Zerohedge

The Forgotten Trump Campaign Promise That Will Come Back To Haunt Republicans In The Midterms A mounting financial burden costing American families thousands of dollars a year is emerging as an overlooked issue in the 2026 midterm elections as new polling suggests that the expense of caring for aging relatives could influence voters in some of the nation's most competitive congressional races. While inflation, the Iran War and border security dominate the national debate, the growing cost of family caregiving has attracted comparatively little attention. An estimated 59 million Americans provide unpaid care for an adult relative, friend or neighbor, according to AARP. A recent Edward Jones study found that financial caregivers who are not fully reimbursed spend an average of $8,737 annually out of pocket, forcing difficult decisions about household budgets and long-term savings. The financial strain is also evident in retirement accounts. Research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that 34% of caregivers have less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. Moreover, the AARP survey conducted across 43 competitive congressional districts found that 77% of likely voters age 50 and older said they would be more likely to support a candidate advocating tax credits for unpaid caregivers. Additionally, 75% expressed greater support for candidates backing assistance that allows relatives to remain in their homes rather than enter institutional care. Older Americans also appear especially motivated ahead of Election Day. The same survey found that 83% of voters age 50 and older described themselves as extremely motivated to vote, compared with 66% of younger voters. Trump Tax Credit When? President Donald Trump pledged to address the growing issue during his 2024 campaign, promising a tax credit for Americans caring for aging parents and other loved ones. "It's about time that they were recognized, right?" Trump asked during a Madison Square Garden rally at the time. However, the proposed caregiver tax credit was ultimately left out of Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending legislation signed in July 2025, while bipartisan legislation that would provide eligible working caregivers with a tax credit of up to $5,000, has gone no where in Congress. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 20:55

Netanyahu Says Iran May Try To Disrupt Israeli Election With Attacks Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran and its allies might try to disrupt Tuesday's elections in Israel with attacks, warning Tehran that Jerusalem would respond with overwhelming counterstrikes. "We have intelligence signs that our enemies, Iran and its proxies, could challenge us with attacks in order to disrupt the elections," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office on Sunday. "Don't test us. You will suffer disproportionate blows," he said, adding that the Israeli military was postured for defensive and offensive operations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday it "makes no difference" who wins the Israeli election. At a press briefing in Tehran, he was asked about reports in Israeli media that Iran might launch a preemptive military strike to disrupt the vote. "I do not think there are elections there in the true sense of the word," Baghaei said, according to Iranian state-run media IRNA. "It is a race among individuals, each trying to prove that they can commit more crimes, aggression, and killings than the others." Baghaei's remarks came as Tehran prepared to host senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey - the three signatories of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement - to discuss regional security and de-escalation of the conflict between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other. Netanyahu's warning came as Israelis on Monday entered the final 24 hours of an intense election season, as reports circulated that Netanyahu may have tried to pressure Israeli military leaders into initiating a possible escalation with Iran on the eve of the vote. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz denied the reports. "The reports about gaps between the political echelon and the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] on the Iran issue are entirely baseless and false," Katz said in a Monday post on X. "I state unequivocally that there was no intention on Israel's part to initiate an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel - when we made clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force." He also accused opposition figures of exploiting these reports for political gain. Israel's opposition candidates seized on the reports to criticize Netanyahu, accusing him of putting regional stability at risk in order to boost his chances at the ballot. Netanyahu's main rival, former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, took to social media to criticize him for putting his "political interests above the state's security." "We will not allow you to endanger Israel's future in order to preserve your rule," he wrote. Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, said he sent a letter to Israel's attorney general demanding a criminal investigation into Netanyahu on charges of treason. "The attempt to drag the State of Israel into war on the eve of elections, together with the willingness to sacrifice IDF soldiers solely due to fear of losing the elections, constitutes treason against the state, its security, and the IDF soldiers," Lieberman wrote in a post on X. Trump Endorses Netanyahu U.S. President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday that a vote for Netanyahu would "finish the job" of stopping Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. Describing Netanyahu as an "outstanding Warrior Prime Minister," Trump wrote, "There can no longer be the chant heard around the World of 'Death to America, Death to Israel,' and there won't be." As Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Netanyahu's party is neck and neck with Eisenkot, his strongest rival, in a campaign that has largely revolved around security. Calling Trump a "true friend" of