No. 44 · Monday, September 28, 2026
Which pop icon returned to the MTV VMAs stage this year after a 23-year absence, opening the show?
AMadonna
Why
Madonna kicked off the 2026 VMAs with a star-studded performance after not appearing on the show for 23 years, per ABC News.
ABC NewsAt the 2026 VMAs, Taylor Swift became the most decorated solo artist in show history, surpassing which star?
BBeyoncé
Why
Swift won the inaugural Artist Director Honors and Video of the Year, pushing her past Beyoncé's previous record, per NBC News.
NBC NewsThe White House released a new taxpayer-funded ad this week echoing a 2024 Trump campaign spot about fighting whom?
AThe 'deep state' and 'warmongers'
Why
The government-funded ad nearly matches a 2024 campaign spot in which Trump vowed to 'expel the warmongers' and fight the 'deep state', per NBC News.
NBC NewsAs TV networks agreed to resume covering Trump's events, the White House continued to exclude which outlet from its press pool?
ACNN
Why
Networks resumed pool coverage of Trump even though the White House kept CNN out amid an ongoing standoff, per The New York Times.
The New York Times