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Second Woman Testifies Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Raped Her as Federal Trial Intensifies

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Second Woman Testifies Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Raped Her as Federal Trial Intensifies

NEW YORK  — A second woman has come forward to accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape, testifying in federal court Thursday that the music mogul assaulted her multiple times while she worked as his personal assistant. The woman, using the pseudonym Mia, said Combs forced oral sex on her and later raped her while she was asleep — a harrowing revelation that adds to an already explosive federal trial for racketeering and sex trafficking.

“I was just frozen. I didn’t do anything. I just let it happen,” Mia told jurors through tears, staring down as she recounted a disturbing moment in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and forced her to perform oral sex. She later testified that Combs climbed on top of her while she was asleep and raped her again.

Now in its third week, the high-profile trial is taking place in Manhattan federal court, where Combs, 55, faces five felony charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and sexual assault. If convicted, the charges could result in a life sentence.

Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his defense team has acknowledged that while he may have been abusive in past relationships, all sexual encounters were consensual. Throughout Mia’s testimony, Combs largely remained stoic, occasionally passing notes to his attorneys without showing outward emotion.

Federal prosecutors argue that Combs orchestrated a pattern of sexual exploitation, intimidation, and violence spanning more than two decades. Central to their case are alleged drug-fueled sex parties — known as “Freak Offs” — during which Combs is accused of coercing women to participate in explicit acts with male sex workers.

Earlier in the trial, Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, offered emotional testimony describing years of physical and emotional abuse. The R&B singer said Combs raped her shortly after their final breakup and manipulated her into taking part in the Freak Offs under threat of releasing sex tapes. Ventura testified that despite loving Combs, she feared him and the consequences of disobedience.

Other witnesses — including friends, staff, and former colleagues — have backed up Ventura’s and Mia’s accounts, depicting Combs as a controlling and volatile figure who allegedly used bodyguards and associates to carry out his orders and silence victims.

Last week, Dawn Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, testified that she felt threatened by Combs after witnessing inappropriate behavior. She said Combs pressured her to stay silent, a claim met with a rigorous cross-examination by Combs’ defense.

Another high-profile figure, rapper Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi), also took the stand. He testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, just after Combs allegedly learned of his romantic involvement with Ventura. Prosecutors point to the arson as part of a broader campaign of violence and intimidation intended to prevent women from leaving Combs’ inner circle and speaking out.

Combs, who revolutionized hip-hop through his label Bad Boy Records and helped launch the careers of icons like the Notorious B.I.G., was arrested last September. He remains in custody at a federal facility in Brooklyn during the ongoing proceedings.

The federal trial has drawn intense media coverage, not only due to the graphic nature of the allegations, but also because of Combs’ cultural stature and influence within the entertainment industry. Prosecutors assert that his success provided a powerful shield of fame and money, allowing him to abuse women unchecked for years.

As the courtroom hears more from alleged victims and witnesses, prosecutors say they are working to expose the systemic nature of Combs’ crimes, which were “enabled by a network of loyal enablers and fueled by a desire for control and power.”

The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks as new witnesses take the stand.

Skulls of 19 Black Americans Returned to New Orleans After 150 Years for Memorial and Reckoning

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Skulls of 19 Black Americans Returned to New Orleans After 150 Years for Memorial and Reckoning

NEW ORLEANS  — The skulls of 19 Black Americans, severed from their bodies in 1872 and sent to Germany for so-called scientific study, have finally been returned to New Orleans for a long-overdue memorial. On Saturday, the city will hold a sacred ceremony to honor the lives and dignity of those individuals, more than a century after they were stripped of both.

The remains — which were kept for over 150 years at Leipzig University in Germany — were used in 19th-century racial pseudoscience that falsely claimed Black people had smaller brains and were therefore inferior. Their return, facilitated by an international repatriation effort, culminates in a moment of reckoning for New Orleans, its academic institutions, and the nation.

At a news conference Wednesday, Dillard University President Monique Guillory called the event “a confrontation with a dark chapter in medical and scientific history,” saying it represents “a path of justice, honor, and remembrance.”