Israel, Eisenkot said on social media that he appreciates the U.S. president's actions and commitment to Israel's security. At the same time, he downplayed Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu, saying that he is convinced Trump would work "in full cooperation with any leader" chosen by Israelis. Meanwhile, senior Israeli security officials told Epoch Magazine Israel that any potential future Israeli military action against Iran could include the assassination of senior regime figures, most notably current Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander General Ahmad Vahidi. The officials said credible intelligence indicates that Khamenei remains involved in the regime's most critical decisions. They added, however, that targeting Iran's top leadership would not in itself be enough to bring the regime down, and that further measures, particularly strikes against Iran's energy facilities and nuclear sites, would be necessary. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 20:05

"Democracy Has Failed": Bolsonaro Says Lula's Socialist Regime Seized His Passport Summary: Bolsonaro Says Lula's Socialist Regime Seized His Passport Ibovespa Stock Index Plunges 20%, Triggers Circuit Breaker  Real Crashes 11% To 5.58/USD Brazil Markets Crater After Socialist Lula's Shock Victory; Bolsonaro Seeks To Annul Runoff Bolsonaro Says Lula's Socialist Regime Seized His Passport  Beyond the turmoil in Brazilian markets that crushed the Ibovespa stock index and the local currency, the real, new political developments emerged late Monday afternoon.  Flávio Bolsonaro said the unhinged socialist regime under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had seized his passport and banned him from leaving the country on the orders of regime favorite Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. "I went to visit my father... As I was leaving, Lula's Federal Police were at his front door, and right there in the middle of the street," Bolsonaro said in a video posted on X. He added, "This is a sign that our democracy has failed..." Flávio Bolsonaro says he was ordered to hand over his passports after 'losing' the runoff election in Brazil. Bolsonaro says he went to visit his imprisoned father, who is the former president of Brazil, and was confronted by "Lula's Federal Police." "I went to visit my father... As I was leaving, Lula’s Federal Police were at his front door, and right there in the middle of the street." "I was served an order to surrender my passports; I am also prohibited from leaving the country..." "This is a sign that our democracy has failed..." "I will surrender my passports and defend myself against this travesty, which is a clear attempt to intimidate me. But no one will silence me..." Bolsonaro is calling for the election to be annulled following a last-minute voting extension made by Lula's former personal attorney. The New York Times reports that confusion over Justice Cristiano Zanin's last-minute voting extension could lead to the election being annulled. When Zanin made the last-minute decision to extend voting hours, some polling stations had already closed and shut down their voting machines. They could not reopen. "Fernando Neisser, an electoral law professor at Fundação Getulio Vargas, a Brazilian research institute, said the election could be annulled if the margin is very narrow and it is shown that polling stations stayed open longer in areas that strongly favor one candidate," the NYT reported. — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 26, 2026 Lula, who pulled off a miracle runoff election win overnight after a controversial last-minute, two-hour voting extension, was called out by President Trump late in the afternoon: "It looked terrible...it looked like another RIGGED ELECTION!" ? BREAKING: President Trump declares the Brazil presidential election stolen from Flavio Bolsonaro looked RIGGED "It looked terrible...it looked like another RIGGED ELECTION!" "I didn't take sides, but it was a terrible look for a world. It's another election — elections HAVE to be indisputable. It looked very BAD to me!" "It looked SO CORRUPT." ? Lula's hand-picked justice extended the voting hours and it JUST SO HAPPENED to benefit his jurisdictions. This is the same playbook used by other leftist governments in Latin America like VZ and Cuba! THROW OUT THE RESULT. — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 26, 2026 Lula's socialist regime appears to have the support of far-left Alex Soros, who has made a career of funding globalist NGOs that are destroying the West.  Lula Lula Lula! Congrats to Brazil for standing up against authoritarianism once again! ?? ⚖️✌️ — Alex Soros (@AlexanderSoros) October 26, 2026 Also, DSA and Democrats have been cheerful today about Lula's questionable win. DSA was in Brazil Well well well — Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) October 26, 2026 This is who DSA supports.   ???? Após o resultado das eleições, apoiadores de Lula queimaram uma bandeira dos Estados Unidos. https://t.co/HhjKkTJuN7 — Vista Pátria (@vista_patria) October 26, 2026 What a glimpse into Brazil's future: four more years of a socialist hellhole, fully supported by DSA.  Market Shock Brazilian assets crashed after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's surprise runoff victory over Flávio Bolsonaro unraveled bullish bets across local stocks and the real. A controversial last-minute, two-hour voting extension has prompted Bolsonaro to call for the runoff to be annulled. Math doesn’t add up — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2026 Amazing the NYT is willing to admit this in print. The Brazil results are not legitimate and should be annulled after the TSE voted not to extend but Lula's lawyer who sits on the court extended them anyway. The election was a scam played out for everyone to see. https://t.co/ASzIDf5FjB — Jim Pfaff (@jimpfaff) October 26, 2026 "Needless to say, the outcome caught most of the market by surprise, with President Lula completing a major turnaround and winning the runoff," UBS analyst Daniel Pompiani told clients earlier this morning. The real plunged as much as 11% this morning, while longer-dated interest-rate swap