potency and thus leverage.

President Donald Trump’s administration exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from its so-called reciprocal tariffs, potentially cushioning consumers from sticker shock https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-12/trump-exempts-phones-computers-chips-from-reciprocal-tariffs?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=twitter via
@technology

Always be selling strength and imminent victory. For the good of the country, hopefully it’s true.

Trump aide Hassett says U.S. got 'amazing' tariff deal offers, recession '100% not' happening

Thought a lot about the WI judge’s arrest. When you look at the facts (as of today), her behavior was inexcusable and indefensible. It’s just b/c she is a judge one is initially startled and shocked. D’s, don’t take the bait.

Interesting to hear
@realDonaldTrump
praise
@GovWhitmer1
for her work on the national guard base. For the D’s that embarrassingly and pathetically criticized her for being The White House a few weeks ago, that is what leadership does to help their state.