“These were people with names, stories, and histories,” Guillory said. “They were not specimens. They were not numbers. They were human beings — mothers, fathers, daughters, sons.”

The individuals died in Charity Hospital in 1872 and were later mutilated and shipped overseas. The remains were housed at Leipzig University, which is now engaged in efforts to repatriate human skulls collected during colonial and racist scientific pursuits.

According to Eva Baham, a retired Dillard professor and chair of the Cultural Repatriation Committee, Leipzig contacted the city in 2023 about the skulls. The outreach triggered a two-year journey culminating in their return to New Orleans just last week.

A public visitation and memorial service will be held Saturday at Lawless Memorial Chapel on the Dillard University campus. The remains will then be laid to rest at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

Those to be memorialized include Adam Grant, Isaak Bell, Hiram Smith, William Pierson, Henry Williams, John Brown, Hiram Malone, William Roberts, Alice Brown, Prescilla Hatchet, Marie Louise, Mahala, Samuel Prince, John Tolman, Henry Allen, Moses Willis, and Henry Anderson. Two additional sets of remains could not be identified.

Baham said that, while no descendants could be located, researchers did find their names listed in municipal death records, often noted in close succession. “Some had only been in New Orleans for hours, days, or weeks,” she said, emphasizing that each life mattered.

The service will reflect New Orleans’ deeply spiritual and cultural relationship with death, Guillory said. “We will honor them in the most sacred way we know — in true New Orleans fashion — with a jazz funeral that shows the world these people mattered,” she told NBC News. “Now they are home.”

The idea of bringing the skulls back raised complex and sensitive questions, Guillory admitted, including whether it was appropriate to return the remains and who should take responsibility. But for Dillard, University Medical Center New Orleans, and city officials, the answer was clear.

“There was uncertainty, yes — but also a deep moral clarity,” Guillory said. “We knew this was the right thing to do.”

Guillory emphasized that the memorial is about more than remembrance. It’s a call for historical accountability. “We want that day to be not only one of remembrance,” she said, “but of reckoning and renewal. May we never forget them.”

The return and interment of these skulls mark a symbolic, yet tangible effort to restore dignity to the victims of scientific racism, and highlight the ongoing need for racial justice in historical and academic institutions.

53-Year-Old Man Charged After Liverpool Premier League Parade Crash That Injured Dozens

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53-Year-Old Man Charged After Liverpool Premier League Parade Crash That Injured Dozens

LIVERPOOL, England  — A 53-year-old Liverpool man was formally charged Thursday after a vehicle plowed through crowds celebrating Liverpool Football Club’s English Premier League title, leaving 79 people injured in a downtown parade incident that stunned the city and the nation.

Paul Doyle, a resident of the West Derby area, now faces seven criminal counts, including dangerous driving, malicious wounding, and attempted grievous bodily harm, just three days after the violent crash disrupted what was meant to be a historic celebration for the football club and its supporters.

He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday, according to Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, who confirmed in a press conference that seven victims remain hospitalized. Sims expressed hope that “all of those who were injured, or witnessed this terrible incident, are able — given time — to heal and recover.”

Doyle was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs following the Monday evening crash. Prosecutors have now charged him with:

  • One count of dangerous driving
  • Two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
  • Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
  • Two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent

“This case has rightly shocked not only Liverpool but the entire country,” said Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire. “It is important to ensure that every victim gets the justice they deserve. Monday’s scenes reverberated around Liverpool and the nation on what should have been a day of celebration.”

The incident occurred in central Liverpool, where thousands had gathered to celebrate Liverpool FC’s league championship win. According to police, Doyle was driving a Ford Galaxy that suddenly accelerated into the crowd, pinning several people beneath the vehicle before it came to a halt.

Video footage circulating online shows panicked onlookers screaming as the car tore through the densely packed crowd. One clip, verified by NBC News, captured furious fans kicking the vehicle and attempting to force open the doors to reach the driver. The same footage shows the car lurching forward again, knocking more people to the ground.

Authorities were quick to describe the crash as a “major incident”, although they ruled out terrorism, saying it appeared to be an isolated event. However, police have not yet released information on what motivated the crash.

