Tuesday, September 30, 2025

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Trump Trial Day 14: Michael Cohen, The MeidasTouchers, And a 14-Year-Old!?

The 14th day of former President Donald J. Trump‘s Manhattan-based trial was exclusively dedicated to the defense’s cross-examination of the disbarred serial perjurer Michael Cohen. On Wednesday, Cohen’s former criminal defense attorney, Robert Costello, testified before Congress that his old client had repeatedly claimed to him that he had no evidence against Donald Trump. With most of his Tuesday testimony now in question, Trump’s lead counsel, Todd Blanche, zeroed in on more of Cohen’s lies and hammered the prosecution’s star witness over the shifting details of the disgraced lawyer’s testimony.

COHEN GETS MEIDAS TOUCHED.

The morning started with a muddled exchange about when Cohen found out about Bragg’s indictment against former President Trump. Judge Juan Merchan later sidelined much of the questioning and testimony surrounding this as attorneys on both sides struggled to clarify the timeline of events.

Next, however, Blanche entered into the evidence record a recording of the serial perjurer’s Mea Culpa podcast hosted by the far-left website MeidasTouch. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger objected to the move but was overruled by Judge Merchan.

Cohen can be heard on the podcast recording congratulating Bragg on the Trump indictment. Additionally, Cohen states that he spent countless hours with Bragg. “You never met Alvin Bragg, right?” Blanche asked Cohen.

“Correct,” responded the disgraced lawyer. Again, Blanche, with tightly controlled questioning, elicits another instance where Cohen lied—in this case, to his audience regarding his interactions with the Manhattan District Attorney.

MOTIVATED BY REVENGE. 

The next stage of the Trump defense team’s cross-examination of Michael Cohen focused on the serial perjurer’s possible motivations for testifying against his former boss. Blanche hammered Cohen on the latter’s public statements, celebrating the chance Trump could be sent to prison.

“I truly f**king hope that this man ends up in prison,” Cohen could be heard on a podcast recording played for the jury. The disgraced attorney went on to say: “But revenge is a dish best served cold, and you better believe I want this man to go down and rot inside for what he did to my family.”

Blanche asked Cohen if he had ever said his work with prosecutors had helped get the former President indicted. “I took some credit, yes,” he replied. Trump‘s lead counsel repeated his question. “Yes, that’s what I believe,” responded Cohen.

COHEN CAN’T HELP HIMSELF.

“You continued to call President Trump various names on your podcasts and when you’re even doing CNN interviews, correct?” Blanche asked next, and Cohen admitted he did. Cohen was then presented with his April 21, 2024, TikTok post just before the trial began. In the video, Cohen states he has “mental excitement about the fact that this trial was starting.”

Blanche asked Cohen if he knew a paralegal was monitoring his social media. “That didn’t stop you, did it?” Blanche pressed Cohen. “No, sir,” he replied.

Trump’s defense team hit Cohen hard on both Tuesday and Thursday for his lack of self-control and inability to follow instructions. Blanche’s strategy appears to be to illustrate to jurors that Cohen is motivated only by his own self-perception and selfish desires. Beyond his simply profiting from the trial, Blanche is underscoring that Cohen often acts on his own with disregard for how his actions affect others.

LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES.

Again taking aim at Cohen’s credibility, Blanche walked the disbarred attorney through multiple past instances where he was proven to have lied before courts, lawyers, and Congress. “Was that oath that you took every single time, so going back to all the depositions, the same oath that you took Monday morning in this courtroom?” Blanche asked, with Cohen responding: “Yes, sir.”

“And each time you met with a federal agent you were told that if you made a false statement that that was a felony, a federal crime, correct?” Blanche continued. Again, Cohen responded: “Yes, sir.”

Blanche next focused on Cohen’s lies before the House Intelligence Committee in 2017. “There were a couple of different lies?” he asked Cohen, the latter responding: “That’s correct.”

Cohen admitted to Blanche that he had lied under oath to the Congressional committee and lied again when he met with the special counsel in April 2018.

WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

Trump’s lead defense counsel pressed further, again trapping Cohen into admitting that he lied because of what he perceived he should do. “You said you were accepting responsibility for those lies, for lying to Congress. But in fact, you repeatedly said — and even said this morning, and even this week — that the reason why you lied was because of your loyalty to President Trump,” Blanche asked.

“I worked with a joint defense agreement, and we crafted the two-page document in order to stay on message — the message we all knew Mr. Trump wanted, including Mr. Trump’s attorney at the time,” Cohen replied. Blanche followed up, asking the disgraced attorney: “So are you saying you’re accepting responsibility or blaming the joint defense agreement?”

Cohen begrudgingly admitted on the stand, “I accepted responsibility, I read it, and I submitted it to the committee.”

UNTRUE VERSUS A LIE.

Blanche grilled Cohen about whether federal prosecutors threatened him or tried to induce him to plead guilty to a series of 2018 tax evasion charges. “Nobody induced you or threatened you to plead guilty, correct?” Blanche asked Cohen.

“As I stated previously, I was provided 48 hours within which to accept the plea, or the Southern District of New York was going to file an 80-page indictment that included my wife. And I elected to protect my family,” the disgraced lawyer responded. Blanche pressed Cohen again about his characterization of interactions with federal prosecutors.

Cohen responded the second time, “I never denied the underlying facts; I just did not believe that I should have been criminally charged for either of those six offenses.”

Blanche pushed back, asking Cohen if there was a difference between him saying something untrue and stating a lie. “I was using just different terminology,” Cohen replied.

“So it was a lie?” Blanche asked. Cohen responded: “Correct.”

WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Much of Blanche’s cross-examination of Cohen seems to be setting up Robert Costello as — possibly — the singular defense witness. Costello is Cohen’s former criminal defense attorney who has, in recent days, told both Congress and several media outlets that his former client is lying on the stand.

The questioning regarding Cohen’s interactions with federal prosecutors is especially pertinent as Costello testified before Congress directly on conversations he had with his client about the federal tax charges. On Wednesday, The National Pulse reported that Costello said: “I explained that if Cohen had truthful information that would implicate Donald Trump, I could get him out of his legal troubles by the end of the week.” He added: “I emphasized that any information Cohen could give would have to be truthful, otherwise it was useless.”

“Each time Cohen said to me: ‘I swear to God, Bob, I don’t have anything on Donald Trump,’” Costello recalled. He continued: “Cohen must have said this at least ten times because I kept coming back to it from different approaches.”

LYING TO A FEDERAL JUDGE.

Trump’s lead defense counsel next addressed Cohen and the fact that the disbarred lawyer had lied to a federal judge. “You testified under oath at a different trial that you did not commit the crimes that you pled guilty to before Judge Pauley, correct?” Blanche asked Cohen, referring to the latter’s perjury before the late U.S. District Court Judge William H. Pauley III.

“Correct,” answered Cohen.

Blanche, citing Cohen’s own words, asked the serial perjurer if it was true that he lied to Judge Pauley because “the stakes affected you personally?” Cohen confirmed to Blanche this was true. Pushing further, Blanche pressed Cohen as to why—during his 2019 testimony before Congress—the disgraced lawyer didn’t tell lawmakers he had lied to the federal judge.

“By not telling Congress or the Senate that you had lied under oath, do you believe that you were omitting important information?” Trump’s lead counsel asked Cohen, and Judge Merchan again overruled the prosecution‘s objection.

“I don’t believe I was asked the question,” Cohen said.

BLAME GAME. 

As the morning’s cross-examination began its final stretch, Blanche focused on Cohen‘s refusal to take responsibility for his actions. “You blame a lot of people over the years for the conduct that you were convicted of,” Blanche told Cohen. The disgraced lawyer responded: “I blame people, yes.”

Blanche proceeded to rattle off a list of people and institutions that Cohen has pointed the finger at for his crimes over the years. These included Cohen’s accountant, bank, federal prosecutors, federal judges, and Donald Trump. Cohen admitted he had blamed each one.

