Trump-Pope Leo XIV Rift and JD Vance's Comments
A public rift has emerged between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, with Trump criticizing the Pope's stance on various issues. Vice President JD Vance has publicly weighed in, advising the Pope to 'be careful' when discussing theological matters, potentially impacting political support among conservative Catholics.
Latest Developments

Grassley undergoes procedure to remove gallstones
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) underwent surgery over the weekend to remove gallstones, as he announced Monday on social platform X. The 92-year-old nine-term incumbent stated he will return to Capitol Hill as soon as possible following the procedure in Iowa. Grassley currently serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His temporary absence could affect legislative proceedings, though he expects a swift return.

Kevin Warsh set to face lawmakers in Fed chair confirmation hearing
Kevin Warsh is scheduled to appear before lawmakers for his confirmation hearing as President Trump's nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is nominated to succeed Jerome Powell in the role, which oversees the nation's central bank. Senators are expected to question Warsh extensively on his perspectives regarding inflation and interest rates during the hearing. His confirmation would place him at the helm of monetary policy decisions for the United States.

Ramaswamy almost tied with Democrat Acton in Ohio governor race: Poll
A new poll conducted by Bowling Green State University (BGSU) shows GOP frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy and presumptive Democratic nominee Amy Acton are nearly tied in the Ohio gubernatorial race. The survey of 1,000 registered voters in Ohio found 48 percent support for Ramaswamy. This indicates a dead heat between the two candidates for the state's top executive office. The poll highlights a potentially competitive election in the Buckeye State.

Trump sees approval dip the most among young voters in poll
President Trump's approval rating has declined most significantly among young adults, according to a new NBC News poll. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, powered by Survey Monkey and released Sunday, indicates that 76 percent of Americans under 30 disapprove of the president’s job performance. This demographic shift suggests a potential challenge for the Trump administration in securing support from younger voters. The poll also noted that 24 percent of voters in this age group approve of the president's performance.

The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency
The BBC has identified a pattern of spikes in trades that occurred ahead of public announcements made by the US president. This finding has raised suspicions of potential insider trading during President Trump's current administration. The pattern suggests individuals may have profited from foreknowledge of presidential actions or statements. This situation could lead to investigations into whether non-public information was improperly used for financial gain.
Key Facts
President Trump is engaged in a 'war of words' with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing him on issues like the Iran war and calling him 'weak on crime.'
Source: The Conversation, CNBC
The public rift is reportedly costing Trump valuable support among conservative Catholics.
Source: BBC News, The Guardian
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, publicly advised Pope Leo XIV to 'be careful' when discussing theology.
Source: BBC News, NBC News, New York Times
Vance was heckled by antiwar protesters during a Turning Point USA event where he criticized the Pope.
Source: New York Times, BBC News
Recent Highlights
President Trump's clash with Pope Leo XIV becomes public, with reports of a 'war of words'.
Trump continues to criticize Pope Leo, potentially impacting his support among conservative Catholics.
Vice President JD Vance publicly warns Pope Leo XIV to 'be careful' with theological discussions, drawing heckling at an event.
Full Coverage (57 articles)
Showing 20 of 57 articles

Grassley undergoes procedure to remove gallstones
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) underwent surgery over the weekend to remove gallstones, as he announced Monday on social platform X. The 92-year-old nine-term incumbent stated he will return to Capitol Hill as soon as possible following the procedure in Iowa. Grassley currently serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His temporary absence could affect legislative proceedings, though he expects a swift return.

Kevin Warsh set to face lawmakers in Fed chair confirmation hearing
Kevin Warsh is scheduled to appear before lawmakers for his confirmation hearing as President Trump's nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is nominated to succeed Jerome Powell in the role, which oversees the nation's central bank. Senators are expected to question Warsh extensively on his perspectives regarding inflation and interest rates during the hearing. His confirmation would place him at the helm of monetary policy decisions for the United States.

Ramaswamy almost tied with Democrat Acton in Ohio governor race: Poll
A new poll conducted by Bowling Green State University (BGSU) shows GOP frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy and presumptive Democratic nominee Amy Acton are nearly tied in the Ohio gubernatorial race. The survey of 1,000 registered voters in Ohio found 48 percent support for Ramaswamy. This indicates a dead heat between the two candidates for the state's top executive office. The poll highlights a potentially competitive election in the Buckeye State.

