April 10, 2026 - Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed

If you want to add context to President Trump's screed against Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones ("…they're NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS…"), look no further than a conversation I had ten days ago.

Dr. Brian Rosenwald, a Penn professor, was my guest on radio. Rosenwald earned his Ph.D. studying talk radio and wrote a tremendous book called “Talk Radio's America”, connecting the rise of Donald Trump to the flourishing of talk radio hosts who conditioned listeners to vote for someone in their mold. He joined me to update his thesis by mapping out the current conservative media landscape. Where it once consisted of terrestrial talk radio and Fox News, it's far more fractured now — splintered between the manosphere, MAGA true believers, digital-only outrage generators, and various other subgroups. You can watch the interview here.

As Rosenwald put it in a corresponding piece for Substack: "It fuels the toxicity in politics, makes it harder to get voters out of echo chambers, and does serious damage to American democracy. But like anything else, so long as demand exists, there will be supply. And technology has allowed the supply to proliferate and evolve to meet the demands of every possible constituency imaginable. It's the Wild West, and it's only getting wilder."

There's nothing altruistic about any of them. It's all about clicks and profit. Trump loves the fight. It distracts from real problems — like the war with Iran. And it suits the interests of the very people he's attacking in this case. For them, it's the best thing to happen to a broadcaster since Don Lemon was arrested in a St. Paul church.

##

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with Tehran asserting control over passage and considering tolls on oil tankers—moves that threaten global energy flows and strain an already fragile ceasefire.

Axios

President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on prominent former allies in the MAGA media sphere, including Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson, posting on his Truth Social platform to accuse them of disloyalty and incompetence amid growing criticism of his stance on Iran.

Mediaite

First Lady Melania Trump forcefully denied any ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, calling the allegations “lies” while urging Congress to hold public hearings to give survivors a platform to testify.

CNN

Facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, former senator Ben Sasse reflects on mortality, family, faith, and the fractured state of American civic life, using his final months to speak candidly about how to live with purpose while confronting death.

The New York Times

As the Masters Tournament marks its 90th edition in 2026, a sweeping collection of 90 facts highlights the iconic event’s rich history, unforgettable moments, and little-known milestones dating back to its 1934 debut.

USA Today

March 2026 was the warmest on record across the contiguous U.S., capping the hottest 12-month period ever observed while coinciding with historically low precipitation that fueled widespread drought across nearly 60% of the country.

National Centers for Environmental Information

A new survey from Epoch AI and Ipsos finds that AI is already reshaping the workplace, with 20% of full-time U.S. workers reporting it has replaced parts of their jobs even as others take on new AI-driven tasks.

NBC News

A growing body of research suggests that even a short “digital detox” from social media can significantly improve attention, mental health, and overall well-being—potentially reversing cognitive decline comparable to a decade of aging.

The Washington Post

After admitting to eight Gilgo Beach murders, serial killer Rex Heuermann was linked to one victim through a distinctive Bounty paper towels pattern found both at the crime scene and preserved in his home, prosecutors said.

ABC News

Beginning in December, the Selective Service System will automatically register eligible men for the military draft, shifting the burden from individuals to the government as mandated by the 2026 defense policy law.

The Hill