05/14/26 Trump Goes to China, Xi Holds the Cards

Trump lands in China hoping for pageantry, praise, and a deal — but the real story is leverage. As the Iran war drains U.S. focus and gives Beijing a major strategic opening, Xi greets Trump with flags, flattery, and a blunt warning on Taiwan. Meanwhile, back home, the grift machine keeps humming: Justice Department officials weigh settling Trump’s IRS lawsuit, and Trump Mobile quietly changes the fine print on a gold phone that customers already put deposits on. Foreign policy chaos abroad, cash grabs at home — same show, different continent.