Defeated Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt (R) isn’t going away quietly.
Pakistan Prime Minister Says U.S.-Iran Deal Finalized
“After days of uncertainty and tit-for-tat military strikes, Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday that the United States and Iran have agreed to the terms a peace deal,” the Washington Post reports.
World Cup Runs Into Trump’s Border Security Crackdown
“President Trump promoted the 2026 World Cup as a historic opportunity to showcase the ‘beauty and greatness’ of America while boosting tourism revenues,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“Instead, the kickoff of the first game on U.S. soil on Friday has coincided with airport detentions, visa denials, and global criticism that his hardline immigration policies are undermining America’s role as host of the world’s biggest sporting event.”
Texas Governor Embraces the Hard Right
New York Times: “When the Republican Party of Texas held its convention in Houston four years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott did not deliver a speech. Instead, he held his own gathering nearby.”
“In 2024, he appeared remotely by video instead of speaking before thousands of the most hard-line Texas Republican activists.”
“But after years of keeping the gathering at arms length, Mr. Abbott is set to offer his full embrace on Friday, delivering a keynote speech for the first time since 2018 and, in the process, positioning the party’s hard right at the center of Texas politics.”
Judge Allows White House UFC Fight to Proceed
“A federal judge on Friday refused two Virginia residents’ request to block this weekend’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn, ruling they have no right to challenge the fight,” The Hill reports.
Trump Name Still Must Come Down from Kennedy Center
“A federal judge on Friday rejected a last-minute bid to block his order directing President Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., CNBC reports.
Trump’s Iran Deal Has to Get Past the Revolutionary Guard
Wall Street Journal: “Iran’s security and military circles centered on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had yet to sign off on President Trump’s preliminary deal to wind down the war, mediators said Friday, a potentially significant stumbling block amid rising hopes of a breakthrough to end the three-and-a-half-month conflict.”
Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire
New York Times: “Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire on Friday.”
“The tech mogul reached that milestone when shares of his rocket company SpaceX began trading on the stock market, opening at $150, signaling a new era of ultra-affluence and widening wealth inequality.”
Devin Nunes and the Mystery of His $14 Million War Chest
NOTUS: “Federal regulators have probed why former Rep. Devin Nunes — until recently CEO of Trump Media — has a whopping $14.5 million in campaign funds despite not running for office since 2020.”
“The Federal Election Commission reached out in April to Nunes’ mom, Toni Dian Nunes, who is also his campaign committee’s treasurer, for answers about her son’s stockpile. The amount is extraordinary for someone who is not a candidate or lawmaker and is rivaled by only a few in the House. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of Congress’ top fundraisers, reported on Thursday that her campaign has $15.9 million on hand.”
Cornyn Tells Mike Lee to Lay Off John Thune
“Sen. John Cornyn isn’t a card-carrying member of the Senate GOP’s growing YOLO caucus. But with less than seven months left in office after losing his primary, the Texas Republican appears to be feeling newly free to speak his mind,” Politico reports.
“The latest clap-back came Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday morning, when Cornyn called a conservative influencer a ‘grifter’ and told Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) on social media to stop publicly blaming fellow Republicans — including Senate Majority Leader John Thune — for the fact that the GOP elections bill doesn’t have support to pass inside the party.”
Weekly News Quiz
Join now to continue reading.
Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising. Learn more.
The Other Dan Sullivan Ineligible to Run
The Alaska Division of Elections says retired teacher Dan Sullivan is ineligible to run against Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Alaska Public Media reports.
The decision is preliminary.
Judge Wants Permanent Block of Anti-Weaponization Fund
A federal judge in Virginia on Friday granted a longer-term block against the Department of Justice implementing a “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” saying she wanted written guarantees from the DOJ and the Treasury Department that the fund is actually not going forward, as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has claimed, CNBC reports.
Taiwan Eyes $200 Million Data Center for Ally Paraguay
Bloomberg: “Taiwan plans to help bring a $200 million data center to Paraguay, its lone ally in South America, in a rare investment aimed at shoring up the two partners’ diplomatic relationship that’s backed by Washington.”
“Paraguay is hoping to have the data center, which will provide 10 megawatts of computing capacity, operational by the end of 2027, officials say. At the same time, Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund has reached out to Google, Microsoft and Amazon to gauge interest in investing in the project or becoming a customer for its computing capacity.”
Political Wire Readers Are Not Like the Rest of America
Join now to continue reading.
Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising. Learn more.
Californians Are Not Loving High Gas Prices
Los Angeles Times: “As inflation rates rise to their highest in years, Californians are again getting hit the hardest at the gas pumps, with a regular tank costing upwards of $100 at some stations in Los Angeles.”
“Inflation figures released this week show consumer and producer price rises at more than three-year highs, driven by the energy crisis stemming from the war with Iran.”
Donald Trump is Everywhere
Bloomberg: “He’s at the NBA Finals. He’s hosting UFC fights on the White House lawn. He’s planning a rally featuring himself for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. He — and his border policies — loom over the World Cup.”
“He hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, popped up at the US Open, was the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, and almost single-handedly made Kid Rock a thing again. (His NBA Finals trip was also a presidential first.)”
“Trump is not just the chief executive or commander-in-chief. He’s a cultural force in a way that few, if any, presidents have been before.”
Pentagon Releases New Batch of UFO Files
CBS News: “The Pentagon on Friday released a new group of documents and videos related to UFOs, the third release since the government began a wave of new disclosures last month.”
