This is the June 12, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe hereto get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday through Friday.
JOE’S NOTE
After months of promising peace deals, Iran’s leaders are finally agreeing publicly with President Donald Trump that a deal may be forthcoming.
Iran’s foreign minister tweeted that a deal between the United States and his country has never been closer, and that members of the media should not speculate on what the terms of that agreement might be.
Vice President JD Vance has also said that Iran will not be receiving payouts or sanctions relief, but added that “economic benefits will flow” if Iran “meets its obligations.”
The devil is in the details.
I suspect both sides will do all they can to hide whatever windfalls the Iranian government may receive from this deal. I would be surprised if the deal did not contain a big windfall for the Islamic Republic of Iran – putting them in a much better position after the war ends than before it began.
In the meantime, let’s watch football!
ON THE CALENDAR
It’s kickoff time: The World Cup has begun. A record 48 countries are competing. If you’re not traveling to one of the host cities in the U.S., Canada or Mexico to scream “GOAL!” in person, you can still get the best of the fan experience in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, and more.
Also this weekend: Game 5 of the NBA Finals matchup between the Knicks and the Spurs. (From the team here at the Tea: #Knicksin5.)
Coming up for air from all of the sports? There’s more.
In New York City, the country’s historic and largest Puerto Rican Day parade begins marching down Fifth Avenue on Sunday. Celebrities Daddy Yankee and Dayanara Torres are set to make an appearance.
On the same day, Philadelphia is bringing the community together for Odunde, North America’s largest African American street festival. Expect streets packed with multiple stages, performances, workshops, and happy hours.
Adrenaline chasers, Chicago’s Red Bull Spin Off is the place for you. Teams of two will race across a floating track on custom-made flashy bicycles. Answers to your questions (about all of the above) here.
Down south, things get tropical at Miami’s “juiciest weekend”: The Annual Mango Festival at Fairchild is stocking more than 400 varieties of mango, along with smoothie bars, cooking classes, and cocktail flights.
The rhythms of jazz, R&B, and funk are pouring out of LA’s Hollywood Bowl this weekend at the Blue Note Jazz Festival. Come for Patti LaBelle and Wyclef Jean; stay for the vibes.
MAILBAG
Thank you to all our readers who wrote in this week. As always, you’re welcome to write to us anytime.
I can’t understand how grown men and women are so afraid of “King Trump” that they don’t pay attention to their constituents and yield to Trump by bowing down and kissing his feet. Maybe someone could explain to me why our Congress is so afraid of him.
—Lt. Col. (ret.) Lionel R., Bluffton, Texas
Republican politicians have been afraid of Trump for a decade because of the sway he holds over their primary voters. Both John Cornyn of Texas and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost their primary contests last month because Donald Trump endorsed their opponents.
They have now returned to the Senate, scorned men with little to lose. We’ve already seen that work against Trump’s interests, and Cornyn has predicted the next two years will be politically hellish for him. I agree.
All that being said, I can tell you that blindly following the party line and ignoring the interests of all of your constituents is a terrible way to spend your time in Congress. I was constantly pushing back against Democratic presidents, Republican presidents, and Republican leadership in my own party. And when I did, it actually made me more popular in my district because people knew I would always speak my mind, and not blindly follow the party line.
I wish more Republicans would do that today.
Are you concerned that, given the issues surrounding the World Cup, the calls for boycotts or moving the Olympics may light a fire against attendance in the USA in 2028?
—Anonymous
Recommended
We are already seeing a real backlash to the Trump administration’s policies. As a massive soccer fan for decades, I have been looking forward to the World Cup being played in the United States. It is very unfortunate that the White House’s hateful policies have already had a negative impact on the tournament.
Here’s hoping the World Cup proves bigger than the politicians and MAGA pundits who are trying to destroy the spirit of these remarkable games.
How do you and your team feel history will look at this time in America? What do you think will be the most egregious thing they will focus on?
—Sheila H., Clearwater, Fla.
Americans will look back on this time in much the same way we look back on the evils of the McCarthy period, the horrors of the Jim Crow era, and the darkest chapters of Watergate.
In many ways, what is happening today is worse. Richard Nixon followed the rulings of the Supreme Court when it ordered him to turn over the tapes. Donald Trump‘s administration continues to ignore one federal court order after another.
The greatest blight on this administration will be the internment camps that Stephen Miller and the Trump administration have placed all over America.
They cynically believed white Americans would remain quiet while brown and Black immigrants were abused and beaten by the powers that be.
They were mistaken.
Americans will also look back at the heroes of Minneapolis, the sacrifice of Renee Good, the killing of Alex Pretti, and the refusal of American citizens to sit back and shut up when their Constitution was being shredded and their values undermined in the pursuit of hateful policies.
They will not succeed because Americans are standing up and speaking out against this injustice, just like they did during the Civil Rights era.
What is your secret of combining humor, irony, and serious commentary? How do you keep the show rolling?
—John F., New Orleans
That’s very kind of you to say, John. It certainly helps that we all love doing the show together, and that Willie, Mike, Jonathan, Mika, and myself see each other as more than on-air acquaintances. We are family.
I feel so blessed to have been able to spend the last two decades with these dear friends, and here’s hoping we get to spend some more time together over the next few years.
Hope you have a great weekend!
ONE MORE SHOT
Performers dance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony before a match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.
CATCH UP ON MORNING JOE
