Trump's $15B Defamation Lawsuit Against NYT Dismissed by Federal Judge

Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against the New York Times Dismissed by Federal Judge

A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The case centered on a book and an article written by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, which focused on Trump’s finances and his pre-presidency role as a star of the television show “The Apprentice.” In the lawsuit, Trump claimed that the journalists had spread a “fact-free narrative” suggesting that television producer Mark Burnett was responsible for making Trump a celebrity. However, Trump argued that the defendants knew he was already a well-known figure and a successful businessman at the time of publication.

Temporary Restraining Order Blocks USDA from Collecting SNAP Data

In another development, a U.S. District Judge in California temporarily blocked the federal government from collecting personal information about residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 21 states and Washington, D.C. Judge Maxine Chesney issued the order, stating that a hearing would be held next month to determine if a longer-term restriction is necessary. The states involved argued that the data should only be used for administering the food assistance program and not shared with other entities, fearing it could be used for mass deportation efforts.

Social Security Commissioner Walks Back Retirement Age Comments

Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano has walked back previous comments suggesting that the agency might consider raising the retirement age to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security. In a statement, Bisignano said that raising the retirement age is not currently under consideration. This comes after the so-called “go-broke date” for Social Security was moved up to 2034, meaning that after this point, the program will only be able to pay 81% of benefits.

Prosecutors Seek 30-Year Sentence for Man Who Attempted to Kill Supreme Court Justice

Federal prosecutors have requested a minimum 30-year prison sentence for Nicholas John Roske, a California man who attempted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022. Roske, who pleaded guilty without a plea deal, faces a maximum life sentence. He was arrested after calling 911 and expressing suicidal and homicidal thoughts. During the court filing, prosecutors revealed that Roske had planned to assassinate at least one Supreme Court justice, with his own words indicating he was “shooting for 3.”

Trump Administration Seeks to Strip Legal Protections From Venezuelan Migrants

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency order allowing it to strip legal protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. The Justice Department is challenging a federal judge’s ruling that the administration wrongly ended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. The appeals court in San Francisco declined to put the ruling on hold, and the Supreme Court previously reversed a similar decision affecting another group of Venezuelans.

Vaccine Advisers Decline to Recommend COVID-19 Shots for All Americans

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers have declined to recommend the latest round of COVID-19 shots for all Americans, leaving the decision to individuals. The Food and Drug Administration recently restricted the availability of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, reserving them for people over 65 or those at higher risk. The CDC advisory committee did not make specific recommendations but allowed for individual choices.

400 Arrests Made in Chicago Immigration Operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported 400 arrests in the Chicago area during “Operation Midway Blitz,” an enforcement effort that has drawn criticism for alleged excessive force and targeting U.S. citizens. Supporters of President Trump see the operation as fulfilling a promise of mass deportations.

VP Vance Hosts Jordanian Crown Prince

Vice President Mike Pence hosted Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and his wife at the vice president’s residence. The crown prince’s father, King Abdullah II, met with Trump earlier this year regarding potential U.S. involvement in Gaza. Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s stance against displacing Palestinians in Gaza.

Senate Confirms Mike Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

The Senate confirmed Mike Waltz as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, filling the last vacancy in Trump’s Cabinet. The bipartisan vote followed procedural hurdles, and it remains unclear whether Waltz will participate in the General Assembly in New York.

Trump to Host Turkish President at White House

Trump announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will visit the White House on September 25 to discuss Boeing aircraft purchases, F-16 fighter jet deals, and potential F-35 sales. Trump also mentioned trade discussions and possible tariffs on China for buying Russian oil.

Cruz Criticizes FCC Chair’s Threat to ABC

Senator Ted Cruz called the Federal Communications Commission chair’s threat to punish ABC over comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk “dangerous as hell.” Cruz warned that such actions could lead to future suppression of conservative voices.

Trump Administration Increases Pressure on Harvard University

The Education Department imposed greater oversight on Harvard University’s finances and threatened sanctions if it refuses to provide more admissions data. The university has sued over the White House’s demands for reforms, claiming the department is seeking to demonstrate that race is not used in admissions.

Kremlin Responds to Trump’s Comments on Putin

The Kremlin described Trump’s comments that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “let him down” as emotional and “understandable.” A spokesperson stated that Putin is still willing to end the war in Ukraine through political and diplomatic means.

Senate Rejects Government Funding Measures

The Senate rejected competing bills to avoid a government shutdown, increasing the likelihood of a partial shutdown on October 1. Both parties blamed each other for the deadlock, with Democrats accusing Republicans of not negotiating and Republicans criticizing Democrats for pushing excessive spending.

Alex Acosta Defends Jeffrey Epstein Plea Deal

Former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta defended his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein plea deal during a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee. Acosta maintained that the decision was based on limited evidence and that he made the best judgment possible.

U.S. Attorney Investigating Letitia James Faces Removal

The U.S. attorney investigating mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James has been told to resign or be fired, amid a push by Trump administration officials to bring criminal charges against her. The move comes as the Justice Department continues its investigation into alleged paperwork discrepancies in James’s properties.

White House Releases Tribute Video for Charlie Kirk

The White House released a tribute video days before the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah. The video features remarks from his widow, clips of his speeches, and scenes from memorials. Trump is expected to attend the funeral in Arizona.

Trump and Xi Discuss TikTok and Trade

Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed the future of TikTok’s U.S. operations, with Trump expressing appreciation for what he described as “TikTok approval.” However, the details of what Xi approved remain unclear, and the fate of the social media platform remains uncertain.

House Restores DC Funding, Now Awaiting Senate Approval

After months of delays, the House restored $1 billion in funding for Washington, D.C., as part of a broader spending bill. The Senate will now take up the bill, following its unanimous passage of a stand-alone measure allowing D.C. to access locally raised revenue.

Trump to Meet Xi at South Korea Summit

Trump announced plans to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. He also said he would visit China in early 2025, with Xi expected to visit the U.S. at an appropriate time.