Today's record
New sourced entries, newest day first. Each one carries an evidence label, a checked date and links to the record it rests on. Updated every morning; see Methods for how entries are checked and Corrections for what changed.
October 29, 2026 1
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Elections and Democracy
Control of the Senate is a coin flip five days out: The Economist puts Democrats at 1 in …
The Economist gives Democrats a 1-in-2 chance of the Senate as of October 29; DDHQ says 56 percent, Silver 75 percent. Cook rates seven races toss-ups. CNN's range: 49 to 55 Democratic seats, 51 needed.
October 28, 2026 8
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Rights, Speech and Courts
Abortion is banned in 13 states and limited to 6 to 12 weeks in 6 more; four states vote …
KFF's tracker, updated October 16, 2026, counts 13 states with bans and 6 with early limits, 5 of them with no health exception; Idaho, Nevada, Virginia and Missouri have abortion measures on the November 2026 ballot.
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Taxes and Public Finance
About 9 million borrowers are in default on $220 billion of student loans, while 7.5 mill…
Federal Student Aid data through March 2026 show about 9 million borrowers in default on $220 billion; the SAVE plan is ending under a settlement, with more than 2 million borrowers already told to choose a new plan.
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Taxes and Public Finance
First-time buyers fell to 21 percent of the housing market, the lowest on record, and the…
NAR's 2025 survey of home buyers found first-time buyers at a record-low 21 percent of purchases and a record-high median age of 40, with the first-time share down by half since 2007.
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Rights, Speech and Courts
ICE held 67,180 people on July 30, 2026, up 71 percent since January 2025; about 7 in 10 …
GAO reports ICE detention rose from 39,314 on January 20, 2025 to 67,180 on July 30, 2026, with $45 billion in new detention funding; TRAC's July 2026 data show 70.6 percent of detainees have no criminal conviction.
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Health and Safety
Medicaid work requirements start by January 1, 2027 for 18.5 million adults; CBO expects …
The 2025 budget law requires 18.5 million Medicaid expansion adults to show 80 hours a month of work, school or service beginning no later than December 31, 2026; CBO projects 4.8 million more uninsured from the requirement by 2034.
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Elections and Democracy
More than 21 million Gen Z voters stayed home in 2024, and only 33 percent of 18-to-29-ye…
CIRCLE counts more than 21 million Gen Z non-voters in 2024 and almost 50 million eligible in 2026; Harvard's fall 2026 poll finds 33 percent definitely voting, down from 40 percent before the 2018 and 2022 midterms.
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Foreign Policy
Musk's SpaceX throttled Ukraine's Starlink from Oct. 14; CBS photos show air-defense rada…
CBS photos show Ukraine's air-defense radar Starlink links at 0.1 Mbps on Oct. 19, the day a Russian drone killed five in Kharkiv; Musk admits SpaceX throttled service from Oct. 14. Pentagon denies ordering it; probes requested.
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Technology and Space
Recent college graduates face 5.6 percent unemployment and 42 percent underemployment, an…
New York Fed data for Q2 2026 put unemployment among graduates ages 22 to 27 at about 5.6 percent and underemployment at 42 percent; Harvard's fall 2026 youth poll finds 64 percent see AI replacing jobs as a serious threat.
October 27, 2026 2
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Environment and Science
About 600 forecasters gone, weather balloons grounded, the billion-dollar disaster databa…
The Weather Service lost about 600 of 4,200 staff in 2025; nearly a dozen balloon sites cut launches; NOAA stopped its disaster database in May 2025; the Austin office had six vacancies on July 4, 2025. Congress refused the NOAA cut.
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Taxes and Public Finance
The Supreme Court said the President could not impose his tariffs, about $100 billion has…
Learning Resources v. Trump, Feb. 20, 2026: IEEPA does not authorize tariffs. CBO: about $100 billion refunded by July 2026. Yale: about $1,100 per household a year under replacement tariffs. Soybeans to China down from 985M bushels.
