Trump News for Friday, June 19, 2026

Iran requires insurance on ships using Strait of Hormuz, fees likely to follow

Richard Meade, Lloydslist.com

Iran has asserted its control over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that vessels comply with new terms and conditions to transit, including mandatory Iranian insurance for all vessels

US judge rejects Joe Biden’s lawsuit asking to withhold memoir recordings

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Biden, a former Democratic president, argued that releasing the recordings would violate his right to privacy.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Breaks Silence After Trump’s “Offensive” Comment As Top Diplomat Cancels US Visit

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

Trump’s remarks about Meloni came shortly after she had praised him as a “strong personality.”

A water treatment expert on what could actually fix the Reflecting Pool

Emma Gometz, Scientific American

The Trump administration wanted the surface of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to be “American flag blue.” A water-treatment expert explains why the pool is still algal green and why the bloom could keep coming back

WATCH: The history of Juneteenth in America

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The first observed Juneteenth was June 19, 1865. LZ Granderson, Los Angeles Times columnist, and Blair Imani, author of "Read This To Get Smarter," discuss the significance of the holiday.

Top Italian diplomat cancels U.S. trip after prime minister slams Trump's claim about G7 photo

NBC, Yahoo Entertainment

Italy's top diplomat canceled a trip to the U.S. after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni slammed President Trump's claims that she "begged" him for a photo at th...

Does Trump have to submit the Iran memorandum of understanding to Congress?

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

A 2015 law requiring congressional approval for any Iran nuclear deal is in the spotlight after this week's memo.

US announces new round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington next week

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Talks come as Hezbollah, Israel say new ceasefire has been reached in wake of US-Iran memorandum to end war.

Air Force One, gifted to Trump from Qatar, arrives at Joint Base Andrews

Ava Berger, NPR

The luxury Boeing 747, initially valued at $400 million, arrived ahead of schedule on Friday. The jet caused controversy as one of the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

Italian Prime Minister says she didn’t ‘beg’ Trump for G7 photograph

Al Jazeera English

Italian Prime Minister says she didn't ‘beg’ Trump for G7 photograph.

T1 phone saga gets stranger as PR team abandons Trump Mobile

Ryan McNeal, Android Authority

Adding another strange chapter to the T1 phone's story, Trump Mobile's PR and media relations firm has left.

Trump to unveil Qatari-donated 747 that will serve as Air Force One

Isabella Murray, Abcnews.com

The president will unveil the plane at Joint Base Andrews.

Trump Reportedly Showed Elon Musk Texts of Tech Execs Kissing the Ring

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

He's got the billionaires double-texting for attention.

DOJ Refusing to Release Old Epstein Emails That Could Expose Trump

Rachel Kahn, The New Republic

The Department of Justice claims that it’s released every document that’s required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. But the agency previously said it collected more than six million pages of material during its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, and…

Iran war: Success or disaster? Mehdi Hasan and David Des Roches

Al Jazeera English

Mehdi Hasan goes Head to Head with former Pentagon official David Des Roches on the Iran war.

DOJ refuses to issue signed declaration verifying 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' is dead

Alexander Mallin, Abcnews.com

The DOJ has refused to issue a signed declaration from acting AG Todd Blanche verifying that it no longer intends to pursue President Trump’s "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

New acting intel chief Bill Pulte arrives early, eyes firing hundreds...

Kristen Holmes, Sean Lyngaas, Zachary Cohen, Manu Raju, Annie Grayer, CNN

President Donald Trump’s pick for acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, showed up at his new job a day early on Thursday after asking for a list of every employee in the office so he could assess whether to fire them, two sources familiar with…

Several notable Republican senators break with Trump over Iran agreement

Lalee Ibssa, Abcnews.com

Sen. Ted Cruz said giving "billions" to Iran is "an exceptionally bad idea."

How is the Iran-US agreement being viewed in Israel?

Al Jazeera English

Washington rebukes right-wing Israeli ministers for criticism.

$14 million, green water, peeling paint: Trump’s reflecting pool reno isn’t going well

CK Smith, Salon

Trump spent $14m on a Reflecting Pool that now features green algae blooms, chemical treatments and peeling paint

More than 70 medics infected with Ebola as DRC outbreak spreads ‘fast’

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Aid cuts and poor sanitation are deepening fears that Ebola is spreading through displacement camps.

Chud the Builder Fantasized About “Race War.” Now He’s Charged With Attempted Murder.

