Good morning, everyone. Republicans are increasingly scrutinizing Donald Trump’s Iran “deal,” while Vice President JD Vance has been sent out by the administration to sell it and has struggled to answer key questions. Meanwhile, new reporting suggests taxpayers could end up footing a significant portion of the bill for Trump’s White House ballroom project, despite the president’s repeated claims to the contrary. FBI says it thwarted a massive terrorist attack, Trump knows nothing about it.
Meanwhile, Trump is also expected to play a prominent role in the World Cup trophy presentation, while Uruguay’s national team reportedly faced enhanced security screening upon arrival in the United States. Plus much more.
It’s also Election Day, so stay tuned for updates later.
Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET, we’ll be joined by Jessica Tarlov for our next episode. Our next subscriber-only live event will be Thursday evening, with the time still to be announced.
Here’s the news:
Vice President JD Vance struggled to defend the Trump administration’s proposed Iran deal during a Fox News interview after being sent out to explain the agreement. Pressed on key issues such as uranium enrichment and international inspections, Vance acknowledged that several major provisions remain unresolved and are still being negotiated. He said Iran has agreed to eliminate its current enriched uranium stockpile, but could not confirm that Iran would permanently stop enriching uranium or accept a finalized inspection regime. The interview highlighted ongoing questions about whether the deal fully achieves the administration’s stated goals for Iran’s nuclear program.
Senate Republicans are demanding more details about President Trump’s proposed Iran agreement and want Congress to review any final deal before it takes effect. Lawmakers from both parties say they cannot evaluate the agreement until the administration releases the text of the memorandum of understanding, which is expected later this week. Some Republicans, including Lindsey Graham, expressed concern that the deal could resemble the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement if Iran is allowed to continue enriching uranium. While many Republicans support efforts to end the war with Iran, lawmakers across the political spectrum say they need to see the details before deciding whether the agreement is acceptable.
Vice President JD Vance said nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency would “absolutely” be allowed back into Iran under a framework agreement aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran war. He said a key provision of the deal requires Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile to be destroyed with assistance from the IAEA and the United States, and that the full memorandum of understanding will be released after a signing ceremony in Switzerland on Friday. Vance argued the agreement differs from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under Barack Obama because Iran’s nuclear program has already been dismantled and the new focus is preventing its reconstruction. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed the framework as a step toward ending the conflict but said a final agreement has not yet been completed.
Even some of Trump’s supporters on television agree that the deal may not have been the best one. David Urban said on CNN: "If it was good news, it would have been leaked. We'd all know about it. Donald Trump would stay around to sign and pass out pens. The fact that he is getting out of town does not bode well.”
Fox News anchors Bret Baier and a network correspondent challenged Trump’s claim that Iran’s military, navy, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been completely destroyed, reporting that Iran still retains significant military capabilities. The segment highlighted a gap between Trump’s characterization of the conflict and assessments being discussed by national security and military analysts.
According to a talkSPORT report, FIFA is expected to allow President Trump an unusually prominent role in the 2026 World Cup trophy presentation if he attends the final at MetLife Stadium. The report says FIFA President Gianni Infantino has no objection to Trump handing the trophy directly to the winning captain and potentially remaining on stage during the celebration, similar to his appearance at the 2025 Club World Cup when Reece James lifted the trophy. Sources cited by the outlet say officials from Canada and Mexico will also be invited to the closing ceremony, but Trump would have broad discretion over how involved he wants to be in the presentation.
In its opening World Cup match, Iran drew 2–2 with New Zealand but afterward complained that it was ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately and return to its training base in Tijuana rather than staying overnight for recovery. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team had faced repeated logistical and diplomatic obstacles, including lengthy security procedures and visa denials for key staff, calling Iran “perhaps the most oppressed team in the World Cup.” Captain Mehdi Taremi criticized the travel demands and urged FIFA to provide more support, saying the situation had been “like a disaster” for the team. Despite the challenges, Iran rallied twice to earn a draw in front of a large, largely supportive Iranian diaspora crowd at SoFi Stadium and remains level with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand on one point in Group G.
The Uruguayan national team reportedly faced extensive security screening upon arriving in the United States for the World Cup, with sniffer dogs deployed and players’ luggage subjected to detailed roadside inspections next to the team bus. The unusual security measures drew attention online and added to broader concerns from some teams about travel and security procedures surrounding the tournament.
A Washington Post investigation found that the cost of President Trump’s White House ballroom and East Wing reconstruction project may be far higher than publicly stated. Internal contractor estimates projected a price tag of about $600 million, compared with Trump’s public claims that the project would cost up to $400 million and be funded entirely by private donors. The documents indicate that more than half of the projected costs could come from taxpayer-funded sources, including the Secret Service and the White House Military Office. The findings have fueled criticism from lawmakers and procurement experts who say the administration’s public descriptions of the project do not match the internal budget estimates.
