Day: February 14, 2026

New Yahoo/YouGov polling conducted Feb. 9–12, 2026 finds 42% of Americans say Bad Bunny better represents the United States versus 39% for President Donald Trump, with a 1,704‑respondent sample and ~3% margin of error. The survey, taken immediately after Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show on Feb. 8, showed independents favoring Bad Bunny 46% to 27% and sharp partisan splits: Democrats overwhelmingly backed Bad Bunny while Republicans favored Trump. Sixty percent approved of Bad Bunny’s closing message. Analysts say the results reflect the halftime spectacle’s cultural impact and cross‑party polarization. Some observers noted it was a single, post‑game snapshot. (yahoo.com)

Sen. Ted Budd (R‑NC) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D‑NY) introduced the U.S.–Israel FUTURES Act (United States‑Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security Act of 2026), a bicameral effort unveiled Feb. 12–13, 2026. The bill would create a U.S.–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to expand and accelerate collaborative research, testing, evaluation and industrial cooperation in emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, counter‑UAS and missile‑defense systems — using U.S. appropriations. A companion House measure by Reps. Ronny Jackson and Don Davis mirrors the effort, aiming to fast‑track joint investments and operationalize shared technology for American and Israeli forces. (jackson.house.gov)

Secretary Scott Bessent urged Senate Republicans to drop the 60 vote filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, calling the standoff a “prisoner’s dilemma” and saying when the other side won’t play fair you must “move first.” He warned it is “kill or be killed,” urged selective elimination of the filibuster for priority items like voter integrity and to prevent a government shutdown, and outlined a plan for Republicans to act preemptively rather than wait for Democratic obstruction. The comments, shared widely on social media and in interviews, raise pressure on GOP leaders weighing rule changes to advance the bill. (twstalker.com)

On February 13, 2026, former CNN anchor Don Lemon entered the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in St. Paul, Minnesota, for arraignment and pleaded not guilty to federal civil‑rights charges tied to a January 18 anti‑ICE protest at Cities Church. Prosecutors allege conspiracy to deprive religious freedom and violations of the FACE Act; Lemon says he was acting as a journalist and denounces the indictment as politically motivated and an attack on press freedom. He arrived with his legal team amid supporters chanting outside; his attorneys intend to invoke First Amendment defenses as the case moves. (pbs.org)

Bill Gates congratulated President Trump and VP‑elect JD Vance, posting on X that “America is at its strongest when we use ingenuity and innovation to improve lives… I hope we can work together now to build a brighter future for everyone.” (newsweek.com) The November 7, 2024 message came after Trump’s election victory and signals Gates’s willingness to engage with the incoming administration on innovation, global health and aid. (newsweek.com) Several other technology leaders also extended congratulations. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The post has prompted discussion about Gates’s past political donations and the role of tech philanthropy in shaping policy during presidential transitions, and public reaction continues today. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Stephen A. Smith told CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Robert Costa he is “giving strong consideration” to a 2028 presidential bid and will use 2026 to study issues and decide. (forbes.com) Costa posted on X that Smith is “moving closer” to a campaign. (barrettmedia.com) Smith said he has “no desire” to be a politician but is “not ruling it out,” adding he wants to be on debate stages to challenge other Democrats. (nz.news.yahoo.com) He said he’d run as a Democrat, describing himself fiscally conservative and socially liberal. (forbes.com) The CBS interview airs Sunday, and reactions were immediate across outlets with coverage from major national publications. (ground.news)

Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine) announced she supports the House‑passed SAVE America Act, saying revisions balance election security and access while she still opposes eliminating the Senate filibuster. The House approved the bill 218–213. The measure would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections, mandate photo ID for in‑person voting, and tighten mail‑in rules. Republican leaders say Collins’ backing brings GOP support to roughly 50 senators and argue that with Vice President J.D. Vance as tiebreaker the bill could pass under a standing filibuster. Voting‑rights groups condemn the legislation as voter suppression. Civil‑rights organizations vow legal fights and protests. (newsweek.com)

Breaking: The Wall Street Journal reports that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski—both married—are in a relationship they “do little to hide” inside the Department of Homeland Security. (wsj.com) The paper says Lewandowski, acting as Noem’s de facto chief of staff, once fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket failed to transfer during a plane change; pilot was later reinstated when no other crew could be found. (wsj.com) The investigation describes sweeping personnel shakeups, polygraphs and use of a leased luxury 737 MAX for travel. (wsj.com) A DHS spokesperson called the allegations “categorically false.” Both deny the reports. (people.com)

Senate Democrats blocked a Department of Homeland Security funding bill on Feb. 12, forcing a partial shutdown set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday that would furlough or curtail TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and portions of federal cybersecurity operations. Democrats said the move pressures Republicans for immigration-reform measures after recent deadly ICE operations, demanding body cameras, identification rules and limits on enforcement near sensitive sites. Schumer called the votes “a shot across the bow” at Republicans. ICE and Customs and Border Protection should continue operating because they already received separate funding, while other DHS functions will be disrupted nationwide. (washingtonpost.com)