Donald Trump remains in France, where he is grumpily plodding through the G7 summit - an event he would apparently rather run a half marathon than sit through again. He only brightens up when telling people he is going for dinner at Versailles, which Emmanuel Macron has invited him to in a transparent bid to keep him from leaving early like last year. Presumably cake will be served.
Trumpworld Updates
No Iran Text, Just Talking Points
Trump reaffirmed today that he does not intend to publish the text of his deal with Iran until after it is signed. Many have pointed out this is not a sign of confidence. The White House wants to control the message: 'TRUMP IS GREAT. OBAMA COULD NEVER.' The 'Top Five Message Points' distributed to Congressional Republicans claimed no other president would have demanded Iran give up all nuclear ambitions - ignoring Obama's 2015 JCPOA. The claim that Obama never got a signed document is also dubious; Iran broadly stuck to JCPOA until Trump withdrew in 2018.
Cleaning the Pool with Bleach
Workers have tried to tame the swampy colour of the Lincoln reflecting pool with bleach. Trump spent $14 million painting it American Flag Blue, but it turned swamp green after a few days. Today, workmen poured gallon jugs of 12% hydrogen peroxide into the pool. It has not yet cleared the gloop. Some MAGA types claimed the green colour was sabotage by the deep state, a segment that aired on Fox News.
JD Vance's Television Blitz
With Trump in France, Vice President JD Vance is theoretically in charge. Instead of governing, he spent all day on TV hawking his new book. He appeared on Fox and Friends, spent an hour on The View (America's equivalent of Loose Women), and then did two hour-long spots on Fox News, including The Five and Gutfeld.
The View
Vance faced fiery women but managed to evade knockout blows by claiming ignorance. Whoopi Goldberg fumbled a question on black history being erased from monuments. The format and ad breaks let Vance get away. At the end, he was given a onesie for his new baby.
The Five
Vance spent an hour as a TV host on The Five, anchoring segments. This is not normal. He told a dad joke.
Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld's show is known for race baiting, sexism, and homophobia. Vance appeared and the level was low.
UFC Event Terror Plot
FBI director Kash Patel says the FBI foiled plans to target Trump's UFC White House birthday party with explosive drones and sniper fire. Five arrests were made after one conspirator was shopped by his mom. The criminal complaint shows intent but not clear means. One man bought guns and ammo legally; another discussed building drones and stealing explosives online. Trump said at G7: 'I don't know anything about it.'
The Justice Department used the plot to justify building Trump's vanity ballroom, arguing it would 'shield the White House from attack.' The building's mass and height would protect against bullets and drones.
The China Virus is Coming
In his book, Vance wrote that when he first learned of Covid, he bought 10,000 rounds of ammo and huge supplies of rice, ground beef, and ketchup. When an elderly lady asked if he owned a restaurant, he said: 'No, but the China Virus is coming.' It is one of the most cringe things ever read.
