The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration's enhancements to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database on Friday, nullifying a district court judge's block in June.

Note: Though related, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) SAVE database and President Donald Trump's proposed SAVE America Act are not the same measures. 

Politically Split on SAVE: The Court's six conservative justices – Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, John G. Roberts, Jr., and Clarence Thomas – held the majority opinion and stated that the district court order "inhibits the Federal Government's efforts to assist state and local agencies in the proper administration of the midterm elections." It also, however, upholds a provision that "prohibit[es] states from 'systematically remov[ing] the names of ineligible voters' from their rolls during the 90 days prior to any primary or general election." (The 2026 Midterms are less than 40 days away.)

Liberal justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, stating, "The harm caused by burdening or disenfranchising even a few lawful voters outweighs the nonexistent harm that the Government experiences when it is prevented from taking an action that it likely lacks the authority to take."

For Context: Trump's enhancements to the SAVE database, which was first established in 1986, include stricter regulations on mail-in voting, a federal voter registration list, and increased records access and transparency. US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan blocked the enhancements in June due to their alleged privacy violations. Track more of Trump's history with voter eligibility here.

Bipartisan Missouri Ruling: The Court also ruled on Friday against a GOP attempt to redraw Missouri's congressional map – the success of which would have removed a Democrat's seat in the House of Representatives. The justices presented no division in the unsigned ruling and asserted, "At this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos."

RELATED: The Insight: Gerrymandering and the Midterms | AllSides

How The Media Covered: News outlets across the political spectrum covered both the split and bipartisan rulings, though many used slanted language for both stories as election-related issues become stronger points of contention ahead of the 2026 Midterms. MS NOW (Left bias), for example, highlighted the SAVE ruling's dissent and the Court's "GOP-appointed majority," while Fox News (Right) framed it as a "win" for Trump and gave a more prominent voice to its supporters. Fox also noted, "States' use of the SAVE program is voluntary."

RELATED: 2026 Election Center | AllSides, Powered by PILLARS

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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a three‑day Washington summit, following an earlier move ⁠by the two nations to extend by two months a trade truce that was set to expire on Nov. 10.

 Unprecedented Greeting: President Trump greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews, considered an uncommon gesture for a sitting president. It was the first time in 11 years that a US president welcomed a foreign leader at the base, according to Reuters (Center). Both leaders appeared to publicly emphasize friendship and stability. "President Xi and Madam Peng have just left D.C., heading for China. The meeting was one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A.," Trump said on Truth Social. "Much has been, and will be, accomplished. I look forward to our next meeting!" First Lady Melania Trump had announced that the visit would feature military ceremonies, flyovers, a state dinner and a joint tour of the National Archives.

Trade Truce Extension: The United States and China agreed to extend their temporary tariff truce, which had been set to expire in mid‑November. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the extension would give both sides more time to negotiate a broader trade deal. China reached an agreement with the US on a tariff-reduction arrangement ⁠and on discussions related to artificial intelligence. Officials say the extra time is meant to allow negotiations on a larger trade deal. Both leaders discussed the wars in Iran and Ukraine, as well as the status of Taiwan.

Media Portrayal: Coverage from major outlets differed on their descriptions of the visit. The Guardian (Lean left) framed the meetings as "an elaborate state visit that critics say went big on style but lacked substance." But Fox News (Right) reported that President Xi "praised the level of 'perfection' on display," and noted Trump's comments that the two world leaders had a "very productive" time.

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Elevated gasoline prices at the pump have spurred both midterm speculation and perspectives on how to solve the issue.

RELATED: Rising Gas Prices Prompt Midterm Speculation, Criticism of Trump

"Higher Under Biden": President Donald Trump posted Sunday to his Truth Social account saying, "Gas prices were much higher under Biden than under 'TRUMP.' So were almost all other prices." According to AAA, the national gas price average was at $4.4918 on Friday, with California showing the highest average of $6.2882. AAA also highlighted in April that the national average rose above $4/gallon for the first time since 2022, when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon.

"The Appearance Of Scarcity": Opinion writer Lindsay Owens for The Boston Globe (Left bias) said "The price tag, once a symbol of fairness and transparency, has disappeared," adding that "Yes, you're being ripped off." Owens cited Glen Heller, a gas station owner during the 1979 oil crisis who, although being found guilty of price gouging , had his conviction overturned on a technicality and "continued to gouge customers at the pump. Rampant price gouging during the crisis spurred various pieces of legislation to control it, however, according to Owens, new technologies allow for sellers to "overcharge you 24/7, often without you realizing it." She cited allegations that AI-pricing firm Kalibrate "powered a scheme helping 1,700 gas stations work together to keep prices artificially high." The technology today, Owens explained, can use a "little algorithmic smoke and mirrors—and a lack of competition" to "manufacture the appearance of scarcity."