Alain Stephens, The Intercept

Dalton Eatherly streams his racist provocations online. It was only a matter of time before the violence rhetoric entered the real world. The post Chud the Builder Fantasized About “Race War.” Now He’s Charged With Attempted Murder. appeared first on The Inte…

Vance: ‘If everything is Jew hatred then nothing is Jew hatred’

Bobby Oler, Newsnationnow.com

Vance equated pro-Israeli allegations of antisemitism to progressives alleging racism.

Trump’s Iran framework hits immediate turbulence after announced deal

CK Smith, Salon

Escalation in Lebanon, GOP dissent and even lower approval ratings signal the US-Iran peace deal might not be ready

US to end funding of South Africa's HIV programmes over claims of Afrikaner persecution

Damian Zane, BBC News

The US says South Africa is not doing enough to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community.

26,000 New Jerseyans lost SNAP food benefits since Trump work rules kicked in

Karen Yi, Gothamist

Low-income families stand in line to receive free fresh bread and produce at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey on August 28, 2015 in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. The federal work requirements began in May through most of the state. [ more › ]

How to Think About AI Before It’s Too Late

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic

The case against AI hype with Cory Doctorow

Italy’s top diplomat nixes US trip after Meloni says Trump fabricated story

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The Italian prime minister has accused Trump of making up a story that she 'begged' him for a photo at G7 in France.

Reflecting Pool renovations to cost more than $16 million

Peter Charalambous, Abcnews.com

The cost to repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has ballooned to more than $14.65 million – exceeding the original estimated cost by more than $4 million.

Trump has one chance to save face: Resign now

Brian Karem, Salon

If he wants any shot at a positive legacy, time's up. He needs to cut a deal and walk away

The Korean Telecom Giant At the Center of Anthropic's Mythos Controversy

BeauHD, Slashdot.org

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Wired: The Trump administration's move to impose export controls on Anthropic's most powerful AI technology followed a spat over the company granting South Korean telecom giant SK Telecom access to its Claude Mythos mo…

Hunter Biden challenges Don Jr to cage fight!

Tom Malley, Brigid Brown, Irishstar.com

Hunter Biden challenges Don Jr to cage fight! (Second column, 3rd story, link) Related stories:Trump brands Howard Lutnick 'a pussy'... takes shot at wife Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

WATCH: Scientists warn of invasive jellyfish on East coast

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Scientists are warning about an invasive jellyfish with a painful sting appearing in waterways ahead of the busy summer season.

‘Destruction is the goal’: Israel steers between the US, Iran, and Lebanon

Simon Speakman Cordall, Al Jazeera English

Netanyahu faces political backlash and US criticism as Israeli attacks on Lebanon defy Iran peace agreement.

Petrol shortages and ‘oil rain’ bring Russia-Ukraine war home to Moscow

John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine increases strikes on Russian oil and weapons infrastructure as it garners aid and begins EU talks.

From outsider to president? Inside de la Espriella’s bid to lead Colombia

Catherine Ellis, Al Jazeera English

A political newcomer, de la Espriella has reached the last round of Colombia's presidential race. What would a win mean?

Trump’s Iran deal: A victory lap before the victory

Adolfo Franco, Al Jazeera English

The MOU may pause the war, but it leaves Israel exposed while giving Iran relief before real verification.

Trump takes aim at critics of US-Iran MOU, says Iran ‘finished’

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Trump says deal amounts to Iran's 'unconditional surrender'; Negotiations thrown into doubt as Vance delays trip.

AMAZON Studios Won't Release Movie it Made About Altman That Makes Tech Billionaires Look Bad...

Roger Friedman, Showbiz411

AMAZON Studios Won't Release Movie it Made About Altman That Makes Tech Billionaires Look Bad... (Third column, 3rd story, link) Related stories:META lobbies Congress for protection from child-harm lawsuits... UPDATE: Docs About Thiel's…

As Lebanon tests US-Iran deal, Trump must rein in Netanyahu, analysts say

Ali Harb, Al Jazeera English

Israel's invasion and attacks in Lebanon pose 'greatest vulnerability' to US-Iran diplomacy, says analyst Trita Parsi.

WATCH: New TSA warning for Juneteenth travelers

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The TSA is warning travelers to prepare for major crowds over the holiday weekend, especially on Sunday, as more than 3 million passengers pass through security nationwide.

The 35 colleges that produced the most US presidents

Kristine Villarroel, Business Insider

US presidents have attended private liberal arts colleges, large state research schools, and private Christian colleges. See where most went.

