A DeSmog investigation reveals over 50 high-level Trump administration officials, including 70% of his Cabinet, have ties to Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation plan to expand executive power and shrink the government. Many of these officials directly contributed to or worked for groups behind the plan’s “Mandate for Leadership” document. This contradicts Trump’s repeated denials of involvement, as numerous administration policies directly align with Project 2025’s proposals. The findings highlight the significant influence of Project 2025 despite its low public approval.
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During a House hearing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon refused to definitively state whether accurately teaching that Joe Biden won the 2020 election constitutes “illegal DEI,” instead vaguely advocating for accurate and balanced social studies instruction. Representative Lee pressed McMahon on this and other historical events, such as the Tulsa race massacre and Ruby Bridges’ role in desegregation, revealing McMahon’s unfamiliarity with these pivotal moments in American history. This exchange occurred against the backdrop of Oklahoma’s controversial new curriculum, which promotes election conspiracy theories, and the Trump administration’s proposed 15 percent budget cut to the Department of Education. McMahon’s responses highlighted a concerning lack of clarity regarding the teaching of factual events in schools.
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NATO assesses Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, targeting Russian strategic aviation, as highly successful, with independent calculations indicating damage to at least 40 aircraft, including the complete destruction of 10-13. The operation impacted approximately 34% of Russia’s missile-carrying aircraft, significantly reducing their capacity for strikes, though some damaged planes may serve as parts sources. This demonstrates Ukraine’s capacity to strike deep into Russian territory, affecting critical military assets. Several NATO leaders publicly praised the operation’s effectiveness and Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
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Rep. Crockett and former Sen. Tester highlighted the detrimental effects of large political donations, citing Elon Musk’s substantial contribution to President Trump’s campaign and subsequent benefits, including government contracts. They decried the resulting cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP, arguing these actions prioritize the wealthy at the expense of everyday Americans. This connection between campaign financing and legislative outcomes, exacerbated by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, fuels public distrust in politicians. The congresswoman emphasized the need for increased voter engagement and awareness to counteract the influence of wealthy donors and misinformation campaigns.
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The 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre was marked by commemorations from the US and Taiwan, highlighting the bravery of the protesters and condemning China’s attempts to erase the event from history. While an official death toll remains unavailable, activists estimate hundreds or thousands were killed. China continues to censor any mention of the event domestically and engages in transnational repression against critics abroad, particularly around the anniversary. Despite this, groups like the “Tiananmen Mothers” continue their calls for accountability, and some former participants, now living abroad, are speaking out against the Chinese government’s actions.
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The FBI, at the behest of the Trump administration, solicited tips on doctors providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth, labeling it “mutilation.” This action contradicts the consensus of major medical organizations, which confirm that surgical interventions are rare for minors and nonexistent for those under 12. In response, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies flooded the FBI tip line with angry messages and protests, challenging the administration’s characterization of gender-affirming care and its targeting of transgender individuals. This campaign, while unlikely to stop the administration’s broader attacks, signifies resistance to the criminalization of transgender healthcare.
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Following a major Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airbases—the largest in modern warfare, involving the destruction of numerous aircraft—Donald Trump held a lengthy phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. Their discussion covered the Ukrainian attack, other retaliatory actions by both sides, and the escalating Iranian nuclear program. While Putin reportedly affirmed the need to respond to the Ukrainian assault, he also expressed agreement with Trump’s stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, suggesting potential involvement in future discussions. Trump indicated that a swift resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue is urgently needed.
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This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of comfort and support with SAXX underwear. The best-selling Vibe Xtra, now featuring Stop Drop Technology™, offers superior moisture-wicking. For hot weather, the DropTemp® Cooling Cotton underwear provides enhanced cooling. Alternatively, the versatile Oh Buoy 2N1 swim trunks combine SAXX’s BallPark Pouch® technology with quick-drying comfort.
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A new CSIS report estimates that Russian military casualties in Ukraine are nearing one million and could surpass that number by summer 2025, contributing to a total of nearly 1.4 million casualties on both sides. These staggering losses, including an estimated 250,000 Russian deaths, highlight President Putin’s disregard for his troops, yet Russia continues its costly, slow-moving offensives. Despite significant equipment losses heavily outweighing Ukraine’s, Russia has only gained less than 1% of Ukrainian territory since January 2024. These figures, compiled from various sources including Western intelligence, underscore the immense human cost of the conflict.
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Senator Warren’s report details over 100 instances of potentially unethical or corrupt actions benefiting Elon Musk during his time in the Trump administration. These actions, spanning 15 categories, include the misuse of government resources to promote Musk’s businesses and apparent influence over administration policy towards South Africa. The report alleges conflicts of interest stemming from Musk’s ownership of Tesla and SpaceX, citing instances such as government contracts awarded to Musk’s companies and the weakening of regulatory agencies overseeing them. While not all actions constitute legal violations, the report argues that Musk consistently disregarded ethical norms and potentially violated federal law.
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John Q. Hosedrinker