Trump News for Friday, May 29, 2026

Trump pledges to withdraw from Kennedy Center after court strikes his name

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Judge Christopher Cooper ruled against Trump's bid to add his name to the building and close the theatre for two years.

US commander meets with Cuban military officials

BEN FINLEY Associated Press, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press, Abcnews.com

The top U.S. commander in Latin America has met with Cuban military leaders in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay

Donald Trump Blasts Judge’s Decision On Kennedy Center, Says He Will Work With Congress To Transfer “This Failing Institution Back To Them”

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Donald Trump said that his administration will be working with Congress to transfer the Kennedy Center “back to them” in light of a federal judge’s ruling that the president’s name must be taken off the performing arts institution and blocking plans to close …

‘Arbitrary measures’: Lula slams US ‘terror’ designation for Brazil gangs

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Lula warned that labelling Brazil's criminal networks as 'terrorists' could 'undermine' local law enforcement efforts.

Why Trump is hosting a UFC fight for his birthday

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 Ultimate Fighting Championshi…

Judge orders Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center

Rob Beschizza, Boing Boing

President Trump had his name added to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, having stacked its board with cronies, then closed the center for "renovations" after credible performers began giving the fabled institution a wide berth. — Re…

Senator Raises Alarms Over TikTok’s Handling of American Users’ Data

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

Sen. Ed Markey is pressing TikTok’s new U.S. joint venture and Oracle to explain how they are protecting user data and limiting ByteDance’s influence.

The War Trump Can’t End

Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic

Washington needs a deal, but Tehran needs an enemy.

White House Website Touts Arrests of Immigrants -- From USA...

Em Luetkemeyer, Notus.org

White House Website Touts Arrests of Immigrants -- From USA... (Second column, 7th story, link) Related stories:ICE agent charged in Operation Metro Surge shooting arrested in Texas...

How realistic is Trump’s Iran framework?

Al Jazeera English

Analyst Alex Scheers remains skeptical Tehran will accept Washington’s demands, saying “nothing concrete is in place” ye

US judge orders Trump's name be removed from Kennedy Center

BBC News

The performing arts centre must also remain open despite Trump announcing a two-year closure for extensive renovations.

E. Jean Carroll Is Back in the News, as Documentary ‘Ask E. Jean’ Hits Theaters

Anne Thompson, IndieWire

Carroll has defeated Donald Trump in court twice, but he is coming after her now with perjury and money-laundering charges.

Canada sidelined in USMCA renegotiations as domestic economy dips

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Canada strengthens Chinese trade ties, seeking economic diversification amid growing US–Canada trade tensions

Trump's name must come off of the Kennedy Center, judge rules

Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR

The judge wrote in his 94-page ruling that it was "crystal clear" that the arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. He also ruled that the center could not wind down its programming and close for two years of renovations – at least for n…

Ex-US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies in Epstein files probe

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Bondi, who was fired in April, defended the release of Epstein records in a closed-door congressional hearing.

Hochul signs new protections for NY immigrants, amid pushback from Trump officials

Arya Sundaram, Gothamist

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Her counterpart in New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill, also faces opposition from the federal government. [ more › ]

WATCH: How does the Blue Origin rocket explosion affect upcoming moon missions?

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Retired NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain discusses what setbacks could result from the Blue Origin rocket explosion during a ground test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Judge Rules Board Can’t Rename Kennedy Center For Donald Trump, Blocks Plans For Two-Year Closure

Ted Johnson, Deadline

A federal judge ruled on Friday that the board of the Kennedy Center cannot rename the arts center for Donald Trump, while he blocked plans to close the complex for two years for renovations. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper wrote on Friday that only Co…

Trump heads into Situation Room to potentially finalise Iran deal

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump says he’s in the Situation Room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a deal with Iran.

The Hypocrisy of the Democrats Who Defend Graham Platner

Mike Nelson, The Atlantic

They wouldn’t be so accepting of his Nazi tattoo if he were a Republican.

Growing number of artists pull out of 250th anniversary celebration on National Mall

Beatrice Peterson, Abcnews.com

Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC and more said they won't perform.

