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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Delusional Trump Schemes to Break Republicans Who Yelled at His Lackey
Megan Briggs / Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump is reportedly convinced he will be able to force Republican senators to cave to his increasingly bonkers demands even after a full-on mutiny this week over his personal vanity projects. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche tried to do Trump’s bidding in a closed-door meeting this week where he urged Republicans to get on board with the president’s $1.8 billion slush fund for his allies. But instead, Blanche got yelled at by more than a dozen GOP senators who were infuriated by the move, insiders revealed to The Wall Street Journal. The showdown, which tanked a planned vote on a partisan funding bill, further inflamed tensions set off by Trump’s endorsement in the heated Texas Senate primary.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Trump Nemesis Roasts Him Over AI Post With Wedding Dig
Brendan McDermid / REUTERSPresident Donald Trump spent the morning of his eldest son’s wedding posting a bizarre AI-generated attack at one of his top foes—but Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna quickly fired back.Trump, 79, posted an image depicting Khanna in a sheep costume with exaggerated vampire teeth, clutching a sheep with a banner reading “SLEAZEBAG Ro Khanna Lies, Lies, Lies.”Read more at The Daily Beast.
Murdoch Paper Warns That Trump, 79, Has ‘Lost the Plot’
Kevin Dietsch / Getty ImagesThe Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal writes that President Donald Trump has “lost the governing plot” just 18 months into his second term.The conservative paper has published a damning editorial about the president, who turns 80 next month, writing that he is destroying any chance of policy gains by chasing pet projects and alienating Republicans in Congress.“President Trump’s personal political obsessions are hurting his presidency, harming the chances for further policy gains the rest of this year, and putting control of the House and Senate in jeopardy,” its editorial board wrote on Friday.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Details Leak of On-Set Feud That Cost Oscar Nominee His Job
Isabel Infantes / REUTERSTom Hardy has reportedly been booted from MobLand after angering one of his co-stars with rude behavior. According to Puck News, Hardy will not return for the show’s third season following mounting clashes with cast members and producers. Sources close to the production claimed Hardy, 48, grew increasingly frustrated as the series shifted its focus toward co-stars Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The report also alleged Hardy’s behavior on set became so difficult that producer Jez Butterworth threatened to quit the project himself. The firing comes after The Daily Mail reported on the friction between Hardy and Mirren during filming, with one source accusing the actor of “swagger[ing] around like he’s the king.” Another insider claimed Mirren became irritated by Hardy allegedly playing games on his phone instead of preparing for scenes. Hardy has previously faced scrutiny over on-set clashes, most notably during the filming of Mad Max: Fury Road, when the actor got caught in a screaming match with his co-star Charlize Theron over Hardy’s chronic lateness to set. Read it at The Daily MailRead more at The Daily Beast.
My Melania Legal Battle Has Only Just Begun: Wolff
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty ImagesAuthor Michael Wolff is not going down without a fight in his legal feud with Melania Trump.The longtime Donald Trump biographer is unfazed by a federal judge’s decision to toss his so-called anti-SLAPP suit against the first lady, vowing in a Saturday taping of the Inside Trump’s Head podcast to continue challenging Melania in the courts.“We knew from the beginning when we drew a Trump judge in federal court, in the Southern District in New York, that that was problematic,” Wolff told co-host Joanna Coles. “I think our attitude was, ‘OK, you know, that’s the hand we drew.’”Read more at The Daily Beast.
One Dead in Secret Service Shootout Beside White House
ReutersA sudden eruption of gunfire sent White House reporters sprinting for cover Saturday evening as Secret Service agents scrambled to secure the scene.Journalists gathered on the White House North Lawn were rushed indoors as the area was rapidly locked down, with members of the press directed into the briefing room.The Secret Service said a man approached a security checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW shortly after 6 p.m., removed a weapon from his bag, and began firing at officers.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Pentagon Pete Gives Bonkers Pep Talk to ‘Not Fat’ West Point Grads
Eduardo Munoz / REUTERSDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured West Point cadets in a commencement address on Saturday that they would be protected by the White House if they ever make decisions that get them into trouble. Hegseth, breaking from the tradition of keeping graduation addresses at military institutions nonpartisan, spent much of his speech ranting about previous Democratic administrations before urging cadets to disregard previous rules of engagement in combat. “No matter what, President Trump and I will have your back when tough decisions are made, especially decisions made in a split second in the heat of battle that air-conditioned offices in Washington, D.C., will never have,” he said, adding, “Understand, your hands are untied.”Read more at The Daily Beast.
‘SNL’ Star Reveals Bizarre Advice From George W. Bush
Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas/WireImageSaturday Night Live star Pete Davidson was only 8 years old when he ended up in the Oval Office, where then-President George W. Bush gave him some odd life advice.Davidson, his 4-year-old sister Casey, and their grandfather Stephen Davidson—who filmed the encounter—ended up in the Oval Office after the future comedian’s sister fainted while attending an event at the White House for the children and families of first responders who died in the 9/11 attacks. Read more at The Daily Beast.
