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CNN torn apart for claiming outrage over Trump’s attack on its reporter

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CNN took a beating online this week, as various commentators called out the network for its participation in the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) after reports emerged that its "leadership was furious" over comments President Donald Trump made attacking its journalists.The latest WHCD took place on Friday evening, having been delayed when a gunman attempted to carry out a shooting at the previously scheduled event. CNN had a notable presence at the dinner, with anchor Wolf Blitzer presenting an award to Wall Street Journal reporters who uncovered new ties between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Trump also took aim at anchor Kaitlin Collins during his address that night, comparing her appearance to that of Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer who has been the target of considerable right-wing outrage, with the remark being criticized as both misogynistic and transphobic.On Monday, Semafor released a new report noting that CNN staffers were "livid" about Trump's attack on Collins, with some leaders at the company reportedly considering "scaling back" its involvement in next year's dinner or "skipping it altogether." The outlet had previously committed to attending the event to celebrate the work of its reporters and to avoid seeming like they were making a political statement by opting not to attend.Given CNN's participation in the event, and the hand it had in boosting its profile this year, several prominent users across social media raked the network over the coals in response to the report, suggesting that they should not have attended it at all, as well as for their extensive coverage of Trump overall."They ought to be furious at themselves for sustaining the dinner with their attendance," journalist John Harwood wrote in a post to X.Responding to Harwood's post, Canadian journalist Annie Dufour shared her own reaction to the WHCD from Friday."From Canada, this was painful to watch as a journalist," she posted. "American Media has fallen short of its role as a pillar of democracy. Complacent. Coy. Accommodating. A Vichy Press, almost. When it should have been unyielding, brave, and bold. You reap what you sow.""They should scale back their coverage of the lunatic president who spewed all of this hate at Kaitlan and CNN. And journalism as a whole," journalist Sophia A. Nelson posted."They were also shocked to discover that gambling is going on at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca," journalist Brian Lowery posted, referencing a scene from a classic film to suggest that Trump's diatribe should have been an obvious outcome.they ought to be furious at themselves for sustaining the dinner with their attendance https://t.co/9NRpqDU7gw— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) July 27, 2026

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FIFA boss summoned to testify about Trump ties in aftermath of World Cup

Raw Story

21 minutes ago

FIFA boss summoned to testify about Trump ties in aftermath of World Cup

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has formally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to appear before the committee, escalating scrutiny of FIFA's relationship with President Donald Trump in the aftermath of this summer's men's World Cup.In a letter sent Sunday night, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) asked FIFA to turn over records of anything of value given to Trump, his administration, or the Trump Organization, along with visitor logs from FIFA's Miami and New York offices and preserved communications — including messages sent on platforms like Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp — between FIFA staff and anyone connected to the Trump administration or transition, reported The Athletic.FIFA created a new "Peace Prize" awarded to the president, took office space in Trump Tower and relocated the World Cup draw from Las Vegas to the Kennedy Center in Washington after Trump allies took over the venue.Scrutiny intensified during the tournament when Trump personally called Infantino to request a review of U.S. player Folarin Balogun's suspension, which FIFA then reversed — a decision the organization maintains was made independently.Raskin's letter also questions the Justice Department's decision to drop long-running corruption cases tied to international soccer, suggesting the timing raises questions about whether FIFA's outreach to Trump influenced the outcome.Additionally, the letter revives concerns about FIFA's World Cup ticketing practices, which are already under investigation by attorneys general in several states over pricing that reportedly reached tens of thousands of dollars for finals tickets — far above the tournament's original promised cap.A White House spokesperson dismissed the inquiry, defending the administration's role in the World Cup as a major success for the country.Because Democrats remain in the House minority, Raskin cannot compel Infantino's testimony. But the letter signals the kind of oversight FIFA could face if Democrats retake the chamber in November, when Raskin could gain subpoena power as committee chairman.The pressure adds to mounting criticism of Infantino abroad, with dozens of European lawmakers and soccer bodies — including UEFA and Norway's football federation — raising concerns about FIFA's political neutrality following the Balogun controversy and the Trump Peace Prize.

