That Noisy Trump
Day 396

Thursday, 19 February 2026

10 events· 1 exec order

Key Events (10)

1
Foreign Policy

Trump officials are planning to construct a 5,000-person military base in Gaza covering approximately 350 acres, according to documents reviewed by The Guardian. The base would serve as a compound for a multinational force in the region.

2
Foreign Policy

The US military is prepared for potential strikes against Iran, though Trump has not yet made a final decision according to reports. The White House is simultaneously urging Iran to negotiate on its nuclear program, with speculation that military action could occur within days.

3
Foreign Policy

Trump reversed his support for a Chagos Islands deal with the UK after Britain blocked the use of Diego Garcia military base for potential Iranian strikes, linking the decision to his nuclear negotiations with Iran.

4
Other

Trump's inaugural 'Board of Peace' meeting convened in Washington, attended by representatives from authoritarian and repressive regimes. The board aims to address peace and security issues, with discussions focused on Gaza peacekeeping and international funding.

5
Legal

Trump issued an executive order seeking to protect glyphosate, a widely-used weedkiller at the center of numerous health lawsuits, and to grant immunity to manufacturers. The move faced criticism from health advocates.

6
Domestic

The White House issued a DHS memo granting ICE authority to detain legal refugees in the US indefinitely for aggressive 'rescreening,' expanding immigration enforcement powers. An army veteran was also detained by ICE for three days without access to legal counsel or information about charges.

7
Domestic

Trump is pushing to rename Penn Station after himself, with critics describing it as a presidential shakedown and part of his relentless self-aggrandizement campaign. The proposal has drawn scrutiny for hypocrisy and shifting explanations.

8
Social

RFK Jr, now a Trump official, has triggered concerns as his ally Jay Bhattacharya was named acting director of the CDC, becoming the fourth leader in a year. The CDC vaccine advisory panel meeting was postponed as RFK Jr seeks to reshape vaccine policy.

9
Economy

Trump-era science funding cuts are driving young American researchers to leave the country, raising concerns about brain drain in the biomedical research sector. Experts warn the US could lose its position as the world's largest biomedical ecosystem without sustained innovation.

10
Social

Digital blackface and fake videos using AI are proliferating under Trump, with deepfakes and manipulated content being distributed on platforms like TikTok and by the White House itself. The trend puts Black users at heightened risk of harassment and misrepresentation.

Executive Orders (1)

Executive Order to Protect Glyphosate Production and Manufacturer Immunity
other

Executive order aimed at boosting glyphosate (weedkiller) production and granting immunity to manufacturers from health-related lawsuits. The order faces opposition from health advocates.

Source ↗
Day 396 — Thursday, 19 February 2026 | That Noisy Trump