Trump News for Thursday, June 18, 2026

Comparing’s Trump and Obama’s Iran deals, what we know: ANALYSIS

Justin Fishel, Abcnews.com

One is a nuclear deal, the other is not.

US judge orders release of Palestinian rights advocate detained by ICE

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Mosque leader says he was arrested and detained by immigration authorities in retaliation for his Palestine advocacy.

WATCH: Three Generations of the LGBTQ community discuss why Pride is still so important 2026

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Three generations of LGBTQ people, the Stonewall Era, Gen x and Gen Z come together to discuss their personal struggles and hopes for the future.

Are prices really dropping in the US, as Trump claims?

Andy Hirschfeld, Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump boasts on social media that since signing of MoU for peace deal, oil is flowing and prices are dropping.

Cuba’s Communist Party approves opening economy in unprecedented move

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The emergency economic package comes amid an ongoing US pressure campaign that has left the island nation reeling.

Iran’s art of the deal

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: We finally have some more details on Donald Trump’s Ir…

Barack and Michelle Obama Decry Trumpism in Rousing Presidential Center Speeches

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Barack and Michelle Obama delivered not-so-subtle critiques of Donald Trump and his administration at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.

Brazil executes warrant against Lula ally in widening financial scandal

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Left-wing Senator Jaques Wagner was the latest prominent figure to be swept up in investigations into Banco Master.

The White House Is Making Up Its Rules for AI in Real Time

Maxwell Zeff, Wired

Anthropic still can’t distribute Claude Mythos or Fable 5 after running afoul of the Trump administration. But no one can say exactly what the company did wrong.

Senators warily eye transfer of $397M to Secret Service amid WH ballroom construction

Steven Portnoy, Michelle Stoddart, Abcnews.com

The Trump admin has deposited millions in taxpayer funds into accounts for White House security, sparking questions about whether public money will go to the ballroom.

The paint is already peeling in Trump's renovated Washington Reflecting Pool

By Jasper Ward, Yahoo Entertainment

By Jasper Ward WASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) - The paint on Washington's newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Thursday was peeling away from t...

Trump Admin Declares Total Victory Over Algae Thanks to ‘Advanced Nanobubbler Technology’

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

"The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear," the Department of the Interior insists.

Barack Obama Opens Presidential Center By Calling Out “Perpetual Anger And Division”; Ceremony Focuses On Legacy And Doesn’t Mention Trump

Ted Johnson, Deadline

As he opened his new presidential center on Chicago’s South Side, Barack Obama invoked some of his signature themes of hope over division, while warning of greater isolation, polarization and lack of trust fueled by rapidly advancing AI technology. What went …

Pro-Israel hawks in US criticise Iran MoU but avoid clashing with Trump

Ali Harb, Al Jazeera English

Analysts warn that pro-Israel groups and politicians in Washington will likely push to derail diplomacy with Tehran.

Secret US-Iran proposals reveal fragile path toward broader nuclear deal

Katie Bo Lillis, Zachary Cohen, Kristen Holmes, CNN, CNN

The US and Iran have been working on laying out secret proposals for implementing the 14 points that were signed this week, including details on how to addre...

Vance says Iran financially benefits if they change behavior; MOU indicates otherwise

Mary Bruce, Abcnews.com

Vance touted the MOU as a "win-win."

Iran’s supreme leader says approved US deal despite having ‘different’ view

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

Iran says it has suspended Strait of Hormuz transit charges for commercial vessels for 60 days.

The Good Liars went to Freedom 250 so the rest of us didn't have to

Grant St. Clair, Boing Boing

As I've stated, I did not watch Donald Trump's masturbatory UFC Freedom 250 fight. I spent the day kicking my heels and giggling over Bob Odenkirk returning to his most iconic character for his American anniversary celebration instead. If I have to watch a na…

Wyden And Cruz Team Up On A Bill To Stop Government Jawboning. It’s… Actually Pretty Good?

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

Senators Ron Wyden and Ted Cruz have released the JAWBONE Act (“Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act”) as a way to prevent government suppression of speech. While some of the premises behind it are silly and nonsensica…

MoU’s $300bn Iran reconstruction fund becomes US political flashpoint

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump says US will not pay for planned fund as part of Iran MoU, as lawmakers connect price tag to affordability issues.

Trump says 'we should stop' Utah mail-in voting

Yahoo Entertainment

Bernie Sanders’ New AI Bill Would Pay Americans $1,000 a Year

Webb Wright, Gizmodo.com

The senator is making the case that AI is a public resource that was built using the collective genius of humanity.

