Latest news with #Semafor
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump gets divergent guidance from a party that's split over Iran
President Donald Trump is receiving wildly divergent guidance from a splintered Republican Party as he weighs a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Sen. Lindsey Graham and other hawks have told Trump to 'finish the job,' even if it means the US taking military action against nuclear facilities, according to the South Carolina Republican. Then there's the more nuanced view of Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., a former Navy SEAL who likened the current moment to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. He wants to prevent Iran from gaining access to a nuclear weapon but said it's 'completely unrealistic' for Republicans to argue the US can bomb Tehran's enrichment facilities at Fordow and call it a day. 'Wars are messy. They're long and they're unclear. Rarely will one single action spell the end of a conflict. Us taking out the nuclear capability, I don't think it's the endgame,' Sheehy told Semafor moments after sparring with a protester. 'As the president said, as pretty much everyone agrees — even that crazy Code Pink lady — I don't want them to have nuclear weapons.' Though he stands nearly alone, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is sending a harsher warning: that a pre-emptive strike would be unconstitutional and could draw the US or its allies into a messy war. The cacophony of voices reflects a Republican Party that's fractured over how closely to align with a president who has reshaped its ideology in his image. Even as the GOP divides over potential entanglement in the Middle East, the decision to more fully join Israel's campaign in Iran is Trump's alone. And most of the party will follow him, whatever he chooses. He insisted Wednesday afternoon that he wants to avoid 'long-term war' and seems unconcerned about those who might be 'a little bit unhappy now' over the possibility of the US getting more directly engaged. 'I only want one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's it,' Trump told reporters Wednesday. One Pentagon official told Semafor that there was 'no indication' bombing action was close as of Wednesday, pointing to low US critical munitions reserves as 'a significant, even primary concern' that could deter a quick strike in the end. Meanwhile, his White House is seeking counsel from a wide range of advisers, and senators like Graham and Sheehy, as he considers a move that could reshape the course of his presidency. They're also hearing from what one Republican lawmaker called 'so-called influencers who have no influence.' Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and The War Room's Steve Bannon are making clear that they're against direct US military involvement against Iran (Trump said Carlson called him to apologize). But other pundits who have the president's ear, like radio host Mark Levin and Fox News' Sean Hannity, are more on the side of US involvement, to say nothing of GOP hawks in Congress who have long doubted that diplomacy with Iran can work. In fact, Trump's sheer openness to striking Iran shows how far his version of 'America First' has come from its non-interventionist origins. There are plenty of signs that Trump is listening to GOP hawks more than one might assume for someone who selected JD Vance as his vice president. Trump 'carries great respect' for the likes of older-lines Republican pundits like Levin and Fox News' Sean Hannity, 'perhaps more so' than more non-interventionist types like Charlie Kirk and his vice president, said a person close to the administration. The president is seeking to 'maintain flexibility, freedom of action. And I think now he realizes the costs for a strike are lower than they ever have been,' the Republican lawmaker said. 'If he wants, he can order strikes on Fordow, be sure that he's caved it all in — and at the end of it say: 'I consider the matter closed, we're done with offensive operations in Iran,'' the lawmaker added. Inside the administration, officials aren't completely aligned about next steps and what the broader implications might be. A sign of that debate: Trump held a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday afternoon that lasted just under an hour and a half, and came and went without any apparent final decisions on further US involvement. A second Situation Room meeting was planned for later Wednesday; Trump said he'd made no final decision but 'has ideas of what to do.' In between, Trump's gotten plenty of advice. 'If we have capability, Israel doesn't have to finish the job; we should finish the job. Diplomacy was offered; it didn't work,' Graham said. 'I've encouraged the president to provide Israel with what they need to finish the job. And if we need to fly as part of it, fly.' Many aides are very wary of getting ahead of Trump given his unpredictability. And plenty of senators are signaling they'd be happy to back him if he decides to get in deeper — even as far as the regime change he says he doesn't want. 'If this is the opportunity to do it and the best military advice recommended to the president is to bust those bunkers, then bust those bunkers and get the leadership out of Tehran. And give the Iranian people a chance to be free,' said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Sheehy said he sees the US as already engaged in conflict with Iran, given its constant presence in other military conflicts on the opposing side and its stated goal of destroying America. No matter which way Trump falls on the weighty decision, Sheehy added, 'based on what he's done so far, I'll support him 100 percent either way.' 