Trump Family Christmas Cards Over The Years
The Trump family has shared various Christmas cards over the years, each reflecting their personal style and the spirit of the holiday season. Here are some notable examples:
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The Battle For Catholic Revival — Time For A MAGA Pope To Step Up
Or will the increasingly conservative U.S. Catholic Church move away from Rome? I don’t know. We could get one, or we could get another liberal “reformer.” Pope Francis was often criticized from within the church as being “too woke” for his progressive stances on climate change, illegal migration, LGBT inclusion and other major issues.
Francis was also harsh with his conservative critics, especially those in the U.S.
In 2023, he complained of a “very strong, organized reactionary attitude” against him in the U.S. Church, adding: “I would like to remind these people that backwardness is useless.”
After the conservative U.S. cardinal Raymond Burke attacked him over his 2016 apostolic exhortation softening views on divorced and remarried Catholics, Francis threatened to evict him from his Vatican apartment.
He also dismissed the Texan bishop Joseph Strickland, another vocal critic in the U.S. church, from his diocese.
During the pope’s recent illness, Strickland told Newsmax, “Certainly, we pray for him,” “but we need the new Pope to be someone who is much clearer — really, frankly, stronger in the tradition of our Catholic faith.”
This, and many other divisions, brought him in conflict with a more traditional U.S. Catholic Church, especially in a time of Trump.
The concern for conservative U.S. catholics like me is that things will only get worse with another Francis-like pope.
In an earlier piece, I delved into the Conclave that will elect our next pope. Of note, Pope Francis tried to pack the College of Cardinals with fellow liberals that will make up the Conclave.
For example, of the 10 U.S. cardinals eligible to cast ballots in the Conclave, six were elevated to their positions by Francis and are mostly in line with his liberal vision for the church.
Overall, of the 135 cardinals eligible to take part in choosing his successor, the late pontiff appointed about 110 of them, including some conservatives.
Francis hoped that by packing the College he would be followed by a like-minded ‘modernist’ successor. And it could work. As The Guardian reported:
The appointments make it “difficult for an ‘anti-Francis’ pope to emerge”, said Iacopo Scaramuzzi, a Vatican journalist with La Repubblica newspaper and author of the book Tango Vaticano. La Chiesa al Tempo di Francesco (Vatican Tango. The Church in the Time of Francis).
“But it doesn’t mean this group is unanimous and cohesive, or that they have the same ideas. Almost all the cardinals he has chosen are pastors from great dioceses around the world.” There were conservatives as well as progressives among them, Scaramuzzi added.
So, the questions remain. Will his efforts ensure that the recently deceased pope’s leftwing ideological imprint and direction will continue and deepen with a new pope? Or will enough traditionalists and conservative Cardinals reverse the liberal swing and elect an ‘anti-Francis’ more MAGA pope?
Many Catholics, and others worldwide, are certainly hoping and praying for the latter, especially in the U.S. Due to President Donald Trump’s pro-Christian, pro-life and anti-transgender policies, 58% of US Catholics voted Republican in November, a stunning number.
Trump himself, aided by close Catholic advisors and allies, including his vice president, recent Catholic convert, JD Vance, has worked hard to align his conservative MAGA movement with the church.
Most recently, he created a task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” throughout the federal government, and beyond.
More directly, before the death of Pope Francis, Trump appointed Brian Burch as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, an outspoken critic of Francis and key leader in the effort that mobilized Catholic voters for the GOP last year.
Francis, in turn, appointed a liberal cardinal, Robert McElroy, as the Archbishop of Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, Francis regularly expressed his distaste for Trump’s policies, writing in a letter to American bishops in February that deportations of illegal aliens violated the “dignity of many men and women, and of entire families.”
That has not gone over well with most Trump voters and many U.S. Catholics.
Coincidentally, or divinely, on Easter Sunday, hours before his death, an ailing Pope Francis managed to share a brief meeting at the Vatican with his most senior U.S. Catholic critic, JD Vance.
For Francis, this would be a final encounter with the conservative wing of American Catholicism that is flourishing and increasingly assertive while the broader Church faces a bit of an identity crisis.
