Trump News for Thursday, July 2, 2026

Trump administration indicts Olympic athlete for Reflecting Pool vandalism

Holden Lombardo, Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

David Hearn could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, but critics question the legitimacy of Trump's claims.

Will the end of TPS for Haitians mean a caregiving crisis in US?

PolitiFact, Al Jazeera English

Immigrants with temporary protection more likely to work in healthcare, representing 15 percent of noncitizen workers.

Trump administration cannot hold migrants without bond hearings past 90 days, court rules

By Nate Raymond, Yahoo Entertainment

By Nate Raymond July 2 (Reuters) - U.S.

The Other Case for Birthright Citizenship

Amanda Frost, The Atlantic

The legal arguments are clear. Now proponents need to start defending the practice on policy grounds.

'Does He Think He's Real?' Social Media Reacts to Trump's Talk With AI Teddy Roosevelt

Omar Gallaga, CNET

The current president chatted with a life-sized AI version of the 26th US president at the new Theodore Roosevelt presidential library.

A very Trump July 4

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: Hi readers, happy Thursday! The Logoff will be off tom…

Government-Backed AI? OpenAI Reportedly in Talks Over US Equity Stake

Katelyn Chedraoui, CNET

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is reportedly in discussions with the White House over a government financing deal. It may not happen.

Wil Wheaton Joins Backlash Against “Coward” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Over His Stance On Political Topics

Dinara Luz, Boredpanda.com

Wil Wheaton criticized Dwayne Johnson’s decision to avoid political endorsements, sparking a divisive online debate.

Trump administration aims to cut regulations on US commercial fishing

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Scallop fishing had been banned in the New England waters since 1994 on account of overfishing.

T-Mobile Jacks Up Prices For Everybody, Ignores Years Of ‘Uncarrier’ Promises

Karl Bode, Techdirt

In the wake of the Sprint T-Mobile merger, wireless carriers immediately stopped trying to compete on price (exactly what deal critics had warned would happen when you reduce sector competition). T-Mobile, which once tried to differentiate itself as the consu…

Trump administration renews pressure on International Criminal Court

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

The US says it will reject any effort by court to assert authority over citizens, days after judges sue over sanctions.

Trump Jr.'s 'Amazon of guns' could make millions under new proposed firearm rule

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Yahoo Entertainment

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - Donald Trump Jr. helped take an online retailer known as the “Amazon of guns” public last year.

As it was foretold: the Trump regime gutted the NOAA and...

Jason Kottke, kottke.org

As it was foretold: the Trump regime gutted the NOAA and now weather forecasts are less accurate. An atmospheric scientist: “The forecasts I’m able to offer you are less accurate than they would other

Trump Posts Unhinged Video With Him As A Doctor Diagnosing Different Celebrities With Derangement Syndrome

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

“Is there a Nobel prize for thin-skinned presidents?” a netizen asked.

Fears of new massacre in Sudan’s el-Obeid: What do we know?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

As RSF troops besiege el-Obeid, 500,000 civilians face mass atrocities amid drone strikes and a stalled peace process.

Dangerous US heatwave looms over 4 July holiday, World Cup and Swift wedding

https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews, BBC News

The soaring temperatures are raising concerns as President Donald Trump hosts America's 250th birthday celebrations and multiple World cup matches take place outdoors.

Factions emerge among NY Dems: Zohran Mamdani’s socialists vs. Tom Suozzi’s capitalists

Brigid Bergin, Gothamist

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., walks down the House steps after a vote at the U.S. Capitol. Moderate Democrats want to make clear what their party is and what it’s not [ more › ]

Trump Keeps Getting Richer. The Rest of Us? Not So Much

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump's financial disclosures revealing that he made $2.2 billion in 2025 shed light on an administration built around corruption.

‘Miracle’: Trapped man rescued eight days after Venezuela earthquakes

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Attention has turned to the humanitarian response after at least 2,295 people are confirmed dead, and 13,000 homeless.

WATCH: How New York City played a pivotal role in America's revolution

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News' Danny New takes on the streets of New York City to visit the most historical sites and discover more about the country's first capital.

