Trump’s deteriorating economic numbers and a frustrated Zelenskyy: Morning Rundown

In today’s newsletter: Trump is heading into the State of the Union with voters who distrust the economy. Zelenskyy’s frustration with the peace process is reaching new levels as Ukraine’s war with Russia enters its fifth year. And how White House counsel Stephen Miller has increased his income.

Here’s what you need to know today.

Trump is heading into the State of the Union amid declining voter confidence in the economy

As President Donald Trump prepares for his latest State of the Union address, he’s entering unfamiliar political territory — deep mistrust among Americans in his handling of the economy.

Over the past year, Trump has seen his economic approval ratings sink. This is in stark contrast to his first term, where he broke even more or enjoyed broad approval – public opinion that has been politically important since he first ran for office.

But since he returned to the White House, voters have soured on Trump on the economy amid persistent dissatisfaction with higher spending, polls show, a shift that has energized Democrats and raised eyebrows among Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump has dismissed the election showing a downturn in the economy as “fake” and raised the stock market to argue that things are going well. The key question for his State of the Union speech is whether he will use this time to continue his strategy or change direction in his economic message.

At least half a dozen House Democrats invite survivors of Jeffrey Epstein as guests of tonight’s SOTU.

More details on what to expect from SOTU here. Again follow the latest on our liveblog.

Other political news:

• FedEx suing the Trump administration to recoup the tax money after the Supreme Court ruled that the president overstepped his authority in imposing huge tariffs on nearly all of the US’s trading partners. Trump’s revised global tariffs went into effect today at a rate of 10%, although he said over the weekend that they will start at 15%.

• European Parliament set up a major trade agreement and the US, expressing uncertainty following the court’s decision.
• Jeanine Pirro’s office will remove the charge against six lawmakers who urged members of the military to disobey illegal orders.

• Documents show Texas attorney Tony Gonzales was sent sexually explicit messages to employees as part of the alleged affair.

Zelenskyy’s outbursts of anger are growing as the war with Putin enters its fifth year

Ukraine’s conflict with Russia is entering its fifth year and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is growing frustrated. Russia may have been thwarted in its hasty attempt to sweep aside the president of Ukraine and swallow its neighbor whole, but after months of negotiations led by the US, and as the conflict enters its fifth year, there has been little progress on the key sticking points for peace talks. Zelenskyy’s growing public anger at the peace process is palpable, said Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko.

“His attitude requires quick solutions. This is where impatience and anger come from,” said Fesenko.

Russia controls 20% of Ukraine’s territory, continues to struggle along its eastern borders, and the battlefield toll is approaching half a million dead and 1.5 million wounded or missing on both sides. All the while, Kyiv is under intense pressure from Trump to reach an agreement and hold another election.

Zelenskyy is facing decisions from Moscow and Washington to give up Ukrainian land, Fesenko said – something the Ukrainian leader is likely to accept in the face of domestic public opinion.

“He is ready for the fight that will continue,” he added.

Read more about Zelenskyy’s opinion here.

Trump’s ‘hammer’: Stephen Miller’s powers extend beyond immigration

Most people know Stephen Miller as the tough face of Trump’s impeachment, but as one of the president’s longest-serving aides, he has many other duties.

Miller’s role includes driving the president’s effort to force change on college campuses aimed at reversing what Trump calls the “resurrection” effect. But on any given day, he can also be found pushing to fix dry, malfunctioning fountains in Washington, DC, or replace broken security cameras on city streets, a senior administration official said.

The complete sweep of Miller’s portfolio may be due in part to his ability to stay in Trump’s world, even after the rollback of immigration laws in Minneapolis.

Miller is the first and one of the few left standing — the “sledgehammer” tasked with making Trump’s promises come true, as former presidential strategist Steve Bannon said in an interview.

Read more about Stephen Miller.

read all about it

• Analysis: How possible a new US attack on Iran at the risk of retaliation on a large scale intended to cause harm to the United States or to disrupt the oil industry.

• American women’s ice hockey team declined Trump’s invitation to the Federal Government.

• The son of director Rob Reiner, who is accused of killing his parents, He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in the case yesterday.
• Robert CarradineThe actress known for appearing in the Disney series “Lizzie McGuire,” has died. He was 71 years old.

Staff Pick: The founder of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is in pieces over missing milk chocolate.

Brad Reese literally wears his loyalty to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on his sleeve, often stepping out in orange and brown jerseys — the signature colors of the iconic candy that his grandfather HB Reese invented nearly a century ago.

So when her criticism of Hershey for replacing real milk chocolate with a chocolate-flavored coating in spinoff candies like Valentine’s Day Reese’s Mini Hearts became widespread, we asked him why he cared so much.

For the 70-year-old Floridian, Reese’s Peanut Butter Lips are more than candy — they’re her legacy.

– Corky Siemaszko, a reporter

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Made Easy

Is it worth the investment? That’s the question Select editors asked when they did a year-round testing of Oura Ring 4. And again when they are tested a device designed to make your phone less distracting-because we can all get a little time online.

Register for Choice newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was chosen for you by Marissa Martinez. If you are a fan, please send the link to your family and friends. They can register here.