Category: Pocket Padding

Trump considering pardon for P. Diddy and other high-profile figures to mark America’s 250th: report | The Independent

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a pardon for Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, the music mogul currently imprisoned in federal prison in New Jersey for prostitution-related crimes, according to CBS News sources. Trump is also weighing clemency for Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of The Fugees, who is serving time for foreign lobbying violations. These potential pardons would reportedly be part of a White House effort to issue “250 pardons for 250 years” to mark America’s 250th anniversary during Independence Day celebrations.

Trump denied considering Combs’ pardon request in January, telling the New York Times he was not granting the alleged request, and the White House similarly dismissed pardon speculation last year. Trump and Combs, both New York-based businessmen with reality television backgrounds, previously knew each other socially, but Trump stated in May that he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years, attributing the relationship’s end to his entry into politics. Combs and Michel are both currently appealing their convictions and sentences.

Trump has deployed the pardon power to benefit political allies, business associates, celebrities, and white-collar criminals. He has pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy, crypto executive Changpeng Zhao, former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández (a convicted drug trafficker), and more than 1,000 January 6 Capitol rioters. On Friday, Trump announced six pardons for individuals he falsely described as persecuted by the Biden Administration for “fixing their car,” mischaracterizing violations of the Clean Air Act involving tampering with vehicle emissions monitoring devices.

In November, Trump pardoned a Wyoming diesel mechanic who pleaded guilty to violating environmental law by disabling emissions monitors on commercial trucks. The president’s extensive use of pardons has reportedly generated million-dollar lobbying campaigns directed at Trump and his associates. Former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-pardoning-p-diddy-america-250th-july-4-b3008891.html)cutive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.

Trump Bought 327 Stocks Before Announcing Tariff Pause

President Donald Trump purchased 327 stocks on April 8, 2025, including major holdings in Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, just six days after imposing tariffs that sent markets into decline. The timing raises serious questions about potential insider trading, as Trump had direct knowledge of his own policy decisions before publicly announcing them.

On April 9, Trump posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” on Truth Social and announced a 90-day pause on tariffs the same day. The tech companies in which he had just purchased shares experienced significant gains following the tariff pause announcement, yielding substantial financial returns for Trump’s portfolio.

Democrats have accused Trump of “corruption” and flagged the apparent conflict of interest inherent in a sitting president executing major stock trades immediately before announcing market-moving policy decisions. A White House spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, but the sequence of events mirrors the pattern of self-dealing that has defined Trump’s business and political career.

The disclosure of 327 stock purchases reveals a president using advance knowledge of his own tariff policy to enrich himself before the market-moving announcement. Such conduct exemplifies how Trump blurs the lines between public office and personal financial gain, prioritizing his portfolio over transparent governance.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-stock-trades-tariffs-financial-disclosures-b3008696.html)

Belgian Diamond Group Gifts Trump Ring After Winning Tariff Relief

A Belgian diamond industry group gifted President Donald Trump a 321-diamond encrusted gold ring valued between $25,000 and $35,000 during an America 250th birthday celebration in Brussels this week. The Antwerp World Diamond Center presented the ring through U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, with the interior engraved “Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump.” The ring features sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and gold forming symbols including the letters “T,” Superman’s logo, and an eagle, along with references to the years 1776, 2026, 45, and 47.

The gift directly followed Belgium’s diamond industry securing removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports worth over $2 billion annually to the United States. In September, the Antwerp World Diamond Center announced it had “succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff” on polished diamonds after the industry group provided “input” to the European Commission during 2025 tariff negotiations with Trump. The timing connects a tangible financial benefit to the diamond sector with the presentation of an expensive personal gift.

Trump has broken with decades of White House custom by accepting such gifts, according to four U.S. ethics experts consulted by the Associated Press. Unlike previous presidents who declined lavish personal gifts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure revealed multiple high-value gifts including a $250,000 sculpture and $15,000 in World Cup final tickets from FIFA. A White House official stated on condition of anonymity that the ring has not yet been officially presented to Trump, and Ambassador White later deleted a social media post showing him wearing the ring.

U.S. presidents retain broad discretion to accept gifts from foreign and domestic sources, though gifts from foreign governments are prohibited without congressional consent unless the president reimburses the Treasury. Personal gifts must be registered on annual financial disclosures. The diamond industry’s successful tariff elimination combined with presentation of an expensive luxury item valued at $25,000 to $35,000 exemplifies how direct material interests align with ostentatious gift-giving to the president.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/antwerp-belgian-brussels-treasury-kash-patel-b3008523.html)

Trump Denies Managing Billion-Dollar Crypto Profits

Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that he plays no active role in his financial dealings, attributing his reported $1 billion windfall to unnamed financial advisers rather than his own deliberate business decisions. Trump stated he does not “get involved” in his personal finances because he has “funds that run my money well,” even as his sons Don Jr. and Eric stood nearby during the remarks to reporters traveling to North Dakota.

