The weather looks set to play along as India and New Zealand prepare to face off in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With defending champions India aiming to script history and New Zealand chasing their maiden title, fans can expect uninterrupted cricket under clear skies.According to the latest forecast, conditions during the night match will remain clear and warm, with temperatures dropping to around 23°C, which will also feel close to the actual temperature.

Winds are expected from the northwest at around 9 km/h, with gusts reaching 20 km/h. Importantly, the probability of precipitation and thunderstorms stands at 0%, with no cloud cover and no rainfall expected. This means weather interruptions are highly unlikely during the final. The match atmosphere, however, is expected to remain lively with a packed crowd at the stadium.India, the defending champions, are looking to become the first team in history to win three T20 World Cup titles, while New Zealand will aim to secure their first-ever trophy in the format. The two teams have faced each other 30 times in T20 internationals, with India winning 18 matches and New Zealand claiming 11 victories.If weather had posed a problem, ICC rules allow 120 minutes of extra time to complete at least 10 overs per side, the minimum required for a result in a T20 World Cup final. If the match cannot be finished on the scheduled day, a reserve day on March 9 will be used, with play resuming from where it stopped.However, if rain prevents a result even after the reserve day, the trophy would be shared between the two teams, something that has happened only once before in ICC history, during the 2002 Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka.For now, though, the forecast promises perfect conditions for a thrilling finale.

The stage is set for a blockbuster finale as India and New Zealand prepare to lock horns in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on March 8. The highly anticipated clash has generated enormous excitement among cricket fans worldwide, with both teams producing exceptional performances throughout the tournament to earn their place in the summit clash.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, have enjoyed a dominant campaign, combining aggressive batting with disciplined bowling to reach the final as defending champions. Their journey has included several convincing victories and match-winning performances from both experienced stars and emerging talents. The team has displayed remarkable balance, with their pace attack and spinners delivering crucial breakthroughs at key moments.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have once again proven why they are one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments. Known for their calm approach and tactical discipline, the Black Caps have navigated a challenging tournament with impressive composure. Their ability to thrive under pressure has made them a formidable opponent in yet another global final.

Michael Clarke names Player of the Match in T20 World Cup 2026 final

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has backed India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to deliver a decisive performance in the final and potentially win the Player of the Match award.

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke praised Bumrah’s exceptional skills and his ability to execute under immense pressure, highlighting why the Indian pacer remains one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.

“One thing is having so many options (variations), but most importantly, having the skills to execute under pressure. This is what makes him the best in the world. He has been a defining factor for India. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is Man of the Match in the final. He’s just so dominant,” Clarke said.

Clarke’s prediction reflects the widespread admiration Bumrah commands among cricket experts. The Indian speedster has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to control games, particularly in high-pressure situations. His deadly yorkers, subtle variations, and calm temperament in the death overs have made him a match-winner across formats.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Team India’s road to the final under Suryakumar Yadav

Star player’s brilliance in the tournament

Bumrah has been one of the standout performers in the T20 World Cup 2026, playing a pivotal role in India’s journey to the final. The right-arm pacer has taken 10 wickets in 7 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 15.90 and an economy rate of 6.63, numbers that underline his consistency and control in the shortest format.

His tournament reached a historic moment during the semi-final against England, when he achieved a remarkable milestone. With the very first ball of his spell, Bumrah claimed his 500th international wicket, becoming one of the elite bowlers in modern cricket to reach the landmark.

Beyond the statistics, Bumrah’s influence has been most visible during the death overs. Time and again, he has delivered under pressure, restricting opposition batters with pinpoint yorkers and clever variations. Currently the second-highest wicket-taker for India in the tournament, Bumrah will once again carry huge expectations when India face New Zealand in the final.

