On Monday, Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, stemming from a 60 Minutes interview dispute. Colbert expressed offense, suggesting the settlement was a “Big Fat Bribe” aimed at securing approval from the Trump administration for Paramount’s sale to Skydance. He highlighted concerns that the merger could jeopardize the future of his show and The Daily Show, citing reports that suggest Skydance’s desire to appease Trump could pressure late-night hosts critical of him. While acknowledging Paramount’s lack of apology, Colbert ultimately viewed the settlement as a move motivated by financial interests.
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During a recent call, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly suggested to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if provided with necessary weapons. According to sources cited by the Financial Times and The Washington Post, Trump aimed to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and force peace negotiations. This shift in strategy comes as Trump’s frustration with Putin grows, and he hardens his stance against Russia, seeking to broker peace amidst the ongoing war. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Russian foreign ministry for comment.
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned Russia’s obstruction of Ukraine peace talks, highlighting the unexpected presence of a historian who presented a lecture on Russian history dating back to 1250. Rutte shared this during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump, who recalled US involvement in launching the negotiations in Istanbul and lamented the ongoing lack of progress. Trump also emphasized the significant casualties on both sides, mentioning a high number of Russian soldiers killed since January.
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The article discusses the shift in the MAGA media ecosystem’s focus following Donald Trump’s directive to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case. After Trump’s call to “let it go,” key ally Charlie Kirk announced he would cease discussing Epstein. This decision came after Kirk and other MAGA figures criticized the White House’s handling of the Epstein case, particularly Attorney General Pam Bondi’s findings. Despite initial criticism and calls for action, Trump’s support for Bondi and his plea to his base to drop the issue led to a noticeable change in media coverage, with some outlets seemingly following the president’s lead.
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Amidst the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein “no client list” memo, Fox News and its flagship morning program, *Fox & Friends*, seemingly heeded Donald Trump’s call to avoid the topic. Despite the weekend version of *Fox & Friends* warning Trump about sweeping the Epstein story aside, the Monday morning show ignored the issue, opting instead to focus on other less controversial news. This decision was a marked contrast to other news outlets, such as MSNBC’s *Morning Joe*, which extensively covered the story. Some within the MAGA media universe are also questioning whether the investigation into Comey and Brennan is a deliberate distraction from the Epstein case.
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Newsweek’s analysis of Google Trends reveals a 1,900% increase in searches for “Epstein” during the week of July 6, 2025, reaching peak interest on July 13. This surge follows the release of a joint memo from the Department of Justice and FBI concluding Epstein’s death was a suicide, which has fueled significant backlash. Despite President Trump’s attempts to redirect attention, including a post on Truth Social, public interest and mistrust persist, even among some of Trump’s supporters. This growing controversy is causing concern among his top advisors who have warned that his actions may impact his ability to win upcoming elections.
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Former President Barack Obama challenged Democrats to move past their disappointment following the re-election of Donald Trump and to become active in their efforts. He urged them to support pragmatic candidates and focus on actionable change rather than ideological divisions, emphasizing the importance of defending democratic values. Obama’s call to action came at a fundraiser in New Jersey, which raised $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee, supporting upcoming governor’s races and the party’s broader efforts. He encouraged Democrats to stand up for their beliefs and to embrace discomfort in the fight for what is right, ultimately aiming to rebuild momentum and move the country in the desired direction.
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In a recent announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States would impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia within 50 days if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not reached. These “secondary tariffs,” potentially set at 100%, would target Russia’s trading partners, aiming to isolate Moscow from the global economy. Trump also stated that the U.S. would provide military aid to Ukraine, but the financial burden would be shouldered by NATO members. This marks a potential shift in Western sanctions policy, coinciding with discussions of peace and weapons production, while Trump also expressed disappointment with President Putin’s actions.
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In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump revealed that he was given the Club World Cup trophy by FIFA officials and that it currently resides in the Oval Office. Before the final match, Trump stated that FIFA decided to let him keep the original trophy, commissioning a new one for the champions, Chelsea. This meant Chelsea lifted a replica trophy despite their win over Paris Saint-Germain. Furthermore, Trump joked about potentially issuing an executive order to change the name of “soccer” to “football.”
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In an attempt to shift focus from the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump has been touting his recent golf victories, including a win at his Bedminster club. This comes despite continued criticism from MAGA figures regarding Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein case and Trump’s perceived defense of her. Despite Trump’s efforts to redirect attention, many supporters remain fixated on the Epstein saga, fueled by theories and a perceived cover-up. This has led to a rift within the MAGA base and further complicates Trump’s efforts to control the narrative.
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John Q. Hosedrinker