Trump News for Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Watch: UFC arena construction begins at White House ahead of fight

BBC News

The massive structure will host a cage fight as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

Trump’s new plan to quash leaks

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 wants federal employees to si…

A new Supreme Court opinion is terrible news for federal workers

Ian Millhiser, Vox

Remember DOGE, the Elon Musk-led “government efficiency” project that spread chaos during President Donald Trump’s first few months back in office, fired tens of thousands of federal employees, and then vanished almost as abruptly as it began? If you didn’t l…

The Iran Deal Is in the Hands of a Terrible Negotiator

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

The president will try to spin any Iran deal he makes, but he’s ill-equipped to gain real concessions.

Appeals court stay will prevent Mahmoud Khalil's removal while he seeks SCOTUS review

Armando Garcia, Abcnews.com

An appeals court has granted pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil a temporary stay while he seeks to have his detention case reviewed by the Supreme Court.

Trump Just Went Further Than Ever Before to Encourage Another Jan. 6

Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine

A slush fund is not just a slush fund.

US picks potential partners for using Cold War-era plutonium as fuel

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Trump gov't plans to make about 20 tonnes of plutonium from dismantled nuclear warheads available to US power firms.

Trump-led push to redraw Congress maps faces setbacks in Southern states

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

State lawmakers reject a new map in South Carolina as judges strike down newly drawn US House districts one in Alabama.

US Senate confirms veteran naval officer Frank Garcia as top Africa envoy

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The Senate confirmation ends a long vacancy and signals a trade-focused shift in US policy towards Africa.

Supreme Court sides with Trump in immigration judges' speech restrictions dispute

LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press, Abcnews.com

The Supreme Court is siding with President Donald Trump's administration in a lawsuit over speech restrictions for immigration judges that touched on the rights of federal workers

Judge Dismisses Charges Against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Says Gov’t Engaged In Vindictive Prosecution

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

It’s one thing to accuse the government of engaging in vindictive prosecutions. It’s quite another thing to prove it. The deck is stacked against those making these claims. These allegations rarely succeed. The government gets the benefit of the doubt and has…

Did Trump oversell a broken Iran ceasefire deal?

Al Jazeera English

The US and Iran appear closer to a broader agreement, but disputes over sanctions relief remain.

Democrats urge Trump to commute sentences of people serving for nonviolent marijuana offenses

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill

A group of nine Democrats urged President Trump to commute the sentences of people serving time for nonviolent marijuana offenses, following his decision to ...

The Epic Disaster of Operation Epic Fury

Robin Wright, The New Yorker

Robin Wright on Donald Trump’s attempts to negotiate an end to the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, including issues such as the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

White House proposes NDAs for all US federal workers

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump administration threatens legal action against employees who leak, aiming to curb information flow to journalists.

Trump expected to hold Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Wednesday

Nicholas Kerr, Katherine Faulders, Abcnews.com

President Donald Trump is expected to hold a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Wednesday, a White House official confirmed to ABC News.

Trump still thinks he’s winning in Iran

Joshua Keating, Vox

There’s an old line, sometimes attributed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, that the best way to solve a difficult problem is to make it bigger. That might be the most generous interpretation of how the Trump administration is approaching its ongoing peace t…

Russia slams US for not granting visa to diplomat for UN meeting

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Moscow's envoy accuses Washington of failing to honour commitments under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement.

Trump-backed redistricting plan is rejected in the South Carolina Legislature

Gavin Jackson, NPR

Republican state senators don't face election this year. Trump's urging for them to redistrict to help flip the House seat held by prominent Democrat Jim Clyburn was met with opposition.

U.S. Casualties in Iran War Rise as Military Strikes Begin Again

Nick Turse, The Intercept

Despite a pause in hostilities during the rickety ceasefire U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the number of American casualties has ticked up to 423. The post U.S. Casualties in Iran War Rise as Military Strikes Begin Again appeared first on The Intercept.

