Trump News for Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Conservative-leaning thinktank weighs in on what's next for the Education Department

Kathryn Fink, NPR

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Michael Petrilli, head of the education policy thinktank Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Education Department.

Ghislaine Maxwell Breaks a Sweat Exercising at Florida Prison, on Camera

TMZ Staff, TMZ

As President Trump's administration faces a whole brouhaha over newly released details in the disputed "Epstein Files" over the last week ... we're getting a peek at Jeffrey Epstein's one-time girlfriend and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell warming the track …

Johnson says Bondi needs to 'come forward and explain' handling of Epstein files

Lauren Peller, John Parkinson, Mariam Khan, ABC News

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to “come forward and explain” the administration’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.

Data Centers Are 'AI Factories.' Google and Meta Are Spending Big Bucks to Build Them

Corin Cesaric, CNET

It's not just the spending that will be big. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg envisions a single data center whose footprint would occupy as much acreage as a good chunk of Manhattan.

Ex-US soldier who Googled 'can hacking be treason' pleads guilty to extortion

Jessica Lyons, Theregister.com

File this one under what not to search if you've committed a crime A former US Army soldier, who reportedly hacked AT&T, bragged about accessing President Donald Trump's call logs, and then Googled "can hacking be treason," and "US military personnel defectin…

Attorney General Bondi brushes aside questions about her handling of Epstein files

Ryan Lucas, NPR

Pam Bondi sought to move past questions about her handling of the Justice Department's files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, as pressure continued to grow for her to release them.

Disaster at FEMA

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

It’s getting harder for Americans to find relief under Trump’s vision of government.

The lie at the heart of Trump’s entire economic agenda

Eric Levitz, Vox

With his tax agenda finally passed, Donald Trump has turned back to his true passion: making America poorer and more geopolitically isolated for no good reason. Last week, the president threatened 25 of America’s trading partners with punishing tariffs, unles…

‘Whatever She Thinks Is Credible’: Trump Says Pam Bondi Should Release Part of Epstein Files

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

Trump still claimed the files were "made up" by Democrats.

Trump announces 19 percent tariff on Indonesia

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The new deal comes as the Southeast Asian country plans to buy 50 Boeing jets, according to US President Donald Trump.

Trump just handed China a major advantage on on AI

Dylan Matthews, Vox

Late on Monday night, July 14, 2025, the ninth richest man in the world broke some momentous news: The US government would allow him, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, to sell H20 processors to Chinese customers again. To people following the Trump administration and …

DHS Dumps Intel Office Because Actual Intel Keeps Contradicting Trump’s Bigoted Narrative

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to expedite its ejection of anyone not white enough to be considered worthy of citizenship. ICE raids occur daily, performed by masked officers who look more like cartel thugs than US law enforcement offi…

House GOP hard-liners defy Trump, Speaker Johnson by crippling crypto measures

Jay O'Brien, John Parkinson, Lauren Peller, ABC News

The intraparty rebellion comes after Trump urged the GOP to vote in favor of it.

U.S. senator wants DOGE out of sensitive farmer payment system

Jenna McLaughlin, NPR

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., wants the USDA to revoke high-level access granted to the Department of Government Efficiency to a database that controls payments and loans to farmers and ranchers.

Mike Waltz grilled over Signal leak at UN ambassador hearing

BBC News

President Trump's former national security adviser was pressed on the inclusion of a journalist on a sensitive group chat discussing war plans.

The White House Has a Plan for All That Foreign Food Aid That DOGE Cut: Burn It

Lucas Ropek, Gizmodo.com

Is burning nearly a $1 million of food that you already bought a good example of "government efficiency"?

Everyone Had Same Reaction To Photo Of President Trump's Ankles

Tzvi Machlin, The Spun

A rather unflattering photo of President Donald Trump has a lot of people either questioning his health or simply mocking how he goes out in public. Trump...

Trump claims tariff deal with Indonesia

BBC News

Trump says the US will lower its tariffs threatened on goods from Indonesia to 19% from a planned 32%.

The Trump administration’s fundamental misunderstanding about deportations

Nicole Narea, Vox

The Trump administration has offered little consolation to American businesses worried about losing undocumented workers to deportations. US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins did offer them one solution last week: to replace immigrant farmworkers with Amer…

The Revolt Over the Epstein Files Is Snowballing

Philip Elliott, Time

The fallout from the Epstein files could reverberate into next year’s midterm election and beyond

Are the Emmy Awards Only Rewarding Feel-Good Comedies?