Trump’s assertion contradicts his actual financial structure. Unlike presidents who typically place assets in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump never did so and maintains direct control over his business holdings alongside his children. Financial disclosures reveal the Trump family sold a 49% stake in his cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial to a UAE official for $500 million, demonstrating active family involvement in major business transactions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency earnings significantly exceed his traditional real estate income. Financial disclosures document over $1 billion in profits from two cryptocurrency businesses, substantially surpassing revenues from his property portfolio. The UFC will compensate fighters with stablecoins issued by World Liberty Financial, Trump’s cryptocurrency venture co-founded with his sons, illustrating the direct connection between his family’s crypto interests and his presidential actions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency profits are directly tied to his presidential actions and policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump reversed his previous tough stance on cryptocurrency regulation and actively promoted industry-friendly policies after receiving campaign contributions from crypto interests. This pattern demonstrates how Trump has leveraged his presidency to advance financial interests that allegedly operate without his involvement.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-billions-stocks-financial-disclosures-crypto-b3006973.html)

Donald Trump Talks About Giving His Sons the Medal of Honor

President Trump used a speech at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday to talk repeatedly about awarding himself and his sons the Congressional Medal of Honor. Trump referenced the historical father-son pairs of Theodore Roosevelt and General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., and Arthur MacArthur and General Douglas MacArthur, who are among the only recipients of the award, then pivoted to himself. "As I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think, 'I'm going to give one to myself and one to them'. We'll have a threesome. I'll pick out one of the two," Trump stated, adding he would give the medals "for their genius at hunting" and claiming he deserves one "for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia, or something."

Trump acknowledged the routine nature of these comments, admitting "I have thought about this" while claiming to joke frequently on the topic. He also noted the risk of his remarks being misinterpreted, saying "this is dangerous to say because the fake news is up there." Trump has made similar Medal of Honor jokes at least twice within two weeks, including a recent appearance in Montana, establishing a pattern of returning to the idea throughout his second term.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded exclusively for extraordinary heroism in combat. Trump's casual treatment of the award contradicts his stated reverence for it; he has previously struggled publicly with the ceremonial presentation of the medal, fumbling to fasten it around a recipient's neck at a formal Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony.

The remarks reflect Trump's pattern of conflating personal grievance with national honors and blurring the line between jest and actual policy inclination. Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were present during the speech but did not respond publicly to the comments about receiving military decorations neither has earned through military service.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-drops-wild-rant-about-giving-his-sons-medals/)

Trump Flips Out at Gas Companies Over ‘Illegal’ Gouging

President Donald Trump demanded that gasoline retailers immediately slash prices to approximately $2.50 per gallon, accusing them of “totally illegal” price gouging in a Monday Truth Social post. Trump claimed that with crude oil around $68-70 per barrel, significantly lower than the $100+ levels following his Iran war, gas stations were not passing savings to consumers, and warned of “big problems ahead” if retailers did not comply.

The national average gas price stood at $3.86 per gallon as of Monday, down from peaks near $4.50 in recent months. The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran in February, prompting Iran to effectively block the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil transits; a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is currently in effect. Trump previously claimed his administration was conducting a “big investigation” into pricing practices by major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP.

Last week, Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner stated that a lag exists between crude oil price declines and retail pump prices, with reductions expected as market conditions normalize. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the impact of his military actions on energy costs, telling reporters in May that gas prices represented “peanuts” and assuring the public the situation would not persist long.

Trump’s current demand contradicts his prior messaging and mischaracterizes how energy markets function. By framing market dynamics as criminal behavior and threatening retailers with unspecified consequences, he attempts to leverage presidential power to dictate prices without acknowledging his own foreign policy decisions that disrupted global oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-flips-out-at-gas-companies-over-totally-illegal-gouging-drop-your-price/)al oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.

Trump, 80, Wants to Run for President Again | The New Republic

At a Pennsylvania rally on June 23, 2026, President Donald Trump publicly floated running for a third presidential term, stating “Maybe we should run again” and “I’d like to do it,” despite the Constitution explicitly prohibiting more than two terms. Trump has repeatedly referenced third-term ambitions, previously stating he is “not joking” about the prospect, and has discussed the scenario with his lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who is writing a book exploring that outcome. The Trump Organization capitalizes on this messaging by selling “Trump 2028” hats for $55, up from $50 the previous year.

