In response to a Truth Social post by Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump for seemingly forgetting he was president on January 6, 2021, and repeating debunked claims about the Capitol Riots being a Democratic hoax. Newsom’s remarks highlighted Trump’s post where he demanded action while incorrectly stating the “Biden FBI” placed agents at the scene. This marks the second time in recent weeks Trump has made this false claim, prompting concerns regarding his mental state and recent gaffes. Trump, who has been scrutinized since assuming the presidency for the second time, has been seen attacking his opponent for cognitive decline on the campaign trail.
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Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has accused the Trump administration of “kidnapping” 78 Venezuelan children, alleging they were separated from their parents and remain in U.S. custody after deportations. Cabello presented photographs of the children in U.S. “immigrant detention centers” and framed their detentions as evidence of hypocrisy in U.S. migration policy. These accusations come amid rising tensions and the reestablishment of limited cooperation on deportation flights between Caracas and Washington, which has resulted in over 12,000 Venezuelans being deported since January. Cabello has criticized the U.S. for separating families while simultaneously promoting false aspirations through “media campaigns.”
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The Trump administration is considering selling portions of the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio to private investors, a move that could reshape the student loan landscape. Senior officials have reportedly been discussing the offloading of high-performing loan segments to private entities, potentially impacting approximately 45 million borrowers. This plan aligns with the administration’s goal of reducing federal involvement in student loans, which could jeopardize existing consumer protections and government cancellation powers. Experts raise concerns about the shift of repayment responsibilities to private companies, along with the potential for increased costs and reduced borrower benefits, ultimately making it harder to access college.
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While President Trump’s core personality traits remain constant, a new concern arises: the uncertain reality informing his decisions. Trump has portrayed Portland as war-torn, despite evidence suggesting otherwise, which contrasts with his descriptions. His reliance on sources, like Fox News, has been documented, and in this case, the network broadcast segments that may have sparked his interest in the city. The potential for manipulation through AI-generated content is particularly concerning, as Trump has demonstrated susceptibility to such deceptive materials, raising questions about what else is influencing his perception of reality.
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The Supreme Court is poised to dismantle campaign finance restrictions, potentially eliminating limits on donations and hindering bribery prosecutions. A new book, “Master Plan,” details a decades-long conservative strategy to deregulate campaign finance, culminating in the *Citizens United* decision. Two specific cases, including one backed by J.D. Vance, could allow party committees to become conduits for large donations, and weaken anti-bribery laws. These efforts aim to make it increasingly difficult to prosecute public corruption, allowing for influence peddling.
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Newsmax has announced it will not sign the Pentagon’s revised media credentialing agreement, becoming the first major outlet to publicly reject the new restrictions. The Pentagon’s updated policy aims to control how information is shared with reporters, but has led to significant pushback from news organizations. The policy change would potentially allow U.S. military personnel to face “adverse consequences” if they make unauthorized disclosures to reporters, thus possibly revoking a reporter’s access. The decision by Newsmax, a right-leaning outlet, may pose a significant challenge to the Trump administration.
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During a recent visit to Portland, the author explored the downtown area, walking along the Willamette River and visiting popular spots like Powell’s bookstore. The author observed a relatively deserted downtown with typical urban activity, including a small pro-Palestinian demonstration. Contrary to some reports, the author found no sense of trouble. The author notes the Portland ICE facility’s location is isolated, suggesting it is not easily accessible or a central part of the city’s flow.
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Recent discussions amongst Republicans have brought up the idea of former President Donald Trump running for a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment. Steve Bannon, a former senior advisor to Trump, has stated that there are various ways to ensure Trump is on the ballot in 2028, though he did not specify what those methods are. Others, like Representative Randy Fine, have suggested repealing the 22nd Amendment altogether. Legal experts, however, believe that any attempt to circumvent the amendment is unlikely to succeed and would face significant legal challenges.
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President Trump has consistently claimed to have secured trillions in investment in the US, but these figures appear to be inflated. The White House’s own numbers, totaling $8.8 trillion, are themselves questionable, and a CNN review of the top commitments reveals significant discrepancies. For instance, supposed investments from the EU, Saudi Arabia, and India are often not firm commitments or investment in the US, but rather goals, trade agreements, or vague pledges. Experts caution that corporate pledges likely include normal operational spending, making the claimed figures inaccurate.
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In a recent ruling, a federal judge in Virginia denied the Justice Department’s request for extended discovery deadlines in the case against former FBI Director James Comey. The court ordered prosecutors to provide all discovery materials to the defense by October 13. This decision came after disagreements between the prosecution and defense regarding evidence sharing, with the judge emphasizing fairness and the need to keep the trial on schedule. The first round of motions is due on October 20, with a trial date set for January 5, 2026.
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John Q. Hosedrinker