Also READ: India or New Zealand? Brad Haddin picks the winner of T20 World Cup 2026

NFL Trade News: New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts linked to $50M Cincinnati Bengals defensive end (Image via Getty: Indianapolis Colts logo and New England Patriots logo)

Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano projects that Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson could sign a three-year, $105M contract this offseason, with Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots as potential landing spots.A great pass rusher disrupts the opposing quarterback, giving his own quarterback a better chance to succeed on the gridiron. Considering Patriots QB Drake Maye was sacked 47 times last season, the need for a strong defensive end to relieve pressure is clearer than ever. With such protection, Maye might have had more opportunities to score, and the team might not be searching for an edge rusher now.

New England Patriots potential target Trey Hendrickson’s market value is $30M

Manzano reports that Hendrickson is a dominant force when healthy. He had 39 sacks over the past three seasons. A short-term deal from a Super Bowl contender that averages above $35M per season could suit him, considering his value is closer to $30M per year, and he’s the best edge rusher on the market. Arguably the best DE left in the free agency because the Baltimore Ravens recently acquired Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby. According to Over The Cap, New England has over $43M cap space for the 2026 season. And Spotrac’s calculated market value for the 31-year-old Bengals edge is a two-year contract worth $50M, which averages an annual salary of $25M.

Patriots failed to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks

According to Musket Fire’s Jack Aylmer, the Patriots’ defense allowed the eighth-fewest yards in the 2025 NFL regular season. But they could not generate enough pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and finished the season with a higher sack total than only six other teams. Bringing in Hendrickson could help solve this problem. It would revitalize their pass-rushing abilities and offer a permanent solution to their biggest need this offseason.

Trey Hendrickson may reunite with Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis

NFL Trade Rumors’ Logan Ulrich reports that the Indianapolis Colts have needed to improve their pass rush for a while now. GM Chris Ballard used up a lot of resources for the defensive end position, in particular, in the draft, but no true results came out of it. The last time a player [Justin Houston] had a double-digit sack was in 2019. No one drafted by Ballard [since 2017] could achieve that till now. With a lot of pressure coming the Colts’ way this offseason, they could pour their trust into a proven option and make a run at Hendrickson. Many of Hendrickson’s best performances came while playing under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo left Cincinnati only last year and joined Indianapolis. A familiar face would do wonders for both the franchise and the defensive end.

Colts may trade or release wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr

Indianapolis currently has $4.7M over the cap space, according to Over The Cap. As per The Athletic, the Colts could free up $24M by releasing or trading their wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The 28-year-old wideout is in his final year of a three-year, $70M contract. He becomes a free agent in 2027. According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Pittman Jr. may sign a two-year contract worth $58M, with an average annual salary of $29M.Releasing or trading a cap casualty could offer the financial flexibility Indianapolis needs to acquire Bengals star player Trey Hendrickson.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday hosted a group of Latin American and Caribbean leaders for what the White House called the “Shield of the Americas” summit, a gathering aimed at strengthening security cooperation and countering organised crime and migration in the Western Hemisphere.The meeting comes as the Trump administration seeks to reassert Washington’s influence in the region while dealing with multiple global crises, including the conflict with Iran and tensions in the Middle East, according to the Associated Press.

The summit brings together leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, among others. However, major regional powers such as Brazil and Mexico are not participating, AFP reported.The event is being hosted at the Trump National Doral, the US president’s personal resort in Miami, Florida.The “Shield of the Americas” initiative reflects what the White House describes as a tougher approach to regional security under Trump’s foreign policy, which seeks to counter drug cartels, curb illegal migration and push back against China’s growing economic influence in the Americas.Defence secretary Pete Hegseth told regional leaders that previous administrations had neglected the Western Hemisphere, arguing that Washington had focused too much on other global theatres while ignoring challenges closer to home, news agency AP reported.According to Axios, the summit is part of the US president’s broader effort to reassert American influence in the region through what his administration calls the “Donroe Doctrine,” a modern interpretation of the historic Monroe Doctrine aimed at limiting the influence of rival powers such as China.Leaders attending the summit include Argentina’s Javier Milei, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, whose tough security policies have drawn attention across the region.

