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5 hours ago
News
World

Portugal’s Populists Are Surging. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Portugal’s Chega Party achieved its best-ever election result, securing a record vote share and challenging the country’s long-standing two-party establishment.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chega Party, led by André Ventura; Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos; Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro.

📍 Where & When: Portugal, during snap parliamentary elections concluded in May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The system has been shaken,” said Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto. “And we represent a governing alternative.”

⚠️ Impact: The result signals a shift in Portugal’s political landscape, with Chega emerging as a significant populist force in the European Union (EU). The election outcome leaves the AD coalition short of a majority.

IN FULL:

Portugal’s populist Chega Party has achieved its strongest electoral performance to date, securing 22.56 percent of the vote in the nation’s recent snap parliamentary elections. This result, confirmed Monday, marks the end of decades-long two-party dominance in Portuguese politics.

Led by André Ventura, Chega campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-corruption platform. Ventura described the outcome as “historic,” emphasizing a voter rejection of mass immigration policies under the sitting government. The election was the third in as many years, triggered by political scandals involving former prime ministers.

The governing Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, emerged as the largest party with 32 percent of the vote but fell short of an outright majority. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party, under Pedro Nuno Santos, finished second with 23 percent. The Socialists’ poor showing prompted Santos to announce his resignation, as the party’s vote share drew nearly level with Chega.

Despite Chega’s strong performance, Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with the populist party. He has instead expressed hopes of leading a minority government. The election result leaves Portugal’s political future uncertain, with overseas votes yet to break the tie between Chega and the Socialist Party.

Chega’s rise mirrors a broader populist surge in neighboring Spain and across Europe as a whole. The party had already made significant gains in last year’s elections, and its continued momentum highlights growing dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto remarked, “The system has been shaken. And we represent a governing alternative.” The results underscore a shift in Portuguese politics, with populism gaining ground against traditional parties.

Image via Vox.

By Popular Demand.
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33 minutes ago
News

Musk Announces ‘I’m Going to Do A Lot Less’ After DOGE Failures.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Elon Musk announced plans to significantly reduce his political spending in the future, citing that he believes he has “done enough.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, Musk’s companies (Tesla, SpaceX, xAI), and an anonymous Musk adviser.

📍 Where & When: Qatar Economic Forum, Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said.

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s decision may alter his role in political campaigns, though his influence is expected to remain significant through quieter contributions.

IN FULL:

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and a key supporter of President Donald J. Trump during his 2024 re-election campaign, announced plans to scale back his political spending. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, Musk stated, “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough.”

Musk, who contributed over $250 million to a super PAC supporting Trump last year, expressed ambivalence about future political commitments. He added, “Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don’t currently see a reason.”

An adviser to Musk, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the billionaire’s reduced public political profile would not diminish his influence. “Musk scaling back his public profile does not diminish his influence. I think it can actually sharpen it,” the adviser said. They noted that Musk could still quietly back causes he supports without generating “unnecessary noise.”

Musk played a prominent role in the latter part of Trump’s campaign, having initially badmouthed him and supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary. Following Trump’s re-election, Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focusing on restructuring federal agencies and workforce reductions.

Musk initially claimed DOGE would save the U.S. taxpayer over $2 trillion. That number was quickly revised to $1 trillion and then again to just $150 billion. It is unclear at this point if any money has been saved at all through his work, as billions in claimed savings have now disappeared from the DOGE website.

Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, supporting a conservative candidate who ultimately lost in April. His political vehicle, America PAC, is run by former DeSantis staffers Generra Peck and Phil Cox, the latter of whom is linked to Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and even George Soros operatives.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Politics
UK

British PM Declares Nigel Farage His Number One Rival for Power.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that Nigel Farage and his Reform Party are now the ruling Labour Party’s main rivals for power.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, Labour Party, Reform Party, Conservative Party.

📍 Where & When: Starmer made the comments to fellow Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19.

💬 Key Quote: “Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.” — Sir Keir Starmer.

⚠️ Impact: The admission is a major shakeup in British politics, which has been dominated by Labour and the Conservatives for around a century. 

IN FULL:

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly told the inner circle of his ruling Labour Party that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and his party are now their “main rivals for power.” Starmer met with his Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19, telling them, “The Conservatives are not our principal opponent. Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.”

Starmer labelled Farage, “A state-slashing, NHS-privatising, Putin apologist, without a single patriotic bone in his body. We will take the fight to him. We will fight as Labour.”

