Trump News for Thursday, May 14, 2026

U.S. Supreme Court allows mifepristone by mail—for now

Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American

The nation's top court extended a stay on a lower court order banning telemedicine access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions—but the order sets up a longer legal fight

WATCH: Spirit Airlines faces lawsuit from former employees

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Sam Sweeney and Brian Buckmire report on former workers suing Spirit Airlines over claims they were denied pay and benefits after the airline shut down operations.

Cuba’s Diaz-Canel open to US aid amid worsening fuel crisis, blackouts

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

The comments came as a US delegation led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday.

Trump poised to drop IRS suit, launch $1.7B 'weaponization' fund for allies: Sources

Katherine Faulders, Peter Charalambous, Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

President Trump is expected to drop his $10 billion IRS suit in exchange for the creation of a $1.7 billion fund for victims of governmental "weaponization," sources say.

Closing arguments begin in Elon Musk’s landmark lawsuit against OpenAI

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Elon Musk accuses OpenAI of breaching charitable trust and prioritising profit over AI safety and nonprofit values.

Rat Virus Outbreak Update: 41 People Monitored Across USA...

Catherine Armecin Martin, International Business Times UK

Health officials in the US are monitoring 41 potential hantavirus cases across 12 states, prompting federal response and public health warnings.

Pentagon abruptly cuts US combat forces in Poland, officials say

Steven Beynon, Luis Martinez, Chris Boccia, Abcnews.com

The Pentagon decided not to replace a brigade of combat forces.

Border Patrol chief Mike Banks resigns in latest Trump immigration shakeup

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The US Department of Homeland Security has seen several high-profile departures, including Todd Lyons and Kristi Noem.

Linda McMahon defends dismantling the Education Department, shifting its work

Cory Turner, NPR

The education secretary faced questions about the shrinking of her agency, limits on federal student loan borrowing and oversight of the education of students with disabilities.

Dow closes above 50,000 as investors eye Trump-Xi summit

Max Zahn, Abcnews.com

Oil prices inched higher on Thursday.

Cautious optimism in Lebanon as direct talks with Israel progress

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Lebanese officials are hoping that two-day ambassador-level negotiations in the US will yield a new ceasefire deal.

How Russell Vought Became the Shadow President

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

One of the biggest assholes in the Trump regime is Russell Vought — and that’s really saying something; it’s a fierce competition. He’s the guy who said in 2023 that he wanted to put federal worke

Tim Cook Is in Trump’s Executive Entourage for China Summit

John Gruber, The-independent.com

President Trump said on Truth Social that he will ask President Xi Jinping to ‘open up’ China

Iran, Taiwan, and trade: Trump’s high‑stakes return to Beijing

Al Jazeera English

As Trump meets Xi in Beijing for the first time in nine years, can trade war, Taiwan and Iran tensions be contained?

Who Won the Elon Musk vs OpenAI Trial?

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

The trial is wrapping up with closing arguments on Thursday, so it's time to speculate!

Trump’s Tech Posse in China, Who’s Winning in Musk v. Altman, and Hantavirus Conspiracy Theories

Brian Barrett, Zoë Schiffer, Leah Feiger, Wired

Today on “Uncanny Valley,” we discuss how Donald Trump’s visit to China could influence conversations between world leaders at a moment when the economic and foreign policy stakes couldn’t be higher.

As usual, Trump has now never heard of his close personal reflecting pool guy

Jason Weisberger, Boing Boing

The "sir" anecdote is always a handy red flag that reality has left the building. Once again, as constant as the northern star, Donald Trump has entered the familiar third act of his scandal lifecycle: after publicly enthusing about his wonderful handpicked g…

Report: Intel is Testing Production of Some iPhone, iPad, and Mac Chips

Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

TSMC has been the exclusive supplier of Apple's systems-on-a-chip since 2016, but that 10-year streak could be nearing its end. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said that Intel has "kicked off" small-scale testing of lower-end iPhone, iPad, …

"Dear President Trump, Respectfully, What The F—k Is Wrong With You?": These MAGA Supporters Have Fully Crashed Out Over Gas Prices

Michaela Bramwell, Buzzfeed

"Please get this crap in the middle east over with. please stop toying with them. I can not afford $5.00 a gallon, for gas..."View Entire Post ›

Jerome Powell: Steering the US Fed through COVID-19 and political pressures

Andy Hirschfeld, Al Jazeera English

Trump’s aggressive push for interest rate cuts shaped Powell’s Fed legacy during his tumultuous leadership.

Trump administration pledges $1.8bn in additional humanitarian aid to UN

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The extra funds come on top of $2bn announced in December but fall short of past commitments from the US.