But, as many have noted, the conservative change in the U.S. church is bigger than Trump and Vance. It is the culmination of long-term trends in a church that is shifting right. Even as many of the leaders are progressive, the younger priests and many lay members are increasingly traditional.
The Financial Times reported that: “According to a survey published in 2023 by the Catholic Project, a research group at the Catholic University of America, more than 80 percent of priests ordained since 2020 described themselves as theologically “conservative/orthodox” or “very conservative/orthodox’.”
The researchers added that while “progressive” and “very progressive” priests made up 68 percent of priests in the years 1965-69, that number had today “dwindled almost to zero.” This is a massive shift.
The cultural vibe is also shifting right.
A Catholic podcaster in Phoenix, Arizona posted on X:
Anyone who’s soft on abortion, who has Marxist tendencies, who’s pro-homosexual – we’ve got to get rid of them. There are bishops who have marched on Pride parades … they’ve got to be fired.
And, yes, along with electing a traditionalist pope, purging modernist leftist bishops would be a great thing for the Church. But what if that doesn’t happen and instead we get more of the same liberal modernist nonsense we have been seeing in Rome for the past decade?
How will the American Catholic Church deal with this?
Well, The Wall Street Journal reported:
The appointment of a liberal successor, Faggioli warned, risked further estrangement [between the US Catholic Church and Rome]. One possibility he cited was a “liquid schism” in which the two parties don’t suffer a formal rupture but increasingly look past one another. “The fear is that it basically could become a Catholic Church that is independent from the Vatican,” Faggioli said.
Stephen P. White, the executive director of the Catholic Project, a research initiative at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., likened that possibility to an “Anglicization” of Catholicism—or a fracturing of the Church on national lines. “That is a problem,” White said. “The faith is supposed to be one.”
Let’s hope and pray that this never happens. But electing a true Catholic pope, and a renewed emphasis on traditional Church values, and maybe a conservative housecleaning of leftists in the College of Cardinals, and among many bishops, may be the only way to avoid it.
Either way, I’m ready to Make Catholicism Great Again!
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Maher Sounds Alarm – Trump Could Flip Marijuana Issue On Democrats
On Friday’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the long-time cannabis advocate gave credit where credit’s due — to Donald Trump.
Maher acknowledged Trump’s emerging strategy to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. It’s not full legalization, but it’s a significant shift that would loosen federal restrictions and move the ball forward on reform.
He didn’t mince words. “I’ve been telling Democrats for years, the Republicans are gonna steal pot from you as an issue,” Maher said, half-joking, half-dead-serious.
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
What’s notable here isn’t just the policy — it’s who’s moving on it. Trump, once again, is positioning himself as a disruptor who knows how to cut through noise and win over voters issue by issue.
Decider offers more information on Maher’s grudging respect for Trump’s “genius” strategy:
He drove it home with a riff on Trump’s playbook: “He’s the master at winning votes from small groups who are passionate about one issue, picking up a couple percent here, a couple there…” until Election Night turns into something like a bizarre Y-M-C-A celebration.
And when it comes to timing, Maher confessed—with tongue in cheek—that Trump finally swung by his own camp. “Finally, he got around to me,” he teased during his “New Rules” segment—comparing his own potential shift to that of single-issue Black voters who helped Trump make gains in key cities.
“What did you expect?” he shrugged. “He’s the master…” And amid all of this, Trump has already said he’ll have a decision on cannabis rescheduling “in the next few weeks”—a move that would send seismic ripples through the cannabis industry and potentially benefit Maher personally, since he co-owns The Woods, a West Hollywood consumption lounge.
Maher, who still identifies as a Democrat but often breaks ranks — especially with the woke crowd — used the moment to throw up a red flag to his own party. He warned that if Democrats keep dragging their feet, Republicans could flip the script and claim an issue long seen as their turf.
For all his usual sarcasm, Maher’s comments carried real weight: a unenthusiastic but clear nod to Trump’s political instincts — and a warning shot to Democrats who think this base-level issue is locked up.
