Category: Unpresidential

US claims it has sank six Iranian boats targeting civilian ships as Trump moves to reopen Strait of Hormuz | The Independent

The U.S. military announced it sank six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz as Trump initiated “Project Freedom,” an operation to escort commercial vessels through waters Iran has blockaded since February 28. U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper claimed Iran targeted commercial and military ships with cruise missiles, though Iran’s military denied the reports and accused the U.S. of fabricating incidents to justify military action.

Trump threatened Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attacked U.S. vessels executing Project Freedom, declaring the operation a “humanitarian” mission to free trapped ships. In a Truth Social post, Trump framed the operation as rescuing neutral parties and innocent bystanders, stating the U.S. would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways.” Trump had rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal, stating Tehran had “not yet paid a big enough price.”

Iran’s military leadership directly warned the U.S. that any involvement in managing Strait of Hormuz shipping violates the ceasefire and threatened to attack foreign armed forces entering the waterway. Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified command, declared that vessel passage “needs to be coordinated with the armed forces” and that the strait’s security remains under Iranian control. Senior Iranian lawmaker Ibrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s initiative as delusional, rejecting the idea Washington could direct the waterway.

The UAE reported coming under Iranian attack for the first time since the April ceasefire, with its defense ministry engaging 15 missiles and four drones; one drone caused a fire at an oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. The UK Maritime Trade Organization reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE, and multiple commercial ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz with dwindling supplies.

Trump has reportedly received a one-month negotiation deadline from Iran regarding its proposed deal to reopen the strait. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on China to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran t(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-military-iran-warship-missiles-strait-of-hormuz-b2970104.html)o end the blockade, signaling Washington will monitor Beijing’s response.

Trump family’s crypto firm sues investor Justin Sun, escalating feud – ABC News

World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture, filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida state court on Monday against Chinese crypto mogul Justin Sun, escalating their legal conflict. The suit accuses Sun of orchestrating a “scorched-earth pressure campaign” against the firm, including hiring influencers and deploying fake social media bot accounts to spread what World Liberty Financial characterizes as lies about the company.

Sun initiated the conflict by suing World Liberty Financial last month, alleging the firm improperly froze his investment in its digital tokens. World Liberty Financial denies those claims and contends in its lawsuit that it froze Sun’s assets to protect its community after discovering alleged misconduct by Sun, including suspected short selling of the WLFI token and straw purchases of WLFI tokens on behalf of undisclosed third parties.

The litigation represents the breakdown of a previously profitable relationship. Sun had invested over 45 million dollars into World Liberty Financial and millions more into President Trump’s meme coin called TRUMP. Sun dismissed the lawsuit as “nothing more than a meritless PR stunt” on social media and stated he will defeat the case in court.

Donald Trump Jr., a World Liberty Financial co-founder, amplified the firm’s allegations by reposting the lawsuit claims on X to his followers, urging them to “Read this entire thread for the truth!!!!” Eric Trump serves as a newly appointed ALT5 Board Director, further entangling Trump family financial interests with the cryptocurrency venture.

Earlier in 2026, Sun resolved a civil fraud case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission during the Biden administration by paying 10 million dollars, a settlement that critics characterized as favorable to the Chinese investor. The ongoing legal battle between World Liberty Financial and Sun signals deepening fractures within Trump family cryptocurrency operations and their reliance on foreign capital from individuals with documented regulatory violations.

(Source: https://abcnews.com/US/trump-familys-crypto-firm-sues-investor-justin-sun/story?id=132632914)

Trump Nominee Refuses to Confirm 22nd Amendment Bars Third

Trump’s judicial nominee John George Edward Marck refused to answer Senator Chris Coons’ direct question about what the 22nd Amendment states during a federal court confirmation hearing for the Southern District of Texas on May 4, 2026. The 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits any person from being elected President more than twice. When Coons asked whether Trump is eligible to run for a third term, Marck claimed he needed to “review the facts” rather than confirming the constitutional bar, and sat silently while another witness answered.

Marck’s evasion violated constitutional duty by dodging a foundational legal question that judges must understand. Former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger labeled the response “DISQUALIFYING,” and former GOP analyst Tara Setmayer called it “UNEQUIVOCALLY DISQUALIFYING.” The silence from other Trump nominees when asked to confirm the constitutional two-term limit demonstrated coordinated refusal to acknowledge clear constitutional limits on Trump’s power.

