Leland Vittert’s War Notes: Messaging or Reality Problem (?)

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NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonight's 9 p.m. ET show, delivered straight to your inbox.

Toys for Tots🪀: Christmas time is known for giving, and what's better than giving back and putting a smile on a kid's face?

🎁The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation collects new toys, books and gifts for less fortunate kids at Christmas
- ‼️Click here to give back to those in need and help put gifts under the tree.
Tonight📺: President and CEO of Toys for Tots, Retired Lieutenant General James Laster, on how he has been giving back to children in need since the 40s and how you can help.

2025→2026 🪩

👀Last year, we asked you guys for your predictions for 2025 —

🎤Will at least one of Trump's political opponents be indicted?
- Update: Three were indicted — James Comey, Letitia James and John Bolton
🎤Will Russia and Ukraine agree to a peace deal?
- Update: No peace deal has been made, but we may be coming close.
🎤Will Congress pass a border bill?
- Update: Yes, the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
🎤Will Elon still be in Trump's circle?
- Update: Nope — Elon and Trump are no longer close
🎤Will Kamala Harris run for Governor of California?
- Update: No — but it looks like she might be eyeing another presidential run
🎤Will stocks be up or down compared to this year (2024)?
- Update: Up
🎤How many cabinet members will Trump fire by this time next year?
- Update: Zero

Watch tonight📺: George Will joins us as we go over what happened this year, and we will look forward to next year with his predictions for 2026.

How many Cabinet members will Trump fire?
Will Russia and Ukraine agree to a peace deal? Would Putin honor one if he does?
Will Maduro be in charge of Venezuela?
Trump named Biden seven times in his Christmas speech last night. Will he use Biden's name more or less in next year's speech?
Will Trump put any of his political opponents in jail?
Will stocks be up or down?
Will Democrats take back the House?
What Democrat will be leading the betting markets for the 2028 election?

Brown University Update‼️: 48 hours ago, the Boston FBI said there was no connection between the Brown shooting and the MIT teacher killed in his home— now law enforcement is saying there are possible ties between the two.

⏰It's been 125 hours since a gunman killed two people on the Ivy League campus
⏰Three days since a professor at MIT was shot and killed in his home.
- ‼️And no one has been arrested for either of these killings.
  - Finally🙌🏻: Police say they identified the Brown shooter — now the search continues for where they are.
  - Watch tonight📺: Former FBI Special Agent Chris Swecker joins us.
Plus🤦🏼‍♂️: As we predicted, the Muslim world is now angry with the "hero" Muslim who stopped the terror attack in Australia
- 📰The Australian writes: "Bondi hero attacked as 'traitor' in Arab world."

Messaging or Reality Problem (?)

👀Today, even CNN had to admit the inflation numbers were stunningly good, as in low inflation

🎤"It was a better number than anyone was expecting…positive news — there's no other way to spin it," said Harvard professor Ken Rogoff on CNN.
🤷🏼‍♂️It certainly gives credibility to Trump's 18-minute speech last night, saying things are trending in the right direction.
💰Trump's economy problem is complicated — things are going well for many
- 📈The stock market is up
- 💰Big investments
- 📉Inflation down
  - 🚙Yet, car loan delinquencies are near records
🤷🏼‍♂️As we've told you — the economy is about how people feel and them feeling like the president cares about them.
- 🎙️Last night was Trump's chance for a reset and to see if the new message matches people's reality.

Watch tonight📺: Mick Mulvaney, Marc Caputo and Lauren Wright on how Trump flips the narrative.

WATCH ON BALANCE WEEKNIGHTS AT 9P/8C

Every night during On Balance, Leland Vittert asks "why?" about the most pressing matters of the day, with an intellectual, balanced and sometimes irreverent take on the news.

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