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Saudi Arabia Releases Jailed US Citizen Following Trump, Crown Prince Mohammed Meeting

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Saudi Arabia has released a United States citizen who was jailed over social media posts critical of the royal family after President Trump’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Saad Almadi, 75, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1976, was arrested in 2021 during a family visit over his remarks online. He was sentenced to more than 19 years on terrorism charges but was released in 2023 and hit with an “exit ban,” which prevented him from leaving the country.

The terrorism charges were later decreased to “cyber crimes.”

“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration,” the Almadi family said in a statement Wednesday. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”

The statement came shortly after Trump’s Wednesday speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. 

The Almadi family said the release “would not have been possible” without the work of the president and the “tireless efforts” of the administration, expressing gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping Almadi “safe.” 

One of Almadi’s posts on social media that landed him in trouble called for a street in the nation’s capital to be renamed after Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was murdered in 2018 while at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. 

Crown Prince Mohammed has denied involvement in the killing of the journalist, who fled Saudi Arabia in 2017, but U.S. intelligence reports in 2021 stated the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia “approved” the operation to detain or kill the columnist.

The 9/11 Families United organization shared similar sentiments in regards to Trump’s interactions. 

“The crown prince knows nothing of the pain of the 9/11 families. He is actively working to impede our efforts to ensure extensive evidence of Saudi government support for al-Qaeda and the terrorist hijackers are brought to light, harboring a former agent that produced a casing video of the U.S. Capitol building, and trying to rewrite history with investments,” 9/11 Families United  told The Hill in a statement. 

Trump said Tuesday that the crown prince “knew nothing” about Khashoggi’s murder, triggering harsh criticism from press groups. 

“We are so excited for the family that Mr. Almadi is finally on his way back to the United States! We know how long and hard the family fought to make this day possible,” the Foley Foundation, which advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas, said Wednesday in a statement to The Hill

Trump Issues Pardon To Athlete Convicted After Record-Breaking Run

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    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to Michelino Sunseri, an endurance athlete who was convicted last year for descending the Grand Teton via a “restricted” trail during a record-breaking run. Sunseri’s case had become a flashpoint in the debate over federal overreach and the growing tendency of unelected bureaucrats to criminalize harmless behavior.

    Sunseri reacted to the news with relief on Monday, writing on Facebook:
    “IT’S FINALLY OVER. The trail trial of the century is officially over. In a twist even Hollywood couldn’t write, I woke up this morning to find out I’ve been given a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON from Donald J. Trump — over the Grand Teton FKT and my use of the Old Climber’s Trail.”

    A Record Run Turned Legal Battle

    In September 2024, Sunseri ascended and descended the 13,775-foot Grand Teton in an astonishing 2 hours and 50 minutes, setting a new fastest-known time. But instead of celebrating the athletic achievement, federal authorities charged him days later for taking a “prohibited” route—the Old Climber’s Trail—during his descent.

    Although the trail has long been used by climbers and is not inherently unsafe, the National Park Service classified it as “restricted,” and Sunseri was prosecuted under rules that critics say lack proper legal grounding.

    A Case of Bureaucratic Overreach?

    The Pacific Legal Foundation, which took up Sunseri’s defense, argued that the federal government had overstepped its authority. According to PLF, the regulations used to charge Sunseri were created by low-level park staff—not by Congress or any properly authorized rulemaking process.

    “We are thrilled that Michelino’s nightmare is over,” said PLF attorney Michael Poon. “But we’re not done fighting unconstitutional regulations that let unelected officials criminalize harmless conduct. We stand ready to help other Americans facing similar prosecutions.”

    This theme—federal agencies creating de facto laws without accountability—has become a major concern among conservatives, especially as executive-branch rulemaking grows in scope and impact. Sunseri’s case, many argue, is a prime example of ordinary Americans being punished by faceless, unaccountable bureaucrats.

    Sunseri: “They Tried to Make an Example of Me”

    Sunseri was convicted last September despite his defense showing that many climbers had used the same trail over the years. He said officials seemed determined to “make an example” of him rather than apply common sense.

    “This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start,” Sunseri said. “Unfortunately, instead of working with me, the system tried to make an example of me. I know this pardon might get swept up in politics in this heated time, and that’s unfortunate—because this particular case is about fairness and common sense.”

    DOJ Confirms Comey Grand Jury Didn’t See Final Indictment

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    The Justice Department admitted in federal court Wednesday that the grand jury which charged former FBI Director James Comey never reviewed the final version of the indictment that prosecutors ultimately filed.

