Trump Ties FEMA Funding To New Election Security Rules

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July 11, 2026

Secretary Mullin Testifies Before the House — DHSgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Trump administration announced Friday that states will have to adopt a series of federal election security measures to receive certain Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funding, marking the latest effort to influence how states administer elections ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The Department of Homeland Security said recipients of FEMA-administered homeland security grants will be required to implement what it called “common-sense election security measures” before receiving funding.

“These new requirements for homeland security grant recipients will preserve election integrity and ensure that Americans can trust the results,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

Funding tied to election changes

According to FEMA grant guidance, up to 20% of funding under the State Homeland Security Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative may be withheld until states certify compliance with the administration’s election security requirements. The affected grant programs distribute roughly $1 billion annually for terrorism prevention, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure protection.

Among the requirements are:

Verification of the citizenship of registered voters and election workers.
Documentation of election audits.
Plans to transition jurisdictions that rely on barcode- or QR code-based ballot tabulation toward hand-marked paper ballots.

The administration has argued that election infrastructure is part of the nation’s critical security framework and that stronger safeguards are necessary to bolster public confidence in election results.

States question federal authority

Election administration has historically been handled by states, and several state officials and election law experts have questioned whether the executive branch has the legal authority to condition homeland security grants on changes to state voting procedures.

The announcement follows a series of recent actions by the administration aimed at reshaping election administration, including Justice Department letters requesting voter registration records from all 50 states and President Donald Trump’s removal of the remaining commissioners of the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Legal challenges expected

The new FEMA conditions are expected to face legal scrutiny.

Courts have already blocked portions of previous Trump administration efforts to impose nationwide election rules through executive action, with judges finding that the Constitution grants states broad authority over the administration of elections absent congressional action.

Whether the administration can ultimately enforce the new grant conditions may depend on future court rulings. In the meantime, states seeking the affected homeland security funding will have to decide whether to comply with the new requirements or challenge them in court.

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Report: Patel Cancels Trip, Heads To West Wing Following Luxury Travel Allegations

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Patrick Houck

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July 11, 2026

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FBI Director Kash Patel was summoned to the White House on Friday after abruptly canceling a planned trip to Chicago, fueling fresh speculation about his standing inside the Trump administration as questions continue to mount over his alleged use of government resources for luxury perks.

According to a report by MS NOW, Patel had been preparing to depart Friday morning for a trip that included a visit to the FBI’s Chicago field office and an appearance by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, at a local music festival. However, senior administration officials instructed him to report to the West Wing instead. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, said officials had grown frustrated by recent controversies surrounding the FBI director — including an ongoing feud with the network that includes a lawsuit filed by Wilkins last month over reporting on her use of Patel’s security detail.

The White House and FBI quickly disputed that the West Wing meeting was a reprimand. An FBI spokesperson said Patel was there on “official business,” while White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the report as “fake news” and actively defended Patel’s right to mock the media.

Questions continue to grow

The White House meeting came as Patel faces increasing bipartisan scrutiny over his management of the bureau. Earlier this week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requested records showing whether Patel reimbursed the government for personal travel aboard FBI aircraft and pressed him on the bureau’s unusual purchase of luxury BMW vehicles instead of traditional Chevrolet Suburbans. (RELATED: Grassley Seeks Records On Kash Patel’s Travel, Vehicle Purchases)

The scrutiny intensified after reports surfaced about a separate letter from congressional Democrats citing whistleblower allegations. According to those reports, Patel allegedly directed FBI field offices to arrange taxpayer-funded leisure activities during official travel, including a helicopter tour, a VIP snorkeling excursion over the wreckage of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor — where more than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed — and a jet ski outing.

The U.S. Navy later confirmed to ABC News that the previously undisclosed Pearl Harbor snorkeling expedition had, in fact, taken place.

Patel has denied wrongdoing, and the FBI maintains that all flights comply with policies requiring the director to use government aircraft for security reasons.

Patel pushes back

Hours before reports of the White House meeting surfaced, Patel publicly mocked the scrutiny on X, sharing a screenshot of an article criticizing his lifestyle.

