Trump accuses James Comey of coded assassination message

Trump has accused former FBI Director James Comey of calling for his assassination through a social media post that featured the number "8647" spelled out in seashells. The image, posted on Instagram with the caption "Cool shell formation on my beach walk," drew backlash from Trump supporters who viewed the number as a veiled threat.

In American slang, "86" can mean to eject or eliminate, and Trump is the 47th president of the United States. Some interpreted the combined number as a call to violently remove Trump from office.

"He knew exactly what that meant," Trump told Fox News on Friday during a stop in Abu Dhabi. "If you're the FBI director and you don't know what that meant? That meant assassination."

Comey, fired by Trump in 2017, removed the post following criticism. "It never occurred to me. But I oppose violence of any kind, so I took the post down," he said.

U.S. authorities are now investigating the post. Secret Service Director Sean Curran is reportedly leading the inquiry. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also weighed in, calling Comey's explanation "absurd" and describing the post as a veiled call to action.

Trump said any further action would be handled by Attorney General Pam Bondi and others.

Trump Jr. shares meme shell post

Donald Trump Jr. also posted a meme that mocked Comey's "8647" post.

Lauren Boebert appears to mock Comey's 8647 post

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert shared an image that appeared to mock James Comey's "8647" post.

Her version, rather than the number that sparked the investigation into the ex-FBI director, reads, "FAFO," a popular acronym for "f*** around and find out."

Tulsi Gabbard says James Comey should be jailed for '8647' post

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said that former FBI director James Comey should be jailed for posting a photo of shells that were aligned to read "8647."

The post sparked immediate criticism from conservatives as the number formation is perceived to be a message critical of President Donald Trump.

Speaking to Fox News, Gabbard said: "Any other person with the position of influence that he has, people who take very seriously what a guy of his stature, his experience and what the propaganda media has built him up to be, I'm very concerned for the president's life.

"We've already seen assassination attempts. I'm very concerned for his life. And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this."

Read the full story by Martha McHardy and Shane Croucher on Newsweek.

Meaning of 8647

The number "8647" is stirring controversy among Trump supporters, who claim it's a coded threat against him. The figure combines "86" — a term with roots in restaurant slang that can mean to deny or remove and is, in some cases, interpreted as "kill"—with "47," a reference to Trump being the 47th, as well as the 45th, U.S. president.

Critics say the number, shared recently in a now-deleted post by former FBI Director James Comey, was a call to violence. Comey has denied the claim, saying he meant no harm. Still, some Republicans insist the combination was intentional and dangerous.

Melania Trump statue vanishes from Slovenian hometown

A bronze statue of Melania Trump has disappeared from her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, leaving only its feet and a two-meter tree stump. The statue, erected in 2020, replaced an earlier wooden version that was burned down on U.S. Independence Day in 2020.

Commissioned by American artist Brad Downey and created by local artisan Ales "Maxi" Zupevc, the original was a political statement highlighting immigration double standards. Downey now suspects the removal may be linked to Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Local police are investigating the incident as theft, while Sevnica officials expressed unease, saying Melania's image was never a source of pride for the town.

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow large-scale agency reorganizations

The Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to overturn a federal judge's ruling that temporarily halted planned workforce reductions and reorganizations across 21 government agencies.

In a new filing, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the order "bars almost the entire executive branch" from executing downsizing plans and requires the release of sensitive internal documents. He called the ruling "extraordinary," claiming it wrongly limits the president's authority to direct agency personnel actions.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who issued the initial ruling, said the president must work within legal boundaries and in coordination with Congress when making significant structural changes.

The case is one of seven pending emergency requests before the Supreme Court involving Trump administration policies.

Trump's proposed bill could leave millions of Medicaid patients uninsured

The congressional budget reconciliation bill has been sent back for a rework, but measures around reforming Medicaid already passed through its committee, meaning those measures are unlikely to change.

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing access to Medicaid under the proposed legislation, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee (HECC). Representative Brett Guthrie, a Kentucky Republican and chair of the HECC, insisted that the changes will "strengthen and sustain" Medicaid for the future, calling them "common sense."

The Republicans are looking to pass a single reconciliation bill that would push through a number of President Donald Trump's major policies, including tax cuts, immigration enforcement and changes to Medicaid.

Reconciliation is a process that allows a bill to pass with a simple majority rather than the usual two-thirds required, which is something Republicans need to pass the bill considering the thin majorities in the House and the Senate.

However, that still requires all Republicans to vote together on the bill, and just a couple of dissenters can derail the entire effort.

Read the full story by Peter Aiken on Newsweek.

