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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
Hamas agreed to parts of Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. But it’s far from clear whether this will lead to the end of the war.
Nearly two years after Israel’s war in Gaza began, it appears as though the fighting could come to an end. Today, Hamas agreed to some elements [ [link removed] ] of President Donald Trump’s proposal for peace with Israel, including the release of all Israeli hostages. The group also reiterated its longheld stance that it’s open to giving up power to a politically independent Palestinian body.
But Hamas didn’t accept the entire proposal, which also outlines plans for the future of the Gaza Strip. That should be agreed upon by a “unanimous Palestinian stance,” the group said.
Trump is already taking a victory lap: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” he posted on Friday evening “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. “We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
The news comes hours after Trump warned that Hamas has until Sunday to agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel — or else “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.” Earlier this week, Hamas said that it wants more time to study the proposal. That still seems to be the case.
Hamas’s response is a promising sign. But where could things go wrong?
Hamas expressed willingness to start negotiations about the deal. Basically, its response is “not a ‘no,’ but the deal isn’t done yet,” according to one veteran journalist [ [link removed] ]. Previous negotiations to end the war have collapsed, and the group may end up making demands that Israel simply won’t accept.
A major issue with previous negotiations has been Israel’s refusal to stop attacking the Gaza Strip and targeting Hamas. Israel is currently carrying out attacks in Gaza City — warning civilians that if they don’t leave, they’ll be considered militants [ [link removed] ]. Israel has also targeted Hamas leaders outside the Gaza Strip, including a recent airstrike [ [link removed] ] on Qatar. It’s likely that Hamas would only accept a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
Another lingering question: Trump is thrilled with Hamas’s response. But what does Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu think? It’s clear to most observers that Netnayhau sees prolonging the war [ [link removed] ] as his only way to hold onto power.
The peace process could collapse, as it has many times before. For now, however, there’s hope that this could be the first step toward peace.
SHUT DOWN AND OUT
Is Donald Trump feeling any pressure to come to the bargaining table to end the shutdown? If his social media feeds are any indication… probably not.
He posted an AI-generated video [ [link removed] ] depicting one of his most widely-feared public servants as the Personification of Death. Cloaked in black and scowling, Trump repeatedly strikes a cowbell to the tune of “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Vice President JD Vance bangs on the drums. The camera pans past a racist portrait of Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero.
Then, White House budget chief Russ Vought emerges from storm clouds — wielding a scythe. “Russ Vought is the reaper. He wields the pen, the funds and the brain,” the synthetic voice intones. “Here comes the reaper, Dems you babies. Here comes the reaper, gonna tie your hands … Here comes the reaper, cry baby end your plan.”
The video is a dark example of how divided and toxic American politics are right now. Democrats want Republicans to extend healthcare subsidies that millions of Americans rely on. Republicans want Democrats to keep the government open without any concessions. The president, meanwhile, is seemingly in his own world, reposting AI slop [ [link removed] ] like an amused grandparent on Facebook.
“That’s a great move if you’re trying to win over a majority of shitposters on social media. Not so much if you’re going for a majority of Americans,” former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) told What A Day, after watching the video.
How is Trumpworld reacting to the video? I texted two senior Trump officials: “Amazing. May Russ live up to that endorsement,” one responded. “I think it’s brilliant social media game,” another responded. “DJT runs circles around them with his online game and he’s freaking 80.”
When asked about the video today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that [ [link removed] ] Trump “likes to have a little fun.”
WHAT ELSE?
The U.S. blew up yet another boat off the coast of Venezuela [ [link removed] ], killing four people. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike on Twitter, alleging that the boat was carrying illegal drugs headed to American shores. This comes a day after reports that Trump sent a secret declaration to Congress the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels. In other words, the Trump administration claims that it can carry out extrajudicial killings without consequences.
Israel intercepted the last boat from the flotilla [ [link removed] ] carrying aid to the Gaza Strip today, arresting some 450 activists who participated in the mission. There will be more efforts to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, according to organizers: “We will do this again and again and until we reach our end,” one activist said. “And that is to stop the genocide and to liberate Palestine.”
Apple removed an app that allows people to track [ [link removed] ] and report local ICE agent sightings. More than 1 million people have already downloaded the app and should still be able to use it.
A handful of elite colleges are debating [ [link removed] ] whether to accept the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which offers priority access to federal funding in exchange for pledging allegiance to conservative values. Oh, and the schools will lose federal benefits if they don’t. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), meanwhile, threatened to withhold billions in funding from California colleges that sign onto the deal.
CBS News is expected to name [ [link removed] ] Bari Weiss, Free Press founder and former New York Times columnist, as its editor in chief. Weiss is known for her adamant anti-woke ideology and vocal defense of Israel. An opinion columnist with no broadcast experience calling the shots at a mainstream television network will be… interesting.
One of the two people killed in the U.K. synagogue attack [ [link removed] ] yesterday was accidentally shot by police trying to stop the shooter from entering the building, according to authorities.
Federal investigators are probing [ [link removed] ] a stock exchange startup for its alleged misappropriation of funds — to organizations associated with Scientology. The exchange denied any wrongdoing, and the Church of Scientology accused the Wall Street Journal of “trying to name and target its believers.”
Light at the End of the Email…
A 10-foot-tall statue of Donald Trump [ [link removed] ] and deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein holding hands reappeared at the National Mall yesterday, a week after the president ordered its removal. Does the shutdown mean that there’s no one around to remove the statue? Will Trump angrily try to remove it himself? It can’t be ruled out!
Maryland residents can now receive a butterfly mark [ [link removed] ] on their ID, indicating a non-apparent disability. It’s a huge step forward, according to advocates, so that law enforcement can better understand how to communicate with people with such disabilities.
If anyone deserves a cheap drink this week, [ [link removed] ] it’s federal employees. Thankfully, there’s tons of restaurants and cafes offering discounted food and beverages around Washington, D.C, including free pastries and — at my personal favorite Italian restaurant — $10 pasta dishes [ [link removed] ].
The amount of time people spend on social media [ [link removed] ] peaked in 2022 and has steadily declined, according to an analysis from the Financial Times. Even more shocking: it was young people who started cutting back first!
Sarah Mullally became the first woman [ [link removed] ] to be named the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England’s spiritual leader. Mullaly is a longtime church trailblazer: She was the first female bishop of London and became the youngest person ever named as England’s top nursing officer. We love to see it.
Happy Taylor Swift album release day! [ [link removed] ] “The Life of a Showgirl” features lots of upbeat tracks and hits many classic Swift themes, including love and revenge. (She takes aim at Charli XCX in one track, which I’ll let slide for now…) Between the album drop and the fall weather, it’s the perfect day to make those Taylor Swift chai cookies [ [link removed] ].
Meet Agent Mulder and Briggs!
“The pups’ shutdown hobbies include petty theft and other criminal mischief. Although they are now one-percenters (in the animal world at least), they vehemently support taxing the rich.”
— A member of the What A Day fam
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