Trump News for Friday, July 25, 2025

WATCH: Cat memorizes route home from bomb shelter in Ukraine

ABC News

A cat in Odesa, Ukraine, memorized the route to and from a bomb shelter in an apartment building.

WATCH: Grandmother takes down unruly passenger on Delta flight

ABC News

A Georgia grandmother is being hailed as a hero after she was seen taking down an unruly passenger on a Delta flight.

Is anyone going to stop a looming death spiral in Gaza?

Nicole Narea, Vox

Gaza is on the brink of a mass starvation crisis, and once it starts, it will be difficult if not impossible to stop.  The Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip has faced various levels of food insecurity throughout the war that Israel has waged on the ter…

Donald Trump set for trade talks with Europe as he arrives in Scotland

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president says chances of reaching a trade deal with the EU are '50-50' ahead of his August 1 tariff deadline.

With Trump go-ahead, Skydance and Paramount to complete merger in August

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The merger has faced scrutiny for what critics view as capitulations to Donald Trump, including a $16m settlement.

WATCH: France to recognize the state of Palestine, Macron says

ABC News

France will officially recognize the state of Palestine, "true to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday.

The dire state of Gaza negotiations, briefly explained

Cameron Peters, Vox

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is stepping back from ceasefi…

Paramount gets green light for $8 billion merger. But what is the psychic cost for company?

DAVID BAUDER, Yahoo Entertainment

With this week’s FCC approval, the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media is expected to be completed in the coming weeks at a value of $8...

‘We are dying’: Palestinians slam world’s inaction as hunger ravages Gaza

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Gaza hospitals report nine more deaths from starvation as Israel's blockade plunges enclave into worsening crisis.

Jordan, other countries could airdrop aid into Gaza as humanitarian crisis worsens

Chris Boccia, ABC News

The Kingdom of Jordan will airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza as Palestinians face widespread starvation and diplomatic talks over a ceasefire breakdown.

The Good, The Bad, And The Incredibly Stupid In Trump’s AI Action Plan

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

We’ve spent years documenting the challenges of crafting sensible AI policy, from Biden’s misguided plan, to various state-level attempts at regulation. Now Trump’s AI Action Plan has landed, offering a striking example of how even potentially useful policy i…

What the right’s war on college is really about

Sean Illing, Vox

Project 2025 laid out the battle plan pretty clearly: Get rid of the Department of Education, shut off federal funding, take control of the accreditation system, and take down diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. And, in the end, change what students ar…

US confirms it will destroy contraceptives previously designated as aid

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

International reproductive rights groups slam the Trump administration's decision as 'cruel and ideologically driven'.

Trump administration expected to say greenhouse gases aren't harmful

Issam AHMED, Phys.Org

President Donald Trump's administration is preparing to upend a foundational scientific determination about the harms of greenhouse gases that underpins the US government's ability to curb climate change.

Education Department says it's releasing more than $5 billion in frozen grants

Sequoia Carrillo, NPR

The grants fund a wide range of education programs, including migrant education, services for English language learners and adult education.

Vive La France! The Macrons Sue Candace Owens for Defamation

Susan Rinkunas, Jezebel

Barf Bag: There's so much awful in the world that we are now rooting for the French president to bankrupt a conspiracy theorist.

FCC to Appoint a Babysitter to Make Sure CBS Isn’t Anti-Trump

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

FCC commissioner Brendan Carr says CBS will have a "bias monitor" who reports directly to the president.

Florida governor announces deportation flights from Alligator Alcatraz

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Ron DeSantis, formerly Donald Trump's Republican rival, said that the cadence for removal flights would be 'increasing'.

Trump administration releasing $6 billion in education funding

Arthur Jones II, ABC News

The $6 billion in education programming frozen by the Trump administration earlier this month is being released, according to a Department of Education spokesperson.

This Scottish Newspaper Cover "Welcoming" Donald Trump Is Going Viral

Yahoo Entertainment

UK’s Starmer faces mounting pressure to recognise Palestinian state

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

As starvation grips Gaza, more than 200 UK lawmakers urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognise Palestinian state.