Court Temporarily Freezes Trump’s $1.776 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Slush Fund To Figure Out WTF Is Going On

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

It’s been less than two weeks since the Justice Department created the obviously illegal and unconstitutional $1.776 billion slush fund to pay off MAGA loyalists and January 6th insurrectionists. There are a variety of lawsuits looking to put a stop to it, an…

Pam Bondi Fumes as Democrats Grill Her on Trump’s Ties to Epstein

Malcolm Ferguson, The New Republic

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly had a disastrous meeting with the House Oversight Committee on Friday regarding her bungling of the Epstein files release. MS NOW’s Kyle Griffin reported that Bondi “lost her temper a bit at some points and grew fr…

Spencer Pratt speaks out before Los Angeles mayoral primary next week

Mason Leib, Abcnews.com

Spencer Pratt sat down with ABC News' Diane Macedo on Thursday ahead of the Los Angeles mayoral primary next week.

How DHS's threat to cut customs processing in sanctuary cities could snarl air travel everywhere

Taylor Rains, Business Insider

DHS chief Markwayne Mullin wants to cut customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities. Airlines say that would cause a huge travel nightmare.

Reid Hoffman says reported DOJ investigation into his nonprofit that funded E. Jean Carroll's case is 'retaliation'

Ben Shimkus, Business Insider

Reid Hoffman posted on X in response to reports of a DOJ probe tied to E. Jean Carroll's lawsuits, calling the scrutiny "absurdly false."

Hackers leak MYPILLOW internal files...

Mikael Thalen, San.com

A ransomware group leaked thousands of internal files from MyPillow two days after CEO Mike Lindell denied that a hack had taken place.

Trump says ‘final determination’ to be made on possible Iran deal

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Deep mistrust remains between Washington and Tehran as Iran's top negotiator urges action, not words.

Why Everyone Hates AI Data Centers

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic

The left-right coalition forming against AI

Where is the Board of Peace's aid cash for Gaza?

Séamus Bellamy, Boing Boing

Freezer burn, plastic glasses, jumbo shrimp and Trump's Board of Peace. Y'all know an oxymoron when you read one. Guess which one of these three contradictions has failed to come through on providing billions of dollars of aid to Gaza? — Read the rest The po…

Judge Rules the Government Must Pry Trump’s Name off the Kennedy Center in Next Two Weeks

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

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

Donald Trump’s Personal Investment in Dell Pays Off Bigly

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

Dell share soared nearly 40% on Thursday.

WATCH: Epstein abuse survivor speaks out amid Bondi testimony

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Danielle Besnky says she wants "baseline humanity" from former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

US federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s ‘anti-weaponisation fund’

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The nearly $1.8bn fund stemmed from a recent IRS settlement with Donald Trump over his leaked tax records.

Just what are Israel’s long-term plans for Gaza?

Simon Speakman Cordall, Al Jazeera English

Despite an apparent ceasefire, Israel's leaders continue to hint at annexation and ethnic cleansing.

Judge Puts Temporary Halt To Trump DOJ’s $1.8 Billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund”

Ted Johnson, Deadline

A federal judge imposed a temporary halt to the Trump Justice Department plans for a almost $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” which already has stirred bipartisan opposition over the prospect it will mean compensation to those who violently stormed the …

The War Against Inflation Would Nearly Be Over If Not for Trump

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

We would be in an entirely different economy if practically anyone other than America’s worst human was president.

Republicans Shrug at Trump's Outrageous Corruption

Steven Greenhut, Yahoo Entertainment

Any self-styled advocate for limited government should be furious about Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund, but few Republicans are willing to denounce it.

Backlash over Trump's $1.776 billion fund tests Blanche's bid for US attorney general

By Andrew Goudsward, Yahoo Entertainment

By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - Todd Blanche has moved quickly as acting U.S. attorney general to please the man whose face now adorns the...

Judge temporarily freezes payments from administration's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'

Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

A federal judge has ordered a temporary freeze on any payments coming from the Trump administration's "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

The Internet Reacts To Mass Exodus Of Bret Michaels And Others From Trump’s ‘Freedom 250’ Concert Series

Kenneth Shepard, Kotaku

Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, and Young MC are among the acts who say they were misled about the nature of the show

QUAD to build Fiji port: A new US-China flashpoint?

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

Quad kicks back to life in Asia Pacific, looking to develop ports in Fiji, in a counter to China's rise.

In California redistricting, pro-MAGA town likely to get a gay, liberal congressman...

By Daniel Trotta, Yahoo Entertainment

By Daniel Trotta HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, May 29 (Reuters) - Huntington Beach, the right-leaning California city that banned the Pride flag from City...

