President Donald Trump’s deadline for a deal with Iran draws near, Secret Service takes down a Mar-a-Lago intruder, and Team USA reignites the American spirit with thrilling victories on the ice.
It’s Monday, February 23, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
The U.S.-Iran Showdown
American and Iranian diplomats meet again to work towards a nuclear deal, as President Trump continues to threaten military action.
Now that Trump’s military buildup in the Middle East is nearly complete, he has a range of options at his disposal, and the world is waiting to see which way he’ll go. White House officials say he could launch limited strikes on nuclear sites in the coming days, with the message: capitulate, or we’ll go harder. He could also specifically target the supreme leader and his son, widely viewed as the successor. Or he could simply keep the forces in place and allow negotiations to continue, albeit with a very different dynamic than before.
Iranian officials on social media and in speeches have struck a defiant tone, taunting the United States, vowing to send American carriers to the bottom of the ocean.
Gunman Killed At Mar-a-Lago
Authorities shot and killed an armed man who walked through one of the main gates of Mar-a-Lago early Sunday morning.
According to authorities, a young man entered the inner perimeter around 1:30 in the morning. He was carrying a gas can and a shotgun, and he walked through one of the club’s main gates as a vehicle was exiting. Law enforcement who were assigned to Mar-a-Lago responded. Two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy fatally shot the man after he disregarded orders to drop the shotgun.
The dead man has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin. He is originally from North Carolina, where his family reported him missing about the same time he was killed. Early on Sunday morning, a family member told a sheriff’s deputy from North Carolina’s Moore County that Martin had been unreachable since about 8 p.m. on Saturday. Later that morning, Martin’s mother posted about her son on Facebook, asking for help finding him.
Olympic Wrap Up
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have drawn to a close, but not before delivering one of the most emotionally charged finishes in decades.
From the United States men’s hockey golds to breakout stars like Alysa Liu, the games have reignited a renewed American spirit. After a rocky start due to anti-ICE statements, Team USA athletes didn’t just score medals; they delivered iconic moments that deeply connected with the public.
The U.S. men defeating Canada in overtime for Olympic gold marked the country’s first men’s hockey gold since 1980, the “Miracle on Ice.” Jack Hughes’ winning goal sent the U.S. bench into chaos and reignited memories of American hockey’s defining moments.
Elsewhere on the ice, figure skater Alysa Liu has become bigger than medals. The young athlete carried herself with humility, joy, and visible love for her country. Liu’s success was particularly poignant when contrasted with that of skier Eileen Gu, who, though American, agreed to compete for Communist China. Her performances were emotional, technically strong, and original. When she finished her program, the reaction wasn’t just applause; it was affection.
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