Trump News for Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Prosecutors Had A Drugs-for-Votes Scheme “Locked Up.” Under Trump, They Were Told Not To Pursue Charges.

Raquel Rutledge, Techdirt

This story was originally published by ProPublica. Republished under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 license. To the narcotics agents investigating drug smuggling in Puerto Rico prisons, it seemed at first like a typical scheme: associates of an inmate gang sneaking drugs …

Sam Altman says Elon Musk wanted 90 percent of OpenAI in high-stakes trial

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Landmark trial could shape future and leadership of OpenAI as company prepares for possible initial public offering.

A decade on, Trump will return to a stronger and more assertive China

BBC News

Beijing is arguably the most powerful competitor the US has confronted in its history, one analyst says.

Flavored vapes doomed Trump’s FDA head

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: Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary…

US Taiwan policy will be watched closely during Trump's China visit

Chris Boccia, Abcnews.com

While the conflict in Iran will loom over Trump's China summit, what might be the most consequential issue discussed behind closed doors is much closer to Beijing.

Jimmy Fallon to Send Viewers to Stephen Colbert for Final ‘Late Show’

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone

'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' will air a rerun on the night of the final episode of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.'

A rare Navy photo revealed the location of a nuclear-missile submarine amid Iran tensions

Talia Lakritz, Business Insider

The Navy shared a photo of a ballistic-missile submarine docked in Gibraltar, saying its presence demonstrates the US commitment to NATO allies.

Trump downplays US-Iran differences as he heads to Beijing to meet with Xi

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump gives conflicting messages on prominence of Iran war in upcoming talks, with his administration emphasising trade.

US court pauses decision blocking Trump’s 10 percent global tariff

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

A coalition of 24 states have argued that Trump's latest tariffs do not meet the standards of 1974 Trade Act.

Trump says 'I don't think about Americans' financial situation' in Iran negotiations

Karen Travers, Emily Chang, Fritz Farrow, Abcnews.com

President Donald Trump said Americans' financial situation was "not even a little bit" of a motivating factor for him reaching a deal to end the war in Iran.

Why is Grandpa Pudding Brains so grumpy today?

Jason Weisberger, Boing Boing

It would appear that convicted felon and credibly accused of assault by more than two dozen women, Donald Trump, is having a bad day. Not only does he slip up and admit he doesn't care how his war on Iran impacts US citizens, financially or otherwise, but he …

Court temporarily pauses order that declared Trump's global 10% tariffs unlawful

Peter Charalambous, Devin Dwyer, Steven Portnoy, Abcnews.com

A federal appeals court has temporarily paused a lower court order that declared President Trump's global 10% tariffs are unlawful.

Trump backs Pakistan as Iran mediator after criticism from Lindsey Graham

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president lauds Islamabad, but his Republican ally says he does not trust Pakistan to facilitate Iran diplomacy.

Republican Sen. Graham questions Pakistan's role in Iran negotiations

Mariam Khan, Abcnews.com

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham says he does not trust Pakistan and questioned the country's role as a mediator in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Cost of Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool repairs nearing $15M

Katherine Faulders, Peter Charalambous, Abcnews.com

The cost of Donald Trump’s ongoing renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is nearing $15 million, according to federal contract records reviewed by ABC News.

Trump on Iran War: ‘I Don’t Think About Americans’ Financial Situation’

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump said Americans' financial situation doesn't factor into his thinking about the Iran war, which is causing a cost-of-living crisis.

Tom Morello Blasts Trump, ICE Abuses at NYC Event: ‘It’s Fucking Fascism’

Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone

The musician and activist joined Hands Off NYC  at 26 Federal Plaza and performed Woody Guthrie's “This Land is Your Land."

Trump calls reporter ‘dumb’ after saying he’s ‘doubled’ size of ballroom

Mallory Wilson, The Hill

President Trump on Tuesday defended the size and cost of the White House ballroom, then insulted the reporter who asked him about the project’s scope. “We...

Why is Iran increasingly targeting the UAE in its war messaging?

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

The UAE's close ties to the US and Israel have placed the Gulf country under Iranian suspicion.

Ukraine hits Russia’s distant gas facilities after Moscow’s attacks kill 6

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The attack comes in retaliation for the Russian attacks that killed at least six in Ukraine, according to the president.

