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Saturday, February 21, 2026

THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 2-15-26 TO 2-21-26

 

THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK
 2-15-26 TO 2-21-26 


FROM GEMINI

The week of February 15–21, 2026, has been dominated by a "collision course" between the executive and judicial branches in the U.S., major diplomatic shifts in Southeast Asia, and the spectacle of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

Here are the top news stories for the week in each requested area:

🇺🇸 U.S. News

  1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's executive order on global tariffs, declaring the use of emergency powers for broad trade duties unconstitutional.

  2. Lake Tahoe Avalanche: A massive avalanche at Donner Pass near Lake Tahoe killed eight backcountry skiers, leading to a criminal negligence investigation.

  3. Pawtucket Mass Shooting: Three people were killed and three others injured during a shooting at an indoor ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

  4. Winter Storm Training: Major storms across the Atlantic coast disrupted regional travel and forced several local elections to be postponed.

  5. Epstein Investigation Reopened: New Mexico officials announced a new inquiry into the Zorro Ranch estate amid renewed public pressure.

  6. Indiana Voting Legislation: State Republicans moved to shorten the early voting period, sparking protests at the Indiana Statehouse.

  7. Pueblo Pileup: A 30-vehicle pileup in Colorado resulted in four deaths and dozens of injuries during a winter whiteout.

  8. ICE Controversy: California legislators introduced a bill to ban ICE agents from within 100 feet of polling sites following reported sightings.

  9. Cultural Funding Restored: In a rare break from the White House, Congress voted to restore funding to several cultural and indigenous institutions.

  10. Operation Southern Spear: A U.S. Navy strike on a suspected drug-running boat in the Eastern Pacific killed two, sparking debate over the use of lethal force in drug interdiction.

⚖️ Politics

  1. The "Board of Peace" Debut: President Trump’s "Board of Peace" held its first meeting, unveiling plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, including beachfront high-rises.

  2. Trump Defies SCOTUS: Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, President Trump signed a new executive order for 10% global duties, challenging the court to stop him again.

  3. Prince Andrew Arrested: In a shock to trans-Atlantic relations, Prince Andrew was briefly arrested in the UK on charges related to the Epstein investigation.

  4. Rubio’s Diplomatic Tour: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pakistan’s PM Sharif to discuss regional security and the ongoing "America First" trade agenda.

  5. AI Impact Summit Protest: Protesters in New Delhi staged a "shirtless" march against the U.S.-India trade deal, claiming national interests were being sold out.

  6. Texas vs. Federal AI Law: A constitutional confrontation intensified as Texas issued state-level AI governance guidelines that conflict with federal executive orders.

  7. Vance claps back at Eileen Gu: VP JD Vance’s criticism of Olympic athlete Eileen Gu for representing China sparked a viral social media exchange.

  8. US-Indonesia Trade Deal: The administration finalized a $33 billion trade agreement with Indonesia, eliminating tariffs on 99% of U.S. exports.

  9. Republican Internal Split: Several GOP senators publicly questioned the White House’s "Board of Peace" approach to the Middle East.

  10. Midterm Election Jitters: Early polling shows the tariff ruling and economic volatility are becoming central themes for the 2026 midterms.

🌍 World Affairs

  1. Munich Security Conference: Global leaders gathered in Germany to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war, with President Zelenskyy calling for clearer security guarantees.

  2. Iran Nuclear Compromise: Tehran signaled a willingness to curb its nuclear program in exchange for immediate U.S. sanction relief.

  3. Navalny Poisoning Inquiry: A multi-country report alleged Alexei Navalny was killed by a specific rare toxin, leading to new sanctions against Russian officials.

  4. South Korean Former President Sentenced: Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for his 2024 martial law declaration.

  5. Sudan Humanitarian Crisis: The U.S. announced $40 million in aid as the civil war in Sudan reached a critical breaking point.

  6. Cuban Fuel Crisis: A Canadian mining firm suspended operations in Cuba as a U.S. blockade severely restricted fuel shipments to the island.