Trump sees approval dip the most among young voters in poll
President Trump's approval rating has declined most significantly among young adults, according to a new NBC News poll. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, powered by Survey Monkey and released Sunday, indicates that 76 percent of Americans under 30 disapprove of the president’s job performance. This demographic shift suggests a potential challenge for the Trump administration in securing support from younger voters. The poll also noted that 24 percent of voters in this age group approve of the president's performance.

The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency
The BBC has identified a pattern of spikes in trades that occurred ahead of public announcements made by the US president. This finding has raised suspicions of potential insider trading during President Trump's current administration. The pattern suggests individuals may have profited from foreknowledge of presidential actions or statements. This situation could lead to investigations into whether non-public information was improperly used for financial gain.

The week in pictures: Orban ousted in Hungary, Pope Leo's Africa tour and Trump as Jesus
Hungary ended 16 years of Viktor Orban’s rule, while Pope Leo XIV began his first African tour with a historic visit to Algeria. Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus. These events highlight significant political shifts in Europe, a new era of papal diplomacy, and the current President's use of artificial intelligence for public messaging. The ousting of Orban marks a major change in Hungarian leadership after over a decade and a half. Pope Leo XIV's tour represents a notable expansion of the Catholic Church's engagement in Africa.

Trump-branded AI data center megaproject stalls, CEO departs
CEO Toby Neugebarger abruptly departed Fermi America, a Trump-branded AI data center project, on Friday amidst delays and logistical hurdles. The company's shares, which had already shed 75% in the last six months, plummeted further in aftermarket trading following the announcement. This departure comes as the project, known as Project Matador, faces challenges including the lack of a publicly confirmed anchor tenant and difficulties with cooling systems. An independent report by Cleanview estimates the first buildings wouldn't come online until May 2027, about a year later than initially projected. Fermi America, co-founded by President Trump's former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, is a high-profile test for ambitious AI infrastructure projects.

Trump to join public Bible reading as Pope Leo clash simmers
President Trump announced he will participate in a public, marathon Bible reading event this weekend. The event, "America Reads the Bible," organized by Christians Engaged, will feature Trump among other participants and is scheduled to run for a week starting Saturday evening. This announcement comes amidst an ongoing conflict between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV. The President's involvement in the public reading could be seen as a religious affirmation during this period of tension.

Photos show the ‘Build the Red Wall’ rally in Arizona, headlined by Trump - AP News
Photos from the ‘Build the Red Wall’ rally in Arizona show President Trump headlining the event. This rally highlights the administration's ongoing focus on border security and immigration enforcement, particularly in states bordering Mexico. The term "Red Wall" likely refers to a strategy to secure the southern border, echoing the "Build the Wall" slogan from his previous campaign. Such events serve to galvanize his political base and reinforce key policy priorities of the Trump administration. The visual documentation by AP News provides a public record of the event and its central figure.

Trump set to ease restrictions on psychedelic drug used to treat PTSD - Reuters
President Trump is set to ease restrictions on a psychedelic drug used to treat PTSD, according to Reuters. This move would significantly alter federal policy regarding substances that have historically faced strict regulations. The policy change aims to make the drug more accessible for medical research and therapeutic use, particularly for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Easing restrictions could accelerate clinical trials and potentially lead to new treatment options for a condition that affects millions. This action reflects a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics within the medical community.

Trump shocked Netanyahu with post declaring Lebanon strikes "prohibited"
President Trump posted that Israel was "prohibited" from conducting any more airstrikes in Lebanon, shocking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers. Netanyahu was personally stunned and alarmed by Trump's post, which contradicted a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon published by the State Department on Thursday. The agreement stated Israel preserves the right to take military action in self-defense against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. Israeli officials asked the White House for clarification, and a U.S. official later clarified that the agreement preserves Israel's right to self-defense. Shortly before Trump's interview with Axios, an Israeli drone conducted a strike in southern Lebanon, with an Israeli source claiming Hezbollah violated the ceasefire.

