During the dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, President Trump claimed that a “big, strong, good-looking guy” credited him with saving his marriage.
“A policeman came up to me,” Trump told a North Dakota crowd on Wednesday. “He said sir…‘I want to thank you so much…My 401k is up 80 percent. My wife was disgusted with me for years…It’s really helped me with my marriage, my wife is respecting me again.’”
Elsewhere during Wednesday’s events, Trump donated Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor — which had been displayed in the White House — to the newly unveiled library, and added that he wants one for himself.
He said he discussed the matter with his eldest sons, telling them: “Fellas, I’d love to give one of them to me. What have I done that, where I deserve it?”
“They couldn’t think of anything,” the 80-year-old president said, sparking laughter.
Trump has repeatedly made clear that he wants the Nobel Peace Prize, often posting about it on Truth Social and raising the matter during official events.
After he was passed over for last year’s prize, which is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, he warned the country’s prime minister that he “no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace.”
Key Points
- ‘We’ll have a threesome’: Trump drops unintentionally risque quip about himself, his sons and military honor
- Trump said a 'big, strong, good-looking' policeman credited him with saving his marriage
- Trump donates Roosevelt's Medal of Honor to library — and says he wants one for himself
- In photos: Trump rides Freedom 250 train and greets supporters
- Trump says he does not ‘get involved’ in his finances after $1bn crypto earnings revealed
Trump ‘livid’ over crowd size at National Mall state fair, report says: ‘Who thought this was a good idea?’
23:00 , Brendan Rascius
President Donald Trump grew “livid” over the crowd size at his kickoff event for the Great American State Fair, a weeks-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday on the National Mall, according to a new report. And White House officials now fear a lackluster turnout could overshadow his Fourth of July speech.
The Republican president opened the fair — organized by Freedom 250 — on June 24 with remarks put together after several musical acts dropped out. During his roughly 30-minute address, attended by administration officials and Trump supporters outfitted in MAGA-branded outfits, he claimed America was “back” and “respected by everybody.”
Brendan Rascius reports...
Trump ‘livid’ over crowd sizes at State Fair on National Mall report says
Trump says he refuses to say whether he or Theodore Roosevelt received more votes
22:20 , Brendan Rascius
In a speech laced with comparisons between himself and Teddy Roosevelt, President Trump said he refused to say which of the two men won more votes.
"I refuse to tell you — my son says, 'Dad don't say that,' so I won't — I refuse to tell you who got more votes, me or the legendary, and he was great, Theodore Roosevelt,” Trump said. “I refuse to say. Because you'll say, 'He's a braggart! He's a terrible human being!'"
“So i told my son, I will not say,” Trump added.
Trump rails against Supreme Court's decision on birthright citizenship
21:50 , Brendan Rascius
President Trump railed against the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship, claiming his administration will “take care” of it.
During his speech in North Dakota, Trump said that birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment, was “not meant for rich people from other countries…it was meant for the babies of slaves.”
“They got it wrong,” he said of the Supreme Court, which ruled in a 5-4 decision to uphold birthright citizenship this week.
‘We’ll have a threesome’: Trump drops unintentionally risque quip about himself, his sons and military honor
21:46 , Brendan Rascius
President Donald Trump on Wednesday left supporters in North Dakota with mouths agape after he inadvertently suggested having a menage-a-trois with his two eldest sons while attempting to joke about awarding them the country’s highest military honor.
Trump was roughly an hour into remarks celebrating the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota when he started riffing on how Roosevelt and his son were just one of two father-son pairs to earn the Medal of Honor in wartime.
“Except for Arthur and Douglas MacArthur ... they're the only father and son pair to receive our nation's highest military award for courage above and beyond the call of duty. Now, as I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think I'm going to give one to myself, one to them, and we'll have a threesome,” he said.
Andrew Feinberg reports...
Trump jokes about ‘threesome’ by giving himself and two sons military honor
Trump said a 'big, strong, good-looking' policeman credited him with saving his marriage
21:43 , Brendan Rascius
During Wednesday’s ceremony, Trump said a “big, strong, good-looking” policeman approached him and credited the president with saving his marriage.
“A policeman came up to me,” Trump told a North Dakota crowd on Wednesday. “He said sir…‘I want to thank you so much…My 401k is up 80 percent. My wife was disgusted with me for years…It’s really helped me with my marriage, my wife is respecting me again. She thought I was an idiot.”
Trump says Cuba is 'coming our way'
21:20 , Brendan Rascius
During his speech in North Dakota, President Trump said Cuba is now “coming our way.”
