https://drudge.com/user/doc_sarvis New links and comments. en-us http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Wordzilla/0.58 10 https://drudge.com/news/292381/war-trump-cant-end https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/05/iran-america-attention-goals/687374/ Karim Sadjadpour: Washington needs a deal, but Tehran needs an enemy. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:nyxviptfyic2lvuorkr5yy3y/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmzk6wr5c624" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiekh6go2rmb7pyauo2vjgndjlnf3fprimw5eput4xurvc5xviqhuy" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">"In a zero-sum negotiation, Iran's monomaniacal focus is a greater currency than American military power," Karim Sadjadpour argues.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:nyxviptfyic2lvuorkr5yy3y/post/3mmzk6wr5c624?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- The Atlantic (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:nyxviptfyic2lvuorkr5yy3y?ref_src=embed">@theatlantic.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:nyxviptfyic2lvuorkr5yy3y/post/3mmzk6wr5c624?ref_src=embed">6:05 PM &Acirc;&middot; May 29, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Sat, 30 May 2026 11:33:55 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292381/war-trump-cant-end#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292381 news, 0.5 daily 292381 https://drudge.com/news/292325/why-trump-isnt-bothering-hide-his https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/27/trump-corruption-autocracy Judith Levine: They've given up even caring about appearances. The president is pilfering money directly from the US treasury -- that is, picking our pockets. And he is doing it in plain sight. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:moye3apncjjbyqgb7orp5quj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmuaxftdo22j" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiarm7og4zyekw2regaij5quop42c5tjgtghnh62sv5iedkzwvoh4q" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Good take, this Judith Levine for @theguardian.com<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:moye3apncjjbyqgb7orp5quj/post/3mmuaxftdo22j?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Zach Everson (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:moye3apncjjbyqgb7orp5quj?ref_src=embed">@zacheverson.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:moye3apncjjbyqgb7orp5quj/post/3mmuaxftdo22j?ref_src=embed">3:36 PM &Acirc;&middot; May 27, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fri, 29 May 2026 09:32:36 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292325/why-trump-isnt-bothering-hide-his#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292325 news, 0.5 daily 292325 https://drudge.com/news/292326/whytrump-isnt-even-bothering-hide-his https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/27/trump-corruption-autocracy Trump, his family, his companies and his administration have always been more concerned with the appearance of conflict of interest than with conflict of interest itself. Indeed, conflict of interest is White House Inc's business model. But something has changed in the last few months. They've given up even caring about appearances. The president is pilfering money directly from the US treasury " that is, picking our pockets. And he is doing it in plain sight. As corrosive as the corruption is the impunity with which the corruption is committed. Impunity " the expectation of unaccountability " is not only a stance. It is a tactic. It breeds cynicism, and popular cynicism is a necessary ingredient of autocracy and kleptocracy. <p>The autocrat does not just flout the law; he renders it so fungible that as social or moral framework, it becomes meaningless. There is no use trying to stay on the right side of the law when you don't know from day to day which side is right. <p>The autocrat does not just defy the popular will; he dismisses it. Wed, 27 May 2026 13:49:34 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292326/whytrump-isnt-even-bothering-hide-his#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292326 0.5 daily 292326 https://drudge.com/news/292303/trump-declares-himself-good-health https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/trump-physical-walter-reed.html President Trump, who will turn 80 next month, did not give details on the exam. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:x66qnnfwinx552tbbdpl7cay/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmrmagtrvk2i" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreibolgkklg2idiytuihsi5skncy2puh2i73xk6w54qejfqmxik3beq" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Points for the headline, NYT. Trump Declares Himself in Good Health After Physical Exam at Walter Reed www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/u ... <br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x66qnnfwinx552tbbdpl7cay/post/3mmrmagtrvk2i?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Kai Ryssdal (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x66qnnfwinx552tbbdpl7cay?ref_src=embed">@kairyssdal.