Cabot Phillips

There's a Texas-sized showdown shaping up in the Lone Star State. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he's running for the Senate, challenging Republican John Cornyn in 2026. Speaking on Fox News, Paxton slammed Cornyn's positions on gun control, Ukraine aid, and border security.

There's a Texas-sized showdown shaping up in the Lone Star State. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he's running for the Senate, challenging Republican John Cornyn in 2026. Speaking on Fox News, Paxton slammed Cornyn's positions on gun control, Ukraine aid, and border security.

Paxton pledged to take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment, while Cornyn noted Trump's endorsement would be important. Trump once considered Paxton for attorney general, but has not yet weighed in. A recent poll shows Paxton leading Cornyn by 20 points.

Paxton pledged to take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment, while Cornyn noted Trump's endorsement would be important. Trump once considered Paxton for attorney general, but has not yet weighed in. A recent poll shows Paxton leading Cornyn by 20 points.

Yeah, I've been the bearer of bad news lately, so it's nice to have some positive news here. On Tuesday, the president announced major developments on a trade deal with South Korea, America's sixth largest trading partner.

Yeah, I've been the bearer of bad news lately, so it's nice to have some positive news here. On Tuesday, the president announced major developments on a trade deal with South Korea, America's sixth largest trading partner.

Writing on Truth Social, he said he just finished a, quote, great call with acting President Han Deok-soo, adding that, quote, we have the confines and probability of a great deal for both countries. Their top team is on a plane heading to the U.S. and things are looking good.

Writing on Truth Social, he said he just finished a, quote, great call with acting President Han Deok-soo, adding that, quote, we have the confines and probability of a great deal for both countries. Their top team is on a plane heading to the U.S. and things are looking good.

According to the South Korean government, in exchange for reduced tariffs, they're willing to import more American products, particularly natural gas. Likewise, the president said Japan, our fourth largest trading partner, is also sending a negotiating team to Washington. They'll be meeting directly with Treasury Secretary Scott Besson.

According to the South Korean government, in exchange for reduced tariffs, they're willing to import more American products, particularly natural gas. Likewise, the president said Japan, our fourth largest trading partner, is also sending a negotiating team to Washington. They'll be meeting directly with Treasury Secretary Scott Besson.

For his part, Besson expressed optimism outside the White House yesterday.

For his part, Besson expressed optimism outside the White House yesterday.

In the coming days, the Trump administration will also host representatives from Vietnam, our 10th largest trading partner. And on April 17th, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney will visit the White House herself to negotiate on behalf of the European Union. All told, the White House says nearly 70 countries have now expressed a desire to negotiate.

In the coming days, the Trump administration will also host representatives from Vietnam, our 10th largest trading partner. And on April 17th, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney will visit the White House herself to negotiate on behalf of the European Union. All told, the White House says nearly 70 countries have now expressed a desire to negotiate.

But it seems clear Trump is prioritizing our biggest trading partners first. According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, as those talks kick off, we are the ones with the leverage.

But it seems clear Trump is prioritizing our biggest trading partners first. According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, as those talks kick off, we are the ones with the leverage.

Now, those seemingly imminent deals sparked optimism on Wall Street as markets jumped 3% to 4% Tuesday morning. But ultimately, that run was short-lived as the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P each began to slump around noon and ended the day in the red.

Now, those seemingly imminent deals sparked optimism on Wall Street as markets jumped 3% to 4% Tuesday morning. But ultimately, that run was short-lived as the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P each began to slump around noon and ended the day in the red.

Well, the main corporate appears to be China. On Tuesday afternoon, it became clear that Beijing was prepared for a drawn-out trade war. Remember, while other countries responded to tariffs by seeking a deal, China went the other way, saying they would, quote, never accept such treatment. and slapping additional 34% tariffs on U.S. imports.

Well, the main corporate appears to be China. On Tuesday afternoon, it became clear that Beijing was prepared for a drawn-out trade war. Remember, while other countries responded to tariffs by seeking a deal, China went the other way, saying they would, quote, never accept such treatment. and slapping additional 34% tariffs on U.S. imports.