South Carolina GOP Primary to Determine 2028 Nominee Amid Trump Endorsement
In South Carolina, GOP voters will hold a primary election on Tuesday to select a replacement for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The race, which is the second attempt this summer to pick a nominee, features 10 candidates, including Darline Graham, the sister of the deceased senator, and former Gov. Mark Sanford. The winner will face a potential runoff on August 25 if no candidate secures an outright majority. The primary is seen as a key indicator of the Republican electorate's preferences for the 2028 presidential race, particularly regarding support for Trump's MAGA-aligned policies.
In Minnesota, the GOP gubernatorial primary saw Mike Lindell, a Trump ally and MyPillow founder, lose to Lisa Demuth, the state House speaker, despite Trump's endorsement. Lindell, who has faced legal challenges over campaign finance, criticized the Minnesota GOP for being dysfunctional. Meanwhile, the Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota was won by Peggy Flanagan, a progressive candidate backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, over Rep. Angie Craig.
Where the accounts differ
Slate reports that Darline Graham, the sister of Sen. Lindsey Graham, is running for the Senate and has embraced Trump’s endorsement, while The Daily Wire also mentions her advancement to a runoff. However, Slate does not mention the runoff, while The Daily Wire does. The Washington Examiner and Al Jazeera both mention Mike Lindell’s loss in the Minnesota GOP primary, but the Washington Examiner includes details about Lindell’s legal challenges and his criticism of the Minnesota GOP, which Al Jazeera omits. The Daily Wire and Slate both describe Darline Graham’s campaign, but The Daily Wire includes specific quotes from Graham and political consultants, which Slate does not.
Trump’s Air Force One deception faces scrutiny over ‘decoy’ passengers
President Donald Trump secretly switched planes during his trip from Turkey last month, using a catering truck to transfer from the older Air Force One to a military C-32A aircraft, according to multiple reports. The operation was allegedly triggered by a credible Iranian threat, with the older Air Force One serving as a decoy while Trump flew on the smaller plane. The deception was so elaborate that journalists and some White House staff believed Trump remained on the decoy plane. Trump later confirmed the switch, claiming the plane he flew on was at greater risk than the decoy Air Force One. The White House initially stated Trump would fly on the older Air Force One, but he was secretly transferred to the C-32A. The new Air Force One, a Qatari-gifted Boeing 747, was used for the final leg of the trip after Trump arrived in the UK.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian and Al Jazeera both report that Trump was transferred via a catering truck, but only The Guardian names the catering truck as part of the operation. The Guardian also includes a quote from Steven Cash, a former CIA intelligence officer, who characterized the operation as a “charade” and suggested the plan was to “reduce the danger to President Trump by offering up 100 or so people to be killed by the Iranians in his place.” Al Jazeera does not include this characterization. The Guardian and Newsweek both mention that Trump claimed the plane he flew on was at greater risk, but Newsweek adds that Trump said he did not know the reason for the switch and dismissed the threat. The Guardian and CBS News both report that the press was instructed to keep window shades closed, but CBS News adds that Trump later joked about the shades being closed due to “sleazebags.” The Guardian and Al Jazeera both mention that the White House initially claimed the older Air Force One was being used for a tour, but only The Guardian attributes this claim to the White House.
Scores dead in Colombia after powerful earthquake strikes west of country
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and damaging hundreds of buildings. The quake was felt in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared a national state of emergency, stating the government would deploy resources to rescue people and deliver aid. The earthquake caused severe damage in cities including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, with reports of buildings collapsing and people trapped under rubble. Rescue teams and civilians searched through the wreckage for survivors, while authorities urged residents to stay outside buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
The earthquake caused widespread destruction, with at least 61 buildings collapsing and many more damaged. In Cali, the mayor reported at least 20 buildings collapsed, and people were trapped inside. In Pereira, the mayor said 65 buildings had collapsed, with victims thought to be trapped in at least 15 of them. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, reported injuries and severe damage in the department’s capital, Quibdó. The US and Colombian geological surveys confirmed the quake’s epicenter in the western department of Chocó, with the event being the strongest recorded in Colombia this century.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian and UPI report different death tolls, with The Guardian stating 111 deaths and UPI reporting 188. The Guardian also notes 40 deaths in Pereira, while UPI states 79. The BBC reports 132 deaths, and Straight Arrow News reports 164. The Guardian and NPR both report 111 deaths, while NPR adds that the quake was the strongest in Colombia this century. The BBC and UPI provide more detailed information on the number of injured and missing people, with UPI stating 2,595 injured and 222 missing. The Guardian and NPR mention the death toll could rise, while UPI and Straight Arrow News note that more people may be trapped under rubble. The Guardian and NPR report that the quake was felt in Venezuela, while the BBC and UPI also mention Ecuador and Panama.
Trump Demands Compensation from Iran as Hormuz Talks Stall
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States would demand compensation from Iran for damages and deaths caused by Iran’s actions, framing the move as a response to Tehran’s own demands for reparations. The Iranian government has conditioned the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on receiving financial compensation and the lifting of sanctions. Trump’s comments came as negotiations between Iran and Oman over the strait continued, though the U.S. has not yet agreed to Iran’s terms. The strait, through which about 20% of global oil flows, has been effectively blocked since the start of the war, contributing to rising oil prices and inflation.
