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4 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

EXPLAINER: What’s the Status of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and What to Expect This Week.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: After voting down the budget reconciliation bill on Friday, House Budget Committee members reconvened on Sunday after renewed negotiations and intervention from President Donald J. Trump and the White House, allowing the legislation to advance to the Rules Committee before it heads to the House floor.

👥 Who’s Involved: Speaker Mike Johnson, President Donald J. Trump, House Budget Committee members, and four GOP members who shifted their stance: Reps. Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen.

📍 Where & When: Capitol Hill, late Sunday night vote following a failed attempt on Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill is now “on track” for a House floor vote by the end of the week.

⚠️ Impact: The bill’s advancement is a win for Trump and Johnson but faces further hurdles in the House and Senate.

IN FULL:

House Republicans on the Budget Committee narrowly advanced a major budget proposal on Sunday night, reversing Friday’s failed attempt to move the bill forward. The measure, which includes making President Donald J. Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, a significant expansion in the number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation agents, $1.6 trillion in deficit reduction, full Defense Department (DoD) funding, and overhauling Medicaid, passed by a 17-16 vote. All Democrats opposed the bill, while four Republicans—Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK)—voted “present” after initially voting “no” on Friday.

The sudden shift followed a weekend of intense negotiations behind closed doors. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) met with lawmakers shortly before the vote and confirmed that “some minor modifications” had been made to the legislation. Johnson expressed optimism about the bill’s progress, stating it is “on track” for a House floor vote by the end of the week.

Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) noted during the session that additional changes to the measure are likely before it reaches the floor, though he declined to provide specifics. The bill must still pass through the House Rules Committee and secure approval on the House floor, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

Norman, one of the Republicans who shifted his stance, expressed enthusiasm about the adjustments, saying he was “excited about the changes” being made. However, the legislation remains contentious within the GOP, particularly over Medicaid reform. Conservatives have pushed for deeper structural changes, while moderates have raised concerns about the potential political risks.

Additionally, the legislation faces opposition from a bloc of moderate Republicans that represent districts in high-tax, Democrat-controlled states. President Trump and House Republican leaders have been engaged in protracted negotiations with these lawmakers, which include Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). These lawmakers want a significant change to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, well above the $30,000 for single filers and $60,000 for joint filers proposed by Speaker Johnson. Currently, House leaders are floating lifting the cap to $40,000 for single filers and $80,000 for joint filers—still below the $60,000 and $120,000 levels being pushed for by the New York Republican delegation.

Even if the package clears the House, Senate Republicans are expected to propose revisions. A group of Senate fiscal hawks, including Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), has expressed their intention to push for deeper structural cuts to reduce the budget deficit.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

By Popular Demand.
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37 minutes ago
Media
News

Dilbert Creator Scott Adams Says He Has the Same Cancer As Biden, Expects to Die This Summer.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, has revealed he is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

👥 Who’s Involved: Scott Adams, former President Joe Biden, and their respective medical teams.

📍 Where & When: Adams disclosed his diagnosis on a Rumble livestream on Monday, May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I expect to be checking out sometime this summer,” Adams said, adding that he has “had it longer than [Biden] has had it. Well, longer than he’s admitted to having it.”

⚠️ Impact: Both Adams and Biden are facing serious health challenges, with Adams sharing that the cancer has spread to his bones and his prognosis is grim.

IN FULL:

Scott Adams, the creator of the popular comic strip Dilbert, has disclosed that he is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer, similar to the condition recently revealed by former President Joe Biden.

Adams made the announcement during a livestream on the video platform Rumble on Monday. He revealed that his cancer has metastasized to his bones and expressed that his time may be limited, saying he expects to “be checking out sometime this summer.”

“I’ve had it longer than [Biden] has had it. Well, longer than he’s admitted to having it,” the 67-year-old cartoonist added.