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Homeland Security Announces ‘Midway Blitz’ ICE Operation in Chicago
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched its latest immigration crackdown on Monday, targeting Chicago.
“DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois,” DHS wrote on the social platform X.
“This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” DHS added, referring to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D).
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents already have been deployed to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and also rolled out operations in Boston over the weekend as part of President Trump’s sweeping anti-illegal immigration agenda, prompting protests across the country this summer.
The latest effort marks an anticipated ramp-up of the initiatives.
FBI Deputy Director Says Agency ‘Closing In’ On Capitol Riot Pipe Bomb Suspect
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the agency has ramped up its investigation into pipe bombs planted in Washington, D.C. on the eve of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots in 2021.
“I want answers on this, and I’m pretty confident that we’re closing in on some suspects,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told “Fox & Friends” Thursday, noting the case is a top priority.
The FBI renewed its focus on the unsolved case earlier this year. In January, investigators released new video footage showing the person who planted the bombs outside the headquarters of both the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C.
“We were told by partisan actors out there, this was the insurrection, the world was [going to] fall apart, and no one seemed to show any interest in this case,” he argued, adding that he and FBI Director Kash Patel have made the pipe bomb investigation a priority for their department.
Besides the video footage, in January the FBI also released more details about the suspect’s physical characteristics. They believe the individual to be about 5-foot, 7-inches and to have worn a grey hoodie, face mask, black gloves and Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes.
Investigators claim they’ve followed hundreds of leads, reviewed thousands of video files, and conducted over 1,000 interviews in the case. Bongino emphasized the importance of public involvement and said social media is a vital tool for generating new case leads.
“Every time I put a tweet out, we get tips. We got a fascinating tip on one of these cases. One of the three,” Bongino said, referring to three high-profile cases: the 2021 pipe bombs, the 2022 leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision on abortion and the cocaine discovered in the White House in 2023.
“I don’t [want to] say which one, but I’m pretty confident that we’re going to close out one of them, hopefully, soon.”
Although no one was injured in the 2021 pipe bomb incident, authorities say it was on the verge of catastrophe.
Then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC’s offices when the pipe bomb was discovered. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also passed by the bomb before it was discovered and safely removed by authorities.
The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Obsession With Donald Trump Leaves Even Her Therapist Puzzled
Actress and liberal activist Rosie O’Donnell once again lashed out at President Donald Trump — so intensely, in fact, that even her own therapist doesn’t understand the depth of her anger.
Appearing Monday on MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace’s podcast The Best People, O’Donnell described Trump as a “madman” and insisted he’s a threat to every American. She admitted that she cannot comprehend how millions of Americans don’t share her deep-seated hostility.
“I don’t know, Nicolle, how it is that some people cannot see it,” O’Donnell said. “My therapist said, ‘Why are you so upset?’ And I said to her, why are you not?”
Wallace responded sympathetically, saying, “Yeah, I have that conversation too.”
O’Donnell went on to warn of alleged harm the president is causing — such as supposedly cutting Medicaid funding — claiming ominously, “What he’s done now hasn’t even hit us yet. And if he’s not stopped now, we have lost our country.” O’Donnell did not clarify what she meant by “stopping” the president.
A Long-Running Feud That’s Consumed O’Donnell
O’Donnell’s public fixation on Trump dates back years. One of the most famous flashpoints came during the 2015 GOP primary debate when Trump, pressed by Megyn Kelly on his sharp remarks about certain women, quipped he was “only” referring to O’Donnell — a moment that drew cheers and laughter from the audience.
The animosity only grew. Earlier this year, O’Donnell followed through on past threats to leave the United States, moving to Ireland after Trump’s reelection. She claimed she would only consider returning “when you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America.”
Downward Spiral Fueled by Political Rage
By O’Donnell’s own admission, her obsession with Trump has taken a toll on her mental health. She described the move overseas as necessary for her “sanity,” a stark indication of how politics have dominated her personal life. Friends and observers have noted how O’Donnell, once a beloved comedian and talk show host, has seen her public image sour and her career stall as she’s poured more energy into anti-Trump activism than entertainment. Even O’Donnell acknowledged her therapy sessions are consumed by her fury over one man — and that her therapist is confused by the intensity of it.
