Ryan Mueller
The Latest
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Trump Mocked Over Christmas Countdown as Critics Revive Questions About His Alertness
President Donald Trump's appearance at the National Christmas Tree lighting on Dec. 4 quickly became a new flashpoint for online critics, who seized on his brief countdown to question his alertness and fitness for office. The ceremony, traditionally seen as a unifying moment at the start of Washington's holiday season, instead fueled a wave of mockery that revived recent scrutiny over the president's public demeanor. First Lady Melania Trump, who stood beside him for the event, faced her own round of backlash over what detractors described as a lack of enthusiasm for the holiday role. 
President Donald Trump's appearance at the National Christmas Tree lighting on Dec. 4 quickly became a new flashpoint for online critics, who seized on his brief countdown to question his alertness and fitness for office. The ceremony, traditionally seen as a unifying moment at the start of Washington's holiday season, instead fueled a wave of mockery that revived recent scrutiny over the president's public demeanor. First Lady Melania Trump, who stood beside him for the event, faced her own round of backlash over what detractors described as a lack of enthusiasm for the holiday role. -
New Epstein Island Images Prompt Fresh Scrutiny as Lawmakers Release Disturbing Evidence
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean property, Little St. James, have ignited a fresh wave of scrutiny as lawmakers, forensic specialists and investigators examine the materials obtained during the 2019 federal sex-trafficking probe. The images-published this week by the House Oversight Committee-capture unusual fixtures inside the retreat, prompting analysts to reassess how Epstein cultivated an atmosphere of control, secrecy, and psychological manipulation during the years leading up to his arrest and death in custody. 
Newly released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean property, Little St. James, have ignited a fresh wave of scrutiny as lawmakers, forensic specialists and investigators examine the materials obtained during the 2019 federal sex-trafficking probe. The images-published this week by the House Oversight Committee-capture unusual fixtures inside the retreat, prompting analysts to reassess how Epstein cultivated an atmosphere of control, secrecy, and psychological manipulation during the years leading up to his arrest and death in custody. -
Trump Faces Erosion Inside MAGA Base as 46% of Americans Say Cost of Living Is ‘Worst They Can Remember’
A new POLITICO survey shows rising living costs are reshaping the political landscape for President Donald Trump, with a sizable share of his 2024 supporters saying they feel financially worse off and increasingly attributing their struggle to the administration. The poll found 46% of Americans view today's cost of living as "the worst they can remember," while 37% of Trump voters agree-a warning signal for a White House that built its coalition on promises of economic relief. 
A new POLITICO survey shows rising living costs are reshaping the political landscape for President Donald Trump, with a sizable share of his 2024 supporters saying they feel financially worse off and increasingly attributing their struggle to the administration. The poll found 46% of Americans view today's cost of living as "the worst they can remember," while 37% of Trump voters agree-a warning signal for a White House that built its coalition on promises of economic relief. -
Dual-Citizenship Ban Bill Could Force 5M Americans—and Melania Trump, Elon Musk—to Choose One Passport
A Republican proposal to outlaw dual citizenship has triggered immediate political and legal fallout in Washington, as the bill would apply to First Lady Melania Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and an estimated five million Americans. The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno on 1 December, prohibits "dual or multiple citizenship" and requires affected citizens to resolve their status within 12 months or face automatic loss of U.S. citizenship. 
A Republican proposal to outlaw dual citizenship has triggered immediate political and legal fallout in Washington, as the bill would apply to First Lady Melania Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and an estimated five million Americans. The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno on 1 December, prohibits "dual or multiple citizenship" and requires affected citizens to resolve their status within 12 months or face automatic loss of U.S. citizenship. -
IRS Raises 401(k) Limit to $24,500 for 2026 as Data Shows Only 14% of Workers Max Out Contributions
The Internal Revenue Service's decision to raise the 401(k) contribution limit to £18,300 ($24,500) for 2026 has reignited a debate over whether higher caps meaningfully improve retirement readiness for middle-class Americans. The increase, effective January 1, 2026, comes as inflation, debt burdens and stagnant wages continue to erode household savings capacity. Financial analysts say the new thresholds largely benefit higher-income workers, leaving most households unable to take advantage of the expanded room. 