Trump has threatened to run for a third term, contradicting the explicit language of the 22nd Amendment. Republicans in Congress have offered only minimal resistance to this threat. Trump has a documented history of surrounding himself with advisers willing to abandon constitutional norms and reshape federal institutions according to his personal agenda.

Author Nick Bryant described Marck’s response as “really chilling” and “like a scene from a dystopian movie.” The nominee’s refusal to answer a basic constitutional question revealed Trump’s intention to pack federal courts with judges unwilling to enforce constitutional limits on executive power. This nomination exemplifies Trump’s systematic dismantling of institutional independence through loyalty-based judicial appointments.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-judiciary-2676849914/)

Trump Talks About Leaving Office in ‘Eight or Nine Years’

Trump declared at a White House small business summit on Monday that he would remain in office “eight or nine years from now,” drawing applause and laughter from supporters. The statement functioned as a joke about the ten-year window for business tax deductions included in Republican legislation, but it articulated his intention to extend his presidency far beyond constitutional limits. This rhetoric aligns with Trump’s pattern of signaling indefinite retention of power, consistent with his attacks on constitutional constraints he has previously called an “archaic system” and a “bad thing for the country.”

During the same event, Trump made false economic claims, asserting that analysts predicted his Iran military conflict would drive oil prices to $300 per barrel and that he has secured $18 trillion in foreign investments. He also falsely credited himself with leading China in artificial intelligence and boasted about auto and AI manufacturing expansion across the country. These disproven statements demonstrate Trump’s routine use of fabricated statistics to manufacture a false record of economic success.

Trump’s comment about staying in office reflects the authoritarian trajectory of his presidency, which involves dismantling institutional independence and consolidating executive power. His willingness to joke about violating term limits before a supportive audience normalizes the elimination of democratic constraints, particularly as he has already installed loyalists in the Justice Department to obstruct investigations into himself and his associates.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/white-house-crowd-applauds-as-trump-talks-about-leaving-office-eight-or-nine-years-from-now/)

Trump Demands Jeffries Expulsion Over Supreme Court Criticism

Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, demanded House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries be removed from Congress after Jeffries criticized the Supreme Court’s decision voiding Louisiana’s second majority Black congressional district as “illegitimate.” Trump posted on Truth Social that Jeffries, whom he called “a Low IQ individual,” should face impeachment, falsely claiming representatives can be impeached when the Constitution permits only expulsion by two-thirds vote of the House.

Jeffries attacked the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling, which eliminated the district that Chief Justice John Roberts characterized as a “snake” created along racial lines and Justice Samuel Alito deemed an “unconstitutional gerrymander.” Jeffries stated the decision helps Trump “scheme to suppress the vote and rig” midterm elections and called it “the Trump Court” rather than the Roberts Court. Trump celebrated the ruling on Wednesday, calling it the “kind of ruling I like,” directly contradicting his subsequent demand to punish Jeffries for questioning it.

Trump’s attack on Jeffries deploys racist language consistent with his documented pattern targeting African Americans with dehumanizing terms. A Truthout examination found that 8 in 10 posts by Trump calling someone “Low IQ” target a person of color, with communications experts identifying the term as “a racist dog whistle with a long history in the US.” Trump frequently uses such terms against Black political figures including Congresswoman Maxine Waters and TV host Don Lemon, focusing narrowly on intelligence while varying insults for others.

This assault on Jeffries violates the implicit agreement to moderate political discourse that followed a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump’s demand to expel a Democratic lawmaker for legitimate criticism of the judiciary demonstrates authoritarian abuse of power and his refusal to acknowledge the connection between his own inflammatory rhetoric and the climate of hostility endangering political figures.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-calls-for-hakeem-jeffries-to-be-impeached-for-bashing-illegitimate-supreme-court-why-not/)

Acting AG Blanche Defends Weak Comey Indictment

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, claiming the prosecution extends beyond Comey’s Instagram post displaying seashells arranged as “86 47” from November 2025. Blanche asserted that career prosecutors, FBI agents, and Secret Service agents investigated the case thoroughly, though he refused to disclose what additional evidence exists. Experts and even some Republicans have declared the case meritless, and Judge Colm Connolly previously dismissed Comey’s first indictment in September 2025 for lying to Congress, ruling that Trump’s appointee leading that prosecution was illegally appointed.