contracts surged almost 300 basis points after hitting trading limits. Exchange operator B3 widened trading limits for currency, interest-rate, and stock futures for Monday's regular session to accommodate the volatility. Brazilian stocks last triggered a circuit breaker during the COVID crash in early 2020. Ibovespa stock-index futures plunged 20%, prompting warnings from trading desks and triggering a circuit-breaker halt. Traders had positioned for a Bolsonaro victory after his first-round lead sparked a rally and attracted billions in foreign inflows. After Lula's victory, JPMorgan analysts downgraded their outlook on Brazil's currency and rates from overweight to market-weight. "The post-election message of the market is clear: There is no vacation time for the next four years, and the country will need to address the fiscal issue," said Peter Varga, a senior portfolio manager at Erste Asset Management. UBS' Pompiani asked: Will the BCB intervene? It is very likely, but probably not right at the open. The BCB usually monitors flows and overall market conditions before stepping in, as its focus tends to be on market dysfunction rather than defending a specific level. The first move should be violent, but price discovery will be difficult. With liquidity thin and positioning caught offside, headline levels may matter less than where the market can actually clear risk. Société Générale analyst Brendan McKenna told clients, "Don't call it a comeback, Lula's been here for years."  McKenna provided clients with five key points: 1. Lula's victory in the runoff of Brazil's presidential election marks an abrupt end to Latin America's conservative wave and a shift away from the right side of the political spectrum. What began as anti-incumbent sentiment driven by rising crime, corruption, and inflation ultimately culminated in strong support for Lula and his policy platform. While most Latin American countries will continue to be governed by conservative administrations, the region's two largest economies, Brazil and Mexico, will be led by left-leaning governments. The Latin America election calendar is lighter in 2027 highlighted by general elections in Argentina toward the end of next year. We cannot help but wonder if Brazil pushing back on the right is an indication for a return to Peronism in Argentina or the start of the broader Latam pendulum swinging back left 2. Regardless of whether Brazil's election marks an inflection point in regional politics, financial market contagion from Lula's re-election across Latin America should be limited. Brazil's financial markets are likely to come under significant pressure at the open; however, with most Latin American elections already behind us and many countries having secured more market-friendly policy platforms, we believe any Lula-induced selloff is likely to remain largely idiosyncratic to Brazil rather than trigger region-wide contagion. Argentina may be more vulnerable to spillover effects as regional markets have already demonstrated unease regarding President Milei potentially not being re-elected in 2027. Brazil rejecting a platform similar in style to President Milei could prompt more concern across Argentine local markets, but the extent of any spillover from Brazil's election should be contained to Buenos Aires. 3. Fiscal discipline is likely to prove more elusive under another Lula administration, and we see little reason to expect a meaningful fiscal adjustment during a fourth Lula term. That said, Lula will face a right-leaning Congress that could constrain his ability to further loosen fiscal policy. A bond market and currency that remain under pressure could also force the government to adopt a more pragmatic fiscal stance to reassure investors, similar to Lula's efforts to pursue spending restraint after market pressures intensified in late 2024. Should Vice President Alckmin assume a more prominent role in Economy Ministry, and if Finance Minister Durigan continues to emphasize fiscal responsibility, financial markets may stabilize relatively quickly. However, achieving a peak in government debt ratios is likely to remain challenging. 4. Brazil's Local market selling is likely to be severe, but we will primarily be looking for opportunities to buy BRL. A Lula victory is likely to embed a political risk premium in the currency; however, BRL's underlying fundamentals remain strong. The real continues to benefit from elevated real interest rate differentials, a manageable current account position, and a central bank with adequate foreign exchange reserves and a demonstrated willingness to deploy them to support financial market and FX stability. In addition, BRL may benefit from the presence of a conservative-leaning Congress that could constrain any efforts by President Lula to further loosen fiscal policy. Should Vice President Alckmin be appointed economy minister and Finance Minister Durigan remain in his role, markets may also take comfort in the continuity and elevated prominence of a technocratic economic team. Our range to watch is BRL5.70-BRL5.75. We would view USDBRL in that range as more interesting to engage in tactical trades to express potentially oversold conditions. 5. Rates may be a little trickier, as the upcoming BRL selloff is likely to push near-term inflation expectations higher, on top of an IPCA trajectory that was already expected to firm through the end of this year and into early 2027. SG Economics now forecasts a slower and shallower Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) easing cycle, which could keep the Selic rate above current market expectations through the end of 2028. As a result, the popular pre-runoff receiver trade may face headwinds for a more extended period, particularly relative to FX markets. Rates pressure should be felt across the curve, but the longer end of the curve should feel pressured most acutely given renewed fiscal concerns associated with the Lula administration. For now, our focus remains on identifying attractive BRL entry points rather than expressing bullish views through rates markets. Brazil Markets Crater After Socialist Lula's Shock Victory; Bolsonaro Seeks To Annul Runoff  Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro