Trump News for Friday, July 3, 2026

WATCH: How Americans celebrate 250 years of traditions through football and tailgating

ABC News, Abcnews.com

From New York to Wisconsin, fans across the U.S. celebrated football, family and tradition. Bea Froelich, an avid Green Bay Packers fan, says she has only missed two home games in 68 years.

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Runs on Sycophancy to Trump

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

Having no shame helps.

Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner Look Incredible Together as They Head to Taylor’s Wedding

January Nelson, Thoughtcatalog.com

Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner were spotted walking out of SoHo earlier today on their way to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding. The couple arrived in New York for the star-studded cel…

Joe Walsh Nails It: Donald Trump Is A Traitor

NewsHound Ellen, Crooksandliars.com

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh summed up the five-alarm fire in our democracy better than I have heard from a single establishment Democrat. On MS Now Thursday night, Walsh reacted to Jack Smith’s warning about Donald Trump sabotaging the midterm ele…

Denmark uninvites American officials from its big 4th of July bash

CBC News

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland, organizers of Denmark’s Fourth of July celebration have barred U.S. officials from taking part.

Are Those Fake Books on the New Air Force One AI-Generated?

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

The books are somehow both real and fake at the same time.

Trump announces pardons for pollution violators prosecuted for "fixing their car"

Yahoo Entertainment

Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intel officials...

Vaughn Hillyard, David Rohde, MS Now

Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intel officials... (Second column, 5th story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Trump’s ‘ramped up’ rhetoric leaves unifying tone of July Fourth speech in question

NBC, Yahoo Entertainment

President Trump prepares to travel to Mount Rushmore to deliver remarks for the United States’ 250th birthday. NBC News correspondents Gabe Gutierrez and Jul...

Court clears way for Trump admin to 'immediately' replace slavery exhibit in Philly

DEENA ZARU, Abcnews.com

Advocates for the exhibit told ABC News the changes would 'whitewash' history.

Trump’s State Fair Shuts Down Temporarily As Extreme Heat Derails July 4th Events

Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff, Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/, Forbes

The president has promised to deliver a “really long” speech Saturday no matter how hot it is.

DEVO’s Gerald Casale Will Excoriate Trump in July 4th Video for New Single “Just Do It!”

Travis Bland, Consequence.net

Jeffrey Epstein, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Steve Bannon also make appearances in a surreal and biting satire. DEVO’s Gerald Casale Will Excoriate Trump in July 4th Video for New Single “Just Do It!” Travis Bland

WATCH: Stew Leonard Jr. on celebrating July 4 without breaking the bank

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The president and CEO of Stew Leonard's shares advice about how to keep costs low at your table this holiday weekend.

Pope Leo, Mamdani send pro-immigrant message for US’s 250th anniversary

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Influential figures deliver speeches evoking US ideals to counter President Trump's hardline immigration policies.

Flo Rida Shows Up to Great American State Fair, Draws a Very White Crowd

Travis Bland, Consequence.net

The rapper called for "unity" after performing at the Trump-backed Freedom250 event. Flo Rida Shows Up to Great American State Fair, Draws a Very White Crowd Travis Bland

Hegseth stands up a new drone office with authority on everything from one-way attack drones to ground robots and boats

Chris Panella, Business Insider

From small one-way attack drones to drone boats and ground robots, the new office will have vast authority over the future of uncrewed programs.

Turns Out The Best Way To Leak The Smith Report Was To Just Ask The DOJ

Conover Kennard, Crooksandliars.com

The DOJ accidentally handed over the sealed second volume of Jack Smith's classified-documents report to lawyers for Carmen Lineberger — the woman they're currently prosecuting for allegedly stealing that exact report by emailing it to herself disguised as a …

Donald Trump Attempts to Reads a Book Written for Second Graders

Alex Young, Consequence.net

The president guests on latest installment of Usha Vance's Storytime with the Second Lady. Donald Trump Attempts to Reads a Book Written for Second Graders Alex Young

WATCH: Doctor shares tips to stay safe over July 4th

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News' Dr. Tara Narula shares simple tips to stay safe around food, fun and fireworks this Fourth of July.

Margo Price Surprise Releases Protest Album Days of Unrest

Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork

The July 4 weekend “mixtape” features a series of rallying covers, with a guest appearance from Joan Baez

Could Trump Pardon Diddy? President Considering Clemency For Rap Mogul, Report Says

Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff, Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/, Forbes

Trump previously claimed earlier this year he wasn’t considering pardoning Combs.

How Elon Musk Became More Powerful Than Ever

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic

The authors of Muskism break down the beliefs, business strategy, and political influence behind the world’s richest man.

