❓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: 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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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk donated $15 million to Donald Trump’s Super PAC MAGA Inc. and other Republican congressional PACs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, MAGA Inc., Congressional Leadership Fund, Senate Leadership Fund.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Donations were disclosed in Federal Election Commission filings published on Thursday, covering activity through June 2023.

🎯IMPACT: Musk’s donations make him the largest individual contributor to the congressional PACs and raise questions about his political intentions.

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk donated $15 million to Donald Trump’s Super PAC MAGA Inc., as well as to the Congressional Leadership Fund and the Senate Leadership Fund, according to Federal Election Commission filings published on Thursday. Both funds are aimed at supporting House and Senate Republicans.

Musk spent nearly $300 million to support Trump and Republicans in their election bids in 2024. He also publicly displayed support for Trump by wearing a “dark MAGA” black hat ahead of the president’s re-election bid. In November, Musk was appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

However, tensions between Musk and Trump emerged after Musk’s appointment. In June, the two exchanged insults on social media. Musk accused Trump of being in the Epstein files, while Trump responded by calling Musk a “big-time drug addict.” Although Musk later walked back some of his remarks, the relationship between the two remains strained.

Despite this, Musk has continued to make significant political contributions. On July 7, he announced the formation of his own political party, the America Party. Musk is the largest individual contributor to congressional PACs and has also contributed $45 million to America PAC, a super PAC he oversees.

The FEC filings released last week only cover Musk’s financial activity through the end of June, leaving open the possibility of additional contributions. Musk’s donations and political moves continue to draw attention and speculation about his broader political goals.

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