'What I don't want to see us do is see Israel get to 90 or 95% of the job done, and then the last piece that could probably end all of this doesn't happen, because we're not willing to engage a country that's said they want to destroy us,' added Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Trump would have at least one prominent Democratic backer if he attacks Iran: Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who's unabashed in his support for a pre-emptive strike on nuclear facilities. The president might have more, depending on his sales job. An all-senators briefing is now scheduled for next week, according to an aide to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. 'This is a momentous decision, and I don't begrudge him taking the time to figure it out. I share the goal of making sure that Iran never possesses a nuclear program,' said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. 'We're getting conflicting views on that from Tulsi Gabbard and the president; it's difficult to know who to believe.' He coined his own term for Trump's position, calling it 'unstrategic ambiguity.' For the few overt non-interventionists like Paul in the GOP, the risks of striking Iran are clear. The Kentuckian warned it could lead to more entanglement, whether the president likes it or not. 'Who's going to occupy Iran? You think the Israelis will be welcome occupiers in Iran? Do you think Americans would be welcome occupiers of Iran? Nobody would be,' Paul said. Forecasting Trump's decisions is always a fool's errand, and his public statements on Wednesday only underscored his opaque approach. Summing up his will-he-or-won't he sentiment, he said Wednesday: 'I may do it. I may not do it. No one knows what I'm going to do.' If Trump does strike Iran, the vast majority of his party in Congress is going to support the initial effort to cripple nuclear capability. Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are certain to dissent, but that otherwise will be a fairly limited crew of Republicans. Trump's support in both parties — and his presidency — could hinge on what happens next. There are few signs of support for a spiraling war in the Middle East after Iraq and Afghanistan, even as Republicans circulate polls showing their supporters want the US to support Israel. Steve Bannon that if Trump does decide to strike Iran, the MAGA wing opposing it will ultimately 'get on board.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia sanctions on pause as Iran conflict heats up
The Senate is pushing off plans to sanction Russia and its trading partners until at least July, as war between Iran and Israel and Republicans' massive tax cuts bill blot out the popular bipartisan legislation. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are zeroing in on a revised version of their bill that would shield Ukraine's allies from some sanctions for trading with Russia and make other technical changes. But their hopes of getting a bill through the Senate this month have withered as other priorities take precedence. GOP leaders want President Donald Trump's tax and spending megabill on the floor next week, Iran is pulling Trump to the brink of direct military engagement, and the president hasn't given the Senate the green light to pass the sanctions. It doesn't help that a cryptocurrency bill took more than a month to clear the chamber, underscoring the heavy lift needed in even popular proposals. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said on Tuesday that a 'July timeframe' for Russia sanctions was most likely at this point: 'We're very open to moving, we're trying to work with the administration from a timing standpoint.' And Graham told Semafor the Senate is 'going to have to wait a bit' on Russia sanctions, without giving a specific timetable. 'Things are changing now with Iran … that doesn't mean I've forgotten about Russia or Ukraine. Not at all,' Graham said of the timing of the legislation. 'Iran is center stage, but sooner rather than later.' Republicans have been threatening to move on the sanctions bill for weeks, eager to hit back at Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime. After military aid for Ukraine badly split the party, sanctions have become more unifying for Republicans — although plenty of them are not keen to move without Trump's go-ahead. That signal hasn't arrived yet. And while Graham negotiates with the White House, the spiraling conflict between Iran and Israel is eclipsing the deteriorating security situation in Europe. Trump left a Group of Seven meeting in Canada early — skipping a planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'All the focus is on Israel and Iran right now,' Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Semafor, adding that he is 'all for putting sanctions on' Russia. Trump convened a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday amid open posturing that he might strike Iran's nuclear facilities, but by nightime he had not made a call. Graham and Blumenthal vowed imminent floor action after visiting Ukraine recently and said they'd hoped to have their bill approved by this week's G7 meetings. Thune and other top Republicans later said the Senate could take the bill up this month as efforts by the Trump administration to get peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow off the ground fell short. Those scheduling hopes are now all but out of reach. Earlier this week, Russia targeted Kyiv with deadly drone and missile strikes. In an interview, Blumenthal said he and Graham are 'making tremendous progress' with the administration but 'our real obstacle is everything else that's going on, particularly reconciliation,' the vehicle for Trump's tax cuts. 