Observers in the courtroom described Cohen as appearing angry and annoyed as Blanche pressed him on every person he’s blamed and his prior convictions for tax evasion and perjury.

A JILTED LAWYER.

Blanche shifted gears again, focusing on the 2016 presidential transition and Cohen’s disappointment at being left behind in New York City. Blanche asked Cohen if it was true that he wanted to serve as the White House chief of staff. “I would have liked to have been considered for ego purpose,” Cohen responded.

After former President Trump tapped Reince Priebus to serve as his chief of staff, Cohen admitted to Blanche that he was disappointed. Blanche then presented Cohen with texts between the latter and his daughter. In the text, Cohen told his daughter that he was with Trump at that very moment and that “he wants me to go, just not sure the position,” insinuating that he’d be joining the President in Washington, D.C.

This line of question is important because, as others have testified, Cohen was not seriously considered for any role in the White House or approached about a role. Blanche likely intended this inquiry to reinforce Cohen’s penchant for lying, even to his own daughter. Additionally, the moment further proved that Cohen has an almost delusional opinion of himself and his actions.

“Did you express disappointment to Pastor Scott repeatedly that President Trump hadn’t brought you into the administration?” Trump’s lead counsel asked Cohen. The prosecution’s witness responded annoyedly: “Not into the administration — I knew the role I wanted… I may have expressed frustration.”

When Blanche pressed Cohen as to why he needed someone to put in a good word for a role in the White House when Cohen claimed he talked to Trump almost every day, the disgraced lawyer said, “It’s always good to have somebody else advocate.”

PRANKED BY A TEENAGER.

Just before the lunch break, Trump‘s defense team took aim at one of the prosecution and Cohen’s key claims. Blanche presented Cohen with a series of text and call logs that Cohen had claimed were him reaching out to Trump regarding the resolution of the Stormy Daniels hush money payment. Trump’s lead counsel contended that rather than reaching out to Trump, Cohen was actually calling Trump’s bodyguard, Keith Schiller, for help dealing with a series of harassing phone calls he was receiving from a 14-year-old prankster. The texts between Cohen and Schiller appear to indicate that the latter was indeed the case.

However, Cohen insisted to Blanche that the prankster wasn’t all that he discussed on the calls, stating: “I know that Keith was with Mr. Trump at the time and there was more potentially than this.” A skeptical Blanche, noting the short amount of time over which the texts and calls took place, asked Cohen if he really “had enough time to update Schiller about all the [harassment] problems you were having and also update President Trump about the status of the Stormy Daniels situation because you had to keep him informed?”

“I always ran everything by the boss immediately, and in this case, it would have been saying, ‘Everything has been taken care of — it’s been resolved,'” Cohen responded.

LAWYER OR PR GUY?

The post-lunch cross-examination continued with Blanche pressing Cohen on whether he frequently worked to drive positive stories for Donald Trump. Cohen testified that he would often work place positive stories and that Trump would “blow up” if he failed. At this point, former President Trump visibly shook his head “no” as Cohen spoke.

“It was my routine to always advise Mr. Trump because the story that I was going to put out is not the way he would want it. One, it would cause him to blow up at me, and two, it would probably be the end of my job,” Cohen told Blanche. Again, it appears Blanche’s strategy was to portray Cohen as someone who viewed their role as something more ‘connected‘ than it was.

A CAMPAIGN SURROGATE?

In the next series of questions, Cohen was pressed on whether he ever had a role in the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. Former Trump campaign aide Hope Hicks testified earlier in the trial that Cohen was not a part of the campaign but would often try and interfere with the campaign staff.

Cohen testified that while he wasn’t a campaign staff member, he was a “surrogate.” The serial perjurer, however, has not produced any documentation or evidence of this role being in any official capacity.

“Your testimony is the frustration toward you that didn’t come from President Trump; it came from the campaign staffers?” Blanche asked Cohen. He replied, “Correct.”

COHEN FALLS APART.