FBI Tip Claimed Mahmoud Khalil Called for “Violence on Behalf of Hamas” Two Days Before ICE Arrest

Akela Lacy, The Intercept

The FBI probe was promptly closed and found Khalil did not “warrant further investigation.” The Trump administration kept calling him a threat. The post FBI Tip Claimed Mahmoud Khalil Called for “Violence on Behalf of Hamas” Two Days Before ICE Arrest appeare…

PayPal Reaches $30M Settlement Over So-Called ‘DEI Program’ That Helped Black-Owned Businesses

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

PayPal was engaging in "illegal DEI," according to Trump's DOJ.

How Does It Spread?

Joseph Allen, The Atlantic

Answering this question is essential to public health, but people keep getting it wrong.

The Mess at the FDA Just Got Bigger as Chief Marty Makary Resigns

Ed Cara, Gizmodo.com

Kyle Diamantas, the current deputy commissioner of food at the FDA, will take over for the time being.

Trump says red line of ending Iran ceasefire will be discussed

Yahoo Entertainment

Trump skirts question on US ‘red lines’ for Iran ceasefire

Al Jazeera English

Trump skirted a question from a reporter about whether he has a ‘red line’ that would end the ceasefire with Iran.

The World Press Freedom Index at Global 25-Year Low

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

Since Reporters Without Borders started tracking their World Press Freedom Index 25 years ago, the global rating has never been lower than the 2026 score. From a summary of their analysis: For

Judge presses DOJ on plan to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia

Laura Romero, Abcnews.com

The judge overseeing Kilmar Abrego Garcia's immigration case pressed DOJ attorneys on their plan to remove him to Liberia "within a matter of weeks."

‘Cotton picking’: US lawmaker condemned for racist comment about Jeffries

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US representative Jen Kiggans appears to endorse racist statements about top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.

Kevin Warsh confirmed to US Federal Reserve board in close Senate vote

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, joins Republicans to advance Warsh's confirmation.

Big Brother Is ReTruthing You

Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic

Donald Trump is a victim of propaganda as much as he is a manipulator of it.

Trump’s FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns

Tanya Lewis, Scientific American

Makary, a face of Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, oversaw the embattled agency as it dealt with vaping, abortion and other issues

Supreme Court Breaks Another Election To Make Sure Black Voters Are Disenfranchised

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

Again, I feel like I’m going crazy here, but the obviously extremely partisan Supreme Court has struck again. I will repeat some of the basics, because it’s hard to believe how blatant all of this is. In November, a (Trump-appointed) judge threw out Texas’s n…

WATCH: What Trump's proposed gas tax holiday means

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, discusses a potential suspension of the gas tax amid rising fuel costs due to the war with Iran.

Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to UAE: US envoy

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Mike Huckabee calls on Gulf states to 'pick a side' in the war between Israel and Iran as he heaps praise on Abu Dhabi.

DOJ reaches $30 million deal with PayPal over minority-owned business program

Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

The DOJ has reached a deal with PayPal over an investigation into its minority-owned business program.

US faces rising costs with Iran war driving energy prices, inflation higher

Andy Hirschfeld, Al Jazeera English

Consumer prices spike in April, driven by soaring energy costs, with petrol prices up nearly 30 percent since last year.

Hegseth Asks for More Money as Iran War Costs Skyrocket

Nick Turse, The Intercept

War Secretary Pete Hegseth was on Capitol Hill Tuesday to defend the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget request. The post Hegseth Asks for More Money as Iran War Costs Skyrocket appeared first on The Intercept.

Dr. Marty Makary intends to resign as FDA commissioner: Sources

Mary Kekatos, Katherine Faulders, Justin Fishel, Abcnews.com

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary intends to resign today, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Trump's Justice Department rediscovers its enthusiasm for intimidating the press

Jason Weisberger, Boing Boing

The Trump Justice Department continues its belligerent reinterpretation of constitutional rights, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly suggesting that journalists who receive information about government misconduct should maybe start shopping fo…

You Do Not, Under Any Circumstances, Gotta Hand it to Marjorie Taylor Greene

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

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

FCC walks back router update ban before it bricked America's network security

Dan Robinson, Theregister.com

Quietly extends waivers to 2029 after realizing it was about to leave millions of devices unpatched

US tariff refunds start rolling out as Oshkosh, Basic Fun report receiving payments

By Timothy Aeppel, Yahoo Entertainment

By Timothy Aeppel May 12 (Reuters) - Heavy-truck maker Oshkosh Corp and toy maker Basic Fun on Tuesday both said they had received partial payments of the...

Lawmaker wants sea lions killed to protect endangered salmon

Tatiana Carter, Newsnationnow.com

At least 4,000 sea lions call the Columbia River their home.