October 26, 2026 37
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Foreign Policy
5,000 US troops ordered out of Germany after the chancellor criticized the Iran war
Vance told Europe its main threat was itself, Hegseth called allies 'PATHETIC' free-loaders, Trump said the US 'doesn't have to be there for NATO,' and the Pentagon ordered 5,000 troops out of Germany over a dispute about the Iran war.
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Foreign Policy
'Where's my favorite dictator?': a sourced catalog of Trump's affection for strongmen
From 'we fell in love' with Kim Jong Un to 'genius' for Putin, 'my favorite dictator' for el-Sisi, campaigning for Orbán, a state dinner for Xi and shutting down a Khashoggi question for MBS, the record spans both terms.
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Government and Oversight
Three House votes to end the Iran war. One Senate vote, reversed the next day after Trump…
Congress holds the war power. The Iran war began with no vote, a notice that ignored the War Powers Resolution and no briefing for six weeks; the House voted three times to end it and the Senate once, until Republicans flipped.
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Health and Safety
Projected: 10 million more uninsured by 2034 (CBO). Observed: 2.6 million fewer in 2026
CBO projects 10 million more uninsured by 2034 from the 2025 law, over 14 million with expired enhanced credits; observed 2026 data show marketplace enrollment down 2.6 million and insurer premiums up 26 percent.
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Government and Oversight
DOGE's receipts and DOGE's data: what the audits and court filings actually show
DOGE's savings claims carried documented errors ($8 billion listed for an $8 million contract), a 2026 GAO audit found most savings unverifiable, and a January 2026 court filing described unauthorized SSA data handling.
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Defense and Security
A 2012 bipartisan study: strikes buy four years at most, Iran retaliates at Hormuz, no re…
The Shah said Iran could close Hormuz in 1972; Iran threatened it in 1983, 1984, 2011, 2018 and 2025; a 2012 bipartisan study said strikes buy four years at most and invite retaliation at the strait. By September 2026 the US was losing.
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Environment and Science
Five marine monuments opened to commercial fleets, nearly a fifth of NOAA Fisheries gone,…
Five marine monuments reopened to commercial fishing; NOAA Fisheries lost nearly 550 of 3,000 staff; USDA proposed rescinding the 58.5-million-acre Roadless Rule; bear baiting returns to Alaska preserves. The objectors: hunters and anglers.
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Foreign Policy
76% of Americans oppose Russia taking more of eastern Ukraine; the US plan asks Kyiv to h…
Through 2026 the administration pressed Ukraine to quit the Donbas it still holds while easing pressure on Moscow; Putin kept bombing Kyiv, and 61 percent of Ukrainians and 76 percent of Americans reject the trade.
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Foreign Policy
Signed the Russia sanctions law Sept. 18; waived it Oct. 16, two days before it took effect
On October 9, 2026 Trump agreed with Putin by phone to let Russian diesel back into world markets; a week later he waived the core of the Lindsey Graham sanctions act he had signed 28 days earlier, as Russia offered nothing in return.
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Foreign Policy
Helsinki to St Petersburg: the documented record of Trump siding with Putin
From taking Putin's word over US intelligence in Helsinki in 2018, to calling the 2022 invasion 'genius,' to nine envoy meetings and a diesel deal in 2026, the record of Trump's deference to Putin is long, public and bipartisan-documented.
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Defense and Security
The first boat strike left two survivors clinging to the wreck. A second strike killed them.
Since September 2025 the US military has destroyed more than 60 small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 210 people labeled 'unlawful combatants' without public evidence; survivors of the first strike were killed by a second.
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Elections and Democracy
Musk settles the $1 million giveaway suits on undisclosed terms; the 'space lasers' texts…
Musk and America PAC agreed on October 15, 2026 to settle two class actions over the 2024 $1 million voter giveaways on undisclosed terms; in 2024 Grok spread false ballot-deadline information for about ten days.