As the fourteenth day of trial testimony neared its end, Cohen inadvertently may have crushed District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s case. Prosecutors have maintained that the hush money payments were campaign expenditures and not legal fees, as Trump’s only concern was about the Stormy Daniels story’s impact on the 2016 election.

However, when discussing the 2011 blog post marking the first public allegations regarding an affair with Stormy Daniels, Cohen admitted Trump was worried about the impact the story would have on his family. “Fair to say that the first time you heard about that and the story by Ms. Daniels, when you talked to President Trump about it, he said he was worried about what his family would think, correct?” Blanche asked.

“Yes, as well as, of course, for the brand,” Cohen admitted. Blanched continued to press Cohen, addressing his 2021 conversation with law enforcement: “The first thing that President Trump said to you was that his family wouldn’t like that very much?”

“That’s true,” Cohen replied.

After Blanche rehashed additional details of conversations Cohen allegedly had with Trump and other associates, the court adjourned at 4PM with Cohen’s cross-examination set to continue on Monday.

You can read The National Pulse’s Day Thirteen trial coverage here, and if you find our work worthwhile, consider joining as a supporter.

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Trump Admin Plans Moon ‘Village’ by 2035.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: NASA has announced plans to establish a sustainable lunar base by 2035, creating a “village” on the Moon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of Transportation and NASA Administrator Sean Duffy and other international space agency leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made at the International Aeronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, September 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going back to the Moon, and this time, when we plant our flag, we stay.” – Sean Duffy

🎯IMPACT: The lunar base will pave the way for future Mars exploration and enhance U.S. leadership in space exploration.

IN FULL

Secretary of Transportation and NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has announced plans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon by 2035. Speaking at the International Aeronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, Duffy said, “We are going to have sustained human life on the Moon. Not just an outpost, but a village.”

This initiative will be driven by the Artemis program, which is set to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. Artemis II, scheduled for February 2026, will test both the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft in a crewed mission around the Moon. The follow-up, Artemis III, targets a 2027 lunar landing. Unlike previous missions, astronauts will remain on the Moon for a full week, gathering critical data to support long-term habitation.

To sustain operations during the Moon’s 14-day night, when solar power is unavailable, NASA plans to deploy a compact nuclear reactor. The Fission Surface Power System, as it is called, must weigh under 15 tonnes and produce 100 kilowatts of electricity, enough to support life-support systems, equipment, and communication infrastructure. NASA is currently seeking industry partners to help develop the reactor.

Construction of the base itself may rely heavily on lunar resources. NASA is exploring ways to mix lunar soil with binding agents to create a form of cement, which could be used with 3D printing technologies to build structures on-site. These methods are not only intended for the Moon but may also play a role in future Mars missions requiring long-term human presence.

“We’re going back to the Moon, and this time, when we plant our flag, we stay,” Duffy said. He framed the effort as part of a new “space race,” with the United States aiming to stay ahead of rivals such as China in space exploration and technology.

Meanwhile, on Mars, the Perseverance rover recently collected a rock sample that may show signs of ancient microbial life, although scientists caution that the evidence is not definitive. NASA is also monitoring a house-sized asteroid set to pass near Earth, and, in deep space, Voyager 1 has begun transmitting garbled data as it travels beyond the edge of the solar system.

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Trump Marks Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Millions of Christians worldwide are observing the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, or Michaelmas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Christians across the United States and worldwide; President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Feast of Saint Michael, observed annually, is being celebrated in churches and homes around the world.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.” – Pope Leo XIII (1886 Prayer to Saint Michael)

🎯IMPACT: Christians continue to seek strength, protection, and courage through Saint Michael’s intercession, as they have for over 2,000 years.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has offered a “salute” to the “millions of Christian believers in the United States and around the world observing the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel,” or Michaelmas, in a presidential message.

“According to sacred Scripture, when the Devil rebelled against God in Heaven, Saint Michael and his legion of angels cast Satan down to Earth—triumphantly reasserting God’s sovereignty over all creation,” the President wrote, noting how, for two millennia, “Christians have looked to Saint Michael the Archangel for protection, strength, and courage in times of conflict, distress, and doubt.”