RFK Jr. spokesman resigns over fruit-flavored e-cigarette concerns, letter says

Arthur Jones II, Abcnews.com

Richard Danker said the vape authorization "undermines" the department's recent guidance document related to youth risks of flavored nicotine, according to the letter.

DOJ Escalates War on Trans Youth Healthcare With Criminal Subpoenas

Natasha Lennard, The Intercept

We already know how high the stakes are for patients and their families — and rolling over now could hurt all of medicine. The post DOJ Escalates War on Trans Youth Healthcare With Criminal Subpoenas appeared first on The Intercept.

Why the anti-abortion movement is disappointed in Trump

Peter Balonon-Rosen, Sean Rameswaram, Vox

If you talk to folks in the anti-abortion movement, they’re pretty disappointed about the state of things in the US. Despite the headline victories they’ve achieved in recent years — like, say, the overturning of Roe v. Wade (1973) — they thought they’d be ac…

Hit with prostitution allegations by agents...

Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner

Hit with prostitution allegations by agents... (First column, 10th story, link) Related stories:RFK Jr. Takes Part in Open Heart Surgery? Border Patrol Boss Quits...

Iraq’s parliament approves new Ali al-Zaidi government

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

PM sworn in and 14 ​ministers approved ⁠in new government though parliament fails to reach consensus on several posts.

WATCH: Man sentenced in cold case murders solved with chewing gum

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Convicted killer Mitchell Gaff was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the murders of two women in the 1980s.

Trump: China has committed to withholding military equipment from Iran

Julia Manchester, The Hill

President Trump said Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to withholding military equipment from Iran during the bilateral meeting between...

The Congo Refused to Accept a Seriously Sick Immigrant. The U.S. Deported Her There Anyway.

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

The woman from Colombia was deported to Africa despite the Congo telling the U.S. it couldn't provide needed medical care for her.

Trump-Xi summit Day 1 takeaways: ANALYSIS

Selina Wang, Abcnews.com

Key takeaways from Day 1 of the high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping.

Trump Administration: Anti-Fascists, Drug Dealers, And Trans People Are Terrorists

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

As was covered here last week, ProPublica’s Hannah Allam reached out to Trump’s “terrorism czar” Sebastian Gorka to ask him about the wreckage he’s caused since being elevated to a position of power he clearly has no expertise to handle. Gorka’s no expert in …

Nothing Says ‘Welcome to America’ Quite Like Having ICE at the FIFA World Cup!

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Speaking to CBS News’ Face the Nation on Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents will be present not to “enforc[e] mass immigration,” but to “enforce the law.” OK!

And the Photo Award Winner Is… Perhaps No Longer There

Ken Klein, PetaPixel

The media award season -- a time for applause -- also highlights an irony of the fast-changing marketplace: the winners could be gone. [Read More]

Judge blocks Trump administration’s demand for Rhode Island hospital's records of transgender kids

KIMBERLEE KRUESI, Yahoo Entertainment

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's sweeping demands for confidential transgender patient information from Rhode Island's largest hospital...

A year of Trump is backfiring on the religious right

Christian Paz, Vox

This weekend, an array of Christian religious leaders and government officials are scheduled to gather at the National Mall. They’ll convene to pray, yes, but this rally — organized as part of the White House-backed Freedom 250 celebrations tied to this comin…

Supreme Court says man who lost leg can sue major logistics company over trucker crash

LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Yahoo Entertainment

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed a man to sue a major logistics company after he lost part of his leg in a semi tractor-trailer crash, a decision that...

Trump, Xi discuss Strait of Hormuz as Chinese vessels transit key waterway

Edna Mohamed, Al Jazeera English

White House says the two leaders agree that the strait 'must remain open to support the free flow of energy'.

‘Never mess it up’: What Xi and Trump said on day one of Beijing talks

Federica Marsi, Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

Xi and Trump agree to frame their relationship as 'constructive, strategic and stable' on the first day of talks.

The DOJ Is Considering Personally Handing Trump $10 Billion in Taxpayer Dollars

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

The federal judge in the case wouldn't even be able to stop the DOJ and IRS from handing billions of taxpayer dollars directly to Trump.

Even Chinese Food is Getting Better Representation Than Women at the Trump-Xi Summit

Danielle Han, Jezebel

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

How companies weaponize the terms of service against you

Nilay Patel, The Verge

Today, I’m talking with Brendan Ballou, founder of the Public Integrity Project and author of a new book, called When Companies Run the Courts, about the rise of forced arbitration. Brendan’s actually been on the show before — his previous book, Plunder, was …

Brigitte Macron Breaks Silence After Report Claims She Slapped Husband Emmanuel Over Flirty Texts From Actress

Karina Babenok, Boredpanda.com

Brigitte Macron broke her silence on allegations that she confronted French President Emmanuel Macron about apparently exchanging flirty texts with an actress.

