This is the Feb. 20, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe hereto get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday through Friday.
This morning, we interviewed Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, about Tehran’s negotiations with Washington. Despite news reports to the contrary, Araghchi told me that U.S. negotiators have not taken a “zero enrichment” position on nuclear materials.
Immediately after that interview, I spoke with a top Trump administration official involved in the talks who said that while President Donald Trump’s position remains zero enrichment, American negotiators are open to a process that could allow for transparent verification.
The White House, in effect, appears willing to pursue a “distrust and verify” approach. But my source emphasized that the burden remains on Iran — and that time is running short for a deal.
Another major headline this morning: The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Trump’s tariffs. Writing for the 6-3 majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said:
The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett took the traditional conservative position, voting with the majority, while Brett Kavanaugh once again sided with the court’s most radical wing.
Not exactly a quiet morning. Now, a look ahead to the weekend:
The U.S. picked up some high-profile Olympic hardware yesterday, with the women’s ice hockey team skating to gold and women’s figure skater Alysa Liu delivering a golden moment of her own. There are now just three days left in the Winter Games, with the closing ceremony set for Sunday night.
In New York City, Off-Broadway Week offers theater fans a welcome incentive, with a strong lineup of acclaimed productions. Don’t miss “Marcel on the Train,” opening Sunday night, which brings to life the little-known story of French mime Marcel Marceau and his role in helping guide Jewish children to safety in Nazi-occupied France. Catch “Morning Joe’s” interview with co-writers Marshall Pailet and Ethan Slater (“SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Wicked”) here.
In the nation’s capital, celebrate the year of the fire horse with Washington’s Lunar New Year parade. Party like it’s 4724!
Greenville, North Carolina, is turning back the clock with the third installment of Mixtape! The best of the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s. Who needs Spotify?!
In the Gateway City, boaters and anglers can set a course for the St. Louis Boat and Fishing Show, billed as the Midwest’s premier marine event — an indoor promise of outdoor escape, just as winter begins to wear thin.
And out west, San Franciscans can raise a glass at SF Beer Week. Cheers!
MAILBAG
Thank you again to all our readers who wrote in this week. As always, you’re welcome to write to us any time.
What protections can be put in place and how can the U.S. assure our NATO allies that our participation will not waver substantially from administration to administration?
— Jeanne S., Tulsa, Okla.
Jeanne, thanks so much for the great question. That decision rests with the voters of America, and our allies in Europe and across the world are becoming more skeptical that the United States will remain a steadfast friend.
The feeling among many European leaders was that while Donald Trump’s first victory was an aberration, his second was a warning too dangerous to ignore. The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum told “Morning Joe” that Europe now believes America’s relationship with them is forever changed.
I remain an optimist, and believe American voters will send a strong message this fall that it is bad politics to be openly hostile to NATO allies.
And then in 2028!
Will you keep pushing on the “Epstein class”? I have a feeling that somehow this tidal wave from Europe will wash westward and up the Potomac and claim some victims. I still don’t get the mystique of Epstein the finance guru. How was he any more influential in the markets than (name several real successful business people here.) What is the story???
— Mark F., Melbourne, Fla.
Mark, we have been pushing against the Epstein class for a decade now, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months. I never understood why Jeffrey Epstein got such a sweetheart deal in 2006, and I brought it up repeatedly starting in 2016. Two years later, the Miami Herald began the extraordinary work that led to Epstein’s second arrest.
To your point about this “finance guru,” one of the great mysteries buried in the files is how Epstein got all the money that he did. It seems he spent all his time building his network of elites and abusing young women.
We know that businessman Les Wexner funded much of his empire, and while he has denied wrongdoing, I am hopeful that in the coming months, investigations launched around the world will determine whether foreign powers also funded parts of his operation.
So many questions remain. That’s why we need to keep our focus on the Epstein class.
Does it bother you that the press doesn’t mention that the great Robert Duvall played the lead character in the best Western ever made, “Lonesome Dove”?
— David Tiffany, Seattle
Mika and I are such big Robert Duvall fans, and we actually put “Lonesome Dove” on our list of shows to watch after hearing so many people call it one of the greatest television series of all time.
His work on “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “Network” were groundbreaking. But one of my favorites was “Tender Mercies,” a film that showed the understated genius of an amazing actor we will all miss so much.
One other thing we learned after his passing: Duvall was a big “Morning Joe” fan!
ONE MORE SHOT
While his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was checking out new digs provided by the Thames Valley Police, King Charles III sat next to Stella McCartney on the first day of London Fashion Week. No word yet on whether orange will once again be the new black in the most sparkling of London boutiques.
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Former Rep. Joe Scarborough, R-Fla., is co-host of MS NOW's "Morning Joe" alongside Mika Brzezinski — a show that Time magazine calls "revolutionary." In addition to his career in television, Joe is a two-time New York Times best-selling author. His most recent book is "The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics — and Can Again."