Opheli Garcia Lawler, Cracked.com

Even the most cynical of this year’s Outstanding Comedy nominees still shine with a little bit of optimism

Your credit score could be negatively impacted by this controversial court ruling about medical debt

Natasha Etzel, Fast Company

In a win for credit bureaus and debt collectors, medical debt will be allowed to stay on your credit report after all. Last Friday, a federal judge axed a Biden-era rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that would have prohibited consumer…

Howard Lutnick says he's fine with Nvidia selling its 'fourth best' AI chips to China

Brent D. Griffiths, Business Insider

Nvidia announced it has received the OK to resume selling its pared down H20 chip in China.

An Iconic NASA Probe Is at Threat of Being Shut Down Due to Trump Cuts

Passant Rabie, Gizmodo.com

If it weren't for the new budget, New Horizons could keep exploring the outer reaches of the solar system into the 2030s.

Trump says Bondi should release 'whatever she thinks is credible' on Epstein

Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News

President Donald Trump says Attorney General Pam Bondi should release "whatever she thinks is credible" on Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump's pick for U.N. Ambassador grilled over Signal chat scandal

Michele Kelemen, NPR

Former national security adviser Mike Waltz, who was removed from office amid the Signal chat controversy, spent Tuesday infront of Senate confirmation hearing for his nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

AI Weather Forecasts Missed the Texas Floods, and Trump NOAA Cuts Will Stymie Research

Chelsea Harvey, E&E News, Politicopro.com

The Trump administration wants to reduce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget by $2.2 billion, eliminating research that might help advance AI weather models

GM outlines $4 billion plan to expand production of gas trucks and SUVs

Nora Eckert and David Shepardson, Yahoo Entertainment

DETROIT (Reuters) -General Motors said on Tuesday it will move production of the Cadillac Escalade to a Michigan assembly plant, while adding new capacity...

The Boeing Company (BA)’s A “Great Buy” Off Of Air India Crash, Says Jim Cramer

Ramish Cheema, Yahoo Entertainment

We recently published 10 Stocks Jim Cramer Discussed As He Commented On Latest Tariffs. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently...

Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard Are Wasting Resources Trying To Root Out Gov’t Employees Who Just Aren’t MAGA Enough

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

In the Trump administration, every political appointee is now their own personal Richard Nixon. Simply being some of the most powerful people in the world is never enough for Trump and those in his inner circle. If you can’t demand complete loyalty from every…

Nintendo 64 Fans Left Waiting A Little Longer As Analogue 3D Maker Blames Tariffs For Latest Delay

Ethan Gach, Kotaku

The Analogue 3D promises a classic Nintendo 64 experience on modern displays with all the bells and whistles that entails. The $250 retro console sold out last year and was supposed to ship in early 2025, but the company behind it says orders have been delaye…

The Trump administration reverses its promise to publish key climate reports online

The Associated Press, NPR

Earlier this month, the government websites that hosted the authoritative, peer-reviewed national climate assessments went dark. Officials say they're only obligated to give the reports to Congress.

Trump Lets Polymarket Off the Hook, Ends Probe Into Crypto Betting Platform

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

Who could have predicted it?

Worker says she was pushed to falsify safety records and saw employees lose limbs at Trump-aligned meatpacking plant

Yahoo Entertainment

Two People Die After Flash Floods Slam Northeast U.S.

Ellyn Lapointe, Gizmodo.com

Heavy rains Monday triggered flash floods in multiple East Coast states, resulting in chaos on roads and transit systems and at least two fatalities in New Jersey.

WATCH: Miley Cyrus on what prevents her from touring

ABC News

Cyrus told ABC News that she won’t be on a major tour anytime soon.

WATCH: Portland WNBA team reveals new name, logo on ‘GMA’

ABC News

The Portland Fire announced its new branding ahead of the franchise return.

Dismantling the Department of Education, Without Saying Why

Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic

The American people deserve to know the Court’s reasoning.

Tesla Arrives in India With Cars Priced for the 1%

Luc Olinga, Gizmodo.com

In a nation where the average salary is around $4,200 a year, the all-electric carmaker is launching a $70,000 vehicle. The question is why.

The Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket Has Become A Lawless, Explanation-Free Rubber Stamp For Trump’s Authoritarian Agenda

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

When Joe Biden wanted the Department of Education to forgive student loans, the Supreme Court shut him down hard. The Court spent pages in Biden v. Nebraska explaining why the Department lacked authority under the HEROES Act, demanding “clear congressional au…

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties

Associated Press, Yahoo Entertainment

South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has kicked off her bid for governor in 2026, highlighting several years of what she considers pushing...

