Politics

Chuck Schumer Says Democrats Won't Help Trump Send $300 Billion To Iran: US 'Worse Off' Due To President's 'Incompetence'

Shomik Sen Bhattacharjee — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:32:45 +0000

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Thursday that Democrats would not support any funding effort tied to President Donald Trump's Iran agreement, accusing Trump of acting out of "incompetence" and "ego" as backlash grew over a proposed $300 billion reconstruction plan for Tehran.

Schumer Says Democrats Will Reject Iran Funding

"The U.S. is worse off because of Trump's incompetence, his ego, and his inability to listen to facts," Schumer wrote on X. "If Trump wants to send hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran, he'll need to do with Republican votes."

The U.S. is worse off because of Trump's incompetence, his ego, and his inability to listen to facts.

If Trump wants to send hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran, he'll need to do with Republican votes.

Democrats will not be helping Trump send $300 billion to Iran.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 18, 2026

"Democrats will not be helping Trump send $300 billion to Iran," he added.

Schumer was reacting to a provision in Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran, signed Wednesday by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, that ...

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Congressional Trading Report: Rep. Matt Van Epps Sold Over $27K In Tapestry Stock

Benzinga Insights — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:21 +0000

A report on June 17, 2026 shows that Representative Matt Van Epps from Tennessee sale stock in Tapestry (NYSE:TPR), valued between $27,013 and $230,000. According to the June filing, the transaction occurred on June 16, 2026.

At the time of writing, Tapestry shares are trading down 0.28% at $145.46.

What Representative Has Been Trading Recently

In the last three years, Matt Van Epps completed 13 stock transactions totaling more than $27 thousand. Tapestry and Alphabet stocks were among the largest trades. Some of the most notable transactions the Rep. has executed recently include:

Tapestry (NYSE:TPR): $15,001 - $50,000 Sale
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL): $1,001 - $15,000 Sale
Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN): $1,001 - $15,000 Sale

Here's a summary of Matt Van Epps's recent trades:

Company	Ticker	Stock Type	Amount	Transaction Type	Transaction Date
Alphabet	GOOGL	STOCK	$1,001 - $15,000	S	2026-06-16
Amazon.com	AMZN	STOCK	$1,001 - $15,000	S	2026-06-16
Apple	AAPL	STOCK	$1,001 ...

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Trump Settles $100 Million Lawsuit With Niece Who Called Him 'The World's Most Dangerous Man'

Namrata Sen — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:58:32 +0000

President Donald Trump has settled a $100 million lawsuit against his niece, Mary Trump. The lawsuit was filed over accusations that Mary Trump leaked financial information and family tax documents to The New York Times.

The settlement was announced in a letter filed on Tuesday with a New York state court in Manhattan. Both parties expect to seek a formal dismissal in the coming weeks, which would prevent the president from filing another lawsuit, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The letter stated, “The parties are pleased to report they have reached a settlement and anticipate being able to stipulate to the dismissal of this action with prejudice in the ensuing weeks, following completion of certain conditions precedent.”

This settlement brings to an end one of the most personal legal disputes in the president’s sphere.

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The Case In Question

Donald Trump sued his niece, Mary Trump, in 2021, alleging she collaborated with The New York Times to obtain ...

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Trump Expresses Disbelief At Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Decision To Hold Rates Steady: 'Whatever'

Namrata Sen — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:57:09 +0000

President Donald Trump expressed disbelief at the new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s decision to maintain steady interest rates, a move he had previously criticized.

Trump, when asked for comments on the Fed’s decision on Wednesday, said, “It’s all right. Whatever.”

“It’s hard to believe. It just keeps the country down and it’s so, it’s so, unusual.” he added.

Trump had earlier criticized Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, for not reducing rates, pushing for lower borrowing costs to stimulate the housing market and economy. However, he did not express any such criticism for Warsh following his first rate-setting meeting, which concluded with a decision to keep interest rates unchanged.

“But we have a very good guy over there right now so I’m guided by what he ‌wants,” Trump said.

The President ...

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RFK Jr Unveils $700 Million Mental Health, Addiction Funding To Tackle Homelessness Under Trump Recovery Initiative

Tanya Rawat — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:49:36 +0000

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday more than $700 million in funding opportunities aimed at tackling mental illness, addiction and homelessness across the U.S.