He also cited the “legendary Prayer to Saint Michael” formulated by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, quoting it in full:

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Notably, following President Trump’s near-assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, the Catholics for Catholics group paid for billboards featuring the America First leader raising his fist after he was shot, alongside the words “St. Michael The Archangel, Defend Us In Battle.” However, the Lamar Advertising Company refused to run them.

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Anti-Borders Activists Indicted for Doxxing ICE Agent.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Three activists opposed to President Donald J. Trump’s immigration policies were indicted for allegedly doxxing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal prosecutors, three women accused of doxxing, ICE, and Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in August in Los Angeles, California, with the indictment announced this month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe. The conduct of these defendants are deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

🎯IMPACT: The defendants face charges of conspiracy and publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, with potential prison time if convicted.

IN FULL

Three women in Los Angeles, California, have been indicted for allegedly doxxing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent by following him home, livestreaming him, and posting his personal information online. Federal prosecutors say the women tracked the agent from a federal building in downtown Los Angeles to his residence in Baldwin Park, where they shouted, “ICE lives on your street and you should know,” before sharing his address publicly, putting him and his family at risk from cartels and other malign actors involved in illegal immigration and trafficking.

The indictment charges the women with conspiracy and with disclosing the personal information of a federal officer. One of the accused, a 25-year-old from Panorama City, California, has been released on a $5,000 bond. Another, a 38-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, remains in custody without bond and is also facing unrelated assault charges. Authorities are still searching for the third suspect, a 37-year-old from Riverside, California.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli condemned their actions, saying, “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe. The conduct of these defendants are deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”

This case comes amid a series of violent anti-ICE riots in California. In June, a man named Elpidio Reyna was arrested at the U.S.–Mexico border after allegedly throwing concrete blocks at federal agents during a protest in Paramount. Authorities say Reyna fled to Mexico after the attack, which injured one officer and damaged government vehicles. He later surrendered at the San Ysidro port of entry and is now in custody. There have also been two sniper attacks targeting ICE personnel in Texas, one of which resulted in a responding police officer being shot in the neck.

Despite the tensions, ICE reports a dramatic rise in recruitment since July. According to agency data, more than 141,000 people have applied to join ICE in recent months, and over 18,000 tentative job offers have been extended. The agency attributes the increase to expanded benefits, including signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, and enhanced retirement packages. Many former ICE officers who left under previous administrations have also reapplied.

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Trump Set to Join Military in Historic All-Hands Gathering.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is set to attend an unprecedented meeting in Quantico, Virginia, where top military leaders from around the world will gather to discuss the military’s current state and future plans.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and senior military leadership, including top generals and admirals.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Scheduled for Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It’s just a good message.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: This meeting highlights ongoing discussions about reshaping the military, the implementation of policies like the “Less Generals More GIs Policy,” and possible military action in Venezuela against drug cartels.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump will attend a major meeting of top military leaders from around the world on Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia. Despite rampant speculation as to the gathering’s purpose, particularly amid reports of military action against drug cartels in Venezuela, Trump has characterized it as a positive meeting focused on discussing the military’s progress and future under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“It’s really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It’s just a good message,” President Trump said, despite rumors that the meeting might involve mass firings of top officers. He added that its agenda includes “great things” happening within the military since Hegseth took over.

The meeting will also address the military’s restructuring efforts, including Hegseth’s “Less Generals More GIs Policy,” which aims to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent, with a second phase targeting an additional 10 percent reduction. Hegseth has been vocal about his intent to streamline leadership and prioritize enlisted personnel.

The logistics for hosting such a high-profile event are complex, involving extensive security measures for senior military leadership and the added presence of President Trump, requiring coordination with the United States Secret Service (USSS).

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YouTube Settles Trump’s Account Suspension Lawsuit for $24.5 Million.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald J. Trump over the suspension of his account.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The lawsuit involved President Trump, YouTube, and its parent company, Alphabet (Google).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The settlement was announced on September 29, 2025, following a lawsuit stemming from events in 2021.

