Though late, Trump unveils a brilliant anti-inflation remedy; again malicious—Musk gifts SpaceX stock

Dear readers, over the past 24 hours, there have been somewhat fewer infuriating headlines—but the world remains deeply troubling. Today, I begin by bringing you news from the Middle East: 【1.1】Houthi-Saudi coalition mutual airstrikes: According to Yemeni media reports, on the 17th, the Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on a residential building in Saada Province, northern Yemen, killing at least nine people and injuring 17. Due to persistent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, Riyadh’s landmark Kingdom Centre has ordered its tenants to work remotely. Schools across Riyadh and surrounding areas have shifted to online instruction for the second consecutive week. Last week, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport suffered a major attack that killed 13 people and remains closed. According to three informed sources on the 19th, considering the frequency of Houthi strikes, Saudi Arabia’s high-profile investment summit—the so-called “Davos in the Desert”—has been postponed. And here’s something even bigger: On the 19th, officials and military sources revealed that the Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at the Al-Aram military camp in Shabwa Province, killing over 50 people and wounding more than 200. Authorities in Shabwa Province stated in an official announcement that more than 53 recruits were killed and over 200 others injured—all newly enlisted members of internal security forces undergoing training. The Houthis’ use of ballistic missiles against a military camp is a shrewd move: the coalition lacks robust air defense capabilities—and is highly unlikely to deploy advanced air-defense systems to protect a basic recruit training facility. Yet a successful strike can inflict staggering casualties. Though such an attack would have zero impact on the coalition’s frontline combat effectiveness, it could severely damage morale. Who claimed the Houthis were a spent force, again? 【1.2】Though late, Trump announces $8 billion in subsidies to cover farmers’ diesel costs for fall harvest: On the evening of the 19th, Trump announced this welcome news at a midterm election campaign rally in Kansas. Following Trump’s speech, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement confirming it would allocate $8 billion in one-time relief payments to American farmers during this year’s harvest season. The Farm Service Agency will administer the disbursements. In my view, this is a genuinely effective measure to ease U.S. inflation. Earlier, Trump’s agreement with Russia to temporarily suspend diesel sanctions—and his pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes against Russian refineries—was putting the cart before the horse; besides, such measures are too distant to address immediate needs. Fortunately, Trump has finally come up with this timely and sensible solution. 【1.3】Netanyahu has issued orders to overthrow Iran’s regime: On the evening of the 19th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in an interview that he had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces, Mossad, and Military Intelligence to “overthrow the Iranian regime.” Netanyahu linked this directive to Trump’s prior public support, noting Trump’s stance was “very clear”: the “core mission” is to completely eliminate Iran’s existential threat to Israel. Although Netanyahu’s order clearly serves electoral posturing, it also aligns with the current dangerously heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. Israel may well take tough action against Iran—though likely only after the U.S. midterm elections. It is reported that U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth made a surprise visit to Israel on the 19th to meet with Netanyahu. The day before, on the 18th, Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu’s bid for re-election in the upcoming Knesset elections. 【1.4】Unexpectedly, international oil prices plunged sharply on the afternoon of the 20th!

Trump says he’ll spend over $400 million to aid Republican elections—potentially the most expensive midterm election in U.S. history. What are the Republicans’ chances of winning?

The Democrats need to gain only three to five seats to regain control of the House. Polymarket currently prices the likelihood of Democrats reclaiming the House at 90%. According to a Fox News poll conducted in October, voters favor the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by 54% to 45%—a nine-point lead. In 2018, Democrats gained 41 seats—largely driven by a mass shift among educated suburban women, a demographic that remains intact today. The Senate race presents a meaningful opportunity—it’s a competitive battleground. To secure control, Democrats need 51 seats (since in a 50–50 tie, Vice President Vance would cast the tie-breaking vote—so 50 seats alone wouldn’t suffice). Of the 35 Senate seats up for election this year, Republicans must defend relatively few, while Democrats face more defensive challenges. Only a handful offer realistic flipping opportunities: Maine, North Carolina, Alaska, and Texas. According to polling expert Ruffini’s forecast: Democrats will flip Maine and Alaska; Texas remains a toss-up; the final tally ends at 50–50, with Republicans retaining control via the Vice President’s tie-breaking vote—meaning the Senate will not change hands. — So how much impact will this money actually have? In the 2020 presidential primaries, Bloomberg spent roughly $1 billion—yet won only American Samoa and secured just six delegates. Money cannot buy voters’ belief that “you deserve to win.” But it *can* boost turnout—and turnout often decides midterm elections. Musk’s 2024 lottery-style voter mobilization effort in Pennsylvania generated mixed results, but its strategic direction was sound: spending money to get people to the polls is far more effective than spending it on TV ads. There’s also an unwritten rule: money keeps candidates in the race. A lawmaker abandoned by party donors faces funding collapse in the final three weeks—and effectively vanishes from the campaign trail. The real function of this $400 million is to keep dozens of marginal candidates viable until November 3rd. On the 19th, Trump appeared in Marshall, Kansas, endorsing candidate Marshall and announcing $8 billion in aid for agricultural states—including Kansas, Iowa, and Michigan—to alleviate diesel price pressures.

Trump Administration's $8 Billion Diesel Aid for Farmers to Arrive After Election, Official Says

21 hours ago

The Trump administration will disburse $8 billion in diesel aid to farmers after the November election to offset record-high fuel costs. USDA officials stated the funding comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation, raising total annual farm payments to a record $55.4 billion.

reuters

2026-10-23

Trump Administration's $8 Billion Diesel Aid for Farmers to Arrive After Election, Official Says

Trump Administration's $8 Billion Diesel Aid for Farmers to Arrive After Election, Official Says

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