☕ Daily Brief: Trump’s Alligator Alcatraz Win
Also, Senate passes the Big, Beautiful Bill
Editorial Team
July 02, 2025
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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
✅ Senate passes the Big, Beautiful Bill. The GOP-controlled Senate voted 51-50 to approve Trump's tax and spending bill after weeks of intense negotiations. GOP Senators Tillis (NC), Paul (KY), and Collins (ME) joined Democrats in opposition, requiring Vice President JD Vance to cast the deciding vote. Now, the bill heads back to the House where Speaker Johnson (LA) must herd cats to get it passed ahead of the July 4 deadline.
🏊♀️ UPenn bows to Trump and bans males from women's sports. The University of Pennsylvania signed a Title IX compliance agreement to restore women's swimming records taken by trans-identifying athlete Lia Thomas and apologize to affected female swimmers. The new agreement will require UPenn to adopt biology-based definitions of male and female. The capitulation signals how quickly institutions fold when federal funding hangs in the balance.
🇮🇷 Iranian hackers threaten a hundred-gigabyte Trump email dump. An Iran-linked cyber group operating under the pseudonym "Robert" claims to have stolen emails from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Roger Stone, and Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, threatening to sell them. FBI Director Kash Patel promised a full prosecution of anyone involved in the national security breach. Tehran's digital retaliation reveals their limited options after Trump obliterated their nuclear program.
🇨🇳 FBI arrests Chinese spies targeting US Navy personnel. Federal agents arrested Yuance Chen and Liren Lai on Friday for allegedly spying on US Navy bases and attempting to recruit American service members for China's intelligence service. Court documents reveal Chen photographed Chinese-born recruits at a Navy recruiting office, sending sailor details back to handlers in Guangzhou within hours. Beijing's brazen targeting of ethnic Chinese service members exposes a significant vulnerability in the US military.
CORRECTION
Yesterday, we reported that the 20-year-old Idaho shooting suspect had “a history of violent behavior.” However, reports indicate he had no criminal background prior to his shooting rampage on multiple firefighters.
Corrections are included in newsletters for transparency.
INSIDER RADAR
Kristi Noem describes an illegal migrant cannibal
Insiders behind the paywall: Kristi Noem, Chip Roy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Kash Patel.
QUICK AND IMPORTANT
President Trump announced that Israel agreed to terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
The Pentagon paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine, citing depleted US military stockpiles.
The Trump administration ordered the Justice Department to prioritize denaturalizing new citizens convicted of crimes.
Stanford Medicine paused surgical sex changes for minors following pressure from the Trump administration.
INSIDER EXCLUSIVE
Trump forces Europe to defend itself
Eight years ago, President Donald Trump was treated like something of an interregnum by his European counterparts — someone to wait out so they could return to the days when America paid for their defense…
THE MAIN STORY
Trump and DeSantis score a win with “Alligator Alcatraz”
WHAT’S HAPPENING_
President Donald Trump visited Florida yesterday for the opening of a new migrant detention facility nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades.
Constructed in just eight days due to being fast-tracked by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), the facility will be used to hold thousands of detainees before being processed and deported.
Now, President Trump scores a win with a new facility that will speed up deportations, while DeSantis gets to show he’s a capable governor and loyal ally to a president popular in his state.
_THE FACTS_
The detention facility will hold up to 5,000 illegal migrants and includes air conditioning, medical care, and laundry facilities.
President Trump praised the project, saying it was “very exciting” and credited DeSantis for helping fulfill his deportation goals.
Interviewed inside the facility, Trump remarked, “Biden wanted me in here, OK? It didn’t work out that way, but he wanted me in here, that son of a b**ch.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the facility will help detain “some of the worst scumbags” who entered under President Biden.
The site is surrounded by alligators, pythons, and marshland, making escape nearly impossible.
FEMA funds originally used to house migrants in hotels under Biden were redirected to support construction.
Environmental groups have filed lawsuits claiming the project threatens the Everglades ecosystem.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is running for governor of the Sunshine State, reportedly called the facility a pipe dream and was blindsided by its approval.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Are you optimistic that Alligator Alcatraz will speed up migrant deportations?
Comments are open for everyone.
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame UPenn banning men from women’s sports
Mentioned behind the paywall: The New York Times, NBC News, RedState, and The Daily Signal.
THE DAILY DEBATE
📊 Which do you think was Trump’s biggest victory yesterday?Results will be in tomorrow's newsletter |
POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
How do you feel about being an American?
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😒 Not Proud (10)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤷♂️ Somewhat Proud (81)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🫡 Very Proud (1,374)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🌍 I'm not an American (34)
😒 Not Proud: “Robbing the poor to feed the rich, enabling the killing of children, and a president that made insider trading statecraft... those that are proud lack a moral compass.” — Ryan
🤷♂️ Somewhat Proud: “I’m proud of American values, not the American government.” — Joe
🫡 Very Proud: “The USA, with all her flaws, is still the best hope for the rest of the world.” — Gene
🌍 I'm not an American: “I think Americans should be proud of their beautiful country and of the freedoms it values and secures for its citizens and for many around the world.” — SPT
POP QUIZ
What was the alias of the Iranian hackers? |
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ariel David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
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