  7. Islamabad Mosque Bombing: A suicide attack at a Shia mosque in Pakistan killed 32 people; ISIS-K claimed responsibility.

  8. Japanese General Election: Sanae Takaichi was re-appointed Prime Minister following a decisive legislative victory.

  9. Strait of Hormuz Tension: Iran partially closed the strait for military exercises, warning the U.S. Navy to stay clear.

  10. Myanmar-Timor-Leste Row: Myanmar expelled Timor-Leste's diplomat over a universal jurisdiction case involving war crimes.

🎓 Education

  1. AI in the Classroom: At the AI Impact Summit, speakers warned that the "AI divide" is widening in Global South schools.

  2. Lehman College Grant: The Bronx Food Humanities Program received $1.25 million to integrate community farming into its curriculum.

  3. Student Debt Rankings: New data ranked Lehman College as having the lowest average student debt for online programs in the U.S.

  4. Bilingual Education Push: New York's Samara Community School launched a major initiative for bilingual teacher mentorship.

  5. FAFSA Delays: Renewed technical issues with the federal financial aid portal caused "panic" among high school seniors.

  6. Voucher Expansion: Three more states passed "Universal Choice" bills, allowing public funds to follow students to private schools.

  7. Florida Curriculum Reform: State officials finalized new history standards, drawing praise from conservatives and criticism from educators.

  8. Campus Protest Policies: Several elite universities implemented "neutrality zones" to limit political demonstrations during the 2026 primary season.

  9. STEM Funding: A new $100 million federal grant was announced to boost domestic semiconductor education in community colleges.

  10. Teacher Shortage: New reports indicate the national K-12 teacher shortage has hit a record high in rural districts.

📈 Economy

  1. Market Reaction to SCOTUS: Global markets rallied briefly after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs, only to dip again after the President's defiance.

  2. US-Indonesia $33B Deal: A massive investment package includes $15 billion in energy commodities and $13.5 billion for Boeing aircraft.

  3. Crypto Regulation: The SEC announced a "final" framework for stablecoins, sending Bitcoin prices into a volatile swing.

  4. Copper vs. Gold: Financial experts identified copper as the "next big play" as AI data centers and EV demand outpace supply.

  5. Energy Bottlenecks: AI labs warned that power grid limitations in Virginia and Ireland are delaying the launch of next-gen models.

  6. Manufacturing Reshoring: Intel and TSMC announced "Phase 2" of their Arizona and Ohio facilities, citing new federal tax credits.

  7. Inflation Check: February CPI data showed a slight uptick, complicating the Fed's plans for a spring rate cut.

  8. Venezuela Oil Outlook: CFR fellows debated whether U.S. companies would return to Venezuela following the removal of the Maduro regime.

  9. Retail Sales Slump: Consumer spending on non-essential goods hit a 12-month low as households prioritize energy and rent costs.

  10. Boeing Stock Surge: The Indonesia deal provided a much-needed boost to Boeing's commercial aviation division.

💻 Technology

  1. India AI Summit: Global tech leaders met in New Delhi to discuss "AI for the Global South," with a focus on democratizing computing power.

  2. SpaceX Crew-12: A Falcon 9 successfully launched four astronauts (including a French pilot and Russian cosmonaut) to the ISS.

  3. iPhone 17 Rumors: Tech analysts debated whether Apple is preparing to move to an "AI-only" interface for its next flagship device.

  4. Data Center Power Crisis: Reports emerged that data centers now consume 26% of Virginia's electricity, leading to "grid anxiety."

  5. OpenAI Data Lead: Research showed India now provides 33% more data for LLM training than the United States.

  6. Deepfake Combat: India announced new legal solutions to fight AI-driven misinformation ahead of regional elections.

  7. Robotic Dog Row: A Chinese-made robotic dog was removed from the India AI Summit expo floor due to security concerns.

  8. Apple Vision Pro 3: Early leaks suggest the next-gen headset will focus on "weightless" design and integration with Mac Studio.