The statements come just hours after Starmer announced a new trade deal with the European Union (EU), which Farage blasted as a “surrender deal.”

“In 2016, we voted to take back control of our fishing waters from the EU and give a much-needed lifeline to our fishing industry. Today, we learn that Sir Keir Starmer’s much vaunted EU reset deal will grant European fishermen access to British waters for 12 years,” Farage said. He also criticised another aspect of the deal, which could reintroduce a form of Free Movement immigration for EU nationals who are under the age of 30.

Farage also previously criticised Starmer’s trade deal with India, claiming that it betrayed British workers as it could make it 20 percent cheaper for companies to hire Indian workers over native Brits.

Reform dominated the municipal elections in England last month, at the expense of both the Conservatives and Labour. Polling now routinely puts Reform above both the Conservatives and Labour.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Editor’s Notes

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RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Do not take this as financial advice, but I’ve got some serious money on Nigel winning the 2029 election! Just saying!
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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Immigration
UK

Gun-Toting Palestinian Migrant Gets Just 9 Months Jail for Illegal Entry Attempt.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Palestinian illegal immigrant and alleged terrorist has been jailed for just nine months after attempting illegal entry into the United Kingdom by small boat.

👥 Who’s Involved: Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas; Judge Sarah Counsell; terrorism expert Joe Truzman.

📍 Where & When: Initially arrested in Kent, England, on March 6, 2024, after crossing the Channel.

💬 Key Quote: “There is legitimate public concern about breaches of border control,” Judge Sarah Counsell said, despite handing down a light sentence for the accused Palestinian terrorist.

⚠️ Impact: Wadee’s arrival raised security concerns due to his militant ties and rhetoric targeting Jews. His light prison sentence for illegally crossing the English Channel into the United Kingdom raises concerns about how the British justice system is handling cases involving dangerous foreign nationals who are illegally entering the country.

IN FULL:

A Palestinian man with alleged ties to Islamist militant groups and a history of anti-Semitic rhetoric has been sentenced to just nine months in prison for attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally. Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court after crossing the English Channel in a small boat on March 6, 2025, without valid entry clearance. Wadee, 33, reportedly paid smugglers €1,500 (£1,300 or $1,700) to facilitate the journey and was arrested upon arrival in Kent, England.

The court heard that Wadee, who left Gaza in 2022, had previously sought asylum in Greece, Germany, and Belgium. He had no familial or financial ties to the United Kingdom and stayed in northern France for about a week before attempting the crossing. Judge Sarah Counsell highlighted the public concern over illegal boat crossings, noting the dangers involved and the profits gained by organized criminals.

Bizarrely, Judge Counsell took a moment to chastize Wadee directly, not over his ties to terrorism or violent speech towards Jewish people, but rather over his decision to cross the English Channel. The judge warned Wadee that the illegal crossing posed a significant “risk of death or injury to you and others.”

Meanwhile, videos and images posted online show Wadee expressing support for Hamas, calling for violence against Jews, and posing with an assault rifle. In one Facebook video, he reportedly called for Allah to “punish [Jews] completely.”

Terrorism expert Joe Truzman stated that Wadee had been affiliated with Gaza-based terror groups, including the Hamas-aligned Al-Qadir al-Husseini Brigades. Truzman added that Wadee gained notoriety during the Great March of Return protests from 2018 to 2022, where he participated in violent clashes at the Gaza-Israel border.

Footage obtained by The Telegraph allegedly shows Wadee throwing pipe bombs during confrontations with Israeli forces in 2021. He has also amassed a significant online following, with 170,000 TikTok followers and 189,000 YouTube subscribers.

Image by Duncan Cumming.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
NatSec
TECH

Apple’s New China AI Partner Is Raising Major National Security Concerns.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Apple’s plan to integrate Alibaba’s artificial intelligence (AI) models into iPhones for the Chinese market faces scrutiny from Republican and Democrat lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

👥 Who’s Involved: Apple, Alibaba, U.S. lawmakers, including Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and national security officials.

📍 Where & When: China and the United States; ongoing discussions, including a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China.

💬 Key Quote: “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.

⚠️ Impact: Concerns over potential data-sharing, surveillance, and military tech development linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

IN FULL:

Apple’s collaboration with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in iPhones sold in China has sparked significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers and national security officials in President Donald J. Trump’s administration. The partnership, aimed at integrating Alibaba’s AI models into Apple devices, has raised alarms over potential risks related to data-sharing, surveillance, and military technology development.

