Trump teases TikTok deal; Charlie Kirk’s memorial set
It’s Monday. How great was it to see Lorelai and Rory Gilmore together on stage at the Emmy’s?
In today's issue:
- Trump teases new TikTok deal
- Vance hosting ‘Charlie Kirk Show’
- Kirk’s funeral arrangements set
- Trump, Bowsers truce ends
- Kash Patel golfs with Trump
- Emmy winners
???? IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Ayy, there may be a TikTok deal!:
The Trump administration and China appear to have agreed to a deal that would keep TikTok running in the United States.
President Trump suggested the deal in a morning social media post, teasing a “deal was … reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy!”
Why this would be huge: Trump suggested *yesterday* that his administration “may let [the deal] die,” arguing “it doesn’t matter too much.”
Where it stands: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both parties have agreed to a framework. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Friday to finalize it.
Backstory: Congress passed a law requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company to divest from the app or else it will be banned in the U.S. The ban was set to take effect in January, but Trump has repeatedly delayed it while his team negotiated a deal.
Well, the Trump-Bowser truce was nice while it lasted:
President Trump is upping his pressure on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser today after Bowser said she expects local police to stop cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now that Trump’s 30-day federal takeover has expired.
Trump threatened to call a national emergency in D.C. He fired off a long post about Bowser at 1:06 a.m., arguing Bowser is “under pressure from the Radical Left Democrats.” Trump claimed that “if I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back.” ???? Read Trump’s full post
A lot can change in two weeks: Earlier this month, Trump praised Bowser for cooperating with the federal government’s enforcement efforts.
???? CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION
Thousands expected to attend Kirk memorial:
Charlie Kirk’s assassination has been reverberating across the United States as investigators learn more about the suspect accused of his murder.
The funeral arrangements: Kirk’s funeral has been set for Sept. 21 in Glendale, Ariz. It will be held at State Farm Stadium where the Arizona Cardinals play. A huge turnout is expected among White House officials — including President Trump — and right-wing political influencers. CNN reports on the enormous test this will pose for the Secret Service. Read more: ‘What to know about Charlie Kirk memorial arrangements’
Vice President Vance is currently hosting an episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show” to honor his friend’s passing.???? Watch it live
AndSpeaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is leading a vigil in memory of Kirk in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, per The Hill’s Emily Brooks. ???? Watch it live at 6:15 p.m.
ICYMI: Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered public remarks Friday evening about her late husband, pledging to continue his movement. Shortly after, she shared photos of herself crying by his open casket.
???? Watch Erika Kirk’s remarks
Related read, via The New York Times: ‘Grieving in Public, Erika Kirk Melds the Personal and Political’
➤ WHERE THE ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION STANDS:
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) says that suspect Tyler Robinson has “not been cooperating” with authorities. FBI Director Kash Patel said today that a note was found from the alleged shooter saying he had an opportunity to “take out” Kirk.
And FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the suspect had an “obsession” with Kirk.
Robinson’s roommate: Cox told reporters that Robinson was in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who is transgender, confirming Fox News’s reporting.
Cox told NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’: “We do know that the roommate that we had originally talked about, we can confirm that that roommate is a boyfriend who is transitioning from male to female. … I will say that that person has been very cooperative with authorities,” he continued.
His family’s politics: Cox confirmed that Robinson came from a conservative family. However, Cox claims that “his ideology was very different than his family.”
➤ SENATORS ARE INCREASINGLY WORRIED ABOUT THE POLITICAL VIOLENCE:
“A number of senators are growing concerned that the apparent increase in political violence will be nearly impossible to reverse despite calls from every corner to turn down the national temperature after the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” The Hill’s Al Weaver reports.
It’s not just Kirk: “Kirk’s killing was the latest in a lengthy string of politically-based attacks against members of both parties in recent years — headlined by the twin assassination attempts against President Trump. It’s leaving senators to wonder whether anything can be done to fix a problem that’s only getting worse; they worry it may be the new normal.”
Read Weaver’s reporting: ‘Senators worry political violence ‘baked in’ after Kirk assassination’
➤ A WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST SAYS SHE WAS FIRED OVER KIRK POSTS:
“Columnist Karen Attiah says she was fired by The Washington Post last week over a series of social media posts about gun control and race in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk,” reports The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo.
Attiah wrote in a Substack post today: “As a columnist, I used my voice to defend freedom and democracy, challenge power and reflect on culture and politics with honesty and conviction. Now, I am the one being silenced — for doing my job.” ???? Read the Substack post
➤ ⛳ TIDBIT:
Semafor’s Shelby Talcott reports that FBI Director Kash Patel golfed with President Trump over the weekend.
Timing: Patel is slated to testify in two oversight hearings on Capitol Hill this week.
Keep in mind: Patel has been under scrutiny, including by some conservatives, for his handling of the Kirk investigation. He posted on social media that a suspect was in custody before reversing that announcement.
^ FWIW: Patel says he does not regret announcing that a person was taken into custody before reversing course.
Is Patel on the outs?: Fox News reports that the White House has “no confidence in Kash.” “[Allies] of President Trump and Patel’s harshest critics have begun to circulate word that contingency plans for Patel’s ouster are forming.”
???? OTHER NEWS
It’s decision week for Jerome Powell:
The Federal Reserve’s policy committee is meeting Tuesday and Wednesday to decide whether to cut interest rates.
We know how President Trump feels: Trump told reporters Sunday that he expects a “big cut” to interest rates.
For what it’s worth: Economists expect a quarter-point interest rate cut.
➤ BITS AND PIECES:
- The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is launching a weeklong voter registration effort as it tries to rebound for the 2026 midterms, per NewsNation’s Jackie Koppell.
- During a visit to Israel today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a diplomatic solution to the Gaza War may not be possible.
COMING UP
The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. (All times EST)
Noon: Vice President Vance hosts an episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show.” ???? Livestream
2 p.m.: Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
4 p.m.: Trump signs a presidential memorandum. ????Livestream
5:30 p.m.: Two Senate votes. ????Today’s agenda
6:15 p.m.: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) holds a memorial vigil for Charlie Kirk. ????Livestream
6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. ????Today’s agenda
Tuesday – Thursday: Trump and first lady Melania Trump travel to the United Kingdom for an official state visit.
???? INTERNET BUZZ
???? Celebrate: Today is National Double Cheeseburger Day.
???? Who watched the Emmys?: Comedian Nate Bargatze hosted the Emmy Awards on Sunday. “The Pitt” won outstanding drama (that was well-deserved in my opinion), “The Studio” set a record for the most wins in one night and “Adolescence” won outstanding limited series. Oh, and Stephen Colbert won his first Emmy after CBS announced the cancellation of his show.????Full list of winners
???? AND FINALLY…
And to leave you in in a brighter mood, I want you to see this absolute diva of a seal.