House Passes Key Bill In Nod To Trump Admin
Behind the narrow 218–213 vote lies a collision of fears: losing the AI race to China, blackouts from power-hungry data centers, and the erosion of hard‑won environmental safeguards. The SPEED Act slashes the time to sue over major projects and forces faster federal reviews, giving OpenAI, Microsoft, Micron, and others a clearer path to build. Supporters call it a national security necessity; opponents see a rushed giveaway to industry that locks in fossil fuels and shields Trump‑era attacks on offshore wind.
At the same time, the new U.S. Tech Force quietly knits Silicon Valley directly into the federal bureaucracy, embedding 1,000 technologists inside agencies in “collaboration” with the very firms set to profit. After two years, many can walk straight into those companies. Whether this is a bold modernization or a revolving door on steroids may define how — and for whom — America’s AI future is built.
Behind the narrow 218–213 vote lies a collision of fears: losing the AI race to China, blackouts from power-hungry data centers, and the erosion of hard‑won environmental safeguards. The SPEED Act slashes the time to sue over major projects and forces faster federal reviews, giving OpenAI, Microsoft, Micron, and others a clearer path to build. Supporters call it a national security necessity; opponents see a rushed giveaway to industry that locks in fossil fuels and shields Trump‑era attacks on offshore wind.
At the same time, the new U.S. Tech Force quietly knits Silicon Valley directly into the federal bureaucracy, embedding 1,000 technologists inside agencies in “collaboration” with the very firms set to profit. After two years, many can walk straight into those companies. Whether this is a bold modernization or a revolving door on steroids may define how — and for whom — America’s AI future is built.
Judge Tosses Wolff Suit, Clearing Path For $1B Melania Claim HH
Wolff filed suit against Trump seeking to block her from suing him for $1 billion for alleged defamatory claims he made regarding her association with Jeffrey Epstein.
“It’s an inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship,” said Manhattan Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, an appointee of President Donald Trump.
Vyskocil said she would not be “drafted to oversee an abusively presented spat,” yet she recognized that both sides have a “real dispute.”
Last year, the first lady’s lawyer issued Wolff a letter demanding he delete the statements he made about Trump and threatening that she would have “no alternative” but to sue him if he didn’t.
That spurred him to sue her in state court in October.
Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, had the complaint moved to federal court, where Vyskocil declared that while federal court does have jurisdiction, she was declining to exercise it and “dismisses this case to be litigated like any other.”
A Melania Trump spokesperson said that the first lady “is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.”
The 56-year-old’s lawyer previously claimed that Wolff’s statements caused her “overwhelming reputational and financial harm.”
The first lady has denied any association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of child sex trafficking.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” the first lady said in an April press conference.
“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation,” she added at the time.
Wolff claimed in his lawsuit that the president and first lady “have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with costly legal actions “to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean-style confessions and apologies.”
He added that some of his statements were taken out of context and some were protected speech, including a statement he made that claimed the Trumps have a “sham marriage, trophy marriage,” that his lawsuit says was a “fair and justified” opinion.
It also said in his lawsuit that Wolff never accused the first lady of being involved with criminal activity associated with Epstein.
The Daily Beast retracted an article last summer, titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author,” which was based on an interview with Wolff, after the outlet received a letter from Brito.
In the interview that formed the basis for the retracted piece, Wolff said he reported that the first lady was “behind the scenes” dealing with the situation at the White House, but was not involved criminally.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace praised Melania Trump at the time for coming out against Epstein.
“Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims,” Mace said, citing the first lady’s advocacy for legislation addressing the distribution of fake intimate images. “The truth will prevail.”
Democratic lawmakers also commented following the statement.
Rep. Robert Garcia called for a public hearing, writing, “We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing,” Garcia said. “We encourage Chairman Comer to schedule a hearing immediately.”
Garcia said the remarks renewed attention on the broader investigation.
In her remarks, Melania Trump called on Congress to take action.
“Now is the time for Congress to act,” she said.
She urged lawmakers to allow victims to testify under oath.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Change Of Plans - President Trump Picks Popular Fox News Personality For Key Position Of Surgeon General descript HH
Trump Nominates Nicole Saphier As Surgeon General Pick
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Dr. Nicole Saphier to serve as U.S. surgeon general after withdrawing the stalled nomination of Casey Means. The move places a prominent physician and media figure at the center of the administration’s public health agenda.
“I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Dr. Nicole B. Saphier to be the next SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump praised Saphier’s medical background and her work in cancer treatment and prevention. He highlighted her role guiding patients through diagnoses and promoting early detection.
“Nicole is a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment while tirelessly advocating to increase early cancer detection and prevention,” Trump said.
He also pointed to her ability to communicate complex medical issues to the public.
“She is also an INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR, who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans,” Trump said.
Saphier is a radiologist who has served as director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth in New Jersey. She is also a regular contributor on Fox News and Fox Business, where she has commented on a range of public health issues.
Her nomination follows the withdrawal of Casey Means, whose confirmation effort faced months of resistance in the Senate. Means, a wellness entrepreneur aligned with the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, had drawn scrutiny over her medical background and positions on vaccines.
Trump placed blame on Sen. Bill Cassidy for the failed nomination. Cassidy, a physician and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, had raised concerns during the confirmation process.
“Hopefully all of the Great Republican People of Louisiana… will be voting Bill Cassidy OUT OF OFFICE in the upcoming Republican Primary!” Trump wrote in a separate post.
Cassidy has been a key Republican voice on health-related nominations and policy matters. His position on the committee gives him significant influence over whether nominees advance to a full Senate vote.
Saphier now enters the confirmation process as the administration seeks to fill one of the nation’s most visible public health roles. The surgeon general serves as the federal government’s leading spokesperson on public health and medical issues.
government’s leading spokesperson on public health and medical issues.
Her nomination comes as the administration continues to emphasize its broader health policy agenda. Trump has framed the effort around prevention, communication, and reshaping public trust in health institutions.
If confirmed, Saphier would take on a high-profile position responsible for addressing national health challenges and advising the public on medical issues. The timeline for Senate consideration of her nomination has not yet been announced.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