Doyle was charged after 70 hours of police questioning, with investigators continuing to process a large volume of evidence, including multiple video clips and dozens of witness statements. Prosecutors said the investigation is still in its early stages, and further developments are expected as the case proceeds.

“The scale and speed of the inquiry reflects the seriousness of what happened,” Hammond said.

Local media identified Doyle as a married father of three teenagers and an IT specialist who once served in the Royal Marines between 1990 and 1994, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Neighbors interviewed by The Times of London expressed disbelief, describing Doyle as a “normal Liverpool dad” and a “genuinely pleasant family man.” Some residents assumed a burglary had occurred when police arrived at his home late Monday night.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of a night that began in jubilation and ended in horror, Merseyside Police are urging anyone with additional video footage or eyewitness accounts to come forward.

 Diddy Allegedly Threatened to Leak Sex Tapes of Cassie to Her Parents, Trial Witness Testifies

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 Diddy Allegedly Threatened to Leak Sex Tapes of Cassie to Her Parents, Trial Witness Testifies

NEW YORK  — Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly threatened to release explicit sex tapes of former girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura online and send copies to her parents’ workplace in an attempt to have them fired, according to dramatic testimony from a friend of the singer in federal court Wednesday.

Deonte Nash, a celebrity stylist and close friend of Ventura, told jurors that Combs repeatedly used video recordings of “freak-offs”—sexually charged encounters with other men that Ventura said she participated in unwillingly—as leverage over her. Nash testified that Ventura confided she did “not want to” engage in those sexual acts and feared the consequences if Combs made good on his threats.

“He said he would post them online,” Nash told the court. “And he said he’d send them to her parents’ jobs to get them fired.”

Nash also recalled seeing visible bruises on Ventura’s body “quite often,” painting a picture of a controlling and allegedly abusive relationship that the prosecution claims is part of a broader pattern of coercion and exploitation by the 55-year-old music mogul.

The day in court began with chaos as Combs’ defense team sought a mistrial, accusing the prosecution of misconduct. The dispute arose during testimony from Lance Jimenez, an arson investigator who handled the 2011 firebombing of rapper Kid Cudi’s car, a case allegedly linked to Combs.

Jimenez stated that fingerprint evidence recovered from a Molotov cocktail at the scene had been destroyed by the Los Angeles Police Department without his knowledge in 2012. Prosecutors suggested Combs could have been involved in the evidence’s disappearance, prompting an immediate objection from defense attorney Marc Agnifilo.

Agnifilo argued that the prosecution’s line of questioning unfairly implied someone in the courtroom—potentially his client—was responsible for the destroyed evidence, calling the assertion “outrageous.”

Judge Arun Subramanian denied the mistrial motion but agreed to strike the fingerprint-related testimony from the record. Jurors were instructed to disregard the exchange entirely, with the judge emphasizing its irrelevance to the current charges.

The prosecution is expected to shift focus Thursday as they call Victim #4, a former Combs employee identified only as “Mia,” to the stand. Prosecutors allege Mia was coerced into sex with Combs after years of abuse in the workplace, including forced oral sex and unwanted advances during overnight stays.

During opening arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson described Mia as a former personal assistant whom Combs “worked to the bone for years” before eventually forcing himself on her sexually.

Mia’s testimony is expected to span two full days, with prosecutors anticipating she will remain on the stand through the end of Friday’s session.

Earlier in the week, Capricorn Clark, who worked for Combs intermittently between 2004 and 2018, testified about what she described as a hostile and exhausting environment. She recounted how Combs’ relentless demands and verbal abuse caused her to develop stress-induced alopecia, a medical condition that led to significant hair loss.

These allegations form part of the prosecution’s broader case portraying Combs as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise characterized by sexual misconduct, workplace abuse, and efforts to intimidate or silence victims and witnesses.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges and continues to maintain that all sexual encounters were consensual. His legal team has accused prosecutors of pursuing a “sensationalized” case without substantive evidence.

The trial, which began last week, is expected to last up to eight weeks. Prosecutors plan to call additional former employees and alleged victims in the coming days as they build a case aimed at dismantling what they describe as a pattern of intimidation, manipulation, and abuse spanning more than a decade.

