❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a grand jury investigation into an alleged conspiracy by Obama administration officials to manufacture intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and former President Barack Obama.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation was initiated following evidence presented in July 2024, with proceedings taking place in the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s there. He’s guilty. This was treason. This was every word you can think of. They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election. They did things that nobody’s ever even imagined, even in other countries.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ has announced a Strike Force to assess the evidence and determine further legal actions.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a grand jury investigation into allegations that Obama administration officials fabricated intelligence to support claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The investigation, overseen by Attorney General Pam Bondi, will involve a federal prosecutor presenting evidence to a grand jury.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard provided the DOJ with documents in July, which she claims contain “overwhelming evidence” that intelligence was politicized and manipulated to falsely accuse the Trump campaign of colluding with Russia. Gabbard has publicly called for all individuals involved in the alleged actions to be thoroughly investigated.

The DOJ announced on July 23 the formation of a Strike Force to analyze the evidence presented by Gabbard. A DOJ spokesman has declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.

During a July 23 press briefing, Gabbard revealed that she referred former President Barack Obama to the DOJ for investigation. President Donald J. Trump has also weighed in, calling the actions of Obama administration officials “treason” and asserting that they attempted to undermine the election process.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta conducted an interview with an AI replica of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, sparking outrage online.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jim Acosta, the parents of Joaquin Oliver, and various critics, including journalists and social media users.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The interview aired on Acosta’s Substack show on August 4, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Animating a dead child to speak words he never said serves no journalistic purpose. All it does is chase clicks by exploiting a kid who can no longer express himself. Grim.” – Reason reporter Billy Binion

🎯IMPACT: The interview was widely condemned as exploitative, manipulative, and a troubling example of technology misuse in journalism.

Jim Acosta, former CNN White House correspondent, faces intense criticism after conducting an interview with an AI replica of Parkland school shooting victim Joaquin Oliver. The AI version of Oliver, who was killed in 2018 at the age of 17, was created by his parents to deliver partisan messages on gun violence. The interview aired on Acosta’s Substack.

During the interview, Acosta asked the AI replica, “Joaquin, I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.” The AI responded with a scripted answer advocating for stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement. Acosta replied, “I think that’s a great idea, Joaquin.”

The stunt quickly sparked backlash online. Critics, including journalists and commentators, condemned the move as exploitative. Mark Hemingway referred to it as “exploitive tragedy-mongering,” while Sean Davis labeled it “absolute insanity.” Reason reporter Billy Binion called it “unsavory” and accused Acosta of chasing clicks by animating a deceased child to speak words he never said.

Robby Soave, co-host of The Hill’s Rising, described the interview as “insane and evil,” while Chuck Ross from the Washington Free Beacon called it “truly some of the weirdest [behavior] I’ve ever seen.” Many questioned the ethical implications of using AI to recreate deceased individuals for such purposes.

CNN previously fired Acosta for his journalistic decisions. This latest controversy has reignited debates over the role of AI in media and the ethical boundaries of journalism.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democrat legislators who failed to return to the Capitol as directed, accusing them of abandoning their duties.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas House Democrats, and Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The order was issued on Sunday, with the House reconvening on Monday, August 4, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief.”

🎯IMPACT: Abbott’s order aims to bring the Democrats back to the Capitol, with potential arrests and fines for those who continue to evade their legislative responsibilities.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to “locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans.” The order follows the failure of Democrat legislators to return to the Capitol on Sunday, as required, in order to vote on electoral redistricting plans.

“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” Abbott stated. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty.”

The governor’s directive came after Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows issued a “Call of the Texas House” order, compelling members to return. Abbott emphasized that the order would remain in effect until all missing Democrat members are accounted for and returned to the Capitol.

A Texas House rule, implemented after a similar Democrat disappearing act in 2021, allows for fines of $500 per day for members who abandon their duties. These fines must be paid from personal funds, not campaign accounts. Abbott warned that Democrats soliciting funds to evade these penalties could face bribery charges.