Even Jimmy Fallon Is Done Playing It Safe With Trump

Opheli Garcia Lawler, Cracked.com

The talk show host has historically played soft-ball with the president

Baltimore Shows You Can Bring Down Murder Rates Without Throwing More Cops At The Problem

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

So many pro-police lawmakers and city officials have always insisted the only way to bring down crime rates is to add more cops to the mix. This may work if you’re mainly interested in racking up meaningless arrests or handing out “broken windows” citations, …

Trump Claims Someone May Have Forged His Signature on Birthday Letter to Epstein

Nikkimccannramirez, Rolling Stone

The president filed a lawsuit claiming his reported birthday note to Epstein is “fake and nonexistent.” Now he says someone else might have signed it

WATCH: Disgraced congressman George Santos to begin sentence

ABC News

Scandal-plagued former Rep. George Santos is set to report to federal prison to begin a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft.

Elon Musk Swipes Back at Trump After Apparent Peace Offering

Lucas Ropek, Gizmodo.com

The world's richest man is still butthurt, apparently.

Hulk Hogan's Sex Tape Lawsuit Changed Kotaku Forever

Ethan Gach, Kotaku

The Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit, financed by a guy who flinches at the prospect of humanity enduring, is not really my story to tell. I was merely an observer at the time. While I’m all too familiar with most of the key twists and turns in the very messy, ver…

People Have A Loooot Of Thoughts After The Justice Department Reportedly Told Trump In May That His Name Is In The "Epstein Files"

Yahoo Entertainment

US military expands enforcement role at Mexican border under Donald Trump

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump has boosted military involvement in immigration efforts, including assisting ICE and holding detainees on bases.

Is ‘Fantastic Four’ a Marvel Reset or Another Step Backward? Screen Talk Reviews the Film and Previews Fall Festivals

Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire

On this week's episode of IndieWire's "Screen Talk" podcast, we review Matt Shakman's Marvel needle-reset "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" and parse the latest fall festival announcements.

Volkswagen profits tumble as tariffs weigh on auto industry

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Carmaker joins Stellantis and GM in reporting hits to their profits as tariffs drive up costs for the industry.

Trump wants to ban 'woke AI.' Here's why it's hard to make a truly neutral chatbot.

Effie Webb,Robert Scammell, Business Insider

Trump's order to ban "woke AI" calls for model neutrality — but that's a big challenge for AI companies.

Jeffrey Epstein files: Tracing the legal cases that led to sex-trafficking charges

Bill Chappell, NPR

Questions persist about how Jeffrey Epstein, who once moved among the world's elite, was able to avoid federal prosecution for so long. A timeline suggests some answers.

Andrew Schulz Is Getting to the Bottom of This Epstein Debacle

Opheli Garcia Lawler, Cracked.com

By Opheli Garcia Lawler Published: July 25th, 2025

Trump says Hamas will be ‘hunted down’ as Gaza ceasefire talks wane

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president says Hamas is rejecting deal because it knows 'what happens' after the last Israeli captives are released.

What John le Carré Learned in Corfu

Boris Kachka, The Atlantic

For authors, travel can generate new understandings of their characters—and themselves.

Just Two Years Ago, Donald Trump Jr. Tweeted That ‘South Park Doesn’t Miss’

Opheli Garcia Lawler, Cracked.com

Putting Trump’s tiny third leg on screen is proof the show has never been more on the money

After accusing Obama of treason, Trump now says the former president 'owes me big'

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, USA Today

Obama's debt to Trump in the current president's mind? That the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that presidents have immunity for official acts.

WATCH: President Trump does not rule out pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell

ABC News

President Trump initially dodged the question about the possibility of granting clemency for convicted Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell after being asked by ABC News.

Is Trump using Africa as a ‘dumping ground’ for criminals?

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

Activists and rights groups have criticised Trump's 'third country' scheme to deport criminals.

Hulk Hogan Stayed In Character to the End

Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic

The pro wrestler sold himself as a conquering American hero. The truth was far more complicated.

