THRIVE! MORNING BRIEF
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Good morning. President Trump opened his U.N. address by declaring that “America is back” and saying the country is stronger than ever, America’s biggest television networks are in an unusual standoff with the White House, and Visa and Mastercard are preparing for a world in which your next online shopper may be an AI bot.
Plus: a Christian school is back in federal court, a significant ruling out of North Dakota, and Christians in Nigeria need our prayers.
Estimated read: 6 minutes
THE BIG THREE
🇺🇸 President Trump Takes the World Stage at the U.N.
President Trump addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York Tuesday, opening with a sweeping assessment of his administration’s record.
“I can report to you with pride that America is back, and our country is stronger today than ever before,” President Trump said, according to Reuters.
He highlighted the U.S. economy and defended his administration’s approach to Iran while presenting his foreign-policy agenda as one centered on American interests and sovereignty.
📺 Major Networks Halt White House Pool Coverage
Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN suspended television pool coverage of President Trump after the White House prevented CNN from taking its scheduled turn providing pooled video.
The networks say independent press access is at stake. The White House maintains that access to its grounds is a privilege and has defended restrictions on CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
🇨🇳 Xi Heads to Washington
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected in Washington Wednesday ahead of formal talks with President Trump Thursday.
Trade and artificial intelligence are on the table, but Taiwan is expected to be one of the most sensitive issues.
AMERICA NOW
🏥 Hospitals Reach Agreements on Gender-Transition Treatments
At least six major hospital systems have now reached Justice Department agreements ending or restricting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for minors.
The latest agreements involve NYU Langone and UPMC. The hospitals did not admit wrongdoing.
⚖️ North Dakota’s Highest Court Upholds State Law
The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the state’s restrictions on gender-transition procedures for minors.
The court concluded that minors do not have a fundamental state constitutional right to a particular course of medical treatment and applied rational-basis review to the law.
FAITH & CULTURE
✝️ Vermont Christian School Returns to Federal Court
Mid Vermont Christian School and a Christian family are asking the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene in their dispute with Vermont over access to state education benefit programs.
Alliance Defending Freedom argues Vermont is conditioning participation in public programs on the school surrendering or compromising religious beliefs.
🙏 Pastor Killed on His Way to Church in Nigeria
A Baptist pastor and church employee were reportedly killed while traveling to Sunday services in Nigeria’s Plateau State. The pastor’s son was seriously wounded.
Open Doors says Nigeria accounted for 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians it recorded as killed for their faith worldwide during its latest reporting period.
WORK & MONEY
🤖 Would You Let an AI Bot Spend Your Money?
Visa and Mastercard are preparing for agentic commerce — AI assistants that don’t merely recommend a hotel, pair of shoes or groceries but can actually complete a purchase for you.
That creates a major challenge: proving that the bot really has permission to spend your money.
📊 QUESTION OF THE DAY
Would you allow an AI assistant to make purchases on your credit card within limits you establish?
A. Yes — absolutely
B. Maybe, for small purchases
C. Only if I approve every purchase
D. No chance
⚡ QUICK READS
🌎 U.N. Week: World leaders are gathering in New York for the 81st General Assembly.
🇨🇳 China & Taiwan: Taiwan is expected to be one of the most sensitive issues when President Trump meets Xi Jinping Thursday.
⚖️ Press Fight Heads to Court: CNN, MS NOW and Politico are challenging their White House exclusion in federal court.
🏥 Healthcare Battle Continues: The hospital settlements are another development in the national debate over medical treatment for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
THRIVE! PERSPECTIVE
Truth Doesn’t Need a Political Jersey
Today’s White House press dispute is a useful reminder for Christians living in a deeply polarized culture.
We can support a president’s policies and still believe government power deserves scrutiny. We can distrust a news organization and still recognize the importance of independent journalism. We can recognize media bias without deciding that truth belongs exclusively to our preferred side.
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.” — Ephesians 4:25
Our allegiance to truth should be stronger than our allegiance to personalities, parties or institutions.
BY THE NUMBERS
3,490
The number of Christians Open Doors reported were killed for their faith in Nigeria during its latest reporting period.
That represented roughly 72% of the Christians it recorded as killed for their faith worldwide during that reporting period.
💡 DID YOU KNOW?
The United Nations General Assembly gives each member nation one vote, regardless of population or economic size.
WORTH REMEMBERING
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
— Proverbs 14:15
🙏 PRAYER POINT
Today we’re praying for Christians in Nigeria’s Plateau State.
Pray for the families mourning loved ones after this weekend’s attacks, for the pastor’s wounded son, for protection over churches and communities, for wisdom and courage among Nigerian authorities, and for believers facing violence to know that the global Church has not forgotten them.
“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated.” — Hebrews 13:3
THRIVE!
News worth knowing. Faith worth living.