Trump News for Wednesday, May 6, 2026

What are China’s surprise gains in the war on Iran?

Al Jazeera English

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beijing, seeking support on a deal with the US.

Katie Porter fights scrutiny of temperament as only woman in California governor race

Juhi Doshi, Clarissa Gonzalez, Abcnews.com

Experts are mixed over whether she should have raised outbursts that went viral.

Trump’s Anti-Migration Purge Is Breaking Up Military Families, Screwing Afghan Allies

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

The content of their character was never up for consideration. Under Donald Trump, the only thing that matters is the color of their skin. That’s why almost every single person granted asylum since Trump took office has been white. That’s why Trump has been a…

In rare push, US lawmakers demand transparency on Israel nuclear capability

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Lawmakers say US policy of ambiguity on Israel's nuclear capabilities heightens risks amid US-Israel war on Iran.

The FBI investigates a journalist

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: President Donald Trump’s FBI director was the subject …

2 former immigration judges sue Trump administration over their removal

Laura Romero, Abcnews.com

Two former immigration judges have sued President Donald Trump's administration over their removal, alleging they were discriminated.

Louisianians sound the alarm about voter confusion after House primaries delayed

Gaby Vinick, Oren Oppenheim, Abcnews.com

Some Louisianians are warning the state's postponement of U.S. House primaries, while still holding primaries for other races, is fueling more confusion for voters.

Iran considering US proposal to end war, official says

BBC News

The White House reportedly believes it could be closing in on a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran.

SpaceX backs Anthropic with data centre deal amidst Musk’s OpenAI lawsuit

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Deal gives IPO-bound SpaceX a marquee customer, while helping Anthropic ease capacity constraints.

Trump says had ‘very good talks’ with Iran as Tehran reviews US proposal

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Momentum could be building for Washington and Tehran to strike a deal that could ultimately end the war.

Researchers say closing a top USDA research lab will slow responses to honeybee deaths

Macy Byars, NPR

When beekeepers saw honeybee die-offs last year, experts at a USDA research center stepped in to help. The Trump administration plans to close the facility, and beekeepers and scientists are worried.

What’s behind the secessionist movement in the Canadian province Alberta?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Oil-rich western province could see independence referendum as soon as October, but complicated process remains ahead.

The DOJ Wants to Bail Trump Out of Paying Massive E. Jean Carroll Judgement

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

The Justice Department wants to bail Donald Trump out of paying E. Jean Carroll a massive $83.3 million defamation judgement.

Lawyer on EEOC’s New York Times Lawsuit Has History Battling Discrimination Against Men

Bryce Covert, The Intercept

A former EEOC chair said, “They’re putting out their best facts in this complaint, and the facts are pathetic.” The post Lawyer on EEOC’s New York Times Lawsuit Has History Battling Discrimination Against Men appeared first on The Intercept.

After Trump's attacks on court, Gorsuch determined to be 'fearless' and 'independent'

Linsey Davis, Devin Dwyer, Lindsey Griswold, Jon Schlosberg, Abcnews.com

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch responded to attacks by President Trump in an interview, suggesting he is determined to remain “independent” and “fearless.”

Indiana primaries show the political cost of crossing Trump: ANALYSIS

Averi Harper, Abcnews.com

The message from Indiana’s Republican primaries was hard to miss: if you cross Trump -- even in a state legislative race -- he’s willing to come after you politically.

Indiana, Ohio primaries draw midterm battle lines, reinforce Trump’s pull

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Latest votes set up key Senate race, underscore Trump's continued influence over Republican Party.

5 ways the Iran standoff could end

Joshua Keating, Vox

Despite the US and Iran exchanging fire and new missile attacks aimed at the United Arab Emirates this week, the Trump administration maintains that the ceasefire that began in early April is still in effect. Iran’s attacks on commercial and US Navy ships are…

Pope issues diplomatic version of "Whatchu talkin' about, Willis?"