Flattery and fanfare as Trump welcomed to China - but thorny issues remain

BBC News

The leaders of the world's two superpowers were all smiles for the cameras during the US president's visit to Beijing.

‘I’m afraid he won’t make it’: How Thomas Massie is handling the toughest election of his career

Jeff Zeleny, CNN, CNN

No Republican has infuriated President Donald Trump more than Rep. Thomas Massie, which has placed him in a precarious position heading into Tuesday’s...

WATCH: Dad speaks out after winning grandparents’ visitation rights case

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Single father Scott Naso was sued by his late wife's parents for visitation rights with his daughter in a Rhode Island case that lasted two years.

China’s Xi warns Trump about Taiwan at Beijing summit

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The Chinese leader cautions the US president that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path.

Americans would rather have a nuclear plant in their backyard than a datacenter

Dan Robinson, Theregister.com

AI and the bit barns that power it have developed a serious PR problem

‘Christian’ Wireless Provider Promises To Censor All LGBTQ Content

Karl Bode, Techdirt

A new “Christian” mobile phone provider named Radiant Mobile is promising to offer a wireless service that censors all LGBTQ+ content. The MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), which runs on the T-Mobile network, says it’s keen to deliver “faith-focused mob…

The Download: deepfake porn’s stolen bodies and AI sharing private numbers

Thomas Macaulay, 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. The shock of seeing your body used in deepfake porn When Jennifer got a research job in 2023, she ran her new professiona…

As Trump visits Beijing, an LA-area mayor admits to acting as an agent for China

Vanessa Romo, NPR

Eileen Wang, now the former mayor of the City of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty to one felony charge that she acted as an illegal foreign agent of China.

Trump and Xi hail ‘most important’ relationship

Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump described his country’s relationship with China as ‘one of the most consequential’.

A NYT Glitch Appears to Have Punched Kamala Harris and MTG in the Mouth

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

An oddly precise "glitch" in The Morning newsletter from The New York Times made two of America's prominent women politicians look foolish.

Trump tries to make deals in China. And, Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed leader

Brittney Melton, NPR

President Trump is vying to make deals with China during his visit with President Xi Jinping. And, the Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next leader of the Federal Reserve.

Who are the US CEOs in China with Trump, and what’s in it for them?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Top executives hope to expand their businesses in China as Trump aims for win ahead of midterm vote.

The Environmental Movement Needs to Touch Grass

John Reid, The Atlantic

Yes, literally

WATCH: Students raise money to protect eagle habitat

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Elementary school students are holding lemonade stands and bake sales to help save an eagle habitat from being developed into luxury homes.

Russia launches hundreds more drones at Ukraine, killing three people

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 'more than 1,560 drones' at Ukraine since Wednesday.

Scott Wiener Opposes a California Billionaire Tax. So Do His Tech CEO Backers.

Jonah Valdez, The Intercept

Crypto executive Chris Larsen has spent millions fighting billionaire tax measures, and he’s the largest individual donor to a PAC backing Wiener. The post Scott Wiener Opposes a California Billionaire Tax. So Do His Tech CEO Backers. appeared first on The In…

The End of Refugee Resettlement

Annie Hylton, The New Yorker

Annie Hylton writes about the people affected by the Trump Administration’s refugee policies.

Will Donald Trump Be Allowed to Destroy His Records?

Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker

A law passed after Watergate makes Presidential records government property. The Trump Administration has declared it unconstitutional.

In pictures: Trump hosted by Xi Jinping in Beijing on two-day summit

BBC News

President Trump was welcomed by President Xi Jinping in Beijing for what will be a whirlwind tour.

Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Alex Milan Durie, Al Jazeera English

US sanctions imposed on UN expert Francesca Albanese by the Trump administration temporarily ⁠blocked by a judge.

Appeals court to hear arguments over Trump's orders that sought to punish law firms

Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

An appeals court is set to hear arguments Thursday over the Trump administration's bid to reinstate executive orders that sought sanctions against four elite law firms.

Ex-DOJ official goes public with blistering criticism of his former bosses

Tom Dreisbach, NPR

Until recently, Jonathan Gross was a Trump political appointee at the Department of Justice and worked on its "Weaponization Working Group." He has now become a vocal critic of the department.

