02 U.S. Politics

Meet The Republicans Who Sided With Anthony Fauci To Shut Down The Country– dailycaller.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Meet The Republicans Who Sided With Anthony Fauci To Shut Down The Country– dailycaller.com
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EXCERPT:

Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul released Dr. Anthony Fauci’s personal diary Sunday, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the first Trump administration officials who aligned with Fauci as the country shut down during COVID-19.

The diary entries portray an administration divided over lockdowns, school closures and messaging, with several Republican officials backing the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director’s efforts to maintain sweeping public health restrictions while sidelining dissenting voices. (RELATED: Fauci’s Own Diary Undercuts His Public Dismissal Of COVID Lab Leak)

One of the officials who backed the public health bureaucrat was Hope Hicks, a counselor to the president and former White House communications director, whom Fauci described as “very nice” after their first meeting in March 2020.

Fauci soon wrote that Hicks appeared to view him as a “future ally” after seeming uncomfortable with Trump’s desire for the COVID-19 team to hold two press briefings a day to boost morale and the economy through public transparency.

FIFA President Under Investigation For Bribing Trump– www.politicususa.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

FIFA President Under Investigation For Bribing Trump– www.politicususa.com
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EXCERPT:

FIFA and corruption go together like peanut butter and jelly. You don’t have to be a fan of soccer to be aware of the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal that involved top officials taking $150 million in bribes to influence the awarding of the World Cup.

FIFA has earned a reputation as one of the most corrupt organizations on earth, which is why it was no surprise that Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were thick as thieves.

PoliticusUSA is 100% independent with no political party or corporate influence. Support us by becoming a subscriber.

Trump magically made the FIFA convictions disappear, and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin has launched a corruption investigation.

Raskin wrote to Infantino and laid out what looks like a bribery scheme:

DOJ’s puzzling capitulation makes a lot more sense when we reflect on FIFA’s brazen campaign to curry favor with Donald Trump since his re-election—a campaign that has now paid rich dividends for FIFA just as North America hosted its first joint World Cup. Over the past 18 months, you invented a hilariously fake “FIFA Peace Prize” to award to President Trump, who has made no secret of the fact that he covets the Nobel Peace Prize. You leased an office space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower—a space that might retail for $600,000 a year—even though it; would only be used during the 39-day period of the World Cup. That comes to more than $15,000 a day.

These actions appear designed to induce President Trump and his Administration to make decisions in FIFA’s favor. Even your predecessor, Sepp Blatter (himself suspended from world soccer in the wake of the bribery scandal) noted that your “yearslong campaign to curry favor” was aimed at influencing the President, wryly noting that “Infantino thinks he’s the leader in the relationship.” This strategy of outright bribery is not new to your organization.

Trump Admin’s Deportation Data Chief Is Out, Celebrates Escape From ‘War On Immigrants’– dailycaller.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Trump Admin’s Deportation Data Chief Is Out, Celebrates Escape From ‘War On Immigrants’– dailycaller.com
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EXCERPT:

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) now-former data chief announced Saturday that he was “thrilled to end my relationship with the current administration.”

Marc Rosenblum, the former executive director of the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, announced his departure from his office in a LinkedIn post, after having worked for the department since 2016. (RELATED: DHS Reportedly Spent Congressional Funds Meant To Counter China On America250, FIFA World Cup)

“It’s been an honor to serve the public by improving DHS data quality and supporting evidence-based policymaking,” Rosenblum said. “I’m sad to suspend my career in public service and leave my amazing team.”

Rosenblum, however, seemed anything but sad to be leaving this particular administration.

“Between the war on immigrants, the war on feds, and the war on facts (not to mention the crazy war in Iran and the brazen corruption), I just need a change,” Rosenblum wrote.

According to its official website, the office’s mission is to “publish timely and authoritative immigration and homeland security statistics” on topics ranging from immigration and emergency management to cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.

DHS declined to say whether Rosenblum had been fired or chose to resign when reached for comment by the Daily Caller.