'Things here never move as fast as we would like, but there are no obstacles besides everything else that's going on in the world. And Donald Trump personally should call on Congress to move,' Blumenthal added. Proponents of the sanctions legislation argue it would give Trump more leverage to force Putin — who thus far has spurned peace talks — to the table. 'We want to strengthen our hand in the negotiation. So that timing is being done, from our perspective, with the administration,' said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. 'We want to help effectuate an outcome in Ukraine, so we're trying to use it in a way that actually helps get something done' The bipartisan Senate bill would give the administration the power to impose secondary sanctions on Russian trading partners, including countries that purchase Russian energy. Graham told Semafor earlier this month that he was working on a carveout for nations who have supported Ukraine — a tweak that would ease worries in Europe about the impact of the penalties and likely make the bill easier to pass. Blumenthal said they are also adjusting the legislation around the contours of the world banking system. 'There is no evidence that Putin is going to slow down,' Graham told Semafor on Tuesday. 'We need to change the approach. I think the sanctions will give the president leverage.' Democrats — even those who don't always toe the party line — are plenty impatient. They'd like to see the Senate pass sanctions now and go even further with more weapons for Ukraine. 'I would vote for anything, more military aid, stronger sanctions. Everything,' said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. 'I'm very pro-Israel, very strong on Taiwan and Ukraine. That's all in the same war for democracy, whether it's Russia, Iran or China.' Trump has been losing patience with Putin, boosting hopes that he might get behind an effort to move the Senate bill to increase the pressure on the Russian leader. Trump's remarks about sanctions have been inconsistent, however, and on Monday he suggested that Europe should move first on any more penalties. One former Trump administration national security official predicted the Middle East crisis would cause the White House to double down on a retreat from Europe. 'I think it reinforces the inclination to withdraw from [an] active mediator role in Ukraine,' the former official told Semafor. The White House has been working behind the scenes to water the sanctions -bill down, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier in June. The U.K. moved ahead with new sanctions on Russia on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Eater
3 days ago
- Business
- Eater
Who Wants a MAGA Instant Pot?
In the months leading up to and following Donald Trump's re-election to the presidency, there has been no shortage of products branded with 'Make America Great Again' or Trump's bronzer-spackled visage, many created for the president himself to profit from this distinctly racist and hateful moment. Now, even the makers of your Instant Pot, the once-trendy appliance that you lug out to make chicken soup every once in a while, are getting in on the action. Semafor reports that Instant Pot Brands, the Canadian-born company behind the Instant Pot, plans to debut a new line of Trump-inspired products in the coming months. Dubbed the '45/47 Collection,' the as-yet-unnamed appliances will be emblazoned with Trump's favorite slogan. The move comes weeks after the company complained a few months ago that Instant Brands would have to raise the retail price of the Instant Pot nearly $40 to mitigate the impact of Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs on China. The parade of companies and executives seeking to cozy up to Trump has been never-ending in recent months, a strategy that makes some sense when you consider that the president has demonstrated a real openness to flattery. Perhaps Instant Brands believes that if it sticks Trump's face on enough Instant Pots, he'll keep backing off his plans to implement the impending steel tariffs that have the potential to increase the prices of all appliances. If they can both flatter the president and sell a few MAGA-branded Instant Pots to his fans, what is there to lose? This is, unfortunately, a natural consequence of the way that corporate brands have increasingly felt compelled to pander to political trends in recent years. It's like the ugly alter-ego of Target's beleaguered and frequently-embarrassing Pride collection. But while there's nothing wrong with buying a rainbow-colored toaster, there is something distinctly gross about buying a small appliance just because it has MAGA written on the side of it. MAGA isn't a colorful pattern that might fit your aesthetic, it's a rallying cry that has emboldened the most hateful