South Carolina Senate effectively kills proposed congressional map backed by Trump

ABC NEWS, Abcnews.com

The South Carolina Senate on Tuesday delivered a major rebuff to a mid-decade redistricting effort promoted by President Donald Trump

Trump DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases, including violent assaults on cops

Tom Dreisbach, NPR

The Trump Department of Justice purged government news releases with information about prosecutions of rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump says physical exam at Walter Reed went 'perfectly'

Yahoo Entertainment

‘The Worst Leak I’ve Witnessed’: A CISA Contractor Left AWS GovCloud Credentials Sitting In A Public GitHub Repo

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was one of the few genuinely good things Donald Trump was talked into doing during his first term. It was an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that was focused on coordination between t…

Quarantine sentences to ponder, that was then this is now edition…

Tyler Cowen, Marginalrevolution.com

Trump administration officials, confronted by overlapping outbreaks of Ebola and the hantavirus, have taken a more aggressive approach to locking down potentially exposed people than in past outbreaks, surprising many public health experts… Dr. Jay Bhattachar…

Armenia signs strategic partnership deal with US as election approaches

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

PM Nikol Pashinyan, who deepened ties with US, faces challenge from pro-Russia parties in upcoming parliamentary polls.

The Feds and Law Enforcement Are Worried AI Backlash Could Turn Into ‘Anti-Tech Violent Extremism’

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

The threat of domestic terrorism could give Trump’s AI-friendly administration a convenient reason to keep tabs on anti-AI movements and data center protests.

Early voting begins in South Carolina as senators weigh scrapping primary for congressional races

MEG KINNARD, JEFFREY COLLINS, KIM CHANDLER and DAVID A. LIEB, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump’s push to reshape congressional districts ahead of the November elections suffered a double setback Tuesday, as South Carolina...

Trump’s advanced age and threats to his life serve as reminders of his own mortality

Kevin Liptak, CNN, CNN

As President Donald Trump departed the hospital Tuesday after his physical exam, he declared on his way back to the White House that everything had checked...

Trump’s Cabinet Has Entered Full Suck-Up Mode

Mabel Kabani, Jezebel

A New York Times analysis reveals Trump’s Cabinet meetings are basically three-hour fan clubs.

Super Meth Isn’t The Hero We Want, But It’s The Hero We Deserve

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Our war on drugs began with a simple man with a simple plan. That plan was this: give the government more powers at the expense of civil rights, all under the “leadership” of soon-to-be-deposed president Richard Nixon and known drug enthusiast, Elvis Presley.…

South Carolina Senators Just Handed Rep. Jim Clyburn a Stay of Execution, Defying Trump

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

17-term Congressman Jim Clyburn had been in danger of having his district effectively eliminated, but South Carolina state senators refused.

By the Powers of Gandalf and the Pope, a Holy War Has Been Declared on AI

Danielle Han, Jezebel

The Holy Father on Monday published the first encyclical of his papacy, revealing that supporting AI is apparently not something Jesus would do.

Texas Senate runoff tests Trump's influence

Diana Paulsen, Abcnews.com

Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Senate race.

27,224 people pre-ordered the Trump Phone

Rob Beschizza, Boing Boing

Sz´The Trump Phone was supposed to be made in America, but ended up being a white-label knockoff of something or other. If it finally exists (if not as a shipping product quite yet), the talent behind it might want to work on their security skills: a security…

Tourism to USA plummets for first time in decades...

Somaiyah Hafeez, Alana Loftus, Irishstar.com

Tourism to USA plummets for first time in decades... (Second column, 1st story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Grandpa Pudding Brains pauses Memorial Day tribute to workshop a joke about dead soldiers named Donald

Jason Weisberger, Boing Boing

At Arlington National Cemetery, in a speech ostensibly honoring Americans who died in military service, Donald Trump somehow veered into a strange little stand-up routine about how many of the dead shared various first names while pausing to note, with his te…

Trump raises refugee ceiling by 10,000 to bring in more white South Africans, White House document says

By Ted Hesson, Yahoo Entertainment

By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - U.S.

WATCH: Pope warns AI ‘needs to be disarmed’

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Pope Leo warns about artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity in the first encyclical letter of his papacy.

Tehran labels US attacks ‘gross violation’, says it is prepared to respond

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The US says it struck boats and missile sites in Iran, shortly after both sides had indicated progress in peace talks.

Exclusive renderings of Penn Station overhaul show Trump's name with presidential seal

Ramsey Khalifeh, Gothamist

Penn Transformation Partner's winning plan for a new Penn Station seen from Moynihan Train Hall on Eighth Avenue. The images show gold-accented railings, columns and escalators, and a new structure around Madison Square Garden. [ more › ]

Judge grants James Comey's request to delay his seashell trial

Peter Charalambous, Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

A judge has granted James Comey's request to delay until Oct. 21 the start of his trial for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump by posting a seashell photo.