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'Setting students up': Outrage as Trump's economy ups cost of school supplies

Raw Story

58 minutes ago

'Setting students up': Outrage as Trump's economy ups cost of school supplies

Even as President Donald Trump continues dismissing Americans’ concerns about affordability heading into the 2026 midterm elections, a study released on Monday reveals that US parents are about to pay a hefty premium to ensure their children are prepared for school this fall.A joint analysis from Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation finds that a typical basket of school supplies costs nearly 8% more than it did last year, with typical school lunch items costing 11% more.Lunch boxes have posted the largest yearly price increase, as the analysis estimates they will cost nearly 27% more this year than in 2025. Other items whose prices have soared include one-subject notebooks (23% yearly increase), index cards (22%), and notebook paper (20%).Trump’s illegal war with Iran, which has caused fuel prices including diesel to surge higher, has played a large role in increasing prices, as have his tariffs on foreign imports, the report notes.The increase in diesel has been particularly troublesome for the price of food, the analysis points out, as the fuel is used both by farmers to power their agricultural equipment and by delivery trucks that ship food to grocery stores.When it comes to the tariffs, the report points to Newell Brands—the company that makes Sharpies, Paper Mate, Elmer’s glue, and other school supply staples—which has been hit with a $174 million tax bill thanks to Trump’s policies and has consistently raised prices over the last year.The report also points to changes made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made in Republicans’ 2025 budget law that will make it harder for low-income kids to qualify for food assistance this school year.Lindsay Owens, president of Groundwork Collaborative, said Trump’s policies are forcing parents “to worry about whether they can afford to buy what their students need to be successful in the classroom.”“If the president continues to treat our economy like a schoolyard game, our students and their families will pay the price,” said Owens. “When report cards come this year, Americans will give Trump an F.”Janelle Jones, senior fellow at The Century Foundation, noted that school supplies aren’t luxuries for families, but rather “the baseline for a kid to show up ready to learn.”“When notebooks and paper are up over 20%,” Jones emphasized, “we’re not just squeezing family budgets, we’re setting students up to fall behind. We know where this leads: lower test scores, more kids repeating grades, and worse outcomes well into adulthood.”

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Trump to meet Zelensky at White House, as MAGA voices shift on Ukraine

Axios

1 hour ago

Trump to meet Zelensky at White House, as MAGA voices shift on Ukraine

President Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed to Axios.The big picture: The visit gives Zelensky a chance to shore up support in Washington after the death of one of Ukraine's congressional champions.It also comes as Russia intensifies its missile campaign.Trump and Zelensky last met earlier this month at the NATO summit in Turkey, where they discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and diplomatic efforts to end the war.Driving the news: ABC News first reported Saturday that Zelensky would meet Trump this week. A White House official independently confirmed the meeting Sunday to Axios.Zelensky will be in Washington for Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral, ABC reported, citing a Ukrainian official.Graham, one of Ukraine's most forceful supporters in Congress, met Zelensky in Kyiv shortly before his death.The intrigue: The visit also comes amid a sudden and surprise shift by two prominent MAGA voices in favor of Kyiv.Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and close Trump ally, met Zelensky in Kyiv last week after years of minimizing Russia's invasion and opposing U.S. support for Ukraine.Loomer said she had been "bamboozled by Russian propaganda." Trump shared her interview with Zelensky on Truth Social, writing, "Very good!!!"What to watch: Russia has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles, striking Kyiv again Sunday.Ukraine, meanwhile, has intensified long-range drone attacks against Russian targets.

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Netanyahu to join Trump for high-stakes meeting at the White House

NBC News Politics

1 hour ago

Netanyahu to join Trump for high-stakes meeting at the White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral.