How US-Iran war may push Gulf countries to ‘diversify’ security alliances

Ali Harb, Al Jazeera English

Despite Iranian attacks, several GCC states continue to speak with Tehran in effort to mend ties and forge cooperation.

US wants intervention, but Syria signals diplomacy after FM’s Lebanon trip

Justin Salhani, Al Jazeera English

Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani met Hezbollah ally Berri during visit, as Trump calls for Syria to disarm group.

Fox News AI Newsletter: American manufacturer says AI is creating jobs, not replacing them

Fox News

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

How Florida’s Cuban Diaspora and the Israeli Lobby Came Together — and Are Coming Apart

Greg Grandin, The Intercept

The Cuban lobby and AIPAC have gotten what they wanted from Trump, and now they are dealing with the consequences. The post How Florida’s Cuban Diaspora and the Israeli Lobby Came Together — and Are Coming Apart appeared first on The Intercept.

Apple is considering risky alternative RAM suppliers amidst memory crunch

Michail, GSMArena.com

The ongoing memory chip crisis is forcing companies to scramble with new ideas to procure their desired RAM quantities, and Apple is apparently considering a risky move. According to a new Bloomberg News report, Cupertino is currently in talks with two Chines…

America at 250: Who are we, anyway?

Vox Staff, Vox

America turns 250 this year. The celebrations are already underway — and so are the questions. President Donald Trump has put himself at the center of the anniversary in Washington, DC, with hype-filled plans for festivals and fireworks. Nationally, the lead-…

How Much Does Trump’s Insane July 4 Fireworks Show Cost?

Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic

The White House is trying to break a fireworks record on Saturday—but doing so will likely cost taxpayers a pretty penny.The Trump administration has not communicated how much the July 4 celebration will cost, or who is expected to foot the bill for the pyrot…

America First: Sam Altman Proposes ‘US-Led International Forum’ for AI and 5% Stake for Trump Admin

Webb Wright, Gizmodo.com

OpenAI is trying to appeal to a public that's grown wary of AI at the same time that it's trying to fix its relationship with the federal government.

The DEA Plans to Ban Opioid-Like Kratom Compound 7-OH

Manisha Krishnan, Wired

The federal agency says it will temporarily schedule the drug, which has been called "gas station heroin," as a controlled substance—a boon for MAHA and the mainstream kratom industry.

Trump Made Hundreds of Stock Trades One Day Before Pausing Tariffs

Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic

President Trump bought hundreds of stocks the day before he paused tariffs and caused the stock market to rally. Trump filed his latest financial disclosure on Monday, and it shows that he made 327 individual stock purchases worth as much as $12.8 million on …

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says AI 'will reshape the material conditions of human life'

Brent D. Griffiths, Business Insider

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the AI industry is at a critical moment, which is why he called for the establishment of a US-led oversight forum.

Touch the Reflecting Pool, Get Indicted by a D.C. Grand Jury. Even If You’re an Olympian!

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

A grand jury apparently agreed that it's now a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool in D.C., despite a century of people wading in it.

WATCH: July 4th celebrations to have heightened security

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News’ Pierre Thomas reports on the latest from the FBI saying there are no credible threats to July 4th celebrations, though many will have heightened security.

Trump Hypes Up Tech Company Right After Buying Their Stock

Edith Olmsted, The New Republic

President Donald Trump is once again hawking a company in which he owns stock. Trump announced Thursday that stock in Micron Technology Inc., a semiconductor company, had leapt nine points on the stock market following the company’s commitment to donate $250 …

Trump Wanted to Make Grossest Change Ever to White House Bathroom

Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic

Donald Trump has made enormous changes to the White House during his time in office: He’s paved over the Rose Garden, stripped the palms from the Palm Room, and most unforgivably, razed the executive estate’s East Wing.But one strange detail about Trump’s bat…

Spain Orders Blacklist of Palantir from Public and Private Companies

Ahmet Koçak, Clashreport.com

The Spanish government has blacklisted U.S. data analytics giant Palantir Technologies from public and private state-controlled companies due to growing concerns over the potential misuse of classified national security information.