‘Leave Kyiv’: Why Russia’s latest Ukraine threat is a major escalation

Priyanka Shankar, Al Jazeera English

Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022 and have not yet agreed on a peace deal.

Trump to visit Walter Reed Tuesday for 3rd time since returning to office

Emily Chang, Abcnews.com

President Donald Trump is expected to visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday for his "annual dental and medical evaluations."

Doctor evacuated from Congo feels ‘helpless’ watching colleagues die of Ebola

Lauren Weber, (c) 2026 , The Washington Post, Yahoo Entertainment

Murmurs of a “casket disease” had already begun by mid-May, as patients began to die in waves. Patrick LaRochelle, an American missionary physician, was 20...

Trial of ex-FBI chief Comey over alleged seashell threat moved to October

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday pushed back to October 21 the trial of former FBI Director James Comey over a social media post of...

India, US strike critical minerals deal: What’s in it, why does it matter?

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

Agreement is latest US has signed as it seeks to diversify its rare earths supply chain.

Supreme Court rejects Florida's bid to sue Western states over truck licenses for immigrants

Associated Press, Yahoo Entertainment

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Florida's long shot attempt to sue California and Washington state over the issuance of commercial driver licenses to...

Trump’s latest move to restrict voting rights

Heather Digby Parton, Salon

The president is pushing states to create citizenship lists to prevent non-citizens from voting

Trump administration proposes non-disclosure agreements for US federal workers

By Courtney Rozen, Yahoo Entertainment

By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - U.S.

WATCH: Martha Raddatz discusses new book, ‘The Hero Next Door’

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Martha Raddatz, ABC News’ chief global affairs anchor, joins “GMA” live to share a look at her book on military heroes and their service to the country.

US plans to cut strategic bombers and warships available to NATO in a crisis, Spiegel reports

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

May 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. intends to significantly reduce military contributions available to assist European allies in a crisis, including fighter jets...

Ken Paxton's Runoff Day Comes 24 Hours After His Plea Deal Let an Alleged Pedophile Walk Free

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Adam Hoffman, a former attorney from Waco, was facing a first-degree felony before Paxton’s office cut a deal with his prosecutors.

Prospects fade for imminent end to Iran war as attacks restart

Jane Arraf, NPR

Israel says it will intensify attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and U.S. military struck Iranian boats and missile launch sites as envoys continued negotiations for a deal that would end the three-month war.

Iran condemns US strikes as a show of 'bad faith' and warns of consequences

Associated Press, Yahoo Entertainment

Iran on Tuesday denounced U.S. strikes a day earlier as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations continue toward a possible deal to end the...

Dana White: ‘Legacy Doesn’t Mean Shit to Me’

Chris Kobiella, Rolling Stone

The head of the UFC has the ear of the president and the attention of the nation, and he’s just getting started

Texas Woman Jailed for Daring to Post Photos of Her Small Town’s Brown Tap Water

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Police claimed the woman's Facebook posts of her own faucet water were creating "fear, panic, or unnecessary emergency response."

WATCH: Mom says she lost $5K in AI scam with daughter’s voice

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Deborah Del Mastro alleges that scammers used artificial intelligence to mimic her daughter's voice

NPR Flubs Its Recovery From Brutal Republican Funding Attacks

Karl Bode, Techdirt

NPR is imposing a new round of buyouts and layoffs as it tries to survive the brutal Trump GOP attacks on public broadcasting. According to NPR, it’s being forced to trim $8 million of its $300-million annual budget because of the illegal (for whatever that w…

Minorities at World Cup fear threat of ICE and how immigration is enforced

Kevin Hand, Al Jazeera English

Fear of ICE threat concerns fans, including Haitians in Massachusetts, where one of their biggest diasporas resides.

Trump’s 3rd Doctor Visit in 13 Months Puts Spotlight on His Health

NBC, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump is heading to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White house calls “a medical and dental checkup.” It is his th...

Where Are America’s Ambassadors?

Tom Nichols, The Atlantic

Around the world, more than 100 of the country’s ambassadorships are unfilled—a sign of the Trump administration’s opinions about the value of diplomacy.