Trump 'not encouraging killing' by asking Ukraine about Russia strikes, White House says

Madeline Halpert - BBC News, BBC News

Trump asked Ukraine's Zelensky if he could strike Moscow and other Russian targets, the Financial Times reported.

Marc Andreessen Is a Traitor

Adam Gurri, Liberalcurrents.com

It is the tech oligarchs, not young radicals, who have turned against the system that made them.

How Texas Bullied Big Banks Into Dropping Their Climate Commitments

Andrew Perez, Rolling Stone

Big banks are “all deathly afraid of being sued,” a top deputy to Texas A.G. Ken Paxton told conservatives in secret audio obtained by Rolling Stone

The MAGA backlash over Epstein isn’t dying down

Tina Nguyen, The Verge

On July 12th, the political world experienced an unprecedented phenomenon: President Donald Trump got ratioed on his own social media platform, and it was on a post about Jeffrey Epstein - someone who, according to Trump, "nobody cares about." Clearly, his fo…

The IRS Is Building a System to Share Taxpayers' Data with ICE

William Turton,Christopher Bing,Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica

ProPublica has obtained the blueprint for the Trump administration’s unprecedented plan to turn over IRS records to Homeland Security in order to speed up the agency’s mass deportation efforts.

Pam Bondi Responds to MAGA Uproar Over Epstein Files: 'Today Is About Fentanyl'

Lauren Tousignant, Jezebel

As MAGA demands her resignation, the attorney general tried pivoting to a classic GOP boogeyman: the war on drugs.

America’s EV Slowdown Is Here

Luc Olinga, Gizmodo.com

A surprising 6% drop in second-quarter sales signals a new era of challenges for the U.S. electric vehicle market, as high prices, charging anxiety, and shifting competition force a reality check on the green transition.

5 stats that show where BlackRock is — and where the world's largest asset manager is going

Bradley Saacks, Business Insider

Larry Fink's firm has brought in more than $150 billion in net inflows this year.

Apple's latest message to Trump: We're buying American magnets

Dominick Reuter, Business Insider

Apple is investing $500 million with MP Materials to design and manufacture recycled rare earth magnets in the US, specifically for Apple devices.

Bolton on Russian sanctions threat: Trump laying the groundwork to say ‘I’m done with it’

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill

Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that President Trump could soon retreat from efforts to resolve Russia’s war with Ukraine. The Trump...

Stephen Colbert Accuses His Bosses at Paramount of Paying ‘Big Fat Bribe’

Matt Solomon, Cracked.com

‘I don’t know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company’

Nvidia CEO Meets With Trump and Secures Permission to Sell AI Chips in China Again

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

The Nvidia CEO has been criss-crossing the globe to shake the right hands.

WATCH: SpaceX capsule with four crew members back on Earth

ABC News

A private space flight featuring the first astronauts in more than 40 years from India, Poland and Hungary returned to Earth.

US strikes trade deal with Indonesia, Trump says, without providing details

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States had struck a trade deal with Indonesia. Trump had threatened the...

Trump asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow

Yahoo Entertainment

US banking giants reap gains from dealmaking rebound

Nupur Anand, Tatiana Bautzer and Saeed Azhar, Yahoo Entertainment

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Large U.S. banks expressed optimism about the investment banking outlook for the rest of the year after dealmaking rebounded in the...

Exclusive-Putin, unfazed by Trump, will fight on and could take more of Ukraine

Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya, Yahoo Entertainment

MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin intends to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, unfazed by Donald Trump's...

The largest Mars rock on Earth is up for auction in NYC — it could be yours for $4 million (or more)

Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com

The largest Mars rock on Earth will soon be auctioned off in NYC, and could sell for at least $2 million.

Inflation surged more than expected in June

Madison Hoff, Business Insider

Inflation is speeding up after a period of cooling down earlier this year.