Brawl Erupts at Community College Graduation Ceremony
WTNHPolice were forced to intervene at a community college graduation after a fight between two families erupted in the crowd. The melee unfolded on Thursday during a graduation ceremony at Gateway Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Officers were called to the venue around 6:15 p.m. and had to move in to separate those involved as the confrontation escalated. One parent at the ceremony blasted the venue’s security response, telling local news they were “appalled” by how slowly staff reacted. “It just seems unbelievable that an arena that size would not have a protocol and security with all eyes on the situation,” the parent said. Authorities said three women were charged—two with assault of a public safety officer and second-degree breach of peace, while a third was charged with breach of peace. School officials said diploma presentations were briefly paused while officers restored order. The chaos came the same day a kindergarten graduation in Ohio was also derailed by a parents’ brawl, making it an unusually turbulent week for commencement season.Read it at WTNHRead more at The Daily Beast.
Mary Trump Dumps on Her Cousin Don Jr.’s Wedding Day
The Daily Beast/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump says duty kept him away from his son’s wedding this weekend. Mary Trump says it’s because “he can’t stand his kid.”Mary Trump unloaded on both her uncle and cousin during a Friday appearance on The Dean Obeidallah Show, dismissing Trump’s explanation for missing Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding to Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson.Trump announced Friday that he would not attend the ceremony, saying pressing matters of state would keep him in Washington.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Don Jr. Thirsts Over White House Wedding After Dad’s Cruel Snub
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty ImagesTry, try again.Donald Trump Jr., 48, and his brand-new wife, 39-year-old socialite Bettina Anderson, are not giving up on their White House wedding dreams.Plans are reportedly in the works for an “I do” do-over at the White House, where President Donald Trump and first lady Melania would almost certainly attend the ceremony, rather than blowing it off, as they did Don Jr.’s quiet, quickie nuptials in the Bahamas this weekend, People is reporting.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Trump’s White House UFC Event to Honor America Botches U.S. Flag
Kevin Dietsch / Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump’s vision for an all-American UFC extravaganza is drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.The president’s plan to host a night of cage matches on the South Lawn of the White House to celebrate his 80th and the nation’s 250th birthdays has taken an awkward turn. The American flag featured in the UFC mock-up for the event has a major glitch: It only has 48 stars to represent the nation’s 50 states.Read more at The Daily Beast.
New Probe Into Disgraced Andrew Casts Long Shadow Over Warring Royals
Phil Noble/ReutersPrincess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will likely skip the wedding of their cousin Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling after it was revealed that their father, ex-Prince Andrew, is being investigated over a suspected sexual offense at Royal Ascot in 2002.The Royalist hears that the two princesses have been left mortified “all over again” by the latest developments, and do not want to overshadow the bride and groom’s big day.Although it has been widely reported in recent days that the princesses would attend the wedding, a source said this was “never as concrete” as portrayed. The source said that while they had indeed RSVP’d to say they intended to come, and those RSVPs had not as yet been canceled, they would “never want to overshadow the bride and groom’s happy day.”Read more at The Daily Beast.
Chilling New Details Revealed About Suspected White House Gunman
Roberto Schmidt / Getty ImagesThe suspected White House gunman was reportedly no stranger to the Secret Service before he opened fire on Saturday.Nasire Best, a 21-year-old Maryland man, had been barred from returning to the White House after a previous arrest for entering a restricted area, according to The New York Times.Authorities said Best approached a Secret Service checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW shortly after 6 p.m., pulled a gun from a bag, and began firing at officers.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Trump, 79, Makes Bonkers Claim About His Looks in Wild Posting Spree
Aaron Chown / via REUTERSPresident Donald Trump is clinging to claims that he looks younger than ever as he approaches his 80th birthday. On Sunday, the near-octogenarian posted an image of himself sporting his signature orange glow and a wide grin alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping beneath a banner declaring: “President Trump gets YOUNGER.”Trump captioned the Truth Social photo: “President Xi and President Trump are AMAZING!”Read more at The Daily Beast.
The Real Housewives Insult So Wild Fans Had to Google It
Bravo / Seacia Pavao/BravoNever say that the Real Housewives series has no educational value. Following the last episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, scores of people were inspired to expand their vocabulary. A Google search query for the phrase “slam pig” spiked immediately after the episode aired and the several days that followed. (Seriously, I looked it up.) Searches for “slam pig meaning” were up 80 percent. Bravo fans, always willing to expand their minds. Read more at The Daily Beast.
MAGA Star Candidate Gets Flamed in Hometown Paper
Roy Rochlin / Getty ImagesSpencer Pratt, the MAGA-coded reality TV star turned mayoral hopeful, was roasted over his campaign run in his local Los Angeles paper.In a Saturday article for The Los Angeles Times, journalist Steve Lopez urged Pratt to call him so he could ask whether he truly understands what he is getting himself into by running as a registered Republican to unseat Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.“We should talk,” Lopez wrote, directly addressing The Hills alum.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Vance Humiliated After He Crashes SCOTUS Dinner
Kevin Lamarque / REUTERSJD Vance is officially a party crasher. The vice president was a surprise guest at a private dinner hosted by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., the New York Times reported Sunday. The 41-year-old tagged along as a plus-one to his pregnant wife, Usha Vance, who previously clerked for the George W. Bush appointee.Roberts, however, appeared indifferent to the unexpected addition. According to the Times, neither Vance nor his wife received special seating accommodations, and the chief justice omitted the vice president from remarks delivered during the evening.Read more at The Daily Beast.