Rubio Announces Visa Revocations for Chinese Students as Trump Administration Tightens Academic Ties with China

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Rubio Announces Visa Revocations for Chinese Students as Trump Administration Tightens Academic Ties with China

WASHINGTON  — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will begin revoking visas for Chinese students, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to sever academic ties with China over national security concerns. The move targets Chinese nationals with alleged links to the Chinese Communist Party and those enrolled in “critical fields” of study at American universities.

Rubio said the State Department will coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the measure. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, particularly those with CCP connections or involved in sensitive academic disciplines,” he stated.

The policy shift is expected to affect a significant portion of the Chinese student population in the U.S., which stood at over 270,000 during the 2023-2024 academic year, accounting for roughly a quarter of all international students in American institutions. China remains the second-largest source of foreign students in the country, after India.

Rubio’s announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. academic partnerships with Chinese institutions. Republican lawmakers have raised alarms about potential “back-door access” to classified or sensitive research through university collaborations. In recent weeks, GOP members of the House pressed Duke University to cut ties with a Chinese institution, citing concerns over federal research exposure.

A 2023 House GOP report detailed how hundreds of millions in defense funding were allegedly channeled into joint research projects involving Chinese government-linked entities. The report warned of foreign adversaries exploiting academic loopholes to gain access to American technological advancements.

Meanwhile, Harvard University has become a flashpoint in this crackdown. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security barred Harvard from enrolling any new international students, accusing the Ivy League institution of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party and training individuals affiliated with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group. The decision was temporarily blocked by a federal judge following a lawsuit from Harvard.

In a related development, Rubio also ordered the suspension of new student visa interviews, pending new guidelines that will include enhanced vetting of social media activity for applicants from China and Hong Kong.

The policy changes are sowing widespread anxiety among international students in the U.S., whose presence is critical to the financial stability of many tuition-driven universities. American colleges hosted around 1.1 million foreign students last year, who are largely ineligible for federal financial aid and typically pay full tuition.

“Contingency plans” are already being implemented at institutions such as Northeastern University, where over 20,000 international students are enrolled. “This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments,” said university spokesperson Renata Nyul.

Students affected by the shift are increasingly wary of leaving the U.S. for routine visa renewals. Vladyslav Plyaka, a University of Wisconsin student from Ukraine, said the suspension of visa appointments has left him uncertain about traveling to Poland to visit family. “I don’t think I have enough trust in the system at this point,” Plyaka said. “I understand it’s for security reasons, but I’d rather finish my studies and return home after graduation.”

The Trump administration has already drawn criticism this year for attempting to deport international students involved in protests over the Israel-Hamas war, and for abruptly revoking their legal status before reversing course and broadening deportation criteria.

Speaking from the Oval Office Wednesday, President Trump doubled down on his administration’s scrutiny of universities with large foreign student populations. He said Harvard should limit its international student percentage to around 15%, down from the current 25%.

“I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country,” Trump told reporters. He added that many international students are coming from “radicalized regions” and may pose security threats.

The White House has also moved to cut more than $2.6 billion in federal grants to Harvard amid its ongoing battle with the university over its enrollment policies and research affiliations. Trump has accused the Ivy League school of harboring liberal extremism and antisemitism—claims the university has strongly denied.

Rubio echoed the president’s concerns by revealing the State Department will revise visa criteria to include stricter evaluation of applicants’ social media presence, ideological alignment, and affiliations with entities linked to the Chinese government. While visa applicants have been required to submit social media handles since 2019, the new guidelines will require more in-depth review, though specifics remain unclear.

The renewed focus on Chinese students and research partnerships represents a return to a key Trump administration priority from his first term: curbing Beijing’s influence within American academia. During that period, the Education Department launched 19 investigations into foreign funding at U.S. universities, finding that many institutions underreported financial ties with China, Russia, and other adversarial nations.

Responding to pressure from lawmakers, Eastern Michigan University announced earlier Wednesday that it would terminate its engineering partnerships with two Chinese universities. The announcement came just hours before Rubio’s press statement and followed calls from Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, for schools to dismantle any academic cooperation with China.