  9. Autonomous Trucking: The first fully driverless freight corridor opened between Dallas and Phoenix.

  10. Nuclear for AI: Microsoft and Google finalized deals to buy power directly from small modular reactors (SMRs) to fuel their AI clusters.

🏥 Health

  1. Pediatric Nursing Milestone: New York’s pediatric nurse practitioner programs saw a 15% increase in enrollment following new state subsidies.

  2. AI in Nutrition: The WHO announced a pilot program using AI to optimize nutrition standards in developing nations.

  3. Pneumonia Research on ISS: Crew-12 began experiments on the ISS to study how bacteria behave in microgravity to improve Earth-based treatments.

  4. Bird Flu Update: Health officials issued a "low risk" warning but increased monitoring of poultry farms in the Midwest.

  5. Medicaid Protections: Advocacy groups held rallies in D.C. to protect healthcare programs from proposed federal budget cuts.

  6. Long COVID Breakthrough: A new study identified a specific protein marker that could lead to the first definitive diagnostic test for Long COVID.

  7. Mental Health Crisis: A surgeon general's report highlighted the "loneliness epidemic" among Gen Z, specifically those working in fully remote roles.

  8. Drug Price Cap: The administration announced a price cap on three more essential medications under the Medicare negotiation program.

  9. Gene Therapy Success: A toddler in London became the first person cured of a rare genetic blindness using a new CRISPR-based treatment.

  10. E-Cigarette Ban: Several European countries finalized a total ban on disposable vapes, citing environmental and youth health concerns.

🏆 Sports

  1. 2026 Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina): Norway broke the all-time record for gold medals at a single Winter Games, surpassing 16.

  2. Daytona 500: Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, won the 68th running of the Daytona 500.

  3. Olympic Men’s Hockey: Team USA and Team Canada advanced to the gold medal game, setting up a "Miracle on Ice" anniversary showdown.

  4. Spain’s First Winter Gold: Oriol Cardona won the men’s ski mountaineering sprint, Spain's first Winter Olympic gold in 54 years.

  5. World Cup 2026 Prep: FIFA officials conducted final stadium inspections in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for the upcoming summer tournament.

  6. Olympic Injury: French speed skater Sellier was hospitalized following a serious on-ice collision with a blade.

  7. NBA Trade Deadline: The "dust settled" on a chaotic trade week that saw three All-Stars move to Western Conference contenders.

  8. Champions League: Round of 16 matches saw major upsets, with Real Madrid falling to a underdog French side.

  9. Eileen Gu Controversy: The freestyle skier’s performance for China continued to be a flashpoint in U.S.-China cultural politics.

  10. Super Bowl Hangover: Following the Super Bowl earlier in the month, the NFL announced a record-breaking $1.5 billion in betting revenue.


FROM GROK

The week of February 15–21, 2026, featured several prominent stories across categories, based on major news outlets, broadcasts, and reports from that period. Note that this timeframe overlapped with ongoing global tensions, domestic U.S. policy shifts under the Trump administration, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and other developments. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 big news stories in each requested area (prioritized by apparent prominence and recurrence in coverage; some categories had fewer standout stories due to limited major developments that week).

U.S. News

  1. Partial government shutdown ongoing amid demands for DHS and ICE reforms, with congressional battles over funding.
  2. Break in Nancy Guthrie disappearance case — DNA evidence from a glove found near the home of Savannah Guthrie's mother sparks new leads in the high-profile investigation.
  3. Severe weather and storms across parts of the U.S., including tornado threats and evacuation warnings in Southern California.
  4. Epstein files fallout — Continued scrutiny and demands for more releases after Attorney General statements, with shockwaves in political and celebrity circles.
  5. ICE expansion plans — Reports of $38 billion+ for converting warehouses into large-scale immigrant detention centers.
  6. Reverend Jesse Jackson's death at age 84, prompting widespread tributes as a civil rights leader.
  7. U.S. military actions — Strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and raids on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
  8. Supreme Court implications for tariffs and revenue (e.g., potential $175B+ at risk from rulings).
  9. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spotted at NBA All-Star events, amid ongoing royal family discussions.
  10. AI robot companion stories — Features on elderly users adopting tech like ElliQ for home support.

