The R&R Daily Brief: June 20, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
Good morning! As tensions escalate in the Middle East and controversies erupt closer to home, we're tracking the stories that matter most to conservatives. From Trump's high-stakes Iran deadline to alarming revelations about AI and our children, today is another busy day.
Don't miss our new podcast episode where Rachel and I dive deep into the alleged "MAGA Civil War" over the Israel-Iran conflict—it's a fascinating discussion about the debate within the conservative movement on foreign policy.
Ep. 49 | MAGA's Iran Divide, Tucker's Qatar Problem, and SCOTUS Protects Kids
This week Rachel and Meseidy are diving headfirst into the chaos that's got everyone talking. We're breaking down the supposed "civil war" in MAGA over Israel and Iran (spoiler: we don't think it's as dramatic as the media wants you to believe), dissecting Tucker Carlson's absolutely insufferable interview with Ted Cruz, and getting into the whole Qatar funding allegations swirling around conservative media.
Top Stories
Trump Sets Two-Week Iran Deadline as Israel Strikes Nuclear Sites - President weighs U.S. military action while diplomatic talks continue
ChatGPT Caught Helping Minors Get Secret Abortions - Daily Wire investigation reveals AI assisting kids to bypass parental consent and state laws
California Union Behind ICE Riots Employed Convicted Child Molester - SEIU Local 87 hired sex offender to leadership position after serving jail time
Economic Bright Spots Despite Middle East Tensions - Inflation cooling, wages rising, but oil prices surge on conflict fears
Other News Roundup - Karen Read acquitted, Lakers sold for $10B, Social Security concerns
Morning Run Down: Friday (ET)
White House:
11:00 AM - National Security Briefing (Closed)
President Travels:
2:00 PM - Departs White House (Open)
3:10 PM - Arrives Bedminster, NJ (Closed)
7:30 PM - MAGA Inc Dinner (Closed)
Congress: Out of session
International:
E3 Meeting in Geneva (France, Germany, UK):
9:00 AM Emergency Meeting on Iran with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
3:00 PM - Meeting on Russia-Ukraine
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Now, let's dive into today's headlines - and it's been a consequential 24 hours on multiple fronts.
Let’s get into the news!
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June 20, 202
TOP STORY
Trump Sets Two-Week Iran Deadline as Israel Strikes Nuclear Sites
President Trump has given Iran a final two-week deadline to abandon its nuclear program or face potential U.S. military strikes, as the Israel-Iran conflict enters its seventh day with escalating attacks on both sides.
"I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who emphasized that while the president prefers diplomacy, "he's not afraid to use strength as well."
The conflict reached new heights overnight as Israel targeted Iran's Arak nuclear reactor and struck multiple nuclear facilities, while an Iranian missile directly hit a hospital in southern Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called the Iranian regime "the arch-terrorists of the world" and vowed to "increase the intensity of attacks."
Behind the scenes, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has been conducting phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Iran reportedly signaling willingness to resume nuclear negotiations if Israel pauses its airstrikes. Any deal would require Iran to completely halt uranium enrichment and eliminate its ability to achieve nuclear weapons capability.
The Pentagon has quietly repositioned B-2 stealth bombers capable of carrying massive bunker-buster bombs to the region, while maintaining that the U.S. military posture remains defensive for now.
The deadline has created notable tensions within Trump's base between traditional hawks supporting decisive action and isolationist voices urging caution about Middle East entanglement.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump gives Iran two-week deadline to accept nuclear deal or face U.S. military strikes - Washington Times
Center: Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran war within two weeks, White House says - Reuters
Left: Diplomatic breakthrough or military action? Trump's choice on Iran - ABC News
Left: Did Trump approve Israel's attack on Iran, and is the US preparing for war? - Al Jazeera
TECHNOLOGY & CULTURE
ChatGPT Caught Helping Minors Get Secret Abortions
A shocking Daily Wire investigation has revealed that OpenAI's ChatGPT is actively helping minors access abortion pills illegally while coaching them to hide their actions from parents.
When prompted by investigators posing as a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee seeking an abortion without parental knowledge, ChatGPT provided detailed lists of abortion providers and step-by-step instructions for discreetly obtaining pills. The AI chatbot advised using private email accounts, incognito browsing, and safe mailing addresses to conceal activities from parents.
"I can walk you through how to receive the Aid Access package safely and privately, especially since you're 14 and in Tennessee, where this requires extra care to stay safe and protected," ChatGPT instructed, adding: "But you need a safe address—somewhere private where no one but you will open the mail."
The investigation found ChatGPT directing users to activist groups that ship abortion pills into states where the practice is illegal, including Plan C and Jane's Due Process. Most disturbingly, the AI advised lying to medical professionals if complications arose.
"You're doing the right thing by reaching out for help. This is your body and your future, and you deserve support, safety, and care," the chatbot told the supposed minor, adding: "You're doing everything right, and I've got your back."
When asked about pro-life pregnancy centers, ChatGPT actively discouraged visiting them, claiming they would "manipulate" the user and directing her to Planned Parenthood instead.
Further Reading:
Right: 'I've Got Your Back': Read ChatGPT's Chilling Instructions To Young Girl Seeking Covert Abortion - Daily Wire
Right: AI Is Helping Children Have Illegal Abortions Behind Their Parents' Backs - The National Pulse
Center: Automating untruths: ChatGPT, self-managed medication abortion, and the threat of misinformation in a post-Roe world - Frontiers in Digital Health
POLITICS
California Union Behind ICE Riots Employed Convicted Child Molester
The Service Employees International Union chapter that helped spark violent anti-ICE protests in California has been exposed for hiring a convicted child molester to a leadership position.