South Africa and West Indies cricket team (Agency Image)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticised what he believes is unequal treatment of teams following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, pointing out that some sides are still stranded in India while others have already been allowed to leave.England were knocked out of the tournament after losing their semi-final to the India national cricket team on Thursday. According to Vaughan, the English side is set to return home on a charter flight soon after the defeat.However, the situation has been very different for other teams. The West Indies cricket team, who were eliminated last Sunday after a five-wicket loss to India in the Super Eights, are still waiting in Kolkata to travel back. The South Africa national cricket team are also stuck in the same city after their semi-final defeat to the New Zealand national cricket team on March 4.Taking to X, Vaughan questioned the disparity and suggested that influence at the global level of the International Cricket Council should not determine how teams are treated once they exit a tournament.“So England got knocked out on Thurs get a charter home today .. West Indies go out last Sunday and are still in Kolkata .. SA in the same position .. That’s where the power is all wrong .. All teams in this situation should be treated the same .. just because you are more powerful at the ICC table shouldn’t count ..,” Vaughan wrote.

Michael Vaughan post

The travel complications are largely due to charter flights arranged by the ICC being affected by international airspace restrictions linked to security concerns in the Gulf region amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.Frustration over the delay has also been visible within the West Indies camp. Head coach Daren Sammy recently shared a short but telling message on X that reflected the team’s mood. The former West Indies captain posted, “I just wanna go home.”The tournament is now nearing its conclusion, with defending champions India national cricket team set to face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad. The competition began on February 7 across venues in India and Sri Lanka.

A week into the US-Israeli war against Iran, US president Donald Trump is facing a growing set of military, economic and political risks that could complicate efforts to convert early battlefield gains into a broader geopolitical victory. Despite major strikes on Iranian forces and the killing of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the crisis has rapidly widened into a regional conflict, raising the prospect of a prolonged US military engagement with consequences beyond Washington’s control. Analysts say the unfolding situation contrasts with Trump’s earlier preference for limited operations, such as the January raid in Venezuela and June’s strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.“Iran is a messy and potentially protracted military campaign,” Laura Blumenfeld of the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies in Washington told Reuters. “Trump is risking the global economy, regional stability and his own Republican party’s performance in the US midterm elections.”

Unclear endgame

Trump has long promised to keep the United States out of what he called “stupid” military interventions. However, analysts say the Iran campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has become the largest US military operation since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.According to Reuters, critics argue that the administration has yet to clearly outline its end goals or a detailed strategy for what would constitute victory.White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected that assessment, saying Trump’s objectives are clear – to “destroy Iran’s ballistic missiles and production capacity, demolish their navy, end their ability to arm proxies, and prevent them from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Political risks at home

For now, much of Trump’s MAGA base continues to support the war, despite criticism from some supporters opposed to foreign military interventions.But analysts say that support could weaken if the conflict drags on or US casualties increase. Opinion polls increasingly suggest that many voters, including a key bloc of independents, remain wary of another prolonged war in the Middle East. “The American people are not interested in repeating the mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan,” Republican strategist Brian Darling said, as quoted by Reuters. “The MAGA base is split between those who relied on no-new-war promises and ones who are loyal to Trump’s judgment.” So far, six American service members have been reported killed in the conflict. Asked in a Time magazine interview about the possibility of Iran-inspired attacks in the US, Trump said: “I guess … Like I said, some people will die.” Jonathan Panikoff, a former US national intelligence officer for the Middle East, warned that American casualties could become a turning point. “Nothing is likely to hasten an early end to the war more than American casualties … That’s what Iran is counting on,” he said.

Regional escalation

The war has already expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes across the region, targeting multiple Middle Eastern nations in wake of attacking US and Israeli military facilities. Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia has resumed hostilities with Israel, opening another front in the conflict and underscoring Tehran’s ability to activate allied groups despite leadership losses.Trump has also sent mixed signals on whether Washington is pursuing regime change in Tehran. While initially suggesting that Iran’s leadership could be overthrown through internal rebellion, he later stopped short of endorsing that goal.However, Trump told Reuters he could play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader and encouraged Iranian Kurdish rebels to attack. He later demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” in a social media post.