    During questioning by U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, prosecutors conceded that interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan failed to bring the revised indictment back to the full grand jury after jurors declined to approve one of the original counts. Instead of resubmitting the updated charges, Halligan took the altered document directly to a magistrate judge’s courtroom, where only the grand jury foreperson and one additional juror signed it, according to CNN.

    Judge Nachmanoff ordered the Justice Department to file a detailed response by 5 p.m. Wednesday addressing the revelations.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons attempted to justify the process, claiming “the new indictment wasn’t a new indictment.” Nachmanoff, however, swiftly dismissed that explanation.

    Comey’s attorney, Michael Dreeben, seized on the government’s admission, arguing that because the full grand jury never considered the altered charges, “no indictment was returned.” He also noted that the statute of limitations has now run out on the allegations that Comey lied to Congress—meaning prosecutors may no longer have any valid path to pursue the case.

    Prosecutors further revealed they were instructed by the deputy attorney general’s office not to disclose whether career DOJ lawyers had prepared a memo recommending against indicting Comey before Halligan presented the case to the grand jury, Politico reported. Multiple outlets have indicated that DOJ career staff believed the evidence was too weak to justify charges.

    Halligan—appointed interim U.S. attorney in 2025 after working in insurance law and serving as a personal lawyer and White House aide to President Donald Trump—had no prior experience leading federal criminal prosecutions. She served as the sole prosecutor presenting the case to the grand jury.

    Earlier this week, a federal magistrate judge criticized the handling of the investigation, citing “profound investigative missteps” and raising serious concerns about the integrity of the grand jury process under Halligan’s oversight.

    “The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted,” Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick wrote. “However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.”

    Bill Maher Open To Voting Republican – But With Some Changes

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    Missvain, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    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.

    Appeals Court Tosses Out ‘Meritless’ Trump Lawsuit Against CNN

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    A federal appeals court panel has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to revive his lawsuit against CNN over the network’s repeated use of the term “Big Lie” to characterize his claims about irregularities in the 2020 election. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that CNN’s wording—despite its historical connotations and its association with Adolf Hitler—falls under First Amendment-protected opinion rather than a provable factual assertion.

    The three-judge panel, which notably included two judges appointed by Trump, concluded that CNN’s choice of language, while controversial, could not sustain a defamation claim.

    “Trump’s argument hinges on the fact that his own interpretation of his conduct — i.e., that he was exercising a constitutional right to identify his concerns with the integrity of elections — is true and that CNN’s interpretation — i.e., that Trump was peddling his ‘Big Lie’ — is false,” the unanimous panel wrote. “However, his conduct is susceptible to multiple subjective interpretations, including CNN’s.”

    Because statements of opinion cannot be proven true or false, the court determined CNN’s phrasing did not meet the legal threshold for defamation.

    “CNN’s subjective assessment of Trump’s conduct is not readily capable of being proven true or False,” wrote Judge Adalberto Jordan, an Obama appointee, joined by Trump appointees Kevin Newsom and Elizabeth Branch.

    Trump now has the option to request a rehearing by the full 11th Circuit or appeal to the Supreme Court. A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team indicated he plans to continue challenging the ruling, saying he “will pursue this case against CNN to its just and deserved conclusion.” CNN declined to comment.

    The appeals court’s decision affirms a July ruling by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal—also appointed by Trump—who dismissed Trump’s $475 million lawsuit last year. That lawsuit argued that CNN used the phrase “Big Lie” to intentionally evoke Nazi comparisons, but Singhal found that even harsh or offensive opinions are protected unless they include false statements of fact.

    The appellate judges agreed, writing: “Trump’s argument is unpersuasive. Although he concedes that CNN’s use of the term ‘Big Lie’ is, to some extent, ambiguous, he assumes that it is unambiguous enough to constitute a statement of fact. This assumption is untenable.”

    This decision represents another setback in Trump’s broader effort to challenge major media outlets he says have misrepresented him. While he has secured some favorable settlements—including from ABC and CBS’s parent company—his lawsuits against the New York Times and CNN have faced significant resistance in court. Most recently, Trump criticized and threatened legal action against the BBC over edits made to his January 6, 2021, speech on the Ellipse.

    GOP Senator Swatted Hours After He’s Branded ‘RINO’ By Trump

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    President Donald Trump is threatening to primary Indiana Republicans for declining to gerrymander the state and add GOP seats to Congress.