John McCain’s Son Dies Suddenly
ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty ImagesDoug McCain, the eldest son of the late Sen. John McCain, has died suddenly at age 66. His cause of death has not been disclosed. “I am deeply saddened to share the news of my brother Doug McCain’s sudden passing,” his sister, Meghan McCain, 41, announced in a statement on Instagram. “He was a truly wonderful, joyful man who supported me throughout my life. He brought humor, fun and great conversation to every room. I will cherish our memories together. Our prayers are with his wife Ashley and children Caroline and Shepp.” Doug was the son of John McCain’s first wife, Carol Shepp, and the late Arizona senator adopted him after the two married in 1965. Doug had a long career as a pilot, joining the Navy after graduating from the University of Virginia and then becoming a captain with American Airlines, according to his obituary. Doug is survived by his mother Carol, his wife, Ashley, and their two children. Read it at New York PostRead more at The Daily Beast.
GOP Senator Revolts Against ‘Stupid on Stilts’ Trump Plan
CNNRepublican Sen. Thom Tillis says heads should roll over the “horrible politics” of the Trump administration’s so-called “anti-weaponization fund,” which could see convicted Jan 6. rioters get payouts.Tillis, 65, appeared on State of the Union Sunday, and summarized to host Jake Tapper: “As I said earlier, I stand by it, it’s stupid on stilts.”“Look, you’re talking about people who assaulted Capitol police officers on January the 6th, were then convicted. Many of them pled guilty, or they were convicted by a jury of their peers. They could be eligible for this.”Read more at The Daily Beast.
Opinion: What a Trump Judge’s Ruling in My Melania Lawsuit Really Means: Wolff
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty ImagesLast September, Melania Trump threatened me with a ten-digit lawsuit for publicly saying that she and her future husband, Donald Trump, moved in the same social circles as Jeffrey Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Rather than cave to her threat, I filed a suit against her in New York State, where we both reside, under the state’s laws that proscribe the use of libel suits and threats for the sole purpose of intimidating speech. Melania’s lawyers subsequently sought to move the case to federal court, where it drew as its judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, a longtime Federalist Society member appointed in New York’s Southern District by Trump in his first term. Obviously, this is the last place a Trump-appointed judge, at least one with any hopes for advancement, would want to be; Judge Vyskocil was no doubt aware that even permitting the neutral (and typical) step of allowing parties to gather admissible evidence would have incurred the president’s wrath. But her decision—and the dubious loophole allowing her to render no decision at all—affords new avenues: My lawyers can now ask the Second Circuit to grant us the discovery that Melania’s lawyers desperately do not want. Our case is not over, and here’s what we’ll do next.Click through to Michael Wolff’s HOWL to read more on his legal battle with the White House.Read it at SubstackRead more at The Daily Beast.
Megyn Kelly Declares MAGA on Life Support
Caitlin O'Hara / REUTERSMegyn Kelly has revealed that President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement is now little more than an “increasingly tiny group” of diehards.The former Fox personality said Trump’s decisions are driving away all but those who are extremely loyal to him.“MAGA is not what it was. MAGA is now this very small group of Trump die hard loyalists who have to love Mark Levin,” she said Friday on the Hodgetwins podcast.Read more at The Daily Beast.
Second Shark Attack in a Week Claims Life of Spearfisher
REDA / REDA/Universal Images Group via A man has died overnight from injuries sustained during a shark attack off the coast of far north Queensland, Australia. The 39-year-old was spearfishing with three friends around midday Sunday, Australian time, in waters near Hull Heads, around 100 miles south of Cairns. At least two of the men, who were fishing off a boat at popular reef site Kennedy Shoal, were in the water when the shark attacked one of them, police said. “I would assume they would be pretty traumatized, that’s quite a terrifying thing to see happen right in front of you,” Inspector Elaine Burns said. The fatally injured man was pulled from the water by one of his friends, who police said had been right next to him when he was attacked. He was declared dead by emergency services around 1 p.m. There has been a higher than average number of shark attacks so far this year along Australia’s vast coastline. A 12-year-old boy died in January following a shark attack off the New South Wales coast, and just over a week ago, on May 16, a man was mauled to death near Rottnest Island. Read it at ABC NewsRead more at The Daily Beast.
MAGA Warmongers Turn on Trump Over Betrayal
Eric Lee/ReutersDonald Trump is being pelted with criticism as he boasts that he’s very near a deal with Iran that would open the oil-critical Strait of Hormuz.That’s infuriating MAGA warmongers. “Finish the job,” barked Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who urged Trump to stop talking and keep military pressure on Iran for an all-out victory.Read more at The Daily Beast.