Trump signals positive meeting with Powell on US interest rates

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump shifts tone on Powell, calling him 'a very good man' after their meeting on interest rates.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone Have No Idea What Next Week’s ‘South Park’ Will Be About

JM McNab, Cracked.com

They still have a few days to figure it out

Fed Chair Shares Plan to Spite Trump After Brutally Fact-Checking Him to His Face

Yahoo Entertainment

Can Barack Obama be prosecuted over ‘Russian interference’ intelligence?

Shola Lawal, Al Jazeera English

Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard claims former president 'conspired' to discredit Trump's 2016 election win.

The testosterone theory of politics

Leo Kim, Vox

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees the US Department of Health and Human Services, has supported the debunked ideas that vaccines cause autism and that organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have helped cover up the link. He’s skep…

Tariffs and analysts: What to expect from Apple's Q3 2025 earnings

Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider

Apple's quarterly results for the third fiscal quarter of 2025 are arriving on July 31. With ever-changing tariff policies affecting supply chains, here's what to expect from a traditionally quiet quarter for the company.Apple CEO Tim CookApple's third-quarte…

South Park Hit Trump Where It Hurts: In His Tiny, Shriveled Ego

John Walker, Kotaku

Poor President Trump has had his ickle wickle feelings hurt again, this time by an episode of South Park that reached new heights of government-breaking satire by depicting the current president as a big stupid idiot with a tiny penis. This, implausibly predi…

Deputy AG Blanche meeting for 2nd day with Ghislaine Maxwell

Aaron Katersky, Katherine Faulders, Brandon Baur, Jon Haworth, ABC News

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, after answering questions for six hours on Thursday, will have a second meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

I've Had It with Microsoft

Paris Marx, Disconnect.blog

The company is deceptively raising prices on existing customers to fund its AI spending

Breaking down Trump’s big gift to the AI industry

Lauren Feiner, Justine Calma, Hayden Field, Adi Robertson, The Verge

President Donald Trump's plan to promote America's AI dominance involves discouraging "woke AI," slashing state and federal regulations, and laying the groundwork to rapidly expand AI development and adoption. Trump's proposal, released on July 23rd, is a swe…

Yes, America Is an Oligarchy

Andrew Perez, Rolling Stone

As Bernie Sanders campaigns against “oligarchy,” the data shows wealth concentration is benefiting shockingly few families

Senegal becomes 56th country to sign Artemis Accords for peaceful space exploration

Samantha Mathewson, Space.com

Senegal has officially joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 56th nation — and the fourth African country — to commit to a shared vision for peaceful and transparent space exploration.

South Park Season 27 Picked The Show's Biggest Fight Yet — What Happens Now?

staff@slashfilm.com (BJ Colangelo), /FILM

South Park's season 27 premiere went nuclear against the President of the United States, and could serve as a herald for us all.

Trump's Tariffs Just Cost Volkswagen $1.5 Billion

staff@jalopnik.com (Andy Kalmowitz), Jalopnik

Volkswagens grapples with a massive tariff hit, Kia looks to take advantage of the situation President Trump created, Tesla faces another setback in Europe.

ICE Plans to Track Over 180,000 Immigrants With Ankle Monitors: Report

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

The company that makes the ankle monitors donated at least $1.5 million to Trump.

It’s surprisingly hard to know just how many people will die because of USAID cuts

Kelsey Piper, Vox

How many people are going to die because of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s abolition of USAID, and the Trump administration’s apparently-under-consideration plans to destroy PEPFAR, the landmark George W. Bush-era program to end the globa…

Tennessee Doctor Refused Pregnant Woman Care Due to ‘Christian Values’

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Yes, that’s definitely what Jesus would do.

Attention Patriots, You Can Help Pay Off the National Debt by Venmo-ing ‘Gifts’ to the Feds

Lucas Ropek, Gizmodo.com

At a time when the country is spending more than ever, there's a hero coming to save us: you and your Venmo wallet.