How seeing Bruce Springsteen in DC gave me hope

Brian Karem, Salon

The Boss took Washington back to a time when dissent mattered

Former US attorney general Pam Bondi testifies in congressional Epstein probe

BBC News

The testimony comes about a month after America's top prosecutor was ousted by US President Donald Trump.

Asia defense summit opens amid doubts over U.S. priorities

The Associated Press, NPR

The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, will also address tensions in the Middle East and Russia's war on Ukraine.

FCC warns US broadcasters their licenses are a privilege, not a right

Dan Robinson, Theregister.com

TV and radio stations told to review current practices to align with public interest obligations

WATCH: New warning on fake party invites

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The FTC is sounding the alarm about a growing scam this graduation and summer party season involving fake online invitations that could end up costing Americans money.

Trump FCC Proposes Vile New Trans Panic TV Warnings

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Last month the FCC quietly issued a public notice saying the Brendan Carr run agency was demanding that the TV Oversight Management Board (TVOMB) create new TV ratings to alert viewers to “transgender and gender non-binary programming” and “the discussion or …

Iran promises ‘utter ruin’ if war restarts. Here’s what could happen if diplomacy fails

CNN Staff, CNN, CNN

As negotiations between the United States and Iran edge toward a possible agreement, Tehran is increasingly signaling that any return to war would look very...

Two Thirds of the Freedom 250 Performers Have Now Fled MAGA’s July 4 Festival in DC

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Freedom 250's MAGA-centric festival in DC has lost all its headliners, but never fear: Vanilla Ice is still on board.

Chilling Effects

Bruce Schneier, Schneier.com

Younger Americans have soured on the second Donald Trump presidency, but they are not protesting it. Despite an unpopular Iran war and an even more unpopular Trump administration, college campus protests nationwide have gone silent. And at many schools, stude…

Opinion - Why a Trump enemy could win a solid Republican Florida Senate seat

Myra Adams, opinion contributor, The Hill

In Florida's upcoming Senate race, Democrat Alexander Vindman is challenging Trump-loyal incumbent Ashley Moody, with recent polls showing a competitive race...

When the President Takes a Cut

James Surowiecki, The Atlantic

Federal stakes in public companies may enrich the government, but they are bad for America.

E. Jean Carroll still terrifies Trump

Amanda Marcotte, Salon

Justice Department efforts to rewrite history show #MeToo still matters

From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation

Eleanor Klibanoff, Salon

Struggles between Bush Republicans and hardline conservatives predate Trump. But he has tried to tip the scales

US-Iran 60-day proposal: What we know

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

US-Iran memorandum of understanding reportedly covers Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and enriched uranium limits.

Kenyan court suspends US Ebola quarantine facility plan

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

The plan to send Ebola-exposed US nationals to Kenya, which has no known cases of the virus, has provoked a backlash.

Tom Suozzi lives at C Street, controversial Christian center behind National Prayer Breakfasts

Jonathan Larsen, Salon

The New York Democrat kept secret his low-rent lodging at a right-wing Christian townhouse

The Race to Build AI Data Centers — Before the People Can Protest

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

From Utah to Georgia, communities are demanding data center moratoriums as concerns move from local zoning fights into national politics. The post The Race to Build AI Data Centers — Before the People Can Protest appeared first on The Intercept.

50 People From Different Generations Share Their Most “Boomer” Takes

Asli Akalin, Boredpanda.com

There’s a running joke among some of my friends that I’m sometimes a ‘boomer’ in all but age. I still think that I can earn my very own white picket fence if I just work hard enough. I think that quite a few of the movies and TV shows that are released in thi…

Immigration attorneys say some courts are holding over 100 case hearings daily

Armando Garcia, Abcnews.com

Master calendar hearings are when immigrants in deportation proceedings first appear before a judge and are informed of their rights and the charges they may be facing.

Replacing aging U.S. voting equipment will take years and billions of dollars

Miles Parks, NPR

America's voting systems are getting old. But unless Congress makes a massive financial commitment, a new report finds it could take decades before voting machines are widely replaced.

If It Quacks Like a Lame Duck….

Jonathan Lemire, Michael Scherer, The Atlantic

Trump’s moves against GOP incumbents and his lack of focus on pocketbook issues may hasten his political decline.

Morning news brief

A Martínez, NPR

The U.S. says it's moving closer to a deal to end the Iran war despite continued fighting, DOJ opens investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll, Bari Weiss wants to reinvent CBS' "60 Minutes."