    The president has repeatedly urged GOP-led states like Indiana to redistrict and give Republicans an advantage in the 2026 midterms.

    Trump took to Truth Social Sunday to put “RINO Senators” on notice for “depriving” Republicans of a House majority.

    “Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats,” Trump wrote.

    “The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it. Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!”

    Trump took a shot at California’s Prop 50 redistricting measure that passed overwhelmingly and allows the state to redraw congressional districts in favor of Democrats. Prop 50 was proposed after Texas approved redistricting in favor of Republicans.

    “California is trying to pick up five seats, and no one is complaining about that. It’s weak ‘Republicans’ that cause our Country such problems — It’s why we have crazy Policies and Ideas that are so bad for America,” Trump wrote, continuing:

    Also, a friend of mine, Governor Mike Braun, perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary Votes. Considering that Mike wouldn’t be Governor without me (Not even close!), is disappointing! Any Republican that votes against this important redistricting, potentially having an impact on America itself, should be PRIMARIED. Indiana is a State with strong, smart, and patriotic people. They want us to see our Country WIN, and want to, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Senators Bray, Goode, and the others to be released to the public later this afternoon, should DO THEIR JOB, AND DO IT NOW! If not, let’s get them out of office, ASAP.

    The Indiana state lawmaker was the target of a “swatting” incident just hours later, according to local authorities.

    Sheriff Derek Fell said deputies were dispatched around 5 p.m. on Sunday after Terre Haute police received an email “advising harm had been done to persons inside a home, located in southeastern Vigo County.” Officers struggled to make contact at first, Fell said, but eventually confirmed the residents, including the senator, were safe.

    Goode and his family “were secure, safe, and unharmed,” Fell said, adding that an investigation showed the threat was a hoax, “also known as ‘swatting.’”

    In a brief statement, the senator said he and his family were “victims,” offering thanks to the sheriff and Terre Haute Police Chief Kevin Barrett for their “professionalism.”

    The incident lands amid a tense and unusually public fight over redistricting in Indiana. GOP leaders froze the process on Friday when Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray refused to reconvene lawmakers to draw new maps favoring Republicans.

    Earlier Sunday, Trump threatened to publish a list of GOP holdouts “later this afternoon,” though the promised names did not emerge.

    Report: US Planning Prisoner Swap With Russia

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    Kremlin.ru, via Wikimedia Commons

    The United States and Russia are reportedly quietly reopening talks on a possible prisoner-exchange that could determine the fate of at least eight Americans still held in Russia. According to Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev—who visited Washington in late October—discussions with U.S. officials were “humanitarian in nature, such as possible exchanges of prisoners that the U.S. side has been working on.” A senior U.S. official confirmed the outreach and described the atmosphere as constructive, though emphasized that no agreement has yet been reached.

    “The U.S. will welcome the release of any detained American,” the official said, underscoring that Washington views this strictly through the lens of American lives, not political grandstanding.

    During Dmitriev’s trip he met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. A source familiar with the conversations told Axios that Moscow hopes such a swap would “create more trust between the countries.” From a Republican perspective, this is exactly the kind of outcome our diplomacy should be pursuing: Americans held abroad should be brought home, and Russia should see we are serious, not passive.

    While a handful of Americans were released earlier this year under separate agreements, these talks focus squarely on the eight who remain behind bars—several caught up in cases the U.S. describes as politically tinged or based on contested evidence. According to Axios, the names sent to Moscow earlier by the U.S. include:

    • Stephen James Hubbard, 73, accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine
    • David Barnes, serving a 21-year sentence after a cross-border custody dispute
    • Robert Gilman, former Marine convicted of assaulting a police officer
    • Eugene Spector, sentenced on bribery and espionage charges
    • Michael Travis Leake and Robert Romanov Woodland, jailed on drug offenses
    • Daniel Joseph Schneider, convicted of abducting his son
    • Gordon Black, a U.S. soldier imprisoned for theft and alleged threats

    U.S. officials haven’t confirmed whether these eight are the focus of the current discussions—but with Moscow signalling interest, and Washington keen to show it can deliver for detained Americans, the groundwork for a high-stakes swap is clearly in motion.

    Why this matters

    For the Republican-minded audience, this is about America first: no American left behind, accountability for Russia’s malign practices, and the restoration of American strength in diplomacy. Critics of past Democratic administrations argue that Russia has often treated U.S. citizens as bargaining chips—and the fact that Washington is now engaging quietly, but seriously, signals a turn toward a tougher posture.