🎯IMPACT: The settlement marks YouTube as the latest Big Tech company to settle with Trump over anti-censorship lawsuits.

IN FULL

YouTube has reached a $24.5 million settlement with President Donald J. Trump over a lawsuit concerning the suspension of his account after the January 6 protests in 2021. This settlement concludes the series of anti-censorship lawsuits Trump filed against major social media platforms.

Previously, Meta Platforms agreed to a $25 million settlement, with much of the funds allocated to Trump’s presidential library. Meanwhile, X (formerly Twitter)—another platform involved—settled for $10 million, directing a significant portion to Trump himself.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Alphabet (Google), YouTube’s parent company, was determined to keep its settlement amount lower than Meta’s. Of the $24.5 million settlement, $22 million is designated for the Trust for the National Mall to support the construction of a ballroom at the White House.

An additional $2.5 million is allocated to the other plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit, which includes the American Conservative Union and writer Naomi Wolf. Details regarding attorney fees were not specified in the settlement documents.

Both ABC and CBS have also settled lawsuits brought by Trump. ABC agreed to a $15 million settlement stemming from comments made by Clinton-operative-turned-journalist George Stephanopoulos, who repeatedly claimed during a March 10, 2024, broadcast that Trump was “found liable for rape” in a lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll. However, a Manhattan jury found Trump was not liable for rape.

Meanwhile, CBS agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a doctored 60 Minutes interview with 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Image by Ed6767.

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Trump Expands Chinese Export Blacklist, Restricting Chip Sales.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Commerce Department expanded its restricted export list, automatically including subsidiaries owned 50 percent or more by listed companies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Commerce Department, Chinese companies like Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, and the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The rule was issued Monday and published in the U.S. Federal Register.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This move by the U.S. is extremely egregious in nature. It seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of the affected enterprises, severely disrupts international economic and trade order and gravely undermines the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.” – Chinese Commerce Ministry.

🎯IMPACT: Experts suggest the rule will primarily impact Chinese entities, including Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, as well as their subsidiaries.

IN FULL

On Monday, President Donald J. Trump issued new rules targeting companies in China and other countries that use subsidiaries to bypass U.S. restrictions on purchasing chipmaking equipment and other technology exports. The Commerce Department’s rule automatically includes subsidiaries owned 50 percent or more by entities already on the restricted export list, known as the Entity List.

The change significantly increases the number of companies requiring licenses to access U.S. goods and services, though some restricted transactions will be allowed for a 60-day period under the rule. Responding to the move, China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement, contending, “This move by the U.S. is extremely egregious in nature. It seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of the affected enterprises, severely disrupts international economic and trade order and gravely undermines the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.”

Notably, the new export restrictions come as the U.S. and China are engaged in ongoing trade negotiations. The Trump administration recently moved to loosen some restrictions on chip exports to China. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rejected this move, instead instructing Chinese tech companies to source chips domestically.

Experts suggest the rule will primarily impact Chinese entities, including Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, as well as their subsidiaries. Many Huawei subsidiaries are already on the list, but not all. Additional analysis found that the rule could affect thousands of subsidiaries in nearly 100 global locations. While Russia and China account for the majority, subsidiaries in major trade hubs like the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, the U.S. itself, and elsewhere may also fall under the expanded restrictions.

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‘Charlie Kirk Effect’ Spurs Rise in Youth Church Attendance.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Many Christian leaders have reported a significant increase in youth church attendance, with some schools seeing as much as a 15 percent rise, following the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Charlie Kirk, Christian leaders, and young people across the United States.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Following Kirk’s assassination on September 10, across college campuses and churches in the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I have not talked to anyone who has not seen an increase in Mass attendance. Some schools are reporting increases of 15 percent.” – Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of the Catholic Newman ministry.

🎯IMPACT: A spiritual revival may be taking place, with young people returning to church and seeking answers to life’s fundamental questions following Kirk’s murder.

