The United States Is Rushing to Bring Cheaper Weapons Online Before Next Conflict

Ahead of America 250, PolitiFact’s Louis Jacobson penned an article chronicling what he considered to be eleven instances where presidents “shaded reality as they shaped US history.” Unfortunately for Jacobson, in some instances it was he who did the shading, especially when he considered some of the nation’s most defining foreign policy moments. The first time Jacobson got himself into trouble was talking about President James Polk and the Mexican-American War. Jacobson wrote: The path to war began months before the fighting, when Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor (who would succeed him as president) to ‘station his men on the banks of the Rio Grande in an area under dispute between the­ still-independent state of Texas and Mexico,’ Eric Alterman, a Brooklyn College historian and professor of English and journalism, wrote in ‘Lying in State,’ one of two books he’s written on presidential falsehoods. The casualties in this area became the spark for the war. He further added, “Despite knowing that the land was disputed, Polk framed it as blood shed on U.S. soil, justifying a military attack. Polk ‘would eventually go so far as to admit that the battle had taken place on ‘disputed’ rather than American soil,’ Alterman wrote, but that was after the war concluded.”  That’s a bit silly. The Mexican-American War began in 1846 after Texas became a state and the U.S. assumed its disputed border. Every country that has a territory dispute considers the disputed territory their own. Next, Jacobson turned to the origin story of the media’s Main Character Syndrome, “In 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Cuba, killing 261 crew members. Pushed by a war-hungry media, William McKinley leveraged the incident into the Spanish-American War, even though historians generally believe the explosion was an accident, not an act of sabotage.” Jacobson is correct that the explosion was likely an accident, but that does not mean McKinley was influenced by the press, as he suggested, “Even though ‘it’s hard to locate an obvious lie among his explanations for the need for war in Cuba,’ Alterman said, ‘McKinley caved into the hysteria manufactured by an increasingly irresponsible press.’” Serious Spanish-American War historians do not consider yellow journalism to be the reason why the U.S. went to war with Spain. A lot of the stories usually cited to support such a claim simply do not have supporting evidence. The less exciting truth is the court of inquiry that was set to investigate the Maine concluded the keel’s inverted V shape suggested an external explosion. The next wartime president to find himself on Jacobson’s bad side was Harry Truman, “In 1945, Harry Truman announced the United States’ deployment of the world’s first atomic bomb by saying it was ‘dropped on Hiroshima, a military base.’ It was a seminal moment for the world on the brink of the nuclear age, and it wasn’t the whole story of who would be affected.” He tried to rebut Truman by claiming, “Precise comparisons of military and civilian deaths are not available, but there’s broad agreement that most of the 66,000 deaths and 69,000 injuries were civilians, not troops.” However, even Jacobson was forced to concede, ‘Hiroshima was the command center for southern Japan, which made it ‘a significant military target,’ [Albany Law School emeritus professor of legal history Paul] Finkelman said.” Even when PolitiFact goes back to 1846, 1898, or 1945, it can’t help itself. While Jacobson may not have taken out the truth-o-meter, his nitpicking or, in McKinley’s case, flat-out incorrectness shows the perils of a website that is famous for such a rating system.