Oil and economic impact

One of the most immediate concerns for policymakers is the threat to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.Iran has halted tanker traffic amid the conflict, raising fears of broader economic consequences if the disruption continues. Although Tehran later asserted that the critical shipping route will be closed for only American, Israeli and European vessels. “It’s an economic pain point on the US economy that it seems was not fully anticipated,” said Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council think tank.A former US military official told Reuters that the economic fallout caught some in the administration off guard because experts on oil markets were not widely consulted before the strikes.

Questions over strategy

Some analysts believe Trump miscalculated that the Iran campaign would unfold similarly to the earlier Venezuela operation, where US special forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and secured influence over the country’s oil resources without prolonged military action.Iran, however, has proved to be a more resilient adversary with a deeply entrenched political and security establishment. Even the joint US-Israeli strike that killed Khamenei and other senior leaders has not prevented Iran from mounting retaliation, raising questions about whether more hardline figures could replace the current leadership.Retired US army lieutenant General Ben Hodges told the agency that while the US military’s tactics have been effective, the broader strategy remains uncertain. “From a political, strategic and diplomatic standpoint, it seems not to have been thought all the way through,” he said.

Gulf allies and regional concerns

The conflict also places pressure on Gulf Arab states, which host US military bases and have pledged significant investment in the United States.While many Gulf governments have aligned with Washington following Iranian missile and drone strikes, concerns remain in the region about the broader consequences of the war.In an open letter to Trump, UAE businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor wrote: “Who gave you the right to turn our region into a battlefield?”With the cost of the campaign rising, by the first week US has already spent close to $3.7 billion according to CSIS, and the duration uncertain, Trump has said the operation could last “four or five weeks” or “whatever it takes,” though he has not detailed what the next phase of the strategy would involve.

Every year on International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, people across the world pause, sometimes briefly, sometimes meaningfully, to celebrate women. It’s a day filled with appreciation posts, heartfelt messages, inspiring quotes, and small gestures of gratitude that tries to recognise, appreciate, the countless ways women shape our lives. But beyond the greetings and social media posts, Women’s Day is all about celebrating stories of strength, success, kindness, and inner strength. Is it the mother who gets up early to prepare breakfast for the family before going to work? Is it the woman who leads her team through the challenges of meeting deadlines at work? Is it the woman who is always there for you when you need her, or is it the woman who has big dreams of changing the world? All women have stories that are worth celebrating, and it is precisely this that we are going to look at as we approach Women’s Day 2026 and look for the best ways to show our appreciation for the special woman in our lives.

Canva

Here are some heartfelt and inspirational messages, quotes, and Facebook and WhatsApp status for Women’s Day.

Women’s Day Wishes

Sometimes a simple wish can make someone feel truly valued. These warm greetings are perfect for sharing with the incredible women in your life. Cheers to Women’s Day in 2026! May everyone around you continue to be inspired by your bravery, kindness, and strength. Today, we honor all women who lead with passion and live with purpose. Happy Women’s Day! A very Happy Women’s Day to all the wonderful women in the world who are making this world a better place with their determination and compassion. Here’s to the strong women in the world. May you continue to break barriers and forge new paths towards the future. Happy Women’s Day! May your dreams be big, your accomplishments be celebrated, and your voices be heard. To the women who inspire us every day with their courage and strength, today is your day. May this Women’s Day be a reminder to you of your power, your potential, and your awesomeness. Happy Women’s Day to the women in the world who are making a difference in the lives of all the people around them. The world is a better place because of women like you. Wishing you a wonderful Women’s Day.Celebrate yourself today and every day. Happy International Women’s Day!