Trump's lawyers say they're 'in discussions' to resolve his $10B suit against the IRS
Attorneys for President Trump state they are "in discussions" with the Department of Justice to potentially resolve a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. President Trump and his company initiated this lawsuit, seeking significant financial damages from the Internal Revenue Service. These discussions suggest a potential out-of-court settlement for the high-stakes legal battle involving the sitting President. A resolution could avoid a protracted and public legal process concerning the President's financial dealings and tax matters.

Prosecutor Withdraws From Trump Team’s Investigation of Ex-CIA Director John O. Brennan
Prosecutor Maria Medetis Long has withdrawn from the Trump team’s investigation into former CIA Director John O. Brennan. Long, a career Justice Department lawyer in Miami, reportedly expressed concerns regarding the sufficiency of evidence to pursue a prosecution against Brennan. This withdrawal suggests internal disagreement within the Justice Department about the merits of the investigation. The development could impact the future of the inquiry into Brennan, who has been a vocal critic of President Trump.

Judge rejects DOJ effort to get sensitive voter information from Rhode Island
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy rejected the Justice Department's attempt to obtain sensitive voter information from Rhode Island. This ruling marks the fifth time the Justice Department has been denied access to state voter registration lists in its ongoing efforts. The decision prevents the federal government from acquiring detailed voter data from Rhode Island. This ongoing pattern of rejections impacts the Justice Department's ability to access such information for its stated purposes.

Federal Appeals Court Opens Door to Moving Trans Inmates Under Trump Gender Order
A federal appeals court has opened the door for the potential transfer of transgender inmates to men's facilities, citing a Trump Gender Order. A three-judge panel granted 17 transgender women a temporary reprieve, allowing them a few weeks to pursue additional legal action. This ruling could pave the way for their transfer from women's facilities, aligning with the administration's directive on gender identity in federal prisons. The decision creates immediate uncertainty for the affected inmates and sets a precedent for how the Trump administration's gender order may be applied.

Watch live: Trump to court young voters at Turning Point USA event in Arizona
President Trump is headlining Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA) “Build the Red Wall” event in Arizona on Friday afternoon, addressing young voters. This appearance comes as Republicans aim to bolster support among younger demographics ahead of the November elections. The Trump administration is facing challenges with slipping backing among young voters due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and mounting affordability concerns. Trump's engagement with TPUSA is a strategic effort to re-energize and secure the youth vote for the Republican party. This event underscores the White House's focus on key demographics to maintain political strength.

Trump DOJ loses again, now 0 for 5 on voter roll cases, as court rejects Rhode Island lawsuit - Democracy Docket
The Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) lost another voter roll case, with a court rejecting its lawsuit against Rhode Island, according to Democracy Docket. This marks the fifth consecutive loss for the Trump DOJ in cases challenging state voter rolls. The ruling confirms the administration's repeated failures to prove alleged issues with voter registration maintenance in various states. This outcome reinforces the legal standing of Rhode Island's voter roll practices against federal challenges.

Trump continues feud with Pope Leo over war with Iran
President Trump is continuing a feud with Pope Leo concerning the ongoing war with Iran. Earlier this week, President Trump directed criticism towards Pope Leo, an unexpected target for presidential remarks. This ongoing dispute highlights a rare public disagreement between the sitting U.S. President and the head of the Catholic Church. Michael O'Loughlin, executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter, discussed this development on "The Daily Report." The White House has not elaborated on the specific points of contention in the feud.
Trump tries to change conversation from war to the economy
President Trump traveled to Las Vegas on Thursday, aiming to shift public discourse from ongoing conflicts to economic issues. The President's visit included efforts to downplay concerns regarding rising gas prices. This move suggests an administration strategy to redirect public attention toward domestic economic performance amidst a period of international instability. The focus on the economy may be an attempt to bolster public confidence and manage perceptions of his administration's priorities.

How much of Project 2025 has Trump enacted?
Liz Landers reports on the extent to which President Trump has enacted proposals from Project 2025, a policy playbook drafted by the Heritage Foundation. White House budget director Russ Vought, a central figure in Project 2025's creation, is now key to implementing the Trump administration's agenda. Project 2025 outlines large-scale changes for a Republican president to enact, making Vought's role significant in its potential implementation. The report examines how many of these controversial proposals have become official policy under President Trump's current term.