"Painting?" On Tuesday's CNN This Morning, host Audie Cornish opened a discussion of Tucker Carlson by saying: "For months, Republicans have been painting him as antisemitic." Cornish failed to mention Carlson’s: Friendly interview with avowed Holocaust denier and Hitler fan Nick Fuentes. Praise for Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper asmaybe “the best and most honest popular historian in the United States.” Comments embracing the classic blood libel holding Jews responsible for the death of Jesus. Description of Jewish Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “sweaty, rat-like, and shifty.” There's more antisemitic evidence on Tucker Carlson than paint in a Sherwin-Williams store—but Cornish presented the criticism as mere partisan brushwork. Cornish made the claim during a Group Chat discussion that featured speculation about Carlson potentially running for president in 2028. The segment turned to Carlson distancing himself from the Republican party over its support for Israel, with Carlson declaring he could not support a party “not loyal to the United States” -- yet another accusation with antisemitic overtones. CNN’s @AudieCornish: Republicans Are ‘Painting’ @TuckerCarlson as Antisemitic "Painting?" There's more antisemitic evidence on Carlson than paint in a Sherwin-Williams store. pic.twitter.com/0nRmKxUCVv — Mark Finkelstein (@markfinkelstein) June 23, 2026 Panelists repeatedly tied the moment to presidential positioning for 2028, with strategists noting that both Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene appear to be “testing the grounds of running.”  Democrat strategist Chuck Rocha claimed that in a primary with multiple candidates, Carlson could win with just 30% of the vote--and "Tucker Carlson knows that."  Problem for Carlson: Given that he has announced his departure from the Republican party, it's hard to see how he could enter a GOP primary—unless he does so on the platform of "Make the GOP American Again." Cornish’s delicate framing of Republicans "painting" Carlson as antisemitic was a Tom Sawyer-worthy whitewash. The facts paint a different story. In contrast with Cornish's reticence, Ted Cruz, in a clip played during the segment, didn't hesitate to decry the rise of antisemitism on the right, calling Carlson "the single most dangerous demagogue in this country." Note: Ashley Davis, a panel regular presented as a Republican, called Democrat Josh Shapiro "my very good friend." Last time Ashley said the same about a conservative? Here's the transcript. CNN This Morning 6/23/26 6:53 am EDT AUDIE CORNISH: So we've been talking about this issue [Israel, antisemitism, etc.], whether this could affect the fate of these politicians in New York.  And it appears Israel sealed the fate of Tucker Carlson as well. For months, Republicans have been painting him as antisemitic. TED CRUZ: And I will say, on the right, I have seen more antisemitism in the last eighteen months on the right. It is being spread by loud voices. The most consequential of whom is Tucker Carlson. I believe Tucker Carlson is the single most dangerous demagogue in this country. CORNISH: Carlson says he is done with the Republican party. He says it puts the interest of Israel above those of its own citizens. TUCKER CARLSON: I would not support the Republican party, there's no chance I would support the Republican party. Not gonna support the Democratic party. I don't know what I'm gonna do. But at this point, you know, how could you support, how could I or any American voter support a political party that's not loyal to the United States? TAMARA KEITH: I think that what is happening here with Tucker Carlson, with Ted Cruz, is various parts of what has been the Republican coalition figuring out what happens in a potential post-Trump reality, and positioning themselves. And there are flashpoints. Israel is going to be a flashpoint, it didn't used to be. Republicans were all very pro-Israel, that's not the case anymore. And I think you're gonna see it over abortion and other issues as well. CORNISH: Yeah, Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeting, "Tucker's not the only one who's done supporting the Republican party." This is her, I think, on X. "There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and won't support a party that betrays its voters and country. That doesn't mean we're turning into Democrats either, but we are done with the America LAST Republican party." CHUCK ROCHA: There's something going on here. It's not just this issue. If you think about this issue, you think about the war, you think about the Epstein files. You have all of these activists on the right who voted for Donald Trump because of those three things, and Tucker Carlson, maybe Marjorie Taylor Greene, are trying to tap into that. The old political consultant here thinks it has a lot to do with 2028. . . .  ASHLEY DAVIS: I also think that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker are trying to figure out a path in regards to 2028. I think they're both testing the grounds of running.  But also one of the questions I have for you is, there are four or five potential Jewish candidates on the Democrat side that would run in 2028, one of 'em, my dear friend Josh Shapiro. How does that happen?  I mean, they're like go-- trying, the Dems are trying to go left of the left of the left of Israel.  ROCHA: This has relevance in Democratic and primaries for both parties in 2028. When you have multiple people running, more than four or five, you can win the nomination with thirty percent. Keep in mind, you just need that thirty percent, and Tucker Carlson knows that. CORNISH: Okay. You think he's definitely, this is a he's running situation? ROCHA: [Nods cowboy hat affirmatively.]  CORNISH: Okay.

