Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be interviewed on Fox News at 6 PM ET. This follows a statement from US President Donald Trump earlier today. The interview will be monitored for key announcements. Top lines from the interview will be shared as they become available.
Pope Francis experienced a sudden respiratory episode requiring mechanical ventilation due to aspiration following vomiting; however, he remained alert. Though not intubated, he is currently wearing a mask and his condition, while showing some improvement earlier this week, remains precarious. This hospitalization, his fourth and longest, follows previous lung-related illnesses and a recent diagnosis of bronchitis and pneumonia. Doctors anticipate a clearer prognosis within the next 48 hours.
Trump and Vance’s Oval Office meeting with Zelensky devolved into a contentious spat, leaving many viewers stunned by the display of disrespect and apparent disregard for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The exchange quickly became heated, with Trump and Vance seemingly intent on criticizing Zelensky’s leadership and gratitude, rather than engaging in productive discussion. Their complaints focused on Zelensky’s perceived lack of appreciation for their alleged support, a jarring note given the ongoing conflict and Ukraine’s desperate need for assistance.
The tone of the meeting shifted significantly from the outset. Initially, a sense of professionalism was expected, given the gravity of the situation and the international implications of the discussions.… Continue reading
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed U.S. Cyber Command to halt all offensive cyber operations against Russia, a decision impacting hundreds to thousands of personnel depending on its scope. This order, while excluding the NSA’s intelligence work, reflects the White House’s push to improve relations with Moscow following the Ukraine invasion. The directive’s duration is unspecified, but it raises concerns about potential increased risks to US and international entities from Russian cyber activity. A Pentagon spokesperson declined comment.
US intelligence indicates that Russia and China are aggressively recruiting recently fired or soon-to-be-fired US federal employees, particularly those with security clearances, leveraging the Trump administration’s planned mass layoffs. These adversaries are using platforms like LinkedIn and creating fake job postings to target vulnerable individuals with access to sensitive information regarding critical infrastructure and government operations. The intelligence community assesses with high confidence that this recruitment effort is underway and is exploiting the current political climate. This recruitment strategy poses a significant risk, potentially compromising national security. Concerns exist that this situation is exacerbated by the administration’s response to these warnings.
Analysis by experts strongly suggests that a viral audio clip featuring Donald Trump Jr. advocating for arming Russia instead of Ukraine is a highly probable AI-generated fake. The clip, purportedly from his podcast, contains audio characteristics consistent with artificial intelligence manipulation. This conclusion is based on several factors examined by these specialists, making its authenticity extremely questionable. Therefore, the clip should be treated with extreme caution and viewed with skepticism.
In response to Trump’s perceived even-handed approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, French President Macron firmly stated that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, deserving of unwavering support for its fight for independence and European security. This sentiment was echoed by Germany’s prospective chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who pledged continued support for Ukraine. However, a major transatlantic rift looms as European leaders seek comprehensive US post-war security guarantees, a proposition Trump has resisted while prioritizing potential resource deals with Ukraine and aligning himself with Putin’s views on NATO and territorial concessions. Trump’s controversial stance, including his disparagement of Zelenskyy and praise of Putin, further exacerbates this growing divide.
President Trump’s foreign policy actions, including his embrace of Russia and alienation of European allies, have significantly weakened the U.S.’s global standing. This has resulted in a potential new world order characterized by competing spheres of influence and the erosion of democratic norms, a situation former U.S. ambassador Winston Lord suggests is viewed favorably by China. Trump’s actions, such as threatening tariffs on European goods and potentially abandoning commitments to Taiwan, are seen as detrimental to long-standing U.S. alliances and global stability. This shift leaves U.S. allies questioning American reliability and potentially prompting them to seek alternative alliances or pursue independent nuclear capabilities.
President Trump abruptly canceled a minerals deal with Ukraine following a heated Oval Office meeting with President Zelenskyy, whom Trump accused of disrespect. The unexpected confrontation stemmed from Zelenskyy’s concerns about trusting Russia’s commitment to peace, prompting a rebuke from Trump and Vice President Vance. This dramatic turn of events jeopardizes US-Ukraine relations and raises questions about future American aid. The planned joint press conference was also cancelled, leaving the future of the deal, and US involvement in the conflict, uncertain. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and prompted reassurances of support from European leaders.
President Trump’s accusation that President Zelensky is not ready for peace stems from a contentious interaction, widely viewed as an ambush, where demands for gratitude were made, not through diplomacy, but through aggressive and belittling rhetoric. The tone of the exchange was far from a collaborative effort towards peace; instead, it felt like a verbal assault, leaving many viewers feeling deeply uncomfortable.
This accusation of unreadiness for peace seems to be predicated on a fundamental disagreement over the definition of peace itself. Trump’s implied definition appeared to lean towards a surrender to Russian demands, including territorial concessions and potentially significant economic compromises.… Continue reading
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Matt Underwood