Politics

  1. Trump administration pushes for Iran nuclear deal compromise or potential military action, with extended timelines and preparations for strikes.
  2. U.S.-brokered Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Zelenskyy expresses hope ahead of negotiations, amid ongoing war developments.
  3. Trump's "Board of Peace" launch and announcements (e.g., $5B+ for Gaza reconstruction tied to Hamas demilitarization).
  4. Immigration policy escalations — Mass detention expansions and court rulings against indefinite holds.
  5. Epstein files and congressional demands for transparency from AG Pam Bondi.
  6. Supreme Court tariff rulings — Potential overturning of Trump-era policies, sparking vows for new levies.
  7. ICE/Border Czar updates — Tom Homan and others on enforcement changes amid shutdown debates.
  8. Revival of voting law pushes (e.g., shortening early voting in states like Indiana).
  9. White House staff shake-ups — Removals and security council changes.
  10. Trump honors Susan B. Anthony legacy with pro-life emphasis and Daytona 500 recognition.

World Affairs

  1. U.S.-Iran tensions escalate — Preparations for possible strikes, talks in Geneva, and Iranian willingness for nuclear compromise if sanctions eased.
  2. Ukraine-Russia war updates — Drone strikes on Russian ports ahead of U.S.-brokered talks; power outages in Russia from attacks.
  3. Gaza/Israel conflict — Ongoing strikes killing Palestinians; U.S. pledges for reconstruction.
  4. Navalny poisoning confirmation — European governments say frog toxin found in Aleksei Navalny's body, challenging Russia's account.
  5. Venezuela oil tanker seizures by U.S. forces in international waters.
  6. Milano Cortina Winter Olympics underway — U.S. medal wins, sabotage concerns on trains, and athlete performances.
  7. China's Lunar New Year celebrations begin.
  8. Hezbollah-Israel clashes — Strikes in Lebanon.
  9. U.S. military Caribbean operations — Boat strikes tied to drug routes.
  10. Global polio vaccine prequalification by WHO for outbreak response.

Education

Education had fewer blockbuster national stories this week, with coverage more focused on ongoing trends:

  1. Status of U.S. public schools — Reports of "slow, uneven decline" post-pandemic recovery challenges.
  2. Higher education headlines — Political scrutiny, demographics, finances, and tech changes.
  3. College viability and majors apps — New tools for leaders and students.
  4. Career education demand — College Board expanding footprint.
  5. Federal education budget — Rejection of proposed slashes in prior cycles, but ongoing debates.

Economy

  1. Tariff revenue risks — Supreme Court ruling could impact $175B+; Trump vows new global 10% tariffs.
  2. Stock market movements — Mixed Asian shares, U.S. indices wobbly but with growth in sectors.
  3. PLI scheme disbursements (India-focused but global echo) — Billions in incentives, job creation.
  4. Bond sales — Alphabet raises $30B+ across currencies.
  5. Growth companies with insider influence — Highlights in pharma, tech, payments.
  6. Economic edging forward — Modest U.S. growth signals after prior quarters.
  7. Import partners shifts (e.g., Georgia's top traders like Türkiye, China).
  8. Mutual fund inflows — Strong SIP investments.
  9. Gold price fluctuations amid holidays.
  10. Corporate expansions — Tied to AI and infrastructure.

Technology

  1. AI infrastructure deals — Meta's multigenerational pact with Nvidia (GPUs, CPUs, networking); OpenAI compute spend projections to $600B by 2030.
  2. Nvidia investment in OpenAI — Near $30B in mega funding round.
  3. Data center strains — Europe risks in AI race due to power/policy limits; expansions in Saudi Arabia, South Korea.
  4. Grok AI gains — Market share rise despite backlash.
  5. Space policy events — NASA Artemis II prep (possible Wet Dress Rehearsal).
  6. OpenAI device development — Smart speakers and more.
  7. Bond raises — Alphabet's massive financing for tech growth.
  8. Cybersecurity rules — New U.S. defense industry barriers for small suppliers.
  9. Thermoelectric advances — Better bismuth telluride crystals.
  10. AI summits — India AI Impact Summit with major CEOs.

