Musk sought to stoke the Trump-Epstein scandal.  Mission accomplished.  —  The former “first buddy” remains a potent political risk for Trump months after he publicly left the White House.  —  President Donald Trump split with Elon Musk almost two months ago.

Elon Musk is threatening to put third-party candidates on the ballot.  Democrats are giddy. … Musk was one of President Donald Trump's biggest benefactors in the 2024 election, spending hundreds of millions to help get him and other Republicans elected.  But since his break with the president …

Hegseth team told to stop polygraph tests after complaint to White House  —  The White House intervention, which has not previously been reported, came in the form of a phone call by a person close to the administration.  —  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of polygraph tests to search …

Ghislaine Maxwell's meetings with Justice Department shrouded in secrecy  —  Former prosecutors and lawyers for victims question what occurred and who was present during two days of interviews with the Jeffrey Epstein accomplice and convicted sex trafficker.

Multiple people have been stabbed at a Walmart in Michigan and a suspect is in custody  —  Multiple people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, and a suspect was in custody, authorities said Saturday.  The Michigan State Police said the local sheriff's office is investigating the incident and details were limited.

How redistricting in Texas and other states could change the game for US House elections  —  Redistricting usually happens after the once-a-decade population count by the U.S. Census Bureau or in response to a court ruling.  Now, Texas Republicans want to break that tradition — and other states could follow suit.

Venezuelan Little League team denied travel visas to U.S. for World Series  —  The Cacique Mara team from Maracaibo won the Latin American championship last month and had been set to travel to South Carolina for its next round of games.  —  A Little League team from Venezuela was denied entry …

DOGE builds AI tool to cut 50 percent of federal regulations  —  An internal proposal suggests how the Trump administration is planning to slash federal regulations, but obstacles loom.  —  The U.S. DOGE Service is using a new artificial intelligence tool to slash federal regulations …

A Golfing Trump Is Greeted by Protesters in Scotland  —  The president was criticized by demonstrators on a range of issues, from his stance on immigration and Gaza to his ties to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  —  As President Trump golfed Saturday at his course in Turnberry, Scotland …

No Proof Hamas Routinely Stole U.N. Aid, Israeli Military Officials Say  —  Israel has long restricted or completely blocked aid to Gaza on the argument that Hamas steals it to use as a weapon of control over the population.  —  For nearly two years, Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid provided …

Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks, Trump says  —  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace after three days of fighting along their border.

Democratic candidates are posting weightlifting videos in search of a midterm lift  —  Democrats running in next year's midterms are pumping out videos of themselves pumping iron.  —  In one video, Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred stands in his home gym after a workout and, still in a sweat …

Gabbard and White House ‘lying’ about intel on Russian interference in 2016, ex-CIA official says  —  “We definitely had the intel,” Susan Miller, who helped oversee the 2017 intelligence assessment of Russia's efforts in the 2016 election, told NBC News.  —  The former senior CIA officer …

E.U. Cuts Aid to Ukraine Over Corruption Concerns  —  The $1.7 billion reduction capped a tough week for President Volodymyr Zelensky as he deals with Ukraine's governance issues.  —  President Volodymyr Zelensky's anticorruption policies have already provoked Ukraine's first antigovernment protests since the Russian invasion in 2022.

Joe Rogan Turns on Trump Administration Over Epstein Crisis: 'Do They Think We're Babies?'  —  NOT BUYING IT  —  “Do they think we're babies?” the podcaster asked, referring to the administration's flip-flop on Epstein.  —  Joe Rogan lashed out at the Trump administration over its handling …

What Is America, and for Whom?  —  Before we get into a broader reflection on how to situate the Trumpist moment in U.S. history: Democracy Americana is back!  —  I hope you will accept my sincere apologies for the long silence.  At some point, I will probably write a separate post …

Southwest Airlines jet dives as a fighter jet crosses its path near Los Angeles  —  Alarms sounded in the cockpit of a Southwest Airlines jet shortly after taking off from Hollywood Burbank airport near Los Angeles on Friday, prompting evasive maneuvers, the airline said in a statement.

Columbia Walked a Tightrope on Its Way to a $200 Million Settlement With Trump  —  Talks in Washington.  An expert on negotiation.  A balancing act.  The university chose cooperation over litigation, a strategy both pilloried and praised.  —  Just after Memorial Day, Claire Shipman …

Harvard's Powerful Leader Faces Intense Scrutiny in Trump Fight  —  As Harvard and the government negotiate to end a conflict with billions of dollars on the line, some ask whether Penny Pritzker, the head of the school's governing board, should step down.  —  In the high-stakes negotiations between …