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x66qnnfwinx552tbbdpl7cay/post/3mmrmagtrvk2i?ref_src=embed">2:20 PM &Acirc;&middot; May 26, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 27 May 2026 13:33:06 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292303/trump-declares-himself-good-health#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292303 news, 0.5 daily 292303 https://drudge.com/news/292296/trumps-war-staggering-incoherent https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/trump-iran-war/687292/ Tom Nichols: Even the president's supporters are alarmed. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmocmk2fb22p" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreicuckdg425lc6ss2syehgss7cvdxslzzpevj7snqvisqzxhzfqvmm" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en"><br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/post/3mmocmk2fb22p?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Jon Cooper (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky?ref_src=embed">@joncooper-us.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/post/3mmocmk2fb22p?ref_src=embed">6:50 AM &Acirc;&middot; May 25, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Tue, 26 May 2026 17:30:34 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292296/trumps-war-staggering-incoherent#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292296 news, 0.5 daily 292296 https://drudge.com/news/292267/trumps-endgame-surrender https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/05/trump-surrender-iran-endgame/687252/ Robert Kagan: He seems to hope to slip away without Americans noticing the magnitude of this defeat. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:tsksqpjisdvtusxq6ide5tzj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmktygst3c2x" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreih3lsbughp5ma2x43qw44pj427gjrwmlyh356hhs3ef2t73f4e5di" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Trump: "only complete and total surrender" Iran: "nah" Trump: "Ok then no nukes ever! We want the nuclear dust!" Iran: "we're keeping it" Trump: "ok! We have a deal" Foxnews crowd:<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tsksqpjisdvtusxq6ide5tzj/post/3mmktygst3c2x?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Adam Kinzinger (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tsksqpjisdvtusxq6ide5tzj?ref_src=embed">@adamkinzinger.substack.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tsksqpjisdvtusxq6ide5tzj/post/3mmktygst3c2x?ref_src=embed">9:50 PM &Acirc;&middot; May 23, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 25 May 2026 08:30:48 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292267/trumps-endgame-surrender#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292267 news, 0.5 daily 292267 https://drudge.com/news/292251/if-something-goes-wrong-you-cant https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/23/maldives-diving-tragedy-cave-experts-warn-danger-safety The diving tragedy in the Maldives " which claimed the lives of four Italian divers inside an underwater cave, followed by the death of a Maldivian navy diver " has renewed warnings from experts about the risks of cave diving without proper training, planning and specialised equipment. On Thursday, the Divers Alert Network (DAN), which coordinated the complex search and recovery operation at the Dhekunu Kandu dive site in Vaavu atoll, announced all the divers' dead bodies had been recovered. The victims were identified as Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. The body of Bendetti was recovered earlier outside the cave. Mohamed Mahudhee, a member of the Maldivian national defence force, also died in the tragedy, as a result of decompression sickness after taking part in a recovery mission. "Caves are not dark. Everybody thinks they're dark ... They're devoid of light. Your house at night is dark ... When your light goes out [in a cave], there's nothing," [Edd Sorenson, an American cave diving expert who has led more successful cave diving rescues than anyone else in the world] says. "You don't see a reflection, your eyes don't get used to it." Sat, 23 May 2026 11:10:43 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292251/if-something-goes-wrong-you-cant#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292251 discussion, 0.5 daily 292251 https://drudge.com/news/292166/trump-dumps-cornyn-backs-paxton https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/19/politics/cornyn-paxton-trump-texas-endorse Trump on Tuesday endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his primary challenge to Sen. John Cornyn, dealing a massive blow to the incumbent with major implications in the fight for the Senate majority. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmeik2skjc25" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigk5xcr5qi4y4mj6h4rdxohyjp4axd4q3hfan4r27o47gf3tlkjiu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Democrats are hopeful about their chances of winning a Senate seat in Texas following Trump's decision to back Ken Paxton, seen as a weaker general election candidate than John Cornyn. Democrats think they have a uniquely strong nominee in James Talarico and Paxton would be a vulnerable opponent.