Jeffrey Epstein Was a ‘Terrific Guy,’ Donald Trump Once Said.  Now He's ‘Not a Fan.’  —  WASHINGTON — It was supposed to be an exclusive party at Mar-a-Lago, Donald J. Trump's members-only club in Palm Beach, Fla. But other than the two dozen or so women flown in to provide the entertainment …

Appeals court dismisses ‘emoluments’ lawsuit involving President Trump's D.C. hotel  —  A federal appeals court Wednesday sided with President Trump, dismissing a lawsuit claiming the president is illegally profiting from foreign and state government visitors at his luxury hotel in downtown Washington.

Trump's July Fourth event and weekend protests bankrupted D.C. security fund, mayor says  —  President Trump's overhauled July Fourth celebration cost the D.C. government $1.7 million, an amount that — combined with police expenses for demonstrations through the weekend …

‘Mother Is Not Going to Like This’  —  One by one, they had trickled out of the conference room on the 25th floor of Trump Tower.  It was Friday, October 7, 2016, two days before the second presidential debate, and the Republican nominee's brain trust had spent the morning running a carefully simulated rehearsal session.

Sir Kim Darroch resigns as UK ambassador to US  —  Sir Kim Darroch has resigned as UK ambassador to the US, amid a row over leaked emails critical of President Trump's administration.  —  The ambassador was branded “a very stupid guy” by Mr Trump, after emails emerged calling the Trump administration “clumsy and inept”.

Migrant kids in overcrowded Arizona border station allege sex assault, retaliation from U.S. agents  —  Migrant children held in Yuma, Arizona, report sex assault and retaliation for protests in addition to unsanitary conditions and overcrowding.  —  WASHINGTON — The poor treatment …

I have NO relationship with Nancy Pelosi: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accuses Speaker of trying to sideline her with loaded-up work schedule after top Democrat dismissed her ‘squad’ as just having Twitter following  — She also claimed Democratic leadership gave her prominent committee assignments in an attempt to keep her busy

An Explosive Secret Recording Reveals How Russia Tried To Funnel Millions To The “European Trump”  —  A close aide to Italy's deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini held covert talks to pump Russian oil money to his far-right party.  BuzzFeed News has the tape.

Fifteen minutes on cable television that illustrated one of America's deepest political divides  —  Much of Anderson Cooper's hourly show on CNN on Tuesday night was spent in an interview with Megan Rapinoe, the biggest star on the World-Cup-winning U.S. women's soccer team.

McGrath raises a record $2.5 million on first day of Senate campaign  —  WASHINGTON — Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Amy McGrath raised more than $2.5 million in the first 24 hours of her campaign against Mitch McConnell — over $1 million of it coming in just the first five and a half hours …

Robert Foster, GOP governor candidate, denies woman reporter access because of her gender  —  In recent weeks, in an attempt to better inform readers about candidates in the upcoming Republican gubernatorial primary, Mississippi Today has asked to shadow each contender seeking the GOP nomination.

S&P 500 soars above 3,000 for first time as Fed Chair Jerome Powell hints interest rate cut likely in July  —  Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell had two messages for Congress Wednesday: Central bank independence is critical and an interest-rate cut is likely at the end of July.

Justice Dept. Tells Mueller Deputies Not to Testify, Scrambling an Agreement  —  WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is seeking to discourage Robert S. Mueller III's deputies from testifying before Congress, potentially jeopardizing an agreement for two of the former prosecutors …

How to Give Away $420 Million: Cheryl and Haim Saban on Hollywood Philanthropy, Israel and 2020 Politics  —  The outspoken media moguls, who have pledged much of their $3.2  billion fortune to charity, reveal how they select causes like women's empowerment, healthcare and a $50 million gift …

In the aftermath of Khashoggi's murder, Saudi influence machine whirs on in Washington  —  After the killing in October of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a handful of lobbying firms and think tanks made a move rare in Washington: They publicly severed ties with Saudi Arabia …

Rip Torn, Artie the Producer on ‘The Larry Sanders Show,’ Dies at 88  —  The respected Emmy winner and Oscar and Tony nominee always aimed for authenticity but had a reputation as a trouble-maker.  —  Rip Torn, the tenacious, temperamental Texan whose much-admired career was highlighted …

Trump dossier author Steele gets 16-hour DOJ grilling  —  The interview was contentious at first, according to two people familiar with the matter, but investigators ultimately found his testimony credible and even surprising.  —  Christopher Steele, the former British spy behind the infamous …

CNN Tells Digital Staff: Take Some Cues From Fox News  —  CNN fears being eclipsed on the web by Fox News, and the network apparently wants digital staffers to occasionally emulate their rival's coverage decisions.  —  Fox News is already beating CNN on TV.

Winning the Obamacare Suit Would Be a Disaster for Republicans  —  Conservatives would rather rail at judges than come up with a viable health-care alternative.  —  There's an important bit of contingency planning that Republicans have neglected to do.  Neither in the White House nor …

Trump attacks ‘Radical Left’ for boycotting, a tactic he has repeatedly advocated  —  President Trump on Tuesday night came to the defense of Home Depot, calling those who choose not to shop at the home improvement retailer because of financial ties between its billionaire co-founder …

Embattled Biden ditches Rose Garden strategy  —  Joe Biden intended to stay above the fray.  He wasn't going to punch down at opponents, or embark on any apology tours for past votes or statements.  Creating a sense of inevitability was the goal.  —  That strategy is now out the window.