Monday, August 18, 2025
transgender

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Michigan Gov’s ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Criminalizes Parents Who Don’t Affirm Transgenderism.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed two bills banning “conversion therapy” for minors who identify as homosexual or transgender, turning healthcare providers and parents who do not accept their children were “born in the wrong body” into criminals.

Media coverage of the bills focuses on therapy “intended to change a person’s sexual orientation” but alsos ban therapy aimed at persuading girls they are girls and boys they are boys, rather than “transgender”.

House Bill 4617 defines conversion therapy as “any practice or treatment by a mental health professional that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including, but not limited to, efforts to change behavior or gender expression or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward an individual of the same gender.”

This language suggests clinicians and possibly parents who refuse to “affirm” so-called trans kids by dressing boys as girls and using female pronouns for them, and vice versa, could be accused of unlawful activity.

Governor Whitmer insists that as “a mom of a member of the [LGBTQ] community and a proud, lifelong ally” she is “grateful” that Michigan is “banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy”.

By Popular Demand.
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Hamas, Israel Reach Deal on Ceasefire & Hostages Pioneered by Trump Envoy.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire-hostage deal with Israel, according to a Hamas official.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hamas, Israeli officials, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Discussions have been ongoing in the Middle East.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The movement has handed over its approval to the new proposal presented by the mediators.” – Senior Hamas official Basem Naim

🎯IMPACT: The deal could pave the way for a temporary cessation of violence and the release of detainees, though Israel has yet to respond.

IN FULL

Hamas has consented to a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Israel, according to a senior Hamas official. The deal closely follows a 60-day ceasefire plan originally put forward by President Donald J. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

According to an Egyptian official source, the current deal entails a 60-day ceasefire and the return of half the hostages Hamas holds in Gaza, alongside Israel’s release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have been key in facilitating talks with Hamas to secure this arrangement.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that mediators had been “exerting extensive efforts” to bring the U.S. proposal back to life, with the goal of achieving a temporary halt to hostilities and freeing hostages. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim announced on Facebook, “The movement has handed over its approval to the new proposal presented by the mediators.”

Reports from Arab media suggest Hamas has accepted the proposal with minimal changes. Israeli officials have yet to comment publicly on the agreement. Previous efforts to reach similar deals have often collapsed due to disputes over the terror group’s proposed revisions.

Image by WAFA / APAimages.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Wants Trialateral Meeting With Putin, Zelensky to End the War.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump says he hopes today’s bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and summit with major European leaders will result in a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and himself to negotiate an end to the war between the two Eastern European countries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the leaders of the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, NATO, and the European Union (EU).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The White House in Washington, D.C. on Monday, August 18, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat—and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.” — President Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: President Trump emphasized that any trilateral meeting must be aimed at securing an enduring and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has said he hopes today’s bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and summit with major European leaders will pave the way for a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and himself to negotiate an end to the war between the two Eastern European countries. Zelensky—and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, NATO, and the European Union (EU)—gathered for an unprecedented summit at the White House on Monday after President Trump held bilateral discussions with Putin last Friday in what could mark a significant breakthrough towards ending the Ukraine war.

“If everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat—and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” President Trump said. The America First leader emphasized that any trilateral meeting must be aimed at securing an enduring and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.

While the last time Zelensky met with Trump at the White House, the meeting erupted into a diplomatic row, with the Ukrainian leader aggressively arguing with Vice President J.D. Vance on live television, Zelensky appeared far calmer and conciliatory this time. Since their initial rocky start, Trump and Zelensky have held several meetings, including one at the Vatican.

Last Friday, President Trump met with Putin at an American military base in Alaska. The leaders discussed a potential trilateral meeting and possible Russian concessions to end the conflict.

Movement by Russia on its demands and openness to Ukraine receiving security guarantees from the West are believed to have sparked today’s Ukrainian bilateral and European summit in Washington, D.C.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Has Won the Average American $4k in Tax Cuts: Report.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will save Americans an average of nearly $4,000 in tax cuts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Congress, the Tax Foundation.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Tax Foundation released statistics on the OBBBA on August 13.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The OBBBA not only prevents a major tax increase for most filers but introduces new relief aimed at working households.” – Erica York, senior economist at the Tax Foundation

🎯IMPACT: The OBBBA will save Americans thousands of dollars per year, likely boosting spending and stimulating the economy.

IN FULL

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in July, will reduce federal taxes for individual filers by an average of $3,752 in 2026, according to new estimates from the Tax Foundation. The legislation marks the most significant update to federal tax policy since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which the America First leader also pioneered.