Jason Weisberger, Boing Boing

After Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Pope Leo XIV supports Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, the pope responded with a calm reminder that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons for decades. Without responding to Trump's comments di…

Republicans want to add $1 billion for Trump's ballroom security to ICE funding plan

Eric McDaniel, NPR

Republicans in Congress are proposing $1 billion in funding for security for President Trump's White House ballroom as part of their partisan plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE has not improved U.S. labor markets

Tyler Cowen, Marginalrevolution.com

We provide the first causal, national empirical analysis of the labor market impacts of heightened immigration enforcement during the second Trump administration. Enforcement increased everywhere, but, we take advantage of the fact that the increases have bee…

Surprise, “Democrats for Rob Coalition” chaired by GOP elected

Russell Payne, Salon

A frontline GOP representative is courting Democrats for PA Rep. Rob Bresnahan

Voter Suppression In South Dakota Is Well Underway, Even Without SCOTUS’s Help

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

It may be almost impossible to devolve this country into a nation of slaveholders, but the Trump administration and all of its MAGA buddies are working hard to make sure a white person’s vote counts more than a vote cast by anyone else. These bigots recently …

Americast

BBC News

Or has the US president lost control?

Trump's hopes for an Iran peace deal come with caveats

BBC News

There are signs of fresh momentum to end the war, but Trump himself has injected a note of caution.

The return of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award likely won’t improve children’s health, experts say

Claire Cameron, Scientific American

Researchers say that President Donald Trump’s resurrection of widely maligned fitness testing in schools is “half-baked” and unlikely to move the needle on youth physical activity alone

Trump Uses Ted Turner’s Death to Fantasize About MAGA Media Takeover

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump used Ted Turner's death to fantasize about the end of "woke" and the new owners of CNN revamping the station.

DHS Tried to Reveal the Identity of a Canadian Who Dared to Post About Trump and ICE

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.

Donald Trump Pays Tribute To Ted Turner While Lamenting “Woke” CNN

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Donald Trump paid tribute to media titan Ted Turner, who died on Wednesday at age 87, while bashing the network he created, CNN. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He founded CNN, sold it, and was perso…

How Silicon Valley's new tech right has profited by aligning with MAGA

Terry Gross, NPR

Atlantic writer George Packer discusses how tech venture capitalists, who are heavily invested in AI and cryptocurrency, aligned with Trump and influenced policies related to their own investments.

Trump asks judges to pause E. Jean Carroll ruling so he can appeal case to SCOTUS

Aaron Katersky, Abcnews.com

President Trump has asked a court to pause its ruling rejecting his challenge to E. Jean Carroll's defamation suit so he can appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

FBI investigating leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Pate

Ken Dilanian, Carol Leonnig, MS Now

MS NOW has learned that that FBI agents are probing the reporter who wrote a detailed story of Patel’s alleged heavy drinking and erratic behavior.

A Dangerous New Attack on Press Freedom

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

According to MS NOW, the FBI has launched an investigation into an Atlantic reporter.

The FBI Is Reportedly Investigating a Leak to an Atlantic Writer

Matt Viser, The Atlantic

Sarah Fitzpatrick reported on concerns about Kash Patel’s drinking and behavior.

The Trump administration is bringing back flavored vapes. Advocates and lawmakers say the risks outweigh the benefits

Adam Kovac, Scientific American

The president had vowed to 'save vaping' on the campaign trail in 2024, but the decision is already drawing fire from anti-nicotine advocates and a bipartisan group of lawmakers

The Supreme Court broke democracy by saying the quiet part out loud

Ian Millhiser, Vox

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court’s Republican majority effectively repealed a 1982 amendment to the Voting Rights Act that required some states to draw a minimum number of majority-Black or majority-Latino legislative districts. The GOP justices’ decision ha…

Tom Steyer can make California golden again

Jeff Cohen, Salon

I loathe billionaires. But the former hedge fund manager could be a class traitor in the mold of FDR

Brash CNN founder Ted Turner dies

David Folkenflik, NPR

Turner had a larger-than-life personality, and used it to launch the country's first 24/7 all-news network.

Araghchi in Beijing: How China could shape the direction of the US-Iran war

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

Analysts say shared US and Chinese interests in reopening the Strait of Hormuz could create a path towards peace.

Major U.S. Airport Will Be Renamed After Donald Trump, and His Family Will Keep the Profits

Holden Desalles, Thoughtcatalog.com

Palm Beach International is being renamed for Trump in a 4-3 county vote. His family company controls the merchandise, picks the vendors, keeps the profits, and the county has no way out. Palm Beac…

A Library Dedicated Solely to the Epstein Files Is Opening in New York

Ej Dickson, Wired

The Institute for Primary Facts has compiled more than 3.5 million pages of the Epstein files for public display at the newly opened Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room.

Trump’s dog whistles and prosecutions echo Nixon’s racist strategy

Heather Digby Parton, Salon

No longer bothering to hide its agenda, the administration is making blatant appeals to the Old South

What happened to Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’?

