President Zelenskyy, in an interview with ARD, criticized what he perceives as US rhetoric aimed at appeasing Putin and hastening a peace deal, even at the cost of Ukrainian territorial concessions. He firmly stated Ukraine will not cede legally recognized territory and expressed confidence in reclaiming all occupied lands, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law. Zelenskyy also highlighted the need for NATO membership to be included in any negotiations and disagreed with assessments suggesting that regaining the 2014 borders is unrealistic. He further asserted that a ceasefire, without the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, is not a genuine success.
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A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s executive order banning federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 19. The judge ruled the order unconstitutional, citing violations of the Fifth and Tenth Amendments, and argued it unfairly discriminates against transgender individuals while impacting unrelated medical treatments. The order prevents the federal government from enforcing key aspects of the executive order, allowing transgender youth to continue accessing necessary medical care. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by several states and medical professionals challenging the legality and discriminatory nature of the executive order.
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A report reveals that the Trump administration, through special envoy Richard Grenell, pressured Romanian authorities regarding the Tate brothers’ travel restrictions. The brothers face charges including human trafficking and rape in Romania, and Grenell’s intervention, including a request to return their passports, followed previous social media support for the Tates. This action occurred amidst Trump’s freezing of overseas aid and criticism of USAID. The Tate brothers, known for their controversial online presence and alleged influence on right-wing politics, maintain their innocence.
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Elon Musk’s SpaceX receives billions in NASA funding, creating a significant conflict of interest as Musk now advocates for NASA audits. This move follows a pattern of Musk seeking government cost reductions. The potential implications of this action are substantial and raise concerns about transparency and fairness. The situation underscores the complex relationship between private companies and government agencies.
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Launched Wednesday, DOGE.gov aims to track federal spending and agency data, including personnel numbers and budgets. However, the site inadvertently included classified information from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), despite disclaimers excluding intelligence agencies. This breach raises concerns about data security and the potential conflict of interest given SpaceX’s contract with the NRO. The incident has prompted an urgent investigation within the intelligence community to assess the extent of the leak.
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A new website, Trump Golf Tracker, reveals President Trump has spent 17.86% of his second term golfing, totaling five days out of the first 28. This follows a first term where he visited Trump Organization properties for nearly a third of his presidency, playing an estimated 261 rounds of golf. The site also tracks rising egg and gasoline prices, contrasting Trump’s campaign promises with current economic realities; egg prices have more than doubled since the end of the Biden administration. The tracker, created by The Alt Media, utilizes publicly available data.
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Mordechai Brafman, 27, faces two counts of attempted second-degree murder after allegedly firing seventeen shots from a semiautomatic handgun at a vehicle in Miami Beach. Brafman, who claimed to have targeted Palestinians, mistakenly shot two Israeli tourists, Ari Rabey and his father. Despite the victims’ reported anti-Arab social media posts, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for federal hate crime charges, citing the incident as an example of anti-Palestinian sentiment. Brafman remains in custody at the Miami-Dade correctional center.
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President Trump appealed to the Supreme Court, citing its July 1, 2024 ruling granting presidents near-absolute immunity, after a lower court blocked his dismissal of special counsel Hampton Dellinger. The appeal hinges on the Supreme Court’s assertion of the president’s “unrestricted power” to remove executive officers. Acting Solicitor General Harris argued that preventing the president from exercising this power severely harms the executive branch and separation of powers. A lower court judge reinstated Dellinger, criticizing the White House for the disruption caused by the firing.
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Pope Francis, hospitalized for a complex clinical picture requiring treatment, is recovering well and in good spirits. He has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, particularly from hospitalized well-wishers. While his Wednesday general audience was cancelled, he maintained some engagements via video call and text message before his admission for bronchitis-related symptoms. The Pope’s recovery is focused on complete rest.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence, through his organization Advancing American Freedom (AAF), is actively engaging in conservative advocacy, criticizing the current administration when necessary while praising policies he agrees with. AAF recently spent nearly $1 million opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment and is now lobbying against other nominees, focusing on issues like military spending, the deficit, and tariffs. Pence emphasizes a principles-based approach, prioritizing conservative values, and believes many Republicans share his views despite the rise of populism. He aims to influence the administration and the party, acting as a counterbalance to what he perceives as a shift towards more government intervention.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump’s 17% Golfing Presidency: A Waste of Time or a Welcome Distraction?
A new website, Trump Golf Tracker, reveals President Trump has spent 17.86% of his second term golfing, totaling five days out of the first 28. This follows a first term where he visited Trump Organization properties for nearly a third of his presidency, playing an estimated 261 rounds of golf. The site also tracks rising egg and gasoline prices, contrasting Trump’s campaign promises with current economic realities; egg prices have more than doubled since the end of the Biden administration. The tracker, created by The Alt Media, utilizes publicly available data.
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