Italy's PM smacks down Trump for bizarre photo-op lie

Top Stories for June 19:

Meloni fires back at Trump after he claims she “begged him” for a photo
Another day, another completely pointless, unproductive, and enormously petty international incident from President Dementia. Italy’s top diplomat has canceled a trip to the United States after Trump told a European news station that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had “begged him” for a photo at the G7 and that he felt “sorry” for her.

Meloni issued a furious public response in which she said “Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened.”

This is the quintessentially Trumpian scandal: a national humiliation and international rift ignited by his jealousy at having to share the spotlight and his irrepressible urge to be a little see-ya-next-Tuesday towards everyone he doesn’t like. It truly boggles the mind how petty this man is.

Take Action: Tell Mike Johnson: Hands off our Social Security!

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Crowd erupts as Obama deals blow to Trump
President Obama gave a powerful, moving speech at the opening of his presidential library that reminds us all just how much we miss his grace and leadership. The contrast between a statesman like Obama and a dictatorial strongman like Trump is so sharp that any celebration of our democracy and our civic responsibilities ends up being a condemnation of Trump – and that DEFINITELY ended up being the case here!

Take Action: Tell FIFA: Stop fueling the climate crisis!

LGBTQ rights are under attack from Trump’s administration. This Pride Month, let’s fight back
Christopher Street Project: Across the country, we’ve seen LGBTQ rights come under fire from Trump and the MAGA movement. To fight back, we have to harness our political power and make our voices heard. Join Christopher Street Project, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and more for the Pride Is Power Mass Call on June 29th at 7 PM ET. Speakers like Mark Ruffalo, Congresswoman Sarah McBride, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will join to answer one central question: how do we turn pride into political power this year? Click here to RSVP!

Trump’s Iran peace deal on life support as Israel refuses to respect ceasefire
The Israeli government has made it very clear they will not be suspending their aggression in Lebanon until somebody makes them. Last night, Israeli forces violated the terms of the Iran deal and advanced further into southern Lebanon and faced heavy resistance, leading to the deaths of four IOF soldiers, prompting the IOF to bomb Lebanon 150 times. The United States announced a ceasefire was to be implemented between Israel and Hezbollah at 13:00 GMT; Israel has since bombed Lebanon another twelve times.

In response, Iran has canceled the planned Friday meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance in Switzerland and has promised that they would respond with “substantial military measures” if Israel’s attacks don’t stop. “Should the United States intervene, conditions particularly those related to the Strait of Hormuz could rapidly revert to a wartime environment.”

At this point, Israel has no credibility, cannot be trusted to obey any ceasefire, and clearly has no intention of doing so. Trump will see his deal fall apart insantaneously unless he takes drastic measures to force Israel into line, which will be very difficult considering the people in charge.

Take Action: Demand Congress refund working families the money they lost on Trump’s tariffs!

Israel’s national security minister declares “All Lebanon must burn”
Senior Israeli government official Ben Gvir has responded to the deaths of four IOF soldiers – killed while invading another country – with shocking calls for genocide in Lebanon. “With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining. All of Lebanon must burn. For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep.”

His horrific rhetoric was echoed by Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, who bragged that “The entire first line of Lebanese villages has been destroyed. We are destroying all the houses. The residents will never see them standing before their eyes again.”

The Israeli state has committed genocide in Gaza and is now openly declaring their intent to do so once again in Lebanon, funded by American public money and perpetrated with American weapons.

The paint is already peeling in Trump’s renovated Washington Reflecting Pool
Less than two weeks after completing a $14 MILLION “renovation” to paint the pool “American Flag Blue,” the paint is peeling off. Perhaps this had something to do with all the bleach poured into the pool to try to fight the algae that has taken up permanent residence in the extra-algae-friendly environment that President Dumbass created for it. But hey, we don’t have enough money for healthcare, right?

JD Vance tells Iran deal critics in Israel: Trump is your only ally left in the world
The Vice President expressed the Trump administration’s deepening frustration with Israel’s refusal to stop killing people in a set of unprecedentedly blunt remarks that came very close to threatening real repercussions. “My message to them would be twofold. No 1: Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world ‌who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this ‌moment in time,” Vance told reporters.

“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world,” reminding the Israeli government that 2/3rds of their weapons “have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars.”

It still seems impossible to picture a world where the Donald Trump White House cuts off aid to Israel, it is very clear that we are rapidly approaching a breaking point between the influence of the Israel lobby and Donald Trump’s personal desire to have this Iran debacle cleared up.

New poll shows Gina Hinojosa within striking distance of MAGA loony Greg Abbott
Gina Hinojosa for Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott has become a national figure for his astonishing mismanagement, breathtaking corruption, and shocking cruelty. He’s the man who stripped Medicaid from two millions Texans, most of them kids. He’s the man who has spent years trying to privatize our public school systems and funneled a billion taxpayer dollars into the pockets of his donors. He’s the man who refused to use state money to feed kids during the SNAP freeze. Former school board president Gina Hinojosa is running to put an end to Abbott’s depravity once and for all — and a new poll shows her within single digits after just a few months of campaigning. Will you chip in to help her take advantage of Abbott’s barrel-bottom 32% (!) approval rating and turn Texas blue?