The OBBBA permanently extends the individual tax cuts first enacted under the TCJA, previously scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. Without this extension, roughly 62 percent of taxpayers would have seen their taxes increase starting in 2026. The law also introduces new tax breaks for individuals and businesses, including deductions for tips and overtime income, a larger standard deduction, and an expanded Child Tax Credit.

“The OBBBA not only prevents a major tax increase for most filers but introduces new relief aimed at working households,” said Erica York, senior economist at the Tax Foundation.

It also maintains 100 percent bonus depreciation for businesses and allows continued full expensing for domestic research and development (R&D) costs. Previously, these changes were slated to be phased out or reduced.

The Tax Foundation projects that the law will support the creation of around 938,000 full-time equivalent jobs over the long term.

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By Popular Demand.
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BREAKING: Times Square Evacuated, NYPD Responds to ‘Suspicious Package.’

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) bomb squad responded to a suspicious package at the department’s 43rd and 7th Street precinct in Times Square on Monday. Several area streets were blocked off while a bomb disposal technician examined the package lying on a sidewalk.

According to the NYPD, the greater Times Square area, usually packed with thousands of tourists, has been evacuated. Officials say they were first alerted to the suspicious package after a 911 call at 10:32 AM on Monday.

This is a developing story. 

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The New York City Police Department (NYPD) bomb squad responded to a suspicious package at the department's 43rd and 7th Street precinct in Times Square on Monday. Several area streets were blocked off while a bomb disposal technician examined the package lying on a sidewalk. show more
By Popular Demand.
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The Data Shows Trump Takeover Has Crushed Crime in DC:

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Federal and local law enforcement agents in Washington, D.C., made 68 arrests on Saturday night, with over 300 arrests since President Donald J. Trump federalized D.C. law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops on August 11. D.C. Police Union data shows significant declines in D.C. crime, particularly carjackings and robberies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, National Guard troops, and federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the D.C. Police Union, and D.C. residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., Saturday night, with ongoing efforts since August 11.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Just last night, our federal and D.C. law enforcement partners made 68 arrests and seized 15 illegal firearms. Homicide suspects, drug traffickers, and more are being charged.” – Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The increased law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C. appears to be improving public safety and cutting crime.

IN FULL

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal agents, working alongside the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), arrested 68 crime suspects on Saturday night, bringing the total to over 300 since President Donald J. Trump announced his crime crackdown on August 11. Meanwhile, the D.C. Police Union has released data showing massive declines in several crime categories.

Overall, police union data shows crime is down by eight percent—but the fall in carjackings, which have become particularly prevalent in the Democrat-dominated city, is far more dramatic, with an 83 percent decline. Robberies are also down by 46 percent, with a smaller but still significant 22 percent decline in violent crime generally.

Last week, President Trump federalized the MPD and mobilized National Guard units to the District of Columbia alongside personnel from federal law enforcement agencies as part of a 30-day initiative to curb violent crime in the American capital.

The National Guard troops and MPD are working alongside federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Additionally, the MPD, under federalization, has agreed to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when detaining illegal immigrants.

“Just last night, our federal and D.C. law enforcement partners made 68 arrests and seized 15 illegal firearms. Homicide suspects, drug traffickers, and more are being charged,” Bondi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Late Friday, a federal court temporarily blocked the federalization of the D.C. police, but relented after the Department of Justice (DOJ) revised part of its directive to allow the city’s police chief to remain in place. President Trump has expressed a desire to work with the GOP-controlled Congress to extend his control over the capital city beyond the 30-day emergency authority.

Currently, about 800 National Guard troops are stationed in D.C., with an additional 700 expected to arrive from Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia this week.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Mounts Campaign to Ban Mail-In Ballots and Voting Machines.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced a campaign to eliminate mail-in voting and replace voting machines with more secure, traditional voting methods.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Democrats, and voters in the United States.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Monday morning on Truth Social.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Remember, the States are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The proposed changes aim to address concerns over election integrity and prevent alleged voter fraud.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump unveiled a new initiative on his Truth Social platform early Monday to eliminate mail-in ballots, denouncing their widespread use as a source of “MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD.”

The expansion of mail-in voting surged before the 2020 election, with Democrats citing the COVID-19 pandemic as their rationale for its necessity. While states like Colorado and Washington already relied on mail-in voting, others were unprepared with adequate safeguards to ensure election integrity for the surge in remote ballots.

“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and also, while we’re at it, Highly ‘Inaccurate,’ Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES,” Trump declared. He proposed adopting “accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper” to streamline the voting process and ensure more precise election results.