Trump’s claims about his military achievements and Iran’s capabilities directly contradict statements he made days earlier. At the same Pennsylvania rally, Trump declared that the U.S. had left Iran with “no Navy, no Air Force, no antiaircraft, no missile capability, no nuclear program,” and claimed Americans could “fly over Tehran just at will.” However, Iran maintains active naval units controlling the Strait of Hormuz, retains its nuclear energy program and development capacity, operates aging aircraft, and possesses substantial ballistic missile capabilities, according to New York Times reporting from May 2026. Trump himself acknowledged Iran’s missile arsenal at the G7 summit the previous week, stating other nations have missiles and questioning why he should disarm Iran while allowing Saudi Arabia to retain its arsenal.

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, facing federal fraud and bribery charges in Brooklyn under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, met privately with Donald Trump Jr. in November 2024 in Ahmedabad, India. Seven months later, in May 2025, the Department of Justice abruptly dropped all charges against Adani, with prosecutors citing prosecutorial discretion in a brief filing. Trump Jr.’s spokesperson denied the meeting had “zero to do” with the DOJ’s decision, though the substance of their discussion remains undisclosed. The dismissal triggered an immediate market surge in Adani’s companies, temporarily elevating him to Asia’s wealthiest person.

Federal law enforcement deployed AI-powered surveillance towers at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in response to Trump’s unsubstantiated vandalism claims. Trump has alleged that vandals inflicted a progressively enlarging gash on the pool’s floor, expanding his claims from 250 feet on Saturday to 300 feet by Monday to 350 feet by Tuesday, yet has refused to provide photographs or evidence despite claiming the Interior Department possesses video documentation. CBS News inspectors found no evidence of any such damage, and Trump has directed over $16 million in renovations to the pool, which deteriorated again within days, now requiring additional drainage and repairs at unknown cost to taxpayers.

Trump has ordered the arrest of six individuals accused of vandalizing the pool, deploying sophisticated surveillance infrastructure including AI-powered audio alerts, strobes, and spotlights that automatically detect and deter alleged threats. The escalation at the memorial follows Trump’s contentious history with the landmark, including blaming vandalism and ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl for pool deterioration and self-congratulating the renovation project while concealing structural failures underlying its rapid decline.



(Source: https://newrepublic.com/post/212242/trump-80-third-term-president-pennsylvania-lehigh-valley?utm_campaign=SF_TNR&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleASpSJxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeQasl5O59yGmesAb4GJZyNREQYGh2KBJBS2Rgp-wAMsFgdw_cmcIWqqCwul4_aem_Q1yHw0AWtEyNN97VXNycRA)elf-congratulating the renovation project while concealing structural failures underlying its rapid decline.

DOJ Defies Judge’s Oath Demand on Trump Weaponization Fund

The Justice Department defied a federal judge’s order on Friday by refusing to swear under oath that Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” is dead. Judge Leonie Brinkema had given the administration a seven-day deadline to declare, under penalty of perjury, that the fund would not proceed. Instead, DOJ attorneys claimed the oath requirement violated “separation of powers,” rejecting the judge’s explicit demand.

The fund, announced in May by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche following a Trump-IRS settlement, was designed to compensate individuals claiming “weaponization and lawfare” by the federal government. Lawmakers and watchdogs immediately flagged that the $1.776 billion would likely flow to Trump’s political allies and supporters, with no genuine safeguards against partisan abuse. After public backlash, Blanche told House lawmakers in June the fund was “not moving forward, ever,” yet the administration has continued to dodge court accountability through written oath.

Democracy Forward, representing plaintiffs challenging the fund, characterized the DOJ’s filing as proof of evasion. “It is telling that even after the federal court gave them a week, the Acting Attorney General and other senior administration officials continue to refuse to say under oath that the Slush Fund is dead,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of the organization. The DOJ’s refusal to commit in writing contradicts its public assurances and signals the fund’s legal status remains unresolved despite official denials.

DOJ counsel Andrew Block argued that prior statements by administration officials, made “against the backdrop of serious penalties for falsity,” should satisfy the court without formal sworn declarations. However, his assertion that penalties alone substitute for testimony under oath undercuts the judicial authority to enforce compliance and verify executive accountability. Trump previously attacked media coverage of his abandoned anti-weaponization fund during an Oval Office press session, indicating the administration’s sensitivity to scrutiny of the scheme.

Federal courts were closed Friday for Juneteenth, with Judge Brinkema unlikely to respond before Monday. The administration’s defiance of the judge’s direct order exemplifies Trump’s broader pattern of disregarding judicial oversight and refusing transparent accountability for executive action, particularly regarding funds that would have redistributed billions toward his political base.



(Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/5932296-doj-snubs-judge-weaponization-fund/?fbclid=IwdGRleASjHeNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe0RHlZAtCTd-K1VzzDlsNgkPiPV2ofZ6eegFe9bcVc_HCWwpiOljhMudJL5w_aem_qnM_3Nm8oGzpkfnt_vuGDw)

Trump Blames Vandalism for Reflecting Pool Algae

President Trump blamed “vandalism” and ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Friday, claiming unknown actors used chemicals to harm the newly installed surface after the $13.1 million renovation project deteriorated within days of completion. Trump alleged Karl was “sticking his hand into the Pool” and “trying to rip the rubber off of the surface,” while asserting the algae bloom affecting the pool—which was supposed to display “American flag blue” water—is “75 percent gone” and will be repaired by early the following week. Law enforcement is investigating the alleged damage as the project, which Trump self-congratulated for completing in one month instead of the originally projected timeline, continues to face persistent algae growth and visible surface deterioration.

Trump used a lengthy Truth Social post to tout his administration’s work “cleaning, renovated, and beautified” dozens of sites across Washington, D.C., while claiming the pool damage stemmed from “real problems with vandalism” rather than acknowledging the project’s structural or maintenance failures. The president framed the algae bloom and peeling material as external sabotage, deflecting from questions about why the multimillion-dollar renovation produced substandard results immediately after completion. Trump stated that damage is “limited” and law enforcement is investigating the alleged vandalism.

Former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings defended Trump’s vandalism claims during a CNN appearance, stating it is “absolutely true” that someone vandalized the grass surrounding the pool. Jennings characterized Trump’s critics as “broken brained” for allegedly vandalizing national monuments out of hatred for the president, and expressed hope that perpetrators would face jail time. Jennings praised Trump’s efforts to clean up the nation’s capital, endorsing the president’s framing of the pool’s problems as deliberate destruction rather than project defects.

Trump previously promoted the Lincoln pool renovation at an Oval Office event focused on executive orders, characterizing the historic structure—which has operated since 1922 and required only routine maintenance until his administration’s intervention—as “filthy” and “dirty” to justify the expensive overhaul. The project’s rapid deterioration and persistent algae bloom have drawn public scrutiny, yet Trump continues to attribute visible problems to external sabotage and media interference rather than project execution.



(Source: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reflecting-pool-algae-vandalism-peeling-floor-12098491)

Trump Threatens Unemployment Benefits Cuts in All States

Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to withdraw federal funding for unemployment insurance administration from all 50 states, marking the first time in history the federal government has wielded this weapon against state programs. Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling warned governors in a letter that the administration would withhold administrative funds to combat what it characterizes as “waste, fraud and abuse” in state unemployment systems, despite nearly 2 million Americans currently receiving those benefits and roughly 229,000 filing initial jobless claims weekly.

The threat targets the federal government’s financial support for state administrative costs, which could force state-run unemployment systems to shut down if implemented. Most states provide approximately six months of unemployment payments to qualified workers, funded primarily through state unemployment taxes paid by employers, with federal support covering administrative operations. Without federal backing, the loss of funding would directly harm the delivery of benefits to unemployed Americans who depend on those payments to survive.

Vice President JD Vance leads a task force ostensibly designed to eliminate fraud but operates as part of the administration’s politically motivated assault on Democratic-led states. The same task force already withheld $1.4 billion in federal Medicaid funding after what the White House called “sweeping crackdowns on fraud operations” in California, Minnesota, and other states. Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley directly accused the government’s anti-fraud campaign of targeting vulnerable populations rather than actual fraudsters, cutting “vital funding for services that seniors, people with disabilities, and children rely on to survive.”

The unemployment benefit threat builds on the administration’s broader assault on social programs across multiple agencies. The Department of Agriculture recently threatened to withhold funding from states that fail to provide participant data for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including immigration status information, and the Trump administration attempted to freeze the entire program during last year’s government shutdown by declaring “the well has run dry.” The timing of the unemployment fraud focus follows the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions of Americans relied on government assistance during economic upheaval in Trump’s first term.

The administration’s weaponization of federal funding against state programs systematically dismantles the social safety net while disguising cuts as anti-fraud enforcement. By threatening to eliminate federal support for unemployment administration, the Trump administration denies due process and survival resources to millions of working Americans, compounding the authoritarian consolidation of power through institutional capture and the strategic defunding of programs that protect vulnerable populations from destitution.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-unemployment-benefits-fraud-b2997881.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcASgSCxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeEMg5UYetR6T_iIYA4AjoE95C5qIIO670RPk_-O8bvIX-sQs7stGHX-Ah5rU_aem_mhSSR11XtDAVg3hK7mDvqQ)

1 2 3 … 21