    What have we achieved so far under Trump?

    It’s worth remembering that under the Trump administration, significant steps were taken to bring Americans home:

    • In February 2025, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher imprisoned in Russia for possession of medical cannabis (a 14-year sentence), in what was acknowledged as a prisoner exchange.
    • In April 2025, another U.S. citizen, dual-national ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina, was freed from Russia in a swap described by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as secured through Trump’s efforts.

    These releases underscore a Trump-era focus on returning Americans held by adversarial powers, not leaving them forgotten. While this upcoming swap is not yet finalized, the very fact that Moscow and Washington are in active dialogue is a sign the U.S. is not passive when its citizens are wrongfully detained.

    The road ahead

    There are still major questions to resolve: who exactly will be part of the swap? What will the U.S. give up?

    Ted Cruz Tees Up 2028 White House Campaign

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      Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is quietly but unmistakably preparing for a 2028 presidential run — a move that could put him on a direct collision course with Vice President JD Vance in the next Republican primary. According to reporting from Axios’s Alex Isenstadt, Cruz has been meeting with donors, stepping up his presence on the national speaking circuit, and engaging deeply in Republican efforts ahead of next year’s midterm elections, all part of a broader effort to position himself for another bid for the White House.

      Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

      A key part of Cruz’s early strategy, Isenstadt notes, involves leaning into his ongoing feud with Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative voice and close ally of Vance. From the Axios story: “Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential bid by leaning into his feud with Tucker Carlson — and staking out turf as a traditional, pro-interventionist Republican.” The report states that by challenging Carlson’s isolationist foreign-policy views and calling out what he sees as dangerous rhetoric, Cruz is deliberately drawing a contrast with Vance, who many observers — including President Trump — view as one of the early frontrunners for the 2028 GOP nomination. In recent comments, Trump has suggested that both Vance and Senator Marco Rubio are likely to be central contenders in the next Republican race, underscoring how competitive the field may quickly become.

      Axios quotes Cruz as saying: “We have a responsibility to speak out even when it’s uncomfortable. When voices in our own movement push dangerous and misguided ideas, we can’t look the other way. I won’t hesitate to call out those who peddle destructive, vile rhetoric and threaten our principles and our future. Silence in the face of recklessness is not an option.”

      The Texas senator has been explicit about his concern over what he calls a “growing cancer” of anti-Semitism on the Right — an issue he argues is being fueled in part by isolationist arguments gaining traction among younger conservatives. In a speech last month, Cruz warned: “This poison of anti-Semitism on the right, it is spreading with young people. It is gaining traction. But I will tell you, there is a movement among Christians, particularly young Christians. The public polling numbers of support for Israel among young Christians is plummeting. And they’re being spread lies. They’re being spread lies, isolationist lies that we should withdraw from the world because nobody wants to hurt us. But they’re also being spread theological lies.”

      Vance, for his part, has criticized extremist figures like Nick Fuentes but has said nothing publicly about Carlson, who reportedly advocated for Vance during the 2024 vice-presidential selection process. And at a Turning Point USA event last month, Vance appeared to entertain the underlying assumptions of a student’s comments suggesting that Jews support the “prosecution” of Christianity while asking a question about America’s relationship with Israel.

      As both Cruz and Vance work to define themselves in a post-Trump Republican Party — one where debates over foreign policy, Israel, and America’s engagement with the world are increasingly central — the early contours of the 2028 primary are already taking shape.

      Trump Calls Greene A ‘Traitor’ Amid Fight For Epstein File Transparency

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      Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      President Trump pushed back Sunday evening against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) warnings about her personal safety, escalating an already tense dispute within the GOP over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac before departing Palm Beach, Fla., the president reiterated his criticism of Greene, again referring to the outspoken conservative as a “traitor” when asked about her claim that Trump’s rhetoric could endanger her life.

      “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Greene,” Trump said, correcting a reporter who used the congresswoman’s actual name. “I don’t think her life is in danger. I don’t think — frankly, I don’t think anybody cares about her.”

      A short time later, Trump doubled down on Truth Social, taking aim at Greene as tensions continue to rise over her calls for the full release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “Wacky Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown (Remember, Green turns to Brown where there is ROT involved!) is working overtime to try and portray herself as a victim when, in actuality, she is the cause of all of her own problems,” Trump wrote. “The fact is, nobody cares about this Traitor to our Country!”