Trump says Intel and Apple will produce chips domestically

Ro, GSMArena.com

The President of the United States confirmed in a Truth Social post that Apple and Intel have agreed to design and manufacture chips for the Cupertino-based company. Even though there's nothing official from Intel and Apple just yet, Trump's claims on his soc…

US military says it has lifted naval blockade of Iranian ports

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

CENTCOM says that all blockade enforcement efforts 'have ceased' but that US forces will remain in the area.

WATCH: Opal Lee, 'grandmother of Juneteenth,' calls on Americans not to forget

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Opal Lee, described as the "grandmother of the movement," said that as the 250th birthday of America approaches, people should also remember Juneteenth.

Trump Has Used Taxpayer Money To Purchase Stakes in Dozens of Companies. Congress Is About to Make It Easier.

Eric Boehm, Yahoo Entertainment

Lawmakers should be blocking Trump's corporate socialism, not making it a permanent fixture.

After Trump’s ‘De*d Fish’ Handshake With Macron Goes Viral, Body Language Experts Reveal Its Meaning

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

Donald Trump was apparently “disrespectful” towards French President Emmanuel Macron when they shook hands in front of flashing cameras.

White House Uses GTA 6 Meme To Distract From Reflecting Pool Turning The Color Of Mountain Dew

Zack Zwiezen, Kotaku

Hey, idiot, the helicopter goes in the left top corner

Inflation pain could linger even after the Iran war is ends: Economists

Bill Hutchinson, Abcnews.com

Economists talk about ongoing inflation and what consumers can do to cope.

Will the Knicks Visit Trump at the White House?

Nikkimccannramirez, Rolling Stone

The president loves basking in the glory of championship teams, but he hasn't been able to make it happen with an NBA title winner

Pakistan signs US-Iran MoU

Al Jazeera English

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

Leaked G7 Photos Spur Trump Health Concerns After Viewers Spot Bruises, Deep Gash

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

When Donald Trump stepped onto French soil for the G7 Summit this week, netizens noticed a detail that sparked concerns about his health.

The White House said Anthropic's powerful AI was 'jailbroken.' Here's what that means.

Kevin Schaul and Nitasha Tiku, (c) 2026 , The Washington Post, Yahoo Entertainment

Artificial intelligence tools have remarkably broad knowledge about the world, but some of it is unsavory or dangerous. Tech firms try to prevent their chatb...

Surveillance Is Good Because I Want Drivers I Don’t Like To Be Punished: Cleveland Columnist

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Here it is: the dumbest defense of automatic license plate readers I’ve ever read. While we can subtract some points because the person writing it has no power to install/un-install/cover in garbage bags surveillance tech, he’s a regular contributor to a long…

At The Money: Deregulation Will Free Your Portfolio

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

     At The Money: Deregulation Will Free Your Portfolio (June 18, 2026) The new administration promised deregulation and ending red tape to unleash business and animal spirits. An ETF allows you to deploy capital to take advantage of that theme. Full transc…

Civil rights, climate change materials removed from national parks

Deena Zaru, Abcnews.com

The Trump administration revealed the first public list of materials on civil rights and the environment that the National Park Service removed across the country.

US vice president slams Israel over criticism of Trump’s Iran deal

Al Jazeera English

JD Vance slammed members of Israel’s government for criticising US President Donald Trump over his Iran deal efforts.

Student loan borrowers will get an interest rate cut if they sign up for auto pay

Cory Turner, NPR

The Trump administration wants to jumpstart student loan repayment, with federal student loan debt approaching $2 trillion.

JD Vance tells Israel ‘you can’t kill your way out’ of security problems

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

US vice president defends Iran war MoU, framing war as victory for Washington regardless of negotiation outcome.

US Supreme Court eases restrictions on drug users owning firearms

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Court sides unanimously with marijuana user who argued law barring him from owning firearms violated US Constitution.

Israel kills at least three Palestinians in Gaza City drone strike

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

Gaza's Health Ministry says at least 1,007 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the so-called 'ceasefire'.

Trump administration reverses course on plan to dismantle ocean monitoring network

Dan Vergano, Scientific American

The effort to pull some 900 ocean-monitoring buoys and sensors from the water drew backlash from scientists and lawmakers

Read the full text of Trump's preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement to end the war

NPR Staff, NPR

Here is the text of the memorandum of understanding that was signed Wednesday by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as Pakistan's prime minister.

Who Won The US-Iran Deal?

BBC News

US and Iran sign deal, but what does it say?