Medicare is now offering $50 GLP-1 prescriptions. The US may never be the same.

Dylan Scott, Vox

The latest breakthrough for GLP-1 drugs isn’t scientific. It’s financial. As of July 1, Medicare is providing coverage of GLP-1 medications for weight loss for just a $50 co-pay, potentially enabling millions more Americans to get onto this much-hyped new cla…

Student-loan borrowers are getting their first batch of notices to switch repayment plans

Ayelet Sheffey, Business Insider

Student-loan borrowers have started receiving their 90-day timeframe to switch off the SAVE plan. One servicer said notices may not come until 2027.

Trump stopped talking about these media stocks, but his portfolio didn’t stop trading them

Mia Osmonbekov, Yahoo Entertainment

Trump, Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery: a story of silence, activity and pending M&A deals.

Trump-backed organizer of America’s 250th birthday events may have duped donors, report from House Democrats alleges

Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, CNN, CNN

Donors who intended to support a bipartisan nonprofit that’s organizing celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary were allegedly redirected — without thei...

Trump planning to visit Irish Open at Doonbeg

Richard Petrie, BBC News

United States President Donald Trump says he hopes to visit this year's Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort in county Clare in September.

Concourse Media, Matter Entertainment To Rep Sales For ‘Breaking The Code,’ Story Of Indian Immigrant Who Made Silicon Valley History

Matthew Carey, Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Two international sales agents have boarded the documentary feature Breaking the Code, the inspiring story of Indian immigrant Kanwal Rekhi who became a major figure in the rise of Silicon Valley, laying the foundation for the internet. Concourse M…

With Hormuz reopened, has the oil shortage turned into a glut?

Federica Marsi, Al Jazeera English

As flow resumes through the strait, an oil surplus may yet again destabilise global energy markets.

Ken Burns Talks About The Impactful Way To Celebrate America At 250, And Why Polarizing Times Have To Be Put In Perspective

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Ken Burns keeps a neon sign in his editing room reading, “It’s complicated.” That was certainly true of his illuminating and nuanced The American Revolution, the 12-hour documentary series that presented the nation’s founding years in varying degrees of conte…

How Trump Lied to People Trying to Donate to America250

Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic

Trump officials misled people who wanted to donate to a bipartisan initiative to mark the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, redirecting them to donate to the administration’s own group instead, according to a congressional investigation released Thursday.A report rel…

Why has Trump refused to renew the USMCA, and what will that mean?

Edna Mohamed, Al Jazeera English

Trade ambassador says US will not approve trilateral agreement with Canada and Mexico 'in its current form'.

The Ex-Vegan Looking to Unseat a Republican Cattle Rancher in Congress

Emma Janssen, The New Republic

Manny Rutinel’s victory this week in Colorado’s primaries has set up a once-unthinkable scenario: This November, in one of the most crucial swing races in the country, a former vegan activist will face off against a cattle rancher in a district dominated by m…

POTUS Posts AI Deepfake Video Of Rosie O’Donnell, Robert De Niro And Other Celebrities Lamenting Their ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Donald Trump has once again turned to AI deepfakes, this time posting a video in which he is a doctor treating Rosie O’Donnell, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts and other celebrities who lament their “Trump derangement syndrome.” The video, posted on Truth Socia…

More IPO Fluffing: Musk’s Starlink Hints At Becoming Full Wireless Phone Company

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Last month, SpaceX began making lobbying filings in support of phone unlocking rules making it easier to switch your phone between wireless providers. You might recall that the Biden FCC was on the cusp of installing such rules before the Trump administration…

Watch: PM's former top aide on Starmer's first call with Trump

BBC News

Trump was more 'funny' than he had been expecting, Morgan McSweeney told the BBC.

The Download: a startup has a solution for AI’s groupthink problem

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. LLMs are stuck in a groupthink groove. This startup is trying to get them out. Open up your chatbot of choice—Claude, Cha…

What Would Mark Twain Think of America at 250?

Ron Chernow, The Atlantic

The country’s greatest satirist loved technology and hated corruption. He’d have plenty to say about both in 2026.

