International
“Trump is a hero”: Marc Fogel lands in U.S. after release from Russian captivity

Quick Hit:
Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia since 2021, has returned to the U.S. following negotiations led by the Trump administration. Fogel, who was serving a 14-year sentence for possessing what his family said was medically prescribed marijuana, was released in a prisoner swap. Upon his arrival, he met with President Donald Trump and praised him as a “hero” for securing his freedom.
Key Details:
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Fogel, a Pennsylvania native, was arrested in August 2021 at a Russian airport and sentenced to 14 years in prison. His family maintained he had legally prescribed medical marijuana.
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The Trump administration negotiated his release, though National Security Advisor Michael Waltz declined to specify what the U.S. conceded in the exchange. When asked about the deal, Trump responded, “not much.”
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A jubilant Fogel arrived on U.S. soil on Tuesday, wrapped in an American flag, and declared, “I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now.” His family thanked Trump for his leadership, saying his release marked the end of the “darkest and most painful period” of their lives.
Diving Deeper:
Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia for over three years, is finally back in the United States after a successful prisoner exchange negotiated by the Trump administration. Fogel, who taught history at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, was arrested in August 2021 for carrying marijuana, which his family insisted was for medical use. Despite their claims, he was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony.
Following diplomatic efforts, Fogel touched down in the U.S. on Tuesday. A photo shared by the White House on social media showed him draped in an American flag, raising his fist in celebration. “MARC FOGEL IS BACK!!! PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!!!” read the post on X.
Fogel later visited the White House, where he met with President Trump and personally credited him for orchestrating his release. “I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. President Trump is a hero,” he reportedly said. He also praised the diplomats, senators, and representatives involved in securing his freedom.
Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor, confirmed that the U.S. and Russia had negotiated a trade but withheld details about what the U.S. had offered in return. When pressed by reporters, Trump simply responded, “not much,” without elaborating.
Fogel’s family expressed profound gratitude, issuing a statement thanking Trump and those who fought for his return. “We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband, and son, Marc Fogel, is finally coming home,” they said. “Thanks to the unwavering leadership of President Trump, Marc will soon be back on American soil, free where he belongs. This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal.”
Business
Vice President Vance expects framework of TikTok deal by April 5

MxM News
Quick Hit:
Vice President JD Vance expects a framework agreement to resolve TikTok’s ownership by April 5, as the Biden-era law requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban looms. President Donald Trump had previously delayed enforcement of the law, allowing more time for negotiations. The White House is in discussions with multiple potential buyers to establish an American-owned version of the social media platform.
Key Details:
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Vice President Vance stated that a high-level agreement will likely be reached that meets national security concerns while creating a U.S.-based TikTok enterprise.
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President Trump signed an executive order in January, delaying the enforcement of a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban.
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The White House is engaged with four interested groups in potential acquisition talks.
Diving Deeper:
The fate of TikTok in the U.S. has been a subject of intense debate due to concerns over data security and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party through ByteDance. The law, originally passed under the Biden administration, sought to force the sale of the app due to fears that American user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. However, after taking office, President Trump extended the enforcement deadline by 75 days, giving room for negotiations.
Vice President Vance, speaking to NBC News aboard Air Force Two, expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached by April 5, though some details may still need to be finalized afterward. He and national security adviser Michael Waltz have been leading efforts to facilitate a sale that would address national security concerns while preserving TikTok’s massive American user base.
President Trump revealed last weekend that his administration is in talks with four different groups interested in acquiring the app. While the specifics of these negotiations remain undisclosed, the administration has made it clear that TikTok must operate as a distinct American entity to remain in the U.S. market.
As the deadline approaches, ByteDance has not publicly commented on the ongoing discussions. However, with bipartisan concerns over the influence of the Chinese Communist Party on U.S. technology platforms, the expectation is that any deal will include significant safeguards to prevent foreign interference in the app’s operations.
The coming weeks will determine whether a sale materializes or if further action will be needed to enforce the law. Either way, the Trump administration has signaled its commitment to ensuring that TikTok is no longer under the control of a hostile foreign adversary.
Energy
Trump asserts energy dominance, set to meet oil titans amid trade war

MxM News
Quick Hit:
President Donald Trump is taking decisive action to strengthen America’s energy sector, set to meet with top oil executives next week at the White House. The 47th president, who has prioritized energy independence and economic growth, is working to expand domestic oil and gas production while countering foreign market pressures and trade challenges. Industry leaders recognize Trump’s commitment to unleashing U.S. energy dominance, a stark contrast to the regulatory stranglehold of the Biden years.
Key Details:
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Trump’s upcoming meeting with oil and gas leaders will be his first major sit-down with the industry since his second inauguration, reinforcing his commitment to energy independence.
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The president’s policies have already slashed regulations and boosted U.S. energy production, but industry leaders seek further collaboration to ensure continued growth.
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While some executives have voiced concerns over crude price fluctuations, Trump remains focused on lowering energy costs for American consumers while keeping the industry thriving.
Diving Deeper:
President Trump has long championed American energy as the backbone of economic prosperity and national security. Unlike his predecessor, who waged a war on fossil fuels in favor of radical climate policies, Trump has embraced U.S. oil and gas, calling it “liquid gold” and positioning it as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic agenda.
The meeting, set to include top oil executives and members of the American Petroleum Institute, will focus on advancing U.S. energy production. Trump’s newly formed National Energy Dominance Council, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, will also play a key role in shaping policy discussions.
Industry leaders like Harold Hamm of Continental Resources and Kelcy Warren of Energy Transfer LP, both of whom backed Trump’s 2024 campaign, recognize the president’s unwavering support for the oil and gas sector. Trump’s administration has already implemented critical reforms to streamline permitting, cut bureaucratic red tape, and expand drilling opportunities—moves that starkly contrast with the Biden administration’s hostility toward domestic production.
Despite global economic factors influencing oil prices—such as increased OPEC+ output and weak Chinese demand—Trump’s policies have laid the groundwork for sustained industry success. While some executives argue that crude prices must remain above $80 per barrel for optimal production, Trump’s focus remains on ensuring affordable energy for American families and businesses.
Trade policy has also been a point of discussion, with some in the industry concerned about Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are critical for drilling operations. However, Trump has consistently prioritized fair trade and American manufacturing, refusing to allow foreign competitors to undermine U.S. industry. Unlike the Biden administration, which caved to globalist interests, Trump is leveraging tariffs as a tool to strengthen domestic production.
Bethany Williams, spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, emphasized Trump’s impact: “President Trump’s energy agenda has set our nation on a path toward energy dominance. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss how American oil and natural gas are driving economic growth, strengthening our national security, and supporting consumers with the president and his team.”
As Trump continues to roll back Biden-era climate mandates and prioritize U.S. energy independence, his administration is making clear that American oil and gas will once again lead the global market. With the full backing of industry leaders, Trump is proving that energy dominance isn’t just a slogan—it’s a reality under his leadership.
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