Donald Trump has claimed his vice president JD Vance is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2028 US presidential election. The ‘MAGA heir apparent…’
Speaking last night, Trump said his loyal deputy was the “most likely” candidate:
“Well, I think most likely, in all fairness. He’s the vice president. I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form… certainly he’s doing a great job and he would be probably the favourite at this point…”
It may be early, but the “who’s next” conversation alway starts early in Washington…
Guido hears from DC insiders that the disastrous – and eye-wateringly costly – Chagos sellout is not fully settled Stateside. As The Heritage Foundation’s eminent Nile Gardiner wrote yesterday: “the Chagos issue is not over in Washington, and major red flags are being raised in the United States.” Now a route has emerged via which the deal could be slowed down or even scrapped…
The powerful House Appropriations Committee has now raised the issue directly with Marco Rubio. The Committee is Republican-led and is sound on Chagos. A relevant passage from the current State Department appropriations Bill states:
“United Kingdom and Chagos Archipelago —The Committee notes that with the growing challenge from the PRC the military facilities on the island of Diego Garcia are central to Anglo-American power projection and relative control of the Indian Ocean. Recognizing the invaluable strategic importance and geographic relevance of Diego Garcia to the United States, the Committee encourages the Secretary of State to engage with His Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom to ensure our long-term access to the facilities and that they remain integral to allied security.”
These reports have been corroborated and furthered by Guido’s high level Capitol Hill sources, who say that the deal may well be torn up by Trump. The President has been angered by recent free speech crises in the UK, which became very clear to him during his Scotland trip…
Moreover, Vice President Vance is understood to be monitoring the issue carefully. He’s in the UK this summer. Guido will have more soon…
President Trump has thrown his full support behind American actress Sydney Sweeney, claiming her new American Eagle jeans advert is “fantastic” upon learning she is a registered Republican:
“Oh now I love her ad. You’d be surprised at how many people are Republicans. That’s one I wouldn’t have known, but I’m glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic…”
The ad campaign ruffled the feathers of the usual suspects with too much time on their hands over the last week. Apparently it has ‘problematic’ political messaging. Now it’s got the presidential seal of approval…
At the regular (televised) White House briefing with journalists press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was displeased at the UK and others for committing to recognise Palestine:
“The President expressed his displeasure and his disagreement with the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. He feels as though that’s rewarding Hamas at a time where Hamas is the true impediment to a ceasefire and to the release of all of the hostages.”
Starmer’s declaration of a path to recognition has already fallen apart with a U-turn on whether Hamas needs to release the hostages or not. It’s the US wot calls the shots…
In a bad omen for the free internet Australia has banned YouTube for under-16s. This is getting ridiculous…
The Labor Party under Anthony Albanese passed legislation last year to ban social media for children with massive fines for companies that failed to enforce age verification. YouTube claimed it was not such a service as it had an educational and entertainment component. Obviously true…
That designation has been overturned by Canberra. YouTube says: “Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media.” As Ofcom has today observed in its annual media report…
The legislation as currently drafted has almost no detail on enforcement or monitoring. Legislate first, come up with the details later…
Labour is considering following the same route here in the UK. Late last year the Times reported: “Peter Kyle, the science and technology secretary, is said to be watching developments in Australia, which announced last week that under-16s would be banned from sites such as Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok… the government was keen on the “principle” and would be willing and “open-minded” to support the measures.” Judging by Downing Street’s bold Savile-based communications strategy on the Online Safety Act it would have no issue pushing ahead with further bans…
As part of plans being drawn up the the White House to force Putin to the negotiating table US officials say Trump is considering allowing Ukraine to hit Moscow. In Trump’s call with the BBC this morning he spelled out his frustration with Russia’s continual refusal to take him up on ceasefire negotiations…
During a call on 4 July Trump asked Zelensky: “Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?” The Ukrainian president replied in the affirmative…
Deep strike offensive missiles would need to be sent to Ukraine. Trump yesterday only announced that Patriot air defence systems and interceptor missiles would be sent. A new shipment would have to go to European countries first to avoid the congressional freeze on direct arms sales. Atacms missiles have a range of about 300 kilometres. US strategy turning now…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”