I downloaded the Trump Accounts app for my newborn — here's how it worked, and why I decided to go for it

Mia de Graaf, Business Insider

I had my daughter in January 2026, so she is eligible for a Trump Accounts app with $1,000 in it. I downloaded the Trump Accounts app to get started.

Fear and self-doping in Las Vegas: My trip to the first-ever Enhanced Games

Tekendra Parmar, Business Insider

Inside the juiced-up, techno-billionaire-invented steroid Olympics fever dream.

Bret Michaels Drops Out Of Trump-Backed Freedom 250 Concert Series In D.C.

Tomt, Deadline

Former Celebrity Apprentice winner Bret Michaels is the latest performer to drop out of the lineup for a series of concerts on the National Mall during the Great American State Fair, which is billed as “a World Fair-style celebration of America’s 250th birthd…

NATO states slam Russia after drone crashes in Romania

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The incident adds to concern that Moscow's war on Ukraine risks spilling over to entangle neighbouring NATO states.

How Indian PM Modi’s efforts to isolate Pakistan ‘backfired’

Saif Khalid, Al Jazeera English

Pakistan finds itself in a diplomatic sweet spot, wooed by Trump and China. Indian missteps are to blame, say analysts

What’s happening on Iran war day 91 as US, Iran near 60-day deal

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

US and Iran near a 60-day MoU aimed at reopening the Hormuz strait with talks slated on nuclear and other differences.

Exclusive-China is building launch pads near its nuclear missile silos

By Greg Torode, Laurie Chen and Vijdan Mohammad Kawoosa, Yahoo Entertainment

By Greg Torode, Laurie Chen and Vijdan Mohammad Kawoosa May 29 (Reuters) - In a remote Chinese desert, a vast military complex is taking shape that some...

Mexico backs amendment to annul election results over foreign interference

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Critics say measure risks undermining electoral process and creating new avenues for contesting results.

Bolton calls potential Iran deal a ‘big defeat’ for the United States

Tatiana Carter, Newsnationnow.com

"I think it's a significant setback," Bolton told NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas.

WATCH: Inside the skyrocketing ticket prices for the NBA Finals and World Cup

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with ESPN investigative reporter TJ Quinn about why tickets to the hottest sporting events are breaking the bank and what it could mean for the future of ticket prices.

Bondi refuses to answer lawmakers' questions about Trump's involvement in Epstein files release

STEPHEN GROVES, Yahoo Entertainment

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to answer questions Friday on President Donald Trump's involvement in the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files...

Does JD Vance Have to Choose Between Pope Leo and Peter Thiel?

Calder McHugh, Politico

The pope’s encyclical calling for AI restraints has fueled a backlash in Silicon Valley.

US Treasury secretary confirms plans for banknote featuring Trump’s face

Adam Hancock, Al Jazeera English

Proposed $250 bill would mark the first time a living person has appeared on US currency in more than a century.

Martina McBride Is Latest Artist To Drop Out Of Trump’s Freedom 250 Celebration After Thinking It Was “Nonpartisan Event”

Glenn Garner, Deadline

As the United States of America inches toward its 250th birthday, Martina McBride is taking a stand against the country’s current administration. On Thursday, shortly after the lineup was announced, the 14x Grammy nominee dropped out of her performance at the…

Martina McBride Drops Out of Trump’s ‘Misleading’ Freedom 250 Concert

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

Martina McBride joined the list of musicians that backing out after learning the Freedom 250 event was not as nonpartisan as they originally thought.

White House Proves It Can Even Make "aliens.gov" Depressing

William Hughes, Jezebel

Donald Trump may have joked about declassifying UFO records, but the new "aliens.gov" domain is a reminder that he'll never be fun when he can be cruel instead.

Pregnant woman from Ghana and her son are being detained at Dulles Airport

LAURA ROMERO, Abcnews.com

Anabella Gyasi was bringing her son to the U.S. for medical treatment.

US judge tosses Trump administration's challenge to Boston's 'sanctuary' immigration law

Yahoo Entertainment

US to designate two Brazilian gangs as ‘terrorist’ organisations

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump administration has used crime and drug trafficking to push for greater US military influence across Latin America.

Ebola can be stopped — but only if world leaders prioritize public health

Nature.com

The deadly disease was identified half a century ago in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is unacceptable that it continues to take lives.

Iran war live: Tehran, Trump yet to comment on 60-day truce extension plan

Lyndal Rowlands, Zaid Sabah, Adam Hancock, Al Jazeera English

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam says 'nothing can justify' Israel's military onslaught against 'peaceful people' in Lebanon.