“People are always welcome to their opinion — that doesn’t make it right or factual,” a DHS spokesperson told the Daily Caller. “We will not comment on personal decisions.”

Netanyahu heads to US for first Trump meeting since Iran war– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Netanyahu heads to US for first Trump meeting since Iran war– www.channelnewsasia.com
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EXCERPT:

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday (Jul 28) for the first time since the start of the Iran war, over which they have publicly disagreed.

Relations between Netanyahu and Trump have occasionally appeared strained in recent months, but both have sought to tone things down.

Tuesday’s meeting is expected to be dominated by the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, as Washington says it wants to give negotiations a chance.

Israel has not taken part in the latest round of hostilities between the United States and Iran, which flared earlier this month after an April ceasefire collapsed.

Tuesday’s meeting will be the eighth between the leaders since Trump’s return to office last year, as well as their first in-person talks since the war began.

“This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility,” Netanyahu said before departing Israel on Monday.

Cornyn says there's no deal on Blanche AG nomination: 'They know what they have to do'– thehill.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Cornyn says there’s no deal on Blanche AG nomination: ‘They know what they have to do’– thehill.com
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EXCERPT:

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Tuesday said there is still not a deal with the Trump administration that would pave the way for him to vote for Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general, which could result in Blanche getting stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Fake news alert: there is no ‘deal’ on…

Fauci Diary Proves Jake Tapper Was Never A Real Journalist– thefederalist.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Fauci Diary Proves Jake Tapper Was Never A Real Journalist– thefederalist.com
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EXCERPT:

Dr. Anthony Fauci, architect of the coronavirus lockdowns, was behind attempts to discredit Trump administration officials during the pandemic, feeding questions to CNN propagandist Jake Tapper, according to Fauci’s newly released diary.

In a July 26, 2020, entry, Fauci wrote of then-Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir that Giroir was “on Tapper (State of the Union) talking bullsh-t about testing with Jake pressing him. I gave Jake some questions to ask him.”

Tapper and Fauci apparently became close friends, having dinners together at each others’ homes, something Fauci referred to as “friendship building.” While Fauci was able yuck it up with the D.C. elite, he pushed policies that would not allow family to be with their dying loved ones during their last moments alive.

The two would text each other, and on July 26, 2020, Fauci said “Jake Tapper woke me up at 11:23 AM (I went to bed early) furius[sic] at POTUS for tweeting about the fact that Jake severely questioned Brett Giroir on SOTU CNN show day. Jake was really pissed at the craziness of it all.”

GOP triggered by Mamdani making the ultrarich pay up– www.dailykos.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

GOP triggered by Mamdani making the ultrarich pay up– www.dailykos.com
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EXCERPT:

Republicans are lashing out at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he announced the city had taken a significant step forward in securing millions in taxes owed by the city’s ultrawealthy residents.

Mamdani said on Thursday that notices had been sent out informing owners of second homes worth $5 million or more that the pied-à-terre tax put in place by the state’s Democrats is coming soon.

Under current law, the properties are undertaxed, and plans are to apply the money that will be raised to help address New York’s budget deficit.

“The best city in the world deserves the best parks, libraries, and schools in the world. That’s only possible when we all pay our fair share,” Mamdani wrote.

An April estimate from the New York City comptroller analyzed the tax and found that it could provide as much as $510 million annually if fully implemented.

DCCC adds five candidates to 2026 ‘Red to Blue’ midterm program– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

DCCC adds five candidates to 2026 ‘Red to Blue’ midterm program– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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EXCERPT:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added five candidates to its “Red to Blue” program on Tuesday, expanding its list of top recruits as Democrats work to reclaim the House majority in November.

The additions, spanning Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, and Montana, bring the committee’s flagship program to 30 candidates in competitive districts across the country.

“In less than 100 days, Democrats will take back the House majority and it will be powered by our incredible candidates such as the five named to Red to Blue today,” DCCC Chairwoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) said in a statement. “Whether in suburban, rural or redistricted seats, the American people have soured on Republicans’ broken promises and failure to lower costs. Voters are outraged by higher prices on everything and a war of choice spiraling out of control. They are eager for change and new leaders who will fight for them, not be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump.”