Voters are caught in the middle as the redistricting battle intensifies

Ashley Lopez, NPR

Much of the focus of the ongoing redistricting war has been on which political party will come out on top. But it's voters who will pay a cost, say voting experts and voting rights advocates.

Morning news brief

Steve Inskeep, NPR

President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jingping for summit during first day in the country, what Asia thinks of Trump's visit, appeals court hears arguments from law firms targeted by Trump.

One of the safest Florida seats for Democrats faces a candidate fiasco

Kimberly Leonard, Politico

Redistricting, a looming federal criminal trial and a primary with racial undertones are just a few of the dynamics shaping the race to represent the Broward...

Trump praises China as he ignores question about Taiwan

Al Jazeera English

Trump praises China as he ignores question about Taiwan

How China changed Rubio name to let him join Trump summit despite sanctions

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The state secretary, who is under Chinese sanctions, is on a state visit to Beijing under the name 'Marco Lu'.

Pomp and pageantry: Key moments from day one of Trump's visit to China

BBC News

China welcomed US President Donald Trump with cheering children and a troop parade on Thursday, before a nearly two-hour long meeting with Xi-Jinping.

Iran war day 76: Vance says progress made in talks; Israel pounds Lebanon

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

US Vice President Vance says progress is being made in talks with Iran as President Trump begins his trip to China.

Trump in China for talks with Xi Jinping

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump visits Beijing for high-stakes summit with Xi as Iran, trade and Taiwan strain US-China ties.

Taiwan considers resubmitting request for rejected defence budget items

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

TAIPEI, May 14 (Reuters) - Taiwan's government said on Thursday it was considering resubmitting to parliament a request for items cut by lawmakers from a...

Russia hits Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles, killing 1 and injuring 31

The Associated Press, NPR

Russia has launched a mass drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing one person and injuring at least 31. Local authorities report damage across six districts.

Trump, Xi speak ahead of talks to make relations ‘better than ever’

Al Jazeera English

Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump say they’re looking forward to US-China talks.

Xi Jinping welcomes Donald Trump with ceremony ahead of high-stakes meeting

Al Jazeera English

Chinese President Xi Jinping is welcoming US President Donald Trump to Beijing for high-level talks. Tariffs, competitio

Iran war: Why the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in India matters

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

The foreign ministers meeting is taking place before the 2026 BRICS summit in India in September.

WATCH: China's humanoid robots new technological advances amid global AI race

ABC News, Abcnews.com

With the global race for artificial intelligence and robotics technology in full swing, David Muir takes a closer look at the humanoid robots being built in China – and how it could help humans.

WATCH: The rise in popularity of Americans getting 2nd passports

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Maggie Rulli reports from Florence, Italy, as more Americans are leaving the U.S. behind and starting over overseas because of burnout, political views or their dream of living “la dolce vita.”

Lutnick said interactions with Epstein 'meaningless and inconsequential': Transcript

John Parkinson, Lauren Peller, Peter Charalambous, Abcnews.com

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that he only had three "meaningless and inconsequential" interactions with his billionaire neighbor Jeffrey Epstein.

Giuliani returns to his show after viral pneumonia hospitalization

SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated Press, Abcnews.com

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has returned to his show after being hospitalized for viral pneumonia

Vance says 'we have a lot of work to do' after Trump remark about Americans' finances

Hannah Demissie, Fritz Farrow, John Parkinson, Abcnews.com

Vice President JD Vance offered a starkly different message than his boss did the day before.

CBS News Says Cameraman “Okay And Recovering” After Medical Emergency Interrupts Live ‘Evening News’ Broadcast From Taiwan

Ted Johnson, Deadline

CBS News said that a cameraman is “okay and recovering” after he suffered a media emergency during a live broadcast of CBS Evening News from Taiwan. Anchor Tony Dokoupil was toward the end of the broadcast when he stopped and said, “Is he OK? We’re going to t…

China's Xi warns Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict

WILL WEISSERT and AAMER MADHANI, Yahoo Entertainment

China’s Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump on Thursday that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue is not handled properly, an...

Trump offers platitudes while Xi warns of possible confrontation during China summit

Yahoo Entertainment

NIH staffing shortage could slash number of new grants issued this year

Max Kozlov, Nature.com

Some units at the US funding giant are so understaffed, they are focusing on mandated grant renewals rather than new awards.

Trump-Xi summit live: US, China leaders to hold talks on trade, tech, Iran

Heba Habib, Al Jazeera English

Trump and Xi's summit comes at a crucial moment for the global economy, as the war on Iran continues to disrupt trade.