A Media Narrative That Fell Flat
O’Donnell blamed Trump’s popularity on what she called “lies” from the media and pop culture, singling out Mark Burnett’s hit show The Apprentice for portraying him as a successful businessman and leader. “Thanks to Mark Burnett’s ‘Apprentice’ show that lied to the American people, that sold fiction as fact … people were confused and lied to. And then they listened to Fox News and they were more lost,” she said.
But even her friendly host, Wallace, tried to soothe O’Donnell’s despair. Wallace claimed Trump is “more unpopular now than he’s ever been,” citing RealClearPolitics polling showing his approval rating around 45.4 percent — though that’s still formidable given years of relentless media opposition.
Watch:
What To Know For The Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade
The streets of central D.C. are soon to be filled with thousands of soldiers, massive tanks and artillery, and the cacophonic rumble of Vintage warplanes and sleek Blackhawks flying overhead.
The U.S. Army is marking its 250th anniversary with a pomp-filled procession through the streets of the nation’s capital Saturday, June 14, showcasing military might in a display with few, if any, precedents.
The date also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country’s military might. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social on Friday, June 6, inviting Americans to what he called an “unforgettable” celebration, “one like you’ve never seen before.”
“For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America’s Army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home,” he said in the video. “This parade salutes our soldiers’ remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won’t want to miss it. Just don’t miss this one. It’s going to be good.”
Here’s what to know about the parade and day-long celebration in Washington, D.C.
When and where is the June 14 DC military parade?
The military parade is slated for Saturday, June 14, in the heart of Washington, D.C., spanning six blocks and bisecting the National Mall. Organizers say the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
What are the events and performances at the June 14 celebration?
Celebrations and associated events are set to take place throughout the day at the Army Birthday Festival starting at 11 a.m. ET. Members of the public can visit, where there will be military demonstrations, equipment displays and live music throughout the day, Army event organizers say
Visitors can expect kid zones, more than 50 vendors and experience booths and meet-and-greets with “Army soldiers, NFL players, influencers and celebrities,” according to the U.S. Army event page.
Those feeling adventurous can show up early and take part in the Army’s fitness competition, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Where is the Army Birthday Festival?
The festival is between 14th Street SW and the 12th Street Expressway on the lawn between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
It is next to the Smithsonian Metro Station NW entrance, which will be closed, organizers say, though the Smithsonian Metro Station SW entrance will be open.
Information is also available on the Army’s event website, www.army.mil/1775/.
How to get tickets to attend in person
Tickets for the parade are limited, but those interested in attending the parade on June 14 can RSVP here. Prospective attendees will be asked to provide their full name, phone number, email, state and zip code.
Board Votes To Rename Kennedy Center
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that the Kennedy Center’s board voted unanimously to rename the institution to the “Trump-Kennedy Center” in recognition of what she described as President Donald Trump’s efforts to save the building over the past year.
“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building,” Leavitt wrote in a post on social platform X.
“Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur,” she continued.
Roma Daravi, the vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, confirmed Leavitt’s statement.
“The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” Daravi said. “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction. The new Trump Kennedy Center reflects the unequivocal bipartisan support for America’s cultural center for generations to come.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Superstar Elton John Shares What Would Make Trump One Of The ‘Greatest Presidents In History’
Elton John told Variety last week that if President Donald Trump helps deliver on the long-standing goal of ending AIDS, it would cement a historic legacy—an appeal that comes as scientific breakthroughs and policy debates converge around HIV prevention and global aid.
Speaking Tuesday with Variety about the work of his namesake Elton John AIDS Foundation, the “Tiny Dancer” singer emphasized the value of bipartisan cooperation. He noted past support from Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and urged the Trump administration to keep pushing toward eradication.
“The bipartisan thing makes common sense,” John said. “To see us come so far with the medical and scientific advances, and to think this is the only disease that can be completely cured in one’s lifetime. President Trump has maybe solved the peace problem. If he wants to go down as one of the greatest presidents in history… if he ended AIDS, that would really be a feather in his cap.”