His remarks came when he was speaking of Theodore Roosevelt’s role in the Spanish-American War, when he led the Rough Riders in the Caribbean.
“Speaking of Cuba, after many many decades, it’s coming our way,” Trump said.
His administration has repeatedly suggested the U.S. could take military action there. In March, Trump said he’d have the “honor of taking Cuba” and that he can do “anything I want with it.”
Trump delivers lengthy speech reflecting on Roosevelt and his own presidency
20:52 , Brendan Rascius
During the dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, President Trump delivered an extended reflection on the 26th president, while also highlighting his own record in office.
He described Roosevelt’s greatest achievement as the construction of the Panama Canal, lamenting that the U.S. later relinquished control of it.
“His chest swelled with American optimism,” Trump said of Roosevelt. “His heart beat with an unyielding sense of America’s destiny.”
Elsewhere in the speech, Trump praised his administration’s actions in Venezuela and Iran, and denounced communists, saying he’s not going to let them “get in our way.”
He also claimed that, under his leadership, the U.S. is now the “hottest country anywhere in the world.”
Trump donates Roosevelt's Medal of Honor to library — and says he wants one for himself
20:30 , Brendan Rascius
President Trump donated the Teddy Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor to the 26th president’s library during a dedication ceremony in North Dakota on Wednesday.
Roosevelt received the award for his “conspicuous gallantry” and “acts of bravery” in the Spanish-American War. It was previously displayed in the White House.
Trump expressed that he wants the same award for himself.
He said he discussed the matter with his eldest sons, telling them: “Fellas, I’d love to give one of them to me. What have I done that, where I deserve it?”
“They couldn’t think of anything,” the 80-year-old president said, sparking laughter.
The ‘AOC effect’ is now officially sweeping the primaries — and Republicans are licking their chops
20:00 , Brendan Rascius
On Tuesday night, socialists claimed another incumbent primary victory when Melat Kiros beat incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic Primary in Colorado’s 1st district.
As if to illustrate how much the moment represents generational change, DeGette first came to Congress the year that Kiros was born.
It’s just the latest in a wave of left-wing insurgent challenges. A week earlier to the day, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s three endorsed candidates won their primaries in the Big Apple.
Eric Garcia reports...
The ‘AOC effect’ is sweeping the primaries — and Republicans are licking their chops
Trump says it's an 'honor' to take part in dedication ceremony for Roosevelt's library
19:45 , Brendan Rascius
President Trump delivered brief remarks to the press at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday.
He said it was an “honor” to be there for the dedication ceremony, adding: “It’s a very special palace…It’s a part of the country that I love, and I think they love me.”
Trump is expected to deliver a speech at the library later this afternoon.
Rough Riders escort Trump's motorcade across North Dakota
19:25 , Brendan Rascius
Rough Riders, a group of reenactors honoring Teddy Roosevelt’s calvary unit, escorted President Trump’s motorcade as it traveled across North Dakota on Wednesday, video footage shows.
President Trump's motorcade receives an escort to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library from the Rough Riders! 🐎🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/y5VVkAV9Mv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
In photos: Trump rides Freedom 250 train and greets supporters
19:12 , Brendan Rascius
President Trump took a ride in a BNSF Freedom 250-themed train ahead of his dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday.
Photos show the GOP president posing aboard the train and greeting a crowd of supporters.
JD Vance tells troops: Trump will ‘ask you to go to war’
18:15 , Brendan Rascius
While addressing U.S. service members at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance said the president would ask them to “go to war.”
“What we must never do is drop bombs just for the sake of dropping bombs, and that is what the president will never ask you to do,” Vance said.
“He’ll ask you to go to war, yes, but when he asks you to go to war, he’ll tell you exactly what you’re going for,” he added. “I think that is what you should expect out of your political leadership.”
Trump arrives in North Dakota
17:39 , Brendan Rascius
President Trump has touched down in North Dakota, where he will deliver remarks at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
On Wednesday afternoon, he was greeted at the airport by Sen. John Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican.
White House spokesperson pushes back on criticism of Trump's earnings
16:58 , Brendan Rascius
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly pushed back against criticism of President Trump following the revelation this week that he earned more than $2 billion during his first year in office.
“Let’s remember…why Americans elected this president to office,” Kelly told Fox News on Wednesday. “Because he was an outsider who was tremendously successful in business, built the New York City skyline, uh, and that’s what Americans wanted.”
“They wanted a businessman in office,” she continued. “So he has had a tremendously successful career. Of course his assets are in a blind trust, he has no control of those trades. He’s pretty busy as president.”
