Melania Trump reveals son Barron, 18, has pulled out of being a delegate nominating his father for president because he has ‘prior commitments’  — ‘He regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,’ the Office of Melania Trump said to DailyMail.com

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Bannon's Contempt Conviction  —  Stephen Bannon, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, had been found guilty of defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee.  He now faces a four-month prison sentence.  —  A federal appeals court on Friday upheld …

Giuliani Is Suspended by WABC, and His Radio Show Is Canceled  —  The radio station disciplined Rudolph W. Giuliani after he violated company policy by trying to discuss the legitimacy of the 2020 election on the air.  —  Rudolph W. Giuliani was suspended by WABC radio on Friday …

Trump Hush-Money Payment Revealed in Bank Records  —  Evidence at the center of Trump's criminal trial was just released by the FBI in response to an ongoing FOIA lawsuit. … How I got these documents is kind of a long story.  Five years ago, I filed a FOIA lawsuit against the FBI.

Schools in One Virginia County to Reinstate Confederate Names  —  The school board voted on Friday to reverse a decision made four years ago, when the killing of George Floyd prompted nationwide demands for a racial reckoning, to rename the schools.  —  After a meeting that lasted for hours …

Blinken sends Congress report on Israeli military's operations in Gaza  —  Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered to Congress on Friday a highly anticipated report on the Israeli military's operations in Gaza, accusing its forces of potentially violating international humanitarian law …

Virginia budget leaders reach compromise with governor on state spending plan  —  Virginia budget negotiators and Gov. Glenn Youngkin have reached a compromise on the next two-year state spending plan that would include 3% raises for state employees and teachers while not raising taxes and risking a potential veto by Youngkin.

Nancy Mace says staff ‘sabotaged’ her: Republican accuses ex-aides of mismanaging $1million, hacking her phone, spying on medical records and dumping office devices in water in extraordinary interview  — Mace says her new staff are still repairing the damage left behind by her ‘sabotaging’ former aides

Donald Trump Is Short on Cash—and Selling Laws to Anyone Who Will Pay  —  It has never been a better time to be a corporate lobbyist.  The Republican Party, having run out of ideas, no longer even pretends to represent anything other than capital.  The party's standard-bearer, Donald Trump …

Israeli war cabinet votes to expand Rafah operation area, amid growing U.S. concerns … - The third source said the approved expansion includes actions that could be interpreted by the U.S. as crossing Biden's red line. … - The three sources said the cabinet also instructed …

Mike Johnson Told Us What He Really Thinks About Joe Biden, Hakeem Jeffries and Donald Trump  —  Fresh off fending off a hard-right coup attempt, the House speaker opened up about his strategy in a lengthy interview.  —  Mike Johnson was impersonating Donald Trump talking about Mike Johnson.

Does Rick Scott really want to relitigate his Medicare scandal?  —  Republican Sen. Rick Scott doesn't just want to relitigate his Medicare scandal during his re-election campaign, he also has a new conspiracy theory.  —  The Senate was in session yesterday, though Sen. Rick Scott missed some of the proceedings on Capitol Hill.

People leaving Rafah describe yet another fearful flight from Israeli assaults.  —  U.N. General Assembly Adopts Resolution Supporting Palestinian Statehood … The U.N. General Assembly adopts a resolution in support of Palestinian statehood.  —  The United Nations General Assembly …

Kari Lake keeps giving Republicans new reasons to worry  —  Lake keeps reversing her own positions and stirring up feuds, and some in the GOP see other states as better targets this fall.  —  National Republicans embraced Kari Lake's Arizona Senate bid, reasoning she was likely to win the primary with or without their support.

Target Limiting LGBTQ-Themed Merchandise for ‘Pride Month’ After Massive Blowback  —  Target is dialing back its LGBTQ-themed merchandise for “Pride Month” after the company took a massive hit in 2023.  —  Target said it will only offer Pride-themed items in select stores after having sold …

Biden Hasn't ‘Abandoned’ Anybody  —  Quick programming note before we start: Bill's out next week, so Andrew (and a rotating cast of guest stars!) will be holding down Morning Shots in the meantime.  Happy Friday.  —  Speaking of guest stars, let's kick the morning off with an item …

Trump Campaign Hid Settlements With Women, New Complaint Says  —  UNDERCOVER  —  A former Trump 2016 aide claims to have “information and reason to believe” that the campaign settled with other women for discrimination or harassment. … A sex discrimination lawsuit against Donald Trump's campaign …

Biden to Quadruple Tariffs on Chinese EVs  —  Administration is preparing to announce higher levies on a range of Chinese goods next week  —  WASHINGTON—The Biden administration is preparing to raise tariffs on clean-energy goods from China in the coming days, with the levy …

Criticizing Israel?  Nonprofit Media Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status Without Due Process  —  It doesn't take much to be accused of supporting terrorism these days.  And that doesn't just go for student activists.  In recent months, dozens of lawmakers and public officials have, without evidence …

Justice Kavanaugh touts transparency, consistency to build trust in high court  —  In a wide-ranging conversation at a judicial conference, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh acknowledged polarization in the country over political and legal issues.  —  AUSTIN — Nearly two years after the Supreme Court eliminated …