The funding expands President Donald Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative, a White House program launched in January 2026 to coordinate the federal response to drug addiction, treatment and long-term recovery.

Kennedy announced the funding during a visit to an Easterseals MORC Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Clinton Township, Michigan.

The package includes a new $96 million program called Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support, or STREETS, along with roughly $612 million for additional behavioral health programs.

Some policy experts said parts of the newly announced funding may come from grants previously approved by Congress, raising questions about how much of the package represents entirely new money, according to Reuters.

New Funding Targets Homelessness And Addiction

The STREETS program, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, will provide eight communities up to $3 million annually over four years to build coordinated treatment and recovery systems for homeless individuals with substance use disorders, serious mental illness or ...

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Elizabeth Warren Says Every 4-Year-Old In America Could Get Health Care If Elon Musk Did This

Badar Shaikh — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:15:15 +0000

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Wednesday reaffirmed calls to levy a tax on the richest members of society, including Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO Elon Musk.

Elizabeth Warren Touts Children Gaining Access To Healthcare

In a post on X, Warren said the wealth tax could provide children with access to healthcare. “If Elon Musk paid my ultra-millionaire wealth tax, we could pay for child care for all three and four year olds in America,” she said in her post.

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If Elon Musk paid ...

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Ray Dalio Says US Is 'On The Brink' As Debt And Political Risks Mount

Snigdha Gairola — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:33:15 +0000

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio on Wednesday warned that the United States is entering a "particularly risky period" marked by rising debt pressures and political uncertainty leading into the 2026–2028 election cycle.

US Debt Pressure Rises As Demand Weakens

In a post on X, Dalio said, "I believe we are currently on the brink," adding that the U.S. is entering "a particularly risky period" as fiscal and political pressures intensify.

"The U.S. government currently spends $7 trillion while only taking in approximately $5 trillion, resulting in 40% overspending," He said.

He added that "the demand for that debt is falling" due to standard supply-demand dynamics and concerns among holders about potential sanctions and geopolitical risk.

Dalio suggested that financing persistent deficits could become more difficult if fewer investors are willing to absorb rising debt issuance at current prices, potentially pushing borrowing costs higher.

I believe we are currently on the brink. We are entering a particularly risky period expected between the 2026 ...

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Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Finds Rare Ally In Rival OpenAI's Sam Altman As He Warns G7 Leaders Against AI Fragmentation Risk

Namrata Sen — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:59:53 +0000

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has called upon G7 leaders to collaborate on the implementation of advanced AI tools in the wake of a U.S. export block on his company’s latest model.

Amodei made his plea in front of President Donald Trump and other G7 leaders at a summit in Évian-les-Bains, France on Wednesday. He received backing from Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the Financial Times reported.

Alphabet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis joined the call for U.S.-led collaboration on AI development, highlighting risks such as bioterrorism and cybersecurity if democratic alliances splintered. Both Hassabis and Altman proposed a technical standards body and a U.S.-led evaluation forum.

Amodei empathized with countries’ efforts to prevent AI misuse, but called for democratic nations to collaborate and "resist the temptation to splinter" over the release of advanced tools. Altman stressed the need to provide cyberdefense tools to all present countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the Anthropic dispute had highlighted the stakes for the U.S. and its G7 allies. He warned of potential damage to U.S. companies leading the AI race if the U.S. could suddenly “turn off the switch”. Macron called for “stronger regulation of artificial intelligence” and warned against ...

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Taiwan President Pushes Back On China Pressure, Seeks Swift Approval Of US Arms Package

Snigdha Gairola — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:51:25 +0000

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its defenses should not be viewed as provocation, as Beijing intensifies military and political pressure and Taipei seeks swift approval of new U.S. arms sales.

Taiwan Pushes Back On China

On Thursday, speaking to the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan's actions are focused on protecting its democratic system and security, reported Reuters.

"Taiwan's safeguarding of its own national security and maintaining its democratic and free way of life, its refusal to accept unification, and its refusal to accept rule by the Chinese Communist Party should not be seen as a provocation against China," he said.

Lai reiterated that Taiwan remains open to dialogue with Beijing based on "parity and respect," but insisted only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Lai also called for continued U.S. support, urging quick approval of a new arms sales package.

"We will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. government, and we also hope ...

