Americans' Hatred for Trump’s 'Big, Beautiful Bill'; Musk’s Going to Do Everything to Damage Trump; Trump Hit With Disturbing Cognitive Claims; Trump Sues LA Over Sanctuary Policies
+ When Jon Stewart took over ‘The Daily Show,’ satire became a trusted news source.
This is a quick roundup of some of the more notable recent news stories from the United States:
Data guru shares Americans hatred for Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' in poll (Irish Star)
Multiple major polls show widespread public disapproval of President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," with net unfavorable ratings ranging from -19 to -29 points. CNN analyst Harry Enten emphasized that the bill, which includes tax cuts and major Medicaid reductions, has been consistently unpopular as public awareness has grown. Analysts and surveys alike describe the bill in overwhelmingly negative terms, reflecting strong bipartisan opposition from the American public.
Supreme Court agrees to hear Republican-backed effort to lift caps on campaign spending (CNN)
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case originally filed by JD Vance and other Republicans challenging federal limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates, arguing the caps violate First Amendment rights. Critics, including Democrats and campaign finance experts, warn that lifting the caps would create a loophole for wealthy donors to bypass individual contribution limits and directly influence campaigns through party committees. The Justice Department has unusually declined to defend the law, and the case could reshape campaign finance rules if the Court overturns its 2001 precedent.
GOP Senator Thom Tillis Will Not Seek Another Term After Voting Down Trump Bill (Newsweek)
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, a day after voting against former President Trump's controversial spending bill. His decision follows sharp criticism from Trump and highlights Tillis' emphasis on bipartisan achievements, even at the cost of clashing with his own party.
‘Musk’s going to do everything to damage Trump’ (Politico)
In a revealing interview, neuroscientist Philip Low, a former close friend of Elon Musk, warned that Musk is unlikely to forgive President Trump after their recent public feud and may actively seek retaliation. Low described Musk as obsessive and vindictive, noting from personal experience that Musk holds long-term grudges and operates with a relentless drive for dominance. Despite public gestures of reconciliation between Musk and Trump, Low insists any détente is superficial and that Musk, feeling humiliated, will likely pursue subtle ways to undermine the president.
Supreme Court turns away online censorship claim by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine group against Meta (NBC News)
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case from Children's Health Defense, the group formerly led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which alleged that Meta censored its anti-vaccine content in coordination with the government. Lower courts had dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Meta, as a private company, was not acting as a state actor and thus not bound by First Amendment restrictions.
Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary city immigration policies (NBC News)
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging its immigration policies unlawfully obstruct federal enforcement and discriminate against federal law enforcement officers. The suit targets city officials including Mayor Karen Bass, and comes amid heightened tensions following protests over federal deportation actions and a broader clash between Trump and California leaders over immigration and public safety. Attorney General Pamela Bondi linked Los Angeles' sanctuary policies to recent unrest, vowing stricter enforcement under Trump’s leadership.
When Jon Stewart took over ‘The Daily Show,’ satire became a trusted news source (Poynter)
Jon Stewart transformed The Daily Show into a trusted source of political satire and media criticism, especially for younger audiences disillusioned with traditional news. His sharp commentary during events like the Iraq War and his takedown of CNN’s Crossfire elevated the show’s cultural influence and redefined where Americans sought credible information. Though his current viewership is smaller, Stewart’s legacy endures through a generation of comedy-news hybrids inspired by his groundbreaking work.
Donald Trump hit with disturbing cognitive claims: ‘Weekend at Bernie’s White House’ (PennLive.com)
Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist and former Johns Hopkins professor, warned in a recent interview that Donald Trump may be exhibiting signs of dementia and predicted a severe cognitive decline during his second term if re-elected. Comparing the situation to Weekend at Bernie’s, Gartner argued that despite clear signs of deterioration—such as verbal incoherence and phonemic paraphasia—Trump’s team would likely avoid invoking the 25th Amendment. He emphasized the importance of medical evaluation, citing a noticeable decline in Trump’s communication abilities compared to earlier decades.
Trump tried to fire them. But these Democratic appointees are still on the job (Politico)
Despite widespread efforts by President Trump to fire Democratic appointees from independent federal agencies, several have resisted removal by leveraging legal protections, court rulings, and support from colleagues. While most appointees were ultimately ousted, a handful—such as members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights—have remained in office, highlighting ongoing legal uncertainty around the president’s authority to fire regulatory officials. These cases are shaping key constitutional debates about executive power and agency independence, as courts continue to weigh the limits of presidential removal authority.