Salem News Channel

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. war against Iran has cost the Department of Defense more than $38 billion through Aug. 1, and will continue costing up to $3 billion a month or more depending on the intensity of the conflict, according to an assessment released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. CBO said the war is expected to contribute to inflation into the first quarter of 2027, making inflation roughly 0.5 percentage points higher than they had previously estimated. That's driven largely by the reduction of oil and natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to shipping through the Red Sea. The estimate, prepared in response to a request for information from the top Democrat on the House Budget committee, Rep. Brendan Boyle, largely aligns with a previous estimate from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who pinned the costs at $37.5 billion, according to his Senate testimony. The estimates come largely from replacing munitions and equipment lost in battle, the CBO said, and do not include costs related to U.S. military personnel killed or injured in the conflict or longer term veterans’ healthcare and disability compensation. Boyle said that beyond with the war's human toll, “this nonpartisan CBO report makes clear that the war has also cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and counting, while continuing to drive up costs.” “Donald Trump and Republicans have spent years telling Americans that we cannot afford to help families here at home,” Boyle said in a statement, "but apparently they can find tens of billions of dollars, and potentially much more, for a reckless war that is leaving Americans to pay the price.” The findings come as voters eye the war and high prices heading toward the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, where Republicans now hold majority power in the House and Senate. The war, which started Feb. 28, is now in its seventh month, with no signs of a quick end to the on-off conflict. The White House made a request for $87.6 billion in supplemental funding in June, largely for the war effort, but Congress has not approved it. CBO said the portion of that request that appears to be directly related to the conflict, $42.3 billion, is about 10% larger than CBO’s estimate of DoD’s costs. The Defense Department declined to respond to CBO's request for information for its report, which was a break from norms. The budget office said it relied on government databases and public reports, and as a result, its estimates “are subject to considerable uncertainty.” A Pentagon inspector general report Monday said the war has resulted in “strategic inventory shortfalls.”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday nominated the wife of “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Kimberly Greenwood was among a list of nominees the Trump administration sent to the U.S. Senate for confirmation. Later Monday, Kimberly Greenwood posted on Instagram a picture with her husband and Trump as she thanked the president for the nomination. “Mr. President, thank you for believing in me and entrusting me with this extraordinary opportunity to serve,” she wrote. Her husband, Lee Greenwood, is one of Trump's favorite singers, whose signature patriotic anthem has been his chosen walk-on song at political events for years. Trump even went into business with Lee Greenwood, selling a $59.99 "God Bless the USA Bible,” with him. In his own Instagram post praising his wife and her nomination, Lee Greenwood said his wife had worked with Trump for 18 years while the president owned the Miss Universe Organization and Kimberly Greenwood directed state pageants. Kimberly Greenwood's nomination, which must be confirmed by the Senate, calls for her to serve concurrently as U.S. ambassador to Barbados and, without additional compensation, as ambassador to the Caribbean countries of St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Presidents on both sides of the aisle have rewarded donors and key supporters with a significant slice of sought-after ambassadorships. Democratic President Joe Biden selected prominent Seattle business leader and Democratic donor Roger Nyhus to serve in the same role for which Trump has nominated Kimberly Greenwood. Most political appointees from the donor-and-supporter class have little impact on foreign policy. Occasionally, they have been the source of presidential headaches. Trump on Monday also nominated outgoing U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, to serve as his top envoy to Riyadh. Hunt is near the end of his second term representing his Houston-area district. He finished third in the March 2026 Texas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate behind Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. If confirmed, Hunt will head to Riyadh a difficult moment in the Middle East as the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran continues with no end in sight and as fighting between the Saudis and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen intensifies. Before politics, Hunt was a U.S. Army officer who served as a diplomatic liaison in Saudi Arabia. Hunt in a posting on X said he understood “the strategic importance of the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and the profound responsibility of this position." The White House on Monday also announced Trump’s nominees for vacant ambassadorial roles in Haiti, Somalia, Djibouti and Suriname. During his first term, Trump’s appointees included hotelier and $1 million inaugural contributor Gordon Sondland, who served as chief envoy to the European Union. Sondland provided unflattering testimony about Trump during his first impeachment, which centered on allegations Trump sought help from Ukrainian authorities to undermine Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Sondland was later fired by Trump. Trump donor-turned-envoy Jeffrey Ross Gunter left locals in relatively crime-free Reykjavik, Iceland, aghast over his request to hire armed bodyguards. In Britain, Ambassador Robert “Woody” Johnson faced accusations he tried to steer golf’s British Open toward a Trump resort in Scotland and made racist and sexist comments.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russian territory if allies secure a Russian commitment not to hit Ukraine’s infrastructure. His comments Monday follow President Donald Trump’s claim that Russia and Ukraine agreed not to target each other’s energy infrastructure. Trump has urged Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, blaming these attacks for a global diesel shortage. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says Russian drone strikes near the Ukraine-Poland border show Moscow’s desperation. Rutte pledged Monday to increase alliance support for Ukraine after the drone attacks on Sunday. Poland says it will increase security along its border with Ukraine after the attacks.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The board of the Kennedy Center has voted to close the facility over financial issues and a dispute over putting President Donald Trump’s name on the iconic performing arts venue. That's according to people familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting. Prior to Tuesday’s board meeting, a federal judge blocked the Kennedy Center board from adding Trump’s name to the structure or grounds, saying it would violate an earlier ruling that his name was illegally added to the building.