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Pro-Trump billionaire's PAC refuses to turn over evidence to court

Alternet.org

1 hour ago

Pro-Trump billionaire's PAC refuses to turn over evidence to court

Lawyers trying to mount a class action lawsuit against Elon Musk and America PAC, a super PAC he funded to support President Donald Trump and other conservatives, say the defendants aren’t cooperating in turning over key documents.“We’re getting the run-around,” said attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who is based in Massachusetts. “We’ve been delayed in getting discovery.”The cases against Musk and America PAC stem from a promise to pay $47 for every successful referral of a registered swing state voter to sign a petition in favor of “free speech and the right to bear arms.” The amount was later raised to $100 per signature.“Easy money,” Musk posted on the social media site X, which he owns, in October 2024.One proposed class action case was brought by an anonymous plaintiff who says, while working as an hourly canvasser for America PAC, he was encouraged to refer people to sign the petition for additional pay. The plaintiff, listed as John Doe, says he’s owed more than $20,000 and is aware of others in similar situations.Another case was brought by Lancaster man Anthony Maglietta and two other swing state voters who say they were never paid for signing the petition or referring others.Liss-Riordan, the attorney for both cases, is trying to get them approved as a class action. They’re moving forward together in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.She says she’s heard from dozens of people who could qualify if the court allows it.“These are generally people who are followers of Elon Musk, and believed in what he was doing and are aligned politically with a goal here,” she told the Capital-Star. “The fact that they weren’t even paid what they were told they would be paid — I don’t know if it’s surprising or not, but it’s very disappointing.”The Capital-Star reached out to lawyers for Musk and America PAC, an email associated with Musk’s family office, and a public relations firm that employs a spokesperson for America PAC. None responded.America PAC’s website says, “America PAC has already mailed the overwhelming majority of checks owed to eligible referrers and petition signers. If you haven’t received payment yet, that does not necessarily mean you won’t … We continue to review and process outstanding payments that have been flagged for mismatched information or require additional action.”Musk is reported to have spent around $290 million helping Trump and Republicans get elected in 2024, making him the largest single political donor of the election cycle. Following the election, he was made a special government employee by the Trump administration, serving as the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).“Going in circles”In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone, Liss-Riordan explained that her clients requested documents from the defendants in December 2025, part of the discovery process.She said her team was told by America PAC that they did not have the documents, and should seek them from third-party vendors they’d contracted. But when they went to those vendors, they were told that America PAC had them.“Plaintiffs are frustrated that they have been going in circles to obtain the discovery that is essential to their case – with Defendants claiming the vendors have the documents and the vendors claiming Defendants have the documents – and neither agreeing to produce them,” Liss-Riordan wrote.Moreover, she alleges that some of the vendors may not be as independent as they seem. She says, for example, United States of America Inc. and Group America, LLC were established by Musk. And other vendors she sought documents from had principal members who were also high-ups at America PAC.A conference has been set up between Eastern District Judge Wendy Beetlestone and lawyers for both parties on Tuesday, but it will not be streamed to the public.Both parties have requested an extension of the deadline to certify a class action case from July 31 to November 30. It would mark the third such extension.According to Liss-Riordan, class certification can’t be done until more documents are turned over in discovery.Musk and America PAC are also being sued in a Texas U.S. District Court over an alleged $1 million giveaway to swing state voters who signed a petition to support the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiffs allege that Musk and America PAC misled voters into thinking winners would be chosen randomly, but were actually predetermined.The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission also agreed in a 5-1 vote in July to refer two complaints against Musk to the Brown County district attorney’s office, finding probable cause that he violated the state’s election bribery statute with another million dollar giveaway during the state’s 2025 state supreme court election.

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John Cornyn teases revolt against Trump after primary betrayal

Raw Story

2 hours ago

John Cornyn teases revolt against Trump after primary betrayal

Outgoing Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), defeated in May's GOP primary by a Trump-endorsed opponent, is leveraging his "newfound political freedom."Punchbowl News reported Monday that Cornyn aims to extract concessions from the White House or obstruct its agenda. Cornyn's primary target is shuttering the Trump administration's $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund, which provides payouts to those claiming unfair targeting by former President Joe Biden's Justice Department. Cornyn suggested Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation could be jeopardized unless the White House capitulates on the fund."If they want to get [Blanche] out of the committee, I think they realize they need to talk to us," Cornyn said. Already freed from primary threats, Cornyn previously leveraged ambassador nominees to secure international AIDS relief funding commitments. He promised, "You ain't seen nothing yet," according to Punchbowl News. Cornyn joins growing GOP "apostates," or ousted lawmakers with nothing to lose by opposing Trump, according to The Washington Post's Karen Tumulty. Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.