The “Red to Blue” program provides Democratic candidates in competitive races with financial support, strategic guidance, and additional campaign resources. Candidates qualify based on factors including fundraising, grassroots engagement, local support, and campaign organization.

Canadians returning from ISIS ‘highly likely’ to pose threat, intelligence report says– globalnews.ca

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Canadians returning from ISIS ‘highly likely’ to pose threat, intelligence report says– globalnews.ca
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EXCERPT:

A group of Canadians detained overseas for allegedly being part of ISIS will “highly likely” pose a threat when they return home, warns an intelligence document obtained by Global News.

The Integrated Threat Assessment Centre report was written in June, after Iraq said it had taken custody of an unspecified number of ISIS members from Canada.

The suspects are liable to contribute to extremism once they returned to Canada, “either directly through an act of violence or indirectly by radicalizing others,” the intelligence report said.

“A potential return of Canadian extremist travellers currently in Iraqi custody would highly likely pose a violent extremist threat to Canada,” it said.

The danger posed by returning ISIS supporters was underscored on Saturday when a 21-year-old attacked Berlin’s Pride festival with a vehicle and knife.

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Confused why 9/11 families are demanding Zohran Mamdani be banned from the memorial” Here’s Dave Portnoy with a LOT of receipts– www.louderwithcrowder.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Confused why 9/11 families are demanding Zohran Mamdani be banned from the memorial” Here’s Dave Portnoy with a LOT of receipts– www.louderwithcrowder.com
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EXCERPT:

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a day that will live in infamy of some people doing something, New York families are demanding that the mayor of New York City not show up at the memorial. Seems odd, considering the city was ground zero for the largest Islamic terrorist attack committed on our country. Then you remember that The Zohran is the mayor, and it makes sense.

If for some reason it doesn’t make sense, Dave Portnoy has provided a list of reasons why, if you were someone affected by 9/11, you would prefer The Zohran stay home and make another TikTok.

Not to sound like an El Pres dickrider. Granted, he is our second greatest living current president. But he’s also the only resemblance of opposition to The Zohran. It’s not like NYC has a GOP to speak of. Dave Portnoy is all we got right now.

The Zohran was asked about the families of 9/11 victims telling him to stay home. He said that, to honor their memories, he’s going to show up anyway.

This was after his press conference on how he intends to put local bodegas out of business (while he and his elitist friends continue to shop at Whole Foods) so that the empty storefronts will make it easier for his allies to seize the properties while the people who voted for him find themselves being dependent on him for food (I’m paraphrasing).

Donald Trump earns more in last two years ‘than previous 60 combined’ | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Donald Trump earns more in last two years ‘than previous 60 combined’ | World | News– www.express.co.uk
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EXCERPT:

Donald Trump’s personal wealth has ballooned, reportedly earning more in the last two years than the previous 60 combined. The US president has seen his net worth go from £1.73 billion in 2024 to £4.81 billion in 2026.

Roughly 26% of Trump’s wealth comes from “pre-existing real estate and golf” ventures. But the overwhelming majority comes from cryptocurrency, with the total going up by a staggering 183% in two years.

Trump launched his “Official Trump” ($TRUMP) meme coin in January 2025, days before his inauguration. It went onto the market with a valuation of £11.26 billion, it is now worth £339 million, a 97% drop.

But this didn’t hurt Trump, who never directly invested in the coin. Instead, he was paid a 1% to 5% transfer fee every time a $TRUMP meme coin was bought or sold.

Steven Ratner, a former Obama staffer and journalist, called the increase “unprecedented in scale and source”. He said: “Obama’s wealth grew from royalties on books written before office — and Bush’s mostly from a sports‑team stake from over a decade prior. Most of Trump’s new billions are from deals made in office.”