The deal has prompted scrutiny over whether Alibaba, a company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), could gain access to sensitive data or technical insights through the arrangement. Officials worry such access might contribute to state-run programs, including those tied to China’s military objectives.

During a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China, Apple executives reportedly struggled to provide clear answers about the scope of the agreement with Alibaba. Questions remain about what kind of user data might be shared and whether Apple has agreed to comply with Chinese regulations that could demand broader data access or restrict certain functionalities.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Apple’s lack of transparency, saying, “It is extremely disturbing that Apple has not been transparent about its agreement.” He added, “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess.”

Apple’s push to expand its AI offerings globally, including in China, is part of its broader growth strategy. China is Apple’s second-largest market, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the company’s global revenue. However, this effort comes with risks, particularly as geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated.

The U.S. government has already imposed restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors and tools. Lawmakers fear that commercial collaborations, such as Apple’s partnership with Alibaba, could undermine these efforts by indirectly aiding China’s technological advancements in areas with potential military applications, including autonomous weapons and drone coordination.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Immigration

‘No Hard Feelings’ – Legal Migrant Wrongfully Arrested Says He Still Supports Trump, ICE.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Hugo Monteiro, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Brazil, was briefly detained by ICE outside Cambridge District Court in Medford due to a mix-up, but was released after officers confirmed his identity.

Who’s Involved: Hugo Monteiro, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

Where & When: Medford, Massachusetts, outside Cambridge District Court, on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Key Quote: “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” Monteiro said. “I voted for Trump.”

Impact: Monteiro’s support for ICE and Trump’s immigration crackdown, despite his mistaken detention, underscores public backing for America First policies to secure the border and deport illegal aliens.

IN FULL:

Naturalized U.S. citizen Hugo Monteiro has brushed off his brief detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside Cambridge District Court in Medford, Massachusetts, on May 16, 2025, affirming his support for the agency’s mission. The 31-year-old Brazilian-American, mistaken for an illegal immigrant, was quickly released after proving his citizenship and stood firm in backing Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Monteiro, who had just left the courthouse after assisting a client, was approached by four plainclothes ICE officers around 9:15 AM. “They were telling me I was under arrest, that I was in trouble,” he recalled. Handcuffed and escorted to a car, officers soon verified Monteiro’s identity, confirmed their error, and released him by 9:30 AM.

“They explained to me they wanted to make sure they had the correct person,” Monteiro said, noting the officers mentioned prior arrests near the Medford courthouse. Despite the ordeal, he harbored no resentment. “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” he said. “I voted for Trump. There are a lot of bad people in this country, to be honest with you, [and they] don’t deserve to be here. No hard feelings.”

Monteiro’s detention comes amid a surge in ICE operations under Trump’s administration, which reversed a Biden-era policy banning routine courthouse arrests. Trump policy mandates coordination with court security, but Monteiro’s arrest on a public sidewalk suggests operational hiccups, as court security was unaware of the action.

Monteiro’s unwavering support highlights the public’s broad approval of Trump’s robust immigration enforcement.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
News
Politics

REPORT: AOC is No Longer Wearing Her Engagement Ring.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring since November 2023, raising questions about her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Riley Roberts, her fiancé and web developer.

📍 Where & When: Public appearances and social media posts since December 2023; engagement announced in April 2022.

💬 Key Quote: Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust said, “When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement.”

⚠️ Impact: The couple’s unmarried status allows Roberts to avoid financial disclosure rules, raising ethical questions as Ocasio-Cortez pushes for stock trading bans for lawmakers and spouses.

IN FULL:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring for over 17 months, sparking speculation regarding the status of her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts, according to a review of public appearances, social media posts, and news images.

Roberts proposed to Ocasio-Cortez in April 2022 with a “zero emission” ring made of recycled gold, valued at $3,057.04. The congresswoman frequently displayed the ring in the months following the engagement. However, since November 2023, the ring has been absent from her left hand during numerous public events, including recent televised appearances, committee hearings, and a series of 2025 political rallies held with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the Fighting Oligarchy Tour.