“Nah, my jet ski is gold plated… dumbass,” Patel wrote. “Your job is to lie. Mine is to protect the American people, and business is good!”

Neither the White House nor the FBI disclosed what was specifically discussed during Friday’s meeting. While there is no indication Patel’s position is in immediate jeopardy, the sudden cancellation of his Chicago trip to answer to the West Wing has intensified attention on his leadership at a time when congressional oversight of the bureau is rapidly escalating.

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Trump Says He Left Orders To Bomb Iran If Tehran Assassinates Him

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Patrick Houck

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July 10, 2026

3

P20260301DT-0116 — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump said he has left instructions for the United States to launch an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran if Tehran succeeds in assassinating him.

“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” the president told the New York Post Friday. “I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”

Trump did not explain whom he gave the instructions to, which targets would be included or how such an order would be carried out after his death.

Trump calls himself Iran’s top target

The president’s comments followed remarks he made during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he said Iran may be seeking to kill him.

“I’m their No. 1 target,” Trump said.

Iran has threatened retaliation against Trump and other former administration officials over the January 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. American authorities have also previously accused Iranian operatives of pursuing plots against Trump.

The latest concern arose after Israel reportedly shared intelligence with the United States before Trump landed in Washington indicating that Iran was considering another plot to assassinate the president.

Mediaite’s Tom Durante has additional details:

On the way back to the States, the president was forced to switch planes after the Secret Service reportedly voiced concerns about the new Air Force One, a $400 million jet gifted to him from the Qatari government.

After that, Israel claimed it had shared intelligence with the president that the Islamic regime was “considering” a new plan to assassinate the president.

In his interview with The Post, Trump denied those claims.

“No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no,” he said. “I’ve been No. 1 [on Iran’s kill list] for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.”

“I hope you’ll miss me,” he quipped.

According to reporting cited by Mediaite, Israeli intelligence had not determined how far the alleged plot had progressed or whether Tehran had taken any concrete steps to carry it out.

Trump nevertheless delivered an unmistakable warning: Any successful attack against him would bring an overwhelming American response.

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Trump Sends Powerful Message By Refusing To Sign Housing Bill

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Patrick Houck

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July 10, 2026

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President Donald Trump is making a political statement without stopping one of Congress’ biggest bipartisan victories.

Rather than signing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Trump is allowing the sweeping housing package to become law automatically, using the moment to protest the Senate’s refusal to advance his preferred voter ID legislation.

“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote on social media.

Housing bill takes effect anyway

Trump’s decision doesn’t derail the legislation. Under the Constitution, a bill becomes law if a president neither signs nor vetoes it within 10 days, excluding Sundays, while Congress remains in session.

The bipartisan package is considered one of the most significant housing reforms in decades. Among other provisions, it seeks to increase home construction, speed up environmental reviews, expand financing opportunities, encourage manufactured and modular housing, and curb certain institutional purchases of single-family homes.

Lawmakers approved the measure by overwhelming margins — 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House — giving it more than enough support to survive a veto.

Election integrity remains Trump’s priority

Trump has made clear that his focus remains on the SAVE America Act, which would establish nationwide voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections.

Although the House approved the bill, it has stalled in the Senate, where Republicans do not have enough votes to break a filibuster.

The president previously canceled a White House signing ceremony for the housing legislation, calling it a “big yawn” compared with the push for election integrity.

A message to Congress

Behind the scenes, Trump’s move reportedly caught Republicans off guard. Many had hoped to showcase the housing bill as a marquee accomplishment before the 2026 midterm elections, only to see it overshadowed by the president’s renewed push for voter ID legislation.

Instead, Trump chose a different strategy. By letting the bill become law without his signature, he avoided a veto fight while keeping public attention on his demand that Congress move forward with nationwide voter ID legislation.

The episode underscores Trump’s determination to keep election reform at the forefront of the national debate as Republicans head into the final stretch of the 2026 midterm campaign.

