Now they want Trump on our money

The news, in brief …

• Hollywood fights back again, Jane Fonda revives Committee for the First Amendment

  Jane Fonda revives her father’s McCarthy-era free speech coalition, warns of government efforts to silence dissent. Read more.

• Trump’s National Guard moves hit legal roadblocks

  Residents and officials question whether federal troops are protecting communities or sending a political message. Read more.

• Bad Bunny turns SNL into a masterclass on Latino pride and power

  The artist turned Fox News’ outrage and threats of ICE enforcement into pride, making the culture war look small. Read more.

• Disability benefits may become harder to get for older workers

  The administration argues it’s modernization, advocates say it could leave millions of older Americans struggling. Read more.

• “Yes, it’s real”: Treasury confirms draft design for $1 Trump coin

  The design featuring Trump's profile and raised fist is already fueling legal questions, political fury and memes. Read more.

• A protest in bronze: Trump and Epstein return to the Mall

  Removed and damaged, controversial artwork is once again daring D.C. to determine the limits of free expression. Read more.

Make me smarter …

Trump’s phony war on Venezuela — and his larger war on reality

Why is Trump attacking Venezuela? All the usual reasons: Wounded pride, limitless greed and conspiracy theories. Read more.

Standing Room Only …

Why Erika Kirk can’t replace Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, is now the CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). But can she ever replace the role Charlie played in his “debates” with college students? In this video, Amanda Marcotte digs into the myth of those debates and why Erika’s record exposes a deep hypocrisy. She preaches about women’s “Biblical role” as submissive wives, but Erika herself went to college, earned multiple degrees, and launched several companies. So why does she demand other women do the opposite? She’s joined by Drew McCoy of Genetically Modified Skeptic, who breaks down why Charlie Kirk’s debate performances were more theater and why actual human-to-human discourse is more meaningful than these political stunts.

Before you go …

Saudi Arabia’s latest luxury buy? Comedians selling out free speech

The comics in the Riyadh Comedy Festival are just the latest performers hired to shine up brutal regimes. Read more.

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