Humanities groups sue over federal funding cuts led by Musk-run agency

Two major humanities organizations have filed a federal lawsuit to block recent funding cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Trump adviser Elon Musk. Filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, the lawsuit from the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Oregon Council for the Humanities targets DOGE, acting administrator Amy Gleason, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The suit argues that DOGE and the NEH overstepped their authority by cutting off funding that Congress approved. The plaintiffs claim the move, ordered through a Trump executive order, has severely disrupted a longstanding federal-state partnership supporting the humanities.

The cuts have already resulted in layoffs of over 80% of NEH staff and canceled programming, just as states were planning for summer events and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The lawsuit seeks to restore the halted funds and prevent further erosion of humanities support.

The 1600: Are we headed for the worst of tariff worlds?

After baggage fees, is there a bigger consumer scam than ACH transfers? You're telling me it takes three business days to move a bunch of numbers from one account to another? And during those three days, the money has left my account but is not yet in the other person's—meaning the bank is holding it and collecting the vig. Interfacing with the banking industry is where my inner Bernie Bro really comes out. Vampire squids, all of them.

In a (tortured) way, that kind of dovetails with what I wanted to talk about today. That is, the giant consumer scam that I fear is headed our way. Yesterday morning, the CFO of Walmart came out and said for the first time that tariff-related price hikes—potentially in the "double digits"—were coming as soon as the end of the month. Even with the reciprocal tariffs on "pause" and much of the rest in limbo, the world's largest retailer is saying it still cannot absorb the impact from this trade war, and is about to pass the costs on to us.

Walmart saying this publicly will now give cover for other big retailers to do the same. Something like this happened a couple years ago, when the economy opened up after Covid and everything went haywire. Businesses looking for opportunities to raise their prices found one in the "supply chain" chaos. Why did Starbucks raise the price of a brewed coffee by 50 percent since 2020? Because they could. I'm not suggesting the supply chain wasn't actually messed up, or that the money printer that was turned on during Trump 1 and sped up under Biden didn't lead to the inflation we're still dealing with, it obviously did. But prices tend to only go in one direction: up. And if retail juggernauts like Walmart are saying they can't absorb even the relatively modest tariff level at present, your local small business doesn't stand a chance.

Read the full newsletter by Carlo Versano on Newsweek.

Trump visit ends as Israel launches deadly strikes in Gaza and Yemen

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, killing more than 93 people and injuring hundreds, in what officials said was the beginning of a broader military push to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. The strikes came as U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a multi-day trip to the Gulf region without visiting Israel.

In a separate development, Israeli forces also targeted two ports in Yemen used by the Houthi group to transfer weapons. No casualties were reported.

Speaking from Abu Dhabi before departing, Trump said, "We're looking at Gaza... A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are — there's a lot of bad things going on." Hopes had been high that his visit might help open humanitarian aid routes or broker a ceasefire deal, but no major breakthroughs were announced.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated plans for a ground invasion in Gaza, saying the military would soon move "with great strength" to eliminate Hamas. An Israeli official said Friday's airstrikes were part of those preparations and tied to ongoing hostage negotiations in Qatar.

The war began in October 2023 when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza's Health Ministry says over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed. Of the remaining 58 hostages, Israel believes 23 are still alive.

Meanwhile, Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens as Israel continues its aid blockade into a third month. A U.S.-backed group plans to deliver assistance soon, though international aid agencies have raised concerns over its independence and effectiveness.

Trump says Iran has U.S. proposal on nuclear program

President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that Iran has received an American proposal related to its advancing nuclear program, marking the first public acknowledgment of a formal offer during ongoing talks between the two nations.

Trump said aboard Air Force One, "They have a proposal. But most importantly, they know they have to move quickly, or something bad is going to happen." He did not provide details on the proposal's content, and Iranian officials have denied receiving it.

Negotiations have reportedly reached the expert level, with uranium enrichment remaining a key sticking point. The U.S. wants Iran to give it up, while Tehran insists it's a right.

Iran's foreign minister said Friday night that no formal proposal has been received and criticized conflicting U.S. messaging. Talks have been held in Oman and Rome, and Omani mediation has been used.

House Republicans delay budget vote amid internal opposition

House Republican leaders postponed a vote on Friday in the Budget Committee on their tax and spending package due to resistance from within their party.

Faced with pushback from fiscal conservatives on the panel, GOP leaders are now considering major revisions to the bill. Discussions will continue over the weekend; a vote is likely next week.

Late-night negotiations took place ahead of the committee markup, and top Republicans are planning further talks with the White House and skeptical GOP members to secure enough support.

Trump says SCOTUS is 'being played by the radical left'

Trump shared another post on Truth Social this morning; this time, about the Supreme Court "being played by the radical left."

Trump signals support for aid to Gaza amid growing crisis

Trump said Friday the U.S. should help address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following a wave of Israeli airstrikes overnight.

"A lot of people are starving," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from a Middle East trip. "We have to help also out the Palestinians."