While administration officials emphasize national security, advocacy groups warn that the visa crackdown risks damaging the U.S.’s reputation as a global hub of education and innovation. Jonathan Friedman of PEN America said the vague policy details could “upend the long-standing place of the U.S. as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange.”

With universities caught between compliance and financial pressures, and foreign students navigating an increasingly hostile regulatory environment, the administration’s aggressive stance is poised to reshape the future of international education in the United States.

Trump Pardons Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, Ending Prison Terms for Fraud and Tax Evasion

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Trump Pardons Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, Ending Prison Terms for Fraud and Tax Evasion

WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump issued full pardons Wednesday for reality television stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, ending their prison sentences stemming from a 2022 federal conviction for bank fraud and tax evasion. The couple, known for their popular USA Network series “Chrisley Knows Best,” were released from federal custody just hours after the presidential clemency was made official.

According to Shannen Sharpe, a spokesperson for the Chrisleys’ attorney, Todd Chrisley was freed Wednesday evening from a minimum-security prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie Chrisley was released from a federal facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

Outside the Florida prison, the couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, appeared visibly emotional as she spoke to reporters. Wearing a bright pink MAGA hat and a matching “Women for Trump” jacket, she expressed gratitude and anticipation. “We just want to get home. We want to be reunited,” she said. “My parents have not spoken to each other, heard each others’ voices, or seen each other in the past 2½ years.” Savannah confirmed that her brother, Grayson, had traveled to Kentucky to reunite with their mother.

Trump, who has frequently wielded presidential pardons as a tool of political loyalty and public influence, announced his intent to pardon the Chrisleys on Tuesday, saying the couple had received “pretty harsh treatment” given the circumstances of their case. The clemency aligns with Trump’s broader pattern of granting pardons to public figures, loyalists, and political allies, particularly those with connections to the entertainment industry or conservative causes.

Savannah Chrisley has been a vocal supporter of Trump, publicly endorsing his 2024 campaign and speaking at the Republican National Convention. She has long argued that her parents were wrongfully targeted and that their prosecution was politically motivated, despite the fact that their 2019 indictment was handed down by a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, Byung J. “BJay” Pak.

Still, Savannah credited officials in Trump’s administration for re-evaluating the case. “They saw the corruption,” she said, adding that Trump personally called her to deliver the news of the pardon while she was at a grocery store. “I didn’t have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and fight for my parents.”

The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of submitting fraudulent loan applications to banks in the Atlanta area before achieving TV stardom. According to federal prosecutors, the couple and a former business partner falsified documents to secure millions in loans, which they then used to fund a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury cars, designer goods, and real estate. New loans were routinely used to pay off old ones, a scheme that ultimately collapsed when Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, walking away from over $20 million in debt.

Prosecutors also accused the Chrisleys of hiding income from their reality show to evade taxes, further bolstering the tax evasion charges. Despite their conviction being upheld last year by a three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the couple continued to maintain their innocence.

The Chrisleys’ legal team argued that their trial was marred by false testimony from an IRS officer and claimed that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence. Their attorney, Alex Little, praised the presidential pardon as “a correction of a deep injustice.” He claimed the couple had been “targeted because of their conservative values and high profile.”

Before Trump’s intervention, Julie Chrisley, 52, had been serving a sentence set to end in January 2028, while Todd Chrisley, 56, wasn’t expected to be released until September 2032, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

As Savannah Chrisley waited outside the Pensacola facility for her father, she spoke about the family’s plans to reconnect and celebrate missed milestones. “We’re going to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, all the things,” she said. “We’re going to make up for the lost time.”

The release of the Chrisleys sparked a wave of support from fans and conservative activists, many of whom gathered outside the prison to welcome Todd home. Savannah paused to take selfies and thank supporters before departing through the prison gates in a private vehicle.

The Chrisleys had built a loyal following with their reality series, which portrayed them as a wealthy, devout Southern family navigating life’s challenges with humor and faith. The stark contrast between their onscreen persona and the criminal charges added to the public intrigue surrounding their legal saga.

