Potential U.S. Military Action Against Cuba, Sen. Cassidy Loses, Missing Congressman: AM Update 5/18

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1:02Good morning, everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Monday, May 18th, 2026, and this is your AM update. I wouldn't tell you exactly what our plan is because I don't want them to know what our plan is, but our plan for Cuba is a prosperous future. New pressure on Cuba's communist regime as U.S. officials, seemingly in partnership with a corporate media outlet, introduce a curious new pretext for potential military action. When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to. President Trump notching another revenge win as one of the Senate Republicans who voted to convict him in the 2021 impeachment trial and a thorn in the side of the Maha movement loses his primary.

1:43A New Jersey congressman has not been seen publicly in more than two months due to some mysterious illness, allegedly, with no official word on where he is. And Harvey Weinstein's third New York sex crimes trial ends again in a mistrial. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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3:36action, in March, openly floating the possibility of direct American involvement. It's a failed nation. They have no money. They have no oil. They have no nothing. They have nice land. They have nice landscape. You know, it's a beautiful island. But I think Cuba's the end. You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I'll be the honor of having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba. Taking Cuba in some form, yeah. Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.

4:16You want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now. They were for a long time. And now Axios out with a new report that could signal the convoluted way the U.S. plans to justify taking military action. Axios, which has been repeatedly used by the Trump administration to front reporting on, for example, the Iran war and its imminent end that turns out not to be true, reportedly viewing classified intelligence showing Cuba has acquired more than 300 military drones from Iran and Russia and is discussing how they could be used against U.S. targets, including the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, U.S.

4:57military vessels, and possibly Key West, Florida, just 90 miles from Cuba. U.S. officials telling Axios they do not believe Cuba is preparing an imminent attack, but say the drone buildup, combined with the presence of Iranian military advisors in Havana, is changing the way Washington views the threat from the island. Axios conceding, quote, the intelligence could become a pretext for U.S. military action. U.S. Senator from Arizona Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, reacting to the reporting on social media, writing, quote, no country in the current economic and military situation that Cuba is in would ever preemptively strike a superpower like the U.S.

5:41This is just propaganda to build a case for an invasion of Cuba. Last night, Cuba's foreign minister pushing back on the Axios report, writing on X, quote, without any legitimate excuse whatsoever, the U.S. government builds, day after day, a fraudulent case to justify the ruthless economic war against the Cuban people and the eventual military aggression. The Post continuing, quote, specific media outlets play along, promoting slanders and leaking insinuations from the U.S. government itself. Cuba neither threatens nor desires war. The Axios report coming as the communist government faces one of its most serious internal crises since taking power in 1959.

6:24U.S. sanctions, the Trump administration's oil blockade, and decades of economic mismanagement now coming to a head on the island, leaving Cuba dangerously short on fuel and power, leading to widespread blackouts and frequent protests from the Cuban people. Last Thursday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveling to Cuba for an unusually public warning to the regime, reportedly telling Cuban officials in a bilateral meeting that the island can no longer be used as an alleged staging ground for America's enemies, namely China and Russia. Ratcliffe demanding the regime shut down Chinese and Russian intelligence stations on the island, outposts U.S.

7:05officials say are used by the adversarial nations to capture U.S. communications. Cuban officials saying they used the meeting to argue that they pose no threat to the United States as the island faces crippling repercussions from the U.S. oil embargo. The pressure campaign also going legal, with the DOJ reportedly preparing to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro, possibly on charges over Cuba's downing of planes run by a humanitarian aid group 30 years ago. Castro was serving as Cuba's defense minister in 1996, when the Cuban military fired on two small aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based group that searched for Cuban refugees stranded at sea.

7:49The planes went down over the waters between Cuba and Florida, killing all four men on board, three U.S. citizens and one legal permanent resident. Havana defended the attack by claiming the aircraft had entered Cuban airspace, a claim later rejected by international aviation authorities. The looming indictment is not particularly subtle in its warning for Cuban officials. Earlier this year, the Trump administration using a federal indictment against former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as the legal justification for the January raid that removed him from power. However, the impending Castro indictment dates back to an event more than 30 years ago, as opposed to the Maduro indictment, which was handed down in 2020 and outlined decades of drug-related crimes.

8:36Castro also left power in 2021. Last Thursday, NBC questioning Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether the administration has a plan for what comes next in Cuba. But is there still a plan for changing Cuba? Sure. I mean, look, the change in Cuba is their economy doesn't function. It's not a functional economy. No, I get that, but what is the U.S. plan? I'm trying to understand the U.S. plan. Well, I wouldn't tell you exactly what our plan is because I don't want them to know what our plan is. But our plan for Cuba is a prosperous future. That's what we want. It's in our national interest. And to have a prosperous Cuba, not to have a failed state 90 miles from our shores.