Flawed Appellate Decision Upholding an Online Parental-Consent Mandate Merits Reversal | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Flawed Appellate Decision Upholding an Online Parental-Consent Mandate Merits Reversal | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org
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EXCERPT:

A federal appellate court recently rejected First Amendment and vagueness challenges to an Ohio parental-consent statute that limits minors’ access to social media platforms “reasonably anticipated to be accessed by children.” The Sixth Circuit’s divided decision in NetChoice v. Yost is an unusual setback for NetChoice, an internet trade association that won a similar battle in June. The appellate court’s ruling vacates a 2025 lower court opinion blocking enforcement of the statute, which forbids Ohioans under age 16 from creating accounts on regulated platforms unless they obtain verifiable parental or guardian consent.

Yost, in which the two judges who sided with Ohio didn’t always agree with each other, is troubling for several reasons. One is its exceedingly deferential interpretation—in Ohio’s favor—of the evidence about harms platforms supposedly cause minors. As Techdirt’s Mike Masnick explained, “The first few pages of the decision are nothing but cherry-picked, out-of-context horror stories about what social media does to kids—with no mention of the substantial corresponding evidence that the picture is far more complicated than that.”

Another problem is how Judge Eric Clay determined Ohio’s statute survived the typically fatal strict scrutiny standard of judicial review. He did so by arguably misinterpreting and dubiously distinguishing the US Supreme Court’s formidable Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association decision. I’ve previously explained that the Court in Brown applied strict scrutiny to invalidate a California parental-consent statute restricting minors’ access to violent video games.

New York Lawmaker Calls on DOJ to Investigate Mamdani After Stabbing Attacks Against Jews– slaynews.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

New York Lawmaker Calls on DOJ to Investigate Mamdani After Stabbing Attacks Against Jews– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

A New York state lawmaker is calling on the Department of Justice to open a civil rights investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following two Manhattan stabbings being investigated as possible hate crimes.

New York State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, who represents Brooklyn’s District 45, announced the request Sunday during an End Jew Hatred rally in New York City.

Alongside video of his announcement, Novakhov wrote on Instagram:

“If the DOJ stepped in to protect Jewish students at Columbia, it must now step in to protect Jewish New Yorkers.”

Lawmaker Demands Federal Investigation

Novakhov said he would send a formal letter asking the Justice Department to investigate New York State, New York City, and Mamdani.

He specifically called on federal officials “and most importantly to investigate Mamdani’s hatred against the Jewish population of New York City and New York State.”

Mamdani’s office did not immediately issue a response.

BREAKING: Trump admin to fast-track asylum backlog, send applicants directly to judge | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

BREAKING: Trump admin to fast-track asylum backlog, send applicants directly to judge | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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EXCERPT:

The new rule “will shorten the total time that it takes asylum officers and Immigration Judges to adjudicate asylum applications.”

The Trump administration has announced a rule change that is set to fast-track the backlog in the asylum system, which will allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer certain applications directly to immigration judges instead of having to go through the interview process with asylum applicants.

The USCIS on Monday said that currently “both USCIS and Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Judges adjudicate applications for asylum: USCIS adjudicates ‘affirmative’ asylum applications for aliens who are not in removal proceedings, while Immigration Judges adjudicate ‘defensive’ asylum applications for aliens who are in removal proceedings. Depending on the alien’s immigration status, USCIS will usually either adjudicate the application or refer it to an Immigration Judge, who will then conduct a new review of the application. This essentially allows an alien to get a second chance at asylum.”

Iran Admits to Major Infrastructure Damage from U.S. Strikes– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Iran Admits to Major Infrastructure Damage from U.S. Strikes– www.breitbart.com
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EXCERPT:

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian toured transportation and logistics sites damaged by U.S. airstrikes over the weekend, as state media reports implicitly conceded the impact of those strikes was much greater than the regime had previously admitted.

Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) published a dour account of Pezeshkian’s infrastructure tour on Sunday:

Officials briefed the president on the condition of border terminals, ports, road, rail, maritime and air transport networks, as well as the supply and distribution of essential goods.

Roads and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadegh also presented a detailed report on damage inflicted on ports, border terminals, bridges, roads, railways, logistics facilities and other strategic infrastructure following US attacks.