The decision to pardon the Chrisleys underscores Trump’s ongoing use of presidential clemency to reward prominent supporters and personalities with cultural influence, a strategy that has included pardons for rappers, business executives, and political operatives.

While critics decry such moves as favoritism and a circumvention of justice, Trump’s allies argue the president is correcting injustices overlooked by the courts. With the 2024 election looming, Wednesday’s pardons may serve to energize Trump’s base, particularly among reality TV fans and social conservatives.

 Elon Musk Steps Down From Trump Administration Role After Criticizing ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

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 Elon Musk Steps Down From Trump Administration Role After Criticizing ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

WASHINGTON  — Elon Musk has formally ended his role as a top advisor in the administration of President Donald Trump, announcing his departure just one day after publicly criticizing the president’s signature budget proposal, a sweeping legislative package that Trump has lauded as his “big beautiful bill.”

Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, served as a Special Government Employee tasked with spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a White House initiative aimed at reducing wasteful federal spending. Musk confirmed his resignation in a post on X, the social media platform he owns, writing, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Musk’s departure and praised his contributions.

The resignation came just hours after Musk voiced strong criticism of Trump’s legislative centerpiece in an interview with CBS News, calling the bill—a combination of tax cuts and immigration enforcement—“a massive spending bill” that undermines the very efficiency goals DOGE was created to pursue.

“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk said, “but I don’t know if it can be both.”

According to Musk, the proposed legislation would balloon the federal deficit while ignoring the foundational mission of DOGE. “It increases government spending at a time when we were just beginning to rein in the bureaucracy,” he said.

President Trump, speaking Wednesday from the Oval Office, acknowledged the complexities of the legislation, stating, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it… We’re going to see what happens. It’s got a way to go.”

Despite Musk’s disapproval, House Republicans narrowly passed the bill, which is now under Senate consideration. While Trump seeks to maintain momentum behind the legislation, Musk’s remarks appear to have resonated with certain GOP senators pushing for deeper spending cuts.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., expressed sympathy for Musk’s disappointment during a public appearance at the Milwaukee Press Club, saying he was “pretty confident” the bill would be delayed until lawmakers got serious about spending reductions.

“There’s no amount of pressure the president can apply to make me change my position,” Johnson said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his service and vowed to continue supporting DOGE’s efforts. “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings,” he said.

The White House has already submitted proposed rescissions to Congress to align with some of DOGE’s recommended cuts, including $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $8.3 billion in foreign aid. An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson said these steps would solidify some of DOGE’s initiatives, despite Musk’s exit.

Musk’s departure also marks a turning point in his relationship with politics. Once highly engaged in government reform, Musk now plans to refocus on his private ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX. He also signaled a retreat from political giving, saying, “I think I’ve done enough.”

Reflecting on his time in Washington, Musk told The Washington Post that the scale of federal inefficiency far exceeded his expectations. “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. It’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.”

Despite setbacks, Musk once viewed the opportunity to lead DOGE as a mission to “save America from fiscal collapse.” He routinely donned MAGA hats, attended Trump rallies, and was once quoted saying, “The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy… Frankly, I love him.”

Trump returned the admiration, praising Musk as “a truly great American.” At one point, during a slump in Tesla sales, the White House even transformed its driveway into a temporary showroom to promote the automaker.

Musk’s criticism of Trump’s budget bill has already begun to influence Republican discourse. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reposted a Fox News article on Musk’s remarks, adding that the Senate version of the bill “must be more aggressive” or risk failure. “It can, it must, and it will be. Or it won’t pass,” Lee said.

Two GOP lawmakers in the House—Reps. Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky)—voted against the bill. Davidson applauded Musk’s stance on social media, writing, “Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment.”

The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the bill’s tax provisions would add $3.8 trillion to the deficit over 10 years, while reductions in welfare programs would save just over $1 trillion. Although House Republican leaders claim the bill will spur enough economic growth to offset the costs, independent watchdogs remain skeptical. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the legislation will increase the national debt by $3 trillion, including interest, over the next decade.

