Former President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, labeling him a “communist lunatic.” Trump declared his intention to prevent Mamdani from “destroying” the city and vowed to intervene, even threatening to arrest him if he attempts to hinder ICE operations. The former president has also indicated he would cut off federal funding if Mamdani were to become mayor and “doesn’t behave himself”. Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted Trump’s characterizations and stated the importance of focusing on wealth redistribution.
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The Trump administration’s freeze on over $6 billion in federal grants for after-school, summer, and other educational programs has sparked concern among schools and day camp providers. This has led to uncertainty regarding funding for programs impacting low-income families, and potentially jeopardizing operations this summer and the upcoming school year. Without these funds, many districts may not be able to provide affordable childcare and critical educational support, including programs for English language learners. The potential loss of these programs, which are crucial for both students and working families, is a significant concern, especially for rural areas.
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Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and New York City mayoral candidate, condemned President Trump’s threat to arrest him for vowing to resist ICE raids, calling it an attack on democracy. Trump, who has previously labeled Mamdani a “Communist lunatic,” made the threat during a press briefing, falsely implying Mamdani was in the country illegally. Mamdani, a naturalized citizen, responded by stating that Trump’s remarks were an attempt to intimidate those who defy ICE. This incident highlights the controversy surrounding the Trump Administration’s mass-deportation policies and echoes similar confrontations between local officials and federal agents in other cities.
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The House of Representatives is now considering President Trump’s megabill after the Senate narrowly passed it. Speaker Mike Johnson faces challenges securing passage in the House, as several Republicans have voiced opposition to the Senate-approved version. The final Senate vote was 51-50, highlighting the bill’s contentious nature. With some House Republicans already signaling their intention to vote against the measure, Johnson will need to carefully manage the vote to ensure the bill’s passage.
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Recent reports highlight Donald Trump’s tendency to interrupt Oval Office meetings to make phone calls to individuals such as Dana White and Rupert Murdoch. These calls, often unrelated to the meeting’s subject, have included discussions on geopolitical matters, like the conflict between Israel and Iran. The president’s phone habits, which some describe as a chaotic and unconventional approach to governing, have also raised concerns about potential security lapses and a disregard for the structured flow of White House business, mirroring behaviors observed throughout his presidency. This is exemplified by the fact that he readily answers calls from unknown numbers and keeps meetings running long.
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The Senate recently approved President Trump’s budget, slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. Vice President JD Vance, in a series of tweets, minimized the Medicaid cuts while highlighting the bill’s increased funding for ICE and migrant detention. This strategic shift aims to distract voters from the wealth redistribution by focusing on immigration enforcement. Advocacy groups like Fair Share America are organizing against the bill, with voters expressing anger and concern over the potential impacts on social safety nets.
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Following a failed assassination attempt, President Trump requested a CT scan, believing it would provide a measure of his brain function similar to an IQ test. He insisted on seeing the scan’s “film” and relived the shooting, relishing the attention and sympathy. The incident marked a turning point in his campaign, garnering support from former adversaries like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, who ultimately funded the rest of his campaign. Trump also received well wishes from Joe Biden and even forged an alliance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the aftermath.
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The Trump administration has established a new concentration camp in the Florida Everglades, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” and is selling branded merchandise related to the facility. Officials are openly touring the camp and discussing plans to expand it into a nationwide “system,” signaling a deliberate attempt to normalize and even commercialize human rights violations. The government is spending vast sums of money on the camp, diverting resources from emergency aid and other essential services. This represents a disturbing trend of American fascism, where the suffering of others is turned into a consumer product.
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Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit over edits to a “60 Minutes” interview, allocating the funds to his future presidential library. The settlement avoided a potentially costly legal battle, though it prompted criticism from First Amendment experts. This deal was seen as a way to facilitate Paramount’s sale to Skydance Media, a deal that still requires FCC approval. As part of the agreement, “60 Minutes” will release interview transcripts with presidential candidates after airing, with redactions for legal or national security.
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In a close 51-50 vote, Donald Trump’s controversial bill narrowly passed the Senate, largely due to the support of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. Republicans included provisions benefiting Alaska to secure her vote, but a last-minute change impacted the Medicaid funding that Murkowski was hoping to gain. Despite her reservations about the bill’s readiness, she voted in favor, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on her state. As a result of her vote, Murkowski secured a tax break for Alaskan fishing villages and whaling captains along with an exemption that would apply to 10 states with the highest payment error rates, including Alaska.
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John Q. Hosedrinker