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump announced ‘Project Freedom’, an operation to escort stranded ships through the strait. Then paused it.

White Man Handles Job Rejection by Getting the Trump Admin to Sue His Company

Danielle Han, Jezebel

On Tuesday, the administration sued the New York Times for allegedly promoting a woman over her white male counterpart for the role of deputy real estate editor. Love a man who can handle rejection!

Iran says Strait of Hormuz passage to be ensured after US pauses operation

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says safe transit will be ensured with new procedures in place.

What is the FDD, the pro-Israel think tank shaping Trump’s Iran policy?

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

FDD's talking points on the US-Israel war on Iran have been picked up by the Trump administration.

This Trump FCC Cybersecurity ‘Fix’ Is About To Make Hardware Way More Expensive For Everyone

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Last week the Trump FCC quietly announced that it was cooking up a new ban on any labs that have testing offices in China from testing electronic ‌devices such as smartphones, cameras and computers for sale in the United States. That’s going to create some ma…

Has the US accepted Iran’s demand to settle Hormuz first, nuclear later?

Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera English

US pauses Hormuz escorts after Pakistan-led mediation gains traction, signalling shift towards a limited framework deal.

Low US hotel bookings paint grim hospitality picture at the World Cup

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Report says several factors, including visa barriers and geopolitical concerns are to be blamed for low booking numbers.

Lutnick appears before House panel over Epstein ties...

Bridget Brown, Associated Press

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is appearing before a House committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein as lawmakers seek answers for Lutnick's contact with him in the years after 2008.

Democrats gain midterm edge, NPR poll shows. And, U.S. pauses 'Project Freedom'

Brittney Melton, NPR

Democrats outpace Republicans in voter enthusiasm for the midterm elections, according to NPR's latest poll. And Trump says "Project Freedom" is paused because of progress toward an Iran agreement.

‘Operation Epic Fury’ has ended: Is the Iran war over?

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

Experts say Trump's pause of 'Project Freedom' could be the 'beginning of the end' for the war on Iran.

Disney beats expectations in its first earnings report under CEO Josh D'Amaro

James Faris, Business Insider

Disney exceeded Wall Street's estimates in its latest quarter, weeks after a major round of layoffs.

Abortion is still a problem for the GOP

Amanda Marcotte, Salon

Even this Supreme Court seems wary of efforts to restrict the abortion pill

She Opposed His Plan for a Blockchain City. Now He’s Bankrolling Her Primary Opponent.

Matt Sledge, The Intercept

A crypto mogul gave $2.5 million to a candidate running against state Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro in the Nevada attorney general race. The post She Opposed His Plan for a Blockchain City. Now He’s Bankrolling Her Primary Opponent. appeared first on The Intercept.

Saudi Arabia posts $33.5bn budget deficit amid drop in oil sales

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Kingdom announces sharp rise in budget shortfall amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Americans have favorable view of pope, negative reaction to Trump's Jesus post: Poll

Emily Guskin, Elizabeth Schreier, Abcnews.com

What Americans think about Pope Leo ahead of Rubio's Vatican trip.

DOJ halted drugs-for-votes investigation under Trump

Raquel Rutledge, Salon

In early 2025, the lead prosecutor was told not to look any further into the matter.

A new Medicare option for weight loss drugs is coming: Here's what to know

Jackie Fortiér, NPR

Millions of people with Medicare will soon be eligible to get discounted GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Here's how it will work.

US media report points to memorandum to end war after Trump pauses mission to open strait

Yahoo Entertainment

Trump’s Potential New AI Executive Order May Take a Swipe at Anthropic

Mike Pearl, Gizmodo.com

The president is reportedly cooking up an expansive AI plan of some sort.

Lutnick to be questioned over Epstein relationship before House Oversight Committee

Peter Charalambous, Abcnews.com

He is the first Trump Cabinet official to face the House Oversight Committee.

Our World Cup host 'is Fifa, not Trump or America' - Iran

Harry Poole, BBC News

Iran's football chief Mehdi Taj says their World Cup host "is Fifa, not Mr Trump or America" and calls for respect towards the nation's delegation if the national team is to travel to the United States for this summer's tournament.

US petrol prices 50 percent higher than before war on Iran

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The average price of petrol in the United States has reached $4.48 per gallon, according to AAA.