Trump heads to Mount Rushmore to kick off America 250 celebrations

Alexandra Hutzler, Abcnews.com

President Donald Trump will kick off a weekend of celebrations for America's 250th birthday with a speech at Mount Rushmore on Friday.

Germany’s Merz defends NATO spending after Trump calls it ‘ridiculous’

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Back and forth over defence spending comes as NATO leaders set to meet in Ankara next week.

Clash Between Dallas Police, Egypt World Cup Team Members Goes Viral

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff, Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/, Forbes

A clip going viral online is highlighting how foreign teams have been treated in the United States during the World Cup.

Trump Says He Doesn’t Read For Fun: ‘Usually Read Stories About Myself’

Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff, Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/, Forbes

Trump mused on his predecessors and said he has to “be careful” not to become the U.S.’s heaviest president.

Trump reads a children's book on Usha Vance's podcast, then riffs on past presidents and himself

MICHELLE L. PRICE, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump joined second lady Usha Vance on her podcast where guests read picture books to children, but Trump, who is notorious for veering off...

The Pentagon's gutted weapons testing office is doing more work with fewer people, risking dangers on the battlefield, new watchdog report says

Chris Panella, Business Insider

Hegseth gutted DOT&E's workforce last year, leaving the office with less officers and oversight on weapons programs.

Times Square ball to drop for America’s 250th birthday

Steph Whiteside, Newsnationnow.com

There will be eight ball drops to mark midnight across every U.S. time zone and inhabited territory.

Is Rocket Lab (RKLB) The Best Space Stock to Buy Now?

Fahad Saleem, Yahoo Entertainment

We just covered Avoid SpaceX and Buy These 11 Stocks Instead. Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) ranks #10 (see Avoid SpaceX and Buy These 5 Stocks Instead). Number of...

Jack Smith Is ‘Very Concerned’ About Trump Attacks On Midterms

NewsHound Ellen, Crooksandliars.com

Jack Smith probably knows better than anyone else just how bad a cheater Donald Trump is. When asked by MS Now host Nicolle Wallace if there’s an assault on our election from the Trump administration, Smith did not mince words. “I'm very concerned of what's g…

Can ‘Train Daddy’ fix America’s busiest train station?

Ramsey Khalifeh, Gothamist

Andy Byford has run transit systems in London, New York, Toronto and Sydney. Now, he's the face of the Trump administration's plan to rebuild America's busiest train station. Andy Byford has traveled up and down the East Coast the last month seeking buy-in…

I finally got my Trump phone

Dominic Preston, The Verge

Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week. One year on, our phones have finally arrived. 12 months, 16 days, 21 hours, and 54 minutes after I first heard about Trump Mobile's T1 Phone 8002 (gold version), I'm finally holding one…

Margo Price Surprise-Releases ‘Days of Unrest’ Mixtape of Protest Songs

Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone

Margo Price has surprise-released 'Days of Unrest,' featuring her renditions of protest songs tackling the issues she has championed.

Election wins prove pro-Palestine US campus protests didn’t fail: Activists

Ali Harb, Holden Lombardo, Al Jazeera English

With Columbia University set to be represented in Congress by former protester, advocates see 'new wave of hope'.

NJ Rep. Kean said he battled depression. His voting record on mental health is mixed.

Mike Hayes, Gothamist

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returned to Congress on Tuesday after a monthslong abscence in which he was hospitalized for depression. During his time as a state legislator, Kean helped pass mental health parity laws but also voted against paid sick leave. [ more › ]

Russian advance collapses in Ukraine as anxiety rises in Moscow

John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English

Observers suggest 1.4 million Russian soldiers have been killed since the war began.

US officials attempted to warn Iran of fears that Israel would assassinate mediators

Kevin Liptak, Katie Bo Lillis, Alayna Treene, CNN, CNN

US officials attempted to warn Iran of fears they had that Israel would assassinate meditators during talks this spring, two US officials said.

WATCH: Inside the Statue of Liberty flyover with French Air and Space Force

ABC News, Abcnews.com

ABC News' Deborah Roberts got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly with the world-famous Patrouille de France in an evening salute to Lady Liberty for America's 250th celebration.

WATCH: Presidential families share little-known facts about their descendants

ABC News, Abcnews.com

According to family, John Quincy Adams skinny dipped daily in the Potomac River.

SK hynix, Samsung, Micron among semiconductor industry group lobbying against government intervention on domestic memory chip supply — says move would worsen situation, suggests tax deductions on consumer electronics instead

editors@tomshardware.com (Jowi Morales) , Jowi Morales, Tom's Hardware UK

A lawmaker suggested to the administration that it should prioritize American manufacturers when it comes to memory chip supplies, but the SEMI industry group is pushing back against this. It says that doing so would only extend the memory chip shortages.