John’s remarks come as new medical advances have added momentum to HIV prevention. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in June a new, twice-yearly shot from Gilead Sciences, a U.S. private sector biopharmaceutical company, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. In clinical trials, the shot was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV transmission and performed better than prior prevention options.
Trump has also previously stated a goal of eradicating the disease by 2030, announcing an initiative to end HIV during his first term in 2019.
Even so, the politics of global health funding remain contentious. The Trump administration sought to cut funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the president’s original rescissions package in July, though Senate Republicans later agreed to preserve PEPFAR funding.
John said he is frustrated when governments scale back support—whether through budget decisions or legal restrictions—despite the availability of effective tools.
“I just am enraged by it,” John told Variety. “It’s very frustrating when you’ve got the tools in your hand to end it, and then you find that countries won’t help.”
In a comment to Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is continuing its efforts domestically and internationally.
“Elton John can rest assured that the Trump administration is robustly tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic both at home and abroad,” Desai said. “The State Department is working directly with foreign governments to implement a global health strategy to streamline America’s foreign assistance and modernize our approach to countering infectious diseases like HIV.”
He added, “HHS, meanwhile, is advancing next-generation HIV prevention and treatment options, strengthening viral suppression nationwide via HRSA’s Ryan White program, supporting emergency preparedness, and expanding access to trusted HIV information.”
John’s comments also reflect a long-running, sometimes surprising, cordiality toward Trump. He has spoken positively about the president before—including reacting to Trump’s “Little Rocket Man” nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, a reference to John’s music.
“I laughed, I thought that was brilliant,” John said in 2024. “I just thought, ‘Good on you, Donald’… Donald’s always been a fan of mine, and he’s been to my concerts many, many times. So, I mean, I’ve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious. It made me laugh.”
Bill Maher Open To Voting Republican – But With Some Changes
Comedian and longtime liberal commentator Bill Maher told Fareed Zakaria on CNN’s GPS that he could “of course” envision voting Republican — but only if the party becomes something markedly different than what it has been.
Maher, who has been a longtime critic of Donald Trump and a traditional supporter of Democrats, laid out a number of caveats before making such a move. “They would have to certainly lose the idea of ‘we don’t concede elections,’” he said.
He added his biggest concern:
“And my biggest worry is that they feel that the excesses of the left are so great, that they are so anti‐common sense. And again, they’re not completely wrong about that — that they are so — never met something that was counterintuitive that they didn’t embrace. That they just can’t let these people take power and, therefore, even if there has to — if democracy has to be sacrificed for hanging on to power,” Maher said.
Maher also questioned the GOP’s long‐term commitment to democratic norms after Trump:
“Will they still keep that idea that we cannot let these people take power? These people who just do not have any idea of common sense, they want to reinvent everything. They are revolutionaries in a country that is not asking for [a] revolution — they’re just asking for politicians to fix things. That is my biggest concern.” He noted a hope for a “return to normalcy” after Trump — though he expressed skepticism.
At the same time, Maher acknowledged areas where he believes Trump was right:
He pointed out the border, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives, and NATO contributions. “He showed that you can close the border. It wasn’t something you needed congressional help for. You could just do it, and he did it. He just did it too far. And people don’t like to see people tackled at Home Depot and people they know who have been in this country for a long time.”
He wrapped up by hitting both parties:
“Why can’t either one be normal?” he asked rhetorically.
Why this matters for Republicans
Maher’s comments underscore a key opportunity and challenge for the GOP: there are non‐traditional voices who might vote Republican — but only if the party reaffirms core democratic norms and common‐sense governance rather than radical transformation. If Republicans continue to be associated with election denial, extreme rhetoric, or sweeping change beyond what voters ask for, they risk alienating such swing voices.
For Republican-leaning audiences focused on policy, governance, and institutional credibility, Maher’s remarks are a reminder that expanding the party’s appeal may hinge more on tone and norms than just raw policy wins.