October 7, 2026 · Economy, Trade & Fiscal Policy

Confirmed

Trump's Tariffs Haven't Shrunk the Trade Deficit — It's Widest Since 'Liberation Day'

The U.S. trade deficit widened to $105.6 billion in August 2026, a 13.7% jump from July's revised $92.8 billion and the largest monthly gap since Trump's April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs took effect, according to...

October 1, 2026 · Information Integrity, Press & Democratic Norms

Confirmed

Trump Touts Iowa Steel Deal and Alaska Pipeline as Both Unravel Within Days

On September 28, 2026, Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel plant in Iowa, with Lutnick declaring "this deal is done" and Trump claiming construction had already...

February 3, 2026 · Personnel, Competence & Administrative Failure

Confirmed

Fed Governor Stephen Miran Quits His White House Economist Job, Keeps His Fed Seat

Stephen Miran resigned as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers in early February 2026 while remaining a governor of the Federal Reserve Board. Miran had joined the Fed in September 2025 to fill an...