Scoop: Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman backs Trump … Schwarzman, a billionaire and lifelong moderate Republican, was one of Trump's most visible business supporters when he was in the White House.  — But ahead of this year's GOP primaries, Schwarzman called for “a new generation of leaders.”

Trump Pressures Republicans to Pass a Law to Keep Him Out of Jail Forever  —  The former president is convinced state prosecutors will target him again after a second term, and wants the GOP to solve that problem for him  —  Donald Trump likes to tell anyone who will listen …

A Polling Risk for Trump  —  His advantage may not be as stable as it looks.  —  The polls have shown Donald Trump with an edge for eight straight months, but there's a sign his advantage might not be quite as stable as it looks: His lead is built on gains among voters who aren't paying close attention …

‘Sedition Panda’ convicted of assaulting officer on Jan. 6 after judge calls defense argument ‘absurd’  —  Jesse James Rumson, dubbed “Sedition Panda” because of the costume head he wore on Jan. 6, will be sentenced in September.  —  WASHINGTON — A Jan. 6 rioter dubbed “Sedition Panda” …

What If Trump Is Right About America?  —  1. Donny from the Bronx  —  One of the Trump campaign's beliefs about 2024 is that the the former president's criminal indictments will help him with black voters.  The theory is, since Trump is an (alleged) criminal, many black people who are also criminals(?), will begin to support him.

U.S. Announces $275 Million Weapons Package To Ukraine Amid Calls To Loosen Limits  —  Ukraine wants a green light to strike inside Russia with American weapons.  So do some key members of Congress.  —  LOADING  —  The Pentagon announced a $275 million package of weaponry for Ukraine …

Republican Rep's Daughter and Son-in-Law Killed in Haiti Gang Attack  —  ‘MY HEART IS BROKEN’  —  “I've never felt this kind of pain,” Ben Baker wrote on Facebook on Friday.  —  Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker said Friday that his “heart is broken in a thousand pieces” …

Trumpworld Claims 25,000 People Attended His Rally.  Aerial Shots Show Otherwise.  —  COUNTING IS EASY  —  The Trump campaign was adamant 25,000 people attended his Bronx rally.  Footage, and The Daily Beast's reporter in attendance, suggested otherwise.  —  Trumpworld is once again splintering from reality.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo surgery … - “The Secretary has determined he will be temporarily unable to perform his functions and duties during the procedure,” Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement, adding that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will assume his post.

Prosecutors seek to bar Trump in classified files case from statements endangering law enforcement  —  Federal prosecutors on Friday asked the judge overseeing the classified documents case against Donald Trump to bar the former president from public statements that “pose a significant …

As ‘The Apprentice’ Seeks Cannes Sale, Trump Team Sends Cease and Desist Letter to Block Film's Release (EXCLUSIVE)  —  Attorneys for Donald Trump have sent a cease and desist letter to the filmmakers behind “The Apprentice” in an effort to block its U.S. sale and release.

They brick you because they can (permalink)  —  In “The Scorpion and the Frog,” a trusting frog gives a scorpion a ride across a brook, only to be stung to death by his passenger upon arrival.  The dying frog gasps “why?” and the scorpion replies, “I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge.

Elon Musk Ramps Up Anti-Biden Posts on X  —  The billionaire owner of X has increasingly been using his social media platform to criticize President Biden for his health and immigration policies, according to a New York Times analysis.  —  Last month, Elon Musk posted on X that President Biden “obviously barely knows what's going on.”

Libertarian convention devolves into fighting, obscenities on eve of Trump's visit  —  The former president could face a hostile crowd when he addresses the Libertarian Party on Saturday.  —  Donald Trump won't be speaking to his usual self-selected crowd of adoring red-hatted MAGA fans …

Exclusive: Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.

Jailed Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Says He Doesn't Want a Pardon: ‘I Have No Regrets’  —  From a federal prison, former aide plots new MAGA agenda  —  Peter Navarro, a former top White House adviser to Donald Trump, isn't interested in a pardon should “the boss” return to power.