The news follows a statement from Biden’s office on Sunday confirming the former president’s diagnosis with the same aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Adams, whose Dilbert comic strip has been a staple in newspapers and online platforms for decades, had not previously disclosed his health struggles to the public. The legendary cartoonist became a prominent pro-Trump voice around the time of the 2016 election, predicting the America First leader would win the race against what were, at the time, long odds due to his persuasion skills, and eventually endorsing him.

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Image by Thomas Cloer.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Economy
UK

Guinness Owners Revise DOWN the Expected Impact of Trump’s Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Diageo, owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker, is reducing the projected annual loss it attributed to President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies by $50 million.

👥 Who’s Involved: Diageo, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Diageo CEO Debra Crew, and equity analyst Aarin Chiekrie.

📍 Where & When: Tariffs announced April 2, 2025; Diageo issued its update on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “Looking ahead, we will continue to work on measures to mitigate this impact further,” Diageo stated, expressing confidence in navigating international tariffs.

⚠️ Impact: The company forecasts reduced profits but plans to mitigate losses and save $500 million by 2028.

IN FULL:

The British beverage giant Diageo, owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker, has flagged a $150 million annual hit to its profits, claiming this will be due to U.S. tariffs introduced under President Donald J. Trump. However, the company’s newest estimate, released on Monday, is a significant decrease from the expected $200 million loss it projected earlier this year.

It is unclear whether Diageo’s estimate includes provisions laid out in the new landmark bilateral trade agreement signed earlier this month between the United States and the United Kingdom, or if the loss is based mainly on the revenue impact of the 10 percent global tariff imposed by President Trump on April 2, 2025. Notably, President Trump paused higher, country-specific reciprocal tariffs for 90 days in mid-April. However, the recent U.S.-UK trade deal would preclude additional trade duties from being imposed on British exports once the pause expires.

Diageo’s recent shareholder update noted that its tequila and Canadian whiskey brands remain exempt from these levies, and tariffs on U.S.-China trade have had minimal impact on its operations. The company stated that it expects to mitigate about half of the tariff-related losses and expressed confidence in its ability to manage the challenges posed by international trade policies.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to work on measures to mitigate this impact further,” the company said, adding that its long history of navigating tariffs provided reassurance. The expected financial impact is already factored into Diageo’s fiscal guidance for 2025 and 2026. Importantly, the British company says it believes it can achieve around $500 million in savings by 2028, suggesting the long-term impact of the Trump administration tariffs will leave its business and market relatively unaffected.

CEO Debra Crew emphasized the company’s resilience: “We continue to believe in the attractive long-term fundamentals of our industry and in our ability to outperform the market. We view the near-term industry pressure as largely macroeconomic driven, with continued uncertainty impacting both the timing and pace of recovery.”

Diageo also reported a 2.9 percent rise in net sales for the first quarter of the year, reaching $4.4 billion.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
UK

Top Paid BBC Star Quits Over Anti-Semitic Meme.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Gary Lineker is leaving the BBC after criticism for sharing an anti-Semitic Instagram post.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gary Lineker, BBC Director-General Tim Davie, Campaign Against Antisemitism, and the Palestine Lobby group.

📍Where & When: Announcement made Monday; Lineker steps down from the Match of the Day soccer show after this season.

💬 Key Quote: “I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic—it goes against everything I stand for,” claimed Lineker.

⚠️ Impact: Lineker’s departure ends his 24-year tenure with the BBC and raises questions about impartiality and social media use by public figures.

IN FULL:

Gary Lineker, a former England soccer star and top-paid BBC presenter, will step down from his role at the de facto state broadcaster following backlash over his social media activity. The controversy arose after Lineker reposted an Instagram story from the group Palestine Lobby, which featured a rat and was titled “Zionism explained in two minutes.” The image drew criticism due to its historical association with anti-Semitic propaganda.