IN FULL

Churches across the United States are reporting a notable increase in attendance following the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk on September 10. Known for his outspoken Christian beliefs, Kirk frequently spoke about a spiritual revival among young people. Just weeks before his murder, the 31-year-old father of two remarked, “There is revival in the Christian church. Churches are growing. Young people are flocking to faith in God.”

Religious leaders, particularly on college campuses, are now reporting a surge in interest. Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of Newman Ministry, a Catholic nonprofit active on around 250 campuses nationwide, told the Catholic News Agency that every Christian leader he’s spoken with has observed increased Mass attendance. “I have not talked to anyone who has not seen an increase in Mass attendance,” Zerrusen said. “Some schools are reporting increases of 15 percent.”

According to Zerrusen, many college students are searching for answers in the wake of Kirk’s killing. He said young people are asking deeper questions, such as, “What do I do? What is evil? How does God allow this?” He described the shift as part of a broader spiritual revival, spurred in part by the tragedy. At Texas A&M University, 400 students have enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class at the St. Mary’s Catholic Center, a striking figure that highlights the trend.

Social media platforms have also reflected this movement. Numerous viral posts have featured people publicly recommitting to their Christian faith or returning to church after long absences. The response appears to echo a larger pattern being seen in other parts of the world. Recent data from Britain shows an uptick in young people attending Catholic churches, suggesting the trend extends beyond the U.S.

This revival, however, comes at a time when public expressions of Christian faith are increasingly under attack. Leftist media talking heads like Don Lemon have recently claimed that being openly Christian in public amounts to “religious nationalism.” Meanwhile, in Europe, police recently raided a charity that supports persecuted Middle Eastern Christians.

Globally, watchdog groups continue to report rising hostility and violence directed at Christians.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Trump Made Netanyahu Apologize to Qatar for Doha Bombing in Call from White House.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly apologized to Qatar for bombing Doha during the Israel-Hamas conflict before he and President Donald J. Trump announced a proposed peace plan for Gaza.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The apology reportedly occurred Monday at the White House during discussions on the Israel-Hamas war.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.” – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

🎯IMPACT: The incident strained Israel-Qatar relations and angered the Trump administration, as the U.S. operates a large military base in Qatar and considers it a regional partner.

IN FULL

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar on Monday from the White House to apologize for bombing Doha earlier in September.

President Donald J. Trump, hosting Netanyahu at the White House, expressed frustration over the bombing at the time. Following the September 9 bombing of Qatar‘s capital, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump: “This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”

Leavitt added that while eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal, the location of the attack in Qatar complicated matters. Trump directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to notify Qatar of the impending strike and assured Qatari leaders that such an attack would not happen again. Trump described Qatar as a strong ally and emphasized the importance of their partnership in the peace process.

A week after the attack, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)—with U.S. backing—unanimously condemned the Israeli strike. While President Trump, speaking with Netanyahu in the aftermath of the attack, urged the Israeli leader to focus on advancing peace efforts, some reports indicated the America First leader privately expressed anger over the incident. “He’s f**kng me,” Trump reportedly said to senior advisors, expressing he believed Netanyahu was undermining ceasefire negotiations.

The Israeli leader’s call to Qatar from the White House may have helped pave the way for the 20-point peace plan for Gaza which he and Trump subsequently announced. This features the removal of Hamas from Gaza’s governance, the creation of an apolitical Palestinian committee to oversee reconstruction, and the creation of a “Board of Peace” chaired by President Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to supervise. It would also see the U.S. and Arab partners organize an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy to Gaza and ensure its long-term security, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrawing as it establishes control.

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Netanyahu Agrees to Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Featuring Tony Blair and International Forces.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump unveiled a 20-point plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip, proposing a transitional governance system and conditions for peace.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Hamas.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced at the White House on September 29, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If accepted by Hamas, this proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages, immediately, but in no case more than 72 hours.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The plan aims to end the war, exclude Hamas from Gaza’s future government, deploy and International Stabilization Force, and establish a “Board of Peace” including President Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to supervise the Strip’s reconstruction.