The Internal Revenue Service's decision to raise the 401(k) contribution limit to £18,300 ($24,500) for 2026 has reignited a debate over whether higher caps meaningfully improve retirement readiness for middle-class Americans. The increase, effective January 1, 2026, comes as inflation, debt burdens and stagnant wages continue to erode household savings capacity. Financial analysts say the new thresholds largely benefit higher-income workers, leaving most households unable to take advantage of the expanded room. -
Trump Seen Closing Eyes Repeatedly in Cabinet Meeting After 160-Post Night, Fueling Cognitive Concerns
Footage from a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting has renewed scrutiny of President Donald Trump's stamina and mental fitness, after video appeared to show him repeatedly closing his eyes and struggling to stay alert during remarks from several cabinet officials. The episode unfolded days after Trump publicly boasted that he had "aced" a cognitive exam, intensifying debate over his health as the administration faces mounting policy and political challenges. 
Footage from a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting has renewed scrutiny of President Donald Trump's stamina and mental fitness, after video appeared to show him repeatedly closing his eyes and struggling to stay alert during remarks from several cabinet officials. The episode unfolded days after Trump publicly boasted that he had "aced" a cognitive exam, intensifying debate over his health as the administration faces mounting policy and political challenges. -
Trump Allies Scramble as Tennessee GOP Stronghold Tightens, Triggering Last-Minute MAGA Push
Republican leaders entered the final hours before Tennessee's special election on Tuesday bracing for the possibility of an extraordinary upset in one of the party's safest congressional districts. Despite Donald Trump winning Tennessee's 7th District by roughly 22 percentage points in 2024, internal anxiety surged as polls showed a tightening race and party strategists warned that the president's sustained unpopularity was weighing on their nominee. 
Republican leaders entered the final hours before Tennessee's special election on Tuesday bracing for the possibility of an extraordinary upset in one of the party's safest congressional districts. Despite Donald Trump winning Tennessee's 7th District by roughly 22 percentage points in 2024, internal anxiety surged as polls showed a tightening race and party strategists warned that the president's sustained unpopularity was weighing on their nominee. -
Bradley Under Fire: Second Strike on Venezuelan Survivors Sparks Legal Crisis and Political Fallout
A U.S. naval operation off the coast of Venezuela has escalated into a high-stakes legal and political crisis as Admiral Frank Bradley faces mounting scrutiny for authorizing a second strike on survivors of a disabled vessel on 2 September. 
A U.S. naval operation off the coast of Venezuela has escalated into a high-stakes legal and political crisis as Admiral Frank Bradley faces mounting scrutiny for authorizing a second strike on survivors of a disabled vessel on 2 September. -
Student Loans Alert: Major Rule Shifts Coming in 2026, Analysts Say ‘Prepare for Added Costs’
A sweeping overhaul of federal student lending under President Donald Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is set to reshape how millions of students finance higher education beginning in 2026, prompting warnings from policy analysts that borrowers should prepare for higher debt burdens and reduced access to federal aid. The Department of Education's changes, which affect loan limits, repayment structures and eligibility for forgiveness, represent the largest restructuring of the federal loan system in more than a decade. 
A sweeping overhaul of federal student lending under President Donald Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is set to reshape how millions of students finance higher education beginning in 2026, prompting warnings from policy analysts that borrowers should prepare for higher debt burdens and reduced access to federal aid. The Department of Education's changes, which affect loan limits, repayment structures and eligibility for forgiveness, represent the largest restructuring of the federal loan system in more than a decade. -
Data Review Undercuts Claims of 1,000% Surge in ICE Officer Assaults as Noem’s Tactics Face Scrutiny
A new analysis of federal court filings is challenging claims by the Trump administration and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that assaults against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have surged by more than 1,000%, reframing the debate over whether public violence is rising or whether enforcement tactics themselves are escalating confrontations. 
A new analysis of federal court filings is challenging claims by the Trump administration and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that assaults against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have surged by more than 1,000%, reframing the debate over whether public violence is rising or whether enforcement tactics themselves are escalating confrontations.
