After mechanical challenges, UN says Trump's team to blame for nonworking escalator and teleprompter  —  President Trump's visit to the U.N. got off to a shaky start when an escalator stopped right after he got on it.  A U.N. official said the U.N. understands someone from the president's party ran ahead …

MAGA Rages Over Jimmy Kimmel's Return—and Reveals a Big Trump Weakness  —  Now that Disney and ABC have bucked President Trump's authoritarian censorship regime and reinstated comedian Jimmy Kimmel's show, MAGA personalities are in a seething fury.  They're claiming the move insults Charlie Kirk's memory …

3 people shot at immigration detention facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead, official says  —  Three people have been shot at an Immigration and U.S. Customs Enforcement detention facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency's director said.

Playbook: Jimmy Kimmel hits back  —  With help from Eli Okun, Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco  —  Good Wednesday morning.  This is Jack Blanchard.  Get in touch.  —  LAST NIGHT'S TV: An unbowed Jimmy Kimmel took aim at President Donald Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr last night in a blistering, emotional return to ABC.

Trump's Tylenol diatribe was rooted in frustration … Still, Trump's address from the White House Monday, full as it was with errors and overstatements, is causing headaches for his advisers.  They are uneasy with Trump's willingness to raise women's alarm when the evidence is mixed …

Trump administration rehires hundreds of federal employees laid off by DOGE  —  Hundreds of federal employees who lost their jobs in Elon Musk's cost-cutting blitz are being asked to return to work.  The General Services Administration has given the employees — who managed government workspaces …

Peter Thiel Wants Everyone to Think More About the Antichrist  —  During appearances, the billionaire has offered his analysis on technology, government and a biblical perspective on the end times  —  Peter Thiel, the billionaire investor in data, AI, defense and weapons development technology companies …

Apple Pulls The Savant From Its Release Schedule  —  The latest series debut from Apple TV+ has been put on ice.  The Savant, a buzzy new Jessica Chastain-led thriller which features themes and storylines that echo recent politically sensitive real-life events, was originally set to premiere this Friday …

“Own goal”: How Gabbard damaged the Trump admin's probe into ex-spy chief  —  The Justice Department's criminal probe of ex-spy chief John Brennan hit a big roadblock after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard withdrew the security clearances of potential witnesses who could have testified …

Kimmel reinstatement preempted Disney+ price increase  —  The Handbasket reported first Monday evening on Bluesky … A quick one for you-  —  Monday night, just after sending out the latest edition of The Handbasket, I got a big scoop that I published on Bluesky: Disney was set …

You Don't Know Jack … Posobiec, of course, was no ordinary grieving ally—he has spent years spreading misinformation, promoting conspiracy theories, and inciting harassment against journalists.  —  So it was jarring, to say the least, to see him appear on CNN's air.

This Is About So Much More Than Lisa Cook  —  The core constitutional claim behind President Trump's effort to oust Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors is the same claim he makes to justify nearly all of his attempts to seize power: that Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution …

Statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands placed on National Mall  —  The work is the latest installation in Washington by an anonymous group of artists critical of the president.  —  A spray-painted bronze statue titled “Best Friends Forever” that depicts President Trump …

Is the Jimmy Kimmel Saga a Sign that the Tide is Turning?  —  Why we may not be Russia or Hungary  —  It's irrefutable now: Trump is nakedly following the playbook of autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban.  As his poll numbers fall, he is rushing to lock in permanent power …

The S.E.C. Dropped a Complaint Against Its Chairman's Former Client  —  Before Paul Atkins took his position with the regulatory agency, he testified on behalf of Devon Archer.  The chairman recused himself when the commission dismissed the case last week.  —  In 2018, Paul Atkins …

Kansas Republicans prepare to move on redistricting … An announcement could happen soon, per sources with knowledge of the plans.  —  This special session would be the beginning of a lengthy process to try and draw Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids out of her Kansas City-based district.

The Texas A&M Purge Takes a Page From Authoritarian Playbooks  —  Four academics have been demoted, fired or ousted following a dispute over gender in a children's literature class.  —  Across the globe, there's a clear playbook for how authoritarians suppress academic freedom.

FBI says it found classified documents in John Bolton's DC office … FBI agents also carried out a search warrant the same morning at Bolton's Bethesda, Maryland, home.  The inventory from that search contained no outward indication that classified information was located.

Bessent Says US, Argentina Discussing $20 Billion Swap Line  —  The US is discussing a $20 billion swap line with Argentina and is ready to buy the country's dollar bonds, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, giving President Javier Milei “a bridge” until key midterm elections next month.