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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Vice President J.D. Vance faced criticism for minimizing the impact of Medicaid cuts in a Senate budget bill, dismissing them as “minutiae.” He defended the bill, emphasizing its increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its role in addressing illegal immigration. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could lead to over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, potentially resulting in millions losing coverage. Critics, including congressional Democrats, condemned Vance’s remarks, highlighting the potential negative consequences for healthcare access and arguing against the prioritization of ICE funding over other critical programs.
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Following the Senate’s passage of President Trump’s bill, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the bill, specifically citing Senator JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote as a betrayal of working families, while also highlighting concerns of Medicaid cuts. The bill, which adds to the national debt according to the Congressional Budget Office, faced opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, with Lisa Murkowski ultimately supporting the bill after negotiations. Despite these concerns, House Majority Leader Mike Johnson aims to pass the bill in the House before Trump’s July 4 deadline.
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Senator Bernie Sanders sharply criticized the Republican budget reconciliation package on the Senate floor, deeming it “the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country” due to its severe cuts to Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other vital programs. He warned of deadly consequences, citing a study projecting over 50,000 preventable deaths annually resulting from healthcare cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the package would slash Medicaid by over $1 trillion and remove health insurance for nearly 12 million Americans, all to provide tax breaks for the wealthy. Sanders intends to propose amendments to lower prescription drug costs, eliminate an estate tax break, and remove $150 billion for the Pentagon.
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Karoline Leavitt, the current White House Press Secretary, has become a target of intense criticism, particularly among progressive women. Critics often mock her perceived smugness, performative outrage, and fashion choices. Leavitt is accused of playing a role designed to provoke liberals and cater to the MAGA base, understanding her primary function is to troll. She uses this tactic by delivering nonsensical statements with conviction, particularly when avoiding definitive stances on controversial topics. While this behavior may appeal to some, it ultimately projects a negative image, making her a source of embarrassment and potentially deterring others from aligning with the same political ideology.
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Following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received praise for not leaking the plans, a standard Democrats quickly mocked. Critics like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ridiculed the praise, comparing it to celebrating basic competence. The strikes, described as an “overwhelming success” by Hegseth, have drawn threats of retaliation from Iran, with UN officials reporting significant damage. This conflict, escalating after Israeli strikes earlier in the month, has led to calls for impeachment.
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Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” monologue heavily criticized Senator Mike Lee’s insensitive X posts regarding the Minnesota shooting deaths. Stewart highlighted Lee’s glib commentary, including a “Nightmare on Waltz Street” reference, juxtaposing it with the senator’s past dismissive behavior towards 9/11 first responders. The comedian questioned Lee’s prioritization of partisan political points over the tragic loss of life, drawing a sharp contrast between the resources dedicated to immigration enforcement and the lack of attention to domestic gun violence. Other commentators, including Pat Bagley and David Simon, also condemned Lee’s remarks. Lee subsequently deleted some, but not all, of the controversial posts and has yet to issue an apology.
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Internet trolls mocked Donald Trump’s military parade by contrasting its comparatively small turnout and less synchronized marching with the impressive displays of other nations, including North Korea, Mexico, and India. Social media posts highlighted the stark differences in scale, crowd enthusiasm, and marching precision, emphasizing the perceived failure of Trump’s highly-expensive event. The contrasting images fueled criticism of the parade, described by some as a “vulgar display” and a stark contrast to massive simultaneous No Kings protests across the US. This incident follows Trump’s past admiration for other countries’ military parades and his prior pronouncements about showcasing American military might.
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Senator Rand Paul, the first Republican senator to publicly oppose President Trump’s planned military parade, criticized the estimated $45 million cost and compared the event’s imagery to authoritarian regimes like North Korea. Fellow Republican senators, including John Kennedy, Roger Wicker, and Susan Collins, also expressed concerns about the parade’s expense, though less vehemently than Paul. The parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, will feature thousands of troops and various military equipment, potentially necessitating costly street repairs afterwards. Despite these criticisms, President Trump defended the parade’s cost as minimal compared to its value.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer’s editorial board criticizes Senator John Fetterman for neglecting his senatorial duties, citing excessive missed votes, skipped hearings, and avoidance of constituent interaction. The board contends Fetterman’s justifications, including prioritizing family time and dismissing procedural votes as “performative,” are insufficient given his salary and the seriousness of his elected position. This follows previous reports detailing concerns about Fetterman’s health and erratic behavior. The Inquirer demands Fetterman either dedicate himself fully to his responsibilities or resign.
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John Q. Hosedrinker