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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Nexstar ABC Affiliates To Continue Preempting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”  —  Company Will Monitor the Show as it Returns to ABC  —  Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), today announced that the company's owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

The College Board Capitulates to Trump  —  Donald Trump has opened a new, terribly ill-advised battle in his war on affirmative action.  His target is no longer just racial preferences, an issue where Trump had strong public support.  Instead, Trump's new enemy appears to be racial diversity itself …

Say bye to 2028: Kamala Harris's horrible, terrible, no good, very bad revenge tour  —  In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America.  Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture.

Exclusive: Trump wants piece of company in charge of America's biggest lithium mine  — Trump seeks equity stake in largest planned lithium mine in US  — Thacker Pass seen as key to U.S. lithium supply chain  — GM invested $625 million, holds 38% stake in Nevada project