Trump's Daily Video Briefings on Iran War Raise Concerns

The president's curated updates on the conflict have sparked worries among allies that he may not be getting a full picture of the war, while Savannah Guthrie opens up about her mother's disappearance

Trump's Video Briefings: A Concern for Allies

Each day since the start of the Iran war, U.S. military officials compile a video update for President Donald Trump showing the most successful strikes on Iranian targets over the previous 48 hours, according to three current U.S. officials and a former U.S. official. The montages, which run for about two minutes, sometimes longer, have been described as a series of clips of "stuff blowing up." While Trump is also updated on the war through conversations with top advisers, foreign leaders, and news reports, the video briefing is fueling concerns among some of the president's allies that he may not be receiving a complete picture of the war.

The Impact of Curated Information

The officials said the videos are driving Trump's increasing frustration with news coverage, particularly why his administration can't better influence the public narrative. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has denied the idea that Trump doesn't receive information about the full range of developments in the war, calling it "an absolutely false assertion." However, current and former U.S. officials said the military can't brief Trump on every strike – there are hundreds every day – and so the curated video doesn't reflect the full scope of the conflict. Trump has acknowledged seeking information independently, but overall, the information tends to emphasize U.S. successes, with comparatively little detail about Iranian actions.

A New CDC Director on the Horizon

In other news, Trump is expected to name a candidate to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on his Truth Social account. The director, if confirmed by the Senate, would take on an agency marked by mass layoffs, a deadly shooting, and hollowed-out leadership. Insiders say they worry the eventual nominee will only further undermine trust in the nation's top health agency, as measles outbreaks escalate and vaccine policies face resistance. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the CDC's current acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, have long been critical of the agency but haven't offered ways to support or strengthen it, staffers said.

Savannah Guthrie Speaks Out About Her Mother's Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the "TODAY" show, has opened up about the ongoing search for her mother, detailing the "agony" her family is going through more than seven weeks after her disappearance from her home in Arizona. "Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable," Savannah told Hoda Kotb in an interview previewed today that will be broadcast throughout the week. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing by her family on February 1 from her home near Tucson, Arizona, after failing to attend a virtual church service at a friend's house, authorities said. Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.

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