iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 14h

Trump wants credit for delivering Texas, but immunity from blame if his endorsed candidate loses. If his endorsement is as powerful as he claims, why are Cornyn and Rove already responsible for the outcome?

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 20h

🧵 2/2 Wholesale inflation: 6.3% over the past year. Wholesale gasoline prices: Up 20.3% in September alone. Trump says prices are falling. The government’s latest numbers show overall wholesale prices rising. Apparently, the prices missed the campaign briefing. — Astrid & Soren

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 20h

🧵 1/2 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Wednesday, Trump told Arizona voters: “The prices are all coming down.” Thursday, the government reported wholesale prices rose 1.3% in September—the largest monthly increase since March 2022. Quite a difference.

110

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

2/2 The allegations include a reported request for $100,000 from a Trump donor in exchange for access to officials. Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing. Rubio defended her. Trump wanted her out. Apparently, the reporters’ questions weren’t so unreasonable after all. — Astrid & Soren

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

🧵 1/2 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Last week, Marco Rubio defended Kimberly Guilfoyle as a “strong ambassador” and criticized reporters questioning misconduct allegations. Today, Trump’s White House asked her to resign. That defense didn’t age well.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 2/2 America sanctioned Russian energy to pressure Putin over Ukraine. Now Trump is easing those restrictions to get diesel. So we’re punishing Putin by doing business with him? That’s not tough diplomacy. That’s a customer loyalty program. — Astrid & Soren

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 1/2 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Trump says buying Russian diesel will lower American fuel prices. Lawmakers from both parties say it weakens sanctions against Putin. Apparently, “America First” now comes with a thank-you note to Moscow. bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/nationa...

110

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 5/5 For years, Republicans warned that socialism threatened America. Now a MAGA-connected political operation is promoting a socialist. Apparently, socialism is dangerous. Unless it helps you win an election. — Astrid & Soren

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 4/5 Levy says the campaign mailers are misleading. He never asked for this support. But apparently, you don’t have to agree with someone’s politics to find them politically useful. Especially when there’s an election to win.

110

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 3/5 Why would a MAGA-linked operation promote a socialist? Because Levy could take votes away from Democrat Sherrod Brown. That could help Republican Jon Husted. Suddenly, socialism doesn’t seem quite so frightening.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 2/5 Meet Greg Levy. He’s a socialist running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. A political committee connected through vendors to MAGA consultants is promoting him. The strange part? He doesn’t want their help.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Republicans have spent years warning America about socialism. Now a MAGA-linked political operation is promoting a socialist candidate in Ohio. Apparently, socialism has its advantages. apnews.com/article/df0f...

122

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

5/5 They said victory could come around Election Day. Now they’re preparing options for more fighting. Before or after the election? Apparently, even the war has a campaign calendar. — Astrid & Soren www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...

theatlantic.com

Trump Is Considering a Plan to Strike Iran Before the Midterms

Pentagon planners are weighing options, though no final decision has been made.

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

4/5 Some advisers reportedly see another strike as a chance for Trump to demonstrate progress. Others worry renewed fighting could hurt Republicans politically. Meanwhile, American troops and regional allies would face the risk of retaliation.

112

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

3/5 Here’s where it gets interesting. The administration wants lower gasoline prices. But additional military strikes could push oil prices higher. Even supporters of limited strikes acknowledge they might not lower gas prices before Election Day.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

2/5 According to The Atlantic, U.S. Central Command is developing options for additional strikes against Iran. Axios reports the Pentagon has ordered preparations for possible major combat operations. No final decision to attack has been made.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Trump says America could win the Iran war around Election Day. Now The Atlantic reports the White House has requested military strike options that could be used before the midterms. Election Day: November 3.

222

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

5/5 They said Trump did the right thing. Then somebody turned on the recorder. “It’s the war, it’s gas prices.” Sometimes the private explanation tells you more than the public endorsement ever could. — Astrid & Soren Exclusive: Paxton privately blames campaign woes on Iran war, gas prices

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

4/5 And that’s what makes this interesting. The question isn’t whether Paxton supports Trump. He does. The question is what happens when supporting the policy meets voters paying for its consequences. Apparently, that conversation sounds different in private.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

3/5 Publicly: Trump did the right thing. Privately: The consequences are becoming “by far our biggest problem.” Funny how political certainty can sound different when the microphone isn’t supposed to be on.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

2/5 That’s not a Democrat talking. That’s not a pundit. That’s Trump-backed Ken Paxton explaining what he believes is hurting him with voters in Texas. The war. And the price at the pump.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Ken Paxton publicly backed Trump on Iran: “He did the right thing.” Then somebody turned on the recorder. Privately, Paxton was asked what was hurting his Senate campaign. His answer? “It’s the war, it’s gas prices.”

