Thursday June 26th, 2025
Congress Pissed, NATO Booed, and Vaccines on the Chopping Block
Trump clamps down on Congress, NATO brawls over defense cash, and RFK Jr. sharpens the anti-vax axe. Tomorrow’s headlines will be nastier than today’s hangover.
Today in one sentence: After Trump blocked congressional briefings post-Iran leak and called nuclear talks with Iran pointless, NATO allies tried to dodge a 5% defense budget, global vaccine efforts got kneecapped, and Kennedy’s new vaccine panel promptly freaked out doctors.
1. Congress Furious Over Trump’s Intel Blackout
Expect top Democrats to announce a formal push for a congressional inquiry after Trump’s move to restrict classified briefings, per Axios. The White House will double down, citing ‘ongoing criminal investigations’—but Dems will hammer the narrative of a cover-up, fueling a few more days of Capitol Hill rage. Ripple: Watch for a bipartisan group to threaten appropriations holds or legal action by week’s end.
2. Iran Dismisses U.S. Talks, Ramps Up Nuclear Boasting
Iranian officials will scoff at Trump’s ‘deal not needed’ comments, with state media touting resilience and vowing fresh nuclear advances (Politico, ABC News). In private, European diplomats will quietly panic, urging Washington to clarify if the U.S. wants actual negotiations or just another round of saber-rattling. Ripple: Look for Russia to jump in with an offer to ‘mediate’—and to quietly ship more parts to Iran’s program (70% confidence).
3. Spain, Italy Threaten NATO Revolt Over 5% Milestone
Spain will formally protest Trump’s tariff threats (Axios), while Italy signals it can’t hit 5% defense spending, citing fiscal chaos. Behind the scenes, Baltic countries will begin demanding U.S. security guarantees in writing, fearing Trump’s commitment is as sturdy as wet Kleenex. Ripple: European defense stocks will jump, but Spanish bonds could take a hit on new trade anxiety (60% confidence).
4. Ukraine: Send Patriots or We’ll Find New Friends
Zelensky’s office will publicly welcome Trump’s vague Patriot missile offer (NYT), but Ukrainian diplomats will quietly warn EU allies that U.S. dithering is pushing Kyiv to buy from France, Germany, or even Israel. Ripple: Expect renewed calls in Congress to fast-track arms sales, with defense contractors salivating at a potential bidding war.
5. WHO, UNICEF Slam U.S. Over Vaccine Funding Freeze
WHO and UNICEF will issue stern statements condemning the U.S. pullout from Gavi (Reuters), warning it’ll jeopardize millions of children. Gavi will launch an emergency fundraising drive, and a few European countries will pledge stopgap cash, but not enough to fill the $1.2B hole. Ripple: Vaccine stock prices—Merck, Pfizer, GSK—will get jittery on Wall Street and in European markets.
Notables
NYC’s Mamdani Preps for Trump Onslaught
Fresh off his primary win, Zohran Mamdani will use Trump’s ‘Communist Lunatic’ smear in a fundraising blitz. Local Dems will quietly fret about a turnout hit in Brooklyn Orthodox precincts (65% confidence).
Take a Tums and hide your phone. Tomorrow’s headlines are just getting started.