Ryan Mueller
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Transcript Shows U.S. Envoy Coaching Russia on Praise Strategy as 28-Point Ukraine Plan Emerges
A leaked diplomatic transcript has ignited controversy in Washington after revealing that a senior aide to U.S. President Donald Trump coached Russian officials on how to flatter the president while pushing a contentious peace plan for Ukraine. The document, obtained by Bloomberg News, details a 14 October conversation in which Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, advised top Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov on rhetoric that could influence Trump's posture on negotiations. 
A leaked diplomatic transcript has ignited controversy in Washington after revealing that a senior aide to U.S. President Donald Trump coached Russian officials on how to flatter the president while pushing a contentious peace plan for Ukraine. The document, obtained by Bloomberg News, details a 14 October conversation in which Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, advised top Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov on rhetoric that could influence Trump's posture on negotiations. -
DHS Denial Fails to Calm X Users After Viral Nov. 20 Screenshot Claims Agency Was 'Created in Israel'
Confusion over the origins of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's official account on X escalated into a weekend-long controversy, after users claimed the platform's new location-tracking feature briefly listed DHS as "based in Israel." The episode unfolded as X struggled to stabilize the rollout of its "About this account" tool, which shows a user's country of activity and was first spotted by users on Nov. 20. 
Confusion over the origins of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's official account on X escalated into a weekend-long controversy, after users claimed the platform's new location-tracking feature briefly listed DHS as "based in Israel." The episode unfolded as X struggled to stabilize the rollout of its "About this account" tool, which shows a user's country of activity and was first spotted by users on Nov. 20. -
Whistleblower Says Ghislaine Maxwell Gets 'Cuddle' Sessions With Prison Dog, Fueling New Scrutiny
Ghislaine Maxwell's incarceration has drawn renewed scrutiny after a Bureau of Prisons whistleblower alleged she is receiving privileges not afforded to other federal inmates, including opportunities to "cuddle" with a prison service dog. The claims surfaced following Maxwell's transfer from a Florida detention center to the federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, and have prompted new debate about whether her high-profile status continues to influence her treatment. 
Ghislaine Maxwell's incarceration has drawn renewed scrutiny after a Bureau of Prisons whistleblower alleged she is receiving privileges not afforded to other federal inmates, including opportunities to "cuddle" with a prison service dog. The claims surfaced following Maxwell's transfer from a Florida detention center to the federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, and have prompted new debate about whether her high-profile status continues to influence her treatment. -
Trump Faces Backlash After Calling Reporter 'Quiet, Quiet Piggy' During Air Force One Exchange
President Donald Trump's exchange with a Bloomberg reporter aboard Air Force One has triggered renewed scrutiny of his treatment of women, after he responded to a question about newly released Jeffrey Epstein files by telling her, "quiet, quiet piggy." 
President Donald Trump's exchange with a Bloomberg reporter aboard Air Force One has triggered renewed scrutiny of his treatment of women, after he responded to a question about newly released Jeffrey Epstein files by telling her, "quiet, quiet piggy." -
NYC Policing: Mamdani Reaffirms 35,000-Officer Force in High-Stakes White House Meeting
New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's first Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump turned into an unusual political moment Friday, as the two men publicly navigated past attacks while outlining areas of potential cooperation on affordability and public safety. The exchange, which included Trump interrupting a reporter's question about whether Mamdani still believed he was a "fascist," quickly became one of the most discussed political clips of the week. 
New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's first Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump turned into an unusual political moment Friday, as the two men publicly navigated past attacks while outlining areas of potential cooperation on affordability and public safety. The exchange, which included Trump interrupting a reporter's question about whether Mamdani still believed he was a "fascist," quickly became one of the most discussed political clips of the week. -
Trump’s Praise of Mamdani Sparks GOP Revolt as Conservatives Warn of ‘Normalizing Communism’
Former President Donald Trump's unexpected praise of New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has triggered an intense backlash within the Republican Party, fracturing GOP messaging just as the 2026 midterm cycle accelerates. Former President Donald Trump's unexpected praise of New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has triggered an intense backlash within the Republican Party, fracturing GOP messaging just as the 2026 midterm cycle accelerates. -
White House Sparks Outrage After Leavitt Defends Trump’s ‘Piggy’ Remark as ‘Frankness’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ignited a wave of backlash across Washington this week after defending President Donald Trump's decision to call Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey "piggy," framing the remark as evidence of transparency rather than disrespect. 
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ignited a wave of backlash across Washington this week after defending President Donald Trump's decision to call Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey "piggy," framing the remark as evidence of transparency rather than disrespect. -
Trump Sparks Outrage After Calling Reporter ‘Piggy’ on Air Force One Amid Epstein Questions
Aboard Air Force One, former President Donald Trump ignited fresh controversy after directing a personal insult at Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs during a press exchange dominated by questions surrounding newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. The interaction, captured on video and circulated widely online, showed Trump leaning forward, pointing at Jacobs and saying, "Quiet. Quiet, piggy." The remark prompted immediate backlash from press advocates and political commentators. 
Aboard Air Force One, former President Donald Trump ignited fresh controversy after directing a personal insult at Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs during a press exchange dominated by questions surrounding newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. The interaction, captured on video and circulated widely online, showed Trump leaning forward, pointing at Jacobs and saying, "Quiet. Quiet, piggy." The remark prompted immediate backlash from press advocates and political commentators. -
Senate Set to Advance Epstein Records Release Bill to President Trump
Congress moved swiftly this week to compel the Justice Department to release the long-shielded Jeffrey Epstein investigative files, sending a bipartisan bill to President Donald Trump as pressure mounts over the scope of federal records tied to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals named throughout the probes. The Senate, acting with unanimous consent, agreed to approve the House-passed legislation as soon as it formally arrives Wednesday morning, clearing the path for Trump-who has said, "I'm all for it"-to sign the measure into law. 
Congress moved swiftly this week to compel the Justice Department to release the long-shielded Jeffrey Epstein investigative files, sending a bipartisan bill to President Donald Trump as pressure mounts over the scope of federal records tied to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals named throughout the probes. The Senate, acting with unanimous consent, agreed to approve the House-passed legislation as soon as it formally arrives Wednesday morning, clearing the path for Trump-who has said, "I'm all for it"-to sign the measure into law. -
Trump’s £65 Million Bond Buying Spree Raises Conflict-of-Interest Concerns as Portfolio Swells to 175 Trades
President Donald Trump executed a rapid series of bond purchases beginning in late August, accumulating at least £65 million ($82 million) in municipal and corporate debt during a six-week span, according to federal disclosures. The filings, submitted under the Ethics in Government Act, outline more than 175 transactions between August 28 and October 2, and have triggered new scrutiny over how the president's investment activity intersects with policy decisions made by his administration. 
President Donald Trump executed a rapid series of bond purchases beginning in late August, accumulating at least £65 million ($82 million) in municipal and corporate debt during a six-week span, according to federal disclosures. The filings, submitted under the Ethics in Government Act, outline more than 175 transactions between August 28 and October 2, and have triggered new scrutiny over how the president's investment activity intersects with policy decisions made by his administration.