AP

 Harvard to Transfer 175-Year-Old Photos of Enslaved People to South Carolina Museum, Ending Legal Fight

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 Harvard to Transfer 175-Year-Old Photos of Enslaved People to South Carolina Museum, Ending Legal Fight

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.  — Harvard University has agreed to relinquish ownership of 175-year-old daguerreotypes of enslaved individuals to a South Carolina museum, concluding a prolonged legal battle waged by Tamara Lanier, who has long claimed to be a direct descendant of the subjects.

The images—believed to be the earliest known photographs of enslaved people—will be moved from Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, where the two subjects, Renty and his daughter Delia, were believed to have been enslaved in 1850. Lanier identified the man as her great-great-great-grandfather, whom she affectionately calls “Papa Renty.”

Lanier’s 15-year struggle for the return of the daguerreotypes, which Harvard once used for academic purposes, has now culminated in a legal and symbolic breakthrough that her attorney, Joshua Koskoff, called “unprecedented.”

“This may be the only instance in U.S. history where descendants of enslaved individuals have successfully won control of such historic visual documentation,” Koskoff told The Associated Press. “To reach back across 175 years and reclaim their humanity—this is a true victory for justice.”

The central legal issue revolved around whether Harvard could retain ownership of images created without consent for the pseudoscientific study of racial hierarchy commissioned by 19th-century Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz. Though Massachusetts courts ruled that Harvard held legal title to the photographs, they also allowed Lanier to pursue damages for emotional harm.

Harvard stated on Wednesday that it had been working for years toward the ethical transfer of the images “to place them in proper context and expand public access.”

As part of the settlement, the photographs will now be removed from Harvard’s possession, and while financial terms were not disclosed, Koskoff confirmed that the resolution includes an undisclosed monetary component.

At a press event marking the agreement, Lanier stood beside Susanna Moore, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Louis Agassiz, whose racist theories once underpinned the academic misuse of the images.

“This is a moment in history where the sons and daughters of stolen ancestors can stand with pride and rightfully proclaim a victory for reparations,” Lanier said. “These stolen images—taken without dignity or consent—will finally be returned to a place that can honor their truth and humanity.”

Moore acknowledged the pain inflicted by her ancestor’s work, calling the daguerreotypes “a deeply racist project.” She praised Lanier’s resilience and added, “This victory reminds us that the meaning of objects in museums can and should evolve. This woman beside me knew she was not small, and she was never alone.”

Tonya M. Matthews, president and CEO of the International African American Museum, called the settlement “175 years in the making.” She lauded Lanier’s courage and confirmed that the museum would involve her directly in curating the display and narrative surrounding the images.

“The bravery, tenacity, and grace shown by Ms. Lanier in returning these sacred images to South Carolina sets a model for us all,” Matthews said.

Lanier’s original lawsuit also demanded that Harvard acknowledge its historical ties to slavery and listen to her oral family history. While the settlement ended the case, Koskoff emphasized that Harvard has yet to publicly recognize either its complicity in slavery or Lanier’s familial link to Renty and Delia.

“That is just left unanswered by Harvard,” Koskoff said. “But even so, the settlement speaks volumes.”

Koskoff stressed that Lanier’s team supports Harvard’s opposition to recent moves by President Donald Trump’s administration, including efforts to cut federal funding and restrict international student enrollment—policies criticized as politically motivated attacks on elite universities.

“We are not here to bash Harvard,” Koskoff said. “But that doesn’t absolve them from the obligation to tell a full history, even one that reflects poorly on their own motto—Veritas.”

Lanier, he said, no longer awaits acknowledgment from Harvard. “In the end, the truth finds you,” Koskoff said. “Yes, history is written by the winners. But sometimes, over time, those winners come to look like losers.”

 Trump Renews Criticism of Putin as Russia-Ukraine War Escalates Amid Fragile Peace Prospects

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 Trump Renews Criticism of Putin as Russia-Ukraine War Escalates Amid Fragile Peace Prospects

WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, accusing him of aggravating the war in Ukraine by stalling peace efforts while launching drone and missile attacks across the country.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his warning that Putin was “playing with fire”, following a Truth Social post the day before in which he warned that “really bad” consequences for Russia had been averted only because of his administration’s restraint.