The Antitrust Theory of Everything

Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic

Democrats are in thrall to the idea that corporate consolidation is America’s biggest, and maybe only, problem.

TRUMP HEALTH MYSTERY

Akayla Gardner, Emily Hung, MS Now

Donald Trump built his 2024 campaign on questions about Joe Biden's health. Now, as he approaches his 80th birthday, he faces scrutiny of his own.

'Golden' Phone Hit With Savage Reviews...

Cameron Adams, Daily Beast

'Golden' Phone Hit With Savage Reviews... (First column, 1st story, link) Related stories:POLLS: TRUMP HIGHEST EVER DISAPPROVAL... President bought LILLY stock as admin boosted obesity drugs...

Trump’s vulgarity is poisoning public life

Chauncey DeVega, Salon

The president's bad behavior Isn't incidental — it's the bedrock of his fascist project

Comparison of Trump and Putin visits to China

Nathan Yau, Flowingdata.com

Trump visited China, and then Putin visited a week later. Reuters compared the two visits from various angles. There are more important differences in this piece, such as the airport welcome and th…

The Supreme Court handed Trump a Golden Chariot on tariffs — now he just has to take it

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian, Yahoo Entertainment

The Supreme Court struck down Trump's IEEPA tariffs — and may have accidentally boosted his economic presidency. The exit ramp is in sight.

Anticipation in Iran as talks with US continue amid attacks, war of words

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The markets in Iran predict a breakthrough, but sentiments on the street and among the leadership are divided.

Live updates: Iran warns of retaliation as ceasefire hangs by a thread

Joe Khalil, Newsnationnow.com

Iran's military says it reserves the "legitimate and definite" right to retaliate against any U.S. ceasefire violations.

Trump’s Cabinet dramatically changed American foreign policy while the president made noise

Kevin Maloney, Salon

Trump's words are no longer reliable indicators of policy, but Cabinet members are speaking volumes.

Russia maintains attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv warned to brace for possible major barrage

SUSIE BLANN and BARRY HATTON, Yahoo Entertainment

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said Tuesday, as the country’s foreign ministry...

WATCH: Americans remember and honor the heroes who gave their lives on Memorial Day

ABC News, Abcnews.com

This Memorial Day, Americans from coast to coast gathered to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Republican Congress faces major pileup before midterms

Burgess Everett, Semafor.com

It’s not clear how Republicans will handle opposition to the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.

Palestine weekly wrap: Ben-Gvir’s abuse of flotilla detainees causes outcry

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Israel's president condemns settler violence as international outrage mounts over treatment of Gaza aid activists.

Trump's immigration crackdown is contributing to a summer lifeguard shortage

Lauren Edmonds, Business Insider

Seasonal summer businesses depend on foreign student workers to fill roles. Applicants are down, however, as the US tightens its immigration rules.

US strikes Iran again: What we know, and is the ceasefire over?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Before the US strikes on targets in southern Iran, Tehran said a deal with Washington was not imminent.

Taiwan monitors ‘unprovoked’ Chinese combat patrol near island

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Taiwan reports second Chinese 'joint combat readiness patrol' in a week, says its forces responded to the situation.

Russell T. Davies Reveals Dream Lead For An American Version Of His Upcoming Queer Drama ‘Tip Toe’

Max Goldbart, Deadline

Russell T. Davies’ “angriest and darkest series yet” launches on Sunday but the Doctor Who showrunner is already thinking about the shape of an American version, and he has talent in mind. Davies’ new show Tip Toe is about a gay bar owner in Manchester and hi…

As Trump woos China, the Quad grouping drifts towards irrelevance

Urooba Jamal, Al Jazeera English

As Washington shifts military focus away from Asia, analysts say the Quad is struggling to define its purpose.

Rubio says Iran deal could take days after US forces launch new attacks

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US forces say they hit Iranian missile sites and boats as Iranian delegation in Qatar for talks on extending ceasefire.

Iran war day 88: US attacks near Strait of Hormuz; talks under way in Qatar

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

US forces carry out series of attacks in the country's south as Iranian delegation holds talks in Qatar.

Ferrari unveils first fully electric car

Osmond Chia - Business reporter, BBC News

The new Luce model has divided opinion on social media, and comes despite intense pressure from Chinese EV makers.

US military says it has launched new strikes on southern Iran

Toby Mann, BBC News

The strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats were taken in "self-defence", US Central Command says.