Thursday, August 20, 2026
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TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS
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The president is convinced that data centers simply need a public relations boost — which he’s eager to provide despite the public backlash.
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The president said he’s prepared to impose “TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences” on countries that assist Iran. There is reason for skepticism, however.
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The president said he’s prepared to impose “TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences” on countries that assist Iran. There is reason for skepticism, however.
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Last year, the White House said Joe Biden and his administration “abused and targeted Christians.” A year later, the hypocrisy is staggering.
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Last year, the White House said Joe Biden and his administration “abused and targeted Christians.” A year later, the hypocrisy is staggering.
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In his first term, the president promised to pay off the debt. He delivered the opposite results. In his second term, it’s happening all over again.
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In his first term, the president promised to pay off the debt. He delivered the opposite results. In his second term, it’s happening all over again.
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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR
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- "Work on the analysis was not conducted by career civil servants at the Census Bureau, and the team behind it included individuals affiliated with the America First Policy Institute, a think tank started by officials from Trump's first administration, according to a Census Bureau employee who NPR has agreed not to name because they fear retaliation at work."
Experts raise alarms over Census Bureau report Trump is touting on noncitizen voting
(NPR)
- The Republican town hall is vanishing — and Democrats see an opening
Republicans say in-person town halls are outdated, unsafe and ineffective. Democrats say that is precisely the point: Lawmakers should not be able to avoid angry constituents simply because the interactions might be uncomfortable.
(MS NOW)
- "For decades, the newspaper’s independence has hinged in part on its civilian leadership, which helps ensure the publication doesn’t turn into pro-government propaganda. William Urban, an active-duty Navy captain and public affairs officer, was appointed earlier this month as a deputy to Lederer. The appointment was made without Lederer’s consultation, according to Rufus Friday, chair of the Stripes advisory board of publishers."
Stars and Stripes publisher announces departure with a parting shot at Pentagon
(Washington Post gift link)
- "According to a court filing, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was taking part in “boxing/sparring practice” as part of a martial arts session at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis in May when a “concealed body-worn audio recorder” tumbled to the floor in the church gymnasium. The agent reported leaving the gym without immediately noticing the recorder was gone and returning about three minutes later to collect it."
Religious groups ask judge to consider contempt over undercover ICE operation
(Politico)
- "A Florida school board that was at the epicenter of national debates over covid mask mandates and book bans lost its conservative majority this week, a change that some say signals a priority shift among voters."
(Washington Post)
- "But as it has come under fire in New York, Ecto World has found a champion in the nation’s capital, one it has paid well for: Roger Stone, the longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, conspiracy theorist, and political provocateur who was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Trump–Russia investigation, sentenced to 40 months in prison, and subsequently pardoned by Trump. Earlier this year, it retained Stone as a lobbyist and, as of the end of June, had compensated him at least $300,000 for his efforts, according to lobbying disclosure reports filed with Congress. The reports note that Stone would focus on the “Executive Office of the President” regarding the “regulation of e-cigarettes and related products.”"
(Mother Jones)
- "One person familiar with Mr. Hegseth’s thinking said that the defense secretary likes his wife to travel with him to keep him out of trouble. Mr. Hegseth, who has a history of heavy drinking, has himself made clear he needs his wife at his side. He often credits his “two J’s” — Jennifer and Jesus — with transforming his life."
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"By 2016, when Mr. Hegseth was regularly co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend,” he and Mrs. Hegseth were having an affair. The relationship burst into the open at the “Fox & Friends” Christmas party that year, when Mrs. Hegseth’s husband turned up, even though the event was limited to Fox employees. Mr. Hegseth, who had been drinking, was upset to see him and caused a disturbance that the human resources department had to address with him, according to a person with knowledge of the situation."
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"The British spoke in general terms, the official said, because the presence of Mrs. Hegseth made them uneasy. Later they had a smaller meeting, without her, to go into detail."
(New York Times)
- "President Donald Trump’s closest aide, Natalie Harp, declined multiple times over more than a year to seek a routine security clearance normally obtained by West Wing staffers to work at the White House, according to two people familiar with the matter. "
(MS NOW)
Follow Rachel Maddow on Bluesky here.
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Rachel and the gang are getting out of the studio heading to Arlington, Texas on Saturday, September 26th to hang out with the MS NOW audience.
This forthcoming Membership experience will bring MS NOW fans closer to our hosts and to each other, with real-time connections and exclusive content you can't get on-air.
Each ticket, with prices starting as low as $30, includes a special offer for one year of free access to MS NOW's new membership experience.
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"Department of Fate: The Promise, the Power, and the Collapse of America’s Most Consequential Institution"
comes out November 10 but you can pre-order now.
See MS.NOW/DepartmentOfFate for links and options to pre-order.
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