said overnight that he would seek to annul the presidential runoff, challenging a last-minute, two-hour voting extension granted at the request of socialist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's campaign. The order came from Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, Lula's former personal attorney, whom the president appointed to the high court. Lula later won the runoff after Bolsonaro finished first in the first round earlier this month, setting the stage for a legal challenge to the court's questionable intervention. BREAKING: Flávio Bolsonaro: It is impossible to recognize the election results in the context of how these things happened. We are going to use our legal team, we are going to request the annulment of these elections. https://t.co/PVtKvb9b3M — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 26, 2026 According to the electoral court, Lula was re-elected for a record fourth term on Sunday, taking 51.76% of the vote to Bolsonaro's 48.24% in a surprise outcome. Via Bloomberg: Bolsonaro said, "It is impossible to recognize the election outcome given the circumstances in which all of this took place," adding, "We will pursue legal action and seek to have the election annulled." @zerohedge @jeffreytucker Pretty weird … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2026 Trump: JUST IN: Trump threatens to tariff Brazil unless they redo their election — Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) October 26, 2026 Greta received her talking points: ???? Greta has a take on the Brazilian election: Lula = good for the planet Anyone else = literal apocalypse LMAO ??? Writer: Samuel https://t.co/5jNhSlYxSM — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 25, 2026 The questionable voting-extension ruling came minutes after polling stations nationwide were scheduled to close at 5 p.m. local time. Zanin later clarified that it applied only to polling stations that remained open. Soros Jr happy https://t.co/RGCWgVyZ5s — zerohedge (@zerohedge) October 26, 2026 UBS analyst Justin Wensek told clients, "Flavio's annulment request is unlikely to hold water given his campaign also asked for additional time in specific states that were impacted by adverse weather." The focus now shifts to Brazilian markets, where the "Bolsonaro trade" has reversed and shares of companies across the banking, steel and metals, and oil and gas sectors have plunged: BANKS, FINANCIAL FIRMS US-listed shares in lenders fall: Banco Bradesco -27%, Itau Unibanco Holding -28%, NU Holdings -22%, Inter & Co. -32%, Banco Santander (Brasil) -11% Among other financial firms: PagSeguro Digital -28%, StoneCo -31%, PicS -27%  STEEL, METAL & MINING  Among movers: Companhia Siderurgica Nacional -13%, Vale -7.7%, Gerdau S.A. -14% AERO,  OIL & GAS AND OTHER SECTORS Among other movers: XP Inc. -39%, Ambev -19%, Embraer -2.6%, MercadoLibre -2.6%, Telefonica Brasil -16%, Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais -15%, Companhia Paranaense de Energia -17%, Petroleo Brasileiro -19%, Ultrapar Participacoes -18%, Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (SABESP) -22%, TIM S.A. -17% iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) cratered 27% in premarket trading on the surprise Lula win.  UBS analyst Wensek added more color on the significant repricing of Brazilian assets as the market readjusts to four more years of socialist Lula:  Brazil's fiscal outlook again takes center stage, as debt/GDP trajectory resumes its ominous path. The desk expects a significant re-pricing of Brazilian assets on Monday, as the market adjusts to another four years of Lula, with USDBRL potentially at 5.3 Monday. Note that FX didn't react that much in the first round; it was more about rates and equities. EM strategist Roque Montero thinks USDBRL could drift to 5.5-5.6 by end-2026 given December negative seasonality.  In rates, Roque expects a 100-150bp move higher. Equities could correct by 10-15% based on latest EWZ reaction. Among stocks, watch for selling pressure/rotation out of SOEs, high beta and rate sensitive names, into defensive, USD leveraged, cash flow generative names. If there is a silver lining, Lula will have to build a coalition to pass key policy initiatives through a more right-leaning Senate and Lower House. Beyond Bolsonaro's possible court battle to challenge the results, Brazil now faces a financial reckoning as public debt has climbed to 83% of GDP from 71.7% when Lula and the socialists took office in January 2023, leaving traders to digest the continued fiscal deterioration.  ING analysts see a 5%-7% slide in real terms and double-digit stock losses today. The repricing is already underway offshore: Brazil's dollar bonds were among the worst performers in emerging markets, with yields on notes due in 2037 jumping 19 basis points to 6.44%. What Goldman analysts expect from here:  Rates and equities will see the most damage.  In rates, where we settle will depend on damage control on fiscal.  There are people close to the president advocating for fiscal consolidation given its impact on financing cost.  Market will closely monitor Finance Minister announcement, and the details of fiscal consolidation.  Adjustments involving Constitutional spending cap/ fiscal target would be well received, and trim on specific social programs without longer term commitment likely won't calm market.  If we see credible fiscal reform, BCB can continue its easing path given the still-very-high real rate, so front-end-to-belly receiver could be attractive again after the correction.  Equity market will likely price out optimism around structural reforms to improve SOE/ business environment. USDBRL – expect to settle in new range of 5.4-5.8.  This will limit BCB's ability to accelerate its pace of easing. Brown Brothers Harriman's Elias Haddad sees a buying opportunity emerging from the selloff.  * * * Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 18:53