Are MAGA and MAHA Heading for Divorce?

Kate Storey, Rolling Stone

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised ambitious plans to make Americans healthier. But insiders say as soon as he was named health secretary, the problems between the coalitions began

Compromised Values

Bryce Covert, The New York Review of Books

Joe Manchin’s memoir reveals that the West Virginian Senator worshipped “work” at the expense of supporting his party’s efforts to help working people.

The New Ellis Island

Julia Preston, The New York Review of Books

A history of five families in El Paso reveals the city’s significance as a bellwether of America’s immigration policy.

Hungary: The Flood

Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books

Peter Magyar’s landslide electoral victory in April made clear that after sixteen years, Hungarians were tired of Viktor Orbán.

WATCH: New drones to search for sharks off East Coast beaches

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Officials are ramping up their efforts to keep beachgoers safe from the shore and sky with a fleet of drones to patrol the waters from above for sharks.

Minnesota Just Shut Down the Unit That Reviews Wrongful Convictions After the Trump Administration Cut Its Funding

Jerome London, Thoughtcatalog.com

The unit freed at least three men convicted of serious crimes, including one who spent nearly 25 years in prison. It ran on federal grant money, and when the Justice Department refused to renew it, the work stopped.

The White House goes all in on aliens with new UAP Science Advisory Council

Adam Kovac, Scientific American

This new group, which is led by Harvard professor Avi Loeb, aims to advise the Trump administration and the U.S. intelligence community, as well as to publish its findings in peer-reviewed journals

WATCH: Millions are expected to fly for July 4th holiday: TSA

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The Transportation Security Administration is expected to screen more than 3 million passengers on Thursday ahead of an expectant busy travel weekend for Independence Day.

Trump denies conflict of interest over crypto. And, Vatican excommunicates rebel group

Brittney Melton, NPR

Trump and his family earned over $1 billion last year through cryptocurrency ventures and other businesses. And, the Vatican declared that the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X has entered schism.

Cybersecurity Mission Creep in the US

Bruce Schneier, Schneier.com

Interesting paper: “Cybersecurity Mission Creep.” Abstract: Cybersecurity is experiencing mission creep. Policymakers are casting more and more problems as issues of cybersecurity. So reframed, wildly different policy issues, from misinformation, to child soc…

Why Everyone Is Suddenly Talking About ‘Universal Basic Capital’

Rogé Karma, The Atlantic

The policy could provide a much-needed hedge against a future AI dystopia—but only if it’s designed the right way.

Karlie Kloss Would Like to Clarify Her Politics

Claire Guinan, Jezebel

“It’s my husband’s family,” Kloss said, not hers!

Trump didn’t learn the biggest lesson from his first term

Heather Digby Parton, Salon

Under pressure and facing historically low approval ratings, the president is behaving as erratically as ever

The alarming split in the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling

Tatyana Tandanpolie, Salon

The ruling was a revealing moment for the future of the court

An extra 229,000 deaths: Is that the cost of US-UK drugs deal?

Edna Mohamed, Al Jazeera English

Research finds that trade deal requiring UK to buy more medicines from US takes away money from other parts of NHS.

RFK Jr. Claims He’s Investigating Terrorism Now, Too

Jessica Washington, The Intercept

The Health and Human Services secretary is targeting the largest Muslim civil rights organization as Republicans run on Islamophobia in a tough midterm cycle. The post RFK Jr. Claims He’s Investigating Terrorism Now, Too appeared first on The Intercept.

Trump Has Done Countless Bad Things to This Country. We’re Pathologically Obsessed With the Most Insignificant One.

Christina Cauterucci, Slate Magazine

The grimy, seemingly haunted water feature has become the unofficial mascot for Trump's destruction of America.

Your Electronics Are About to Get Way More Expensive

Nitish Pahwa, Slate Magazine

The A.I. boom and the Iran war are driving demand for chips to unprecedented levels—leading to bigger price tags for your gadgets.

Republicans plot an investigative end run

Nicholas Wu, Semafor.com

The GOP could rely on the threat of parallel probes by the Trump administration to power the House minority’s congressional investigations.