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Joe Rogan Says Former Presidents Contacted Spotify Behind The Scenes To Push For His Show's Removal: 'They Spent A Lot Of Money'

Eva Mathew — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:25:12 +0000

Podcast host Joe Rogan alleged that former U.S. presidents were among those who contacted Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT) during the height of the backlash against his podcast over COVID-19 discussions, alleging a coordinated effort to have his show removed from the audio streaming platform.

Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with behavioral expert Chase Hughes, Rogan reflected on the controversy surrounding his pandemic-era commentary and interviews, saying the campaign against him extended far beyond public criticism.

‘Presidents Involved’ In Spotify Pressure Campaign

Discussing the fallout from his views on vaccines, lockdowns and COVID-19 policies, Rogan said he faced organized efforts to damage both his show and business relationships.

“They tried to crush my sponsors. They organized campaigns. There was PACs involved,” Rogan said.

The comedian and podcast host then made a more striking claim about behind-the-scenes pressure on Spotify.

“I can’t even talk about ...

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No Dot Plot, No Forward Guidance: Kevin Warsh's First Fed Meeting Draws Mixed Reactions From Economists

radhikanadig@benzinga.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:23:09 +0000

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh‘s first policy meeting drew mixed reactions from economists, with attention centered on his decision not to submit a dot plot projection, his inflation messaging and his plans to reform the institution

The Fed held rates steady at 3.50%-3.75% on Wednesday and reiterated its commitment to restoring price stability.

Dot Plot Decision Draws Scrutiny

Warsh’s decision against submitting a dot plot projection drew attention from economists, particularly as the Fed’s latest Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) pointed to a higher policy-rate path than officials had anticipated in March.

Former Fed economist Claudia Sahm said in a post on X that the SEP was intended to show the appropriate policy path needed to achieve the central bank’s dual mandate over the next few years.

The Summary of Economic Projections has its flaws but it is an exercise in what's the appropriate policy to achieve the dual mandate over the next few years. Warsh refused to participate, and then refused to share his thinking in presser.

— Claudia Sahm (@Claudia_Sahm) June 17, 2026

“Throwing the national accounts statistics under the bus as FED CHAIR. srsly? Sigh,” Sahm added.

Throwing the national accounts statistics under the bus as FED CHAIR. srsly? Sigh.

— Claudia Sahm (@Claudia_Sahm) June 17, 2026

"$300 billion is 5 X as much as Congress spends on our roads & bridges annually. I'm tired of winning," Massie wrote on X. He quoted the ...

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Chuck Schumer Blasts Trump's $2.6 Billion Offshore Wind Buyback Program: Any Blackouts In New York Will 'Rest' On HIs Shoulders

Ananya Gairola — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:13:30 +0000

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the Donald Trump administration’s growing offshore wind lease buyback program.

Schumer Targets Trump Over Offshore Wind Cancellations

In a post on X, the New York Democrat said President Trump has “spent $2.6 billion in taxpayer money to kill offshore wind projects.”

He added that the developments represented “thousands of good union jobs, billions in economic development, and millions of homes worth of desperately needed electricity.”

Schumer also warned of potential consequences for New York’s power grid.

“And any blackouts in NY will now rest squarely on the shoulders of Donald Trump,” he wrote.

Trump has now spent $2.6 billion in tax-payer money to kill offshore wind projects.

These projects represented thousands of good union jobs, billions in economic development, and millions of homes worth of desperately needed electricity.

And any blackouts in NY will now rest… pic.twitter.com/UXI6BCb4Gw

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 17, 2026

His comments came ...

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Marjorie Taylor Greene Reveals She Went To Mexico For Stem Cell Therapy Because US Health Insurance Is 'Absurdly Expensive'

Tanya Rawat — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:05:38 +0000

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said Wednesday she does not have health insurance and traveled to Mexico for stem cell therapy, citing soaring U.S. healthcare costs as a key reason.

In a post on X, Greene said many Americans are leaving the U.S. for medical treatments they either cannot access at home or cannot afford.

Greene said the stem cell therapy she received is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is one reason she sought treatment in Mexico.

I am 52 and I do NOT have health insurance.

Healthcare costs are out of control, and more Americans are leaving the U.S. for medical tourism treatments they can't access in the United States or can't afford at home.

That's why I traveled to Mexico for Stem Cell therapy.

👉… pic.twitter.com/SePVeilP8X

— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) June 17, 2026

Healthcare Costs Continue Rising

Greene said a family of four in the U.S. can spend up to $27,000 a year ...

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