"Prime Opportunity": Fox News (Right) highlighted the perspective of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), who "argued that China is one of the biggest culprits in Americans' current struggle with high cost of living—particularly at the gas pump." The chairman explained that "If President Trump can secure that China will stop arming Iran, who is trying to destabilize this key oil route [Strait of Hormuz] through the globe, then the president will have done something very important for affordability." Mast said China "probably is the number one actor that is working to raise those prices" by supporting both Iran and Russia's wars, adding that "Trump has a prime opportunity" during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to press him about "easing up on that support for Tehran, in particular."

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Eight US Navy members attempted suicide during deployment on the USS Abraham Lincoln this year, according to the US Navy. Outlets across the political spectrum covered the story similarly, but framed it within different contexts.

The Details: In a letter to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the number, saying it included sailors assigned to the Lincoln aircraft carrier, its air wing and the destroyers escorting the ship. It's not clear the manner of each attempt, though, CNN (Lean Left bias) reported that two sailors jumped overboard and were rescued by helicopters. Another reportedly attempted to jump overboard, but was stopped by fellow shipmates. Cao said no troops had killed themselves during deployment

For Context: The Lincoln spent 286 days at sea during its deployment from Nov. 2025 to Aug. 2026, which set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea. Following reports of mental health crises and lack of resources on board, the carrier was replaced by the USS George Washington and headed back to San Diego earlier this month. At that time, reports said there had been at least two possible suicide attempts aboard. According to Cao, the Lincoln deployed with various mental health resources onboard, including 11 mental health professionals and an expeditionary facility dog.

Highlighting Different Quotes: Outlets highlighted different quotes from Gillibrand. CNN included her full quote, including her saying, "Eight attempted suicides is incredibly high…What Trump and Secretary Hegseth dismissed as 'fake news' turned out to be serious and deteriorating conditions for our service members." New York Post (Right) emphasized the toll on US troops by using her quote: "Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them with open disrespect." 

Mental Health On Board: Outlets across the political spectrum noted that President Trump downplayed reports of mental health concerns. The Daily Caller (Right) described conditions that could negatively influence troop mental health, including "long separation from family, lack of privacy, and little access to mental health care." It also cited research that found despite naval personnel reporting the highest rates of serious psychological distress, few studies have examined their experiences. The New Republic (Left) criticized the deployment for the Iran war, asserting, "This war is so pointless, so wasteful, and so unpopular that those who are supposed to be fighting it would rather leap into the waters of the Persian Gulf." International Business Time (Center) quoted the wife of one of the sailors who jumped overboard saying he faced disciplinary action and was accused of faking an illness.

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After banning certain news outlets from accessing the White House, the Trump administration launched Trump TV on Monday, a 24/7 stream available on YouTube, the White House website, and the White House app.

RELATED: Trump Bans CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House 'Effective Immediately'

"Tune Out Fake News": According to The White House Wire (Lean Right bias), the White House app, as of September 22, "reached No. 1 in the News category on the App Store and climbed into the Top 20 among all apps." The demand for the app "is rising as legacy networks fall in line behind CNN, MS Now, and Politico, outlets whose White House credentials were pulled after a long record of false reporting." The Wire stated that "The American people are not waiting on those cameras; they are going straight to the Presidency," adding that "Americans are choosing the source over the spin."

"Trump Wallpaper": Opinion writer for The Guardian (Left) Martin Belam called the stream "propaganda for the Maga faithful," saying "the anchor-less channel dispenses with traditional broadcast norms," and adding that there is "no schedule, no on-screen description of what is being shown, and zero context for where or when a clip was recorded." Watching the stream, according to The Guardian, "is less like watching a news network and more like installing Trump wallpaper." The Daily Beast (Left) said "The president's new channel is less popular than black screens and someone filming their own feet," adding that it's "like watching paint dry." 

Media Ban: The White House restored access to banned reporters on Thursday after a ruling from Judge Timothy Kelly in Washington DC, who said the ban was likely implemented without "constitutionally adequate due process." President Donald Trump, according to The Wall Street Journal (Center) signaled earlier in the week that he would appeal the order to reinstate reporters' credentials.

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