Locator: 50606DINNER.
For the archives:
April 24, 2026: this is huge. If you're a political junkie. I'm not but still the same, this is fascinating.
Hegseth fired Trump's #1 friend -- John C. Phelan as US Secretary of the Navy. Phelan campaigned hard to save his job. Didn't succeed. Phelan and Trump are literally next-door neighbors, living in almost exactly same-looking houses in Florida. A year ago, Hegseth was a Tier 2 player in the administration; clearly Hegseth is a Tier 1 player now, along with Rubio and Burgum. Surprisingly Tusli Gabbard still holds her job. So, to date only two big names removed, Noem and Bondi, and apparently Noem has a very, very nice new position and still living in the house that is supposed to belong to the Commandant, US Coast Guard. Bondi is transitioning to the private sector.
My hunch: Phelan and Trump still get along, and we may see Phelan show up again, somewhere in the administration, perhaps working with Howard Lutnick in some capacity -- except there would not be enough room in the commerce building for two such egos.
Dinner: the Ellisons are hosting a dinner for the Trumps this weekend. I guess it's tonight. The White House Correspondents' Dinner is tomorrow night, Saturday, April 25, 2026. Trump is attending this year. I assume with limited seating Kristi Noem won't be attending.