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Stephen A. Smith Defends Trump Supporters, Calling Attacks ‘Incredibly Unfair’

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Patrick Houck

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July 9, 2026

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1080px-P20250417MR-0836 — President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said this week that while he remains sharply critical of President Donald Trump’s behavior, he believes the tens of millions of Americans who voted for the president should not be condemned simply because of their political choice.

Smith made the remarks during a conversation with Barrett Media CEO and founder Jason Barrett at the Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City, where he discussed his growing role in political commentary alongside his longtime career in sports media.

Barrett noted that Smith’s political commentary has drawn attention from Trump himself. The president has publicly suggested Smith should consider running for office while also dismissing him at other times as a “low IQ individual.”

Smith said he was unfazed by the insult.

“I’m in good company,” Smith said. “He’s called quite a few people low IQ.”

The ESPN personality added that criticism from within the African American community has been more difficult for him to deal with than Trump’s comments.

Criticizes Trump while defending his voters

Smith made clear that he strongly disapproves of Trump’s public conduct.

“I’m utterly disgusted with how he behaves,” he said.

At the same time, Smith argued that opposing Trump does not mean dismissing every person who voted for him. He noted that more than 77 million Americans cast ballots for Trump and said it is unfair to treat those voters with the same hostility directed toward the president.

According to Smith, many people vote based on policy priorities rather than personal loyalty to a candidate.

“I don’t have to like you to vote for you,” he said, explaining that elections often require voters to choose between imperfect options.

Smith also stressed that he does not oppose every Trump policy, despite his criticism of the president’s rhetoric.

Says voters consider a range of issues

Smith pointed to the economy, immigration, abortion, and border security as examples of issues that can drive voting decisions.

Someone may favor stricter immigration enforcement, support a pro-life position, or believe one candidate is better equipped to handle the economy without endorsing every statement or action that candidate makes, he said.

Smith argued that reducing millions of voters to a single label ignores the complexity of political decision-making.

He recalled an episode of his program, “The Straight Shooter,” when he abruptly ended a call after a caller claimed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist.

Smith said he refused to entertain such a sweeping accusation because it ignored the many reasons Americans cast their ballots.

Two-party system forces difficult choices

Smith also argued that America’s two-party system often leaves voters choosing between candidates they do not fully support.

Many Americans, he said, identify more closely with one party’s priorities than the other’s, even if they disagree with certain positions or aspects of the nominee’s personality.

For that reason, Smith said it is “incredibly unfair” to attack or stereotype millions of people based solely on the candidate they supported.

He maintained that political disagreements should not automatically become personal attacks and urged people to recognize that voters often weigh a variety of competing issues before making their decision at the ballot box.

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Grassley Joins Democrats Seeking Answers On FBI Director Kash Patel’s Spending, Travel

By

Patrick Houck

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July 9, 2026

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Vice_President_Vance_speaks_at_National_Police_Week’s_Peace_Officers_Memorial_Service_in_Washington,_DC_(HIY-FBgX0AE6zJA) — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is pressing FBI Director Kash Patel for answers about his spending, travel, and use of government resources, giving Democrats an influential Republican ally as lawmakers intensify oversight of the bureau’s finances.

In a letter to Patel, Grassley (R-Iowa) requested records related to the FBI director’s travel, security costs, and vehicle purchases, saying Congress has a duty to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.

Grassley Demands Travel Records

Among his requests, Grassley asked Patel to account for any personal use of FBI aircraft.

“For each trip where you used an FBI aircraft for personal travel, have you reimbursed the FBI as required by law? If yes, please provide the records,” Grassley wrote.

The senator also called for an “independent and objective review” of Patel’s travel practices and questioned procurement decisions made under his leadership.

Grassley specifically asked the bureau to explain why it “decided to purchase BMW vehicles instead of Chevy Suburbans,” signaling that his inquiry extends beyond travel expenses to broader spending decisions.

Democrats Raise Similar Concerns

Grassley’s letter follows similar requests from Senate Democrats, who have questioned Patel’s travel, security expenditures, and use of government resources.