among us and inspired the targeting of immigrants for mass deportation, racist hate crimes, and a broader crumbling of social decency. Usually when it comes to MAGA paraphernalia, Trump is the one doing the selling. His official Trump store is populated with everything from pickleball paddles to, of course, food. Right now, if you were so inclined, you could buy bars of chocolate shaped like silver bullion on the Trump Store ($9.60), or peppermint-chocolate popcorn ($6.40). Coffee, wine, whiskey, and koozies printed with 'TRUMP 2028' on them are also for sale, and the man himself gets a cut. On some level, the surprise here isn't that a Canadian company would make a product praising him — it's that Trump would let them without trying to take a majority of the profits. Trump, of course, will indirectly benefit from the sales of these Instant Pots. Instant Brands has announced that it will donate a portion of its profits to Trump's forthcoming presidential library. It is not at all surprising that Trump will at least get a small cut — the president has reportedly made millions of dollars licensing merch of all kinds — and food is no exception. Trump loyalists have demonstrated an incredible willingness to spend money on pretty much anything Trump-branded, so why wouldn't the most cynical among us seek to profit from that? Just in case the hats, the t-shirts, the sneakers, the flags, the bumper stickers, and the Lenox china weren't enough, now you can display your unhinged love for the president in every single facet of your life. It's almost as if everyone, even the home appliances crowd, realizes that the MAGA fans will buy damn near anything, even if it is a total piece of garbage.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Smith aide: Lee exploited Minnesota deaths ‘to post some sick burns about Democrats'
A senior staffer for Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) sent a scathing and emotional email to the office of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Monday night after Lee blamed the political left for the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. 'It is important for your office to know how much additional pain you've caused on an unspeakably horrific weekend,' Ed Shelleby, Smith's deputy chief of staff, wrote in the email, which was first reported by Semafor. 'Using the office of US Senator to post not just one but a series of jokes about an assassination—is that a successful day of work on Team Lee? Did you come into the office Monday and feel proud of the work you did over the weekend?' State Rep. Melissa Hortman (D), a friend of Smith's, was assassinated along with her husband by a gunman who also shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife over the weekend. The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, is said to have kept a list of at least 45 other lawmakers, including Smith. Over the weekend, Lee posted or engaged with several tweets that blamed the shootings on the political left, remarks that have drawn outrage from his Democratic colleagues on the Hill. Lee posted, 'This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way,' along with a photo of the suspected shooter released by the FBI, showing a masked man at the door of a lawmaker's house. Lee followed up with another post of the masked man's photo alongside a headshot of Vance Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect, with the text 'Nightmare on Waltz Street,' an apparent reference to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). Right-wing accounts have widely speculated that Boelter was motivated by leftist ideology, although people close to him have said that he supported President Trump. Boelter also has been linked to Walz because he had been appointed twice to a state economic panel by two Democratic governors, first Gov. Mark Dayton, and then Walz. 'You exploited the murder of a lifetime public servant and her husband to post some sick burns about Democrats,' Shelleby wrote to Lee's office. 'Did you see this as an excellent opportunity to get likes and retweet? Have you absolutely no conscience? No decency?' Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His office's official Senate account condemned the violence on Sunday. Smith briefly confronted Lee in a Senate hallway on Monday night about his tweets, which came from his personal account. She told reporters that she wanted Lee to hear directly from her 'about how painful that was and how brutal that was to see that on what was just a horrible, brutal weekend.' Smith said he was 'hard for me to characterize exactly what he said. He didn't say a lot, frankly,' but added that Lee 'seemed a little surprised to be confronted.' Smith's office did not immediately return a request for comment about the interaction. Prior to his conversation with Smith, Lee appeared to double down in a reply to a tweet by X owner Elon Musk. 'The far left is murderously violent,' Musk tweeted in response to a post that blamed the left for the shootings. 'Fact check: TRUE,' Lee replied to Musk's tweet. Amidst bipartisan calls from both state and federal lawmakers to turn down the temperature, Shelleby asked Lee's office to 'begin to see the people you work with in this building as colleagues and human beings.' Hortman, Shelleby wrote, 'was a force. And a human being. And I beg of you to exercise some restraint on social media as we continue to grieve.'