9:11U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy's vote to convict President Trump five years ago on impeachment charges, now one of the things leading to his primary defeat Saturday night. The two-term Louisiana Republican losing the GOP primary after the president personally targeted him for defeat. Trump endorsed Congresswoman Julia Letlow finishing first in the race, Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming in second, Cassidy coming in third. Letlow taking in about 45 % of the vote, Fleming capturing about 28, Cassidy 25. With no candidates surpassing 50%, the top two will advance now to a runoff next month. The loss making Senator Cassidy the first GOP senator to lose renomination since 2012.

9:58Mr. Cassidy, one of just seven Senate Republicans, to vote to convict President Trump after January 6, 2021, putting him in President Trump's crosshairs. Since Mr. Trump returned to office, Senator Cassidy largely backing his agenda, voting to confirm several of his nominees, including HHS Secretary RFKJ, despite significant reservations. but more recently the senator drawing anger from the Maha wing of the party. Cassidy, a medical doctor and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, coming under fire from Kennedy allies who blame him for blocking a committee vote on Dr.

10:36Casey Means' nomination for Surgeon General. The senator also remaining publicly skeptical of Secretary Kennedy's push to revamp the federal vaccine recommendations. President Trump slamming Senator Cassidy on the morning of the primary, writing on Truth Social, quote, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is a disloyal disaster. Bill Cassidy is a sleazebag, a terrible guy, who is bad for Louisiana. And the president following up after the results were in, quote, his disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of legend, and it's nice to see that his political career is over. Senator Cassidy taking a thinly veiled swipe at the president in his concession speech.

11:19I've had the privilege of representing the state of Louisiana for 12 years. I've been able to participate in democracy. And when you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to. But you don't pout. You don't whine. You don't claim the election was stolen. You don't manufacture some excuse. You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you've had that privilege. And that's what I'm doing right now. Congresswoman Letlow addressing her supporters after Saturday's win. I am so excited and most importantly, I want to say thank you to a very special man who you all know the best president this country has ever had, President Donald Trump.

12:07When he endorsed me in January, I knew this was going to be a tough race. But tonight, Louisiana sent a clear message that they want a candidate to represent them in the Senate who will always put America first and never turn her back on Louisiana voters. The runoff set for June 27th. Senator Cassidy's defeat marking another win in President Trump's effort to punish Republicans who have crossed him. Earlier this month, AM Update reporting on the president's successful effort to oust Indiana state lawmakers who defied Mr. Trump's demands to redraw the state's congressional districts. The next test, set for tomorrow, Congressman Thomas Massey of Kentucky, one of President Trump's fiercest Republican critics in the House, facing a Trump-backed primary challenge, one also pushed by pro-Israel groups who have been pouring money into defeating Massey over his non-interventionalism and his objection to U.S.

13:08aid going to foreign nations, including Israel. Coming up, a New Jersey congressman misses months of votes, disappears from public view, and now cancels a scheduled appearance as questions grow over where the heck he is. And a Manhattan jury deadlocks again in Harvey Weinstein's latest rape trial. What does it mean for the convicted felon?

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14:16Head to SelectQuote.com and a licensed agent will find the right policy for you. Get the right life insurance for you for less and save more than 50 % at SelectQuote.com. slash Megan. Save more than 50 % on term life insurance at selectquote.com slash Megan today to get started. The father of missing U.S. Congressman Thomas Cain Jr. of New Jersey speaking out to CNN in an effort to calm concerns about his son's absence from the public eye, but his comments only adding to the mystery. 57-year-old Congressman Cain, a Republican representing New Jersey's 7th district, has not cast a vote since March 5th, missing dozens in the weeks since.

15:01On April 27th, a statement posted to the Congressman's X account, reading, quote, I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patience as I address personal medical issues. My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100%. Mr. Cain's social media accounts regularly posting updates regarding district business, though no new photos of the congressman have been released. The New York Times pressing Cain's chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, on why the congressman has not been seen publicly in either his district or D.C.

15:41Scharfenberger saying, quote, he's dealing with a personal health condition and he'll be back soon. But when asked why no one has seen Cain, Scharfenberger offering a line that did little to quiet the questions, saying, quote, there's no cameras where Tom is. Now, Kane's father, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kane, Sr., is also attempting to offer assurances without providing specifics. Kane, Sr. telling CNN his son is recovering from a serious, albeit temporary, illness. Quote, he's hopefully coming back soon, and he's under the care of a doctor. The former governor saying multiple doctors have evaluated his son, and quote, they all agree he's going to be fine, adding quote, it took a real illness to knock him out.

16:25This won't linger. It's not some kind of disease that's going to incapacitate him in the future. The consensus is that he will be 100 % okay. Cain Sr. declining to elaborate on the specific illness, saying that decision remains up to his son. Cain is currently the only Republican on the June 2nd primary ballot, and his staff maintains he has no plans to drop out. House Speaker Mike Johnson last Thursday pressed by CNN on Cain's absence. Do Tom Cain's constituents deserve to know what's going on with him? Tom Cain has a medical issue, and that's all I know about it. It's all I can say about it.