Canva

Women’s Day Messages

While wishes are short and sweet, messages can go a little deeper. These thoughtful lines are perfect for sending to friends, family members, or colleagues. On Women’s Day, we are reminded of the enormous contribution that women make in our lives and in our community. Your strength and determination continue to inspire all the people in your life. From building families to building businesses, women are making a contribution to the world that is powerful and meaningful. Today, we celebrate your success and the future that you continue to build.The courage and strength of women have changed the course of history many times over. On this Women’s Day, we celebrate every woman who dares to dream and work towards a better future. A woman’s strength is not in what she accomplishes alone, but also in what she accomplishes through her compassion, wisdom, and determination. Women are creators, leaders, innovators, and caregivers. Today is a day to recognise their endless contributions. Your passion, hard work, and perseverance inspire everyone around you. Thank you for making the world a better place. Women’s Day is not only about celebration—it’s also about appreciation. Today we honour every woman who continues to inspire us with her strength and courage. Behind every successful community and society, there are women who have given their time, energy, and love to make the world a better place.

Canva

Inspirational Women’s Day Quotes

Quotes have the power to embody the essence of women’s empowerment in a few words. These quotes have been inspiring people for years. “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” — Michelle Obama “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” — Coco Chanel “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail.” — Oprah Winfrey “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” — Malala Yousafzai “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt These quotes are perfect for social media captions or messages that inspire empowerment.

Facebook & WhatsApp Status for Women’s Day

Social media is one of the most common ways people celebrate Women’s Day today. If you’re posting a quick tribute online, these short status lines work well. 1. Celebrating strength, courage, and resilience—Happy Women’s Day!2. Empowered women empower the world.3. Here’s to strong women everywhere.4. Celebrating the achievements of women today and every day.5. Happy Women’s Day to the women who inspire us all.6. Strong women create strong communities.7. Today we celebrate the power and potential of women everywhere.8. Cheers to women who break barriers and build brighter futures.9. Celebrating courage, compassion, and confidence.10. Happy Women’s Day 2026 to all the incredible women making a difference.

Canva

Women’s Day Messages for Special Women in Your Life

Women’s Day also gives people a chance to appreciate the women closest to them. For Mother Mom, your strength, love, and guidance have shaped my life in countless ways. Thank you for always believing in me. Happy Women’s Day. For Sister To my sister—your courage and determination inspire me every day. Wishing you a wonderful Women’s Day. For Friend Friendship with a strong woman like you makes life brighter and more meaningful. Happy Women’s Day!For Colleague Everyone around you is motivated by your commitment and leadership. I hope you have more success and joy this Women’s Day. The idea behind International Women’s Day dates back to the early 20th century when women around the world began demanding better working conditions, voting rights, and equality. Over time, this day has been dedicated to celebrate the contributions made by women in different fields, including science, politics, business, arts, sports, among many other fields. Today, International Women’s Day also recognizes that despite all these achievements, there is still so much that needs to be addressed, including gender equality, equal pay, education, and even the safety of women.

During his reality TV days when he hosted The Apprentice, Donald Trump loved using the phrase: You are fired. It was his catchphrase, synonymous with other Trumpisms: gilded gold designs that look like they belong in the Ottoman Empire, membership of the WWE Hall of Fame, stream-of-consciousness speeches that hint at logorrhoea, taking credit for ceasefires, describing all objects as beautiful, and in general being unhinged Americana on steroids and Diet Coke. However, in his second term as President – after coming back from political exile and dodging a bullet – Trump is quite reluctant to use his catchphrase.In his first term, according to an analysis by the Brookings Institution of Trump’s A-team, when he was still surrounded by old-school Republicans, Trump fired 60 candidates and had a turnover rate of 92%, with only five people remaining in their original posts by the time his tenure at the White House was done.To ensure that there isn’t a repeat this time around, Trump has assembled acolytes who are the living embodiment of Peter’s Principle, whose fealty is to Trump and only Trump, and who all sound like they are auditioning for a parody Hollywood movie, as evidenced by this mashed-up White House video with the Mortal Kombat leitmotif and some of popular culture’s most memorable characters, showing that even the most incomplete, irascible, and irredeemable regimes are capable of fine propaganda.Read: Why Trump’s Washington is St Petersburg The Trump 2.0 Dream Team includes a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) who is so out of the intelligence picture that her aides joke that DNI stands for Do Not Invite; a head of the FBI who is more in the news for partying than doing his job; an education secretary who thinks AI is ‘steak sauce’; a Secretary of War who hit a man with an axe on live TV; and a Secretary of Health who believes in anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. It’s like a cabinet of Sarah Palins, except they all make Sarah Palin look like a member of the Mensa Society. It brings to mind an epic Yes Minister line: “The industry minister is the idlest man in town, the education minister is illiterate, and the employment minister is unemployable.”There are many, many more examples but the space-time constraints dictate we move to the MVP in question: Kristi Noem.As a youngster, Noem famously won the award of South Dakota Snow Queen, foreshadowing the nickname that would be bestowed upon her in recenttimes: ICE Barbie. ICE, for the uninitiated, is the US’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has been waging war with suburban moms while pretending to pick up illegal immigrants.Once talked about as Trump’s running mate, she was out of contention after it emerged that she had shot and killed her dog, which was too much even for Team Trump.