Somaliland Accuses Ilhan Omar Of Leaking Classified Congressional Info To Somalia Authored by Catherine Salgado via PJ Media, Another day, another Omar scandal, another piece of evidence indicating foreign loyalties and domestic betrayal. AP Photo/Jim Mone Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Minn.) father participated in genocide in Somaliland, and Omar herself has connections to top Somali thugs, so unsurprisingly there is a natural antipathy between Omar and Somaliland. The latest (resurrected) accusation from the breakaway African republic against Omar is that she leaked classified information to Somali leaders. Ali Hassan Mohamed, former Somaliland minister of information, originally posted his accusation against Omar in 2024, but the @RepOfSomaliland account, which Somaliland's Foreign Ministry has said is not an official government channel, is highlighting the accusation again to emphasize why Omar is a threat to American security. This is not the first time that Ilhan Omar created animosity between Somalis. She was heavily involved in the conflict that took place in Las-anod. In December 2022, she visited Garowe, where she leaked information to some of the Somali leaders pertaining a meeting between the President of Somaliland and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, which she was a member by that time. She was very persistent and urged the Somalian leaders to take proactive actions against Somaliland as soon as possible. A month after this, the Las-anod conflict broke out. She was certainly one of the main characters who created hatred and division among Somalis. So it is time for Ilhan to be held accountable for her wrongdoings. — Ali Hassan Mohamed (@AliHassanMoham) January 29, 2024 On Sunday, the @RepOfSomaliland account (which Somaliland's Foreign Ministry has said is not an official government channel), wrote of Omar, "She served on that same [House Foreign Affairs] committee and pressed Somalian leaders to act against Somaliland before relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the United States grows stronger. Months later on 6 February 2023, the Las Anod conflict erupted. Hundreds were killed and thousands displaced in a move that sought to destabilize Somaliland - but failed. This is how a foreign agent operates." Omar, whose real last name is Nur Said Elmi like her murderous father, is in America just to exploit our systems for her own benefit while still helping out the Islamic dictators back home. Somaliland is pro-America, but Somalia definitely isn't. By the way, the U.S. federal investigation into Omar's immigration fraud includes not only the evidence that she married her brother, but also the total lack of record for her father's naturalization as a citizen. Omar asserted that she had become a United States citizen through her father while she was still a minor, although she likely tampered with her birth year and he apparently lied about his citizenship status. Given all this, it is entirely possible that we have had a noncitizen Somali warlord's daughter sitting in Congress all these years. No wonder she said that she would represent Somalia's interests in Congress. Omar is not just a liar and a criminal; she is a foreign asset embedded in our government. It's time she is out of Congress and deported back to the country she claims to love so much. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 18:45

Trump Fires Another Salvo Into Israeli Politics As Netanyahu Neck-and-Neck With Gadi Eisenkot President Trump's public endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the upcoming elections in Israel was already unprecedented for a sitting American President when he first issued it on Oct.18. And so it is raising eyebrows that Trump has issued yet another full-throated statement endorsing him, just within 48 hours of the high stakes vote in Israel. Sunday night saw Trump put out a second statement, saying that the US and Israel need to "finish the job" against Iran. It comes amid reports Washington and Tel Aviv have been planning a round three major bombing campaign.  via Flash90 "To the people of Israel, to those who haven’t seen it, I am attaching the Endorsement I gave one week ago to your Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu. As everyone is aware, including the enemy, Bibi and I have had a great relationship in winning together," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post which actually borrows heavily from the original endorsement post. "I did the Venezuelan attack, one of the most successful military operations in history but, before that, we did Operation Midnight Hammer, stopping the world’s number one state sponsor of terror from obtaining a nuclear weapon." "When you go to the Polls please remember that Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister! Israel was called The Little Satan, with the United States being called The Big Satan, by some very evil people. There can no longer be the chant heard around the World of ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ and there won’t be. Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started," Trump added. Axios is reporting that an embattled Netanyahu essentially begged his ally in Washington to do more to keep him in office: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — fighting for political survival in Tuesday's elections — has pleaded with President Trump in recent days to show more public support for his campaign, according to a U.S. source with knowledge and an Israeli source briefed on the matter. The U.S. source said the White House sees Netanyahu's aggressive lobbying as a "sign of desperation" and an indication that the Israeli leader thinks he's trailing. Indeed polls show Netanyahu's Likud is trailing main rival, Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party. Palestinians are about to realize that Netanyahu was the moderate. — Ipwnkyle (@ipwnkyle) October 25, 2026 But neither of the two major blocs is believed yet to be able to take enough seats to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Rather than face defeat, there's growing speculation that Netanyahu could launch a new Iran attack before tomorrow's vote as a big distraction - given also the historical pattern of Netanyahu engaging in wars while staying in power. On Sunday Netanyahu posted an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion in Tel Aviv. He claimed that anyone else taking power would subject Israelis to the danger of a "second Holocaust." New Netanyahu post: https://t.co/rkxcCaQjeS — NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) October 25, 2026 Netanyahu also warned that that future generations "will not forgive us if we miss this historic window of opportunity" - and that Iran must be dealt with while Trump is still in office. As a reminder, 77-year old "Bibi" has led Israel for nearly 19 of the past 30 years, and he's constantly emphasized security, in many ways becoming a kind of permanent wartime prime minister. He's overseen the decimation of Gaza in the wake of the Oct.7 attack, and wars in Lebanon, Syria, and occasional strikes on Yemen. The Iran war remains the biggest conflict he's overseen, which has seen ballistic missiles and drones rain down on Israeli cities and bases as part of previous Iranian retaliation waves. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 17:40