In 1976, I went to jail to celebrate the Fourth of July

Brian Karem, Salon

America's 250th birthday is nothing like its bicentennial

How Trump Made America’s 250th Anniversary About Himself: An Incomplete List

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump is trying to make America's 250th anniversary about himself, from putting his face on federal building to the celebration itself.

Watch Devo’s Gerald Casale Viciously Scorch Trump in Twisted ‘Just Do It!’ Video

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

The Devo co-founder says that Donald Trump represents a society so devolved that it stuns even him. "What has happened here far surpasses our worst prognostications," he says

Trump says he expects Musk to donate SpaceX stock to Trump Accounts, despite their 'little dispute'

Georgia Hennessy, Business Insider

Donald Trump said he expects Elon Musk to donate SpaceX stock to Trump Account despite their previous public falling out.

Why Perplexity's founder doesn't think the American dream is over

Charissa Cheong, Business Insider

Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity, praised America's startup culture on "The Joe Rogan Experience."

Journalist Karen Hao on Sam Altman, OpenAI & the "Quasi-Religious" Push for Artificial Intelligence

webdev@democracynow.org (Democracy Now!), Democracy Now!

As part of our July Fourth special broadcast, we continue our extended interview with Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. The book documents the rise of OpenAI and how the AI industry is leading to a new form of co…

"Empire of AI": Karen Hao on How AI Is Threatening Democracy & Creating a New Colonial World

webdev@democracynow.org (Democracy Now!), Democracy Now!

In our July Fourth special broadcast, we revisit our interview with longtime technology reporter Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI, which unveils the accruing political and economic power of artificial intelligence companies — especially Sam Altman’s OpenAI. …

Trump says there is ‘nothing wrong’ with family’s crypto windfall

Shaurya Malwa, CoinDesk

The president reported at least $1.4 billion in crypto income for 2025. He told CNBC he did nothing illegal and was not aware of the extent of his holdings. Critics say he is profiting from the office while his administration writes the industry's rules.

Mike's Blog Round Up

Batocchio, Crooksandliars.com

Lawyers, Guns and Money: Trump v. Barbera shows just how radical the Roberts Court and the modern conservative legal movement are, and the Trump court makes American politics more corrupt. Constant Commoner: Organizing the resistance. Pharyngula: The Temu sta…

SpaceX, Explained: 8 Things That Matter the Most After the IPO

Tyler Graham, CNET

Some days, Elon Musk is worth $1 trillion. Other days, he's merely an absurdly wealthy billionaire.

Americans Will Never Shut Up or Do As We're Told

Matt Welch, Yahoo Entertainment

Two distinctly American traits that powered the Revolution: We don't like being told what to do by our supposed betters, and we really don't like being told...

Europe And China Diverge From The U.S. On The Future Of Money

Jon Helgi Egilsson, Contributor, Jon Helgi Egilsson, Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonegilsson/, Forbes

Europe and China favour state-led digital money; the U.S. backs private competition. The divide may decide whether dollars or euros dominate online finance.

July 4th events threatened by heat wave. And, Russia strikes on Ukraine's capital

Brittney Melton, NPR

July 4th events for America's milestone birthday are being threatened by a brutal heat wave. And, Russia has struck Ukraine's capital, killing several people in what it calls retaliatory attacks.

He Lost $32,700 on Trump Branded Crypto. So Naturally, He Blames Democrats.

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

The Trump family invested almost nothing in their collective crypto scams, and has raked in $2.3 billion on them. Investors lost everywhere.

Billionaire Peter Thiel Attacks Pope’s AI Stance, Says He’s ‘Working For Chinese Communists’

Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff, Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/, Forbes

The Silicon Valley billionaire and prominent supporter of President Donald Trump attacked the catholic leader over his calls to regulate AI.

Former USAID head grieves its closure while hoping for its future

Fatma Tanis, NPR

Former USAID administrator reflects on a year since USAID's shutdown and the new direction of US foreign aid.

How Trump Branded America’s Big Birthday

Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic

The White House’s Freedom 250 wrested control of a patriotic logo—and spread it everywhere.

The Fourth of July That Saved My Family

Anne Neuberger, The Atlantic

My parents’ rescue at Entebbe taught me that freedom survives only because people choose to defend it.

Did Larry the Cable Guy tell Trump supporters to 'unfollow' him? Here's the truth

Jack Izzo, Snopes.com

In June 2026, comedian Larry the Cable Guy released a statement asking supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump to "unfollow me and do it now."

