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Secretary Marco Rubio Delivers a Message to the People of Cuba

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a message to the Cuban People on their Independence Day.  The remarks from Secretary Rubio are broadcast simultaneously with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announcing in Miami, Florida, an ¹indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro.

Secretary Rubio outlined how the hardships of the Cuban people are driven by the corrupt actions of their government and went into detail about the systems of control currently in place to keep the Cuban people under extreme control systems of communism.

…”In the U.S. we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people and our countries. And currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future, are those who control your country.”   ~ Secretary Marco Rubio

¹Four American men were killed in 1996 when their private airplanes were shot down by the Cuban military over international waters.  The military was led by Raul Castro at the time who gave the order.  Raul Castro, now 94, stepped down as president in 2018, but is considered by the U.S. to still be the effective leader of the country.

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President Trump Holds an Impromptu Tarmac Presser – Discussing Election Results, Elimination of Massie, Iran, Cuba and More

President Trump paused to answer media questions before boarding Airforce One as he departs Joint Base Andrews.  President Trump was asked about last night’s election results where all of the Trump supported nominees won victories and many other current events.

President Trump was also asked about his endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas senate race, to wit Trump noted Ken Paxton will win the primary and easily defeat the Democrat in the race.

President Trump also warned Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich’s that her fiancé, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), was at risk for attention from Trump after voting against Trump policy in Congress. Trump warned Ms. Heinrich that typically “doesn’t work out well” for conservative lawmakers.

Fitzpatrick voted against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” last year, making him one of only two GOP lawmakers to do so, along with Rep.Thomas Massie (R-KY). That’s who Trump seemed to be referencing on Wednesday morning when he said it doesn’t go “well” for Republicans who oppose him.

Toward the end of the presser, President Trump was asked about James Comey recent comments that corrupt embeds remain inside the DOJ and FBI.  Trump noted Todd Blanche is doing a great job, and all of the resistance operators are being identified and removed.  WATCH:

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May 20th – 2026 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 486

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Wednesday May 20th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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UPDATE: Massie Loses His Seat – Kentucky Vote Results, Ed Gallrein vs Thomas Massie, Open Discussion Thread

UPDATE: Massie Loses His Seat – Ed Gallrein Wins Primary!

In one of the most watched primary races of the season, Kentucky House race for congressional district 04 is a challenge of President Trump endorsed Ed Gallrein versus the incumbent Trump antagonist Thomas Massie.

Most of the pontificating high-horse alligator emojis from the DeSantis tribe are supporting Thomas Massie along with significant elements of the GOPe and Bush clan who just want President Trump to get a loss.  The anti-Trump republicans have all coalesced behind Massie.  Meanwhile, the MAGA group of pro-Trump supporters are aligned to support Massie’s challenger, the Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein.

Representative Thomas Massie is facing the most difficult re-election battle of his career. Massie has been the most outspoken Republican antagonist of President Trump, who has strongly backed his challenger, Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL.  The race has turned into the most expensive congressional primary race on record, with several groups furious over Mr. Massie’s general disposition to be in opposition to anything until Trump is removed.

New York Times Election Results Here

Associated Press Election Results Here

Polls closed at 6 p.m. local time. / UPDATE: 7:45pm ET

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Happening Quietly – Mexico Freezes Bank Accounts of Indicted Sinaloa Members and Collaborates with U.S. Intelligence Hub in Juarez

It is always a good idea to make note of things, put them into referenceable context, and then later tell the full story from background details that will surprise everyone else.

Two significant events have taken place within the last few days against the backdrop of Sinaloa government officials beginning to turn themselves in to U.S. federal authorities.

The first event is the Mexican government freezing the bank accounts and financial assets of those who have been named in the U.S. federal indictment.  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says the seizures are out of her control, merely a process that takes place, yet the motives for her defensive protestations are more than a little transparent.

MEXICO – On May 18, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit froze the accounts of Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, his children, and senior aides. The action followed U.S. federal charges alleging they aided the Sinaloa Cartel through drug trafficking, weapons possession, and accepting multimillion-dollar bribes. Sheinbaum stressed the freeze was a technical, preventive step triggered by U.S. arrest warrants, not a domestic criminal finding.