Despite his harsh rhetoric, Trump said he was not prepared to impose new sanctions on Moscow, suggesting that doing so could jeopardize a potential peace agreement still in the works.

The renewed tension comes as Russia proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, a move announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ukraine has yet to publicly respond.

The diplomatic spat between Washington and Moscow unfolds amid escalating warfare, with Russian troops advancing near Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region and both sides conducting widespread drone strikes.

Asked if Putin was deliberately delaying negotiations, Trump replied, “We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little differently.”

Following a May 19 phone call with Trump, Putin said he was prepared to work with Ukraine on a memorandum outlining the parameters for a potential ceasefire and peace accord. However, according to Russian sources, Putin is demanding written guarantees that NATO will not expand eastward into countries like Ukraine or Georgia, and also wants some Western sanctions lifted.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told state media that the U.S. president appeared “not well-briefed” on the realities of the conflict.

On Wednesday, Russia claimed to have intercepted 296 Ukrainian drones across 13 regions overnight. Ukraine, for its part, said it had struck multiple Russian weapons manufacturing facilities, while also defending against 88 drones and five ballistic missiles launched by Moscow.

Russia has also moved further into Ukraine’s Sumy region, following its earlier claim of ejecting Ukrainian forces from the adjacent Kursk region in late April. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that 50,000 Russian troops are now positioned near Sumy, but stressed that Kyiv has taken measures to prevent a full-scale invasion.

Speaking during Zelenskiy’s visit to Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany and Ukraine will jointly produce long-range missiles. The Kremlin immediately condemned the announcement, accusing Berlin of escalating the war.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov claimed that NATO is using the conflict to expand its presence in eastern Europe, while insisting that Russia continues to make advances along the front.

Now in its third year, the Russia-Ukraine war has left both nations deeply strained, with Russia controlling just under 20% of Ukrainian territory. Despite making gains over the past year, Moscow faces mounting military and economic costs, while Ukraine remains reliant on Western support to defend its sovereignty.

Russia Proposes June 2 Peace Talks With Ukraine in Istanbul Amid Pressure to End War

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Russia Proposes June 2 Peace Talks With Ukraine in Istanbul Amid Pressure to End War

MOSCOW  — Russia has formally proposed holding the next round of direct peace negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Wednesday, as diplomatic efforts to halt the war intensify under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Lavrov’s remarks signal Moscow’s willingness to resume dialogue after the previous round of talks—held on May 16 in Istanbul—failed to yield a breakthrough on a ceasefire. That meeting marked the first in-person contact between Russian and Ukrainian delegates since March 2022, just weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

There was no immediate response from Kyiv regarding the new proposed date.

“We hope that all those who are sincerely, and not just in words, interested in the success of the peace process will support holding a new round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul,” Lavrov said in a statement released Wednesday.

Lavrov’s comments come days after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with President Trump on May 19. Following that call, Putin signaled Russia’s readiness to work with Ukraine on a memorandum outlining terms for a future peace agreement.

Moscow has so far refused to agree to an immediate ceasefire, asserting that specific conditions must be met before any truce can take effect. Ukraine and its Western allies have pushed for an unconditional cessation of hostilities, but Russia insists that mutual security guarantees and territorial considerations must first be resolved.

Earlier on Wednesday, Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s negotiating delegation, said he had reached out to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov with a formal proposal for both the date and venue of the next meeting.

“Let me emphasize: right there, on the spot, we are ready to begin an essential, substantive discussion of each of the points of the package agreement on a possible ceasefire,” Medinsky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He added that Moscow expects a formal response from Ceasefire Frameworks Under Discussion

Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that both sides had agreed to draft their respective proposals for ceasefire and settlement mechanisms ahead of the next meeting. These documents would be exchanged and discussed in Istanbul, she said.

Zakharova’s statement confirms that negotiators plan to focus on what Moscow terms the “modalities of settlement and ceasefire,” signaling a shift toward detailed frameworks that could lead to a broader peace accord—should agreement be reached.

As the war drags into its third year, and with Western leaders growing increasingly vocal about the need for progress, the June 2 meeting could mark a critical moment in determining whether diplomatic channels remain viable for ending Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

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