White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed outrage surrounding a video President Donald Trump shared online, which depicted the Obamas with their heads superimposed onto ape bodies. Leavitt characterized the video as an internet meme showing Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democrats as characters from “The Lion King.” This AI-generated clip, which also featured other Democrats as various animals bowing to Trump, was widely condemned. Trump had previously shared another AI-generated video showing him piloting a fighter jet and dropping “excrement” on protesters, which also drew criticism and a rebuke from the song’s artist.
Read More
During a late-night posting spree on Truth Social, Donald Trump shared a video featuring doctored footage of Barack and Michelle Obama with their heads superimposed onto animated apes, promoting conspiracy theories about rigged elections. This offensive content, which was not published by the Daily Beast, drew sharp criticism. Trump’s extensive activity also included reposting older videos related to Obama’s voter ID, confrontational footage of Laura Loomer, and a piece advocating for Trump’s inclusion on Mount Rushmore. Notably, he also shared content referencing Jeffrey Epstein, including a photo of himself with the convicted sex offender and a quote from author Michael Wolff regarding Trump’s alleged involvement in Epstein’s downfall.
Read More
This article emphasizes the critical role of reader support in sustaining newsroom operations amidst widespread downsizing. Membership is presented as the vital mechanism that enables the continuation of impactful journalism, ensuring crucial issues affecting lives and communities are thoroughly investigated and reported. Therefore, reader contributions are directly responsible for the ability to produce and disseminate this essential work.
Read More
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has reached its highest point since the January 6th Capitol riots, with 56 percent of Americans disapproving of his leadership and 51 percent strongly disapproving. This sentiment is particularly strong regarding his handling of the economy and foreign policy, and is further fueled by a 65 percent disapproval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions following recent shootings. The article notes that Trump’s base, particularly Latinos, young people, and independents, is reportedly wavering, though his core supporters remain largely behind him on key policy decisions.
Read More
As ICE actively seeks to expand its “detention centers” amidst ongoing testimonies of abuse, it becomes imperative to examine the historical parallels. The term “concentration camp,” originating from British efforts to control rebellious populations and later adopted by Nazi Germany, accurately describes facilities where individuals, often deemed “undesirable” or without criminal conviction, are confined under armed guard. Unlike prisons for convicted criminals or jails for those awaiting trial, these ICE facilities hold individuals for civil immigration infractions, stripping them of constitutional protections and fostering conditions ripe for abuse, neglect, and indefinite imprisonment. History warns that such detention apparatuses, once built, seldom remain limited to their initial targets, posing a critical question for future generations about why such facilities were allowed to exist.
Read More
A video posted on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account featured a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, appearing for approximately one second at the conclusion of a clip primarily focused on election integrity. The edited image, watermarked with a Trump-supporting X account, surfaced amid Trump’s ongoing, unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. This incident reignites discussions about online political discourse and the line between free speech and offensive content, drawing condemnation from political figures and organizations alike.
Read More
The article reports that President Donald Trump made a false claim at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast. He stated that he had eliminated a part of the U.S. tax code preventing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, such as churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Trump expressed his belief that religious leaders should be able to speak freely on political matters, implying that this restriction has been lifted.
Read More
At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump voiced his belief that he should likely make it into heaven, citing the good he has done for religion. He lamented that past jokes about his heavenly prospects were misconstrued by the media, specifically referencing a New York Times story. Trump also admitted to attending the event because he “needs all the help he can get,” a sentiment echoed by his previous statements about seeking entry into heaven as motivation for ending the war in Ukraine.
Read More
The White House has not ruled out the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents being present at polling stations during the upcoming midterm elections, a move suggested by former strategist Steve Bannon to potentially suppress Democratic turnout. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that she could offer “no guarantee” that ICE personnel would not be stationed at voting sites, while also claiming she had not heard the President consider such a plan. This follows recent actions, including an FBI search of Georgia election facilities accompanied by the Director of National Intelligence, which has raised concerns among Democrats and legal experts. President Trump himself continues to assert he won the 2020 election despite multiple recounts confirming his loss, and has called for Republicans to take control of elections in certain jurisdictions.
Read More
The article details significant job losses across various sectors, with ending contracts, market conditions, restructuring, and closures accounting for the vast majority of layoffs. While artificial intelligence contributed to some job cuts, tariffs played a minimal role. This surge in job losses was not offset by job creation, which reached its weakest point in three months, primarily driven by healthcare gains and following the slowest annual growth in two decades. The rise in unemployment claims further indicates a struggling labor market, contradicting claims of economic prosperity.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker
White House Cannot Guarantee ICE Will Not Patrol Polling Locations
The White House has not ruled out the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents being present at polling stations during the upcoming midterm elections, a move suggested by former strategist Steve Bannon to potentially suppress Democratic turnout. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that she could offer “no guarantee” that ICE personnel would not be stationed at voting sites, while also claiming she had not heard the President consider such a plan. This follows recent actions, including an FBI search of Georgia election facilities accompanied by the Director of National Intelligence, which has raised concerns among Democrats and legal experts. President Trump himself continues to assert he won the 2020 election despite multiple recounts confirming his loss, and has called for Republicans to take control of elections in certain jurisdictions.
Read More