NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonight’s 9 pm ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.
Editor’s note: This is the last War Notes until Jan. 5, 2026 — a huge thank you to our new War Notes editor-in-chief Amanda Kinderman and founding editor Katie Oglesby.
- I intend to delete X, Instagram and turn off all phone notifications for the next two weeks — I will let you know the most meaningful reflections and revelations of time spent outside of D.C. when I return.
THANK YOU: Without your support we wouldn’t have jobs – it’s that simple
- I remain grateful every day for your interest in what we have to say. It is an awesome responsibility.
- Data: Thanks to you for telling your friends about War Notes and On Balance. It’s been an incredible year.
- Big growth: We started the year with 13,200 subscribers — NOW we are at 34,200 subscribers
- Wow: That’s a 159% increase!
- 64% plus of you open the newsletter every day. That’s over double the national average.
- Not to mention War Notes subscribers helped put “Born Lucky” on the New York Times bestseller list.
- Don’t forget, you can still order “Born Lucky” in time for Christmas —
- We have already helped so many families realize they aren’t alone.
- “Born Lucky” is hope for every family of a kid having a hard time.
- Don’t forget, you can still order “Born Lucky” in time for Christmas —
- Big growth: We started the year with 13,200 subscribers — NOW we are at 34,200 subscribers
- Thank you to my kind, gorgeous and understanding wife Rachel who put up with more late nights, early morning calls, canceled dates and missed weekends this year than last.
- 🎄Rachel, Dutch and I wish you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year spent with the people you love.
Your Turn
We asked our favorite guests to answer the following questions with one-word answers. Reply to this email with your answers, and we’ll endeavor to save them and recognize the winner next year.
By this time next year:
- How many Cabinet members will Trump fire?
- Will Russia and Ukraine agree to a peace deal? Would Putin honor one if he does?
- Will Maduro be in charge of Venezuela?
- Trump named Biden seven times in his Christmas speech last night. Will he use Biden’s name more or less in next year’s speech?
- Will Trump put any of his political opponents in jail?
- Will stocks be up or down?
- Will Democrats take back the House?
- Who will be leading the betting markets for the 2028 Democratic nomination.
- Will we still be talking about the “Epstein files”?
Midterms Start Tonight
Tonight: President Trump will rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, alongside Republican Senate Candidate Michael Whatley
- Whatley faces an uphill battle against the state’s former and popular governor Roy Cooper
- North Carolina is the perfect test for the midterms — it flipped Trump to Biden to Trump.
- Whatley is a moderate to MAGA Republican and Cooper is the current Democratic version of a moderate.
- Mission: Trump and Republicans must find a message that matches the mood of America today.
- Look back: President Trump won in 2024 because his message best captured how people felt:
- Gaslit on the economy by President Biden and Harris who kept saying things were great
- Fed up with mass illegal immigration and the problems arising from it
- Scared about the future of a country where one had to accept boys in girls sports
- It’s not hard.
- What’s different today is that Trump is now in charge — the economy may not be his fault but how Americans feel is his problem.
- According to Quinnipiac University poll:
- One third of voters say the economy is excellent or good 65% say it no good or poor
- Trump needs to show America that he feels and understands their pain and is working to fix it.
- He has already made some improvements:
- Inflation is down
- Gas prices are down
- Rent prices are down
- The stock market is near record highs
- Massive investment is promised.
- He has already made some improvements:
- According to Quinnipiac University poll:
Gaslit: Trump can NOT repeat Biden’s mistake of telling voters they are wrong.
Tune into “On Balance with Leland Vittert” weeknights at 9/8 CT on NewsNation. Find your channel here.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.