Crypto Companies Have Already Poured $189 Million Into the 2026 Midterms

Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com

Crypto companies are outspending Big Tech, fossil fuel firms, and other corporate power players as they work to shape the next Congress and lock in favorable rules.

Federal civil rights data holds schools accountable. Under Trump, it's 6 months late

Jonaki Mehta, NPR

The Education Department has long collected civil rights data about things like bullying, harassment and disability services in schools, but it hasn't made the latest information public.

Trump Gives Don Jr. and Eric the Ivanka Treatment With Creepy ‘Threesome’ Joke

Danielle Han, Jezebel

In a joke about receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, Trump pointed out his “two beautiful sons” and quipped “I think I’m going to give one to myself, one to them, and we’ll have a threesome.”

Trump says record boats leaving Hormuz, calls communism ‘biggest threat’

Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump arrived in North Dakota aboard a train for the Roosevelt Presidential Library dedication.

Oil prices fall to levels not seen since start of US-Israel war on Iran

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Brent falls below $71 a barrel amid reports of progress in talks to end the war.

Palestinians face uncertain future as Gaza marks 1,000 days of war

CARA ANNA, Yahoo Entertainment

It's the 1,000th day of war since a Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Both Israelis and Palestinians are weary of the strain. The fa...

Facing barbs and pressure from Trump, Europe's leaders close ranks

Yahoo Entertainment

Nike says it expects $986 million in IEEPA tariff refunds

Julia Waldow, Digiday

Nike says it’s in a better financial position as it awaits nearly $1 billion in refunds related to tariff imposed under the IEEPA.

US designates Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as ‘terrorist’ organisation

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Ecuador's government praises the US for backing President Noboa's campaign to dismantle gang-crime networks.

US Home Battery Installations Hit Record High On Rising Electricity Costs

BeauHD, Slashdot.org

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: US homeowners have embraced home batteries in record-breaking numbers in early 2026, spurred on by state incentives while seeking to offset rising residential electricity costs. The trend could even unloc…

Trump Claims 'Right To Repair' Victory That Really Just Tries To Defang CARB

staff@jalopnik.com (Justin Hughes), Jalopnik

Will the EPA make regulations more restrictive than they are now, or will it regulate CARB's standards out of existence? Only time will tell.

Lawyer takes Trump to Task over Unchecked Presidential Powers

Al Jazeera English

Constitutional lawyer Bruce Fein says the US was founded on the principle that governments exist to protect rights.

Trump Administration Reportedly on Verge of Standards Deal With Big AI

Mike Pearl, Gizmodo.com

Is that a good thing? That part is up to you.

Weird Al Yankovic Turned Down “Nice Pile Of Money” For AI Ad: “I Can’t Be The Poster Boy For AI”

Glenn Garner, Deadline

The prince of parody music has spoken, as Weird Al Yankovic draws a line in the sand over AI. The 5x Grammy winner recently noted he’s “not down” with artificial intelligence, revealing he recently turned down “a nice pile of money” to star in an advertisemen…

President Trump Chats With AI Teddy Roosevelt About the Panama Canal

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

Trump told a crowd Wednesday about having a conversation with the late president.

‘A war zone’: Venezuela aid workers fear health crisis after earthquakes

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Aid workers fear disease outbreaks in temporary shelters amid overcrowding, lack of access to clean water, sanitation.

Soaring revenue at Mar-a-Lago shows how Trump’s business interests and politics intersect

Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman, Kevin Liptak, CNN, CNN

As President Donald Trump’s wealth has soared since retaking office, a new financial disclosure shows his two premier Florida resorts have also delivered rec...

US won't renew trade deal with Mexico and Canada that Trump struck in 1st term

Emily Chang, Molly Nagle, Abcnews.com

The Trump administration says the U.S. will not renew the USMCA, a key trade deal that President Donald Trump negotiated in his first term.

Incoming US science academy chief vows to ‘double down’ on research

Jenna Ahart, Nature.com

New leader of the National Academy of Sciences Neil Shubin warns: ‘a society that loses science loses the future’.