Amazon is walking away from its Sam Altman movie months after deepening ties with OpenAI

Joshua Nelken-Zitser, Business Insider

Luca Guadagnino's "Artificial," a movie about Sam Altman, has been dropped by Amazon MGM Studios. Earlier this year, OpenAI and Amazon deepened ties.

Italy's Meloni says Trump 'made up' story that she 'begged' him for photo at G7

BBC News

The highly public exchange is an indication that their earlier close ties have frayed since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.

Scraps trip to USA...

Ross Ibbetson, Dailymail.com

Scraps trip to USA... (Third column, 6th story, link) Related stories:Meloni rages at Trump over 'completely made up' claim she 'begged' him for photo...

Friction between President and Republicans growing...

Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

The relationship between President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans seems to be nearing a breaking point. Tensions flared this week on Capitol Hill as Trump upended Republicans efforts for a swift confirmation of his intelligence nominee and as he thwarted…

The $14 Million Paint Job on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Is Already Peeling Off and Floating to the Surface

Jerome London, Thoughtcatalog.com

The blue coating on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool started peeling off in sheets last week, weeks after crews refilled the pool in early June. Dark flecks and flaps of the new sealant are now…

BBC Chair Blocks Release Of Board Discussions Over Disastrous Donald Trump Edit

Jake Kanter, Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: It was the BBC crisis that resulted in a lawsuit from the U.S. president, but the British broadcaster’s chair has personally refused to release key information relating to the debacle because he believes it is not in the public interest. Samir Shah…

Why Trump can’t stop this Juneteenth for Black Americans

Tatyana Tandanpolie, Salon

For Black Americans, Juneteenth is a love letter to their history of resistance, including to the president

Trump says there are ‘no limits’ to his power

Yahoo Entertainment

The Download: AI bottleneck debates, and BCI trials take off

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. A startup claims it broke through a bottleneck that’s holding back LLMs AI startup Subquadratic came out of stealth last …

Newly Renovated Reflecting Pool Already Falling Apart; Paint Peeling!

Kyle Cooper, WTOP

Newly Renovated Reflecting Pool Already Falling Apart; Paint Peeling! (Second column, 7th story, link) Related stories:The Don Picked Bold Blue. But America's Pools Doing OPPOSITE... Firm Tied to Trump Donor Got No-Bid Contract to Clean…

RFK Jr.’s New Lyme Plan Is More Conspiracy Than Science

Ed Cara, Gizmodo.com

Chronic Lyme disease is a dubious medical diagnosis, but that isn't stopping RFK Jr. from boosting it.

The US World Cup star who couldn't be an American under Trump's plan

Nada Tawfik, Steve Sutcliffe, BBC News

Folarin Balogun scored two goals on his World Cup debut, but he is the type of person President Trump is trying to ban under birthright citizenship.

New blue paint under Reflecting Pool already peeling

Rob Beschizza, Boing Boing

The lining of the Reflecting Pool at Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial was painted blue to please Trump: a no-bid $14.7m contract that went to a company that had worked on one of his swimming pools. Within days of the pool being refilled, it was full of alga…

Trump hints at new approach to North Korea’s nuclear programme

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

South Korea's president said Trump had told him the 'time had come' to focus on North Korea 'issue' at the G7 summit.

Democrats have their eye on Mike Lawler’s seat. They have to pick a candidate first.

Jon Campbell, Gothamist

New York Rep. Mike Lawler holds a town hall for constituents In Putnam County. There’s a five-way Democratic primary in NY’s 17th congressional district, which could help decide which party gets power. [ more › ]

The new Obama Presidential Center ramps up Trump’s jealousy

Amanda Marcotte, Salon

The Iran war loss cements the current president’s failed legacy

Here's what to know about the NY home healthcare program being targeted by feds

Caroline Lewis, Gothamist

The Trump administration contends a popular state program is cheating taxpayers and medical consumers. [ more › ]

What you need to know about the preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement signed by Trump

Ruth Sherlock, NPR

Here's a look at the preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran, and the challenges that remain to find lasting peace.

What do we celebrate on Juneteenth?

Jerel Ezell, Salon

The holiday marking slavery's end has always carried contradictions. In the Trump era, more so than ever

Can US-Iran peace ‘deal’ survive Israeli bombing of Lebanon?

Yashraj Sharma, Al Jazeera English

Israel is blowing up buildings in Lebanon - and chances of a lasting deal to secure peace in the region.