Asked if he backed Israel's plans to expand military operations in Gaza, Trump emphasized the need to consider the humanitarian impact. "We have to look at both sides," he said.

Earlier in the United Arab Emirates, Trump expressed concern over the conditions in Gaza, stating, "We're looking at Gaza, and we got to get that taken care of."

He said he expects "a lot of good things" in the next month.

Sheinbaum says proposed U.S. remittance tax would violate treaty

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that a proposed 5 percent U.S. tax on remittances would breach a 1990s-era agreement prohibiting double taxation and discriminatory practices between the two countries.

Sheinbaum said her government has formally raised the issue with the U.S. Congress and plans to express its concerns directly to the Trump administration. She also urged Mexican Americans and Mexican nationals living in the U.S. to speak out against the bill.

Donald Trump score major polling boost over economy

President Donald Trump is enjoying a major surge in public support as voter confidence in the economy rebounds to levels not seen in years.

According to a Napolitan News survey conducted on May 12-13 among 1,000 registered voters, 31 percent of voters now say their personal finances are improving, the highest percentage recorded in four years. The same number of respondents said their finances were getting worse.

That's a substantial jump from just two weeks ago, when 25 percent reported improving finances and 36 percent said their finances were getting worse, and a reversal from preelection polling in late 2024, when 41 percent said their financial situation was getting worse, while 25 percent said their financial situation was improving.

This marks the first time since July 2021 that optimism about personal finances is no longer underwater. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

DHS seeks 20,000 National Guard troops to aid in immigration enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security has formally requested 20,000 National Guard members to assist in arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants, a spokesperson confirmed Friday.

"DHS requested 20,000 National Guard members to help carry out the President's mandate from the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

McLaughlin emphasized that the focus is on removing individuals with serious criminal records, including gang members and violent offenders. "The safety of American citizens comes first," she said.

Consumer sentiment dips again as tariff worries grow

U.S. consumer confidence declined for the fifth month in May, with growing concerns about inflation tied to Trump's trade policies. The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index dropped to 50.8, a 2.7% decrease from April and the lowest reading since July 2022.

Since January, sentiment has fallen nearly 30%, as many Americans fear that steep import tariffs could slow economic growth and drive prices higher. Although the White House has recently eased some of its most severe measures, overall tariffs remain historically high.

Earlier this week, the U.S. and China agreed to scale back trade barriers, reducing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China agreed to lower its duties on American products from 125% to 10%.

Trump makes post about Taylor Swift, calling her 'not hot'

In a post on Truth Social this morning, Trump asked whether people have "noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'"

Donald Trump's approval rating surges in state GOP has not won in 37 years

President Donald Trump is seeing an unexpected surge in support in New Jersey—a state Republicans haven't carried in a presidential election since 1988.

According to the latest Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill poll, conducted between May 11-13 among 1,000 New Jersey registered voters, Trump holds a 47 percent approval rating, while 47 percent also disapprove, and 6 percent are neutral. The poll, like previous Emerson polls, had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

That is a significant change from July 2020, when an Emerson poll found that the majority of New Jersey voters (56 percent) disapproved of the job Trump was doing as president, whereas 38 percent approved, and 7 percent were neutral.

However, it is a slight drop from Trump's approval rating in a January Emerson poll, which found that he has a 48 percent favorable rating among New Jersey voters, while 46 percent said they have an unfavorable view of Trump.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

Trump to meet with Putin: 'I think we'll solve it'

Donald Trump said as he boarded Air Force One that he has plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to talk about the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.

"We have to meet," Trump said. "He and I will meet. I think we'll solve it, or maybe not, but at least we'll know, and if we don't solve it, be very interesting."

Trump outlines 'fantastic' deals with China and United Kingdom

US warns Iran 'too close for comfort' to nuclear weapons

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran is "too close for comfort" to acquiring nuclear weapons, underscoring heightened concerns over Tehran's uranium enrichment and missile capabilities.

Speaking from Turkey in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rubio issued a stark assessment of Iran's nuclear progress and called the regime the primary sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Rubio's comments reflect a broader U.S. strategy to deter Tehran through pressure while keeping the door open to peaceful resolution. President Donald Trump, having just visited the region, reinforced this posture with public remarks signaling that diplomacy is still possible but not guaranteed. Talks between U.S. and Iranian officials remain ongoing but face significant challenges.

Read the full story by Amir Daftari on Newsweek.

House GOP tax and spending bill hits friction over Medicaid cuts and SALT relief

House Republicans are preparing to advance a sweeping tax and spending bill Friday, but internal divisions threaten to derail it. The 1,100-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," named in homage to Trump, faces conservative pushback over Medicaid cuts and pressure from New York lawmakers demanding more generous state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

Freedom Caucus members want stricter work requirements for aid recipients to begin immediately, while moderates seek larger SALT relief for high-tax states. Budget Committee approval is a key step before a full House vote, expected as soon as next week.

Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill is crucial for economic stability, citing core components of tax breaks, Medicaid reforms, and defense funding. However, with only a slim majority, GOP leaders are working to avoid a committee defeat that could send them back to the drawing board.

Trump defends refugee status for White South Africans amid criticism

Trump defended his administration's decision to grant refugee status to White South Africans arriving in the U.S., saying the country must protect people facing persecution regardless of race or background.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, "If I see people in distress, I don't care what color they are." He added that, based on available evidence, "the farmers in South Africa are being treated brutally." When asked about prioritizing White South Africans while restricting refugees from other regions, Trump insisted the decision was motivated by humanitarian concerns.

The move follows South Africa's recent Expropriation Act, which allows the government to seize and redistribute land without compensation in some cases, aiming to address injustices from apartheid. A group of 59 White South Africans granted refugee status under this policy arrived in Washington, D.C., earlier this week, with more expected in the coming months.

Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court remarks spark MAGA fury: 'Huge mistake'

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's remarks in court on Thursday have sparked MAGA backlash online, with some saying President Donald Trump made a "huge mistake" appointing her to the bench.

The nation's highest court was hearing arguments about whether lower courts have the authority to block Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, which ensures that children born in the U.S. are citizens regardless of their parents' status.

During the hearing, Justice Coney Barrett questioned the solicitor general over the Trump administration's approach to complying with court rulings.

Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.

Vietnam approves $1.5 billion Trump Organization project

Vietnam has approved a $1.5 billion development plan by the Trump Organization and its Vietnamese partner, Kinhbac City, to build golf courses, hotels, and residential projects in the country's north, state-run media reported Friday, The AP reported.

The project will cover nearly 2,500 acres in Khoai Chau district and include a massive golf course, housing, commercial areas, and parks. According to VN Express, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed the investment approval.

The announcement comes as Vietnam prepares for trade talks with the U.S. following the Trump administration's move to impose steep tariffs on Vietnamese exports. The country is also under U.S. scrutiny for allegedly allowing Chinese goods to be rerouted through its borders.

Construction on the project is expected to begin this year and run through 2029.

Trump says Iran has proposal, warns of consequences if no deal

Trump seemed to acknowledge that Iran has received a U.S. proposal for a nuclear agreement, suggesting that time is running out for Tehran to act. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran "has a proposal," but stressed that "they have to move quickly, or something bad's gonna happen."

He also claimed that negotiators are nearing a breakthrough, saying Iran had "sort of agreed" not to pursue what he called "nuclear dust." His remarks hinted at progress but lacked details on the potential deal's terms.

Iran has not officially responded to the comments.

India disputes Trump's claim on tariff deal, says trade talks ongoing

India's foreign minister said the country is still in trade talks with the Trump administration, disputing Trump's claim that New Delhi agreed to remove all tariffs on U.S. imports. Trump has criticized India for having one of the highest tariffs in the world, saying India offered a deal to charge the U.S. no tariffs.

In Qatar, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar described the negotiations as "intricate" and ongoing. He said nothing is decided until everything is agreed upon and that any deal must work for India and the U.S., India's largest trading partner.

"Until that is done, I think any judgment on it would be premature," Jaishankar said.

Trump says U.S. has proposal for Iran's nuclear program amid ongoing talks

Trump said Friday that the U.S. has presented a proposal to Iran regarding its advancing nuclear program. This marks the first time Trump publicly acknowledged that an American offer is being made to Tehran during ongoing negotiations.

The discussions have reached an expert level, focusing on detailed aspects of a potential agreement. A significant issue remains Iran's uranium enrichment, which Tehran insists it must continue, while the Trump administration demands it stop.

Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One at the end of his Middle East tour, which included stops in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. He stressed that Iran must act quickly or face consequences without giving proposal details.

Iranian officials have not confirmed receiving the proposal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized inconsistent messages from the U.S. as either confusion or a negotiation tactic.

Negotiations have occurred in Oman and Rome, mediated by Oman's foreign minister. They aim to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for easing U.S. sanctions. Tensions remain high as Trump has threatened military action if no deal is reached, while Israel has also warned of possible strikes on Iran's nuclear sites amid ongoing regional conflicts

Clarence Thomas appears to side with Trump move to curtail judges' powers

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has appeared to side with President Donald Trump's call to curtail the power of judges.

The Department of Justice has been arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court that judges on lower-level courts should only have the power to issue rulings on a specific group of people involved in a suit, and not issue nationwide injunctions.

On Thursday, Justice Thomas appeared to support that position. When discussing the history of universal injunctions with Solicitor General D. John Sauer, he asked: "So, we survived until the 1960s without universal injunctions?"

Sauer responded: "That's exactly correct."

Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.