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/post/3mmeik2skjc25?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Jon Cooper (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky?ref_src=embed">@joncooper-us.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7qqkq2zdwq4j5jingukgtuky/post/3mmeik2skjc25?ref_src=embed">9:09 AM &Acirc;&middot; May 21, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Thu, 21 May 2026 18:32:32 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292166/trump-dumps-cornyn-backs-paxton#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292166 news, 0.5 daily 292166 https://drudge.com/news/292170/irs-barred-auditing-trump-forever https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/05/19/us/trump-news#trump-irs-doj-lawsuit-audit The one-page document, signed by the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, said that the government would be "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing" pending tax claims against Mr. Trump, his family members and businesses. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:vocg5apjrlm7dfptvy6qbrfy/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmag5dqvea2u" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreifazudo2jdiledym6dz3okz5xqkthyjrm7jq5gw4blgjsukmt65xu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Breaking: The Trump administration has forever banned the IRS from auditing the taxes of Trump, his family members, and his companies. <p>www.politico.com/news/2026/05 ... <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vocg5apjrlm7dfptvy6qbrfy/post/3mmag5dqvea2u?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Brian Tyler Cohen (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vocg5apjrlm7dfptvy6qbrfy?ref_src=embed">@briantylercohen.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vocg5apjrlm7dfptvy6qbrfy/post/3mmag5dqvea2u?ref_src=embed">6:16 PM May 19, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 20 May 2026 11:13:25 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292170/irs-barred-auditing-trump-forever#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292170 news breaking, 0.5 daily 292170 https://drudge.com/news/291995/chief-executives-accompany-trump-china https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/us/politics/trump-china-musk-cook.html Trump will be joined in China this week by 16 chief executives, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlluzetyic2z" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreie2wubc35tcvftwkb7ci3qxvhg4ts7utrpspg2dkixky3dneufhb4" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">nightmare rotatshe<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3mlluzetyic2z?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Aaron Rupar (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc?ref_src=embed">@atrupar.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3mlluzetyic2z?ref_src=embed">2:16 PM &Acirc;&middot; May 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fri, 15 May 2026 16:30:26 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/291995/chief-executives-accompany-trump-china#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.291995 news, 0.5 daily 291995 https://drudge.com/news/292079/museum-seeks-cryptid-themed-art-exhibit https://news.siu.edu/2026/05/051326-sius-sharp-museum-seeking-cryptid-themed-art-for-juried-exhibition.php Whether it's Bigfoot, the Big Muddy Monster, creatures from the watery deep among urban legends, Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Sharp Museum wants all artists to put their best work on display in celebrating hidden or unknown animals and creatures. "Spooks or Spoofs," a national juried cryptid-themed exhibition will run Aug. 11 through Dec. 21 in the museum. All media are eligible, but artificial intelligence-generated images will not be allowed. Cryptozoology is the study and search for these rumored, unproven animals and figures, such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster. <p>"There are several legends of wild things lurking in the dark woods of the Shawnee Forest and remote regions of Illinois, such as Bigfoot, the freaky Farmer City Monster, a creepy thing called cohomo (Cole Hollow Monster), the Big Muddy Monster, and the Enfield horror," said T. Lance, the museum's curator of exhibits. "There is also the man-eating Piasa bird, terrifying thunderbirds over Illinois, creatures of the watery deep, kangaroos on the loose, and albino squirrels of Olney." <p>Submissions need not be focused on Illinois cryptids, they said. Fri, 15 May 2026 08:12:48 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292079/museum-seeks-cryptid-themed-art-exhibit#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292079 discussion, 0.5 daily 292079 https://drudge.com/news/292053/trump-mobile-reach-out-and-scam-someone https://www.thebulwark.com/p/1-800-trump-scammed-us-mobile-scam-maga-south-carolina-redistricting-clyburn-inflation According to International Business Times, more than half a million people ponied up, pouring an estimated $59 million into Trump Mobile's coffers. But no phones have arrived, the "made in America" promises have vanished, the launch date keeps sliding back, and this week, Moneywise.com reported on a quiet change made last month to the company's terms of service. <blockquote><i>A preorder deposit provides only a conditional opportunity if Trump Mobile later elects, in its sole discretion, to offer the Device for sale. A deposit is not a purchase, does not constitute acceptance of an order, does not create a contract for sale, does not transfer ownership or title interest, does not allocate or reserve specific inventory, and does not guarantee that a Device will be produced or made available for purchase.