Pope-Trump tension. After the president accused Chicago-born Pope Leo of “catering to the Radical Left” in opposing the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, the pontiff today declared, “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”
■ Trump’s broadside maybe-not-coincidentally followed 60 Minutes’ lead story on the pope and the war.
■ All that follows a meeting last week in which a Pentagon official reportedly warned a cardinal “that the United States has the military power to do whatever it wants—and that the Church had better take its side.”
■ Back in Evanston, a Catholic pastor has quit after an investigation revealed he used parish funds for personal expenses.
‘You could bet (literally!!) that greedy U.S. kleptocrats couldn’t get [an] Iran deal.’ Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch (gift link): “Trump’s team … has no idea how to end their failed Iran War.”
■ Updating coverage: So now the U.S. is threatening to blockade Iranian ports.
■ Evan Hurst at Wonkette: “Trump blockading thing that's already closed in order to reopen that which was previously open.”
‘What we could have instead of an unnecessary war.’ Author and former Illinois U.S. Rep. Marie Newman suggests that that $50 billion—so far—could have done so much good here at home.
■ Columnist Neil Steinberg, dealing with diabetes, confirms firsthand that the 2020 COVID crisis did long-term damage to healthcare around the world: “Getting an appointment takes forever. As does getting admitted after showing up in the emergency room.”
‘Ladies and gents, I give you Jesus H. Trump.’ Columnist Jeff Tiedrich marvels at the president’s depiction of himself as, well …
Dictator down. In an election with parallels to the U.S. political landscape, Trump-supported Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat to a former Orbán loyalist who campaigned against corruption.
■ Journalist Steven Beschloss: “This is a serious loss for Trump (and his Orbán-loving henchman, JD Vance).”
■ Economist Paul Krugman sees “another confirmation that Trump is Midas in reverse: Everything he touches turns to, well, something other than gold.”
■ Columnist and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich calls it “a solid victory for democracy and a clear defeat for the forces of authoritarianism” …
■ … and law professor Joyce Vance sees “an obvious lesson for us here.”
■ Bulwark columnist Tim Miller encourages Democrats to take yes for an answer—“welcoming people who are suddenly inclined to agree with you without having to haggle over all their past indiscretions.”
■ Meanwhile in the U.S., the AP reports, the Trump family’s deal spree has opened the door for future presidents to profit from office.
■ Decoherence Media: Vice President Vance follows fascists and antisemites on Twitter X.
Dismissed. A judge has derailed Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for reporting on his lewd birthday greeting to his dead sex offender pal Jeffrey Epstein (New York Times gift link).
■ The Onion: “U.S. Reaches Trade Deal With Pedotopia.”
‘I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment.’ Amid charges he’d sexually assaulted a woman twice, Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s withdrawn from the California governor’s race …
■ … but his name stays on the ballot, further complicating an already complex contest.
Coachella compromised. Popular Information reports that, even as artists such as Sabrina Carpenter criticize the Trump administration, proceeds from their performance at the California arts festival benefit a corporation run by right-wing billionaire Philip Anschutz—who sends that money “directly to right-wing organizations that support key politicians funding ICE, undermining LGBTQ rights and restricting abortion.”
■ Variety: Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Amazon MGM Studios’ $40 million documentary on First Lady Melania Trump constitutes “bribery in plain sight.”
■ More than 1,000 Hollywood luminaries have signed an open letter opposing Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Power play. Southwest Airlines is about to crack down further on passengers’ lithium battery-powered portable device chargers.
■ Gizmodo: “The world is basically begging for another iPod.”
Good news, bad news. Along with summerlike temperatures near 80 this week …
■ … Chicago also faces the prospect of storms almost every day.
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A Square public service announcement
Films for the Nuclear Age. Don’t miss The 2026 International Uranium Film Festival, 16 movies about nuclear power, waste, weapons and war—illustrating the Nuclear Age’s dark side. April 24-26 at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus. Free—but sign up in advance here.