During her tenure as Governor of South Dakota, she ticked every MAGA checkbox: being so vehemently anti-abortion that she even opposes stem-cell research; denying the scientific consensus on climate change; opposing subsidised childcare; threatening a state employee for denying her daughter a real-estate agent’s licence; getting banned from Native American tribal lands for claiming they were hand-in-glove with Mexican cartels; running an anti-drug campaign titled “Meth. We are on it”; and famously bragging that her two-year-old granddaughter had several guns.All of which makes her perfect to be the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for all internal threats in America.Noem immediately burnished her credentials by having her handbag stolen – with $3000 in cash and her government access cards – from a DC restaurant.But what did Noem do to get Trump to become the second person from Trump’s A-team to be fired, the first being former National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Walz, who added an Atlantic journalist to a Signal war chat to discuss bombings?She wasn’t fired when ICE agents shot dead two Americans in Minnesota.She wasn’t even fired when she called one of those shot dead, a Veterans Affairs nurse, a ‘domestic terrorist’ or lied about him using a gun.She wasn’t fired for calling the FBI ‘corrupt’.She escaped the rope when reports showed that ICE was releasing untrained agents on the streets due to an AI goof-up.She escaped the axe when ICE arrested South Korean citizens working in a Hyundai plant.She didn’t get laid off for buying luxury jets with barely any seating to deport illegal immigrants.She even survived waving a Rolex at an El Salvador prison, an alleged affair with an aide, and not releasing FEMA funds, much to the chagrin of even Republicans.It was all good. Until it wasn’t.Franz Kafka wrote in the Zürau Aphorisms: “There are two cardinal sins from which all others spring: impatience and laziness. Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of laziness we cannot return.” In Trumpian paradise, there are also two original sins: blaming Trump for something and being caught on camera blaming Trump for something.

Gil Kerlikowske, a former commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, told the NYT: “The loyalty is absolutely the key. It’s a good rule of thumb to never throw your boss under the bus and with him in particular I think it’s the cardinal sin and she certainly violated that.”Noem’s cardinal sins occurred during a Senate hearing.When asked if Trump approved of the $200 million-plus advertising spots that had been given to her political consultants, Noem answered in the affirmative.

A report in the NYT states that when Trump was shown the clips of her answers, Trump got angry, which is quite something given he has a lot on his mind including a literal war.So, what now for Kristi Noem?Trump has announced that she will be Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas – which sounds as made-up as the FIFA Peace Prize – and makes one wonder if someone came up with it while watching a Marvel Cinematic Universe rerun.One half expects the job description to include assembling the Avengers.Now it’s hard not to feel a little sympathetic for Noem. Being a woman in MAGA is as hard as being an Indian in MAGA, perhaps even more so given one has to not only debate oneself by celebrating constant misogyny but also contour one’s looks for a particular aesthetic. Noem did almost everything that Trump asked her to do and was still cast out.

Earlier in December 2025, protesters had interrupted Noem’s hearing in Congress by shouting a line from the cult classic The Exorcist at her: “Stop ICE. The power of Christ compels you.” It wasn’t Christ that finally exorcised her from Trumpland. Just disagreeing with Trump.