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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump aides create loyalty list ranking corporations by support
(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump's aides have created a scorecard ranking hundreds of companies based on their efforts to support his signature tax cut law, a White House official said Friday. The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider Festivals and Parades Are Canceled Amid US Immigration Anxiety To Head Off Severe Storm Surges, Nova Scotia Invests in 'Living Shorelines' Five Years After Black Lives Matter, Brussels' Colonial Statues Remain For Homeless Cyclists, Bikes Bring an Escape From the Streets The list ranks 553 different businesses as either 'strong, moderate, or low' partners on the megabill, which extended and expanded tax cuts from the president's first term and provided billions of dollars in additional funding for immigration enforcement. It's not clear how the scores will affect the way the federal government deals with the firms, but the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that companies' rankings could change based on present and future support for presidential initiatives. Trump has made unusual, high-profile interventions in the business world since returning to the White House in ways that critics have said run counter to the Republican Party's traditional commitment to free-market capitalism. The president has defended himself as a pro-business leader. Recently, the Trump administration has considered taking an equity stake in Intel Corp. (INTC) and got Nvidia Corp (NVDA). and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) to pay the government 15% of revenues from chip sales to China. The creation of the list comes as Trump has struggled to sell the public on the benefits of the legislation. Just 32% of Americans say they approve of the tax and spending bill versus 46% who disapprove, according to a Pew Research poll released this week. The president's job approval sat at just 38% in the same survey. But the administration is ratcheting up efforts to sell the benefits of the legislation, with Trump on Thursday holding an event at the White House to tout a new $6,000 deduction for seniors on Social Security benefits. Cabinet officials have scheduled events across the country in support of the legislation. Companies favorably ranked by the White House included DoorDash Inc. (DASH) and Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER), according to Axios, which first reported the existence of the list. The rideshare companies have touted a provision that allows some taxpayers to deduct as much as $25,000 in reported cash tips from their income taxes. Airlines including United Airlines Inc. (UAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) were credited for their efforts supporting the bill's $12.5 billion allocation for new air traffic control infrastructure. Americans Are Getting Priced Out of Homeownership at Record Rates What Declining Cardboard Box Sales Tell Us About the US Economy Bessent on Tariffs, Deficits and Embracing Trump's Economic Plan Dubai's Housing Boom Is Stoking Fears of Another Crash Twitter's Ex-CEO Is Moving Past His Elon Musk Drama and Starting an AI Company ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
Why is Melania Trump threatening to sue Hunter Biden? Here's her story on meeting Donald
First lady Melania Trump and former President Joe Biden's son are feuding over different accounts of how she met Donald Trump. Hunter Biden said in a YouTube interview published on Aug. 5 that late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose controversy has roiled the Trump administration for weeks, introduced Donald Trump to the woman who would become his third wife. The first lady on Aug. 6 threatened to sue for more than $1 billion if he didn't retract the claim, and Biden said in a follow up video, 'F--- that. That's not going to happen." Biden in the second video published Aug. 14 pointed to 2019 news reports that Epstein was claiming he introduced the couple. But Melania Trump's account of how they met goes back to a September 1998 meeting at a New York City nightclub. Here is how she says she met her husband before his political rise to power. 'Melania' excerpt tells her story: 'Hi, I'm Donald Trump.' The first lady posted an excerpt from her memoir "Melania" on social media in July, telling the story of how she met her now husband. Chapter 5: 'Hi, I'm Donald Trump.' On a Friday night in September 1998, as I settled into the comfort of my New York City apartment after a whirlwind trip to Paris, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine. 'My boyfriend is throwing a party at the Kit Kat Klub tomorrow night,' she said. 'Please come. We haven't seen each other in so long.' 'I just got back from Paris,' I said. 'Please, it will be fun. A lot of people will be there. We'll pick you up.' While I was tired and jetlagged, I loved the idea that my weekend was about to be filled with the company of friends. I have always been selective in how I choose to spend my time and where I put my energy. A late-night party at the club was not my top choice for a Saturday evening. I much preferred staying in, watching a film, or going to dinner with close friends. Though I didn't shy away from social gatherings, clubs were simply not my cup of tea. I accepted the invitation anyway; after all, it was Fashion Week — a time of glamour and sophistication. I was actually looking forward to mingling with industry insiders and trendsetters. When I stepped into the sleek black limo my friend arrived in, I felt like a celebrity en route to a gala. As we arrived at the Kit Kat Klub, the energy of the crowd and the dazzling lights greeted us. Inside, the dark, crowded space buzzed with models, photographers, editors, and designers mingling in this Fashion Week Saturday night. I settled in upstairs at our table in the VIP section, where the atmosphere was one of sophistication and camaraderie. Some guests danced, while others engaged in lively conversation, and we were all enjoying ourselves. I saw my friend wave at someone behind me. When I turned around, I noticed a man and an attractive blonde woman approaching us. 'Hi, I'm Donald Trump,' the man said when he reached my table. 'Nice to meet you.' I recognized the name, and I knew he was a businessman or celebrity, but not much else. He put his hand out to shake mine. 'Hello,' I replied. 