Rubio Urges Cubans To Partner With CIA To Bring Change To Communist Country Authored by Owen Evans via The Epoch Times, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a direct appeal to Cubans on Friday, encouraging them to partner with the CIA if they want to see change in the communist country. "To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba - now is the time," Rubio said in an Oct. 23 post on X. "The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA." The CIA followed up Rubio's post on the same platform with the same message in Spanish and included instructions on how to contact the agency. It urged Cubans to use non-personal devices and VPNs. Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana on May 22, 2026. Norlys Perez/Reuters Cuban-born Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.) said in a post on X that the Cuban regime must be "relegated to the ash heap of history." U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a new American intervention in Cuba, potentially with military force, as he addressed supporters at a midterm campaign rally in Florida on Oct. 23. He made the comments about Cuba after touting investments in the U.S. military and in military operations this year in Venezuela and Cuba. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will tell you that we have the best equipment," Trump said, before appearing to respond to comments about Cuba from someone in the crowd. "He wants to know 'what about Cuba?' Give me a break. Give me a break. Don't worry. We'll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran." Cuban Deputy FM Carlos Fernández de Cossío mocked Rubio's direct bid to the island. "Now the U.S. is resorting to public recruitment campaigns for the CIA," he said in an Oct. 23 post on X. "There must be a lot of desperation or a serious lack of resources within the agency if it has to market its offers like toothpaste." Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced earlier this month that state authorities had secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro Ruz. Castro was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue over international waters. "The Castro regime's spies operated in our communities, fed intelligence to Havana, and helped put civilian pilots in the crosshairs of Cuban MiGs," Uthmeier said. "Thirty years later, we are still fighting for justice for Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario de la Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr." Castro, then minister of the Cuban armed forces and first vice president of Cuba, was a final decision-maker in the chain of command that authorized the shootdown, according to the affidavit. The affidavit stated that Castro gave senior military leaders standing orders that said, "Fine, shoot them down at sea when they show up, and those who have the authority are not to consult anyone." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described the arrest warrant against Castro as a "disgraceful act" with no legal, ethical, or practical value, during a press conference on Oct. 21, Spanish news agency EFE reported. Trump issued an executive order in January that said the government of Cuba had "taken extraordinary actions that harm and threaten the United States." It said that the regime aligns itself with, and provides support for, numerous hostile countries and organizations, including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. It noted that Cuba hosts Russia's largest overseas signals intelligence facility and also continues to build deep intelligence and defense cooperation with the Chinese communist regime. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 17:00

Iran Signals Rare Flexibility Toward US In Talks With Mecca Pact Representatives Update(1635): Somewhat surprisingly, Iran appears ready to be flexible concerning its conditions and matters of the timeline related to the Hormuz crisis and standoff with US forces: Iran Says It Could Accept Shortening Proposed Seven-Day Deadline if Conditions Are Met In Tehran on Monday, Iran informed delegates from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan that it is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in four to seven days if the US lifts its blockade. State media cited Supreme National Security Council official Ali Bagheri Kani as confirming the flexible timeline, adding that diplomats are now organizing the next round of negotiations. Riyadh is meanwhile stressing de-escalation: The Saudi Foreign Ministry has stressed “the importance of opening channels of negotiation to prevent a return to military escalation” following a meeting of senior officials from the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement states with Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday. Tuesday will witness a big meeting in Moscow: President Vladimir Putin is due to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in the Russian capital. *  *  * There are many indicators that the US and Israel could soon attack Iran again, with media consensus in the US pointing to the likelihood of a renewed bombing campaign after the midterm elections. In the interim, regional countries are scrambling for a diplomatic breakthrough, seeking to stave off the next escalation