As Mediate reports:

Patel’s personal jet travel as the head of the FBI has also raised concern with critics. Officials have said Patel reimburses travel that is personal, which equates to what he would fork over typically for commercial travel.

Democratic lawmakers specifically noted a “VIP snorkel” trip Patel reportedly took. According to a report based on government emails purportedly obtained by the Associated Press, Patel took an “exclusive excursion” around the sunken USS Arizona battleship, a Pearl Harbor memorial during a trip to Hawaii.

“Your VIP snorkeling experience in Hawaii was not an isolated incident,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote in a letter. “You frequently demand special perks on ‘official’ trips around the globe, such as a taxpayer-funded helicopter tour during your multi-country jaunt across East Asia and other recreational activities like jet skiing.”

The lawmakers cited a source who told them Patel told field office personnel in a meeting, “If you have golf, hockey, fishing, or hunting and beautiful sights, you’re going to see a lot of me.”

Democratic lawmakers have sought records detailing official travel costs, transportation expenses, and whether taxpayer-funded assets have been used exclusively for government business.

While they have not accused Patel of criminal wrongdoing, they argue Congress has a responsibility to review the bureau’s spending.

FBI Yet To Respond Publicly

The FBI has not publicly responded to Grassley’s latest requests.

Agency officials have previously maintained that travel by the FBI director is driven by operational and security requirements and that associated costs are consistent with those incurred by previous directors.

It remains unclear when the bureau will provide the documents requested by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Bipartisan Oversight

Grassley’s involvement gives the issue added significance because he has long been one of Congress’ most outspoken Republican advocates for oversight of the FBI and Justice Department.

Throughout his Senate career, Grassley has frequently scrutinized administrations from both parties, arguing that transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence in federal law enforcement.

His latest letter suggests that questions surrounding Patel’s management of the bureau are attracting bipartisan attention.

Pressure Mounts On FBI Leadership

Whether Grassley’s inquiry will uncover any significant issues remains unclear.

But his requests add to the growing scrutiny of Patel’s leadership, as lawmakers in both parties seek a clearer accounting of how the FBI has used taxpayer resources under his tenure.

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Trump Calls For Ending Trade With Spain, Escalating NATO Dispute

By

Patrick Houck

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July 8, 2026

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President_Donald_Trump_attends_a_pull-aside_meeting_with_NATO_Secretary_General_Mark_Rutte_P20250625DT-0261 — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

ANKARA, Turkey — President Donald Trump called for the United States to halt all trade with Spain on Wednesday, sharply escalating a dispute with the NATO ally over defense spending, and its refusal to support aspects of the U.S. military campaign against Iran.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Trump described Spain as “a terrible partner” and instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade with the country.

“Cut off all trade with Spain, please,” Trump said. “Spain is a terrible partner in NATO.”

Dispute Centers On Defense, Iran

Trump’s remarks follow months of growing tensions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Spain has resisted NATO’s push for members to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense and has opposed U.S. military operations against Iran, including declining to allow American forces to use the joint U.S.-Spanish bases at Rota and Morón for offensive strikes.

The president argued that Spain has failed to contribute its fair share to the alliance while benefiting from American security guarantees.

Spain Pushes Back

Spanish officials downplayed Trump’s comments, emphasizing that trade policy is negotiated through the European Union rather than bilaterally between Madrid and Washington.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended Spain’s defense policy, arguing the country can meet its NATO obligations without adopting the alliance’s new spending benchmark. His government also reiterated that Spain remains committed to NATO despite disagreements over Iran and military funding.

Economic Stakes Are Significant

A complete halt to U.S.-Spain trade would represent a major escalation in transatlantic relations.

According to U.S. trade data, annual goods and services trade between the two countries totals tens of billions of dollars, while millions of Americans visit Spain each year. Spain is also a key European destination for U.S. investment.

Legal experts note that any sweeping trade restrictions would likely face significant legal and procedural hurdles, particularly because Spain is part of the European Union, which negotiates trade policy on behalf of its member states.