IN FULL

The White House released President Donald J. Trump‘s 20-point plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip on Monday, just before Trump spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan outlines steps for peace between Israel and Hamas, including the jihadist group’s exclusion from the Strip’s future governance.

Trump emphasized the importance of releasing all hostages, stating, “If accepted by Hamas, this proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages, immediately, but in no case more than 72 hours.” He added, “I hope that we’re going to have a deal for peace, and if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they’re the only one left.”

The 20-point proposal includes a transitional governance system for Gaza, managed by a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee. This body would oversee public services and redevelopment efforts until the Palestinian Authority is prepared to assume control. This would be overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by President Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the controversial former Middle East Peace Envoy and Iraq War architect.

Additionally, the plan calls for the demilitarization of Gaza, with Hamas members given amnesty if they commit to peaceful coexistence and decommission their weapons. Trump’s plan further outlines economic redevelopment for Gaza, including the establishment of a special economic zone and international investment to rebuild infrastructure and create jobs. Aid would be sent immediately upon acceptance of the agreement, ensuring necessary supplies and resources reach the region.

The plan also proposes that the U.S. “will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF)” to train Palestinian police and secure Gaza’s borders in coordination with Israel and Egypt. Israel would progressively withdraw its forces as stability is achieved.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already agreed to the peace plan, saying it achieves the Jewish State’s war aims. President Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel if the deal is rejected by Hamas.

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Border Patrol, ICE Arrest Rioters, Seize Guns Amid Chicago Immigration Crackdown.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Border Patrol agents and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are conducting an immigration crackdown operation in downtown Chicago, and taking on violent and in some cases armed far-left rioters.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Border Patrol agents, ICE officers, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), illegal immigrants, and far-left agitators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The operation, named “Midway Blitz,” began on September 8 and included activity in downtown Chicago, including the River North neighborhood on Sunday morning.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I would say the majority are actually glad we’re here. They are congratulating us, saying, ‘It’s about time you’re here.’ Especially those inner-city residents here in Chicago are very glad we’re here.” – Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol Commander-at-Large

🎯IMPACT: The enforcement action has attracted significant demonstrations by violent, far-left protesters and rioters—especially around the ICE detention facility in Broadview, a western suburb of Chicago.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s “Midway Blitz” immigration enforcement action is pressing on in Chicago, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents making numerous arrests since the operation began on September 8. The enforcement action has drawn significant counter-protests by violent, far-left demonstrators—especially around the ICE detention facility in Broadview, a western suburb of Chicago.

“[Eleven] violent rioters were arrested last night in Chicago outside the ICE detention facility: These are two guns that were taken off rioters in Chicago right against the fence at our ICE detention facility,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wrote in post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. “An investigation is underway into what appears to be some sort of explosive device found last night near the ICE Chicago detention facility.”

Last Friday in Broadview, far-left activists —wearing gas masks and bandanas to obscure their faces—swarmed a DHS vehicle and attempted to block ICE agents from exiting the detention facility. In the latter case, a federal law enforcement agent fired tear gas to disperse them.

Despite the violent demonstrations, Illinois Democrats are, by and large, defending the anti-ICE political violence. Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) has led the Democrat attacks, writing in a post on X,  “The Trump Administration’s DHS officers appear to be carrying large weapons around downtown Chicago in camouflage and masks. This is not making anybody safer—it’s a show of intimidation, instilling fear in our communities and hurting our businesses. We cannot normalize militarizing American cities and suburbs. Make sure you know your rights and stay alert.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) has also stoked anti-ICE sentiment, stating that residents “are being intimidated and threatened by masked federal agents flaunting automatic weapons for no apparent reason.”

However, Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino has pushed back against Johnson’s claims, stating, “I would say the majority are actually glad we’re here. They are congratulating us, saying, ‘It’s about time you’re here.’ Especially those inner-city residents here in Chicago are very glad we’re here, because oftentimes they’re up against that vast illegal migration that took place over the past four years. They’re the ones dealing with the violence perpetrated by illegal aliens.”

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