'I'm Melania.' His eyes filled with curiosity and interest, and, seizing the opportunity, he took the seat next to mine and started a conversation. He asked me about my time in New York, my Slovenian home, and my world travels. It was a moment of connection, a brief encounter that left a lasting impression. It was nice to make a new acquaintance. He was accompanied by a beautiful date, so I initially dismissed our conversation as mere pleasantries exchanged at an industry event. The music was loud, and the crowd boisterous, making it difficult to truly connect with someone. From the moment our conversation began, I was captivated by his charm and easygoing nature. There was so much bustling activity around us, but his intent focus on our interaction made me feel like the center of his world. It was a refreshing departure from the usual superficial small talk, and I found myself drawn to his magnetic energy. What did Hunter Biden say about Melania Trump? Hunter Biden said that Epstein introduced President Donald Trump and Melania Trump. In an appearance on YouTube show Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, Biden gave a lengthy interview that discussed his father's disatrous debate performance and other topics, in addition to Epstein. 'They spent an enormous amount of time together," Biden said of the president and Epstein in his interview with Callaghan. "That's how Melania, and the first lady and the president met. Yeah, according to Michael Wolff," he said referring to the author of several Trump books. Trump's association with Epstein, whom he knew socially, has dogged him since his first term in office. In 2019, Trump said he'd had a 'falling out' with Epstein, whom he described as a 'Palm Beach fixture,' in the mid-2000s. Their connection was back in the spotlight when Tesla CEO Elon Musk linked Trump to Epstein during the height of their feud. Biden cited news going back to 2019 that "reported that sources said that Jeffrey Epstein claimed to be the person to introduce Donald Trump to Melania at that time.' Melania Trump threatens legal action over Biden's claims On Aug. 6, the first lady threatened to sue Biden for more than $1 billion if he doesn't retract the claim. The legal notice by Alejandro Brito, the first lady's lawyer, demands that Biden "immediately retract the false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements made about Mrs. Trump." Donald Trump said he encouraged his wife's legal action against Biden. "Jeffrey Epstein had nothing to do with Melania," Trump said August. 14, during an interview with Fox Radio's Brian Kilmeade. "But they do that to demean. I told her to go ahead and do it. She was very upset about it." Other outlets have also received notices from Melania Trump's lawyer over similar claims and issued apologies and retractions. But Biden doesn't seem poised to back down. 'I don't think that these threats of a lawsuit add up to anything other than a designed distraction, because it's not about who introduced whom to who,' Biden said. 'I don't know how that in any way rises to the level of defamation to begin with.' Contributing: Jennifer Sangalang, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
Associated Press
9 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Brooklyn construction magnate gets probation for funneling illegal donations to NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn construction magnate was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resolving one of two related federal cases after the mayor's criminal charges were dropped. Erden Arkan, 76, told Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho that he regretted his 'poor judgments' in engaging in the straw donor scheme, which helped Adams fraudulently obtain public money for his 2021 mayoral bid under the city's matching funds program. Ho cited Arkan's age and otherwise clean record in imposing the sentence, telling the Turkish-born businessman that his immigrant success story 'exemplifies the American dream.' 'I hope that you don't let this one mistake define you,' Ho told Arkan. Arkan faced up to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors and the federal probation officer agreed that no prison time was warranted. In addition to probation, he must also pay a $9,500 fine and $18,000 in restitution. Arkan pleaded guilty in January to a conspiracy charge in Manhattan federal court. Weeks later, President Donald Trump's Justice Department pressured prosecutors to drop their underlying case against Adams, ultimately getting it dismissed. In court Friday, Arkan's lawyer Jonathan Rosen blasted the government for continuing to pursue his case after getting Adams' charges dismissed. 'To put it mildly, this is a very unusual case. In fact, it is unprecedented,' Rosen argued. In February, Justice Department leadership ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop Adams' case, arguing that it was hindering the Democratic mayor's ability to assist the Republican administration's immigration crackdown. Ho, who also oversaw the mayor's case, dismissed his charges in April. In a written opinion, he agreed it was the only practical outcome but also criticized what he said was the government's 'troubling' rationale for wanting the charges thrown out. While Adams was spared, prosecutors continued to pursue related cases against Arkan and a former aide to the mayor, Mohamed Bahi. Bahi, who served as City Hall's chief liaison to the Muslim community, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to soliciting straw donations for Adams' mayoral campaign from employees of a different Brooklyn construction company at a December 2020 fundraiser. Arkan acknowledged in his January plea that he knowingly violated the law by reimbursing employees of his construction firm for their donations to Adams' campaign. In brief remarks Friday, he apologized to city taxpayers who bankroll the matching funds program, telling Ho: 'I love this city. I dedicated my life to making it better. It pains me that I have harmed it.' According to prosecutors, Adams personally solicited donations from Arkan and a Turkish consular official at an April 2021 dinner. The following month, Arkan held a fundraiser at the headquarters of his construction company, KSK, in which 10 employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. They were later reimbursed by Arkan, making them illegal straw donations. Adams then used those funds to fraudulently obtain public money under the city's matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small-dollar donations, prosecutors allege. A well-known member of New York's Turkish community, Arkan's ties to Adams first emerged in November 2023 after federal investigators searched the businessman's home, along with the home of Adams' chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community. Adams pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges after a 2024 indictment accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others — and returning the favors by, among other things, helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections. At a Feb. 19 hearing that precipitated the dismissal of his case, Adams told Ho: 'I have not committed a crime.' The first-term mayor, a former police captain, skipped the June Democratic primary and is currently running for reelection as an independent.