Here's what Trump has planned for July 4
16:31 , Brendan Rascius
The countdown to July 4 is on. Here’s what the president has planned for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
President Donald Trump said he will host a “spectacular TRUMP RALLY” and “TRIBUTE TO AMERICA” on the National Mall at 7 p.m. on July 4.
The event will feature military bands and orchestras performing selections from the president’s “playlist.”
It will also include flyovers and air shows, followed by “keynote remarks” from the president. Afterward, the National Mall will be illuminated by the “LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly sought to compare the president to Theodore Roosevelt
16:15 , Brendan Rascius
The Trump administration has repeatedly sought to compare President Trump to Theodore Roosvelt, the nation’s 26th president, whose presidential library he is set to dedicate in North Dakota this afternoon.
While signing the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, Trump described his conservation record as “the same or almost as good” as that of the founder of the Bull Moose Party.
Senior administration officials, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, have reinforced the comparison.
“Of course the parallels between Theodore Roosevelt and President Trump just keep adding up and up and up,” Burgum told Fox News this week. “Both of them [are] transformative people who really shaped not just the U.S., but shaped the world and the world order.”
Last July, the White House Instagram account posted an image of Trump inside the Colosseum, paired with Roosevelt’s well-known “man in the arena” quote. This year, federal office buildings in the capital were draped with large banners—many of which depicted Trump, though one featured Roosevelt.
The two men share some similarities: both were raised in New York City, survived assassination attempts and cast themselves as outsiders challenging the political establishment. One distinction, among many, is that Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for helping broker an end to the Russo-Japanese War—an honor Trump does not share but has long sought.
John Bolton, a former national security adviser, said this year that he “always worried” that Trump might try to abscond with the prize, which is displayed at the White House.
Photos offer a glimpse inside the new Air Force One
16:00 , Brendan Rascius
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung offered a glimpse inside the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One while en route to the Midwest.
“Maiden voyage on the new Air Force One,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.
He posted a photo which showed a desk and television surrounded by bookshelves. A framed photo of the White House could be seen on a nearby door.
Another photo depicted him alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and aide Natalie Harp.
Maiden voyage on the new Air Force One! pic.twitter.com/svD3StjUkk
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) July 1, 2026
Trump says he does not ‘get involved’ in his finances after $1bn crypto earnings revealed
15:45 , Brendan Rascius
While speaking to reporters before departing for North Dakota, President Trump brushed aside questions about disclosures revealing he earned billions during his first year in office.
While in North Dakota, Trump will ride 'Freedom 250' train and receive escort from Rough Riders
15:30 , Brendan Rascius
While in North Dakota on Wednesday for the dedication ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, the president will ride a “BNSF Freedom 250 Train” to Medora, The New York Post reported.
Later, he will drive to the library site in his motorcade accompanied by an escort from a ceremonial Rough Riders Troop.
Trump’s dedication address at the new library will take place around 1 p.m. ET.
Other speakers will include North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
DC’s record-breaking fireworks delayed as Trump turns July 4 celebration into another MAGA rally
15:15 , Brendan Rascius
A record-breaking firework show in Washington, D.C., will be delayed as President Donald Trump turns the July 4 celebration into a campaign-like rally.
More than 850,000 pyrotechnic effects will be launched over the National Mall that night, according to Freedom 250, the White House-backed, public-private group tasked with organizing celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Not only will it be the biggest July 4 fireworks show in D.C., but the longest. It will last about 40 minutes, about twice as long as usual, according to event organizers.
Rachel Dobkin reports...
DC’s July 4 fireworks delayed as Trump turns celebration into another MAGA rally
A number of officials and Trump family members are traveling with Trump to North Dakota
14:57 , Brendan Rascius
A number of GOP officials and Trump family members are traveling with President Trump to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on Wednesday.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota, is attending the event. Speaking to Fox News yesterday, he drew comparisons between Trump and Roosevelt.
“Of course the parallels between Theodore Roosevelt and President Trump just keep adding up and up and up,” Burgum said. “Both of them [are] transformative people who really shaped not just the U.S., but shaped the world and the world order.”
GOP Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota’s sole representative, is also traveling with President Trump aboard Air Force One. In a video posted to X outside the new Qatari-gifted plane, she said: “Today is a really big day for North Dakota.”
The president’s eldest sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., were also spotted on the tarmac.