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Government and Oversight
Two SEC settlements: $20 million each in 2018, $1.5 million in 2026 with a judge's 'signi…
Musk and Tesla each paid $20 million to settle the 2018 'funding secured' case; in 2026 a Musk trust paid $1.5 million to settle the SEC's Twitter-disclosure suit, approved despite the judge's 'significant misgivings'.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
Musk helps lead a Pentagon weapons study while SpaceX holds billions in defense awards
In 2025-2026 Musk's companies won a $5.92 billion anticipated-value launch contract and a $200 million AI ceiling alongside competitors, DOJ dropped a SpaceX hiring case, and Musk joined a Pentagon warfare study.
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Elections and Democracy
Musk gave at least $288 million in 2024; 2026 midterm tallies now exceed $400 million
FEC-based tallies put Musk's 2024 election spending at $259 million (Reuters, Dec 2024) and at least $288 million (Washington Post, Jan 2025); separate 2026 midterm tallies range from $366 million to more than $445 million.
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Defense and Security
Two days before the bombs fell, Oman's foreign minister said an Iran deal was 'within reach'
The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, two days after Oman said a deal was near; eight months on Hormuz is contested, 21 US troops are dead, the bill is $43.6 billion, Iran's uranium is unaccounted for and no deal exists.
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Foreign Policy
The 28-point plan asked Ukraine to give up Donetsk, cap its army at 600,000 and forgo NATO
Trump hosted Putin on US soil in August 2025 with no deal and no ceasefire; by November a 28-point US plan asked Ukraine to give up Donetsk, cap its army and forgo NATO, and leaked calls showed the US envoy coaching the Kremlin.
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Foreign Policy
Russian oil sanctions, one year on: repeated waivers, a Hungary carve-out and a $22 billi…
Since sanctioning Rosneft and Lukoil in October 2025, the administration waived them three times during the Iran war, gave Hungary a one-year exemption now up for renewal, and Lukoil's $22 billion foreign portfolio is still unsold.
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Health and Safety
SNAP participation down 13 percent in a year: 41.6 million to 36.1 million (USDA data)
USDA data show SNAP participation fell from 41.6 million in July 2025 to 36.1 million in July 2026, a 13 percent drop that CBPP estimates includes about 2 million children; state cost-sharing phases in from October 2026.
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Defense and Security
Congress was told about the raid on Caracas after it was over. About 75 people were dead.
On January 3, 2026, 200 US special operators and 150 aircraft seized Nicolás Maduro in Caracas; about 75 people died, Congress was told afterward, a secret memo said no law bound the president, and Trump said the US would 'run' Venezuela.
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Foreign Policy
Starlink and Ukraine: the 2022 shutdown report, the October 2026 slowdown, and who had th…
Reuters reported Musk ordered Starlink cut over parts of Ukraine in 2022 (SpaceX disputes it); in October 2026 Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield links were throttled for over a week until service returned October 24.
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Foreign Policy
Only 15% of Germans now call the United States a trustworthy partner, the lowest ever recorded
In January 2026 Trump put a 10 percent tariff on eight allies for backing Denmark over Greenland until markets fell; by spring 76 percent of Germans called the US untrustworthy and a Pew median of 85 percent of Europeans disapproved.
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Government and Oversight
USAID food aid: $489 million flagged at risk; documented losses smaller; watchdog fired
USAID's inspector general warned in February 2025 that $489 million in food aid was at risk and was fired the next day; most warehoused food later shipped, $2.9 million spoiled in Djibouti, 500 tons destroyed in Dubai.
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Taxes and Public Finance
FY2026 deficit $1.99 trillion (Treasury); 2025 tax law adds $4.1 trillion (CBO estimate)
Treasury's final fiscal 2026 statement shows a $1,992 billion deficit, about $160 billion above fiscal 2024 as first reported; CBO estimates the 2025 tax law adds $4.1 trillion to deficits over ten years with interest.
