2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin Trump "Mad as a Murder Hornet," Fires Kristi Noem: $225 Million Self-Promoting Ads Were Last Straw
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Mar 5, 2026 John Michael Raasch, U.S. political reporter who broke the Noem ad story. Beverly Hallberg, GOP communications strategist with media expertise. Madeline Summerville, Democratic communications strategist and former speechwriter. They discuss Kristi Noem’s $220M ad controversy and fallout. They analyze Trump’s furious reaction, potential replacements like Markwayne Mullin, and how political messaging and war briefings shape public perception.
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Why Trump Remains The Media Engine
- Donald Trump dominates media cycles because he consistently produces provocative, attention-driving content.
- Mark Halperin notes Trump's remarks at a recent event ranged from sports to foreign policy, illustrating his nonstop content generation and newsmaking power.
Noem's Testimony Claim About $220M Ads
- Kristi Noem told Senator John Kennedy that President Trump approved her $220 million ad buy featuring her prominently.
- The exchange was played on-air: Noem answered "Yes, sir" when asked if the president knew about and approved the ads.
Pentagon Portrays Maxed Out Combat Campaign
- Pentagon briefers emphasized overwhelming U.S. combat power and a stepped-up tempo against Iran.
- Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper highlighted bomber strikes, degraded Iranian capabilities, and full authorities guiding operations.