Trump hails Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes as ‘Big Win’
14:45 , Joe Sommerlad
The president did secure one major ruling in his favor from the SCOTUS yesterday, allowing states to ban transgender student-athletes from competing in female sports, which he described as a “Big Win.”
In a 6-3 ruling, the justices upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho that prohibit transgender athletes from joining girls’ and women’s teams at public schools and universities.
The decision could have a sweeping impact, as 25 states have similar laws on the books.
Reacting on Truth Social, Trump said:
“BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!”
Brendan Rascius has the story.
Trump celebrates Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes as ‘Big Win’
Trump jetting out to North Dakota in plane donated by Qatar
14:15 , Joe Sommerlad
The president will make his first flight on the new Air Force One gifted to the U.S. by Qatar Wednesday as he travels to North Dakota to tour its new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
The 96,000 square foot library in Medora, overlooking a national park named after the 26th president, will open its doors to the public Saturday as part of the country’s Fourth of July and “America 250” celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
To get there, Trump will be departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland aboard the $400 million Boeing VC-25B aircraft he was presented with in Doha last year, a gift met with accusations of influence-buying against the emirate.
The luxury jumbo jet sparked uproar for a second time when it emerged that it would require significant and costly upgrades to meet the standards required of a presidential plane, with some estimates pricing the refurbishment work at $1 billion.
Here’s more
Trump to fly on new Air Force One donated by Qatar for first time
Trump told to pay up as E Jean Carroll demands $5.8M after Supreme Court decision
13:45 , Joe Sommerlad
The veteran advice columnist is asking a federal judge to order the president to immediately pay the nearly $5.8 million he owes after a jury found he sexually abused her in the 1990s and later defamed her.
In a filing Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, Carroll’s lawyers argued that Trump has exhausted his attempts to avoid paying the judgment after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear his appeal of the 2023 civil verdict.
The original $5 million award has grown to almost $5.8 million with interest.
Carroll's attorneys said there is no legal basis to delay payment any longer and accused Trump of continuing to attack her publicly while his legal team considers asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.
Here’s more.
Trump told to pay up as E. Jean Carroll demands $5.8M after Supreme Court decision
Frontman of Trump’s favorite band passes away
13:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People, has died at the age of 75.
An iconic disco outfit emerging in the late 1970s, the band has received an unlikely second wind in recent years thanks to the president’s passion for “YMCA,” which has become a signature theme at his rallies and events since at least 2020 and to which he has been seen dancing jerkily on many occasions.
Willis initially requested that Trump stop using their music but the group later changed their tune and even performed at a pre-inauguration rally for the Republican last January.
Jacob Stolworthy has this on the president’s tribute to the late star.
Donald Trump pays tribute to YMCA star who ‘loved’ song being played at rallies
Stephen Miller likens Supreme Court ruling to civilizational ‘suicide’
12:45 , Joe Sommerlad
The president’s senior adviser, a long-time anti-immigration hawk, was even more angry than his boss over the SCOTUS decision, saying this to Jesse Watters on Fox News yesterday:
Miller: Here's a pretty good clue your constitutional interpretation is wrong. If you are ruling requires you to suicide your civilization, your reading of the constitution is wrong. pic.twitter.com/ZNmlDs0fvg
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 1, 2026
If you missed this one earlier, here’s Alex Woodward on how the president reacted to being thwarted, once again, by the highest court.
Trump offers snarkiest response ever to birthright citizenship loss
AOC coy on 2028 speculation after being tipped to run by JD Vance
12:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was asked on Capitol Hill yesterday whether she will be running for the presidency in two years’ time, after being tipped to do so by the vice president.
“I hope he is, that’s what I’ll say,” she answered, with a broad grin.
Reporter: JD Vance just said in an interview that he thinks you are going to be the leading Democratic candidate for president in 2028. What’s your response to that?
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 30, 2026
AOC: pic.twitter.com/s5qodMBiN1
White House reportedly weighing ‘250 pardons for 250 years’ in new wave of clemency orders to mark America’s birthday
11:45 , Joe Sommerlad
The president is said to be considering announcing another sweeping round of pardons in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, just as he waved aside the criminal convictions of more than 1,500 Capitol rioters on his first day back in office last year.
Attitudes to the gesture behind the scenes are reportedly mixed, with some arguing it will make Trump look magnanimous and others fearing its impact on his already desperately low approval numbers.
Brendan Rascius has this report.
White House weighs ‘250 pardons for 250 years’ to mark America’s birthday: report
‘His supporters got rug-pulled:’ Newsom attacks Trump over $1.4B crypto earnings haul
11:15 , Joe Sommerlad
This is how California Gov. Gavin Newsom reacted to the news of the president’s growing wealth since his return to office last year.