WaPo Gets All Hand-Wringy Because People Are Suggesting Trump Needs To Be Assassinated

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Let’s make one thing clear before I start digging into the Washington Post firing up its teapot-based Tempest Generator: I do not support the assassination of Donald Trump. I am understandably impatient with the “let nature take its course” progression we’ve …

Pentagon gives new $29bn Iran war price tag, downplays munitions concerns

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Appearing before congressional panel, Defense Secretary Hegseth says US is prepared to either escalate or wind down war.

The Enemy Of My Enemy… Left And Right Search For Common Ground To Prop Up U.S. Entertainment Business

Dmorgan1201, Deadline

Three years on from the dual writers and actors strikes, and everything is not as film and television workers might have hoped. After years of adopting phrases like ‘survive til ’25’ to establish a light at the end of the tunnel, the Hollywood labor unions ar…

Study: “A few weeks of X’s algorithm can...

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

Study: “A few weeks of X’s algorithm can make you more right‑wing – and it doesn’t wear off quickly.” People using the “For You” feed were more likely to favor GOP policies, less likely to want Trump

Trump Melts Down Over Reflecting Pool Reports in Wild Posting Spree

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump melted down over reports contradicting his narrative about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in a wild Truth Social posting spree.

Trump's Approval Rating Is Now a Full 20 Points Underwater

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Even the most Republican-friendly pollsters are getting apocalyptic as Trump approval sinks to lows previously thought impossible.

Spencer Pratt and the Temptations of Populism

Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic

The long-shot candidate for L.A. mayor has run an effective campaign. Can he tap into populist energy without alienating Angelenos?

No Matter Who Wins the World Cup, the Hosts Lose

Henry Grabar, The Atlantic

Cities and states are covering a lot of the costs of this summer’s matches, and have few options for bringing in much revenue.

Trump-Xi meeting: Could China, US form a ‘G2’?

Federica Marsi, Al Jazeera English

The leaders' upcoming meeting in Beijing has revived the idea of a 'Group of Two' between the superpowers.

Greene, Ingraham alarmed at potential Trump-Xi $1 trillion investment deal

Sophie Brams, The Hill

Reports that President Trump is considering a deal that would allow China to invest $1 trillion in the U.S. are setting off alarm bells among conservative...

What’s a bored Donald Trump to do? Apparently, target Cuba

Heather Digby Parton, Salon

As U.S. surveillance flights over the island increase, the president could be betting on action to regain his mojo

ABC Shows A Backbone In FCC Fight, Shows FCC Manufactured A Controversy Surrounding James Talarico

Karl Bode, Techdirt

ABC/Disney, like most major media companies, has spent much of its time during America’s bout with authoritarianism being a feckless wimp. The company was quick to ditch its already fleeting embrace of civil rights to please our dim, racist president, and wer…

Pakistan scrambles to salvage US-Iran diplomacy as ceasefire faces collapse

Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera English

Pakistan rejects allegations of aiding Iran militarily while Trump says truce on 'life support'.

Kremlin repeats Putin's assertion that Ukraine war is nearly over after Zelenskiy casts doubt

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

MOSCOW, May 12 (Reuters) - The Kremlin repeated Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that the war in Ukraine was almost over on Tuesday, after...

Guess Who Canceled U.S. Hantavirus Research Last Year, at the Height of DOGE?

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Researchers would have been studying this exact Andean strain of hantavirus already, until the Trump administration revoked their funding.

Trying to heal democracy one conversation at a time

Chauncey DeVega, Salon

The U.S. seems hopelessly divided. These Americans think otherwise

Gemstones on Mars—why the Red Planet could be harboring rubies, opals, and more

Adam Kovac, Scientific American

NASA’s Mars rovers have found traces of minerals akin to those that make up precious gems on Earth. But their appearance and abundance on Mars is likely very different, experts say

Nebraska Democrats are boosting a Senate candidate. Her pitch: Help someone else win

Ethan Cohen, CNN, CNN

Tuesday’s Nebraska Democratic Senate race is one of the year’s strangest primary elections, as Cindy Burbank is running a campaign largely to block her...

The Art of the Ceasefire

Sudarsan Raghavan, The New Yorker

How President Trump’s approach to the war in Iran is turning endless conflict, interrupted by fleeting pauses, into the status quo. Sudarsan Raghavan reports.