The freezes come amid heightened U.S.-Mexico tensions over cartel corruption claims that have already strained security cooperation and political trust. Washington has broadened its anti-cartel strategy to target politicians accused of enabling organized crime, while Mexico remains sensitive to perceived foreign interference. Analysts warn the case could further erode institutional trust and complicate cross-border collaboration on security, trade, and migration.  (more)

The second event happened very quietly.

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Acting AG Todd Blanche Takes a Stronger, More Oppositional Approach to Democrats During Senate Testimony

From the outset of Trump term-2, I have been saying the missing element, the fundamental flaw, was the administration not going full wolverine in opposition to the leftists in congress.  When dealing with a comprehensively corrupt branch of government, a fearless cabinet nominee who confronts the corruption and fails is worth buckets more than a weak cabinet member who acquiesces and succeeds.

We need more direct oppositional confrontation, done from a place of righteous -AND AUTHENTIC- indignation.  That said, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche carries a stronger disposition toward that confrontation than his predecessor.

In this exchange Senator Chris Van Hollen, a man of notoriously corrupt disposition, and AAG Blanche battle over the establishment of a $1.776 billion victim’s compensation fund created to compensate people who have been targeted by a weaponized government.

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The full Senate appropriations hearing is below.  Todd Blanche did a great job confronting the lies, smears and Alinsky tactics of the institutional leftists.

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Vice President JD Vance Delivers White House Press Briefing – 1:30pm ET Livestream

Vice President JD Vance will be filling in for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt today (maternity leave) and will be delivering the press briefing at approximately 1:30pm ET.  Livestream Links Below:

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President Trump Endorses Ken Paxton

Earlier today President Trump noted he would be giving an endorsement in the highly contested Texas Republican primary race. President Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton.

(Via Truth Social) – The Highly Respected Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, an America First Patriot, and someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT, is running for the United States Senate, to represent a place I love and WON, BIG, three times, with 6.4 Million Votes in 2024 (The Most Votes in the History of the State, BY FAR)!

I know Ken well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a WINNER! Ken is a Strong Supporter of TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER and, very importantly, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, something which polls at 87%, including Dumocrats, and yet can’t seem to get approved. Perhaps Ken can help move these important elements of Government forward because with the Filibuster, as an example, the Democrats will terminate it on their First Day in Office, giving us two extra States, D.C. and Puerto Rico, and a greatly enlarged Supreme Court of the United States, probably going with their Dream Number of 21 Justices from the 9 that we currently have — And these new Justices will be Radical Left Lunatics! Two years ago, our Country was DEAD — Now we have the “HOTTEST” Country anywhere in the World — And I want to keep it that way. Ken Paxton will help me do that, MAKING AMERICA BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!

Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate. He will tirelessly fight to continue the Great Growth of our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations (I just delivered the Largest Tax and Regulation Cuts in American History!), and Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Champion Texas Oil & Gas, Advocate for our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Promote School Choice, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.

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Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin Arrives in Beijing, China for Summit with Chairman Xi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greeted Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin upon arrival in Beijing, China, for a summit with Chairman Xi Jinping just days after Xi and President Trump spent two days in personal conference.

There will be more details from this visit that will surface in the next several hours and few days; however, for those who walk the deep weeds the video of the arrival is very interesting.  Russia controls Russian interests in all things, including diplomatic missions.  Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets President Putin and there are customary celebratory festivities on the tarmac that most are familiar with.

Putin is walking briskly, very deliberately and giving warm waves to the assembled children. But Putin is all business, focused and walking fast.  Minister Yi slows his pace in an effort to slow Putin and emphasize the welcome. Putin keeps forward momentum. It’s subtle, but so typically Russian in approach. Nothing extraneous, nothing off script, nothing casual – straight, predictable and forward.

Notice the Russian control and immediate separation at the moment when they reach the end of the red carpet. Wang Yi and the Chinese welcome delegation as well as all security elements just disappear as in typical Russian fashion the Russian security service takes control from there.

It is a subtle difference between the merged casual formality of a U.S-China visit, and the hard lines of a Putin visit.  I find myself thinking about what a difference it would make in relations between our nations if Americans really understood Russians.  Russians are not cold per se’, they just don’t do casual very well.

There’s no “small talk” in Russian culture. There is talking that has a purpose and benefit – or there is silence. It is a facet of cultural distinction that many Americans just don’t understand.  There are no pretenses and everything is deliberate.

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