The Dictatorship
Following criminal sentence, Trump turns to supporters for money
In the days leading up to Donald Trump’s sentencing in his criminal case, the president-elect published some hysterical rants to his social media platform, baselessly describing the judge in the case as “corrupt,” condemning the case as “a Rigged Charade” and even attacking the Justice Department and the FBI, which had nothing to do with his New York prosecution.
During the sentencing, the defendant continued to whine unnecessarilyat one point even labeling the local prosecutor who indicted him as a “criminal.” Immediately after he was sentenced, the Republican kept going, publishing yet another online tirade filled with weird conspiracy theories.
All of this, of course, helped to set the stage for his inevitable fundraising appeal. NBC News noted:
Trump sent out a fundraising email immediately after being sentenced, saying he wants to hear from his supporters. The email links to a page soliciting monetary donations and asking if they stand with him after his sentencing.
MaddowBlog obtained a copy, and it’s a doozy.
“They’re trying to sabotage the Presidential Transition process,” the fundraising message reads, despite the fact that Trump’s criminal sentence will have literally no effect on the presidential transition process, and it’s not at all clear who “they” might be.
The same message added, “They’re trying to END the presidency as we know it — just before I take office!” (The American presidency will remain unaffected by the outcome of this case, though Trump’s successors will probably think twice before paying hush money to porn stars.)
Apparently hoping to encourage prospective donors, the appeal also included this line: “I WANT TO READ EVERY RESPONSE TONIGHT — SUBMIT NOW.”
Part of the problem with this is that Trump, his overwrought complaints notwithstanding, was hardly punished at all. Yes, he’s been convicted of 34 felonies, and the outcome carries some political significance, but an “unconditional discharge” sentence means the president-elect won’t spend a second behind bars, won’t have to pay any fines and won’t even be on probation.
The Republican has been held accountable for wrongdoing — for his critics, a welcome change of pace — but he’s effectively escaped real consequences thanks to a penalty-free sentence, which makes his overdramatic reach for the fainting couch difficult to countenance.
Another element to keep in mind is that the Republican clearly doesn’t need the money. His pre-inaugural fundraising efforts have been extraordinarily successfulto the point that his team is reportedly no longer offering VIP packagesand given that Trump can’t run for another term, the latest appeal seems wholly unnecessary.
But even if we put these details aside, it’s the broader political environment that stands out as truly extraordinary.
In theory, a politician convicted of nearly three dozen felonies should hope the public pays as little attention as possible to the developments. But in practice, given the state of Republican Party politics in 2025, it seems oddly normal to see the incoming American president effectively say, “A jury heard the evidence against me; they found me guilty; and I’ve been sentenced for many felonies — so you should definitely reward me with cash.”
What’s more, recent history suggests that Trump’s latest appeal will, in fact, have the intended effect, and his followers will respond to his criminal sentence by reaching for their wallets.
There’s an old adage: Crime doesn’t pay. It’s hard not to notice that Trump continues to put that maxim to the test.
Steve Benen is a producer for “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the editor of MaddowBlog and an BLN political contributor. He’s also the bestselling author of “Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans’ War on the Recent Past.”
The Dictatorship
Trump administration kicks off new tariff strategy
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday opened a new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countries — an effort that comes after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s previous use of tariffs by declaring an economic emergency.
Trump and his team have made clear that they’re seeking to replace the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenues after the Supreme Court’s February ruling by using different laws to establish new tariffs.
In this case, the administration is starting investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which could eventually lead to new import taxes. But U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in a Wednesday call with reporters, said he didn’t want to prejudge the outcome of the process.
“The policy remains the same — the tools may change depending on, you know, the vagaries of courts and other things,” said Greer, stressing that the goal was to protect American jobs.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
The start of the process to fully replace Trump’s prior tariffs could invite a return of much of the drama that rattled the global economy last year. The since-overturned tariffs led to new frameworks with U.S. trade partners — and it’s unclear what impact a new set of import taxes could have on those agreements. Greer described the trade frameworks as standing on their own and suggested they were separate from the new investigation.
This new set of tariffs could play out against the backdrop of a war in Iran and midterm elections in which Democrats are running against Trump’s Republican allies by emphasizing that the public is owed tariff refunds following the Supreme Court decision.
Greer said that the investigation would examine excess industrial capacity and government backing that could give foreign companies an unfair advantage over U.S. companies.