The Trump administration has been applying economic pressure on Iran through what it calls “Operation Economic Fury,” including sanctions on countries and entities that engage with Iran. However, experts have questioned the effectiveness of this approach, noting that the strait’s closure has already had a significant impact on global energy markets. Meanwhile, Trump has claimed that Iran is in a dire economic situation, with high inflation and a lack of funds to pay its military personnel.
Where the accounts differ
Slate reports that Trump claimed Iran’s demands were part of a previous agreement, while UPI and Al Jazeera state that the demands were largely in line with an interim peace agreement that broke down. CBS News omits any mention of the interim agreement and focuses instead on the current stalemate. Al Jazeera and UPI both note that Trump cited 52,000 deaths in Iran, while Slate and CBS News do not specify the number. NPR and UPI mention that Trump’s inflation figures were higher than those cited by administration officials. Straight Arrow News states that Vice President JD Vance claimed talks are happening, a claim not made by other outlets.
In texts, Fauci discussed potential risks, benefits of COVID vaccine for pregnant women
Republican Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson released 11 text messages from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s government-issued phone, showing discussions in January 2021 about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. The texts, part of over 34,000 recovered from Fauci’s phone, involved Fauci, then-CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and then-Surgeon General nominee Dr. Vivek Murthy. Fauci initially stated there was “no data or theoretical reason to believe that vaccinating early versus later in pregnancy would be preferred.” Later, he mentioned reports of fevers or cytokine storms after the second dose, which “theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester.” Walensky and Murthy acknowledged these concerns. Fauci also noted that more than 10,000 pregnant women had been vaccinated at the time, with “No issues have arisen.” The CDC later recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated, citing studies showing no increased risk of miscarriage or other complications. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the CDC would no longer recommend vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children, but the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continued to support vaccination.
Where the accounts differ
CBS News states that Fauci mentioned reports of fevers or cytokine storms after the second dose, which “theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester,” and that Walensky and Murthy called his comments a “good point.” The Free Press reports that Fauci wrote, “Since many people have significant cytokines storm and fever after the 2nd dose, this theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester,” and that he later said the CDC found “no red flags” in a study of 10,000 pregnant women. FOX News notes that Johnson claimed Fauci admitted concerns about mRNA vaccines causing miscarriages, and that Johnson cited a study in the New England Journal of Medicine with 827 pregnancies, 104 of which had miscarriages. The New York Post states that Fauci said during a public Q&A that the FDA found “no red flags” for pregnant women, and that the CDC later recommended vaccination. The Daily Caller reports that Walensky said, “This is all a data free,” and that Fauci acknowledged the drug companies had not enrolled pregnant women in clinical trials. Straight Arrow News mentions that Fauci said “this theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester,” and that Walensky responded, “Definitely a good point, esp after dose two.”
AOC Calls Past “Woke” Policies “Crazy” Amid Debate Over Their Legacy
In an August 2026 interview, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) referred to past progressive policies as “Woke 1” and called them “crazy.” She defended Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, who had previously advocated for defunding the police and abolishing prisons, by saying Hong had moved away from those positions. Ocasio-Cortez attributed the rise of such rhetoric to the 2020 pandemic, claiming it opened the Overton Window for new policy ideas. She also cited New York City Council Member Chi Ossé’s comment that “Woke 1 was crazyyyy” as a reference to the era. Ocasio-Cortez stated that current discussions on crime are fundamentally different from those of the past.
The Intercept notes that Ocasio-Cortez did not mention the George Floyd uprisings in her comments, which were a major catalyst for the “woke” movement. The Intercept argues that the 2020 protests were not “crazy” but a significant response to systemic racism and police violence. The Intercept also highlights that police killings have continued to rise since 2020, with a disproportionate number of victims being Black.
Where the accounts differ
The Daily Wire and The Intercept differ on whether Ocasio-Cortez’s comments about “Woke 1” were dismissive of the 2020 protests. The Daily Wire claims she described the movement as “genuinely insane and destructive,” while The Intercept argues that the 2020 uprisings were not “crazy” but a significant and justified response to systemic racism. The Intercept also notes that Ocasio-Cortez did not mention the George Floyd protests in her comments, while The Daily Wire attributes the rise of “Woke 1” to the 2020 pandemic and the Overton Window opening.
New York judge temporarily blocks Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax rollout as city faces legal challenge
A New York state judge temporarily halted the rollout of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax, ordering the city to remove a public list of over 900,000 homeowners and bar enforcement of the surcharge without individualized determinations. The ruling came after a lawsuit from three homeowners claimed the city improperly shifted the burden of proof onto them to show their homes were not subject to the tax. The tax targets second homes valued at $5 million or more, or condos and co-ops valued at $1 million or more, and was authorized by state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The city’s Department of Finance published a supplemental property roll containing about 960,000 properties, which it said includes residential properties not necessarily subject to the surcharge. However, the judge’s order prevents the city from enforcing the tax based on the roll without first making individualized determinations. The lawsuit challenges the implementation of the tax, not its legality, and a hearing is scheduled for August 31. The mayor’s office plans to appeal the ruling.
Where the accounts differ
FOX News states the judge ordered the city to remove a "massive list" of over 900,000 homeowners, while The Daily Wire and The Guardian report the list contained about 960,000 properties. The Guardian and The Daily Wire mention the city sent notices to 17,000 homeowners, a figure not included in FOX News. The Daily Wire and Straight Arrow News note the tax is expected to raise at least $500 million annually, a claim not made by FOX News or The Guardian. The New York Post and Fox Business report Trump criticized the tax, while The Guardian and The Daily Wire attribute his comments to a Truth Social post.