The R&R Daily Brief: May 30, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey Friends!
Good morning! Here's everything you need to know from the past 24 hours, delivered straight and unfiltered.
TODAY'S STORIES:
Trump's tariffs survive court challenge - Appeals court reinstates duties after lower court called them "unbounded presidential power"
"America's Cop" Bernard Kerik dies at 69 - Former NYPD commissioner who led during 9/11 passes after private illness
Netanyahu accepts Gaza ceasefire plan - Israeli PM reportedly agrees to 60-day truce proposal from Trump envoy Witkoff
Chinese student visa crackdown begins - Rubio announces "aggressive revocations" for 277,000 students with CCP ties
FBI to release Epstein suicide footage - Bongino promises video proving "no one there but him" in prison cell
Comey slammed over "86-47" post - FBI leadership blasts former director's seashell social media threat
Musk exits government efficiency role - Tesla CEO leaves DOGE position to focus on business empire
Democrats' $20M plan for male voters - Party approval hits 27% low as young men flee to Republicans
WNBA racism probe finds no evidence - League concludes investigation into Caitlin Clark fan incident claims
ALSO: Don't miss the latest episode of Rivera and Reeves! Episode 42 dives deep into the Democrats' historic 27% approval rating collapse and their luxury hotel strategy sessions. From Pete Buttigieg's performative beard to David Hogg pushing Jasmine Crockett as the party's new face, Meseidy and Rachel break down all the political mess so you don't have to.
Ep. 42 | Democrats Hit Rock Bottom: 27% Approval Rating and Luxury Hotel Strategy Sessions
The Democrats are having a rough time, friends, and we're here for every messy second of it! Six months post-Trump victory, the Dems are sitting at a whopping 27% approval rating (ouch) and their brilliant strategy involves meeting at luxury hotels to conduct "anthropological studies" of regular Americans. Because nothing says "in touch with the working class" like commissioning $20 million studies on how to talk to men, am I right?
Now let’s get into the news!
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May 30, 202
TOP STORY
TARIFF ROLLERCOASTER: Trump's Trade Policies Survive Legal Challenge
President Trump's sweeping tariffs dodged a major bullet this week after a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them following a lower court's stunning rejection. The U.S. Court of International Trade had initially ruled that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by imposing tariffs worldwide, calling them "unbounded" presidential power. But within 24 hours, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stepped in to pause that ruling while appeals play out.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt didn't mince words, calling the initial ruling "judicial overreach" and blasting the judges for "brazenly" abusing their power. "These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage," she declared.
The administration had warned it would seek "emergency relief" from the Supreme Court as soon as Friday if the appeals court didn't step in. The tariffs, which include a 10% flat rate on dozens of countries and steeper duties on China, Canada, and Mexico, remain in place for now.
Further Reading:
Right: Appeals court pauses ruling that blocked Trump's tariffs - NYPost
Center: Trump's tariffs to remain in effect after appeals court grants stay - Reuters
Left: Trump's tariffs can continue for now, appeals court rules - The Washington Post
BREAKING NEWS
"America's Cop" Dies at 69: Bernard Kerik Passes After Private Illness
Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, who led the department during the 9/11 attacks, died Thursday at age 69 following a private battle with illness. Known as "America's Cop" after his steady leadership during the September 11 attacks alongside Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Kerik's life was marked by both heroism and controversy.
FBI Director Kash Patel remembered him as "a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known." Former Mayor Giuliani, visibly emotional, said "We've been together since the beginning. He's like my brother. I was a better man for having known Bernie."
Kerik's career took a dramatic turn when he pleaded guilty in 2009 to eight felony charges including tax fraud, serving nearly three years in prison before being pardoned by Trump in 2020.
Further Reading:
Right: Bernard Kerik, former New York police commissioner and 9/11 figure, dies at 69 - Fox News
Center: Bernard Kerik, who led NYPD on 9/11 before prison and pardon, has died at 69 - AP News
Left: Bernard Kerik, Trump ally and NYPD commissioner during 9/11, dies at 69 - CNN Politics
FOREIGN POLICY
Netanyahu Accepts Gaza Ceasefire Plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to a U.S.-mediated plan for a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, according to Israeli media outlets. The proposal, presented by Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, could potentially end over 18 months of devastating conflict.
The war has killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 54,000 Palestinians, displacing about 90% of Gaza's two million residents. However, Hamas has yet to respond to the latest proposal, keeping hopes for peace tentative.
