WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

🎙️ Tucker Carlson asked Iran's president about "Death to America" chants. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson released an interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he claimed the famous “Death to America” chants actually mean "death to crimes" committed by America, not death to American citizens or government leaders. Pezeshkian also denied that Iran has ever backed assassination attempts against Trump. Tucker rarely pushed back, giving the Iranian president free air to express his anti-American and anti-Israel views.

❌ Federal judge blocks Trump’s Planned Parenthood defunding move. A Massachusetts judge issued a temporary restraining order against part of the Big, Beautiful Bill that would halt Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. The judge sided with Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit claiming the provision punishes them for providing legal abortions. The White House says it’s sticking to its promise to stop taxpayer dollars from funding elective abortion.

📦 US imposed 25 percent tariffs on Japan and South Korea. President Trump announced new 25 percent tariffs on products from Japan and South Korea, set to take effect August 1. The president’s letters to foreign leaders showed little change from April's "Liberation Day" announcement, with additional tariffs planned for Myanmar (40 percent), South Africa (30 percent), Malaysia (25 percent), and more. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his mailbox was "full last night with a lot of new offers" as countries scramble to negotiate.

🔫 Gunman in tactical gear attacked Texas Border Patrol station. A 29-year-old Michigan man wearing black tactical gear stormed a Border Patrol station at McAllen airport Monday morning, opening fire on agents and civilians. Law enforcement responded immediately, with one agent reportedly shooting the attacker in the head. A McAllen police officer sustained a non-life-threatening knee injury in the exchange before authorities neutralized the gunman.

INSIDER RADAR

DOJ and FBI on the Jeffrey Epstein client list

Insiders behind the paywall: DOJ, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, Scott Bessent, Tom Homan, and the Department of Energy.

HOAX TRACKER

“DOGE cuts responsible for catastrophic Texas floods”

QUICK AND IMPORTANT

• The death toll from the Texas floods is now over 100, with dozens still missing.

• Various medical groups sued Health Secretary RFK Jr. for dropping COVID vaccine guidance for healthy kids and pregnant women.

• President Trump announced plans to revoke deportation protections for thousands of Hondurans and Nicaraguans.

• Some US airports have stopped requiring shoe removal at security after TSA reportedly let the rule expire.

INSIDER EXCLUSIVE

Eastern Europe arms up as Russia fears grow

For many Eastern European countries, the threat of a Russian invasion has become increasingly real. Vladimir Putin is showing no signs of letting his boot off Ukraine’s neck, and many of its neighbors, including Poland and the Baltic states, believe they could be next…

Read Now

THE MAIN STORY

Elon Musk makes a spoiler party

WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Elon Musk announced the formation of the “America Party” over the weekend, declaring it a direct challenge to what he calls the “uniparty” system in Washington.

The move came just one day after President Donald Trump signed his $3.3 trillion Big Beautiful Bill into law, a package Musk has sharply criticized for its spending. The announcement has drawn backlash from Trump and conservatives, concerned that the party could fracture the GOP.

_THE FACTS_

• Elon Musk called the America Party a response to “waste & graft” in both major parties.

• Musk said the party will target “2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts” to act as a swing bloc. He stated it would caucus independently from the Republicans or Democrats.

• Musk added that running a candidate for president in 2028 was “not out of the question.” Musk would not be eligible, as he is not a natural-born American citizen.

• Musk accused both parties of bankrupting the country and said the America Party would promote “responsible spending only.”

• Tesla shares dropped over seven percent following Musk’s announcement.

• Trump responded by saying Musk has gone “off the rails” and said third parties only create “disruption & chaos.”

• Trump has threatened to pull federal subsidies from Musk’s companies and block his allies from government jobs — moves he says have Musk spiraling.

• Some conservatives, like CNN’s Scott Jennings, believe that the America Party could split the right-leaning vote and help Democrats in close races.

• Others, like Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles, believe the party poses no threat to Republicans but may instead take votes from Democrats.

_OUR INSIGHTS _

Elon’s parallels with Teddy Roosevelt

_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_

Do you think the America Party would be worse for Republicans or Democrats?

_{Comments are open for everyone.}

MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER

How left and right outlets frame the judge blocking Planned Parenthood defunding

Mentioned behind the paywall: CBS News, Axios, RedState, and The Daily Wire.

THE DAILY DEBATE

POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY

Should Republicans worry about the BBB’s electoral consequences?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 👍 Yes (412)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👎 No (529)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (101)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Other (14)

POP QUIZ

🔎 Tip line: See something the media won’t touch? Got a story from your campus, community, or company that needs exposure? Send tips, questions, or ideas to [email protected].

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