Latest Rift Inside NATO

Trump’s comments added to an already contentious NATO summit, where leaders have sought to maintain alliance unity while confronting Russia’s war in Ukraine and the expanding conflict with Iran.

The president has repeatedly argued that European allies must shoulder more of the burden for their own defense and has criticized countries he believes are falling short of their commitments.

His latest threat against Spain underscores how disagreements over defense spending and Middle East policy are increasingly spilling into broader diplomatic and economic relations between Washington, and its European allies.

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Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid After Court Clears Path Despite Conviction

By

Patrick Houck

-

July 8, 2026

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The_White_House_-_54421119847 — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

PARIS — French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she will run for president in 2027 after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her sentence and shortened her ban from holding public office, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

The ruling preserves one of Europe’s most consequential political candidacies at a time when Le Pen and her National Rally party are leading opinion polls ahead of next year’s election. With President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, the race is widely viewed as the strongest opportunity yet for France’s nationalist movement to capture the presidency.

Court Upholds Conviction, Reduces Penalty

The appeals court affirmed Le Pen’s conviction for diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees instead of parliamentary assistants.

Judges sentenced her to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine. The court also shortened her period of political ineligibility, clearing the way for her presidential campaign.

Le Pen immediately vowed to challenge the decision before France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

Under French law, that appeal suspends enforcement of her sentence — including the electronic monitoring requirement and political restrictions — while the case is reviewed, allowing her to campaign without immediate legal constraints.

‘Tonight, I Am a Candidate’

Appearing on French television shortly after the ruling, Le Pen left little doubt about her intentions.

“Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election,” she declared, while maintaining that she had committed no crime and describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

WATCH:

The legal battle is expected to continue for months, but the appeals ruling removes the most immediate obstacle to her fourth presidential campaign.

Polls Show National Rally in Strong Position

Le Pen enters the race from a position of unusual political strength.

Recent polling by major French firms has consistently placed either Le Pen or her National Rally protégé, Jordan Bardella, between roughly 31% and 36% in first-round voting — historically high numbers this far ahead of a presidential election. Pollsters say National Rally has never polled this strongly so early in a campaign.

Several surveys also indicate Le Pen would be highly competitive in a second-round runoff against leading centrist contenders, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

Relationship With Trump Has Changed

Although Le Pen praised Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory and was once viewed as one of his closest political allies in Europe, she has deliberately distanced herself from the president in recent years.

As she works to broaden her appeal among mainstream conservative and center-right French voters, Le Pen has sought to present National Rally as a governing party rather than a protest movement.

That strategy has included publicly criticizing Trump on several occasions. During a dispute last month between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Le Pen sided with Meloni and described Trump’s remarks as “very insulting.” She has also broken with the president on aspects of U.S. military intervention and European defense policy.

Legal Battle Continues

The case stems from allegations that National Rally improperly used millions of euros in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff working in France rather than parliamentary assistants assigned to Brussels.

Le Pen has consistently denied intentionally violating the rules and says the prosecution reflects an effort to sideline one of France’s leading opposition figures.

Whether France’s highest court ultimately upholds or overturns the conviction remains uncertain. For now, however, the appeals ruling has ensured that the country’s leading nationalist candidate will remain in the race, setting up what is expected to be one of Europe’s most closely watched elections in a generation.

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Trump Jokes About Keeping NYSE Bell For White House Ballroom

By

Patrick Houck

-

July 7, 2026

1

President_Donald_J_Trump_hosts_a_dinner_in_honor_of_Police_Week_in_the_White_House_Rose_Garden,_May_11,_2026_(P20260511MR-1556) — President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump joked Monday that he planned to keep the New York Stock Exchange’s ceremonial opening bell for display in his new White House ballroom, prompting criticism from opponents and renewed attention to the administration’s ongoing renovation projects.

Trump became the first president to ring the NYSE opening bell remotely from the Oval Office during an event marking the launch of the administration’s new “Trump Accounts” investment program for eligible children.