Trump wrecked America’s 250th in DC, but other blue cities will save it

Amanda Marcotte, Salon

Christina Aguilera, Chris Stapleton and Jelly Roll — real stars — headline July Fourth parties in liberal towns

Prairieland sentences brings war on terror home

Russell Payne, Salon

Protesters at ICE's Prairieland facility recieved far harsher sentences than anyone from Jan. 6's violent mob

10 Numbers That Define 2026 So Far

Conor Murray, Forbes Staff, Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff, Conor Murray, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/ , Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/, Forbes

Joe Rogan overtakes Fox News, your $100 has been cut by a quarter, and only one man this year has beaten Elon Musk on X.

Absurd Reason Police Allowed ‘Worst Neighbor Ever’ To Mow Lawn Shirtless Before Fatal Incident Revealed

Gabija Saveiskyte, Boredpanda.com

“We do have some odd laws here,” said a former Deputy Sheriff who responded to multiple 911 calls to the house of the incident.

Most Supreme Court rulings are secretive votes with little justification

Ken B. Morales, Salon

The Supreme Court is deciding more consequential rulings than ever before in secret.

What I Learned from ROTC

Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic

Military experience is, sooner or later, humbling.

Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as Terrorists

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

Matt Sledge, who was at the sentencing for the Prairieland defendants, and Mark Bray, author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook,” on the timeworn government strategies to stifle dissent. The post Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as…

Trump’s Investment Accounts For Kids Launch Tomorrow—How To Register

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff, Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes Staff https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/, Forbes

The federal government will give $1,000 in investment seed money to kids born between 2025 and 2028.

Did Trump call fallen troops 'suckers' and 'losers'? What we know

Nur Ibrahim, Snopes.com

A claim that Trump made the comment resurfaced online in July 2026 after he joked about giving himself and his sons a Medal of Honor.

Trump combined disaster aid announcements with plugs for GOP candidates

Catherine Bouvet, Abcnews.com

Trump approved over $846M in disaster relief for Republican-leaning states, combining the announcements with praise for candidates he endorsed in upcoming elections.

These celebrities are protecting their likenesses from AI — one trademark at a time

Lauren Edmonds, Business Insider

A growing number of celebrities are filing trademark applications to protect their likenesses, voices, and iconic phrases amid the AI boom.

Uber salaries revealed: See how much the ride-hailing company pays product managers, software engineers, and others

Alex Bitter, Business Insider

Uber pays many data scientists, software engineers, and other jobs close to $300,000 a year, while some roles make even more, H-1B visa data shows.

Rural Americans say they're worried AI data centers will drain their wallets

Lauren Edmonds, Business Insider

A survey found rural Americans are mostly worried that new AI data centers will impact their bottom line. Some politicians are starting to hear them.

How a fertilizer shortage caused by the Iran war could affect U.S. food prices

Joe Hernandez, NPR

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipments of fertilizer and natural gas, a key component in fertilizer manufacturing. It's unlikely to cause major price hikes for U.S. grocery shoppers.

$500m for Trump, access for Pakistan: How a crypto-diplomatic bet paid off

Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera English

The crypto firm that brought Trump a windfall has also allowed Pakistan to gain clout with US administration.

Hakeem Jeffries addresses Democratic Party divisions, says Trump is the bigger issue

Michel Martin, NPR

On the eve of America's 250th birthday, NPR's Michel Martin asks House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York about the Democratic Party's midterm future.

Gaza has become frozen in 'humanitarian purgatory' — and it could get worse

CBC News

Nine months after Hamas and Israel agreed to a hard-fought ceasefire in Gaza, the term has become a cruel irony for the two million Palestinians trapped inside the territory.

Canada’s Carney secures deal for pipeline to expand oil exports beyond US

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Ottawa says future pipeline will reduce economic dependence on the US amid Donald Trump's trade war.

Trump Unconvincingly Bemoans That His Kids Have ‘Inside Information’ When They Do Business

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

Trump said that his children have access to "inside information" due to his presidency and then likened their woes to buying a frosted pastry.

DOJ declines to turn over additional Epstein files, says redactions were appropriate

Peter Charalambous, James Hill, Abcnews.com

A federal judge last week ordered the Justice Department to turn over more files or explain why they were withheld.

Iran warns ships against using unapproved routes in Strait of Hormuz

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Military command issues threat a day after Qatari mediators hailed 'positive progress' in indirect US-Iranian talks.

Jodie Foster Thinks ‘F1’ Was Made With AI: “Wasn’t It?”

Glenn Garner, Deadline

As Hollywood grapples with AI’s potential impact, Jodie Foster believes the tech is already very present in the industry. The 2x Oscar winner recently explained why she believes last year’s Joseph Kosinski-helmed, Ehren Kruger-penned Brad Pitt starrer F1 was …