Trump warned that Democrats, whom he accused of depending on these systems to secure victories, would fiercely resist efforts to abolish mail-in voting and problematic voting machines. “ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS,” he asserted.

The America First leader also revealed plans to issue an executive order to promote “HONESTY” in the 2026 midterm elections, insisting that states must adhere to federal mandates to protect election integrity. “Remember, the States are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do,” he argued, concluding: “REMEMBER, WITHOUT FAIR AND HONEST ELECTIONS, AND STRONG AND POWERFUL BORDERS, YOU DON’T HAVE EVEN A SEMBLANCE OF A COUNTRY.”

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By Popular Demand.
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MSNBC to Dump Toxic Brand for Incoherent New Name…

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: MSNBC will be rebranded as My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW), dropping the NBC from its name as part of a broader separation from NBCUniversal and its reputation as a far-left news network.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Versant CEO Mark Lazarus, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler, and NBCUniversal leadership.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The rebranding will take place in the coming months after Versant’s separation from NBCUniversal is finalized.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family.” – Mark Lazarus

🎯IMPACT: The major rebranding effort, including a new logo and marketing campaign, is aimed at attempting to redefine MSNBC’s identity as it transitions to MS NOW.

IN FULL

MSNBC will soon become My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW), signaling a significant rebranding effort as the network separates from NBCUniversal and becomes part of the new cable entity Versant. The name change reflects the leftist network’s attempt to distance itself from its toxic reputation as “MSDNC,” in reference to its partisan reporting effectively on behalf of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democrats more broadly.

Earlier this year, while still under the NBCUniversal umbrella, MSNBC jettisoned long-time liberal hosts Joy Reid and Ayman Mohyeldin. The network’s viewership has cratered since the 2024 presidential election, with its liberal viewers abandoning it over its lack of reality-based reporting. Notably, Morning Joe anchor Joe Scarborough claimed ahead of the 2024 election that “This version of [former President Joe] Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever, not a close second, and I’ve known him for years,” only to turn against the elderly Democrat after an incoherent debate performance against Donald J. Trump.

Versant CEO Mark Lazarus announced the change on Monday, emphasizing that the rebranding aligns with the network’s mission. Lazarus stated, “The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family.”

The transition, which will occur in the coming months, includes a new logo for MS NOW. While the peacock logo will be retired, the network will retain its recognizable red and blue color scheme. This decision follows earlier reports suggesting MSNBC would keep its name post-spin-off, which have now been corrected.

Other changes within MSNBC include leadership shifts, such as the departure of former president Rashida Jones and the appointment of Rebecca Kutler. Programming adjustments and staff relocations have also been part of the network’s evolution. Kutler informed employees of plans for a “broad-based marketing campaign” to promote the rebranding.

The rebranding is not limited to MSNBC. Versant’s other networks featuring the peacock logo, such as CNBC and Golf Channel, will also unveil new logos. CNBC will retain its name, while sports programming from USA Network and Golf Channel will merge under the banner of USA Sports.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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By Popular Demand.
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DC Crime Crackdown: A Guardsman Just Saved a Cop at the National Mall.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A National Guardsman intervened to stop an assault on a Park Police officer at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., amid President Donald J. Trump’s federalization of law enforcement in the American capital.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Staff Sergeant Hector Amaya of the D.C. Air National Guard and a Park Police officer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: August 16, 2025, at the National Mall, Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I want people to see that we’re human beings, we’re their neighbors, we’re their friends, and we’re just here to help.” – Staff Sgt. Amaya

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights the positive role of the National Guard in supporting public safety.

IN FULL

A District of Columbia Air National Guardsman intervened to stop an assault on a Park Police officer on August 16, amid President Donald J. Trump’s federalization of law enforcement in the American capital. The officer was directing traffic when the incident at the National Mall, one of the most visited landmarks in Washington, D.C., took place.

Staff Sergeant Hector Amaya, a security forces officer with the 113th Squadron, was patrolling the area with fellow airmen when he responded to the officer’s call for help. “The park police officer asked for our help, and I was the first one to catch up, and was able to detain him to the park police and turn him over,” Amaya stated.

Reflecting on his actions, Amaya expressed pride in serving the community where he has lived his entire life. “I have grown up and lived my entire life in the DMV. I remember coming here when I was in fifth grade for field trips, and all the way now into my 20s, I’m still coming to DC., so I care a lot about this city,” he said.