Further Reading:
Right: Report: Netanyahu Accepts Witkoff Proposal; Hamas Criticizes, May Reject It - Breitbart
Center: Netanyahu says Israel accepts Witkoff's new Gaza truce proposal, media report - Reuters
Left: Israel accepts new US proposal for ceasefire with Hamas, says Israeli official - CNN
IMMIGRATION & SECURITY
Chinese Student Visa Crackdown: Rubio Announces "Aggressive" Revocations
Secretary of State Marco Rubio dropped a bombshell Wednesday, announcing the administration will "aggressively revoke" visas of Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in "critical fields."
The move affects some of the roughly 277,000 Chinese students currently in the U.S. - about one in four international students. According to Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, China accepts just 800 U.S. students in the same period.
China fired back, with a foreign ministry spokesperson calling it "politically motivated and discriminatory," adding that it "exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness."
Further Reading:
Right: State Department says it will 'aggressively' revoke visas for Chinese students - Fox News
Center: US says it will start revoking visas for Chinese students - Reuters
Left: Trump administration will 'aggressively revoke' Chinese student visas in major escalation with Beijing - CNN Politics
LAW ENFORCEMENT
FBI Promises Jeffrey Epstein Suicide Footage Release
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino made waves Thursday by announcing the bureau will release video footage proving Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in prison. "You're going to see there's no one there but him," Bongino declared, though he admitted the video won't show the actual act.
Bongino emphasized there's "no DNA, no audio, no fingerprints, no suspects, no accomplices, no tips. There is nothing" suggesting anyone else was involved. The announcement comes as the FBI continues investigating tens of thousands of child pornography videos found in Epstein's possession.
Further Reading:
Right: FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says the FBI will release evidence that proves Jeffrey Epstein did in fact kill himself - The Daily Signal
James Comey Under Fire for Social Media Post
FBI leadership slammed former Director James Comey for posting a picture of seashells arranged as "86-47" on social media - with 86 being slang for killing and 47 referencing President Trump.
Director Kash Patel revealed the post has forced agents to investigate copycats: "Do you know how many agents I've had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists, because everywhere across this country, people are popping up on social media and think that a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke?"
Deputy Director Bongino was even more blunt: "Of all the things that have surprised me in the close to now three months I've been here is the depravity of Jim Comey. This man is a disgrace to the badge, the FBI and the country."
GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING
Elon Musk Exits Government Efficiency Role
Elon Musk announced he's leaving his position at the Department of Government Efficiency to focus on his business empire. During his short tenure, Musk helped slash tens of thousands of government jobs as part of Trump's bureaucracy reduction campaign.
Further Reading:
Right: State Department Overhaul: Rubio Cuts 300+ Offices - The Daily Signal
POLITICS
Democrats' $20 Million Plan to Win Back Men
Democrats are facing a crisis of credibility with male voters, with the party's approval rating plummeting to 27% - the lowest since 1990. Young men increasingly see Democrats as "sloths or tortoises" while viewing Republicans as "apex predators."
The party has lost 20 points among Black adults and roughly the same with Hispanics. A leaked report reveals Democrats' $20 million strategy to win back young men, led by activist David Hogg's organization focusing on digital outreach through platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts.
As pollster Carly Cooperman explained: "There are groups of voters who just really feel like they have been ignored and left behind. I think you see with Hispanics in particular, the issue of immigration was something that was huge."
Further Reading:
Right: Democrats Spend Tens of Millions Hoping to Lure Those Mysterious Male Voters – They Have Learned Nothing - Red State
Center: Democrats seek course correction with young men - The Hill
Left: Democrats' struggle to connect with American men - Politico
SPORTS
WNBA Racism Investigation Finds No Evidence
The WNBA wrapped up a week-long investigation into alleged racist fan remarks during Caitlin Clark's season opener against the Chicago Sky, finding no evidence to support the claims.
The controversy began when Angel Reese was called for a flagrant foul against Clark, leading to social media allegations of racist fan behavior. The league's conclusion: "Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video of the game, we have not substantiated it."
Despite the controversy, Clark continues to draw massive ratings - 2.7 million viewers watched the controversial game, and 2.2 million tuned in for her next matchup. Clark will miss her first game action since high school due to a quad injury.
Further Reading:
Right: WNBA finds no evidence of racist remarks in Caitlin Clark investigation - Fox Sports
That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Friday!
Bye! ❤️
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 me a message to let me know.