Trump Surrenders To Iran On Virtually Every Point

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

If there’s one thing that Donald Trump has shown over the years, it’s that he will get his most sycophantic MAGA loyalists to insist there are perfectly obvious reasons why whatever he’s about to do is absolutely necessary… and then Trump will do the opposite…

Trump administration can replace slavery exhibit in Philadelphia, appeals court rules

Deena Zaru, Abcnews.com

The Trump administration can replace the slavery exhibit at the President’s House in Philadelphia, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.

Trump administration asks appeals court to let Kennedy pick vaccine panel members

By Nate Raymond, Yahoo Entertainment

By Nate Raymond BOSTON, June 18 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is urging a U.S. appeals court to overturn a ruling that blocked Health Secretary Robert...

Why Iran believes deal with US leaves it stronger than before

BBC News

Iran has come out of the war's first chapter stronger than many expected, but its next challenge may be harder, the BBC Persian Service's Amir Azimi writes.

US progressive Lewis George on track to become DC mayor after Trump threats

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The Democratic Socialist has vowed aggressive response to Trump, who has said he could 'take back' DC if she wins.

Continuity or change? What to know about Colombia’s run-off election

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Far-right Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Ivan Cepeda compete for the presidency on starkly different platforms.

The Obamas are celebrating their presidential museum with this star-studded guest list

Associated Press, Ap.org

Former President Barack Obama is getting a little help from his friends in celebrating the opening of his presidential museum in Chicago.The guestlist for Thursday’s dedication ceremony includes Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and Bono, a…

How does Trump’s MOU with Iran compare with Obama’s nuclear pact?

Federica Marsi, Al Jazeera English

Trump promised a better deal than the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement with Iran - but is it?

Republicans Slam Trump for Caving to Iran in ‘Disaster’ of a Deal

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump's "memorandum of understanding" with Iran has been slammed by Republican lawmakers and right-wing commentators.

Trump-Netanyahu tensions: Have Israeli and US leaders clashed before?

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

Media reports talk about rifts between Israeli and American leaders, but it has not changed US policy towards Israel.

The midterms are going to be a data security nightmare

Lauren Feiner, The Verge

One messy database is threatening to disenfranchise thousands or even millions of registered voters, while leaving even more at risk of intimidation or data breaches, in the name of solving a problem that barely exists. As the 2026 midterm elections approach,…

Supreme Court sides with marijuana user who was barred from owning guns

Grady Martin, NPR

The court ruled that the law used to prosecute a marijuana user violated his Second Amendment right to bear arms and is unconstitutionally vague.

Exclusive: Arizona senator warns ‘ghost jobs’ are warping labor data, presses Trump admin to investigate

Camila Grigera Naón, Yahoo Entertainment

Sen. Ruben Gallego sent letters outlining his concerns on Thursday to the Department of Labor and Federal Trade Commission.

Massachusetts was just ranked the best economy in the US. Innovation is a big reason why.

James LaForge, Business Insider

Massachusetts edged out Washington and Utah in a WalletHub study ranking states' economies. These factors put it at the top.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon kill three despite US-Iran deal

Alex Milan Durie, Al Jazeera English

Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continue in spite of a US-Iran deal that would mean ceasing military operations.

‘You Slap Me in the Face, I’ll Slap You Right Back’

Kevin Townsend, The Atlantic

Nancy Pelosi on gerrymandering, the midterms, and her 39 years in Congress

What the Trump-Iran 14-point plan says about Lebanon, Hormuz and uranium

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

The memorandum of understanding covers 14 points but leaves many crucial questions unanswered.

Iran peace not stopping central banks from raising borrowing costs

By Balazs Koranyi and Leika Kihara, Yahoo Entertainment

By Balazs Koranyi and Leika Kihara FRANKFURT/TOKYO, June 18 (Reuters) - The Iran war-induced inflation surge is becoming too much for central banks around th...

The White House’s dodgy app is being pushed to even more official government devices

Akshay Gangwar, Android Authority

The DHS will reportedly start automatically loading the highly insecure White House App on official devices.

You Know It's a Great Nickname When Both Obama Haters and Boosters Want to Claim It

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Barack Obama's presidential library is the most expensive ever constructed, at least until Trump drops billions into his own.

First tankers cross strait after Iran deal; Israeli strikes stir doubt in Lebanon

By Maya Gebeily, Rami Ayyub and Zohra Bensemra, Yahoo Entertainment

By Maya Gebeily, Rami Ayyub and Zohra Bensemra BEIRUT/JERUSALEM/QLAILIEH, Lebanon, June 18 (Reuters) - Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million ba...

World reacts to US-Iran deal to extend ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Several countries welcome deal, as IAEA chief says 'now the technical work starts' on Iran's nuclear programme.

WATCH: Good Samaritans race towards fiery plane on Texas highway to rescue survivors

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Six people were on board the private plane, and at least one was killed.

