ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump for $16 million. The settlement resolves a suit stemming from George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate reporting on E. Jean Carroll’s civil case against Trump. ABC issued a public apology and will pay $15 million as a “charitable contribution” to Trump’s presidential library, along with $1 million in legal fees. The settlement avoided depositions for both Trump and Stephanopoulos. The payment represents only a small portion of the library’s projected overall costs.
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As Senator Romney departs, he acknowledges the Republican Party’s transformation under Donald Trump’s influence, noting the dwindling number of “mainstream” Republicans. While he supported many of Trump’s policies, Romney cited character concerns as points of conflict, including Trump’s past legal battles and rhetoric. Despite this, Romney doesn’t anticipate retribution from Trump, believing a successful presidency will solidify a future for the party shaped by figures like J.D. Vance. Romney concludes his political career, emphasizing his legislative accomplishments and expressing a desire to pursue post-political endeavors.
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Donald Trump’s campaign centered on a promise to curb inflation, a pledge he acknowledged as crucial to his victory. However, he is now expressing uncertainty about the feasibility of that pledge. This shift, discussed by NYT columnist Michelle Goldberg and More Perfect Union’s Faiz Shakir, reveals a potential disconnect between Trump’s campaign promises and his true economic priorities. Analysis of his post-election statements suggests a reconsideration of his initial commitment to tackling inflation.
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This list encompasses a comprehensive array of countries and territories worldwide. The included entities range from sovereign nations like the United States and China to smaller territories and dependencies. The geographic scope is global, spanning all continents. The list’s purpose is to provide a complete enumeration of recognized political entities.
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Democratic Representatives Markey and Lieu urged President Biden to curtail the president’s sole authority to launch nuclear weapons, citing concerns about the potential for unilateral action by a future president. Their letter emphasizes the inherent danger of this unchecked power, particularly given Donald Trump’s past rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons. The lawmakers proposed requiring Congressional authorization for any nuclear first strike, reserving unilateral presidential response only to an existing nuclear attack. This policy change, they argued, would be a significant part of Biden’s legacy.
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Despite initially dismissing the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 as “ridiculous and abysmal,” President-elect Trump later acknowledged some of its proposals as “very conservative and very good.” He maintains he had no involvement in the project and disapproved of its pre-election release, yet several key Project 2025 architects have been nominated for positions in his administration. This raises questions about the extent of the project’s influence on his second term, with critics arguing a direct connection and supporters downplaying its role. Trump’s ultimate agenda, however, remains focused on his campaign promises and loyal appointees.
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FBI Director Christopher Wray resigned three years before the end of his term, succumbing to pressure from President Trump. This decision, despite Wray’s prior commitment to impartiality, allows Trump to avoid a public confrontation over his potential firing of Wray and the subsequent appointment of a loyalist. Wray’s resignation is viewed as a normalization of Trump’s governing style and a setback for the FBI’s nonpartisan reputation. This action joins a pattern of conservatives prioritizing loyalty to Trump over adherence to constitutional principles. The departure further erodes the rule of law, setting a concerning precedent for future administrations.
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Elon Musk and Donald Trump, along with other influential billionaires and right-wing think tanks, are advocating for drastic cuts to federal agencies supporting vulnerable Americans, including the homeless. They falsely characterize homelessness as a conspiracy perpetuated by NGOs to enrich themselves, ignoring the systemic issues like lack of affordable housing and rising living costs that drive homelessness. This stance is leading to increased criminalization of homelessness through legislation and court decisions, despite a record-high number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the U.S. Experts argue that such actions are not only inhumane but also ineffective, advocating instead for evidence-based solutions and increased resources.
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Missouri Representative Michael Davis introduced the “Donald J. Trump Election Qualification Act,” which would overturn a 2015 law barring felons from holding public office. Inspired by President-elect Trump’s felony conviction, the bill would permit those with felony records to run for office if otherwise eligible. Davis argues this promotes civic reintegration after sentence completion. The legislation directly addresses the apparent contradiction of Trump’s presidential eligibility despite his felony conviction.
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The free press faces unprecedented challenges, with many news organizations succumbing to political influence. HuffPost, however, remains committed to unbiased reporting and refuses to compromise its journalistic integrity. Continued operation depends on reader support, urging contributions to maintain free access to news. Even those unable to donate are encouraged to create a free account to aid in sustaining HuffPost’s mission.
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John Q. Hosedrinker