Good evening, everyone. I have an exclusive breaking story for you tonight. We are still waiting for Trump’s name to come off the Kennedy Center, though it may not happen until late tonight as he files emergency appeals to stop it. But I wanted to get you an update because I learned from a pilot that they are filing safety reports because Trump’s UFC octagon nearly blinded them. Meanwhile, there was major Epstein news, Trump’s UFC event is being threatened by bugs and bad weather, Trump cut off funding for homeless services in Los Angeles, Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire, and much more.
One of the biggest stories tonight that is being underreported is that the Ellisons’ takeover of Warner Bros. and CNN is moving forward. If completed, it would pave the way for Bari Weiss to take over CNN.
That should concern everyone. Beyond the media consolidation issues, it comes as we are already seeing how fragile independent information ecosystems can be. Meta went down for hours today and removed several pieces of my content. That follows recent censorship issues on TikTok. Now the same consolidation pressures are reaching major media outlets.
Here’s the news:
Major exclusive reporting this evening: A commercial airline pilot has filed safety reports with both the FAA and NASA after powerful moving lights used during preparations for President Trump's UFC event on the White House lawn allegedly shone directly into her cockpit while they were on final approach to Reagan National Airport (DCA).
The pilot told me the white lights were so bright they significantly impaired visibility and were "10 times worse than any laser illumination event" the pilot has experienced, despite not involving lasers. After reporting the incident, the pilot said a local FAA office advised her to contact the White House regarding the lighting concerns, and they also submitted an internal airline safety report. The incident raises questions about coordination between White House events and aviation safety given DCA's congested airspace and the critical nature of the landing phase of flight. It also comes amid heightened scrutiny of flight safety around Reagan National following this year's fatal midair collision near the airport.
The House Oversight Committee has asked attorney Alan Dershowitz to testify as part of its investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Epstein files. Chairman James Comer said the committee believes Dershowitz may have relevant information because of his past role as Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer and documents reviewed during the investigation. The interview is tentatively scheduled for July 9, and the committee plans to release a video and transcript of the testimony. Dershowitz said he is looking forward to testifying and is working to adjust his schedule to appear.
A federal judge rejected the Kennedy Center’s attempt to delay a court order requiring Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the institution’s branding and signage. Workers were seen preparing to take down Trump’s name ahead of the court-imposed deadline after the judge ruled that the center’s board lacked the authority to rename the venue, which was established by Congress as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The ruling also temporarily blocks plans to close the center for a major renovation project. The dispute stems from a lawsuit challenging the board’s decision to rename the venue “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Trump filed an emergency appeal seeking to keep his name on the Kennedy Center after a court ordered its removal, while the Kennedy Center board reportedly amended its bylaws after the ruling in a way that could require repayment of donations and create major financial consequences if the Trump name is removed.
A federal judge has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which was intended to compensate people who claimed they were unfairly targeted by the government. Judge Leonie Brinkema said the Justice Department has failed to formally confirm under oath that the fund has been abandoned, despite public statements suggesting it is no longer moving forward. The judge expressed concern that the program could reappear in another form, especially after President Trump recently praised the idea and said he would be disappointed if it were not approved. The ruling keeps the fund frozen while the court considers broader constitutional challenges, and the administration has been ordered to provide sworn declarations within a week clarifying the fund’s status.
A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit seeking to stop the White House from hosting its planned UFC event this weekend, clearing the way for the fights to proceed on the South Lawn. Judge Amit Mehta ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing, failed to show they would suffer irreparable harm, and waited too long to bring the challenge. The lawsuit argued that the event improperly uses public property for a private, for-profit venture tied to President Trump’s birthday and the America 250 celebration. With the ruling, organizers can move forward with Sunday’s UFC event, including the large arena and staging structures already erected on White House grounds. This is what the White House looks like:
Organizers of Trump’s White House UFC event are reportedly worried that swarms of insects could become a major problem during the outdoor fights. Forecasts for Sunday call for hot, humid weather and possible thunderstorms, conditions that typically lead to increased mosquito, gnat, and other bug activity in Washington, D.C. UFC president Dana White has previously complained about the large number of insects around the White House and has reportedly arranged special measures, including industrial fans and other mitigation efforts, to keep bugs away from fighters and spectators. The concern has become significant enough that some reports describe the insects as one of the biggest logistical threats to the event.
President Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., could take two to three years to build and require extensive construction that critics warn would severely disrupt traffic between D.C. and Northern Virginia. According to federal planning documents, the project would involve continuous heavy equipment operations, deep excavation, massive cranes, and year-round work in a major traffic circle near Arlington National Cemetery. Local officials, residents, and veterans groups have raised concerns about congestion, public access, and the administration’s fast-tracked approval process, while a lawsuit challenges the project’s legality. The administration says it is studying traffic impacts and expects delays to be manageable, but the total cost of the monument has not yet been disclosed.
Trump is further “re-gilding” various horse statues in Washington, D.C. with real gold using taxpayer dollars:
The Justice Department has approved Paramount’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, clearing a major federal regulatory hurdle for one of the largest media mergers in recent history. Regulators concluded the deal would not significantly harm competition and approved it without requiring asset sales or other concessions. The merger would combine Paramount with major properties including CNN, Warner Bros. Pictures, and HBO Max, creating a larger competitor to streaming giants and technology companies. However, the deal still faces scrutiny from state officials, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, while critics warn it could lead to layoffs and further consolidation in the entertainment industry.