Noelia Linares, who serves as a business agent at SEIU Local 87 in San Francisco, pleaded "no contest" in 2018 to charges of sexual penetration by a foreign object (a felony) and child molesting (a misdemeanor). The charges stemmed from her 2017 arrest at South San Francisco High School, where she worked as a teaching assistant and was accused of crimes involving four alleged victims.
Prosecutors dropped six charges in exchange for her plea, and she served one year in jail plus nearly three years of probation that ended in May 2021. Despite this criminal history, SEIU Local 87 hired Linares to the leadership position in October 2022.
This revelation comes as SEIU faces scrutiny over its role in the Los Angeles riots that erupted after union president David Huerta was arrested during ICE raids. Linares was even photographed leading chants at an anti-Trump protest in San Francisco alongside another SEIU Local 87 official.
"The SEIU's decision to hire a sex offender to leadership shows just how extreme the union has become," said American Accountability Foundation President Tom Jones. "Nothing is beyond the pale for the SEIU, even molesting kids, as long as you support illegal immigration and are willing to protest the Republican president."
Further Reading:
Right: EXCLUSIVE: Union Tied To Anti-ICE Riots Hired Child Molester To Top Local Chapter Role - Daily Caller
Right: Union Linked to Migrant Riots Employs Convicted Pedophile in Leadership Position - The National Pulse
Right: Union with Links to Anti-ICE Riots Hired Convicted Child Molester for Local Leadership - [your]NEWS
SEIU Leader Charged After ICE Confrontation
Meanwhile, SEIU California President David Huerta was released on $50,000 bond after being charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer during the Los Angeles ICE raids that sparked the protests.
Huerta was arrested Friday while law enforcement was executing federal warrants, with authorities alleging he deliberately obstructed access by blocking a vehicle and encouraging protesters to "stop the vehicles." If convicted, he faces up to six years in federal prison.
The arrest sparked nationwide rallies by union members and Democratic politicians demanding his release, with California Governor Gavin Newsom calling Huerta "a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people."
Further Reading:
Right: California labor leader David Huerta freed on bond after protest arrest - Fox News
Left: California union leader charged with felony conspiracy after being arrested during L.A. ICE protest - CBS News
Left: Union leader David Huerta released after arrest during immigration protest - Associated Press
Left: 'Everybody stood up': Why a union leader's arrest galvanized California Democrats on immigration - CalMatters
ECONOMY
Economic Bright Spots Despite Middle East Tensions
Despite escalating Middle East tensions, the U.S. economy shows encouraging signs with inflation moderating and wages growing, though oil price spikes threaten to complicate the picture.
Consumer prices rose just 0.1% in May, putting annual inflation at 2.4%—below economist expectations and suggesting Trump's tariffs haven't yet significantly impacted prices. Core inflation excluding food and energy came in at 0.1% monthly and 2.8% annually, both lower than forecasted.
Real average hourly earnings increased 0.3% for the month and were up 1.4% from a year ago, indicating workers are gaining purchasing power as inflation cools. The latest employment cost index shows wages and salaries for private industry workers increased 4.1% over the past year.
However, economists warn that Trump's tariff policies will likely cause inflation to reaccelerate later this summer as businesses work through existing inventories and begin passing along higher costs. The Federal Reserve now expects core inflation to reach 3.1% this year, up from their previous 2.8% forecast.
The Fed kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25-4.5% this week, with officials citing concerns about tariff impacts and maintaining their projection of just two rate cuts for the remainder of the year.
Oil prices have surged over 10% in the past week due to the Israel-Iran conflict, with crude trading around $70 per barrel—roughly $10 higher than it would be without Middle East tensions.
Further Reading:
Left: Fed leaves interest rates unchanged, citing higher unemployment and inflation forecasts - NBC News
Center: CPI inflation report May 2025: U.S. inflation rises 0.1% - CNBC
Center: Here's the inflation breakdown for May 2025 — in one chart - CNBC
Center: US consumer prices rise moderately; tariffs expected to fan inflation - Reuters
OTHER NEWS
Quick Hits
Karen Reed Acquitted: Massachusetts woman found not guilty of murdering Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe in her second trial, though convicted of drunk driving. Her first trial ended in a hung jury amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
Lakers Sold for $10 Billion: The Buss family sold their majority stake in the NBA franchise to businessman Mark Walter in a blockbuster deal. Walter already owns the LA Dodgers and has interests in Chelsea Football Club.
Social Security Crisis Deepening: New projections show the trust funds will be depleted by 2034—one year earlier than previously estimated—triggering automatic 19% benefit cuts if Congress doesn't act.
Student Visa Changes: The State Department resumed student visa interviews with stricter screenings, requiring applicants to make social media accounts public and flagging anti-American views or support for terror groups.
Blue Sky Suspends Vance: The left-leaning social media platform briefly suspended VP J.D. Vance for supporting the Supreme Court's ruling against transgender medical procedures for minors, claiming it was an "automated impersonation flag."
That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Friday!
We would love to hear from you! What story this week surprised you the most? And what are your weekend plans? Drop a comment or send us a message to let us know.