In a statement Monday, the BBC confirmed Lineker would leave the corporation entirely after the final episode of the Match of the Day show this season. Lineker, 64, had initially planned to step back from hosting the iconic soccer program but remain involved in other BBC coverage. Instead, he will now depart fully.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said, “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”

Lineker apologized last week, claiming he had shared the post without realizing its offensive nature. “I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic,” he said, adding that the post was deleted once he became aware of the issue. “Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action,” he added.

Lineker’s social media activity has previously caused friction with the BBC. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended for criticizing the British government’s asylum policy, leading the BBC to update its social media guidelines for prominent presenters. The broadcaster and its employees are supposed to be impartial, as the public funds it through a compulsory license fee.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed Lineker’s departure, accusing him of promoting “dehumanizing and extreme messages” and flouting the BBC’s impartiality rules.

The BBC itself has been accused of bias against Israel in its conflict with Hamas, breaching its own editorial guidelines over 1,500 times. Another BBC star was even linked to funding the terrorist group Hezbollah earlier this month.

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Election Integrity
Health

A Pfizer-COVID Investigation May Finally Be on the Cards.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The House Judiciary Committee is investigating claims that Pfizer executives delayed COVID-19 vaccine trial results to influence the 2020 election.

👥 Who’s Involved: Philip Dormitzer, Pfizer’s former head of vaccine research and development; the House Judiciary Committee; federal prosecutors; and GSK (GlaxoSmithKline).

📍 Where & When: Allegations stem from 2020, with ongoing investigations in 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Dormitzer reportedly stated, “Let’s just say it wasn’t a coincidence, the timing of the vaccine.”

⚠️ Impact: The investigation could reveal whether Pfizer acted to impact the 2020 presidential election, and may lead to further scrutiny of the pharma giant’s practices.

IN FULL:

The House Judiciary Committee has launched an investigation into allegations that Pfizer executives deliberately slowed COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. The claims center on comments made by Philip Dormitzer, Pfizer’s former head of vaccine research and development.

According to Dormitzer, Pfizer’s top research executives intentionally delayed the completion of clinical testing, ensuring results would not be available before the election. Dormitzer reportedly told colleagues at his subsequent employer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that the timing of the vaccine’s release was “not a coincidence.” GSK later passed this information to federal prosecutors in New York.

The Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, has demanded that Dormitzer provide all relevant documents related to Pfizer’s vaccine trials from March 1, 2020, to the present. Dormitzer has also been asked to schedule a transcribed interview with the committee by May 29. Dormitzer reportedly requested a transfer to Canada after Trump’s 2024 re-election, citing fears of investigation.

Positive trial results, if disclosed earlier, could have politically benefited President Donald J. Trump, then serving his first term. Trump has previously accused Pfizer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of withholding vaccine success to hinder his 2020 re-election campaign.

Image by Myke Sena/MS.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
UK
World

Hot on the Heels of the U.S.-UK Trade Deal, Britain’s Labour Govt is Selling Out to Brussels Again.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A new post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) was announced, with claims it will boost the British economy by £9 billion by 2040.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.

📍 Where & When: The deal was unveiled at a UK-EU summit held at Lancaster House, London, on Monday, May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Sir Keir Starmer described the agreement as a “win-win,” stating it “delivers what the British public voted for last year.”

⚠️ Impact: The deal is being criticized for its alignment with EU rules and concessions on EU access to British fishing waters, with opponents labeling it a “surrender” of British sovereignty.

IN FULL:

A controversial post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union was unveiled on Monday, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailing it as a “win-win” for both sides. The deal, announced during a UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London, is projected by the Labour Party government to boost Britain’s economy by £9 billion by 2040.

Key provisions include relaxed trade rules allowing more British food exports to the EU, while reducing port delays. However, the agreement requires adherence to EU food standards, a condition criticized by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch as making Britain a “rule-taker.”

Meanwhile, Reform Party leader and Brexit champion Nigel Farage is warning that the 12-year fishing agreement in the deal could devastate the British fishing industry. The agreement reportedly allows the EU continued access to British fishing waters under current arrangements. Farage warns, “If true, that will be the end of the fishing industry.” Farage has pledged that if he becomes Prime Minister, he and Reform UK will scrap the deal and protect British fishing waters from EU predation.