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U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Department of Justice will investigate "anybody associated" with AI if they violated the law. "As far as AI is concerned, there's a lot of criminal laws," Blanche said. "So if anybody associated with AI violates criminal law, we'll investigate that." His comments come after Trump called AI risks a 'hoax,' saying there is a 'SICK conspiracy' against AI and data centers.

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Here's what's trending with our partners at Townhall.... Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is refusing to participate in a debate with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Rogers' campaign says he objects to moderator Roop Raj, citing concerns about bias. El-Sayed will participate, leaving an empty podium for Rogers. Read more on Townhall.com: https://townhall.com/news/amy-curtis/2026/09/15/mike-rogers-debates-n2682999

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Kennedy Center from returning President Donald Trump’s name to the iconic performing arts venue in a move meant to recognize his renovation efforts. In the ruling Tuesday, Judge Christopher Cooper said restoring Trump's name in any way would violate an earlier ruling that the name was illegally added to the building. The judge said defendants "cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing.”

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Kash Patel Reveals FBI Has Caught ALL 10 FBI Most Wanted Fugitives

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Technologists claim AI will bring the end of Humanity. Trump's solution? A president with a high IQ. ------- M and M Extra! If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be with zero apologies. Like and subscribe to youtube.com/@MandMExtra for more content. Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwMRurHjD-q-sft3OQfbxop8 Check out highlight clips from all our shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwPQn44WIEh9LfT3hP1lng9w

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China Has a 100 Year Plan to Destroy America

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Last year, Charlie Kirk was brutally assassinated in front of his family—and instead of allowing his family and friends to grieve, the radical left continues to celebrate. Social media lit up with sick jokes, gleeful posts, and shameless slander of a man who spent his life fighting for conservative values. This is the same crowd that lectures us about "decency" and "unity." The hypocrisy is staggering. -- M and M Extra! If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be with zero apologies. Like and subscribe to youtube.com/@MandMExtra for more content. Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwMRurHjD-q-sft3OQfbxop8 Check out highlight clips from all our shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwPQn44WIEh9LfT3hP1lng9w

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Bethany Miller joins Mike to examine how social media and the digital age are reshaping how Gen Z understands culture, victimhood, politics, and even political violence—and why conservatives need to learn how to compete for the hearts and minds of a generation raised online.

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After three months away following a fall, hospitalization, and rehabilitation, 84-year-old Mitch McConnell has returned to the Senate. His return raises questions about how much he can realistically participate in the demanding work of the Senate during the final months of his term, and whether simply being present is enough to fulfill the responsibilities of the job.

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On Monday, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the capture of a suspect who is accused of obtaining a rifle and ammunition to carry out a planned, Islamic State-inspired attack in Pennsylvania. The DOJ announced the bust Tuesday on X.

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On Monday, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returned to the Senate floor and cast his first vote since being hospitalized in June after a fall in his D.C. home. McConnell's staff reported that he had contracted pneumonia and was subsequently placed in a rehabilitation facility to regain his strength. 

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If Karl Rove thought he could publicly announce that he's voting for a Texas Democrat this November without getting some serious blowback from President Trump, he seriously miscalculated the situation. 

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Vice President JD Vance is already receiving endorsements from Republicans for a presidential bid in 2028, with Sen. Jim Banks announcing his support for the former senator from Ohio.

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In a candid discussion, cybersecurity expert Morgan Wright joins Larry to explore the escalating concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential dangers. Wright highlights the current geopolitical landscape, comparing the race for AI dominance to the historical race for nuclear weapons, with China emerging as a formidable competitor. The conversation delves into the implications of AI technology falling into the wrong hands, including its use by radical groups and rogue states for cyber warfare. Wright emphasizes the importance of establishing regulatory guardrails through litigation and industry self-regulation before resorting to legislative measures, which may struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. As the nation approaches a critical election year, the discourse around AI regulation and its impact on national security intensifies, making this conversation both timely and essential for understanding the stakes involved in the future of AI.

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Congressman Chip Roy of Texas joins the Salem News Channel to discuss pressing issues including artificial intelligence regulation, the implications of AI on national security, and concerns about data centers and surveillance technology. Congressman Roy emphasizes the importance of transparency and oversight in the development of AI, expressing concerns about potential job losses and the lack of clarity from current leaders on the future of AI. He advocates for a competitive market with multiple voices and stresses the need for a regulatory framework that ensures AI development aligns with national interests. Additionally, Roy discusses the political landscape in Texas, particularly focusing on the tight Senate race between Ken Paxton and Talarico, and touches upon the public's frustration regarding gas prices and border security.

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