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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 187

Bad Instincts

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 187: Bad Instincts

Trump’s Third-Country Deportations Ruled Illegal

September 18, 2026 at 10:15 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Trump administration’s policy on deporting immigrants to third countries is unlawful, a federal appeals court ruled Friday, a decision that could halt a program that has already sent thousands of people to countries that are not their own,” the Washington Post reports.

Kennedy Center Supporters Rally

September 18, 2026 at 10:08 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A large group of demonstrators locked arms to form a human chain around the Kennedy Center on Friday evening to protest President Trump’s efforts to close and remake the center in his image, amid speculation about a possible effort to demolish the building,” the New York Times reports.

“Hundreds of demonstrators, many of them performing artists and workers at the Kennedy Center, sang and played music as they circled the building and the sun set over the embattled cultural institution.”

Reuters: Trump declines to say whether he will tear down Kennedy Center.

Republicans in Tough Races Move Away From Trump

September 18, 2026 at 9:26 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Republican candidates in some of the toughest House and Senate races have begun to break from President Trump on central parts of his agenda, a sign of the weight they believe some of his policy stances have placed on their election prospects,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The pushback by these candidates isn’t a wholesale rupture with the president. But it is a signal that voters in their states are rejecting elements of his policies on tariffs, the Iran war and data centers, among other issues.”

Trump to Demand Drug Companies Split Up Vaccines

September 18, 2026 at 8:27 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump said Friday he would demand drug companies split vaccines into five doses given in six-month intervals, claiming it would reduce autism rates,” the Washington Post reports.

“He did not specify which immunizations he was targeting.”

Said Trump: “The vaccine size will be much, much less. I think you’re going to see a massive reduction in autism. And that’s a big deal, a very big deal. We’re going to be recommending that and actually demanding it.”

U.S., Denmark and Greenland Reach Security Deal

September 18, 2026 at 8:25 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Donald Trump announced on Friday that the U.S. had struck an Arctic security pact with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland, after threatening for much of his second term to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory by force,” The Guardian reports.

“The full scope of the deal Trump described as ‘very important, historic, and special’ was not immediately clear. But soon after his announcement in a post on Truth Social, the leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued statements indicating the deal would be signed by the three governments on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York City next week.”

Washington Post: Trump announces “forever” deal to defend Greenland as Denmark says signing “expected” next week.

NBC News: Trump announces agreement with Denmark to secure “permanent” control over Greenland’s security.

Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law

September 18, 2026 at 8:22 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump on Friday signed the sweeping Russia ​sanctions bill into law, the White ‌House said in a statement, paving the way for increased economic pressure on Russia over its ​invasion of Ukraine,” Reuters reports.

Trump Expects ‘a Lot’ of Deals During Xi Summit

September 18, 2026 at 5:19 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump said he expected to notch many deals with Chinese President Xi Jinping at their White House summit next week,” Bloomberg reports.

Said Trump: “We’re going to have a lot of different deals. We’re not just doing it for our health.”

Trump Pushes Back at GOP Lawmaker Who Criticized Him

September 18, 2026 at 5:18 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump said he disagreed with a Republican from Florida who criticized his immigration policies, defending his stance for helping him and other GOP lawmakers win office,” Bloomberg reports.

“Maria Elvira Salazar, who is fighting to keep her seat in November’s midterm election in a Miami-area district heavily impacted by the administration’s policies, posted an ad this week saying Trump’s approach has gone too far.”

Said Trump: “I disagree with her. She obviously doesn’t have a very strong feeling for the border, but I do, and I understand what she’s saying.”

He added: “I’m very strong on the borders, and she isn’t, and she’s a nice person. I got her elected. Without me, she wouldn’t have gotten elected. She got a little bit soft on the border.”

Trump Said Don Jr. Paid Back Russian Oligarch

September 18, 2026 at 5:16 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump said Friday that his eldest son, Don Jr. had paid back a Russian oligarch who footed the bill for the younger Trump’s wedding festivities earlier this year,” the New York Post reports.

Said Trump: “It’s totally allowed, and a lot of people have parties, but it’s totally allowed. But as I understand it, he paid him back. He didn’t want to have that, so I hear he paid him back.”

RFK Jr. Got Free Flights to Fiji and Greece From Donor

September 18, 2026 at 5:15 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received more than $250,000 worth of free flights to Fiji and Greece as well as use of a vacation home in Washington, D.C,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“All were gifts from Gavin de Becker, a security consultant and supporter.”

Russia Aims to Inject Chaos Into U.S. Elections

September 18, 2026 at 4:59 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Russian government has been targeting Americans with covert online disinformation operations seeking to undermine public confidence in November’s midterm elections, using a familiar playbook in an attempt to inject chaos into the voting season,” the New York Times reports.

“Classified U.S. intelligence assessments from recent months have determined that the Kremlin has again authorized a digital influence campaign to peddle content across social media in hopes of seeding or amplifying domestic divisions around the election season.”

Another Bonus Quote of the Day

September 18, 2026 at 4:45 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The word ‘socialism’ doesn’t really resonate. The word ‘communism’ resonates.”

— Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), quoted by Axios, giving advice to House Republicans on how to attack Democrats.

FAA to Roll Out New AI Tool for Airports

September 18, 2026 at 4:44 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Trump administration plans to roll out a new A.I. air traffic control tool designed to predict and prevent flight delays in the Washington region starting Monday, as the opening step of an eventual nationwide deployment,” the New York Times reports.

House GOP Hits Record Cash Advantage Over Democrats

September 18, 2026 at 4:43 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The House Republican campaign arm raised $13.5 million in August, widening its financial edge over Democrats heading into the final stretch of the midterms,” Axios reports.

“The National Republican Congressional Committee is entering the final weeks before Election Day with a $13 million cash advantage over its Democratic counterpart — the largest lead the committee has ever held at this point in the election cycle.”

FAA Requests ‘Eternal Fire’ for the Top of Trump’s Arch

September 18, 2026 at 4:13 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington must have a constant flame atop the structure to make it safe for planes to pass by in one of the busiest airspaces in the country, the Federal Aviation Administration said,” the New York Times reports.

“In a hazard study released on Friday, the FAA deemed the proposed arch, which would sit along a flight path less than a mile from Ronald Reagan National Airport, safe for air travel provided that Mr. Trump complies with recommended safety measures.”

RFK Jr.-Linked Nonprofit Solicited Payments for Access

September 18, 2026 at 4:09 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A nonprofit group with ties to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. solicited payment from companies in exchange for access to top agency officials at an upcoming event,” Bloomberg reports.

Trump Drops Legal Bid to Block Gateway Tunnel

September 18, 2026 at 4:07 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Trump administration ended its latest effort to block federal funding for the $16 billion Gateway tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey, dropping an appeal of a court ruling against the U.S,” Bloomberg reports.

“The government agreed to dismiss its challenge to a June ruling by a federal judge who said that withholding funds from the project ‘flagrantly’ violates the law.”

Hundreds of Thousands Rally in Iran

September 18, 2026 at 3:30 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Rifle-toting supporters of Iran’s theocracy poured into the streets of Tehran on Friday in a defiant display of military power, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with the U.S. stagnate and economic frustration mounts,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Massive crowds of men and women joined the government-organized rally, waving Iranian flags while chanting ‘Death to Israel!’ and ‘Death to America!'”

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About Political Wire

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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