‘The Greatest Communist in History’

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for June 26, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Donald Trump called Iran’s drone strikes on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz a “foolish violation” of its ceasefire agreement with the U.S.

• The deal stipulates that Iran arrange safe passage for commercial vessels through the trade route for 60 days as negotiations continue.

The president honed in on New York’s Democratic contenders during his remarks at today’s Faith and Freedom Coalition’s policy conference, calling the nominees “godless” communists who are threatening the country.

• “Communism is very easy to sell … I’ll be honest — I think I’d be the greatest communist in history,” Trump joked.

• He also touted the administration’s record on religious freedom: weakening the Johnson Amendment, pardoning Christians and launching a task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias.”

If Democrats gain congressional control in the midterms, “impeachment’s not even the big concern,” Mike Johnson said during his remarks. “They’ll turn every committee of Congress into an investigative body, and they’ll go after the president’s family, the Cabinet, his donors and friends — half of you in this room will be targeted.”

THE ADMINISTRATION

Trump threatened a 100% tax on European imports from any country that imposes taxes on digital services from American companies.

The federal government will decide what companies get to use the latest OpenAI technology.

THE HILL

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Kentucky) issued two subpoenas to billionaire Leon Black after he did not respond to questions about NDAs related to victims of Jeffrey Epstein.

• Black had paid the convicted sex offender $158 million across five years of their relationship — years after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea — but maintained he had no knowledge of Epstein’s other crimes until 2019.

Graham Platner’s next hurdle in his Maine Senate race: winning over moderates.

THE COURTS

Former Trump adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified information.

AMERICA’S PASTIME

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