Trump Floats Navy Stopover in Cuba After Iran and Announces Nursing Program at Florida Rally

President Donald Trump told a midterm campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 23, that U.S. warships returning from the Iran war could stop over in Cuba, with one halting about 50 yards offshore. He said crews would raise their hands and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would then go in to finish a deal. He was answering a shouted question from the crowd. Rubio later posted on X seeking new Cuban contacts for the CIA. Trump first floated the idea earlier this year, and in May he and Rubio raised intervention after the administration announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. At the same rally Trump announced a $275 million Nurses for Nursing Homes program, which HHS and CMS said would support more than 4,000 nurses. On Saturday he cast an early ballot in West Palm Beach, said he voted for all Republicans, and left for a Georgia rally.

Fox Business, the right-leaning outlet, leads with the nursing program. It gives the funding split ($100 million from CMS, at least $175 million from states, drawn from nursing-home penalties) and the incentives of up to $40,000 in loan repayment or a $10,000 stipend. Its opening quotes Trump calling it breaking news for seniors and does not mention Cuba. HuffPost, the left-leaning outlet, carrying AP text, leads with Cuba. It calls the remarks Trump's latest interventionist suggestion, ties them to the Castro charges, and notes voter worry about prices because of the Iran war. Both sides place the remarks at the Fort Myers rally and quote Trump. They differ on which announcement they treat as the story. ZeroHedge matches the left on Cuba, while The Hindu covers his early vote and a defense of an Ohio campaign ad.