Microsoft admits it 'cannot guarantee' data sovereignty

Paul Kunert, Theregister.com

Under oath in French Senate, exec says it would be compelled – however unlikely – to pass local customer info to US admin Microsoft says it "cannot guarantee" data sovereignty to customers in France – and by implication the wider European Union – should the T…

NASA or the Space Force: Who should protect Earth from dangerous asteroids?

Leonard David, Space.com

NASA currently leads the nation's planetary defense efforts, but some are calling for the Space Force to take control.

Iran meets European diplomats for renewed nuclear talks

BBC News

The talks are the first since Israel and the US attacked Tehran's nuclear facilities in June.

With Trump’s Bribe Paid, His Lackey FCC Quickly Rubber Stamps CBS Merger

Karl Bode, Techdirt

With the cowards at CBS/Paramount having paid their $16 million bribe to the King, Trump’s FCC has quickly ended its phony “investigation” into the media giant, and given its rubber stamp approval to the company’s $8 billion merger with Skydance (owned by Tru…

The Download: saving the US climate programs, and America’s AI protections are under threat

Rhiannon Williams, MIT Technology Review

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How nonprofits and academia are stepping up to salvage US climate programs Nonprofits are trying to preserve a US effort …

National Hurricane Center now tracking 4 waves in Atlantic, Caribbean, rain from Gulf system

C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida, TCPalm

The National Hurricane Center is now tracking four tropical waves with the development of a new one in the Caribbean.

Food Aid in Gaza Has Become a Horror

Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic

In the scramble for sustenance, Palestinians are gunned down for no reason, with no excuse.

How the Trump–Musk relationship complicates Tesla's future

Josh Lipton, Yahoo Entertainment

Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk's close ties with President Trump initially gave many investors hope for faster progress on initiatives like robotaxis and...

Fact check: Did US go from ice cream trade surplus to deficit under Biden?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump administration says increased imports from Italy under former President Joe Biden changed the ice cream game.

Trump and Fed chairman clash over renovation site cost. And, Gaza peace talks stalled

Brittney Melton, NPR

Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell clashed over the cost of renovations to the Federal Reserve headquarters. And, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled yesterday.

'NASA is under attack.' Space agency employees and lawmakers protest mass layoffs, science cuts amid budget turmoil

jdinner@space.com (Josh Dinner) , Josh Dinner, Space.com

NASA employees and allies protested sweeping science cuts they say are gutting the agency from within. As Congress pushes back on NASA leadership, workers warn the damage is already underway — and the future of U.S. space exploration is at risk.

Trump’s tariff could devastate Brazil’s small-scale coffee producers

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Experts warn the US tariff will hurt Brazil’s family farmers, who produce two-thirds of the country’s coffee output.

Daily Briefing: The people of 'South Park' apologize

Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, USA Today

The animated show depicted Trump in bed with Satan. Here is the news to know on Friday.

Jerome Powell isn't flinching from Trump. Leaders should take note.

Tim Paradis, Business Insider

Jerome Powell's leadership approach at the Federal Reserve focuses on calmness, consensus-building, and flexibility, said experts.

Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskiy can only meet as final step to clinch a peace deal

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Friday that a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could only...

Ukraine's Zelenskyy says defenses are holding firm against Russia's summer push

HANNA ARHIROVA, Yahoo Entertainment

Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia's concerted summer push to break through defenses along parts of the front line, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr...

'Real hell': Venezuelan men allege physical and psychological abuse at CECOT

Laura Romero, ABC News

Three of the 250 Venezuelans who were held in El Salvador's CECOT prison after bring deported from the U.S. say they were beaten and denied access to lawyers.

Who or what is Trump's "beautiful baby?" Find out in the quiz

Holly J. Morris, NPR

Plus, what are Tesla and Coca-Cola up to? And RIP Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan.

Trump voters wanted lower medical bills. But for millions, bills are about to go up

Noam Levey, NPR

Moves by the Trump administration to pare back Medicaid, rescind medical debt rules and loosen vaccine requirements threaten to increase medical bills for millions of Americans.

What we know about Columbia's $221 million settlement with the Trump administration

Elissa Nadworny, NPR

The complex settlement allowed both sides to claim victory. It gives the university access to federal funds that had been frozen, and restores some terminated contracts.