On Sunday, Abbott further declared, “This truancy ends now. The derelict Democrat House members must return to Texas and be in attendance when the House reconvenes at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, 2025.”

The Democrats fled to Illinois, with Democrat Caucus Chair Gene Wu accusing the governor of using “an intentionally racist map” to suppress minority voices. Abbott dismissed these claims, stating that Democrats’ actions could lead to felony charges and the forfeiture of their offices.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to announce plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor on the moon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sean Duffy, interim NASA administrator, and NASA officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement expected this week, with plans impacting NASA’s lunar exploration programs.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The proposal sets a firmer timeline as the agency braces for steep budget cuts.” – Politico report.

🎯IMPACT: The move could significantly shape NASA’s lunar strategy amid financial challenges.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to unveil an accelerated plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. This marks his first significant initiative as interim NASA administrator, according to Politico.

The idea of a lunar nuclear reactor has been explored by NASA for years, but Duffy’s proposal reportedly aims to establish a more definitive timeline. The plan comes as the agency faces the prospect of substantial budget cuts.

Documents obtained by Politico suggest that the proposal could play a pivotal role in NASA’s strategy for lunar exploration and energy sustainability.

While additional details on the timeline and implementation remain to be seen, this announcement is expected to generate significant attention within both the scientific and political communities.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party’s leadership for failing to distance itself from far-left ideologies and figures, citing an “identity crisis” within the party.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bill Maher, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), and author James Kirchick.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Remarks were made during the latest episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, including its “Overtime” segment.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Are you on the side of Western civilization and Western values or are you on the side of the terrorists?” – Bill Maher

🎯IMPACT: The comments highlighted a growing divide within the Democratic Party, as well as concerns about extremism and leadership’s unwillingness to address it.

Bill Maher issued a warning to the Democratic Party during the latest episode of Real Time, urging its leadership to break away from far-left ideologies and figures like New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Maher described the party as grappling with an “identity crisis” and questioned its alignment with Western values versus extremist ideologies.

“The world is a complicated place and it’s not just about oppressor and oppressed,” Maher said. He criticized certain Democrats for viewing history through a narrow lens, adding, “Until they do, I don’t think the Democratic Party is going to go forward until they make a decision: whose side are you on here? Are you on the side of Western civilization and Western values or are you on the side of the terrorists?”

Maher singled out Mamdani as emblematic of the extremism infiltrating the party. “Some of the things he says, you know he quotes Marxists, ‘each according to their need.’ I mean, that’s straight-up communism,” Maher said. His remarks came after a heated exchange with Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), who dismissed the criticisms as attempts to create a “boogeyman.” Maher fired back, “No, these are quotes. I’m not creating anything, I’m quoting [Mamdani].”

Author James Kirchick, also a guest on the program, expanded on Maher’s concerns, stating that Mamdani represented everything the far-right once accused Barack Obama of being. “Everything that the crazy far-right alleged about Obama, wasn’t born in America, Islamist, socialist, antisemite, hates America, it’s all true about this guy [Mamdani],” Kirchick said. He further criticized Mamdani’s support for the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which Kirchick argued explicitly calls for violence against Jews.

Mamdani has since stated he would stop using the phrase and “discourage” others from doing so, but tensions persist. A July poll by American Pulse revealed that 30 percent of New York City voters support Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the slogan and his backing of the anti-Israel boycott movement, underscoring divisions within the Democratic Party.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Sydney Sweeney has faced far-left criticism over a recent American Eagle ad, which some ludicrously claimed was promoting “Nazi propaganda” and eugenics.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Actress Sydney Sweeney, American Eagle, online activists, and President Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The controversy unfolded online and in media reports, with President Trump commenting on Sunday while returning to Washington from New Jersey.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The uproar highlights the ongoing cultural divide and the backlash to cancel culture, with American Eagle standing by its ad and Sweeney remaining silent.

The controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s appearance in an American Eagle ad has drawn attention from all corners, including President Donald Trump. Speaking to a reporter on Sunday, Trump commented on rumors that Sweeney is a registered Republican, saying, “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”

Trump also posted on Truth Social: “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves.’ Go get ‘em Sydney! On the other side of the ledger, Jaguar did a stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement, THAT IS A TOTAL DISASTER! The CEO just resigned in disgrace, and the company is in absolute turmoil.”

The ad, which featured a play on words stating “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” was criticized by some online activists who bizarrely claimed it promoted “Nazi propaganda” and eugenics. One TikTok user went as far as to call it “an ad for eugenics,” while another accused American Eagle of creating a “fascist-coded” campaign. These claims have been widely mocked online.

Despite the uproar, American Eagle has stood by its ad, refusing to issue an apology. Sydney Sweeney has remained silent on the matter, and reports from BuzzFeed suggest she has been a registered Republican in Florida since 2024.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to block male international athletes from competing in women’s sports in the United States.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The policy builds on an executive order signed on February 5, 2025, with USCIS issuing updated guidance on Monday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Men do not belong in women’s sports,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

🎯IMPACT: The policy aims to protect all-female athletic opportunities and ensure fair competition by restricting immigration benefits for male athletes seeking to compete in women’s sports.

President Donald Trump is instructing the Department of Homeland Security to implement policies blocking male international athletes from competing against women in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue updated guidance on Monday, building on Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order signed in February.

“Men do not belong in women’s sports,” USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser told The Daily Wire. “USCIS is closing the loophole for foreign male athletes whose only chance at winning elite sports is to change their gender identity and leverage their biological advantages against women.”

The updated guidance will revise visa categories such as “O-1A aliens of extraordinary ability” and “E11 aliens of extraordinary ability,” among others. Male athletes claiming to be transgender women and seeking to compete in women’s sports will face stricter scrutiny, with their past participation in women’s sports treated as a negative factor when determining their eligibility under these visa categories.

The USCIS also clarified that male athletes who have competed in men’s sports and now seek to compete in women’s sports will not be considered to be continuing work in their area of extraordinary ability. The agency stated that such participation does not “substantially benefit the United States” and is not in the national interest.

This move aligns with Trump’s executive order, which emphasized that allowing male athletes in women’s sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls.” The policy comes ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States, with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee adjusting its policies to comply with the executive order.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: London’s Metropolitan Police issued a ban on a group of protesters outside a migrant hotel in Canary Wharf over alleged harassment of hotel occupants and staff.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Protesters, including women and mothers, as well as hotel occupants, and the Metropolitan Police.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Their actions went well beyond protest to harassment and we used powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to order that specific group to leave and not return for 28 days.” – Metropolitan Police

🎯IMPACT: Restrictions were placed on specific protesters, clarifying that lawful protests by other groups could still occur.

London’s Metropolitan Police have banned a group of protesters from demonstrating outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf for 28 days after harassment allegations against the hotel’s occupants and staff. The protests began after illegal migrants were bused to the hotel early Saturday morning.

The initial protest was led by women and mothers dressed in pink, carrying Union flags and St George’s crosses alongside messages such as “protect our children.” One banner read, “We are not far right, but we are not far wrong. Don’t gamble with our lives, stop the boats.” However, the scene escalated when a group of masked men arrived, lighting flares.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said, “Officers policed a protest for a considerable time today but a group remained who were harassing occupants of the hotel and staff, trying to prevent people accessing the hotel to make deliveries and making concerted efforts to breach the fencing and access the hotel.” The police emphasized that other groups could still protest lawfully in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Essex Police imposed restrictions on protests near the Bell Hotel in Epping, following a recent incident involving an illegal migrant accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Protests in the area were ordered to end by 8:30 PM and were confined to a designated area across the street. Face coverings were also banned temporarily.