Transcript: Richard Bernstein, CEO / CIO of RBA

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

The transcript from this week’s, MiB: Richard Bernstein, CEO / CIO of RBA, is below. You can stream and download our full conversation, including any podcast extras, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Bloomberg. All of our earlier podcasts on your favor…

Apple announces $500 million US investment focused on rare earth magnets

Chance Miller, 9to5Mac

Earlier this year, Apple pledged a $500 billion investment in the United States over the next four years. Now, the company is further expanding that pledge with a $500 million plan to “launch an all-new recycling facility for processing recycled rare earth el…

EU backs down on Big Tech tax ahead of US trade deal

William Gallagher, AppleInsider

The European Union has dropped its plan for a tax on Big Tech firms, likely as part of attempting to secure a more favorable trade deal with Trump.Negotiations are being held in Brussels over EU tax proposals as well as a US deal — image credit: European Unio…

SCOTUS allows dismantling of Education Dept. And, Trump threatens Russia with tariffs

Brittney Melton, NPR

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to continue with mass firings. And, Trump has threatened Russia with tariffs over its war with Ukraine.

Invest 93L could strengthen into tropical depression. See spaghetti models, Florida impact

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida, Palm Beach Post

Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected over portions of Florida, which could bring localized flash flooding through mid-week.

Ignore ‘Sell America’ call, says JPMorgan investment strategy boss—neither tariffs nor national debt are enough to clip the wings of U.S. dominance

Eleanor Pringle, Yahoo Entertainment

EXCLUSIVE: JPMorgan’s Jacob Manoukian tells Fortune he remains confident in the U.S. economy’s long-term dominance, dismissing “sell America” calls as short-...

How Trump woke me up for surprise interview - and the key takeaways

BBC News

The US president signalled a new tone on Nato, voiced his respect for Keir Starmer - and showed his reflective side.

MAGA's in the Bargaining Stage of Epstein Files' Grief

Lauren Tousignant, Jezebel

Megyn Kelly now thinks maybe Trump "blessed" a cover-up; Dan Bongino seemed to return to work after threatening to resign; and Charlie Kirk says he's "done talking about Epstein for the time being."

Russia 'didn’t care' about Trump's weapons for Ukraine, tariff threats, official says

David Brennan, ABC News

Russia continued its nightly bombardment of Ukrainian cities overnight into Tuesday, after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would send military equipment to Kyiv.

The Enshittification of American Power

Henry Farrell, Abraham L. Newman, Wired

First Google and Facebook, then the world. Under Trump 2.0, US statecraft is starting to mimic the worst tendencies of Big Tech.

Trump offers MAGA a third option on Epstein

Chris Stirewalt, The Hill

There were a couple of ways to think about the Trump administration’s about-face on releasing the files on America’s most notorious sex criminal, Jeffrey...

Fed Chair Contender Is Now in Favor of Cutting Rates, Just as Trump Wants

Catarina Saraiva, Yahoo Entertainment

(Bloomberg) -- Kevin Warsh, a top contender to replace Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve, is finally ready to cut interest rates. Most Read from ...

A million veterans gave DNA for medical research. Now the data is in limbo

Darius Tahir, NPR

Retired service members donated genetic material to a DNA database to help answer health questions for all Americans. The Trump administration is dragging its heels on agreements to analyze the data.

Metallica Issues Copyright Strike Against US Govt for Military Drone Video

Matt Growcoot, PetaPixel

The U.S. Department of Defense has taken down and reissued a promotional video on military drone advancements after Metallica raised a copyright complaint over the unauthorized use of their song Enter Sandman. [Read More]

'This is not our war' - Trump's Nato weapons deal sparks MAGA anger

BBC News

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a key Trump ally, and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon have criticised the move.

AP Top Stories July 15

Associated Press Videos, Yahoo Entertainment

Here's the latest for Tuesday July 15th: Trump threatens Russia with steep tariffs; Supreme Court allows Dept. of Education job cuts; Fire at Massachusetts...

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may juice up faster than you'd expect

Rajesh Pandey, Android Police

The Galaxy S25 FE could charge faster than even the Galaxy S25

This viral travel ad for Canada is trying to woo American tourists

Hunter Schwarz, Fast Company

To help American visitors feel more welcome in Canada at time when relations are strained, one local tourism office is playing Canada nice. In a 30-second spot, a tourist shown checking in at a hotel front desk tells the receptionist he doesn’t speak Frenc…

Obama slams Big Law attorneys who won't fight Trump because they want to 'finish that kitchen rehab' at their Hamptons homes

Kwan Wei Kevin Tan, Business Insider

"I'm not impressed," former President Barack Obama said at a private fundraiser.

Supreme Court rules Trump's efforts to close the Education Department can continue

Cory Turner, NPR

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Trump administration can resume its dismantling of the Department of Education.

Inflation report to arrive as Trump, Fed disagree over tariff risks

Max Zahn, ABC News

Inflation has cooled this year, defying the fears of many economists.