While the absence of the ring has raised questions, records show the couple continues to share a residence in Queens and they were seen together in March 2024. Ocasio-Cortez has also referred to Roberts as her “spouse” in House Ethics Committee filings, though her office clarified that they are not legally married.

The couple’s unmarried status has significant implications. As a long-term partner rather than a legal spouse, Roberts is not required to disclose his financial activities, including stock trades or employment details, as part of Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional financial disclosures. Critics, such as Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, argue this loophole undermines transparency.

“When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement,” Arnold stated.

This situation is particularly noteworthy given Ocasio-Cortez’s legislative efforts to ban individual stock trading by members of Congress and their spouses. Her proposal would not apply to Roberts unless they marry, allowing him to continue trading stocks without restriction or transparency.

Other members of Congress, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have made millions on the stock market in recent years. Some investors and fund managers have even created their own financial products that mimic trades made by members of Congress using publicly available data, as lawmakers are required to disclose market transactions over $1,000.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Culture

Ric Grenell’s Kennedy Center Unveils New Season of Woke-Free Programming.

PULSE POINTS:

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Kennedy Center announced its 2025–2026 season across theater, dance, and young audiences.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Programming overseen by Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell.
🧾KEY QUOTES: “Each performance encourages the young and young-at-heart to unleash their imaginations,” said Vice President of Education Jordan LaSalle.
⚠️FALLOUT: The upcoming season contains no drag shows, gender curriculum, or left-wing ideological content in children’s programming.
📌SIGNIFICANCE: Marks a cultural shift at the Kennedy Center, emphasizing traditional performance and family entertainment.

IN FULL:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has released its full schedule for the 2025–2026 season, with programming that excludes left-wing ideological content previously embedded in family and youth productions.

The theater lineup includes Broadway titles such as Monty Python’s Spamalot, Chicago, Back to the Future: The Musical, Moulin Rouge!, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Outsiders. Complementary programming includes Champions of Magic, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and Shear Madness, all returning without thematic revisions.

Back to the Future comes to the Kennedy Center in 2026.

The Performances for Young Audiences season includes two world premieres: The Sea Beyond the Ocean and Fishing for Stars, the latter developed for ages 2–6. Other titles include Young Dragon, Flutter, Little Murmur, and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE. The season does not feature drag performances, gender-themed material, or identity-based instruction.

Dance programming includes commemorations of the centennials of Martha Graham, Maria Tallchief, and Robert Rauschenberg.

The schedule features The Nutcracker (Cincinnati Ballet), The Winter’s Tale (American Ballet Theatre), Mere Mortals (San Francisco Ballet), and repertory from Doug Varone, Hiroaki Umeda, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, and New York City Ballet. A full ice dance performance by Le Patin Libre and a local commission from chitra.MOVES are also included.

All three seasonal divisions—Theater, Dance, and Young Audiences—are absent any stated emphasis on equity, inclusion, “anti-racism,” or climate activism. Programming descriptions omit common progressive identifiers, marking a clear departure from previous years.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Politics

Bill Clinton’s Nuclear Football Carrier Says Hillary was ‘Nazi Schoolmarm.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Clinton administration military aide Buzz Patterson accused Hillary Clinton of fostering a hostile environment in the White House, describing her as “evil” and “vindictive.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Buzz Patterson, a former Air Force officer and Senior Military Aide to President Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton.

📍 Where & When: White House, during Bill Clinton’s presidency (1996-1998), with the revelations posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, March 17, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “When Hillary was gone, it was a frat party. When she was home, it was Schindler’s List,” wrote Patterson.

⚠️ Impact: Patterson notes that the mood and tone of the White House often revolved around whether Hillary Clinton was present on that given day, claiming that the political staff and the Clintons themselves were known for their “lack of professionalism and courtesy.”

IN FULL:

A former military aide to President Bill Clinton has alleged that Hillary Clinton was so feared during her time as First Lady that White House staff avoided her at all costs. Buzz Patterson, who served as Senior Military Aide from 1996 to 1998, made the claims in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), describing Hillary Clinton as “evil, vindictive, profane,” and “a bitch.”

Patterson, who carried the “nuclear football” for the president, stated that the atmosphere in the White House shifted dramatically based on Hillary Clinton’s presence. “We used to say that when Hillary was gone, it was a frat party. When she was home, it was Schindler’s List,” he wrote in a post that has garnered millions of views.