Similar protests occurred nationwide over the weekend, including in Manchester, Newcastle, and Islington. In Islington, masked left-wing activists clashed with police outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel during a counterdemonstration supported by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Rep. Nancy Mace announced her campaign to become South Carolina’s next governor, promising to bring a “Trump in heels” approach to the state.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Nancy Mace, fellow Republican candidates including Rep. Ralph Norman, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and state senator Josh Kimbrell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Mace launched her campaign on Monday, with the primary election scheduled for June 9, 2026, and a possible runoff on June 23, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m the outsider, the fighter, Trump in high heels, and I’m running to hold the line, restore law and order, and put South Carolina First.” – Rep. Nancy Mace

🎯IMPACT: The race is expected to draw national attention, with Mace’s policy agenda focusing on law and order, eliminating state income tax, and advancing a Trump-like “America First” approach.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) officially launched her campaign to become South Carolina’s next governor on Monday, describing her candidacy as “Trump in heels” and promising to bring a bold, America First agenda to the state. The announcement sets up what is expected to be a high-profile Republican primary race.

Speaking to Breitbart News ahead of her campaign launch, Mace highlighted her legislative achievements in Congress, including passing the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act and securing a $195 million federal grant for South Carolina. “We’ve delivered real wins for South Carolina, and now I’m ready to bring the same fight home,” she said.

“I’m not the establishment’s pick. I don’t listen to political consultants, I never have,” she told Breitbart’s Bradley Jaye. “I’m the outsider, the fighter, Trump in high heels, and I’m running to hold the line, restore law and order, and put South Carolina First.”

Mace detailed her campaign priorities, which include eliminating the state income tax, expanding school choice, protecting women and children, and restoring law and order. “This isn’t a campaign, it’s a calling,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to ending what she called a “culture of coddling criminals and punishing victims.”

The Republican primary field already includes several prominent candidates, such as Rep. Ralph Norman, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and state senator Josh Kimbrell.

Mace also addressed her complex history with President Donald J. Trump, who endorsed her primary opponent in 2022 but has since praised her as a “fighter.” She vowed to bring Trump’s America First policies to South Carolina, stating, “I’m the only candidate ready to bring President Trump’s America First agenda home to South Carolina. And like President Trump, I won’t flinch, I won’t fold, and I’ll never apologize for putting South Carolina First.”

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: MSNBC’s Morning Joe has seen its co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski absent for a significant portion of the summer, raising questions about the show’s future and leadership.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC executives, and guest hosts like Willie Geist and Jonathan Lemire.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Since Memorial Day 2024, on MSNBC’s flagship program, Morning Joe.

🎯IMPACT: The extended absences of the show’s co-hosts have led to declining viewership and raised questions about MSNBC’s direction and priorities.

Since Memorial Day, MSNBC’s Morning Joe has seen its co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski absent from nearly two-thirds of its episodes. The show, which purports to thrive on the dynamic between its co-hosts, has aired on 49 business days during this period, but both Scarborough and Brzezinski have appeared together on only 18 shows — roughly 38% of the summer so far.

On 19 occasions, only one of the two hosts was present, and on 12 days, neither appeared at all. Brzezinski has missed 53% of the summer, while Scarborough has been absent for 37%. This pattern has led to speculation about their commitment to the show and its future, especially as MSNBC undergoes significant changes, including the launch of Versant, a new cable network.

Sources familiar with MSNBC’s internal dynamics suggest the absences may be a “power play,” with Scarborough and Brzezinski reminding the network of their influence. “Morning Joe doesn’t work without them,” one insider noted, highlighting the show’s declining ratings and lack of its signature dynamic in their absence. On Tuesday, the show averaged just 579,000 viewers, with only 53,000 in the key demographic.

While some network sources insist the time off is standard vacation, others point to larger issues. The show’s influence has waned across the political spectrum, with critics on the right dismissing it as partisan theater and some on the left questioning its relevance. The timing of these absences, amid a pivotal political season and MSNBC’s realignment, has fueled further speculation.

Morning Joe has long been a destination for political insiders, but its co-hosts’ extended time off raises questions about its future. As MSNBC shifts toward a streaming-first model, the absence of its flagship morning program’s stars could signal deeper challenges for the network.

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