The dozen-plus Democrats with White House ambitions aren't the only ones gearing up for the 2028 campaign slog: Political foes now see spouses as fair game, so potential candidates' partners are prepping for the vitriol — in wildly different ways.
Why it matters: Would-be first ladies and first gentlemen already are building public profiles — some with vigorous enthusiasm, others not so much.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will host AI executives from Microsoft and other tech companies for dinner at his official mansion in Annapolis on Monday to discuss how to protect the state from cyberattacks in the "Mythos era," Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The private conversation offers a glimpse into how state officials are scrambling to deal with the benefits and threats of rapidly evolving AI, as the Trump administration takes a laissez-faire approach to regulating it.
Democratic Party officials this week are launching their in-person vetting of potential 2028 convention sites, with trips to the finalist cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia.
Why it matters: The Democratic National Convention is a crucial time for the party to reach a large national audience to make its case for retaking the White House in 2028.
The National Security Agency is using Anthropic's most powerful model yet, Mythos Preview, despite top officials at the Department of Defense — which oversees the NSA — insisting the company is a "supply chain risk," two sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: The government's cybersecurity needs appear to be outweighing the Pentagon's feud with Anthropic
Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation for another round of talks with Iran in Islamabad before the ceasefire is scheduled to end on Tuesday night, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: The talks could provide an eleventh hour opportunity to reach a deal, or at least extend the ceasefire — though Iran has yet to confirm its participation and is concerned this is all subterfuge from the White House.
Some red state lawmakers are floating legislation that would make it easier to use gold and silver as currency and to establish gold stockpiles.
Why it matters: Lawmakers say that the commodities are a good option for dealing with the burden of rising inflation because the value of gold and silver has increased, while the dollar has not.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has spent the Iran war doing what he does best — patiently exploiting America's distraction and discord.
Why it matters: The conflict allowed China to bolster its diplomatic leverage, clean-energy muscle and intelligence on the U.S. military — all without firing a shot or spending a dollar.
The world's largest data center project — backed by Trump allies and bearing his name — is stalled by delays and logistical hurdles that could stop it before it even starts.
The latest sign of trouble emerged Friday: CEO Toby Neugebauer abruptly departed. That sent the company's shares, which already shed 75% in the last six months, plummeting in aftermarket trading.
President Trump convened a White House Situation Room meeting on Saturday morning to discuss the renewed crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran, according to two U.S. officials.
Why it matters: The situation with Iran is at a critical point, with the ceasefire expected to expire in three days, and no final date set for a new meeting between U.S. and Iranian negotiators.
Iran said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is again closed to traffic following threats of such action if the U.S. continued its blockade of the shipping channel.
Why it matters: The closure could be a setback to efforts toward a new round of negotiations on a deal to end the war and will add pressure to an already tense situation between Iran and the U.S.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wreaking havoc on Israel's standing with Americans as the Iran war supercharges a deterioration in relations with the U.S.
Why it matters: Israel's polling collapse among younger Americans is hitting Congress, too. Lawmakers who started out staunchly pro-Israel are becoming increasingly vocal critics.