round, given also that past Iranian retaliation has imposed a huge cost on America's Gulf allies. via Associated Press Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in Tehran for high level talks, the deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri, has confirmed Monday. This includes Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani Army Commander General Asim Munir, and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin - who will engage the Iranian side on "regional security". Notably, these three countries are signatories to the Mecca Defense Pact and are also allies of the United States, with Turkey being a NATO member. Iran's Bagheri stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's model of defense based on internal and domestic capabilities has become a successful model for building national security." "On the other hand, Iran's strategic policy is to ensure regional security through regional countries and confront any foreign interference and influence, led by the American and Zionist regimes," he added. Bagheri praised the "fruit of the heroic efforts and struggles of the armed forces and the Iranian nation" and expressed hope that Iranian resistance to US-Israeli aims would result in a "region with stability and peace and on the path of progress." Reuters has cited a senior Iranian official who says the meeting was initiated by Pakistan. Jason Brodsky, a hawkish think tank pundit, has reacted to the diplomatic scramble in Tehran: The stories write themselves at this point. I would not be surprised to see a last minute call from regional countries to President Trump pleading for a delay in any military operation against Iran, citing that progress is just around the corner on negotiations or deal that will later fall apart. Over the weekend, just prior to the Mecca Pact countries' delegations going to Tehran, Qatari mediators were also once again in the Iranian capital to "de-escalate regional tensions." Senior officials from Iran, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have begun a four-way meeting in Tehran, hosted by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei. Participants include Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin. — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 26, 2026 Meanwhile, CNN is reporting that the White House has plans to relaunch major attacks on Iran, and that more American forces are being deployed to the Middle East, so that strikes against Iran could be carried out "within 96 hours of receiving" an order from the president. According to that reporting: Sufficient forces are now deployed in the region to carry out the potential attacks, the sources said. The scope of new US military operations would likely go beyond efforts to simply “mow the lawn” or maintain the status quo by striking radars, launchers and other Iranian assets that can be quickly reconstituted — as has been the case since Trump halted full combat operations earlier this year, the sources added. “It will be a big effort,” one of the officials told CNN. That view has been echoed by other current and former US officials familiar with internal military planning discussions — some of whom say it is a question of when, not if, Trump will issue a go-order. They believe it could come any time before the end of the year, though most likely after the US midterm elections. But it remains the that US administration has yet to define the end goal or 'mission accomplished' moment, now in month eight of what was supposed to be a "two to four-week" conflict. So far, escalation has tended to simply beget more escalation, and not an offramp. It seem they all went to Iran to deliver the final threat. https://t.co/1Akhe5rHHT — Ali (@MerruX) October 26, 2026 A major new bombing campaign would put immensely more pressure on Iran, but would do the same for America's Gulf allies, given they would probably face a huge wave of retaliation from the IRGC in the form of ballistic missiles and drones. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 16:40

Foreign Demand Craters For Ugly, Tailing 2Y Treasury Auction Ahead Of Fed Decision A week that sees a barrage of macro news, earnings, political developments, capital markets events including the massive Anthropic IPO offering doc and a record equity offering by Meta, also has a flood of coupon issuance to contend with starting with today's $69BN in 2Y paper which sold to tepid demand ahead of this week's FOMC decision.  Let's see how the auction did, starting with the high yield 4.708% which was modestly below last month's 4.787% which was the highest since June 2024. This tailed the When Issued 4.705% by 0.3 bps, the biggest tail since March.  The bid to cover was  2.589, down from 2.627 last month and the lowest since also March, when it dipped to 2.440. But it was the internals where the biggest surprise, or rather disappointment, was to be found, as foreigners (Indirects) took down just 45.7%, a sharp drop from the 57.8% in September and the lowest since November 2021. Offsetting this collapse in foreign demand was a surge in Direct demand which sent the Direct bid sharply higher from 29.0% to 41.3%, the highest on record... ... leaving 13.0% to Dealers, or roughly in line with recent activity. Overall, this was a surprisingly poor auction, which tailed the 2nd most of 2026, but judging by the dramatic collapse in foreign demand, it is almost surprising the results weren't far worse.  Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 16:17