SpaceX’s stock market debut became the largest IPO in history, pushing the company’s valuation above $2 trillion and making Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Shares surged well above their IPO price on the first day of trading, dramatically increasing the value of Musk’s stake and enriching many longtime SpaceX investors and executives. The historic valuation has also sparked criticism from activists and economists who argue that such extreme concentrations of wealth pose risks to democracy and highlight growing economic inequality. At the same time, the IPO is expected to pull millions of ordinary investors into AI and space-related investments through retirement accounts and index funds, tying more Americans’ financial futures to the sector.
The Trump administration has suspended federal funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, citing allegations of fraud, conflicts of interest, misuse of funds, and inadequate oversight. Federal officials say the agency has received nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funding over the past five years and argue that funding should be halted pending an investigation. Local officials, including Los Angeles leaders who have previously criticized the agency, condemned the move as politically motivated and warned it could undermine efforts to reduce homelessness and maintain housing for vulnerable residents. The funding suspension is the latest clash between the Trump administration and California officials, following other federal funding cuts affecting projects and programs across the state.
A shooting in Midland, Texas, left at least one person dead and 10 others injured after a gunman opened fire on police and bystanders before barricading himself inside an abandoned building. Authorities identified the suspect as 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, who was already wanted for allegedly shooting at a police officer during a vehicle pursuit earlier in the week. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, exchanging gunfire with the suspect before he was found dead inside the building several hours later. Several victims remain hospitalized, and officials have launched an investigation into the shooting and the officers’ response.
The U.S. and Iran are still trying to negotiate a deal despite repeated threats of military escalation and claims that an agreement is imminent. Key sticking points include access to frozen Iranian assets, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly shifted between threatening strikes and predicting peace, creating uncertainty in both diplomacy and financial markets. Analysts believe a temporary agreement is possible, but major disagreements remain and hardliners continue pushing for a tougher approach if talks collapse.
A Venezuelan immigrant living in Wisconsin says a honeymoon trip to Miami with his Trump-supporting wife turned into a nightmare after he was detained by ICE at a security checkpoint near Trump’s Doral resort. Bryan Rojas spent more than three months in detention after authorities questioned him about his tattoos and investigated possible gang ties, allegations he denies, before an immigration judge granted him bond. Since his release, Rojas says his family has lost their home, sold their car, depleted retirement savings, accumulated more than $80,000 in debt, and remains stuck in immigration limbo while awaiting a court hearing scheduled for 2028. Despite criticizing the administration’s immigration policies, his wife, a U.S. citizen and Trump supporter, says she still supports the president, though she believes what happened to her family was unfair.
President Trump has appointed a number of U.S. attorneys with little or no federal prosecutorial experience, and several have already faced serious setbacks. Some have had cases dismissed, been criticized by judges for misconduct, been disqualified from cases, or faced ethics investigations. Critics argue the appointments reflect a preference for political loyalty over prosecutorial expertise, while supporters say experience outside federal prosecution can also prepare someone for the role. The article highlights multiple examples where inexperience allegedly contributed to legal and procedural problems in high-profile cases.
An elephant made an unexpected impression at the Texas Republican convention in Houston when it reportedly urinated between the press area and the delegates shortly after Governor Greg Abbott finished speaking. The elephant, a nod to the Republican Party’s mascot, had been brought to the convention as part of the festivities. The incident quickly drew attention from attendees and reporters, creating an unusual and memorable moment at the gathering. This video is from the Texas Tribune:
A massive fire destroyed a 1 million-square-foot medical supply warehouse operated by Medline Industries in Tracy, California, prompting evacuations of nearby facilities, including Amazon and FedEx warehouses. Officials said no injuries were reported and all employees were accounted for, but firefighters continue battling the blaze nearly a day later. High winds, extreme heat, failed sprinkler systems, and low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts, allowing the building to become fully engulfed in less than an hour. Authorities are also warning nearby residents about hazardous smoke containing respiratory irritants, toxic gases, carcinogens, and at least one neurotoxin.
A federal judge ruled that actress Blake Lively can seek reimbursement of her legal fees from the production company of actor-director Justin Baldoni, but cannot recover additional damages through the current proceeding. The decision stems from Baldoni’s previously dismissed defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, which followed her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us. Judge Lewis J. Liman said Lively could pursue damages through a separate lawsuit if she chooses. The ruling comes after the two sides settled their long-running legal dispute in May, avoiding a high-profile trial.
A Louisiana jury awarded $1.1 billion to Pamela Lockridge, who sued over years of sexual abuse she suffered from her stepfather beginning when she was four years old in the 1960s. The case was made possible by Louisiana’s “lookback law,” which temporarily lifted filing deadlines for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue civil claims. Jurors awarded $500 million for pain and suffering, $600 million in punitive damages, and additional compensation for medical and psychological treatment. Lockridge said the verdict was about accountability and recognition of the lifelong harm caused by the abuse, while her attorneys called it a powerful message that child abusers can still be held responsible decades later.
See you soon.
— Aaron