      Greene, who has long portrayed herself as one of Trump’s staunchest allies, had posted earlier on X that “the hoax pizza deliveries have started now, to my house and family members,” and said her family’s construction business had received a pipe bomb threat. She argued that Trump’s attacks on her were “a dog whistle to dangerous radicals that could lead to serious attacks on me and my family.”

      Responding to Trump labeling her a traitor, Greene wrote that the accusation is “absolutely untrue and horrific” and said such language “puts blood in the water and creates a feeding frenzy. And it could ultimately lead to a harmful or even deadly outcome.”

      “I am not a traitor,” she insisted. “However, when the President of the United States irresponsibly calls a Member of Congress of his own party, traitor, he is signaling what must be done to a traitor.”

      Watch:

      Greene defended her record and her long-standing loyalty to Trump. “I fought harder than anyone to help President Trump get elected and I support his administration and the promises we made on the campaign,” she wrote. “My voting record is one of the most conservative voting records in Congress and I’m very proud of that. The toxic and dangerous rhetoric in politics must end and we need healing in this country for all Americans.”

      The dispute comes as Greene has intensified her criticism of Trump’s earlier reluctance to endorse the full release of the Epstein files—documents many Republicans argue should be made public to expose potential wrongdoing and eliminate politically motivated speculation. The House is expected to vote this week on a measure compelling the Department of Justice to release those records. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who initiated the discharge petition to force the vote, said he expects significant Republican support.

      By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer – https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143417695

      Republican pressure on Trump increased last week after Democrats selectively released new emails, including one allegedly written by Epstein claiming Trump “knew about the girls.” Many conservatives view the move as a partisan attempt to smear Trump and distract from Democratic figures who were associated with Epstein. In response, and just minutes before his latest Truth Social post criticizing Greene, Trump urged House Republicans to back full transparency.

      Lawmakers “should vote to release the Epstein files,” Trump said, arguing, “we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.”

      Still, Massie cautioned that the Justice Department—now conducting new probes into Epstein’s alleged connections to Democrats—might use those investigations to justify withholding certain materials even after Congress acts. Republicans warn that bureaucratic resistance could undermine the effort for full disclosure, a point fueling frustration both inside and outside the party.

      BBC Officially Apologizes To Trump For Deceptive Edit

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      The British broadcaster BBC has formally apologized to the White House for the way it edited a clip of President Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021 — the day before the Capitol attack. The apology comes just days after President Trump’s legal team threatened the BBC with a $1 billion lawsuit over the segment, which appeared in a documentary.

      According to a BBC spokesperson, “Lawyers for the BBC have written to President Trump’s legal team in response to a letter received on Sunday.” The BBC added: “Chair [Samir Shah] has separately sent a personal letter to the White House making clear to President Trump that he and the Corporation are sorry for the edit of the President’s speech on 6 January 2021, which featured in the programme.” The BBC also confirmed that there are no plans to rebroadcast the documentary Trump: A Second Chance? on any of its platforms.

      The broadcaster acknowledged that “the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action,” and referred to it as “an error in judgement.” The BBC nonetheless stated that it strongly disagrees there is a valid defamation claim.

      The specific clip in question showed Trump saying to his rally crowd: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” A fuller official transcript and video, however, show that Trump also told his supporters to march “peacefully and patriotically” to the Capitol.

      President Trump’s lawsuit accuses the BBC of defamation, alleging the broadcaster caused “overwhelming financial and reputational harm” with the editing. With this apology, the BBC has taken a step toward mollifying the matter — but the threat of litigation remains.

      President Trump has a well-documented history of filing lawsuits (or threatening them) against major media outlets. Here are a few notable examples:

      • Trump’s legal team recently filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, four of its journalists, and publisher Penguin Random House. He accuses them of publishing false allegations about his business and political career, saying they harmed his brand and business interests.
      • Earlier in 2025 he filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owner (including Rupert Murdoch) over an article about alleged ties between Trump and the financier Jeffrey Epstein.
      • In 2024, a settlement was reached when parent company Paramount Global (of CBS) paid $16 million to resolve a suit Trump brought over purportedly misleading editing of a 2024 interview on 60 Minutes.
      • Legal-watchers note that by mid-2025 Trump was involved in as many new media and defamation lawsuits as he was in all of 2024 — reflecting a significant escalation of his willingness to use litigation in his media disputes