Wertheimer Political Report, July 9, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21
In one of the most classic con jobs in American history, Trump made more than $600 million from the sale of his $TRUMP meme coin while nearly one million investors reportedly lost about $3.8 billion buying it. The meme coin had no intrinsic value and Trump promoted it aggressively. That is a feature of Trump’s corruption: he gets richer while ordinary people get burned.
Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board warned, “Foreigners may come to think they can buy American goodwill or favors if they cut the Trumps in on the action. Americans, and especially his supporters, deserve better from this or any President.”
The conflicts are not limited to crypto. Trump’s investment advisers reportedly made more than 21,000 securities trades last year, including stakes in roughly 1,600 companies, many with business before the federal government. These massive stock trades were bound to create innumerable Trump conflicts of interest.
Trump is using the presidency to expand his own wealth, while congressional Republicans look away and pretend the corruption does not exist.
History will record Trump as the most corrupt and the worst President in the 250-year history of the country.
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
U.S. and Iran Sink Into Violent Cycle After Latest Strikes.
“Attacks on ships were followed by new U.S. strikes on Iran, which responded by firing at Gulf nations. The pattern of hostilities has all but collapsed a cease-fire, with little sign that either side will step back.” — New York Times
Ukrainians Cautiously Welcome Trump’s Announcement About Air-Defense Systems.
“President Trump said the United States would license Ukraine to produce Patriots, which can intercept ballistic missiles. But it could be months or years before those are ready.” — New York Times
Trump denies disaster aid to four blue states, after approving aid to six red states.
“A White House spokesperson said there is “no politicization to the president’s decisions on disaster relief.” There’s compelling evidence to the contrary.” — MS Now
Ossoff and other Democrats demand answers about Hegseth’s “Pentagon purge.”
“The early retirement of a top Pentagon lawyer is raising questions about Hegseth’s personnel decisions at the Defense Department.” — MS Now
1 year in, ICE’s mass detention policy is on the ropes.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s mass detention policy has been in place — and under fire in the courts — for a year.” — Politico
Rogan: Trump ‘might’ve f‑‑‑ed it up’ with Iran war.
“Podcaster Joe Rogan on Wednesday said President Trump may have ‘f‑‑‑ed it up’ with the Iran war after the U.S. resumed military strikes on Iran, following Tehran’s attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.” — The Hill
Smithsonian pushes back on Trump’s criticism of the American History museum.
“President Donald Trump has sought to exert control over the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, particularly as it relates to slavery and other dark periods in the nation’s past.” – NBC News
Trump picked a fight with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. It’s part of a larger pattern.
“The president reserves a special type of denigration for women who are leaders of foreign countries.” — MS Now
‘Every American should be alarmed’: Lawyer for former Olympian David Hearn speaks out about Reflecting Pool case.
“Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty through his attorney to the felony charge he faces for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.” — ABC News
Judge orders Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million judgment.
“Trump’s attorneys filed a notice on Wednesday saying they would appeal.” — ABC News
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Why the House’s Epstein investigation isn’t going away. No smoking guns have been found, but the Oversight Committee is likely to continue probing powerful associates of the late, convicted sex offender. — Politico
Chuck Grassley pushed for more transparency into Kash Patel’s FBI spending in May, Democrats reveal. The FBI director has long battled allegations that he is using the perks of his office for personal gain. — Politico
How Mitch McConnell’s absence complicates the Senate’s business and war funding. The 84-year-old’s health issues are affecting the business of Congress, which returns from recess Monday and faces a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government for fiscal 2027. — Washington Post
Angry crowd confronts Republican Rep. Mike Flood at Nebraska town hall over Trump policies. Flood faced questions about his support for program cuts and more. — ABC News
House is jarred by a procedural implosion. — The Hill
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
FBI personnel surge in Georgia now under scrutiny by Senate Dems. A letter to Acting AG Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel comes after MS NOW’s reporting that hundreds of FBI analysts will work overtime to dig into the 2020 election. — MS Now
Ken Paxton Vowed to Crack Down on “Illegal Voting.” He May Have Violated Texas Election Law. The Texas attorney general appears to have used an address where he did not live while voting in six elections in the past two years — despite his warning voters that “it is illegal to misrepresent your residence on election records.” — Pro Publica
DeGette’s defeat in Colorado shows the fading clout of seniority. A party that has long prized longevity may be entering a new Democratic era. — Roll Call
As McMorrow exits Senate race, the fight for her supporters begins in Michigan Democratic primary will be decided between progressive El-Sayed and centrist Stevens. — Roll Call
Why Democrats might be able to salvage the race after Platner’s collapse, The party still has a decent chance at unseating Republican Sen. Susan Collins — if it behaves sensibly. — MS Now
How Maine Democrats will replace Graham Platner. The party has until July 27 to replace Platner in the key battleground Senate race. — Politico
