The Elon Musk / Donald Trump interview on X started with an immediate tech disaster … Elon Musk's “conversation” with former President Donald Trump got off to a rocky start.  The interview, which was hosted on X Spaces and scheduled to begin at 8PM ET on Monday night, crashed immediately and didn't begin until 42 minutes later.

News outlets were leaked insider material from the Trump campaign.  They chose not to print it  —  At least three news outlets were leaked confidential material from inside the Donald Trump campaign, including its report vetting JD Vance as a vice presidential candidate.

Workers allege ‘nightmare’ conditions at Kentucky startup JD Vance helped fund  —  As a venture capitalist, JD Vance repeatedly touted his guiding principles for investing in a company: A business should not only turn a profit, it should also help American communities.

Latest Harris-Trump poll highlights danger for former president in Florida  —  The red wave that washed over Florida in recent years might not be as large as it once seemed, if a new presidential survey is any indication.  —  Vice President Kamala Harris is within “striking distance” …

Donald Trump's state of mind should be under debate  —  It's way past time to talk seriously about Trump Derangement Syndrome — his, not his critics'.  —  For years it's been clear to mental health experts as well as the armchair variety, to Republicans as well as Democrats, that Donald Trump is not well in the head.

Putin pulls units out of Ukraine to defend Russia, Kyiv says  —  KYIV — Russia pulled some troops out of southern Ukraine and back into its own territory to try to fend off an escalating incursion by Kyiv's forces, a Ukrainian official said on Tuesday.  —  Ukraine's ongoing surprise attack …

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss  —  Donald Trump is behind.  He trails in the pivotal postindustrial swing states and is treading water in the Southern and Sunbelt states — Arizona, Georgia and Nevada — that could help him find an alternative path to 270 electoral votes.

The New York Times Will Stop Endorsing Candidates in New York Races  —  The paper's editorial board will continue to endorse presidential candidates, as it has for more than 160 years.  —  The New York Times editorial board will no longer make endorsements in New York elections …

Progressives jostle for nat sec jobs under Harris  —  The liberal activists plan to offer Harris lists of names to consider, but their last such effort with Biden yielded little success.  —  Progressive national security professionals already are angling for positions in a possible Kamala …

Sasse's spending spree: Former UF president channeled millions to GOP allies, secretive contracts  —  The former UF president tripled his office's spending compared to predecessor  —  In his 17-month stint as UF president, Ben Sasse more than tripled his office's spending …

Tina Peters guilty: Former Mesa County clerk convicted on 7 charges  —  Twelve Mesa County jurors found Tina Peters guilty of four felonies on Monday after a lengthy criminal trial, marking yet another conviction tied to post-2020 election conspiracy theories.

Exclusive: Only Gaza ceasefire can delay Iran's Israel response, sources say  —  Only a ceasefire deal in Gaza stemming from hoped-for talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil, three senior Iranian officials said.

Historic Gun Suit Survives Serious Legal Threat Engineered by Indiana Republicans  —  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.  Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week.

Judge rules against RFK Jr. in fight to be on New York's ballot, says he is not a state resident  —  A judge ruled Monday that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name should not appear on New York's ballot, saying that he falsely claimed a New York residence on nominating petitions despite living in California.

Democrats flip social media ‘censorship’ complaints on Musk, GOP  —  The Washington Post's essential guide to tech policy news  —  Happy Tuesday!  The Olympics may be over, but jokes about its breakdancing competition may be with us for good.  Send breaking news tips to cristiano.lima@washpost.com.

How hotels are colluding to jack up room rates, according to two lawsuits  —  If you traveled this summer, the rate you paid at hotels may have been artificially inflated.  According to two lawsuits, numerous hotel operators are participating in an illegal scheme to increase their prices.

Walz's handling of George Floyd protests draws fresh scrutiny  —  Republicans say Tim Walz was slow to act as violence raged in Minneapolis.  Activists say he showed restraint and compassion.  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Days after George Floyd was murdered in 2020, as the video of the last moments …

Progressives face an existential threat from AIPAC.  And there's nothing to stop it.  —  AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups spent a combined $25 million on ads to defeat Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush this summer.  Liberals worry they're just getting started.