April 17, 2026 - 10-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon Begins

"We're just two talk show hosts having a backstage conversation," I said.
"Yeah, but you're more successful at it than I ever was," he replied.
"Funny coming from you, given how far you've gone."
There we stood, making small talk in the wings of a theater at a corporate event in Atlantic City, waiting for our respective cues. We did what people do in those moments — asked about kids and grandchildren. He mentioned he'd just been to Disney with the family.
"They gave us all character shirts."
Someone nearby asked if he'd gotten a Lightning Lane pass — that's the new name for what used to be the FastPass, the skip-the-line perk.
"They offered it to us, but I said no."
I wasn't surprised he'd turn it down. No way he'd want to be the guy exercising that kind of privilege.
He's a regular guy, but not in a backslapping way. Too formal for that. More "nuts to you, fella" than someone who'd ever use coarse language. And he looks fit, in a candidate kind of way. If his party will have him, I suspect he's not finished.
He's the sort of Republican who epitomized the party when I came of age — an impression reinforced by the fact that he has a book coming out called “What Conservatives Believe”, a title that is almost certainly a nod to Barry Goldwater's landmark 1960 manifesto, “The Conscience of a Conservative”.  He's still fighting to get the GOP to a Reaganesque place.  I gave up and left long ago.
It was time for one of us to speak. He paid me a compliment. I made sure to thank Vice President Mike Pence for his courage on January 6th.

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A fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold in Lebanon, offering a brief pause in weeks of deadly conflict while raising uncertainty over its durability and its role in broader U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.

Associated Press

A group of House Democrats is discussing plans to force a vote on an Iran war powers resolution every day until one finally passes or U.S. operations in the region end.

Axios

U.S. intelligence officials say China has considered supplying Iran with advanced radar and possibly other air defense systems, raising concerns that global powers like Beijing and Russia could deepen their support and widen the conflict beyond the immediate U.S.-Israel-Iran war.

CBS News

Court records detail escalating turmoil in the marriage of former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and his wife Cerina, revealing alcohol abuse, erratic behavior, and a contentious divorce in the weeks leading up to the murder-suicide that left both dead.

The Washington Post

A new Gallup poll finds a sharp rise in young men who say religion is “very important” in their lives—climbing to 42 percent—while religiosity among young women declines, widening a striking and historically unusual gender gap.

The New York Times

A Senate Democrats’ report led by Bernie Sanders finds that drugmakers raised prices on hundreds of medications and launched costly new treatments despite President Trump’s pricing deals, casting doubt on whether the policies are lowering costs for patients.

NBC News

As Iran peace talks intensify, Trump is closely tracking Vice President JD Vance’s performance—privately comparing him to Marco Rubio—while relying on him to broker a deal that could shape both foreign policy outcomes and future political rivalries.

CNN

During a speaking engagement in Australia, Prince Harry said the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, made him reluctant to embrace royal life, though he later found purpose through public service.

ABC News

Paramount has confirmed that Tom Cruise will return for “Top Gun 3,” continuing the blockbuster franchise after the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick, which revitalized theaters with its $1.5 billion global run.

Variety

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) sparked viral backlash after telling scandal-plagued colleagues Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to “find Jesus” and asking “why is everybody so horny here,” prompting critics to highlight her own past controversies.

Mediaite