Pezeshkian ordered faster reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, activation of alternative routes, and measures to strengthen the resilience of the transport network and ensure uninterrupted services.

EXCLUSIVE: Some US Medical Schools May Still Be Promoting DEI Efforts, Watchdog Says– dailycaller.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

EXCLUSIVE: Some US Medical Schools May Still Be Promoting DEI Efforts, Watchdog Says– dailycaller.com
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EXCERPT:

Some U.S. medical schools may be continuing to promote certain diversity, equity and inclusion ideology in some form, according to emails and meeting notes obtained by Do No Harm.

The University of Iowa (UI) announced in March 2025 that it was shuttering its Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity following a directive from the Iowa Board of Regents. However, DNH obtained a copy of a March 26, 2025 email from a UI employee via a Freedom of Information Act request suggesting that the university’s Carver College of Medicine (CCOM)’s DEI office was “still fully up and running” under a different name despite the other diversity division closing, the Daily Caller News Foundation first learned. (RELATED: Trump-Endorsed Senate Hopeful Championed DEI At University, Records Show)

“Yes, it’s my understanding that the University is closing the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity, effective tomorrow,” per the email obtained by DNH. “Please see the link below for an Iowa Now piece explaining how some of that division’s components are being reassigned or closed, and which components are still under review with future changes pending.”

“Here at CCOM, our Program for Access and Engagement (formerly called the Office of Health Parity, before that the Office of DEI, before that the Office of Cultural Affairs and Diversity Initiatives) is still fully up and running,” the email continued.

Iowa email by irelandowens.dcnf

Mayor Says “Virtually 100%” Of Residents Want Flock Safety Cameras Gone – Town Proceeds To Keep Them– wltreport.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Mayor Says “Virtually 100%” Of Residents Want Flock Safety Cameras Gone – Town Proceeds To Keep Them– wltreport.com
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EXCERPT:

A mayor in California admitted that “virtually 100%” of the people in his town voiced opposition to Flock Safety cameras, urging the city council to remove them.

“I don’t think that I’ve ever in 10 years had an item that’s come before us where virtually 100% of the people gave the same position on it, and including people that are on email,” Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens said.

“Yeah, I’m concerned about the people that came up and said sincerely that Flock is impacting their trust in the police department,” he continued.

Despite this, the Flock Safety cameras will remain.

Watch below:

Democrat Anti-Justice Comes For Shiloh Hendrix And Free Speech– thefederalist.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Democrat Anti-Justice Comes For Shiloh Hendrix And Free Speech– thefederalist.com
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EXCERPT:

If there’s ever a doubt as to how perverse the Democrat approach to the justice system truly is, think back to what just happened to a 37-year-old woman named Shiloh Hendrix.

Hendrix on Thursday was sentenced by a judge in Rochester, Minnesota, to 200 hours of community service and fined $1,000. All of that is for an incident captured on video at a playground last year, wherein Hendrix was seen holding her young child and walking away from a man who was demanding that she speak to him.

If I were a content creator with The New York Times or CNN, this is where I’d leave out all the additional context regarding this incident, but because I’m honest, here’s the rest: Prior to what’s seen on camera, an 8-year-old boy had rummaged through Hendrix’s bag and taken something. Hendrix, who is white, approached the boy and used a racial slur. A bystander who saw the interaction then started video recording, demanding that Hendrix use the slur again.

Alaska sends over 3,000 letters asking voters to prove citizenship | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Alaska sends over 3,000 letters asking voters to prove citizenship | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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EXCERPT:

“It is not disenfranchising the individual from being able to vote, but it’s a measure the division has to take to make sure that we only have citizens voting.”

The state of Alaska has sent over 3,000 letters to voters asking them to verify their US citizenship ahead of the August 18 primary. State officials said that the number of letters sent out was unusually high.

The letter asks those who received it to verify their citizenship via phone, email, or letter, but is not requiring paperwork or documentation, according to Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher. The election official told state lawmakers that “a lot of old data was picked up somehow” when it was conducting voter roll maintenance this time around. There are usually only about 200 names when the state election division conducts the review.