Comey’s second indictment violates prosecutorial norms by following Trump’s direct demand for indictments posted on Truth Social in September 2025. Trump publicly ordered his then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to indict Comey, Adam Schiff, Letitia James, and others, describing them as “guilty as hell.” This represents an unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department as Trump’s political enforcement mechanism. Comey’s second indictment stems from allegations that his social media post suggested harm to Trump, though Comey removed the post and apologized months before charges were filed.

Senator Adam Schiff, a former prosecutor with nearly six years of experience, stated directly that he had never encountered such a weak case and predicted dismissal before trial. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cited Trump’s unprecedented legal assault against him, along with political investigations targeting Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, as justification for remaining on the Federal Reserve board until the investigation concluded transparently. The Trump Justice Department ended its investigation into Powell last month to secure a key Republican senator’s vote for Powell’s replacement, demonstrating the politicized nature of these prosecutions.

Blanche’s defense of the indictment occurred within Trump’s documented pattern of using the Justice Department to target political enemies, following the framework established by Trump’s personal attorneys now leading the DOJ. Career attorneys and officials have departed the Justice Department in significant numbers due to its increased political manipulation, undermining the agency’s prosecutorial capacity. Comey responded via Substack video, stating he expects further Trump administration attacks but remains convinced of his innocence and an independent justice system’s eventual restoration.

Blanche acknowledged on Sunday that thousands of Americans who have used the phrase “86 47,” widely available on Amazon merchandise, should not face prosecution, directly contradicting the reasoning behind Comey’s indictment and exposing the selective, politically motivated nature of the prosecution. The Trump administration has already fired prosecutors who refused to pursue the Comey prosecution, illustrating the coercive pressure within the Department of Justice to secure convictions against Trump’s identified enemies regardless of evidence quality.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/todd-blanche-nbc-comey-indictment-b2969764.html)

Trump Blurts Loaded Attack on Top Dem Hakeem Jeffries

President Donald Trump attacked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Truth Social Friday night, calling him a "THUG" and "Low IQ Democrat Minority Leader" who is "a danger to our Country," accompanying the post with a photo of Jeffries holding a baseball bat. This attack occurred less than a week after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday prompted widespread calls for reducing heated political rhetoric, with the White House itself urging Democrats to abandon violent language.

President Trump frequently targets African Americans with controversial language, often referring to them as "low IQ" or "thugs." Such terms have been consistently used against figures like Congresswoman Maxine Waters and TV host Don Lemon, focusing primarily on their intelligence. Despite using various insults for others, Trump's criticisms of black individuals often emphasize intelligence alone, making his racial appeals overt. This pattern reflects a troubling tactic in Trump's rhetoric. A Truthout examination revealed that 8 in 10 posts by Trump calling someone "Low IQ" target a person of color. Communications experts describe this term as “a racist dog whistle with a long history in the US.”

The loaded language Trump deployed violates the implicit agreement to moderate discourse that followed the shooting incident. Trump used the terms "thug" and "Low IQ," which carry specific racial and dehumanizing connotations, according to NewNation White House Correspondent Kellie Meyer, who publicly criticized both the characterization and the photo choice. Meyer noted that Trump was labeling Jeffries a "danger" to the country while simultaneously the White House had demanded Democrats cease violent rhetoric.

The Truth Social post came hours after Trump delivered a speech in Florida that included an attack on Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) based on the discredited claim that she married her brother, a conspiracy theory debunked by independent fact-checkers and journalists. Trump's pattern of inflammatory rhetoric directed at Democratic leaders demonstrates his refusal to acknowledge the connection between his own language and the climate of hostility that precipitated the WHCD shooting.

The incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner occurred when suspect Cole Tomas Allen rushed through the security perimeter and allegedly opened fire, causing chaos before being taken into custody. Initial reports that Allen had been shot or killed proved inaccurate, and Trump was not injured in the incident.

Following the shooting, Democrats pushed back against the White House's selective calls for toning down rhetoric, pointing out that Republican and Trump-affiliated language had been equally or more inflammatory. Trump's Friday attack on Jeffries directly contradicts any commitment to reducing heated political discourse and exposes the administration's selective application of civility standards.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-blurts-loaded-attack-on-top-dem-amid-post-shooting-rhetoric-discourse/)

Trump Rejects Iran Peace Plan, Threatens Military Strikes

Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal on Saturday, declaring that Tehran has “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions over the past 47 years. Trump stated on Truth Social that he could not imagine accepting Iran’s plan, which would require the regime to open the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. blockade, release frozen Iranian assets, and pay compensation while deferring nuclear negotiations to a later stage. He threatened additional military strikes against Iran, telling reporters there was a “possibility” of ordering fresh attacks if Iran “misbehave[s]” or “do[es] something bad.”