Trump’s financial disclosures showed exactly how his crypto play worked:
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 1, 2026
He got richer. His crypto supporters got rug-pulled.
The man widely-tipped to be a 2028 Democratic presidential candidate did not mince his words, nor did former White House lawyer Ty Cobb.
Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb on Trump earning over $1 billion last year from crypto ventures: “We are seeing the greatest onslaught of corruption in the history of mankind.” pic.twitter.com/VglINGioNc
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) July 1, 2026
Trump’s White House has denied that any conflict of interest exists over the president’s family’s crypto ventures.
Here’s more on Trump’s riches, much of which comes from a sector he once dismissed as a “scam.”
Trump made over $1B in crypto earnings last year, financial disclosure shows
Trump’s Great American State Fair remains a ghost town: ‘More musicians than spectators’
10:45 , Joe Sommerlad
Despite supporters of the president insisting that the centerpiece event of his “America 250” celebrations has been a popular success and drawn healthy crowds, this video simply has to be seen to be believed:
The 11 a.m. Tuesday time slot is at the Great American State Fair is apparently not the most fruitful, as there are more musicians in the band than spectators.
— Dave Levinthal (@davelevinthal) June 30, 2026
(The band, consisting of young musicians, including a heluva brass section, was quite good.) pic.twitter.com/QQJGzyGmqU
Here’s Josh Marcus with our report.
Few turn up for band at Trump fair Tuesday as event continues to face attendance woes
Watch: House speaker learns SCOTUS has struck down Trump's birthright citizenship order
10:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s the moment Mike Johnson heard the news yesterday.
Conservative justices say Supreme Court’s birthright decision ‘devalues’ citizenship for other Americans
09:45 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s more from Alex Woodward on the strongly-worded dissents offered by Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito on their court’s landmark ruling.
Clarence Thomas claims birthright decision ‘devalues’ citizenship for other Americans
Trump and MAGA furious after SCOTUS decision: ‘A travesty’
09:15 , Joe Sommerlad
As might have been expected, the president was less than happy with the conservative-majority court finding against him (again).
He took to Truth Social shortly after its ruling was announced and said:
“The Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship, which is too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation, with the support of the President, that has now been determined during this process.
“No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary! Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship. They will have my Complete and Total Support!”
In a later post, more obviously seething, he added:
“I would like to congratulate President Xi, and the Great Country of China, on their massive Birthright Citizenship WIN!”
Vice President JD Vance meanwhile appeared on Fox News and told anchor Laura Ingraham that the fight is not over:
Vance: The fact that this case was a 5-4 decision effectively means that the concept of birthright citizenship is hanging by a thread. We actually have an opportunity to reverse this decision just as we've reversed so many bad decisions throughout the generations. pic.twitter.com/KaDH3qAVQR
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 30, 2026
Other Republicans expressing their frustration included Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (“A travesty”) and Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt (“Wrong, dangerous, and disastrous for American sovereignty”).
Today’s decision regarding birthright citizenship is a travesty.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 30, 2026
The Fourteenth Amendment was written to overturn Dred Scott and guarantee citizenship to freed slaves—not to create automatic citizenship for the children of those who violate our immigration laws or are only…
The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship decision is wrong, dangerous, and disastrous for American sovereignty and the American people. If we can't fix it with ordinary legislation, then we must do what the Constitution commands in moments of national crisis: We must amend the… pic.twitter.com/8shwWkFGXY
— Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) June 30, 2026
Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation think-tank, which was behind the Project 2025 blueprint for Trump’s second term, called the outcome “a tremendous betrayal of the public.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling on birthright citizenship is a tremendous betrayal of the republic. The Justices in the majority have inflamed the all-out assault on our sovereignty and cheapened the sacred value of American citizenship. Universal birthright citizenship erases any…
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) June 30, 2026
Trump suffers major loss on birthright citizenship after Supreme Court strikes down sweeping attempt to rewrite Constitution
08:46 , Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
If you’re just joining us, President Donald Trump is reeling after the Supreme Court moved Tuesday to strike down his sweeping attempt to rewrite the Constitution by ending birthright citizenship as an automatic right for people born on U.S. soil, regardless of the immigration status of their parents.
The 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
For more than 100 years, the highest court has upheld the definition to apply to all children born within the borders of the U.S. and Congress codified that language into law in 1952.