The 3,048 letters were sent out as the Trump administration has been pushing for more election security ahead of the 2026 midterms with efforts to pass the SAVE America Act. Earlier this week, revelations about New Jersey’s election showed that 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote, and a preliminary review from the state said that around 400 were able to cast votes in elections.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill blamed the software company that is integrated in the New Jersey DMV system, claiming that a glitch switched tons of noncitizens to being registered to vote. The software company disagreed and said that the fault lies with the state approving noncitizens to vote.

Melania Makes Next Move After Judge Tosses Out Anti-Trump Author’s Lawsuit Against Her– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Melania Makes Next Move After Judge Tosses Out Anti-Trump Author’s Lawsuit Against Her– www.westernjournal.com
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EXCERPT:

First Lady Melania Trump is no stranger to being attacked.

Whether it’s her, her son, or her famous husband, Trump has taken many of the arrows fired her way by typically taking the high road.

(Though sometimes, like when Rosie O’Donnell smeared Melania’s son, the first lady did fire back.)

It’s rather rare for Melania to ever publicly defend herself from smear attacks. But there does appear to be one topic she seems to care very deeply about: Her alleged relationship with disgraced convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And Michael Wolff, the author perhaps best known for penning a quartet of largely unflattering books about President Donald Trump, is learning the hard way that Melania truly does not appreciate being linked to Epstein.

According to Fox News, the first lady filed a motion on Tuesday for sanctions against Wolff.

Live updates: Zelensky meets Trump at White House with Netanyahu due there later – BBC– news.google.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

Live updates: Zelensky meets Trump at White House with Netanyahu due there later – BBC– news.google.com
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EXCERPT:

  1. Live updates: Zelensky meets Trump at White House with Netanyahu due there later  BBC
  2. Why this time around, Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump might not go to script  CNN
  3. Trump expresses frustration with Netanyahu before White House meeting  Al Jazeera
  4. Live Updates: Trump to Meet With Zelensky and Netanyahu to Discuss Ukraine and Iran  The New York Times
  5. ‘A disaster for America First’: Trump allies fear Netanyahu meeting will pull US deeper into war with Iran  Politico

 

‘Intimidation’: French Warship Accused of Opening Fire to Threaten MP– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser July 30, 2026 0

‘Intimidation’: French Warship Accused of Opening Fire to Threaten MP– www.breitbart.com
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EXCERPT:

A senior British politician accused the French government of attempted intimidation after a warship made a close pass and commenced a live firing exercise unannounced while he was observing migrant boat crossings in the English Channel.

Conservative Party home affairs spokesman Chris Philp was joined by government-adjacent news outlets on a hired boat in the English Channel on Wednesday morning to record interview pieces about the boat migrant crisis, but was interrupted by a small French warship engaging in what was said to be a live firing exercise. Philip called the shooting an apparent attempt at intimidation by the French, given the sea was otherwise clear of craft, the firing only took place as the French warship was at its closest point of approach to the British boat, and there was no warnings broadcast by radio beforehand.

British state media the BBC, which was interviewing Philp at sea as the firing commenced, caught in their footage the French patrol boat P676 Flamant passing approximately 300 meters to starboard while the Conservative politician delivered a piece to camera, and as the firing began. Coastal patrol boats of the Flamant type, which are mainly for coastal constabulary duties, carry no fixed naval weapons systems but can embark machine guns, and in this case the firing exercise was reported to be a French officer discharging a handgun at a towed target.

Philip told the BBC that the shooting in close proximity to his boat where there was plenty of sea room to exercise elsewhere “felt to me like an attempted intimidation to stop us covering migrant crossings”. He told the broadcaster:

It is extraordinary that the French Navy will fire live rounds to defend their waters against a visiting British politician but cannot bear to do anything about stopping illegal Channel crossings.

If France showed people smugglers half the seriousness they showed me, the boats would stop.

Instead, the French wave them through and pass them off to the British coastguard so it’s our problem.