Morning coverage centered on escalation abroad: U.S. strikes destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after attempted strikes on a warship, pushing Brent crude past $100 for the first time since July, with reports of Iranian retaliation toward Jordan and new proxy activity. Trump moved to ban imports of Canadian motorcycles, dairy and alcohol as the trade war widened.
Attention shifted through the day to Dallas for Republicans' first-ever midterm convention, billed as Trumpapalooza. After build-up over empty seats, absences and Fetterman's surprise video appearance, Trump took the stage for a 100-minute keynote urging voters to pretend he is on the ballot, vowing to campaign in swing districts and predicting the Iran war would end immediately after the election.
He closed the night pledging $5,000 dividends to adults if the GOP holds Congress.