A mostly negative, mocking take on Trump-era politics, with a side look at stalled Iran talks and the rise of the Democratic left.

• Trump is decorating the White House with gold eagles for the country's 250th birthday, while his "Great American State Fair" was hyped as packed but looked nearly empty.
• US and Iran talks in Doha are sputtering — Iran says no direct meeting happened, contradicting Trump's claim that the conflict is basically won and Iran has agreed to give up nuclear weapons.
• The fight over the Strait of Hormuz now centers on who controls and administers the waters; shipping is recovering but still far below pre-war levels.
• Inside the White House, aide Natalie Harp has gained outsized influence, posting to Trump's social media without clearing it through staff.
• Democratic socialists like Zohran Mamdani are winning and energizing voters, framed here as normal people fighting for working families against an out-of-touch establishment.

Outlook: The Iran talks look shaky and likely to drag on, while the Democratic left keeps gaining ground heading toward the midterms.