Jeff Bezos Called Washington Post His Worst Investment and Staff He Laid Off ‘Terrible’ People

Justin Caffier, Gizmodo.com

The Amazon founder complained to Trump over dinner that nobody there listens to him soon before slashing staff, according to excerpts from a forthcoming book.

Apple and Intel are working together to build chips in America, says President Trump

Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac

President Trump took to TruthSocial tonight to confirm what was previously rumored: Apple and Intel have agreed a partnership where Intel will manufacture chips for future Apple devices, using Intel’s American-based fabrication sites. The breadth and depth of…

Fencing Off Protesters From the White House is a Weird Way of Doing Democracy, But OK!

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Trump’s latest vanity project idea involves erecting a permanent square around Lafayette Square, a space used by protesters since the early 1900s.

Poll: Most Americans have the summer blues about Trump and the economy

Stephen Fowler, NPR

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds a record low share of Americans approve of President Trump's job performance and his handling of the economy heading into the summer before a key midterm election.

Hegseth announces in Brussels a review of U.S. forces in Europe, and a 'NATO 3.0'

The Associated Press, NPR

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at NATO allies on Thursday, announcing a review of American forces in Europe, and calling for a reboot of the organization to turn it into a "NATO 3.0."

Anthropic Employees and Industry Experts Allege Trump’s Model Meddling is Targeted and Unreasonable

Justin Caffier, Gizmodo.com

Following the federal government's recent ban of the AI company's Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, many are calling the move a capricious and unwarranted act of government overreach.

Ukraine hits Moscow refinery as Zelenskyy seeks Trump support to end war

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Russia's oil refineries have been heavily targeted, damaging its energy facilities and the country’s fuel crisis.

All detainees from immigration facility 'Alligator Alcatraz' have been transferred

The Associated Press, NPR

All detainees at the detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," have been transferred to other facilities, the Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.

Iran war day 111: Tehran warns US as 14-point plan takes effect

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Iran and the US say a deal to end the conflict is in force, but questions remain over its implementation.

ICE’s Unseen Toll in Minneapolis: Suicide Helpline Calls More Than Doubled During Surge

Ryan Devereaux, The Intercept

ICE’s crackdown in Minneapolis left deep scars on the besieged city, says a new Human Rights Watch report. The post ICE’s Unseen Toll in Minneapolis: Suicide Helpline Calls More Than Doubled During Surge appeared first on The Intercept.

What smart people are saying after Fed chair Kevin Warsh's debut

Katherine Li,Huileng Tan, Business Insider

New Fed chair Kevin Warsh signaled a sweeping overhaul of the central bank, from forecasts and forward guidance to AI and operations.

Oil prices fall, stocks rally as US, Iran sign framework to end war

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Brent crude drops as much as 1.6 percent, while key stock indices in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan climb.

Trump’s MoU with Iran draws backlash from some Republicans

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy blasts US-Iran MoU as 'worst foreign policy blunder in decades'.

Senate Democrats Aren’t Happy About Trump’s Spy Law Ultimatum

Matt Sledge, The Intercept

Before Trump paused Jay Clayton’s nomination, Democrats thought they were on a “glide path” to renewing FISA. Now the president wants to tie domestic surveillance to voter suppression. The post Senate Democrats Aren’t Happy About Trump’s Spy Law Ultimatum app…

Moment Trump signs US-Iran agreement at Palace of Versailles

BBC News

The 14-point Memorandum of Understanding was signed at a post-G7 dinner in France.

Ghalibaf says talks delivered more results than war

Al Jazeera English

Ghalibaf says talks delivered more results than war

US and Iran sign Memorandum of Understanding to end war

Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding

Trump didn't want 'Herbert Hoover' presidency; said Iran has to have 'some' missiles

Isabella Murray, Abcnews.com

Trump said he was open to allowing Iran to maintain its stockpile of ballistic missiles, saying it was “unfair” for Iran not have them if their neighbors do.

US transfers immigrants out of Florida Alligator Alcatraz detention centre

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The facility, located near the Everglade wetlands, has drawn human rights concerns and lawsuits over its conditions.

Using Grok to Bomb Iran and the Twisted Dream of Causing Death Without ‘Killing’

Justin Caffier, Gizmodo.com

The Trump administration's haphazard "AI-first"approach to warfare has already killed countless innocents and is setting the stage for a world where no human is ever to blame for the deaths.

Daily briefing: The proteins that protect us from deadly mutations

Flora Graham, Nature.com

Proteins that ‘buffer’ the effects of mutations could help to treat diseases such as cancers. Plus, goats can follow human voices and the battle over a key ocean observatory project in the United States.