Trump Posts Longest Truth Social Rant Of His Career - 1,300 Words At Bill Maher President Donald Trump posted the longest message of his social media career on Sunday night, a rant of more than 1,300 words on Truth Social aimed at HBO host Bill Maher, two days after Maher defended his second White House dinner with him on air. At just over 1,300 words, it's Trump's longest ever.  "Let's talk about this COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSER, Bill Maher," Trump began, calling Maher's show "Low Rated" on "equally Low Rated HBO." Later he called Maher a "major POTHEAD," a "coward" and a "dumb SLEAZEBAG," and closed: "You're not transformative, you're a Loser!" The trigger was Friday's "Real Time," Maher's first show since the dinner, which CNN dates to Oct. 15. Maher opened by telling his audience, "You know what? Fuck you. I like these dinners," and said he goes in and tells Trump "face-to-face" what he writes "in articles he'll never read." Maher posted the opening bit himself on X the next day, telling of the thrill of being announced at the White House with an aide saying, "Sir, your 7 o'clock low-ratings dummy is here." There is just something thrilling about being announced when you're in the White House, when you're outside the Oval Office, and you hear the aide say, "Sir, your 7 o'clock low-ratings dummy is here." pic.twitter.com/G6qUCsstNG — Bill Maher (@billmaher) October 24, 2026 Trump beef is apparently is over the evening itself. Maher says the dinner ran four hours; Trump says it lasted "two hours, maybe less," and that "We have the timestamps." He wrote that he "learned nothing, and felt it was a waste of time," and that Maher "invited himself." He also claimed Maher "was drunk and had alcohol in his hand as he walked through the White House." Maher had not answered that as of Monday. The post then wandered through a list of grievances with Maher's show. Trump said Maher "lied about all of the Illegal Voters" in California, adding "they found 20,000, and the number could easily go to over 1,000,000." He also said that Maher "attacked our Great Republican Candidates, when he knows my Endorsement Record is 98% in the House, and 100% in the Senate," and that the show was unfair to Karoline Leavitt, who appeared as a guest. Buried in the middle was a bit of actual news. "I am not building a swimming pool in the White House Briefing Room, and never had any intention of doing so," Trump wrote, "I am thinking about moving the Press, and putting them in a different location." CNN noted that the post confirms he has considered moving the press corps out of its White House workspace. He ended with orders. "Bill: Don't call anymore. It's useless," he wrote, said he would "never watch it again," and added, "I'm going to have the Republicans not cover you anymore." Maher had not responded as of Monday morning, and the White House simply pointed Fox News Digital back to the post. Critics on the left jumped on the length, with Mediaite rounding up reaction under the heading "Mental Deterioration!" It is a sharp turn from how Trump described the evening at the time. After the dinner, which also included Kid Rock and Stephen A. Smith, he told reporters Maher "likes me a lot more than people understand" and that it "was a very informative dinner," according to Fox News. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 15:40

Creepy Paid Democrat Propaganda Script Drops... Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity, Democrat-aligned influencers have flooded social media with near-identical videos accusing Elon Musk of trying to buy the midterm elections. The clips use the same phrasing, the same framing, and the same call to action. Accounts that normally post independent-sounding commentary suddenly received the same memo. Wall Street Apes highlighted the pattern, posting a compilation that shows multiple creators delivering the message in lockstep. The videos hit the same beats: Musk is trying to buy the elections, the effort is funded through government contracts, and viewers should tell him the country is not for sale. Different faces. Same lines. This right here is what paid propaganda looks like Democrat influencers are make videos using the exact same script, word for word, targeting Elon Musk saying he's buying the midterms elections Again, WORD FOR WORD. All Democrats have is paid propaganda. They rely on people believing their paid propagandists reading scripts for money — Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) October 23, 2026 Katie Miller flagged the coordination directly. She noted the undisclosed, paid nature of the talking points and asked which leftist dark-money group is behind the push. Undisclosed, paid, coordinated talking points. What leftist dark money group is paying for this? https://t.co/WGs0bGzQyh — Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) October 24, 2026 The core message appears across roughly a dozen accounts. The 'creators' state that the spending is paid for with taxpayer money tied to government contracts. They urge viewers to push back and declare that the country is not for sale. One account, Pullups Pasta Politics, has described itself as part of the Senate Communications Committee Creators Program. That detail raises the question of who supplied the language and who coordinated the distribution. This is not the first time the pattern has appeared. Earlier this year, Senate Democrats posted matching videos built around the same scripted lines ahead of a presidential address. The identical phrasing drew immediate mockery and was described as actors reading a script. Musk has become the largest known individual donor in the current midterm cycle. Reporting from outlets including the New York Times and others has placed his contributions in the range of $276 million to $366 million so far, with major sums directed to the Senate Leadership Fund and related Republican efforts. Those figures are public and drawn from FEC filings. Left-leaning commentary has framed the spending as an attempt to purchase control of Congress. The influencer videos amplify that framing with tightly matched language rather than independent analysis. Coordinated influencer drops allow a single message to appear as widespread public sentiment. The people delivering the lines may not disclose payment or central direction in the videos themselves. The result is a set of clips that look like organic outrage while tracking the same prepared text. Similar operations have been documented in Democratic-aligned creator programs that recruit accounts, provide content guidance, and distribute material across platforms. The current push arrives as polling and race-by-race reporting show competitive contests in several Senate and House seats. Framing Musk's disclosed donations as an illegitimate purchase of the elections is a clear messaging priority. Tyler Durden Mon, 10/26/2026 - 15:00