Tuesday, February 24, 2026

​ February 24, 2026 Good morning, Welcome to the news for independent thinkers ​ Leading the News . . . ​ Trump to center SOTU on working families with sweeping economic case . . . President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union will zero in on the economy, pairing working-family guests with a barrage of statistics aimed at contrasting his record with the sky-high inflation of the Biden years. Set for 9 p.m. Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, the address doubles as a constitutional check-in and prime-time showcase, with the White House promising policy announcements and a forward-looking pitch built on measurable cost-of-living gains. Fox News​ ​ ​7 Times Democrats Had a Meltdown Over Trump's State of the Union Speeches​ ​ ​Democrats prepare to protest Trump State of the Union​ ​ ​Trump to come face-to-face with Supreme Court justices who rejected tariffs at State of the Union​ ​ Prepare for some drama here . . . ​ ​Here is a look at who made the guest lists​ Politics White house pressures Florida over DeSantis AI bill . . . The White House is quietly pushing back on a Florida measure backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would impose new limits on artificial intelligence, including safeguards for minors. Officials have contacted Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez as the bill moves through committees, signaling federal resistance to state-level tech rules. Perez says Washington has first dibs on AI oversight, exposing a turf war over who controls the rapidly expanding industry. Daily Signal​ ​ The Trump White House is in bed with Big Tech on this one, seeking a national standard for AI regulation that would be lower than the standards many states would impose to defend children, preserve jobs, and prevent AI from getting out of control and killing humans. ​ ​Laken Riley's Mother Gives Emotional Message to Trump​ ​ Pirro's case against six democrats collapses . . . Jeanine Pirro's office has dropped its effort to prosecute six Democratic lawmakers over a video urging military and intelligence officials to resist unlawful orders, after a Washington, D.C., grand jury unanimously refused to indict. The rejection underscored the weakness of the case, failing even the low bar of probable cause. NBC News​ ​ ​Sopranos for Trump​ ​ FBI records contradict claims Biden was 'not aware' of Mar-a-Lago raid . . . Newly revealed FBI emails from August 2022 appear to undercut claims that then-President Joe Biden had no advance knowledge of the Mar-a-Lago raid on Donald Trump's property. The messages, obtained by the Washington Examiner, suggest the search timeline was linked to when Biden would be briefed and coordinated between the White House Counsel's Office and the Justice Department. They also indicate DOJ pressure to proceed despite FBI concerns over thin evidence. Washington Examiner​ ​ Mamdani's anti-police rhetoric blamed after NYPD officers get pelted with snowballs . . . A viral video shows NYPD officers in Washington Square Park pelted with snowballs after a spontaneous storm-fueled fight turned on uniformed police. The footage ignited backlash, with critics pointing to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's anti-police rhetoric as emboldening hostility toward law enforcement. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident criminal and confirmed detectives are investigating. Washington Examiner​ ​ ​ Some officers were taken to the hospital with injuries. National Security Satellite imagery shows rapid increase of U.S. military planes near Iran . . . The U.S. military has quietly shifted more than 150 aircraft to bases across Europe and the Middle East following the collapse of Feb. 17 nuclear talks with Iran, marking one of the region's largest force buildups since before the 2003 Iraq war. Washington Post​ ​ Gen. Dan Caine warns Trump of prolonged war risk over Iran strikes . . . Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine is warning of deep and serious risks, including the danger of a prolonged conflict. Caine has cautioned Trump and senior national security officials that striking Tehran could entangle the United States in another extended Middle East campaign, raising stakes as diplomacy hangs in the balance. Breitbart​ ​ Do we know what the end result is that we are seeking? What is the exit strategy? What does victory look like? ​ Israeli adviser Amir Avivi warns of Iran's chemical missile threat . . . An Israeli defense adviser is sounding alarms that Iran is preparing ballistic missiles with chemical and potentially biological capabilities ahead of a possible clash with the United States and Israel. Amir Avivi, a former IDF brigadier general, says such warheads must be neutralized in any strike on Tehran. U.S. assessments have long held that Iran researches incapacitating chemical agents. Washington Free Beacon​ ​ ​Trump quietly got Mexico to hand over 100 cartel leaders — including El Mencho's brother — before Jalisco raid​ International El Mencho killed after Mexican forces track cartel chief's secret sex rendezvous . . . Mexico's most-wanted fentanyl kingpin, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was captured and killed Sunday after authorities tracked a romantic partner to a covert meeting spot. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss, who carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and rose after El Chapo's fall, was cornered following a Feb. 20 operation. Fox News​ ​ Former UK ambassador to US Mandelson released on bail after arrest over Epstein connection . . . Peter Mandelson was released on bail early Tuesday after his arrest over alleged misconduct in public office and reported ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The former UK ambassador to the United States had already been forced out by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September when emails linking him to the disgraced financier surfaced. Washington Examiner​ Money The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored . . . For years, federal officials have quietly pressed Silicon Valley to loosen its reliance on Taiwan, the Maryland-sized island producing 90 percent of the world's advanced chips. In classified briefings, national security leaders warned executives at Apple, AMD and Qualcomm that China could move to retake Taiwan, and even a blockade could strangle chip supplies and cripple the U.S. tech sector. New York Times​ You should also know USA women's hockey team declines Trump's State of the Union invite after Olympic gold medal win . . . USA Hockey cited scheduling conflicts and prior academic and professional commitments, expressing gratitude for the recognition. The polite refusal nonetheless turns a moment of national unity into a conspicuous absence on Washington's biggest stage. New York Post​ ​ Jack Hughes fires up team mens' Team USA for State of the Union visit . . . Fresh off a gritty 2-1 gold medal victory over Canada, Team USA star Jack Hughes says he and his teammates are eager to meet President Trump at the State of the Union. Calling the opportunity patriotic and a point of pride, Hughes praised the chance to represent the country beyond the ice. New York Post​ ​ Give them the seats of Democrats who are boycotting. Guilty Pleasures Squatter who took over $2.3M Maryland mansion returns after short-lived jail stint . . . Tameika Goode, 40, is back inside a $2.3 million Bethesda, Maryland, mansion after serving barely more than a week in jail on trespassing and burglary charges, according to the Baltimore Sun. The months-long courtroom saga has rattled neighbors, who first learned of the alleged takeover when a 19-year-old next door alerted authorities. New York Post​ ​ ​ Cut to the News brings the day's top news to conservative-leaning readers and others with insight, humor, and concision. ​ Help CTTN reach more people by forwarding it to your family and friends. Click below to write your message and share the signup link by email. ​ Or, you can share it on social media. ​​​​ Got this from a friend? 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