But, in an executive order last year, Trump sought to unilaterally redefine that amendment to state that babies born in the U.S. would be denied citizenship at birth if their mother was “unlawfully present” or had “lawful but temporary” status, and if the father “was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.”
In Tuesday’s divided ruling, a 6-3 majority determined that children born in the U.S. to parents “unlawfully or temporarily present” are indeed “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. and are citizens at birth.
Here’s a full report from Alex Woodward.
Trump loses on birthright citizenship after Supreme Court strikes down order
After a rush of big decisions, Supreme Court will consider assault weapons ban next term
08:00 , Lindsay Whitehurst
A Supreme Court that has expanded gun rights will consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles, often called assault weapons, violate the Second Amendment.
The justices said Tuesday they will take up appeals asking the court to strike down bans on the AR-15 and similar semiautomatic firearms in the Chicago area and Connecticut.
Similar laws are in place in about a dozen states, covering major cities like New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Congress allowed a national assault weapons ban to expire in 2004, but Democrats have supported renewing it in response to a series of mass shootings and states have continued to pass their own laws.
The cases are the latest high-profile disputes over guns to reach the court since its conservative majority handed down a landmark ruling in 2022 that expanded Second Amendment rights and spawned challenges to firearm laws around the country.
The case is expected to be heard in the fall.
Supreme Court will consider striking down assault weapons bans, in Connecticut and the Chicago-area
Trump buddies gifted him tickets to club World Cup and Super Bowl: report
07:30 , Josh Marcus
President Trump is an avid sports fan — and a billionaire — but he reportedly got tickets to top sporting events for free anyway from friends and allies, according to federal financial disclosures.
The tickets included passes to the FIFA Club World Cup Final, Super Bowl and Ryder Cup, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Trump’s 10 tickets to the Club World Cup came from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to the forms.
The disclosures did not appear to mention Trump’s recent appearance at the NBA Finals, where he was spotted sitting with Knicks owner and Trump donor James Dolan.
Trump appears to doze off during controversial appearance at NBA Finals
How Trump built a crypto empire from the White House
06:30 , Josh Marcus
Recent financial disclosures show President Trump earned more than $1 billion last year from his family’s crypto companies.
Here’s some of our past coverage on how the Republican barnstormed the industry, which he once criticized but has since become a major part of his coalition.
Trump family ‘made $500 million from crypto deal’ before investors lost out
Trump family made at least $6B thanks to its crypto-coin: report
Trump sees his net worth jump by more than $1 billion since returning to office
ICYMI: Florida taxpayers will foot some of the $5M bill to rename airport for Trump
05:30 , Josh Marcus
Florida taxpayers are set to shell out millions of dollars to help rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, according to a new report.
On Monday, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $117.6 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which he said reflects years of “fiscal discipline” and “responsible governance.”
The budget allocates $2.75 million for the airport rebranding effort, with the funds expected to go toward uniforms, signage and marketing materials, WPBF reported.
A local funding request obtained by The Center Square in March estimated the name change would cost up to $5.5 million.
“Any remaining costs would be paid from airport revenue unless additional funding becomes available,” the airport said in a statement provided to WPBF. “The Palm Beach County Department of Airports may also pursue grant opportunities for reimbursement of eligible costs, if available.”
Brendan Rascius has the story.
Florida taxpayers will help pay to rename airport after Trump
Trump’s DOJ claims Kennedy Center will fall into ‘financial ruin’ without his name on the building
16:45 , Brendan Rascius
Donald Trump’s administration claims the Kennedy Center stands to lose “hundreds of millions” of dollars without his name attached to the building, which the Department of Justice says should be renamed in the president’s honor after he “donated his time, energy and unparalleled Construction talents” to renovating the venue.
The Justice Department is appealing a federal court order requiring the venue to remove Trump’s name from the building’s facade, which is still covered in scaffolding and a white tarp that hides the empty space where his name appeared.
The administration has argued that stripping the president’s name from a performing arts institution named after President John F. Kennedy would send it into “financial ruin.”
Alex Woodward reports...
Trump’s DOJ claims Kennedy Center will fall into ‘financial ruin’ without his name
Critics slam 'unprecedented' conflicts of interest as Trump earns billions while in office
04:30 , Josh Marcus
Ethics watchdogs criticized President Trump on Tuesday after financial disclosures were released showing the president earned at least $2.2 billion in his first year of office.
“The president’s conflicts of interest with the crypto industry are unprecedented,” Kedric Payne, senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, told The Wall Street Journal. “We have never seen a president have direct conflicts of interest with his financial holdings and the policies he supports, and it’s another example why we need widespread ethics reform now.”