Others have pointed to a potential return of Free Movement immigration, with Badenoch claiming the policy is being re-established “by the back door.” Under the agreement, a “youth mobility scheme” will allow younger EU nationals broad access to the British labor market.

Additionally, the deal establishes a defense and security pact, granting British firms access to a €150 billion EU defense fund, though Britain’s financial contributions remain unspecified. Further talks are planned to expand criminal data-sharing arrangements, including access to EU facial recognition databases.

Prime Minister Starmer, speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said: “This is the first UK-EU summit. It marks a new era in our relationship.”

Von der Leyen called the deal a “historic moment,” stating it opens “a new chapter” in UK-EU relations. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who wants Britain to rejoin the EU, urged against revisiting past Brexit debates, dismissing Farage and Badenoch as “dinosaurs fighting old battles.”

Election polling shows Farage and Reform either close to or outright overtaking the Labour Party, suggesting the Brexit leader’s resistance to renewed integration with the EU remains highly popular among the British electorate. Earlier this month, the United States and the United Kingdom signed a landmark bilateral trade deal aimed at “bring[ing] the United Kingdom into economic security alignment with the United States,” according to U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Image by Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Election Integrity
Politics

Trump Orders Investigation Into Oprah, Springsteen, Beyoncé, Bono and More…

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump questioned whether Kamala Harris paid entertainment elites for endorsements during her 2024 campaign.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Kamala Harris, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry.

📍 Where & When: Trump made the statement on Truth Social on Monday, May 19, 2025; celebrity endorsements occurred during Harris’s 2024 campaign rallies in various locations, including Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas.

💬 Key Quote: “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!” — President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s comments raise questions about potential election law violations and the role of celebrity influence in political campaigns.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has raised concerns over whether Kamala Harris compensated entertainment elites for their endorsements during her struggling 2024 presidential campaign. In a post on Truth Social on Monday morning, Trump raised the possibility, suggesting a potential investigation into whether election laws were violated.

“According to news reports, Beyoncé was paid $11,000,000 to walk onto a stage, quickly ENDORSE KAMALA, and walk off to loud booing for never having performed, NOT EVEN ONE SONG!” Trump wrote, continuing: “Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT.”

He added: “THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL! IT IS AN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION! BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!”

The President’s accusations come amid renewed attacks from Bruce Springsteen, who drew Trump’s ire last week. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Springsteen announced his support for Harris, stating, “Donald Trump is the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime.”

At a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Harris received backing from a host of Hollywood stars, including Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry. Meanwhile, pop icon Beyoncé Knowles-Carter endorsed Harris during a rally in Houston, Texas, focusing her remarks on abortion.

“I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyoncé stated. “Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations.”

Trump’s Truth Social post suggests he believes these endorsements may warrant scrutiny under election law. Notably, campaign finance records indicate that the Harris campaign paid at least $1 million to Oprah‘s production company. This payment was supposedly in exchange for the company’s assistance with the “United for America” livestream rally featuring numerous celebrities and endorsements in September 2024.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Breaking
Media
News

BREAKING: CBS News Chief Resigns Amidst Lawsuit Over Kamala Harris’s Edited ’60 Minutes’ Interview.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Wendy McMahon, CBS News president and CEO, announced her resignation, citing disagreements on the company’s direction.

👥 Who’s Involved: Wendy McMahon, George Cheeks (CBS CEO), Bill Owens (former “60 Minutes” producer), Paramount Global, and Donald Trump.

📍 Where & When: CBS News, announcement made Monday, October 2023.

💬 Key Quote: “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” McMahon stated in her resignation memo.

⚠️ Impact: McMahon’s departure is the second high-profile exit within a month, as CBS News faces internal tensions over a merger and a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump.