Health

  1. Exercise and Alzheimer's protection — New studies on brain shield repair via liver enzyme.
  2. Stem cell implants — For dopamine production in Parkinson's patients.
  3. Menopause hormone therapy label changes — FDA approvals.
  4. Weight loss/psoriasis drugs — Lilly's Zepbound/Taltz study results.
  5. Polio vaccine — WHO prequalifies new one for global outbreaks.

Sports

  1. Milano Cortina Winter Olympics — Ongoing events, U.S. medals (e.g., figure skating gold for Alysa Liu), curling, hockey, and more; first golds for some nations.
  2. NBA All-Star Game — New format, watch guides, Prince Harry/Meghan attendance.
  3. Daytona 500 — NASCAR season opener.
  4. PGA Tour — Wins like Collin Morikawa at Pebble Beach.
  5. Beach volleyball — UCLA splits in Hawaii opener.
  6. College/high school plays — Top 10 weekly highlights.
  7. NBA action — Blowouts and dunk contest.
  8. Figure skating — Ending U.S. drought in women's event.
  9. Tennis — Upcoming clashes.
  10. Various upsets/comebacks — Team USA thrills at Olympics.

These reflect the most recurrent and highlighted stories from that specific week.

THIS WEEK'S DAILY TOP NEWS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026



SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-15-2026.html 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-16-2026.html 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-17-2026.html 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-18-2026.html 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-19-2026.html 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026

Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-20-2026.html 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026

 Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-21-2026.html

EDUCATION SPECIAL
TOP US EDUCATION NEWS AND TOP WORLD EDUCATION  THIS WEEK 2-15-26 TO 2-21-26


It is a high-stakes week in education as the world settles into 2026. From major shifts in U.S. federal oversight to the rise of "regionalized" international recruitment, here is the breakdown of the top stories for February 15–21, 2026.

🇺🇸 Top US Education News

1. Federal Policy: "The One Big Beautiful Bill" Takes Shape

The Department of Education has been active this week issuing rules to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key developments include:

2. Civil Rights & Investigations

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) made headlines this week with several "directed investigations":

3. The "Slow Decline" of Public Schools

A mid-February status report on U.S. public schools describes the current state as a "fragile and uneven decline." While the post-pandemic "free fall" has ended, chronic absenteeism remains 57% higher than 2019 levels. Districts are also grappling with the expiration of the final tranches of COVID relief funds, leading to "budget cliffs" in several major cities.

🌍 Top World Education News

1. The Rise of "Regionalized" Mobility

Global student mobility is shifting away from the traditional "Big Four" (US, UK, Canada, Australia) due to restrictive visa policies and travel bans.

  • The "EduBridge" Initiative: Spain has launched a program to help international students transfer credits from American universities to Spanish institutions to avoid visa hurdles.

  • TNE Expansion: Transnational Education (TNE)—where students earn a degree from a foreign university without leaving their home country—is projected to be the fastest-growing sector in 2026.

2. AI Governance Moves to "Execution"

The "experimentation" phase of AI in schools has ended. This week, several international reports highlighted a shift toward governed deployment:

  • South Korea & India: National pilots are now moving toward "verifiable" AI tools embedded in teacher workflows rather than general student-facing chatbots.

  • Digital Well-being: Following the UK and Greece, several more European nations are moving toward bell-to-bell phone bans in secondary schools to combat distraction and improve mental health.

3. Global University Rankings 2026

Time Magazine and other outlets released their 2026 rankings this week. While the University of Oxford maintains the top spot, the list shows a significant rise in Hong Kong and Swiss institutions, which are capitalizing on global talent shifts.