G7 Updates:
President Trump held a private meeting of just under an hour with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, according to a U.S. official. The meeting was not open to the press and took place without any media coverage. Details of the discussion were not publicly disclosed. Afterward, Zelenskyy shared photos from the gathering on social media and said that “it is important to coordinate positions.”
Trump said a potential Iran nuclear deal could still survive even if Israel conducts additional strikes in Lebanon. However, he voiced growing frustration with Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, arguing that the conflict has gone on too long and resulted in too many civilian deaths. Trump suggested that if Israel cannot defeat Hezbollah without causing extensive casualties, then Syria could take a larger role in confronting the group. While emphasizing that he still has a strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump criticized a recent strike on Beirut as excessive and said Netanyahu needs to be more responsible regarding Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that fully ending the U.S.-Iran war requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory captured during the conflict. According to Araghchi, the war cannot be considered completely over while Israeli forces remain in those areas. His comments contrast with those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently said Israeli troops would stay in Lebanese territory for “as long as necessary.” Araghchi also warned that any future Israeli military action in Lebanon or continued occupation of territory would be viewed by Iran as a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that helped end the fighting.
Trump told reporters during a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, that the Iran deal has been completed and is moving into a second phase that he described as “easier.” He emphasized that the United States would not provide any financial investment to Iran as part of the agreement. The Qatari emir welcomed the deal but cautioned that significant work remains to be done, adding that Qatar is prepared to assist in the process. The comments came as leaders gathered for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, alongside representatives from the European Union and several non-G7 countries.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented President Trump with a German national soccer team jersey bearing Trump’s name and the number 47 during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. The gift appeared to be a symbolic gesture highlighting ties between the two leaders during the gathering. The presentation came as Germany began its World Cup campaign with a 7–1 victory over Curaçao and entered the tournament as one of the favored teams. Photos taken by Getty Images from the summit showed Merz handing the customized jersey to Trump during their meeting.
Election efforts:
The Trump administration has launched a broad effort to tighten voting rules through Justice Department lawsuits, FBI investigations, and executive actions targeting mail-in voting. Critics say these measures are based on discredited claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. The administration argues the changes are necessary to protect election integrity. Voting rights advocates and former election officials contend the moves could discourage participation and interfere with state control of elections.
The Justice Department has sued dozens of states for access to voter registration records and has hired several officials associated with challenges to the 2020 election results. At the same time, the FBI has reopened investigations into alleged voter fraud in key swing states despite previous reviews finding little evidence of widespread wrongdoing. Critics warn these actions could intimidate election workers and voters. The administration maintains it is pursuing legitimate concerns about election security.
Trump’s executive order on mail-in voting has triggered lawsuits from states and voting rights groups that argue it exceeds federal authority. The order would give the Postal Service a larger role in determining ballot eligibility and could impose penalties related to ballot handling. Opponents say the changes risk disenfranchising eligible voters and creating confusion ahead of the midterm elections. Supporters argue the measures are needed to strengthen confidence in the voting process.
Other news:
The FBI said it disrupted an alleged plot targeting Sunday’s UFC America 250 event at the White House, with five people reportedly in custody. Officials said the suspected plan involved explosive-laden drones, sniper attacks on the crowd, and a possible attempt to storm the White House gate. Authorities learned of the threat after a relative reported concerns about someone discussing harmful plans in Washington. President Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the alleged plot when asked about it at the G7 summit.
Here is Trump when asked about the attack:
President Trump’s endorsements are being tested in several key Republican primary and runoff elections taking place tonight, particularly in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma. In Georgia, Trump-backed candidates Mike Collins and Burt Jones are competing in closely watched runoff races that could shape major November contests. The article also highlights Democratic battles in Washington, D.C., including races for mayor and the city’s congressional delegate seat, as well as a special House election in California to replace former Rep. Eric Swalwell. The outcomes will provide an early measure of Trump’s influence and help set the stage for the 2026 midterm elections.
A federal judge has ordered 16-year-old Timothy Hudson to remain in jail until trial on charges that he sexually assaulted and murdered his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, aboard a cruise ship in November 2025. The judge reversed an earlier release arrangement, writing that Hudson poses a danger to himself and others despite having no prior criminal record and complying with release conditions. Prosecutors allege Kepner was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated, and her body was later found concealed under a bed in the cabin she shared with Hudson. Hudson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges, and his trial is scheduled to begin in September.
Starbucks Korea will temporarily close all of its stores nationwide on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training. The move follows a marketing campaign that unintentionally referenced the 1980 Gwangju massacre, triggering widespread public backlash and boycotts. The company pulled the promotion, apologized publicly, and dismissed its chief executive amid the controversy. Police investigations are ongoing, and the incident has significantly affected sales and the company’s reputation.
See you soon.
— Aaron