Iran’s proposal, presented through mediators in Pakistan after failed negotiations in April, represents a significant concession by Tehran by postponing the contentious nuclear issue to enable agreement on immediate ceasefire terms. The plan includes U.S. withdrawal from areas surrounding Iran, lifting of sanctions, ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, which blocks approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies. A senior Iranian official stated the deferral of nuclear talks was designed to create “a more conducive atmosphere” for reaching a broader agreement, with Tehran guaranteeing it would not attack if Israel and the United States reciprocated by pledging not to attack again.

The Trump administration has consistently demanded that any agreement prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a position it cited when launching military strikes in February amid ongoing nuclear talks. Washington has violated the War Powers Resolution by refusing congressional authorization for military operations against Iran, with the conflict exceeding the mandatory 60-day deadline. Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal contradicts his repeated claims that he is “in no hurry” to negotiate, while he simultaneously faces domestic pressure to break Iran’s blockade of the strait and stabilize energy prices.

Iranian officials have warned that renewal of the war is “likely” given Trump’s rejection of their proposal and the collapse of mediation efforts. Trump deployed private envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan in April for ceasefire negotiations, yet diplomatic channels remain stalled. The Israeli military has killed dozens in Lebanon since a ceasefire was agreed in April, and the broader regional conflict shows no signs of resolution as Trump conditions peace on his demand for nuclear constraints Iran claims it has no intention of violating.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-iran-us-war-peace-proposal-b2969676.html)

Trump Demands GOP ‘TERMINATE’ Filibuster to Combat Democrats

Trump demanded Republicans eliminate the Senate filibuster to prevent Democrats from investigating election integrity, according to a Truth Social post on Saturday. Trump accused Democrats of hiring “sleazebags” like former Attorney General Eric Holder to probe voter integrity, framing the task force as part of a conspiracy to rig the 2026 midterms and 2028 election. Trump falsely claimed Democrats “rigged” the 2020 election he lost to President Joe Biden and called Democratic efforts to investigate election security “treasonous” and a “War” against the United States.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a new task force days earlier to protect the 2026 midterms from what he described as threats posed by Trump and his supporters. Schumer stated Trump has “stacked his administration with election deniers” and accused Trump of using the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote, to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Holder is participating as an expert advisor to the group of senators.

Trump has repeatedly demanded filibuster elimination since returning to office in 2025, claiming it “hurts” Republicans. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) joined Trump’s demand last week, telling Fox News it is imperative to eliminate the filibuster during what he called a “moment of national danger,” following an assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Some Republican lawmakers have signaled they support eliminating the procedural rule.

Trump’s demand to terminate the filibuster reflects his broader push to consolidate power and remove institutional checks on his authority, consistent with prior threats against Republicans resisting filibuster elimination. The SAVE Act, which Trump championed, has stalled in the Senate where Democrats oppose it, making filibuster elimination central to Trump’s legislative agenda.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-demands-gop-terminate-the-filibuster-with-dems-hiring-sleazebags-to-probe-voter-integrity-get-tough-republicans-theyre-coming/)

Trump Calls Dissent on Iran War ‘Treasonous’ at Florida Rally

Trump declared it “treasonous” to state the United States is not winning its war against Iran while addressing supporters at The Villages in Florida, the world’s largest retirement community. The president made this statement despite previously telling Congress the Iran war had already concluded, contradicting his own earlier threat against Tehran.

Trump visited The Villages ostensibly to promote his 2024 campaign promise of removing taxes on Social Security benefits. His rhetorical attack on anyone questioning U.S. military success reflects his demand for absolute loyalty regarding his foreign military operations, consistent with his violation of the War Powers Resolution by refusing congressional authorization for military action against Iran.

Trump’s description of dissent as “treasonous” criminalizes legitimate political speech and debate over military strategy. This authoritarian framing seeks to silence opposition to his wars and establishes a precedent that questioning presidential military decisions constitutes disloyalty punishable as treason.

The president’s contradictory claims about the war’s status, combined with his use of private envoys like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for diplomatic negotiations, underscore his pattern of conducting foreign policy through personal representatives rather than institutional channels. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has simultaneously attacked NATO allies refusing to support the Iran campaign, demonstrating Trump’s weaponization of military and diplomatic apparatus to enforce ideological conformity.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/trump-iran-war-treason-new-proposal-video-b2969326.html)

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