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Anderson Cooper hires Hollywood ‘super agent' — a sign the $18M-a-year anchor may leave CNN: reports
Anderson Cooper has hired a reputed Hollywood 'super agent' — a sign that the CNN anchor, said to be pulling down an annual salary of $18 million, may exit the struggling cable network amid looming cost cuts. Cooper, the 58-year-old son of the late fashion designer and railroad heiress Gloria Vanderbilt, is ditching his longtime agent United Talent Agency in favor of Creative Artists Agency and its top deal broker Bryan Lourd. News of Cooper's move was reported on Tuesday morning by the news sites Semafor and Variety. A CNN spokesperson declined to comment. Advertisement 4 Anderson Cooper has hired a new agent — sparking buzz that the CNN anchor may be mulling a new chapter in his career. CNN The Post left a message on Lourd's voicemail seeking confirmation of the Variety and Semafor reports. The decision to switch agents and hire Lourd is significant given that the CAA rep's client roster leans more toward Hollywood's elite than traditional broadcast journalists, according to Variety. Lourd has offered his services to A-list stars such as Scarlett Johansson, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig. Advertisement Cooper's shift in agencies has raised questions about whether the anchor may be preparing to expand his portfolio — or possibly exit the network altogether — as the traditional TV news model faces mounting financial pressures. The former war correspondent has diversified his media presence over the years. In addition to anchoring 'Anderson Cooper 360' on CNN, he contributes to CBS's '60 Minutes' and previously guest-hosted 'Jeopardy!' He was also once considered for a permanent role alongside Kelly Ripa on Disney's syndicated morning show 'Live.' These side gigs have given Cooper room to stretch beyond hard news, and his latest agent switch suggests there may be more evolution ahead. Advertisement 4 Bryan Lourd is the top agent at Creative Artists The Met Museum/Vogue Industry observers told Variety that Cooper's timing comes as networks across the board are cutting costs and rethinking their talent strategies. Cooper's bosses at media conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery, which oversees CNN, is restructuring to separate its TV networks from its streaming and production businesses, a move analysts say could position the cable channels for a future sale. Earlier this month, WBD CEO David Zaslav announced the split. He has assigned his 'slash and burn' chief financial officer, Gunnar Wiedenfels, the task of looking for ways to slash costs when he takes over CNN and other cable assets under the umbrella of a new company called Global Networks. Advertisement 4 Hollywood starlet Charlize Theron is among Lourd's A-list clients. Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC Last week, Puck News reported that Cooper's hefty salary — which is said to be more than five times that of fellow prime time host Kaitlan Collins despite the fact that both generate similar viewership numbers — could be in Wiedenfels' crosshairs. CNN has refused to confirm Cooper's salary. The network has also disputed the figures that have been reported in the press. The Post has sought comment from Cooper. Many veteran anchors have been let go or asked to take pay cuts. Chris Wallace exited CNN while Cooper's former colleagues Don Lemon, Jim Acosta and Alisyn Camerota have all departed key roles. 4 Lourd's roster of clients also includes Scarlett Johansson. AP Cooper's own longstanding deal with CNN reportedly dates back to 2016, when he signed a multiyear extension believed to last at least five years. That contract was widely interpreted as CNN's way of locking him down and keeping him from joining ABC's morning show. In recent years, Cooper has grown his profile through a podcast on grief and his recurring New Year's Eve broadcasts with Andy Cohen, which have become a hallmark of CNN's holiday programming. Advertisement Meanwhile, the parent companies behind these news operations are undergoing significant transformations. Paramount Global, which owns CBS News, is in the process of merging with Skydance Media, a deal that includes $1.5 billion in planned cost reductions — on top of $500 million already slashed. At Comcast, NBCUniversal is spinning off many of its cable assets, putting MSNBC and CNBC on a different track from NBC News.
