WorldTHE BBN INTERVIEW

Rising Trump administration pressure on Cuba divides Hill Democrats

The administration's push to end sixty-seven years of communist rule in Cuba is drawing fierce criticism from many congressional Democrats, though not all of them; the tote bags are ready.

On air: Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 8:27 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Washington Examiner: “Rising Trump administration pressure on Cuba divides Hill Democrats”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8:27 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Vera Bullock.
Topics: Tyreek Hill, Democrats, Trump.
BBN covered this story before: Wired: Democrats face a hard road getting records from the White House (October 15).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Washington ExaminerRising Trump administration pressure on Cuba divides Hill Democrats

What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe Trump administration is pushing harder to end sixty-seven years of communist rule in Cuba, and congressional Democrats are split over it.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorJoining us from Tampa is Winston Achterberg, executive director of the Hemisphere Harmony Hospitality Council. Winston, where does your council stand?
Winston AchterbergFor the record, we stand nowhere, Vera. Neutrality is our entire brand, and we are very firm about it.
Winston AchterbergFor the record, we are also firmly in favor of whichever side wins.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo some Democrats are fiercely critical, and some are not. Which group do you side with?
Winston AchterbergFor the record, I side with the group that is wrong, but only if they turn out to be right.
Winston AchterbergI'm holding no position and a very large tote bag.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA tote bag? What does it say on it?
Winston AchterbergIt says nothing. For the record, my hand just happens to be over the slogan. The slogan is neutral.
Winston AchterbergIt's two words, and one of them is Free.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFree. Winston, that sounds like a side.
Winston AchterbergFor the record, it's also printed on the other bag, in the box marked Other Wins. Same bag, different second word.
Winston AchterbergNobody has checked the second word.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorYou printed merchandise for both outcomes before anyone in Congress has agreed on anything?
Winston AchterbergFor the record, that's called planning.
Winston AchterbergAnd for the record, we have eleven hundred bags in the Wins box and three thousand in the other one.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThree thousand.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the council's real prediction is that the Democrats keep arguing. Which box would you open if they all agreed on something?
Winston AchterbergFor the record, that is the one thing we never printed for. Please don't tell the board.