Germany turns to Ukrainian and Israeli start-ups for an alternative to US Tomahawk missiles

Insider Inc., Business Insider

The German defense ministry has asked foreign firms for missiles that can strike deep into an enemy's territory, as alternatives to the US Tomahawk.

Donald Trump’s Iran Deal Is Israel’s Disaster

Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has few allies but Trump—and that partnership is now in question. Ruth Margalit reports.

The Performative Ceasefire in Gaza

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

As Iran and the U.S. reach a deal to supposedly end this cycle of war, Tariq Kenney-Shawa and Jonah Valdez discuss what’s happened since Israel’s October 2025 “pseudo-ceasefire” in Gaza. The post The Performative Ceasefire in Gaza appeared first on The Interc…

The Trump Administration Keeps Promoting Slop History

Robert McCoy, The New Republic

It’s been a puzzling period for formal expressions of patriotic nostalgia. On two separate occasions this week, the federal government publicized false quotations of iconic American presidents, fumbling attempts to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.T…

Apple and Intel will work together to manufacture chips in the US

Akshay Gangwar, Android Authority

According to a Truth Social post from Trump, Apple and Intel will work together to design and build chips in the US.

Trump-Loving Crypto Super PAC Finally Backs a Democrat: Ritchie Torres

Matt Sledge, The Intercept

Torres, the only Democrat boosted by cash from the conservative Fellowship PAC, has no serious competition in his House race. The post Trump-Loving Crypto Super PAC Finally Backs a Democrat: Ritchie Torres appeared first on The Intercept.

US export ban on Anthropic’s AI models further strains alliances

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

Trump administration's move to cut off allies' access to advanced AI prompts calls for greater self-reliance.

These Wisconsin swing voters say Trump's war in Iran wasn't worth it

Ashley Lopez, NPR

The war in Iran was a costly blunder, according to Wisconsin swing voters who participated in two online focus groups that NPR observed.

Donald Trump, on the Topic of 170 Dead Iranian Kids: "Mistakes Are Made. War Is Nasty."

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

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

US kills 3 in strike on alleged drug smuggling boat in Eastern Pacific

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The attack is the latest in a series of strikes on vessels operated by 'narco-terrorists,' according to Washington.

US-Iran talks postponed as Israel attacks Lebanon

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Tehran holds back from talks to cement ceasefire due to ongoing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.

Iran war day 112: Vance defends Tehran ‘deal’ but Switzerland trips are off

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Vance backs US-Iran deal as Washington ends blockade and Iran hails wartime gains.

A world on trial: How lawyers documenting Israeli abuse pay a price

Awad Joumaa, Al Jazeera English

Behind the mounting evidence of crimes against Palestinians are the lawyers braving harassment and violence.

The US-Iran talks in Switzerland have been called off

Amanda Goh, Business Insider

US Vice President JD Vance was meant to travel to Switzerland on Friday. The talks are now off, per Switzerland's foreign ministry.

Michelle Obama Brought Barack to Tears at the Opening of His Presidential Center, Telling Him Standing by His Side Has Left Her in Awe

Chris Lavergne, Thoughtcatalog.com

Michelle Obama paused mid-speech to make her husband look her in the eye. “Barack, you gotta look at me,” she said. “You told me all those years ago that you couldn’t promis…

John Waters Would Use AI To “Cure Cancer” But “Not To Help Me Write”

Glenn Garner, Deadline

The Pope of Trash has weighed in on the future of artificial intelligence as many remain divided on its place in Hollywood. In a recent interview, John Waters explained that he thought AI “would be good for pornography” but discovered he was wrong, and he wou…

WATCH: Questions surround $14M Reflecting Pool renovation as new paint peels off the bottom

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Washington’s iconic Reflecting Pool is still green from algae – and now the “American Flag Blue” paint is peeling off the bottom.

Paint peeling after $14 million memorial pool renovation

Al Jazeera English

Paint is peeling and algae is blooming less than two weeks after the $14 million renovation of DC’s Reflecting Pool.

This Is the First Time Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton Have Ever Posed Together for a Photo

Chris Lavergne, Thoughtcatalog.com

Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton posed together in Chicago’s Jackson Park ahead of the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center. The pool photo, shot by AP’s Pablo Martinez …

IT BEGINS: Billionaire tax secures spot on California ballot...

Sophie Austin, Associated Press

A California labor union is offering to scale back a proposal to temporarily increase taxes on billionaires. It made the offer Thursday, a day after the state’s top election official said the question has sufficient public support to qualify for the November …