📊 Summary Table: Education at a Glance (Feb 2026)

IssueCurrent StatusImpact
Pell Grants$7,395 (Max)Eligibility capped at 12 semesters.
Phone Policies22 US States"Bell-to-bell" bans now standard in many districts.
College CostsRising45% of employers rank the 2026 grad market as only "fair."
AI in SchoolsRegulatedFocus shifting to "AI Literacy" and academic integrity.

Note: The Department of Education is also moving to eliminate the "regional" label for accrediting agencies, arguing it creates "inappropriate barriers" for newer, non-traditional education providers.

TOP 10 TRUMP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 
 2-15-26 TO 2-21-26


During the week of February 15 to February 21, 2026, the Trump administration was marked by a major legal setback on trade, a swift executive response, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Here are the top 10 news stories from this week:

1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Global Tariffs

In a major legal blow to the administration, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad global tariffs. The court declared the existing 10% to 50% levies illegal, sparking immediate calls from Democrats for tariff refunds.

2. Immediate 10% Global Import Duty Re-imposed

Responding "almost immediately" to the Supreme Court loss, President Trump signed a new proclamation on February 20. Utilizing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, he imposed a temporary 10% global import duty for 150 days to address "fundamental international payment problems."

3. Military Strikes on Iran Under Consideration

On February 20, President Trump confirmed he is considering limited military strikes on Iran to force Tehran back to the negotiating table. This follows his warning earlier in the week that "bad things will happen" if a nuclear deal is not reached within 10 to 15 days.

4. Bipartisan Friction at National Governors Association

Tensions flared during the annual NGA meeting in Washington. Trump excluded Maryland Governor Wes Moore from a traditional governors' dinner, calling the high-profile Democrat "not worthy of being there." Despite the snub, Moore attended other White House business meetings later that week.

5. Boast of $1.5 Billion Political "War Chest"

New reports highlighted Trump’s staggering $1.5 billion political fund. The President suggested he may use these funds to influence the upcoming November midterms, specifically targeting Republicans who have opposed his tariff policies.

6. "Board of Peace" Inaugural Meeting

The President held the first meeting of his newly formed "Board of Peace" this week. While intended to facilitate international diplomacy, the meeting was criticized for lacking several key U.S. allies and was overshadowed by Trump's military ultimatums toward Iran.

7. Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Talks in Geneva

The administration signaled a push for a "fast" deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were dispatched to Geneva to meet with Russian and Ukrainian delegates for high-level trilateral negotiations.

8. $150 Million Assistance for Sugar Farmers

On February 20, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $150 million in aid for American sugar beet and cane farmers. The administration framed the payments as a "bridge" to combat what they described as previous "economic mismanagement" and trade disruptions.

9. Hillary Clinton Congressional Deposition Preparedness

The political atmosphere in D.C. grew charged as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the administration to release withheld "Epstein files" ahead of her and Bill Clinton's scheduled congressional depositions.

10. Anniversary of George Washington’s Birthday

The President issued a proclamation for George Washington’s Birthday (observed Feb. 16), using the occasion to draw parallels between his administration's "America First" policies and the foundational principles of the first president.

HISTORY


Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 2-8-26 TO 2-14-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-top-news-stories-this-week-2-8-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 2-1-26 TO 2-7-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-top-news-stories-this-week-2-1-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-25-26 TO 1-31-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-25-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-18-26 TO 1-24-26 PLUS TOP 10 TRUMP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-18-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-11-26 TO 1-17-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-11-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 1-4-26 TO 1-10-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-1-4-26.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-28-25 TO 1-3-26 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-28-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-21-25 TO 12-27-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-21-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-14-25 TO 12-20-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-14-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 12-7-25 TO 12-13-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-12-7-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-30-25 TO 12-6-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-30-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-23 -25 TO 11-29-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-23-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-16 -25 TO 11-22-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-16-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-9 25 TO 11-15-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-9-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-1 25 TO 11-7-25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-1-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-26-25 TO 11-1 25 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-26-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-18-25 TO 10-25-25
 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-18-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-12-25 TO 10-18-25  #NoKings #Resist #WeAreThePeople 
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-top-news-stories-this-week-10-12-25.html 

Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-4-25 TO 10-11-25

Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WHO NAILED IT AND WHO FLOPPED? SEPTEMBER 27–OCTOBER 4, 2025
Posted by at

Friday, February 20, 2026

I'M SO TARIFFLESS I COULD TWEET

 

I'M SO TARIFFLESS I COULD TWEET

A Satirical Parody Song: “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” By Hank Williams, Sr. Based On The Supreme Court Ruling Declaring Trump's Tariffs Unconstitutional. It’s 3:00 AM. The glow of a smartphone illuminates the Oval Office (or a gold-leafed headboard). The "Caps Lock" is on, the "Retruth" button is smoking, and the syntax is purely experimental.

I'M SO TARIFFLESS I COULD TWEET

Hear that lonesome gavel fall

The Court says tariffs die

"Fake news!" I'm tweeting through it all

I'm so tariffless I could tweet


I've never seen a ruling so wrong

Roberts turned, what a deep-state guy

Those three libs and my own Barrett too

I'm so tariffless I could tweet


Did you ever see a president plead

When his emergency powers run dry?

"I'll use another statute, just watch me now"

I'm so tariffless I could tweet


The silence of a falling trade war

Lights up a China-red sky

And as I wonder where my duties are

I'm so tariffless I could tweet


Ten percent across the board I signed
They can't stop me, don't even try
I'll call it "temporary," make 'em pay anyway
But deep down...  I'm so tariffless I could tweet

[Outro – Repeat softly, with a defiant sniffle]

Yeah, the midnight markets are whining low

Refunds? Ha, tell that to the sky

I built the greatest tariffs, they tore 'em down

I'm so tariffless I could tweet


(Spoken, country style)

"I'll pack that Court with twenty more!

Constitutional? We'll see about that, I tell you what..."



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SUPREME COURT TARIFF DECISION: PUTTING THE BULLSHIT BACK INTO THE BULL

 

SUPREME COURT TARIFF DECISION
PUTTING THE BULLSHIT BACK INTO THE BULL

How Trump Learned to Lose at His Own Court

It was a sad sight today—sadder than a MAGA hat at a Whole Foods—watching Donald Trump meltdown over the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to strike down his holy tariff crusade. You'd think after decades of practice, Trump would have gotten better at losing. But no. Like a toddler whose juice box was confiscated by the Constitution, he moaned, he groaned, and he stomped his little foot at the majority decision with all the dignity of a man who just discovered his spray tan was recalled.

The former—and somehow current—president took particular aim at the conservative justices he personally appointed, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, who had the audacity to join Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices in ruling that, shockingly, the President of the United States cannot just make up taxes whenever he feels like it. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Trump that "checks and balances" isn't just the name of his accountant's least favorite filing system.

The Loyalty Test: A Supreme Disappointment

Trump labeled the six-justice majority "disloyal," "unpatriotic," and—in a particularly rich moment of projection—accused them of being "lap dogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats." This is the same man who once said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose voters, but apparently, reading the Constitution is where his justices draw the line.

In contrast, Trump heaped praise upon his "loyal" dissenters: Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh. He called them patriots with "courage" and promised Kavanaugh a celebratory six-pack of beer—because nothing says "judicial independence" like a frat house reward system. One can only imagine Thomas is getting a luxury RV upgrade and Alito a lifetime supply of upside-down flags.

The Legal Smackdown: When "Regulate" Doesn't Mean "Tax"

Chief Justice Roberts, writing for the majority, delivered what legal scholars are already calling the "modern Youngstown"—a landmark rebuke of executive overreach. The Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, which allows the president to "regulate" commerce during emergencies, does not grant him the power to unilaterally impose hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs.

Why? Because—and this is apparently news to Trump—tariffs are taxes. And under that dusty old document called the Constitution, only Congress has the power to tax. As Roberts dryly noted, if Congress wanted to hand the president a blank check to rewrite the nation's tax code, it would have said so. Instead, it said "regulate," which, shockingly, does not mean "do whatever you want."