17:02You haven't spoken to him about it? Have you spoken to him? I have spoken to him about two weeks ago. I'd reached out to him to check on him, and he called me, and we had a short, very positive conversation. He sounded great. He said he was out on a medical issue and he'll be back as soon as possible. Can you run for re-election? Can you run for re-election? Of course he can. Of course he can run for re-election. Of course. He's been an extraordinary representative for his district and he comes from a great long line of public servants who have an extraordinary reputation in that state and he's going to do a great job.

17:37So like everyone, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. We have medical issues. We've got to deal with them. But even as Cain's staff, family and Republican leadership all insist he will be back on the job soon, his return does not appear to be immediate. The Morris County Chamber of Commerce now amending the program for a May 28th breakfast on Washington policy, saying Representative Cain will no longer appear as scheduled. Harvey Weinstein's third New York sex crimes trial ending in a mistrial Friday, after jurors failed to reach a verdict on a rape charge involving then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann.

18:17On Friday, after more than two days of deliberations, the jury of four women and eight men telling Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Curtis Farber that they were unable to reach a verdict. This now marks the second time that a Manhattan jury has been unable to reach a verdict on this charge. For those who have lost track of Harvey Weinstein's tangled legal history, this case was first tried in 2020, with Weinstein convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley and of third-degree rape involving man. New York's highest court later reversing the conviction, saying jurors should not have heard testimony about other alleged encounters that were not among the charges Weinstein was actually facing.

19:01Judge Farber then ordering a retrial. In the new trial last year, jurors convicting Weinstein on the charge relating to Miriam Haley, but there, as here, deadlocking on the rape charge involving Jessica Mann. That deadlock prompting a separate retrial on Mann's allegation. This latest trial running for four weeks involving five days of testimony from Mann, Mann telling the court she was visiting New York and had planned to meet Weinstein and others for breakfast, when, over her objections, the powerful producer arrived early and booked a hotel room. Mann testifying that she went with Weinstein to the room, and once inside, he injected himself with a performance-enhancing drug before allegedly raping her.

19:46A key focus of cross-examination, a note, Mann wrote in her phone two days after the alleged rape, quote, do I love him or the idea of him? With him, easy. The idea of expanding that, fulfilling. Hmm. Mann also writing she let herself, quote, become emotionally attached to someone. The note did not mention rape or name Weinstein, though when pressed by Weinstein's attorney, Mann did not deny that she was writing about him. Mann testifying to maintaining a complex relationship with Weinstein over the next several years after the alleged rape that did at times involve consensual sexual encounters.

20:27Now Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg must decide whether to try for a fourth time to convict Weinstein on this charge. Bragg's office releasing a statement thanking the jury for its time, adding, quote, we will consider our next steps in consultation with Ms. Mann and in consideration of Harvey Weinstein's pending sentencing following last year's trial conviction for forcibly sexually assaulting Miriam Haley. The sentencing for that conviction is not yet set. Weinstein faces up to 25 years in prison on that charge. He is appealing the conviction. Mann releasing a statement reading in part, quote, I submitted myself to the highest standards, transparency, and accountability in coming forward through the justice system, choosing integrity even when the process flayed me open.

21:12Some of the jurors speaking to reporters on Friday after the trial ended. Nine not guilty, and then three guilty, and it was all men. Three men thought guilty. We feel kind of, you know, upset that we couldn't come up with a verdict. I think that ultimately they just didn't prove it beyond reasonable doubt. I think the general consensus is that she, the witness, there was a lot of contradictions in her statements. when it came time for the prosecution. A lot of people felt that she had incredible memory. When it came time to the defense, a lot of people felt she forgot a lot of things. And so it kind of spoke a little bit to her credibility.

21:59Weinstein attorney Mark Agnifolo Friday also addressing reporters outside the courthouse. There is an entire legal knot that needs to be untangled. and we're going to start untangling that knot strand by strand with the New York case first and then the California case. So this really is just a first step. The mistrial does not mean that Weinstein is leaving custody. He remains held in New York while also facing a separate 16-year sentence from a Los Angeles conviction, now under appeal. He is 74 years old. and that'll do it for your am update i'm megan kelly join me back here for the mk show live on sirius xm's the megan kelly channel 111 at noon east on youtube.com slash megan kelly and on all podcast platforms

22:53hey this is jeff lewis from radio andy live and uncensored catch me talking with my friends about my latest obsessions relationship issues and bodily ailments with that kind of drama that seems to follow me, you never know what's going to happen. You can listen to Jeff Lewis live at home or anywhere you are. Download the SiriusXM app for over 425 channels of ad-free music, sports, entertainment, and more. Subscribe now and get three months free. Offer details apply.