He claimed that Hillary Clinton was the most intimidating figure in the administration, even more so than her husband. Patterson recalled being warned by his predecessor, “You can get away with pissing off Bill, but if you make her mad, she’ll rip your heart out.”

According to Patterson, the First Lady instructed staff to avoid interacting with her, leading to scenes of White House employees scrambling to stay out of her line of sight. “Many a time, I’d see mature, professional adults… scurrying into office doorways to escape Hillary’s line of sight,” he recounted, likening her demeanor to that of a “Nazi schoolmarm.”

Patterson also alleged that Hillary Clinton attempted to ban military uniforms in the White House, a move he opposed due to national security concerns. He claimed she sought to downplay the military’s importance in the administration, only relenting after the Secret Service intervened.

The former aide, who has since become a vocal supporter of President Donald J. Trump, concluded his posts by saying the Clintons are “corrupt beyond words.”

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
War

Vatican Could Host Peace Negotiations Between Russia and Ukraine.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced a breakthrough two-hour call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, paving the way for immediate Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, with the Vatican offering to host negotiations.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Pope Leo XIV, and European Union (EU) leaders.

📍Where & When: President Trump made his announcement on Truth Social on May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s diplomatic masterstroke sets the stage for peace, leveraging U.S. influence to end a bloody conflict while opening trade opportunities, reinforcing his America First vision.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has announced what may be a significant step toward ending the Ukraine war after a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a Truth Social post, Trump revealed that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,” with the Vatican, under Pope Leo XIV, offering to host the talks.

“The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent,” Trump wrote. He stressed that Russia seeks “largescale TRADE with the United States” post-conflict, envisioning “massive amounts of jobs and wealth” for Russia and trade benefits for Ukraine during its rebuilding.

Trump said he had informed key leaders, mentioning Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Finland’s Alexander Stubb—but not Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Vatican’s role as a neutral host, proposed by Pope Leo XIV, could add moral weight to the proposed negotiations. However, Russia and Ukraine are predominantly Eastern Orthodox rather than Catholic.

President Trump’s announcement comes as the Ukraine war, now in its third year, is estimated to have claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions, per United Nations (UN) estimates. Trump’s intervention contrasts with the Biden government’s prolonged support for the Ukrainian war effort, despite no signs of significant Ukrainian progress after 2022, prolonging the killing despite no obvious path to victory for Ukraine.

By contrast, Trump’s focus on immediate talks and trade-driven rebuilding positions the U.S. to break the impasse between Russia and Ukraine and end the “catastrophic bloodbath.”

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
News

U.S. Govt to Pay Ashli Babbitt’s Family MILLIONS in Major Lawsuit Settlement.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump administration has agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, an unarmed Air Force veteran fatally shot during the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ashli Babbitt’s family, the Trump administration, Judicial Watch, and shooter Michael L. Byrd, of the Capitol Police.

📍 Where & When: U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021; settlement details reported on May 19, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by Babbitt’s estate but does not include an admission of wrongdoing by the government.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by a Capitol police officer in the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. The settlement comes after Babbitt’s family had filed a wrongful death lawsuit last year, demanding $30 million in damages.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) initially opposed the lawsuit, and a trial would have taken place in July of next year. However, both parties announced earlier this month that they had reached a settlement agreement. Judge Ana C. Reyes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia called on the parties to announce the deal by May 22.

The DOJ has reportedly agreed to pay Babbitt’s family just under $5 million. Notably, initial reports suggesting that a third of the settlement would be paid to the family’s attorneys and Judicial Watch, which assisted with legal counsel, appear to be false. The claims come from sources who spoke anonymously to The Washington Post. Neither the DOJ nor the lawyers for Babbitt’s family immediately confirmed the deal’s details. According to Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton, while the organization cannot yet comment on the actual settlement sum, the group “is not getting a third (or any portion) of any settlement. We are representing Ashil’s family pro bono!”

The deal marks the first sense of justice for Babbitt’s family, over four years since she was shot and killed by Capitol Police officer Michael L. Byrd. Following the fatal shooting, Byrd saw no disciplinary action whatsoever and was even granted over $36,000 in retention funds after the killing. He was also provided with a security detail and temporary lodging at a military facility.

President Donald J. Trump praised Babbitt in March, saying, “Ashli Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan. And she was innocently standing there, they even say trying to sort of hold back the crowd, and a man did something to her that was unthinkable when he shot her.”

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By Popular Demand.
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