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Key Republican hits back at Trump's 'act of futility' over Senate schedule: 'Bad approach'

Raw Story

2 hours ago

Key Republican hits back at Trump's 'act of futility' over Senate schedule: 'Bad approach'

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) slammed President Donald Trump's demand for the Senate not to take a recess until the SAVE America Act is passed.On Monday, the senator, who was recently ousted from the Texas Republican primary runoff following Trump's endorsement of his opponent, Ken Paxton, called this whole plan an "act of futility," NOTUS' Igor Bobic reported.“Unfortunately, with the assistance of some senators, he's raising expectations among Republican voters," said Cornyn. "They're bound to end up being disappointed, which strikes me as a bad approach 99 days before the midterms.”Trump has been obsessed with passing the SAVE America Act for months. The legislation would impose draconian nationwide restrictions on voting rights, including proof-of-citizenship and voter ID requirements so strict that even REAL ID driver's licenses wouldn't be acceptable in most states.The passage of the bill was a significant flash point in the Texas Senate primary, even though both Cornyn and Paxton supported the legislation; Paxton vowed to drop out of the race if Congress passed the legislation before the date it was held, as a ploy to pin its failure to pass on Cornyn as the incumbent.Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), for his part, has also poured cold water on the scheme to hold back the Senate from recess, reminding Trump and the general public that the votes just aren't there to change Senate rules to stop a Democratic filibuster.

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Kash Patel personally put The Atlantic 'on notice' over drinking claims: court docs

Raw Story

2 hours ago

Kash Patel personally put The Atlantic 'on notice' over drinking claims: court docs

FBI Director Kash Patel was behind threats made to stop claims about his drinking habits from becoming public, newly released documents reveal.Attorney Jesse Binnall sent a letter to The Atlantic hours before it published the story on April 17, 2026, demanding the outlet not publish. The Atlantic published anyway. Three days later, Patel filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking $250 million. The threats emerged in court documents filed July 27.Among the demands in the letter was an ultimatum."Accordingly, should The Atlantic choose to publish this demonstrably false and defamatory article, Director Patel will have no choice but to take swift legal action to uphold his reputation," Binnall wrote."With this letter, you are also on notice of your ongoing obligations to preserve documents related to Director Patel," the letter said, also accusing The Atlantic of running "an ongoing campaign to damage his reputation."The story Patel wanted to kill reported that he was known to "drink to the point of obvious intoxication" at private clubs in Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas.The Atlantic reported that sources said his drinking had "negatively impacted various law-enforcement investigations" — including the murder of Charlie Kirk — and that his "drinking has been a recurring source of concern across the government."The documents show that behind the scenes, the Trump administration was scrambling to contain the damage.Sarah Fitzpatrick, who reported the story, had already heard from FBI assistant director Ben Williamson on publication day that the story was "…one of the most absurd things I've ever read.""He has accomplished more in 14 months than the previous administration did in four years," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a statement to The Atlantic. "Anonymously sourced hit pieces do not constitute journalism." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Patel "remains a critical player on the Administration's law and order team" — also without refuting a single claim.In court documents filed July 27, The Atlantic argued the complaint "does not allege a single fact showing that any statement in the Article is false" and called several claims "substantially true" — backed by congressional testimony, public lawsuits by fired FBI agents, and oversight letters from Democratic lawmakers.The Atlantic's attorneys noted the suit is Patel's fifth defamation action against media outlets, all of which have been dismissed or dropped.His previous suit — against an MS NOW contributor who said Patel spent more time at nightclubs than at FBI headquarters — was dismissed the day after Patel filed this one.

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CNN torn apart for claiming outrage over Trump’s attack on its reporter

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CNN torn apart for claiming outrage over Trump’s attack on its reporter

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