Containers are stored in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Containers are stored in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
The entities subject to the investigation include China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, the self-governing island of Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan and India. The government is looking for what it deems to be persistent trade surpluses with the U.S. and policies such as subsidies and the suppression of workers’ wages, among other factors.
The administration is also rolling out a Section 301 investigation to ban the importing of goods made by forced labor.
Greer indicated that there could be additional Section 301 investigations over issues such as digital service taxes, pharmaceutical drug pricing and ocean pollution, among other possibilities. The Commerce Department has separate trade investigations under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.
There are timeline pressures for the administration to complete its investigations. The administration has imposed 10% tariffs on foreign-made goods under section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, but those expire after 150 days on July 24. Trump said he planned to raise that import tax to 15%, but he has yet to do so.
Containers are stacked at the Port of Long Beach Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Containers are stacked at the Port of Long Beach Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Greer said the administration is “keying off” the new investigation based on the 150-day deadline, saying that the goal is to bring “potential options” to Trump as soon as possible.
Greer said the investigations would be separate from the trade frameworks announced last year by Trump that set baseline tariff rates, which led to 15% rates charged on goods from the European Union, Japan and South Korea, among other places, that have since been overturned by the Supreme Court. Still, he suggested that the frameworks could play a factor.
“My sense is that these countries continue to want to deal, and President Trump continues to want the deal,” Greer said, adding that since tariffs are in play the commitments that the countries have made and the implementation of the frameworks would be considered as they “bump” against the demands of the Section 301 process.
___
AP writer Mae Anderson contributed to this report.
The Dictatorship
Gunman in deadly Old Dominion University shooting had past ISIS ties, sources say
A gunman killed one person and injured two others in a shooting on Thursday at Old Dominion University in Virginia, Norfolk police said.
Authorities have identified the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a U.S. citizen who pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the extremist militant group ISIS, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told MS NOW.
In that 2016 case, Jalloh, a former member of the U.S. Army, admitted to attempting to donate money to the terror group and carry out a domestic attack in its name, the U.S. officials said.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. The bureau said members of the school’s ROTC program “terminated the threat” but did not shoot the gunman.
The U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) confirmed in a statement Thursday evening that three victims were members of the university’s ROTC program, one of whom died. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a member of the U.S. Army ROTC team,” the statement said.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in an X post Thursday night, identified the deceased victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. “Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University. A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path,” the governor said.
“The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him — actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Shortly before 11 a.m. ET, Old Dominion University and Norfolk police, as well as emergency personnel, responded to reports of a shooter at a building that houses the university’s business school, the university said. The injured were taken to a hospital, where their conditions weren’t immediately known.
“Old Dominion University has canceled classes and operations on main campus for the remainder of the day,” a spokesperson for the school said in a statement shortly after the campus went on lockdown. “Please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work.”
Spanberger said in a statement that she is monitoring the investigation into the shooting.
“Adam and I are praying for the victims, their families, and every Virginian who has been touched by this terrifying shooting,” Spanberger said. “I encourage community members to continue following guidance from the university and local emergency officials.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Erum Salam is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW, with a focus on how global events and foreign policy shape U.S. politics. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian.
The Dictatorship
Democrats seek answers on millions pledged to Trump presidential library
Lawmakers are pressing major corporations for details on tens of millions of dollars pledged to a planned Donald Trump presidential library, after the nonprofit originally meant to receive the funds was dissolved quietly last year.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., along with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., sent letters to executives at companies including ABC, Meta, Paramount and X, seeking details on at least $63 million in commitments those companies made as part of legal settlements with Trump or his allies. The letters seek to clarify whether the funds were ever transferred, and if so, how they have been used.
The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Fund Inc., the nonprofit originally designated to receive the money, was dissolved in 2025. A successor organization, the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc., has reported receiving $50 million, but has not confirmed the source of those funds, leaving it unclear whether the settlement pledges were fulfilled or redirected.
The inquiry comes amid growing scrutiny over the flow of money and assets tied to Trump’s presidency and post‑presidential plans, including reports that a luxury Boeing 747‑8 jumbo jet — valued at about $400 million and offered by the Qatari government for use as Air Force One — could potentially be transferred to the Trump library foundation after he leaves office.
The congressional investigation was first reported by The Washington Post.
Lily Becker is a producer on “The Weeknight” for MS NOW.

David Rohde
David Rohde is the senior national security reporter for MS NOW. Previously he was the senior executive editor for national security and law for NBC News.
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