</i></blockquote> <p>That's right, MAGA Patriot! You might have thought, when you sent the president's sons your hard-earned $100, that you were preordering a phone that they'd soon be sending you"since that's how preorders work and what they led you to believe. But that's just because you don't know business. In reality, what you were ordering was just a conditional opportunity to buy a Trump phone later, should they ever get around to making them, which to be clear they are in no way promising that they'll ever do. Thu, 14 May 2026 10:27:35 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292053/trump-mobile-reach-out-and-scam-someone#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292053 news, 0.5 daily 292053 https://drudge.com/news/292052/former-cia-boss-iran-has-gun-our-head https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/iran-hormuz-leon-panetta-cia-boss-kbssfnhzz Leon Panetta, who helped locate Osama bin Laden, believes the war will continue for months because the US president has few options to end it. "The only justification for putting boots on the ground is if you want to make sure that Iran never controls the Strait of Hormuz," Panetta said. "When I was secretary of defence, [we concluded] you've got to have enough troops to cover 50 miles on each side of the Strait of Hormuz and 100 miles further in to control that entire area. There will be casualties as a result of that kind of effort." <p>He said there was no support in the US for a mission of that kind " which could require about 200,000 troops " either in Congress or among the American people. Thu, 14 May 2026 06:11:18 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292052/former-cia-boss-iran-has-gun-our-head#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292052 discussion, 0.5 daily 292052 https://drudge.com/news/292031/doj-settle-trump-suit-against-irs https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/business/trump-suit-irs.html Trump and his family have repeatedly disregarded Washington's ethical guardrails aimed at preventing government officials from profiting from public office, including by pushing for more than $200 million in a separate administrative case with the Justice Department. But a settlement payment even a fraction of the size of Mr. Trump's requested $10 billion could be much larger than his other attempts at private gain, potentially doubling his net worth. It is unclear or how much money Mr. Trump could receive in a settlement, or if he will be paid at all. <p>But protection from I.R.S. audits could prove quite valuable. Wed, 13 May 2026 07:16:57 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292031/doj-settle-trump-suit-against-irs#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292031 discussion, 0.5 daily 292031 https://drudge.com/news/292030/us-intel-iran-retains-substantial-missile https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/politics/iran-missiles-us-intelligence.html The Trump administration's public portrayal of a shattered Iranian military is sharply at odds with what U.S. intelligence agencies are telling policymakers behind closed doors, according to classified assessments from early this month that show Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites, launchers and underground facilities. Most alarming to some senior officials is evidence that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten American warships and oil tankers transiting the narrow waterway. People with knowledge of the assessments said they show " to varying degrees, depending on the level of damage incurred at the different sites " that the Iranians can use mobile launchers that are inside the sites to move missiles to other locations. In some cases they can launch missiles directly from launchpads that are part of the facilities. Only three of the missile sites along the strait remain totally inaccessible, according to the assessments. <p>Iran still fields about 70 percent of its mobile launchers across the country and has retained roughly 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpile, according to the assessments. That stockpile encompasses both ballistic missiles, which can target other nations in the region, and a smaller supply of cruise missiles, which can be used against shorter-range targets on land or at sea. Wed, 13 May 2026 07:03:23 -0400 Doc_Sarvis https://drudge.com/news/292030/us-intel-iran-retains-substantial-missile#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.292030 discussion, 0.5 daily 292030