IN FULL:

Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, announced her resignation on Monday, citing disagreements over the company’s future direction. Her departure marks the second significant leadership change at CBS News in recent weeks, following the exit of longtime “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens.

In a memo to staff, McMahon, who assumed leadership of CBS News in 2023, called her tenure “a privilege and joy” but acknowledged recent challenges. “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” she wrote. “It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”

George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, responded in a separate memo, praising McMahon’s contributions. “Under her leadership, the competitive position and culture at our television stations have improved dramatically, and we’ve expanded local news significantly,” he stated.

McMahon’s resignation follows the exit of Bill Owens, who stepped down after alleging that “60 Minutes” had lost its journalistic independence. Owens cited unsustainable internal pressures from Paramount executives in his farewell memo.

The upheaval comes as CBS News’ parent company, Paramount Global, works to finalize an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The merger, which requires federal approval, has reportedly created internal discord. At the same time, Paramount is addressing a $20 billion lawsuit from former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit alleges that “60 Minutes” selectively edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

While media types have dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, Owens pointed to mounting challenges in his resignation memo, writing, “Having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”

CBS has yet to announce who will succeed McMahon as the network navigates these ongoing challenges.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Corruption

Biden Pardon Probe Will Include Autopen Subpoenas, Pledges Top Republican.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Pardon Attorney Ed Martin confirmed an investigation into Joe Biden’s end-of-term pardons, including those for Hunter Biden and Liz Cheney, amid claims they were signed with an autopen while Biden was mentally unfit.

👥Who’s Involved: Ed Martin, President Donald J. Trump, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, and former President Joe Biden.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with Martin’s announcement on May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The integrity of the American Pardon system requires that we examine the Biden pardons and who did what,” Ed Martin stated.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s DOJ, led by Martin, is exposing potential abuses in Biden’s pardons, reinforcing America First accountability while uncovering who truly ran the White House during Biden’s decline.

IN FULL:

Newly appointed Pardon Attorney Ed Martin has confirmed that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden at the end of his term are being investigated. “The integrity of the American Pardon system requires that we examine the Biden pardons and who did what,” he said of the pardons, issued to controversial figures including Biden’s son, Hunter, and members of the January 6 Committee, such as Liz Cheney. We will get to the bottom of it. Count on us,” Martin vowed.

A prominent America First voice, Martin initially served President Donald J. Trump as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia but could not continue after Republican-in-name-only Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) blocked his confirmation. President Trump has now appointed him as Pardon Attorney and leader of a Weaponization Working Group in the Department of Justice instead.

Martin’s confirmation of an investigation into Biden’s pardons comes as James Comer (R-KY), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says evidence has been uncovered that, “[W]hat we’ve found is, not just with the pardons he issued, but many of the executive orders that the courts are now using to Trump-proof many of the executive orders that President Trump is trying to implement to make government more efficient… these were all signed with the autopen.”

“Joe Biden wasn’t capable of making decisions; he wasn’t coherent,” Comer said of the period when these pardons and executive orders were signed. “We think we’ve identified who the staffers are… We’re going to bring everyone that we believe was involved in any role in the use of the autopen. We’re going to invite them to come in for a transcribed interview; if they won’t, then they will receive a subpoena and they will have a full-blown deposition—but we want to find out who was actually making the decisions in the White House during the last nine months of the Biden administration when he was clearly in decline.”

President Trump has also argued that Biden’s autopen pardons should be considered “VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT,” suggesting his predecessor “did not know anything about them!”

Further questions over Biden’s mental and physical health were raised over the weekend, when it was revealed he is suffering from “aggressive” prostate cancer, likely present during a significant portion of his time in office.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
War

Vance: Putin ‘Doesn’t Know How to End War,’ Creating ‘Impasse.’

🧠 PULSE POINTS:

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President JD Vance says Putin “doesn’t quite know how to get out of the war,” creating an “impasse” that President Trump hopes to break in a direct call with the Russian leader.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: VP JD Vance, President Donald J. Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

🧾KEY QUOTES:

  • “Are you serious? Are you real about this?” – JD Vance on Trump’s expected question to Putin.