At least $1.4 billion of that windfall came from the president’s crypto holdings.
Tiny crowd at Trump state fair music show roasted online
03:30 , Josh Marcus
President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair in Washington is again going viral for having a meager crowd, this time for a musical act that counted more band members than fans in the audience.
Around 11 a.m., a multi-piece youth band with a large horn section was playing a cover of “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé, as a group of about five people sat in front of the stage, while a few more looked on from further away.
“The 11 a.m. Tuesday time slot is at the Great American State Fair is apparently not the most fruitful, as there are more musicians in the band than spectators,” NOTUS reporter Dave Levinthal, who filmed the event, wrote on X.
“The band, consisting of young musicians, including a helluva brass section, was quite good,” he added.
Online commenters soon mocked the performance as the latest blunder at the fair, which has suffered from what appears to be poor attendance and a string of musicians backing out of their performances since the event opened last Wednesday.
More details in our full story.
Few turn up for band at Trump fair Tuesday as event continues to face attendance woes
Trump rages at Republicans after they split on defense vote: report
02:32 , Josh Marcus
President Trump reportedly criticized some of his Republicans colleagues during a Rose Garden dinner after a handful of GOPers sided with Democrats today in the House to block the progress of a major defense bill.
“It’s a stupid vote,” Trump reportedly told Republican lawmakers during the dinner, after 14 GOP House members joined with Democrats to stall a version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act bill that paired the measure with a series of proposed voter ID measures long sought by the president.
“They stick together,” Trump reportedly added. “So should we."
Many of the Republicans who blocked the bill from reaching the floor said they were doing so because they worried the Senate would eventually strip out the SAVE America Act voting rules included in the House package.
'A terrible idea': Fears as Trump administration plans fireworks on Mount Rushmore despite fire risk
01:30 , Josh Marcus
Environmentalists are concerned over the Trump administration’s planned fireworks show on Friday at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, given ongoing conditions that raise the risk of a fire, including a drought and warm, dry weather in the region.
“Fireworks at Mount Rushmore is a terrible idea,” Jay Davis, chair of the Sierra Club’s South Dakota chapter, told Politico. “We are enduring a serious drought.”
Reaction to GOP's move for a midterm convention
01:15 , Josh Marcus
The Republican Party is forecast to lose this November’s midterm elections by some degree, which makes its recently announced move to hold its first-ever midterm convention in September all the more interesting.
Online, commentators had a variety of reactions.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries mocked the plan, alluding to the string of artists who have backed out or were unable to perform at President Trump’s other major political showcase, the ongoing Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington.
“Donald Trump just announced a GOP midterm convention in September,” Jeffries wrote on X. “Will Vanilla Ice be performing?”
Others saw value in the convention, arguing it would be a useful thing for both parties to try.
“Don’t think this stuff has a big impact of the race, but I do think Democrats in this media environment, could have benefited from doing a midterm convention,” New York Times columnist Rotimi Adeoye wrote on X, though he noted Democrats are far behind the Republicans in fundraising at the moment. “Make a show of some of the new talent around the country, unfortunately we are too poor to afford an event like this.”
President Trump announces first-ever GOP midterm convention
Wednesday 1 July 2026 00:45 , Josh Marcus
The Republican party will hold its first ever midterm convention later this year, as the party looks to defend its imperiled congressional majority in elections this November.
“It will be fantastic!” President Trump boasted on Truth Social on Tuesday. “It has never been done before, and will be a truly Historic Event. We are going to celebrate the GREAT AMERICAN COMEBACK, and the incredible successes of the American People who transformed our Country through the America First Agenda — NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, STRONGER BORDERS, SAFEST EVER COMMUNITIES, LOWER COSTS AND REAL AFFORDABILITY, MORE JOBS, AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE, AND SO MUCH MORE!”
“We will also have lots of Great Entertainment — It will be a RALLY like none other!” he added.
If it’s anything like his ongoing Great American State Fair in Washington, the rally portion of the event may fall flat.
Fox News strains to make Trump’s state fair seem packed despite video proof: ‘Sad’
Trump nabbed more than $1 billion from crypto businesses last year: filings
Wednesday 1 July 2026 00:19 , Josh Marcus
Last year, President Trump continued to earn vast sums of money from his family’s crypto businesses as he occupied the White House, even as the value of their crypto tokens plummeted.
The president earned nearly $1.2 billion dollars, according to financial disclosures analyzed by The Washington Post.
The crypto industry was a major donor to the 2024 Trump campaign, and since taking office, the president has rolled back his predecessor’s more adversarial stance towards digital currencies.