‘A stress test’: US-Germany rift widens as Iran-war drags on

Karim Natour, Al Jazeera English

German official says US-Europe relationship is being tested as opposition MP says Berlin is 'not neutral'

Barack Obama Suggests Stephen Colbert Would Be a Better President Than ‘Some Folks’

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone

Barack Obama appeared on 'The Late Show' for an extensive interview with Stephen Colbert about the power of the president, Democrats, and aliens.

Iran war day 68: Trump talks about progress in talks; Rubio says war ‘over’

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Trump pauses US 'Project Freedom' operation in Strait of Hormuz, citing progress towards Iran agreement.

Watch: How a huge wave of Israeli strikes brought chaos to Lebanon

BBC News

The BBC’s Nawal Al-Maghafi has been piecing together what happened on 8 April 2026, after one of the deadliest chapters in the country’s recent history.

What to know about Israeli President Herzog’s trip to Central America?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Israeli Foreign Ministry says that four-day visit to Panama and Costa Rica will deepen ties with partners in the region.

US president Trump restarts Pope feud ahead of Rubio visit to Vatican

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump has reignited his public attacks on Pope Leo, claiming he supports Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

Iran’s Araghchi holds talks with China’s Wang Yi in Beijing

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Iran's foreign minister meets his Chinese counterpart one week before President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.

The world's hottest stock market just minted a trillion-dollar tech giant

htan@insider.com (Huileng Tan), Business Insider

Samsung Electronics' stock has doubled this year, making it the second Asian company — after TSMC — to join the $1 trillion club.

California Governor Candidates Signal Agreement On Saving Hollywood, But Spend Much Of CNN Debate Sparring And Interrupting

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Seven candidates for California governor crowded a CNN debate stage in East Los Angeles on Tuesday, spending much of the two hours sparring and strategizing to gain an upper hand in a race that still remains fluid. One of the few moments where the contenders …

US pauses plan to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump has said that the US military operation guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused.

Ramaswamy will win Ohio GOP primary for governor, ABC News projects

Diana Paulsen, Abcnews.com

Businessman and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will win the GOP primary for Ohio governor, ABC News projects.

Senate Republicans Want $1 Billion in Taxpayer Dollars to Secure Trump Ballroom

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

Senate Republicans proposed setting aside $1 billion in taxpayer funding for security upgrades to President Trump’s White House ballroom project.

Intel’s stock jumped 13% today over Apple chip manufacturing report

Marcus Mendes, 9to5Mac

Intel’s stock hit a record high today in the aftermath of a Bloomberg report that claimed Apple is exploring Intel and Samsung Electronics as potential manufacturing partners for future device chips. Here are the details. more…

Oil prices ease as US seeks reopening of the Hormuz Strait

BBC News

President Donald Trump raised hopes of an agreement between the US and Iran after days of escalation.

WATCH: EMT students tell David Muir about saving instructor who went into cardiac arrest

ABC News, Abcnews.com

During a CPR lesson at a college in Wisconsin, EMS instructor Karl Arps suddenly went into cardiac arrest. His students noticed the signs and jumped into action, saving his life. David Muir reports.

WATCH: Washington driver arrested after chasing child riding bike on sidewalk

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Alarming video shows the moment a woman drove onto a sidewalk chasing a child who was a riding a dirt bike. The driver has been arrested and charged with felony assault, DUI and trespassing.

Vivek Ramaswamy wins Republican nomination for Ohio governor

BBC News

He spent much of the race criticising the state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic led by the Democrat nominee.

WATCH: World Cup security ramps up across U.S., Canada and Mexico

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Officials are preparing for heightened security as World Cup matches approach in major cities including Seattle and Los Angeles. Healix International CEO James Henderson outlines key risks.

TikTok’s algorithm systematically skewed to the right during the 2024 US elections

Nature.com

‘Bot’ accounts were directed mostly towards content aligned with the Republican Party.

Systematic partisan content skews in TikTok during the 2024 US elections

Hazem Ibrahim, HyunSeok Daniel Jang, Nouar Aldahoul, Aaron R. Kaufman, Talal Rahwan, Yasir Zaki, Nature.com

Audit experiments on TikTok show asymmetric partisan exposure that is not explained by observable engagement metrics, with Republican-leaning accounts receiving more aligned content and Democratic-leaning accounts more cross-partisan recommendations.

Iran war live: Trump says Hormuz operation paused amid US, Tehran talks

Heba Habib, Danai Nesta Kupemba, Barbara Angopa, Al Jazeera English

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite growing tensions in Hormuz Strait.