  • “Putin… doesn’t quite know how to get out of the war.”

  • “We’re still more than open to walking away.”

⚠️FALLOUT: Despite prisoner swaps and tentative proposals, Vance admits peace talks have stalled. Zelensky blasted Putin for failing to show up in Turkey.

IN FULL:

Vice President JD Vance told reporters Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t quite know how to get out of the war,” as President Donald J. Trump prepared to confront him in a direct call scheduled for 10 AM. ET.

Vance, speaking aboard Air Force Two, said Trump would ask Putin if he is “serious” about ending the conflict in Ukraine, stressing that America will not “spin its wheels” in a futile negotiation.

“The talks have been proceeding for a little while. We realize that we’re at a bit of an impasse here,” Vance said. “I think the president’s going to say to President Putin, look, are you serious? Are you real about this?”

He described the state of negotiations as uncertain, noting that Putin “has made some concessions” but added, “We feel like we’re at a point where we’re hitting an impasse, and that’s why the president is talking to him on the phone.”

“I’m not sure that Vladimir Putin has a strategy himself for how to unwind the war,” Vance said. “I think, honestly, that President Putin, he doesn’t quite know how to get out of the war… I think the president would agree with that.”

Vance confirmed Trump’s willingness to disengage if the peace process proves unserious: “We’re still more than open to walking away,” he said. “We want to see outcomes.”

He said the U.S. was pleased to see the two warring parties “put a real peace proposal on the table” and begin to engage in face-to-face discussions. While Putin himself did not attend last week’s meeting in Turkey, both Russian and Ukrainian delegations met and reportedly agreed to a large-scale prisoner swap.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has agreed to meet with Putin, accused the Russian leader of cowardice for sending a “low-level” delegation, saying Putin was “afraid.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump’s sense of urgency, telling The National Pulse that the president has grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict.

Vance said Trump is ready for the moment: “I was just on the phone with him. I know he’s looking forward to it… I think he’s the right guy to negotiate for the country.”

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Immigration
News

Tim Walz Brands ICE Agents ‘Trump’s Modern Gestapo.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz compared U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo during a commencement speech.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), ICE, Trump aide Stephen Miller, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍 Where & When: University of Minnesota Law School, Saturday.

💬 Key Quote: “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets,” said Walz.

⚠️ Impact: Strong backlash from Trump allies and the DHS, citing increased assaults on ICE officers and misleading claims about deportation processes.

IN FULL:

Minnesota Governor and former Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz sparked controversy during a Saturday address to graduates of the University of Minnesota Law School, where he referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.” The Gestapo, a secret police force under Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist regime in Germany, was responsible for widespread atrocities and repression across Europe.

Walz alleged that ICE agents were abducting individuals in unmarked vans, denying them trials, and sending them to “foreign torture dungeons.” Notably, Walz’s 2024 running mate Kamala Harris previously compared ICE to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

Walz’s remarks provoked immediate backlash from Trump allies and federal agencies. “This vile anti-American language can only be construed as inciting insurrection and violence,” said Stephen Miller, a senior aide to President Donald J. Trump. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees ICE and called the comparison “absolutely sickening.” A DHS statement noted, “Attacks and demonization of ICE and our partners is wrong. ICE officers are now facing a 413 percent increase in assaults.”

Critics argue Walz’s claims misrepresent ICE’s role and the deportation process. Migrants facing deportation are provided legal avenues to contest their cases before immigration judges within the Department of Justice (DOJ), not criminal courts. Deportation orders are only issued after due process is observed, though expedited removal is possible for individuals who have been in the U.S. for less than two years.

Walz’s comments also come amid broader Democratic efforts to undermine Trump’s immigration policies, including his campaign promise to deport millions of illegal migrants, with pro-migration groups working to obstruct ICE operations.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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