Is the U.S. in a new era of political violence? Experts say it’s complicated

Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American

Researchers who study political violence say that the U.S. is in a period of more intense political rhetoric, but there have been far darker periods in the nation’s history

ITN CEO Rachel Corp Steps Down Immediately

Jake Kanter, Deadline

Rachel Corp, the chief executive of storied British news producer ITN, is stepping down with immediate effect after nearly four years. Corp, whose exit has shocked colleagues, will be replaced by Ian Rumsey, the boss of ITN Productions. It means Rumsey is U-t…

Americans’ anger about the economy hits Trump and Republicans’ midterm prospects

Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN, CNN

A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds that 77% – including a majority of Republicans – say that President Donald Trump’s policies have increased the cost of...

Drive 5 hours or fly 20 minutes? Remote towns suffer from lack of year-round flights

Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR

A federal program that pays airlines to operate in small and rural communities could have its budget cut in half, leaving parts of the country with no flight options.

Trump goes to China as Iran war smolders

Tamara Keith, NPR

President Trump says he has a great relationship with President Xi. His trip to China will provide a temperature check.

Zelenskyy says Russia fired over 200 drones at Ukraine as truce expires

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

One killed and four others wounded in attacks on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, local administration chief says.

Britain pays Starlink millions despite Musk's calls to overthrow UK government

Dan Robinson, Theregister.com

Satellite service supports troops and Ukraine, but payments may raise eyebrows after boss's political broadsides

Trump and Xi: The history of encounters between two superpower leaders

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met six times since 2017.

Kuwait accuses Iran of sending an armed Revolutionary Guard team to attack an island in nation

JON GAMBRELL and MELANIE LIDMAN, Yahoo Entertainment

Kuwait accused Iran on Tuesday of sending an armed paramilitary Revolutionary Guard team to attack an island in the Middle East nation home to a China-funded...

Iran war: What’s happening on day 74 as Tehran says ready for ‘aggression’

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

US-Iran tensions remain high as Tehran warns against 'aggression' and Trump says the ceasefire is on 'life support'.

Late-night hosts joked that Stephen Colbert could host their shows whenever he wants to

Aditi Bharade, Business Insider

Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers joined Colbert on one of his last episodes before CBS pulls his show off the air.

Sebastian Stan On His Romanian Roots In ‘Fjord’, Fatherhood, Toxic Masculinity, Real-Life Heroes & ‘The Batman: Part II’ – Cannes Cover Story

Dmorgan1201, Deadline

In Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, Sebastian Stan returns to his Romanian roots with a story that forces us to examine our prejudices, our assumptions, and the treatment of immigrants. Starring opposite Renate Reinsve, Stan once again plunges into a risky, thorny ro…

US moves to release more oil stockpiles under IEA agreement

John Power, Al Jazeera English

US Department of Energy moves to transfer 53.3 million barrels amid rising oil prices.

Trump took credit for the massive DEI rollback. He may be right

Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, USA Today

Trump took credit for the large-scale retreat from DEI initiatives. A new study suggests the White House crackdown is driving the corporate rollback.

California ex-mayor admits acting as agent of China, US authorities say

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Ex-mayor of wealthy Los Angeles suburb promoted pro-China propaganda at behest of Chinese officials, prosecutors say.

Iran war oil trades, bets more than suspicious: Pelosi Tracker founder

Rob Taub, Newsnationnow.com

The DOJ has ramped up its investigation into the oil trades possibly made with insider information since the conflict began.

Trump Admin Appeals ACIP Court Ruling So RFK Jr. Can Continue Fucking With Vaccines

Timothy Geigner, Techdirt

It took longer than I thought it would, but the Trump administration’s appeal of the court ruling and injunction that put a pause on RFK Jr.’s remaking of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and vaccine policy has come through. If you need…

Last passengers from hantavirus-hit ship evacuated; American tests positive

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US officials say 18 Americans are being monitored for symptoms, as WHO insists risk to public remains low.

Xi-Trump summit may yield farm deal, but China has limited soybean appetite

By Ella Cao, Trevor Hunnicutt and Naveen Thukral, Yahoo Entertainment

BEIJING/SINGAPORE, May 12 (Reuters) - China and the United States may reach a farm deal at their summit this week that expands Beijing's purchases of grains ...

Trump taps former FEMA director to lead the disaster agency again

Rebecca Hersher, NPR

Cameron Hamilton led FEMA briefly in 2025. He was removed by the Trump administration after telling Congress that the agency should continue to exist. Now, he's been nominated to lead it once again.

Iran war live: Trump slams Iranian proposal as ceasefire hangs by a thread

Zaid Sabah, Danai Nesta Kupemba, Al Jazeera English

Iran's powerful parliamentary speaker says US has 'no alternative but to accept' Tehran's 14-point proposal to end war.