Amazon has walked away from a nearly finished biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, prompting questions about why a film centered on one of Silicon Valley's most powerful figures suddenly needs a new distributor.The $40 million film "Artificial," which starred "Spider-Man" actor Andrew Garfield as Altman, was reportedly nearing completion when Amazon struck it from its 2027 release schedule. The project — which also stars "Mad TV" and "Eastbound and Down" alum Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk — is now being shopped to other studios.'All I hope is that if he puts me into a gulag, it's one with all of my friends. That way we can have a party.'Unlikable charactersAccording to Variety, the film performed well in multiple test screenings, with one viewer telling the outlet that Altman and Musk were the two characters audiences "liked the least."Some observers have pointed to Amazon's deepening ties to OpenAI as the reason for the change of heart.RELATED: It only took weeks for AI usage to break the corporate piggy bankIn February, OpenAI announced a major collaboration involving SoftBank, NVIDIA, and Amazon."Helping AI reach more people requires deep collaboration across the ecosystem," OpenAI said at the time. 'Utmost respect'Amazon's role in the partnership includes helping Amazon Web Services customers build AI applications and agents using OpenAI technology. The collaboration powers the Stateful Runtime Environment for Agents in Amazon Bedrock, which the company says can be used for customer support, sales operations, IT automation, and financial workflows.While some observers have connected Amazon's decision to those business ties, neither Amazon nor the filmmakers have suggested that was the reason for the split.Instead, Amazon framed the move as a decision about the film itself."We have the utmost respect and admiration for Luca Guadagnino as an award-winning filmmaker — not to mention a longstanding relationship that we hope to continue," an Amazon spokesman told Variety.RELATED: Sam Altman described as 'sociopath' by board member in brutal insider report: 'He's unconstrained by truth' Mondadori/Getty Images Gulag guyThe company added: "We believe that 'Artificial' will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the filmmaking team to find the film a new home."Some online observers have also pointed to Altman's appearance at Jeff Bezos' wedding last year, though there is no public evidence linking that relationship to Amazon's decision.Barinholtz appeared less interested than some actors in conducting firsthand research for the role. Asked by Variety in September 2025 whether he had considered meeting Musk, the actor replied, "I'm OK," adding that the Tesla CEO was "famous enough that you get it."The 49-year-old later joked, "All I hope is that if he puts me into a gulag, it's one with all of my friends. That way we can have a party."Garfield said he was initially reluctant to take the role after previously portraying Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in the 2010 film "The Social Network.""I've been very, very gun-shy around other films that deal with the same world," Garfield told Vanity Fair in November 2025. "And yet I wanted to dive into the psyche of a guy who wins — because I played the guy who arguably doesn't win, because he's too touchy-feely."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Justice Department announced sentencing for a gang of Antifa-linked terrorists convicted of attacking the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado, Texas.At least 16 people have been charged in the Fourth of July attack in 2025 that included vandalism and one officer being shot in the neck.'Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice.'On Tuesday, the DOJ announced that Benjamin Song, the leader of the group, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. "Seven additional defendants also sentenced before one-year anniversary of attack to a combined 450 years in prison," the DOJ statement read. "This is the first sentencing of defendants affiliated with Antifa following [President Donald Trump's] executive order designating the group as a Domestic Terrorist Organization in September 2025." Five defendants received 50-year prison sentences, while two defendants received a 30-year sentence and a 70-year sentence, respectively. The group had been found guilty of a slew of charges that included rioting, providing material support to terrorists, using and carrying an explosive, attempted murder, and discharging a firearm.Federal prosecutors presented jurors with 216 exhibits and testimony from 46 witnesses during the 12-day trial at the courthouse in Fort Worth. "Song acquired firearms that he distributed to co-defendants and recruited members at gun ranges and combat sessions he conducted, as well as from various ideologically aligned groups," the DOJ press release continued. "For example, defendants Ines Soto, Elizabeth Soto, and Savanna Batten were part of a group that created and distributed insurrectionary materials called 'zines,' according to trial evidence."Chief Judge Reed O’Connor called the defendants' use of terror and violence an "assault on democracy" during sentencing.One of the convicted received a continuance and will be sentenced on July 1. Seven others pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and will also be sentenced on July 1.RELATED: 15 members of Antifa-linked group BUSTED for allegedly trying to hurt or impede ICE "The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice," wrote acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in a press release statement."Their violent extremism has no place in our country, and the Department of Justice will continue to aggressively investigate, disrupt, and prosecute those who threaten law enforcement officers or undermine the rule of law," he added.Song's attorney characterized the defendants as just a "bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard," after the sentencing. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

In many ways, it's still his defining album, one that helped to affirm his lingering largess. Its iconic standing remains as indelible as ever. The post Bob Dylan ‘Blonde on Blonde’: Twice As Good—Review appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

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