Nvidia Gets US Green Light to Sell H20 AI Chips to China

Bloomberg, Yahoo Entertainment

Nvidia Corp. plans to resume sales of its H20 AI chip to China after securing Washington's assurances that such shipments would get approved, a dramatic...

A Recession Could Be Hiding in Plain Sight. Here’s the Best Advice to Prepare

Katherine Watt, CNET

Economic crises, like a recession, are unpredictable by nature. Staying prepared is the best way to protect your finances.

A Gen Xer self-deported to Mexico after 36 years in the US for a safer, more affordable life: "I feel a sense of relief"

Jireh Deng, Business Insider

Faced with the risk of ICE detention, Regina Higuera decided to leave her family behind in the US to move back to Mexico.

Climate scientists urge others to take up CO2 tracking as US cuts loom

Michael Le Page, New Scientist

Proposed budget cuts in the US will lead to the loss of vital carbon dioxide measurements, but no other countries are preparing to step in so far, researchers warn

Listen: 'I trust almost nobody,' Trump says when asked about Putin

BBC News

Donald Trump tells the BBC he is "disappointed" with Vladimir Putin over the lack of a ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

WATCH: New York City subway train and platform flooded as storms hit the Northeast

ABC News

Footage shows flooding at the 28th Street station in New York City on Monday night as slow-moving thunderstorms hit the Northeast.

Jensen Huang says the US needs to win a key people battle with China

Lee Chong Ming, Business Insider

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the US must win over global AI developers — especially the 50% in China — to lead the future of AI.

Nvidia says it will resume sale of key AI chip to China

Story by Reuters, CNN

Nvidia NVDA.O said on Monday it will resume sales of its H20 artificial intelligence chip to China and has introduced a new model tailored to meet regulatory...

With temporary protections for some Afghans set to expire, appeals court steps in

The Associated Press, NPR

An appeals court late Monday stepped in to keep in place protections for nearly 12,000 Afghans that have allowed them to work in the U.S. and be protected from deportation.

Trump’s tariffs could hike tech prices by 10%

Tyler Lee, Phandroid - News for Android

Trump tariffs could raise tech prices by 10%, impacting phones, TVs, and PCs. Here’s what you need to know before your next upgrade. The post Trump’s tariffs could hike tech prices by 10% appeared first on Phandroid.

Nvidia to resume sales to China – with Trump administration approval

Simon Sharwood, Theregister.com

Maybe CEO Jensen Huang's million-dollar meal at Mar-a-Lago has paid off in the form of permission to sell the H20 and a new RTX Pro GPU Nvidia has announced the US government will allow it to resume sales of its GPUs to Chinese customers.…

Immigration agents demand tenant information from landlords, stirring questions and confusion

R.J. RICO, Yahoo Entertainment

Immigration authorities are demanding that landlords turn over leases, rental applications, forwarding addresses, identification cards and other information ...

Elmo Admits He Was Pandering To The Alt-Right To Save PBS Funding During Social Media Meltdown on 'The Daily Show'

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Elmo is playing the long game after getting ‘radicalized by the Manosphere’

Nvidia plans to resume H20 AI chip sales to China after Washington assured shipments will be approved, reversing an earlier Trump administration stance in April (Mackenzie Hawkins/Bloomberg)

Techmeme.com

Mackenzie Hawkins / Bloomberg: Nvidia plans to resume H20 AI chip sales to China after Washington assured shipments will be approved, reversing an earlier Trump administration stance in April  —  US government officials have told Nvidia that they would green-…

Gavin Newsom Calls Trump a ‘Son of a B-tch’

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed Donald Trump for deploying the deploying the U.S. military to Los Angeles.

WATCH: Michael Strahan to join 'Shark Tank' as guest judge

ABC News

The "GMA" host is the newest Guest Shark on the show's upcoming season.

DOGE Denizen Marko Elez Leaked API Key for xAI

BrianKrebs, Krebs on Security

Marko Elez, a 25-year-old employee at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted access to sensitive databases at the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Treasury and Justice departments, and the Department of Homeland Secur…

DOJ urges Supreme Court to turn away Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal

James Hill, ABC News

The Department of Justice on Monday urged the Supreme Court to turn away an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

More than 14 million children worldwide have never received a single dose of any vaccine, new report warns

Jacqueline Howard, CNN, CNN

An estimated 14.3 million children globally remain unvaccinated and vulnerable to vaccine-preventable illnesses – meaning that those children have received...