After ringing the bell, Trump quipped, “I’m not giving it back,” before later repeating the remark during a White House luncheon.

‘They’ll Have To Fight Like Hell’

Speaking to guests in the Rose Garden, Trump again pointed to the bell and joked about making it part of the White House.

“There’s the bell right there. It’s so beautiful, I’m not giving it back. I don’t know if it’s supposed to go back, but they’re gonna have to fight like hell to get it back,” Trump said.

It was not immediately clear whether the president was speaking entirely in jest, and there has been no indication that the NYSE bell will remain at the White House.

Latest In Series Of Similar Jokes

The remark follows several similar episodes in recent months.

Last month, Olympic speed skating champion Jordan Stolz placed one of his gold medals around Trump’s neck during an event in Wisconsin. Trump joked that he was “keeping it” before returning the medal.

He made a similar quip after FIFA President Gianni Infantino brought the FIFA World Cup trophy to the White House ahead of next year’s tournament, later saying FIFA had permitted the trophy to remain on display.

Ballroom Project Draws Renewed Attention

Trump’s latest comments also focused attention on the White House ballroom project, one of the administration’s most ambitious renovation efforts.

The ballroom, originally projected to cost about $200 million, has since grown substantially in scope. Recent reports indicate estimated costs have risen to roughly $600 million, though the administration disputes claims that taxpayers will bear a significant portion of the expense.

The White House has said the ballroom will provide a secure venue for large state functions and official events.

Critics Question Costs

Democrats and preservation groups have continued criticizing the project, arguing the administration understated its expected cost and failed to adequately explain how construction will ultimately be financed.

The White House has maintained that private donors are funding much of the project and has defended the renovation as a long-overdue modernization of the executive mansion.

Whether Trump’s comments about the NYSE bell were serious or simply another off-the-cuff joke, they quickly became the latest flashpoint in the broader debate surrounding the president’s efforts to reshape the White House during his second term.

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Sen. Mike Lee Says Most Republicans Don’t Know McConnell’s Condition

By

Patrick Houck

-

July 7, 2026

4

Mike_Lee_(52250853024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) says most Republican senators have little or no firsthand knowledge of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s medical condition, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the Kentucky Republican as he remains hospitalized weeks after a serious medical emergency.

Lee made the remarks when asked about McConnell’s prolonged absence from the Senate, saying rank-and-file lawmakers have received few details beyond the limited public statements released by McConnell’s office.

‘Most Of Us Don’t Know’

Lee acknowledged that speculation has grown because so little official information has been released.

His comments contrast with earlier remarks from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who previously said McConnell “sounded good” during a recent conversation. Lee indicated that most senators have not received similar updates and remain largely in the dark about their colleague’s condition.

Office Continues To Release Limited Information

McConnell’s office has consistently maintained that the 84-year-old senator is recovering and remains engaged with Senate business.

In its latest public statement, spokesman David Popp said McConnell “continues to improve” and is working with staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while Congress is in recess. The office has not disclosed his diagnosis, prognosis, or expected discharge date.

Medical Emergency Prompted Questions

McConnell has not appeared publicly since June 14, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence.

Emergency dispatch audio reviewed by multiple news organizations described an unconscious patient and referenced CPR in progress. McConnell’s office has not confirmed the specific medical event that led to his hospitalization.

The absence of detailed updates has fueled intense online speculation, including unverified claims promoted by White House confidant Laura Loomer. McConnell’s office has offered no support for those assertions, saying only that the senator continues to improve.

Questions Persist As Senate Recess Continues

The Senate remains in recess until later this month, giving McConnell additional time to recover before lawmakers return to Washington.

Whether he will be able to resume his duties when the Senate reconvenes remains unclear. McConnell previously announced he will not seek reelection and plans to retire when his current term expires in January 2027.

For now, Lee’s comments highlight what many senators have acknowledged privately: beyond the brief statements released by McConnell’s aides, even many of his Republican colleagues say they know little about his current condition.

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