“I want people to see that we’re human beings, we’re their neighbors, we’re their friends, and we’re just here to help,” Amaya added, referring to the hostile reception some federal personnel have been receiving from far-left activists—including a now-former Department of Justice (DOJ) employee who assaulted a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent.

President Trump has surged hundreds of National Guardsmen and personnel from federal law enforcement agencies into D.C., citing figures showing the American capital has worse homicide rates than many Third World capitals as evidence of a crime emergency.

Liberal critics of the America First leader claim D.C. statistics do not support the federalization, but the Fraternal Order of Police argue the crime statistics are being falsified, with one D.C. police commander already facing charges for allegedly doctoring the data to make crime appear lower.

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By Popular Demand.
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Illegal Alien Truck Driver Kills Three.

An illegal alien driving a semi-truck caused a deadly crash on Florida’s Turnpike, killing three—an unnecessary tragedy due to Democrat sanctuary policies.

The details: Last week, Harjinder Singh—who crossed the southern border illegally in 2018—attempted an illegal U-turn in a tractor-trailer through a turnaround meant for emergency vehicles only.

  • Singh made the hard left turn from the right lane despite a minivan driving in the left lane. The minivan could not slow down in time and slammed into the truck.
  • Dashcam and cellphone footage showed Singh with no visible signs of remorse during and after the events unfolded.

The victims: The 30-year-old driver was transported to the hospital, where he died. His passengers—a 37-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man—were both pronounced dead at the scene. Singh and his passenger were unharmed.

Who let him drive a semi truck? California. The Democrat-run state issued a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to the illegal alien.

Back up: A law passed in 2013 allows California residents to obtain a CDL regardless of their immigration status.

Zoom out: Today, illegals can obtain a CDL from Democrat-run states like California, New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and more than a dozen others.

Real talk from G: It’s bad enough that this illegal alien was occupying a good-paying job meant for American citizens. But putting him behind the wheel of a deadly piece of machinery should be criminal negligence, and whoever gave him his license should be criminally liable.

What happens next? Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide and is being held on an ICE detainer. Authorities confirmed he will be deported after serving any state sentence.

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An illegal alien driving a semi-truck caused a deadly crash on Florida's Turnpike, killing three—an unnecessary tragedy due to Democrat sanctuary policies. show more
By Popular Demand.
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Laura Loomer, Under Oath, Says Lindsey Graham is Gay.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Laura Loomer, during a deposition in her defamation lawsuit against HBO, claimed that sources close to President Donald Trump told her that Senator Lindsey Graham is gay.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Laura Loomer, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, HBO, and comedian Bill Maher.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The deposition took place as part of Loomer’s lawsuit against HBO, with details briefly made public before being sealed again.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I was asked about Lindsey during my deposition so I had to tell the truth. I was under oath.” – Laura Loomer

🎯IMPACT: Loomer’s comments and the deposition have reignited discussions about Graham’s personal life and her controversial rhetoric targeting political figures.

IN FULL

Laura Loomer, an investigative reporter with ties to President Donald Trump, claimed during a deposition in a defamation lawsuit against HBO that Senator Lindsey Graham is gay. The lawsuit stems from comments made by comedian Bill Maher, who joked about Loomer having an affair with Trump. Loomer alleges the remarks damaged her career and political prospects.

During questioning by HBO’s legal team, Loomer was asked about her past comments on social media regarding Graham’s sexuality.

She stated, “I called him ‘gay.’ It’s well-known. Several of President Trump’s staff have told me in confidence that — that Lindsey Graham is gay.”

She added that Republican insiders allegedly observed Graham bringing male companions to dinners, while noting, “I will say that he never denied being gay after I said that.”

Graham, who has never married, has faced similar rumors in the past. His re-election campaign in South Carolina is currently being led by establishment consultant Chris LaCivita. He is being openly challenged by Project 2025 author and MAGA stalwart Paul Dans.

HBO’s attorneys also raised other controversial remarks made by Loomer, including her attack on former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, where she described him as “weak” and used the term “gay” in a non-sexual context to imply a lack of masculinity.

The deposition also touched on Loomer’s comments about Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. When asked to explain her remark about Greene allegedly having “Arby’s in her pants,” Loomer claimed it was “just an expression” and denied any sexual implication. Pressed further, Loomer stated, “I’m saying she literally put Arby’s in her pants. Yes.”

Loomer later took to social media to defend her statements, writing, “I was asked about Lindsey during my deposition so I had to tell the truth. I was under oath.” The deposition, briefly made public before being sealed, has fueled further scrutiny of Loomer’s rhetoric and ongoing legal disputes.

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By Popular Demand.
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