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Foreign Policy
US cut weapons and intelligence to Ukraine for a week after the Oval Office clash
After the February 28, 2025 Oval Office clash, the Trump administration paused weapons deliveries and intelligence sharing with Ukraine; both resumed on March 11 only after Kyiv accepted a US ceasefire proposal and a minerals deal.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
The Qatari 747: a gift to the government, a cost to the public
The Pentagon accepted a Qatari Boeing 747 in May 2025; Trump began flying on it July 1, 2026. The Air Force says conversion costs under $400 million (estimate); the library plan is now uncertain.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
He promised gas under $2. The Iran war took it to $4.48 and diesel to $6.50.
Gasoline went from under $3 to $4.48 within ten weeks of the Iran war, diesel to $6.50, Brent peaked near $138, tanker hire rose from $65,000 to $1.6 million a day, and average gas prices under Trump now exceed Biden's.
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Government and Oversight
Troops on American streets: the Guard deployments the courts found illegal, from Los Ange…
Trump federalized thousands of Guard troops and sent Marines into Los Angeles, then Portland, Chicago, Memphis and Washington; a judge found Posse Comitatus violations, the Supreme Court said he likely lacked authority, and he retreated.
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Taxes and Public Finance
Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit, the audit-immunity deal, and the judge who called it a sham
Trump sued the IRS in January 2026 and settled in May for an apology, a since-rescinded $1.776 billion fund and audit protection; a judge found the suit collusive in July, and the 11th Circuit refused to pause her order on September 29.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
Trump disclosed $1.4 billion in 2025 crypto income; Reuters estimates $2.3 billion family gain
Trump's 2025 disclosure reported over $1.4 billion in crypto income; Reuters estimates about $2.3 billion in family gains; a $500 million UAE-linked stake drew a CFIUS request and, in October 2026, an unproven lawsuit.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
Trump's oil stocks, the Iran war and $7 billion of well-timed bets: what is known and wha…
JEC Democratic staff estimate Trump's oil stocks gained $4.6 million to $15.5 million in 2026; Reuters traced about $7 billion in oil bets placed before his Iran announcements; the CFTC confirmed an open probe on October 22, 2026.
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Defense and Security
Trump's sons bet on defense tech while their father's Pentagon spends: what the records show
A Washington Post analysis found companies backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump won at least $3.2 billion in direct federal business and $3.1 billion in options after they invested; officials and firms deny favoritism.
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Foreign Policy
Five Russian data centers down in ten days; Trump's response was to call it a disgrace an…
Oct. 8-18, 2026: Ukrainian drones hit five Russian data centers, crippling Yandex, Sberbank and VK. Trump called the strikes a disgrace, said Ukraine needs a new president, and Putin's envoy pitched joint US-Russia data centers.
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Defense and Security
Iran war: $45.1 billion reported; $87.6 billion supplemental; $1.5 trillion 2027 request
The Pentagon reported $45.1 billion in Iran war costs through early September 2026 (CBO: $38 billion through August 1); an $87.6 billion supplemental is pending and the 2027 request seeks $1.5 trillion for defense.
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Money and Conflicts of Interest
What the Trumps are worth, according to Forbes: estimates with dates attached
Forbes puts Donald Trump at $7 billion (September 2026 list) and $6.6 billion in its live tracker on October 26, 2026; Eric at $400 million and Don Jr. at $300 million (December 2025); Barron at $150 million (September 2025).
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Government and Oversight
After DOGE: 108-minute Social Security callbacks, IRS enforcement staff down 27 percent, …
Auditors wrote the record on DOGE: Social Security callbacks averaged 108.6 minutes and 21.3 million calls were abandoned; IRS enforcement staff fell 27 percent; GAO found DOGE followed its own method for 27.5 percent of claimed savings.
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Rights, Speech and Courts
X v. CCDH: dismissed March 2024; Ninth Circuit argued Sept. 30, 2026; decision pending
A judge dismissed X's suit against a hate-speech research group in March 2024 as a case about punishing speech; the Ninth Circuit heard X's appeal on September 30, 2026 and has not ruled.