How and why Trump has struggled in dealing with the Epstein files

Domenico Montanaro, NPR

The usual deflection tactics — releasing unrelated information, blaming Democrats and the media — haven't worked with this controversy.

Making a living as a poker player is hard. The 'Big Beautiful Bill' makes it harder

Barbara Sprunt, NPR

A new law includes a provision that could mean bettors pay more during tax season. Major poker players are calling on Congress to royally flush the measure down the drain.

How the Trump administration has reshaped education policy

Cory Turner, NPR

In just six months, the Trump administration has profoundly reshaped federal education policy.

Iran is meeting European powers amid threats of renewed nuclear sanctions

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The meeting, in Turkiye's Istanbul, will be the first since Israel attacked Iran in mid-June backed by US strikes.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone Respond to ‘South Park’ Premiere By Joking ‘We’re Terribly Sorry’

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone

During an appearance at Comic-Con the show's creators said the episode came together only three days beforehand

'Fantastic progress' in trade deal talks with US - India minister

BBC News

Federal minister Piyush Goyal seems optimistic about India finalising a trade deal with US before the 1 August deadline.

A man is halted climbing the US-Mexico border wall. Under new Trump rules, US troops sound the alarm

Yahoo Entertainment

President Trump takes aim at college sports with a new executive order

Becky Sullivan, NPR

The order aims to ban "pay-for-play" NIL deals, mandates scholarships for women's and Olympic sports and threatens to withhold funds from schools who don't comply. But its legality is in question.

Why is Taiwan holding a ‘Great Recall’ vote?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Voters in Taiwan get to decide the fate of 31 KMT legislators in two recall votes with global implications.

Trey Parker Offered This Blunt Response to Those Offended by ‘South Park’s Premiere

JM McNab, Cracked.com

Parker and Matt Stone appeared returned to the San Diego Comic-Con at the best possible time

US, Israel condemn France’s move to recognise Palestinian state

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised France's 'reckless decision' that he said 'only serves Hamas propaganda'.

WATCH: Trump visits Federal Reserve amid criticism of Jerome Powell

ABC News

The Trump administration says the president's visit to the Federal Reserve was to check the "progress" of a renovation -- and separate from his frustration that Powell won’t lower interest rates.

Trump Loses It Over Epstein Drama Moments After New Revelations Surface

Yahoo Entertainment

Trump Praised Epstein as ‘The Greatest’ in Note: Report

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

The president's name was allegedly among a list of contributors for a book celebrating Epstein's birthday, according to The New York Times

WATCH: Trailer home swept away by floodwaters in New Mexico

ABC News

A home was swept away by floodwaters in New Mexico on Thursday as storm water rushed off mountainsides that have been scarred by wildfire.

WATCH: Meet the mini horses that give big comfort to hospital patients

ABC News

A nonprofit in Southern California is spreading joy with therapy-certified mini horses.

‘South Park’ Hasn’t Been This Relevant in 20 Years: Creators Speak Out at Comic-Con Panel

Rance Collins, IndieWire

The day after the instantly infamous Donald Trump episode of "South Park" aired, its creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker spoke on a panel at Comic-Con about their process.

Tropical storm adds to Philippines' weather toll with 25 dead and 278,000 evacuated this week

JIM GOMEZ, Yahoo Entertainment

A tropical storm was blowing across the Philippines' mountainous north Friday, worsening more than a week of bad weather that has caused at least 25 deaths...

WATCH: Missing 22-year-old Wisconsin graduate student found dead in the Mississippi River

ABC News

A 22-year-old graduate student who disappeared after leaving a Wisconsin bar early Sunday morning has been found dead in the Mississippi River, according to the La Crosse Police Department.

Trump's FCC approves Skydance-Paramount merger — with conditions about the company's content

Kelsey Vlamis, Business Insider

The FCC said it approved Skydance's $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global and that the company agreed to content conditions.

WATCH: Pedro Pascal on 'Fantastic Four' set dance-offs

ABC News

The actor tells "GMA" about how the cast bonded on set.