President Trump has faced criticisms he’s profiting from his position in office.
Trump bought up to $5M of stock in Taser company right before $220M ICE bid
Trump offers snarkiest response ever to birthright citizenship loss: ‘I would like to congratulate President Xi’
Tuesday 30 June 2026 23:00 , Alex Woodward
Donald Trump has spent years railing at the Constitution’s principle of birthright citizenship and has sought to unilaterally redefine who gets to be an American.
But after the Supreme Court struck down his unconstitutional executive order to block automatic citizenship to the children of certain immigrant parents, the president seemed to believe he still has a shot in Congress — and then he thanked China’s president.
“I would like to congratulate President Xi, and the Great Country of China, on their massive Birthright Citizenship WIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.
Trump and administration officials have repeatedly claimed that thousands of pregnant women travel to the U.S. within the final days of their pregnancy every year to ensure their newborn child gets American citizenship, including potentially tens of thousands of Chinese nationals. There is little proof that the claim is true.
Clarence Thomas claims Supreme Court birthright decision ‘devalues’ US citizenship for other Americans
Tuesday 30 June 2026 22:30 , Alex Woodward
Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas claims the landmark ruling affirming citizenship for all children born on U.S. soil “devalues” American citizenship.
In a separate dissent from the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito suggested that the majority’s opinion will “degrade” the concept of American citizenship by making the children of “birth tourists” citizens.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Clarence Thomas claims birthright decision ‘devalues’ citizenship for other Americans
Sandy Hook shooting survivor warns loosening gun laws will lead to more gun deaths
Tuesday 30 June 2026 22:00 , Ariana Baio
A survivor of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting cautioned the Supreme Court that loosening state bans on assault-style rifles could lead to more gun deaths.
“Far too many school shootings, including the tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook, are made more deadly by the easy availability of assault weapons,” Abbey Clements said Tuesday.
Clements’ comment comes after the Supreme Court said it would take up two cases challenging state laws that ban assault-style semiautomatic weapons.
“The simple fact is that we had fewer mass shootings and mass shootings were less deadly when we had a federal assault weapons ban in place. With the Supreme Court opening the door to striking down more state bans, we know what the result will be – more mass shootings and more gun deaths.”
Ruling on transgender athletes applies to states with laws banning participation
Tuesday 30 June 2026 21:53 , Ariana Baio
The Supreme Court’s ruling on transgender women and girls participating in sports is limited to states that currently have laws restricting them from playing on women’s and girls’ teams.
The court’s ruling Tuesday does not prohibit transgender women and girls from participating on sports teams, rather, it gives states the OK to enact bans.
Approximately 29 states have such laws.
From the Supreme Court on Monday: Mail-in ballot voting
Tuesday 30 June 2026 21:30 , Ariana Baio
Monday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of states that enacted laws to allow for late mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day – so long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
The ruling was a loss for Trump, who has railed against mail-in ballot voting.
Supreme Court delivers big blow to Trump’s plan to limit mail-in voting
‘Our relief feels temporary’ Immigration advocacy group says
Tuesday 30 June 2026 20:50 , Ariana Baio
Even though the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, the National Immigration Project said the relief feels “tempered and temporary” as the court allows the Trump administration to implement other restrictive policies.
"Since the Supreme Court took this case, we have been holding our breath – today, we exhale, but our relief feels tempered and temporary,” Sirine Shebaya, the executive director of the National Immigration Project, said.
“This executive order was never really about citizenship policy. It was about power—about testing whether a president can simply declare a constitutional provision means something other than what it says, and dare the courts to stop him. Today they did. But this should have been the easiest case the Court heard all year. The fact that this was a fight at all should trouble us as much as the outcome relieves us.’
Shebaya pointed to dissents from four justices who argued they should have allowed President Donald Trump to restrict birthright citizenship via an executive order. She also pointed to other decisions this week that allowed the administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status from Haitians and Syrians as well as a decision that allows the administration to implement a turn-back policy at the US border.
“We are watching this country move, decision by decision, toward becoming an authoritarian, white supremacist autocracy. Today’s decision lets us hold on to increasingly slippery hope that we are not there yet.”
Trump trolls birthright citizenship decision by congratulating China
Tuesday 30 June 2026 19:50 , Ariana Baio
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, the president congratulated the Chinese President Xi Jinping and China on its “WIN” – trolling the court’s decision.
“I would like to congratulate President Xi, and the Great Country of China, on their massive Birthright Citizenship WIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.