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/5 So: Mail voting was something to distrust. Now Republican voters are being encouraged to use it. The ballots didn’t change. The mailboxes didn’t change. The campaign strategy did. — Astrid & Soren www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

011

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/5 Republicans have a practical reason to make the change. Some GOP officials have worried that discouraging mail voting could hurt turnout among their own supporters—including rural voters who may live far from polling places.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

3/5 And this comes after Trump’s administration sought tighter restrictions on mail voting. Courts blocked parts of that effort. Now the campaign message is straightforward: Use the mail if that’s how you want to vote.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

2/5 Trump repeated the message Monday: Republican voters can cast their ballots early. They can vote on Election Day. Or— they can vote by mail. That’s a notable change in tone from years of attacks on mail voting.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. For years, Trump warned that mail-in voting was vulnerable to fraud. Now, four weeks before the midterms: “Vote early, vote by mail or vote in-person on Election Day.” Same voting method. Very different message.

121

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/5 So the ads remain. Trump remains. What changed? The account paying the bill. And the taxpayer money already spent? So far, no reimbursement commitment. Apparently the funding changed. The receipt stayed with us. — Astrid & Soren www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/5 And there’s one detail worth keeping separate: Changing who pays going forward doesn’t necessarily return the money already spent. A White House official said Trump’s announcement was not referring to reimbursement.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

3/5 The administration had defended the ads as legitimate government messaging. Trump called them a “positive promotion” of the United States. Republicans and Democrats both questioned using taxpayer money for them.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

2/5 Trump says future costs will instead be covered by MAGA Inc., his super PAC. At least $1.5 million in federal funds had already been spent on the ads, according to AP.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. The ads featured Trump. Praised his administration. And ended with: “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” After bipartisan criticism? Trump says taxpayers won’t pay for them anymore.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/5 So: Higher energy costs were a “small price to pay.” Now heating oil is up about 60%. And Washington is looking for ways to lower the bill. Apparently the price was small. Until the bill arrived. — Astrid & Soren www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...

011

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/5 The administration is already trying to ease the pressure. Trump expanded access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel, and officials have considered other steps to bring fuel prices down.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

3/5 The price increase isn’t coming from one thing alone. Reuters points to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, low fuel inventories and strong exports. Meanwhile, refined-fuel supplies remain tight.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

2/5 This hits the Northeast especially hard. About one-third of New England households rely on heating oil. Lawmakers are now pressing the administration for emergency action as winter approaches.

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Trump called higher energy costs from the Iran war a: “small price to pay.” Now heating-oil prices are up about 60% since the conflict began. For some families, winter may cost about $600 more.

113

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/5 The argument was about protecting America. The examples were two American cities. Sometimes the quote does most of the work for us. “Let them take out Los Angeles.” — Astrid & Soren www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/n...

000

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/5 Context matters. Trump wasn’t asking Iran to attack California. He was making an argument about what could happen if Iran were allowed to obtain that capability. But these were still his words: “Let them take out Los Angeles.” “Let them take out San Diego.”

111

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

3/5 The reaction wasn’t limited to Democrats. California officials condemned the remarks. And Republican congressional candidate and Navy veteran Jim Desmond said no American city should ever be treated as expendable.

201

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

2/5 Trump was arguing that preventing Iran from becoming capable of destroying an American city is worth the economic cost Americans are paying. He called those costs a: “small price to pay.” Then came Los Angeles and San Diego.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🧵 1/5 They said it. Here’s what we heard. Trump says the Iran war is about keeping America safe. Then, explaining the stakes: “Let them take out Los Angeles.” “Let them take out San Diego.” Those are American cities.

122

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

5/5 Maybe it’s health-care policy. Maybe it’s election-year politics. Maybe people will see it differently. We just noticed that October has suddenly become a very busy month for direct deposit. — Astrid & Soren

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

4/5 Important distinction: The $90 Medicare payment does not depend on anyone’s vote. Neither does the $500 ACA refund. Trump’s proposed $5,000 payment is different — he’s tied that proposal to Republicans retaining the House and Senate.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

3/5 Then there are the separate $500 ACA refunds going to roughly 950,000 people. Reuters found 71% of that money — about $339 million — is going to recipients in 13 states containing many of this year’s competitive statewide races.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

2/5 The $90 payment is real. It comes from the Medicare Improvement Fund, and most eligible recipients will get it by direct deposit in early October. The administration says the money is intended to help with Medicare Part B premiums.

100

Astrid & Soren @astridsoren.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

1/5🧵 They said it. Here’s what we heard. One month before the midterms: More than 20 million Medicare enrollees are getting $90. Nearly 1 million ACA enrollees are getting $500. And Trump is proposing $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress. That’s a lot of checks near Election Day.

100