The decision invoked the "Major Questions Doctrine," which essentially says: if you want to do something with "vast economic and political significance" (like imposing a $200 billion tax), you need clear authorization from Congress, not a vague 50-year-old law you found in the back of the legislative filing cabinet.

The Dissent: A Love Letter to Executive Power

Justice Kavanaugh authored a 63-page dissent that read like a heartfelt defense of presidential authoritarianism. He argued that "regulating" commerce has historically included the power to set tariffs, that the president needs "flexibility" in foreign affairs, and that striking down the tariffs would create "Treasury chaos."

To which Roberts essentially replied: "Not our problem." The Court's job, he wrote, is to interpret the law as written, not to uphold an illegal tax just because paying it back would be "messy." In other words: You broke it, you bought it—and now you have to give refunds.

The Fallout: A $140 Billion Question Mark

And oh, what a mess it is. The ruling invalidates Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs (ranging from 10% to 50%) on nearly all trading partners, potentially requiring the government to refund an estimated $140 billion to $200 billion already collected. The Court punted the refund process back to the lower courts, which means importers are in for months—possibly years—of litigation.

Trump, naturally, has vowed to fight the refunds "tooth and nail," arguing the money is "the people's money" (a phrase he's never applied to his own tax returns). Legal experts predict a "fiscal and administrative nightmare," which is basically the Trump presidency's epithet at this point.

The Backup Plan: Same Bullshit, Different Statute

But Trump wouldn't be Trump if he didn't have a Plan B—or in this case, Plan BS. Within hours of the ruling, he announced he would impose a new 10% global tariff using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a law designed for temporary balance-of-payments emergencies.

The catch? Section 122 tariffs expire automatically after 150 days (July 20, 2026) and can only be extended with an act of Congress. Given that this would essentially be asking lawmakers to vote for a national sales tax three months before the midterm elections, the odds of extension are somewhere between "snowball's chance in hell" and "Trump admitting he lost in 2020."

Legal experts warn that if Trump tries to "daisy-chain" these 150-day periods by restarting the clock every five months, he'll be sued faster than you can say "constitutional crisis"—and today's 6-3 majority has already shown it has zero patience for such shenanigans.

Market Reaction: The Relief Rally That Wasn't

Wall Street initially celebrated the ruling with a "relief rally," as retail and tech stocks surged on hopes of lower import costs. But the party ended quickly when Trump announced his backup tariff plan, reminding investors that uncertainty—the market's least favorite flavor—is still very much on the menu.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gave back most of their gains, the dollar dipped, and Bitcoin rose 2% as traders hedged against the fiscal chaos of potential refunds. Companies like Hasbro and Mattel briefly soared, only to settle back down when they realized the trade war isn't over—it's just been rebooted with a weaker legal foundation and a ticking clock.

The Bigger Picture: A Landmark Rebuke

Today's ruling is more than just a loss for Trump—it's a seismic shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. For decades, presidents have enjoyed broad deference on trade and foreign policy. But the Roberts Court has now made clear: even in emergencies, even in foreign affairs, the "Power of the Purse" belongs to Congress, and no amount of foot-stomping will change that.

Legal scholars are already comparing this case to Youngstown (1952), West Virginia v. EPA (2022), and Biden v. Nebraska (2023)—a string of rulings that collectively say: Presidents are not kings, agencies are not legislatures, and "emergency" is not a magic word that makes the Constitution disappear.

Conclusion: The Art of the Tantrum

So here we are: Trump has lost at his own Supreme Court, with his own appointees, using his own "emergency" powers. He's replaced his struck-down tariffs with a weaker version that expires in five months. He's facing a potential $200 billion refund bill. And he's promised Kavanaugh a six-pack.

You'd think after so much practice, Trump would be better at losing. But as today proved, some people never learn. They just get louder (and older).

And that, dear readers, is how you put the bullshit back into the bull.

The Supreme Court has spoken. The tariffs are toast. And somewhere, the Founding Fathers are having a drink—probably something classier than whatever Kavanaugh's getting.



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