The Bari Weiss Era of ‘60 Minutes’ Begins

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-13 21:14:00 — www.nytimes.com

President Trump’s Response to Pardon Scandal: “Ill-Informed or Malicious”

The season premiere of “60 Minutes” returned with a renewed focus on accountability journalism, including a high-profile investigation into the lobbying of presidential pardons. As part of the broadcast, the Trump administration issued a statement defending the president’s actions, asserting that any suggestion he had behaved unethically “is either ill-informed or malicious.”

Pardons Under Scrutiny

Lesley Stahl’s report examined the role of middlemen who charged large sums to lobby for presidential pardons during Trump’s tenure. The segment highlighted that Trump had pardoned “a string of unrepentant financial con men,” as well as “rioters” at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. These pardons have drawn criticism from both political opponents and watchdog groups, who argue that the process was influenced by personal connections and financial interests.

Trump Administration Pushes Back

In response to the investigation, the Trump administration categorically rejected allegations of unethical conduct, characterizing such claims as either misinformed or intentionally harmful. This statement reflects a familiar pattern from Trump and his team, who have frequently dismissed or attacked the credibility of critics and media reports that question the ethics or legality of his actions.

Broader Context

The “60 Minutes” episode comes at a time when CBS News’s political coverage is under intense scrutiny, following significant changes in leadership and concerns about potential bias. The network’s parent company, Paramount, recently settled a $16 million lawsuit filed by Trump over “60 Minutes,” and the Trump administration subsequently approved Paramount’s sale to a tech executive with ties to Trump.

Conclusion

As the new season of “60 Minutes” unfolds, the Trump administration’s response to allegations of unethical pardons remains defiant. By labeling criticism as “ill-informed or malicious,” Trump continues to reject accountability for actions that have raised serious questions about the integrity of the presidential pardon process. The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over transparency and ethics in American political life.

Source article

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/business/media/60-minutes-season-premiere-bari-weiss.html

Trump says $5K dividend checks to Americans will 'happen 100 percent'

Administration News — 2026-09-13 19:27:00 — thehill.com

Trump Promises $5,000 Dividend Checks if GOP Holds Congress, Drawing Comparisons to Previous Payouts

President Trump on Sunday declared that $5,000 dividend checks will “happen 100 percent” if Republicans maintain their majority in Congress after the midterm elections. Speaking to reporters outside Air Force One, Trump compared the proposed payments to the $1,776 checks that were previously distributed to U.S. service members, stating that he has received the same type of feedback regarding the potential new payouts.

Comparing Promises to Past Actions

Trump’s statement draws a direct connection between the proposed $5,000 checks and the earlier $1,776 payments to service members, suggesting a precedent for such government-issued dividends. By asserting that the new checks are guaranteed if the GOP retains control, Trump positions the promise as a certainty contingent only on the election outcome.

Fact-Checking the Claims

The president’s claim that $5,000 dividend checks will “happen 100 percent” is a significant promise, especially given the lack of legislative groundwork or bipartisan support for such a measure at the time of his statement. The comparison to the $1,776 checks for service members may be intended to bolster the credibility of his pledge, but the contexts of the two payments differ substantially. The $1,776 checks were a specific, targeted benefit, while the proposed $5,000 dividends appear to be a broader, more ambitious promise without clear policy details.

Conclusion

President Trump’s assertion of guaranteed $5,000 dividend checks if Republicans win the midterms represents a bold campaign promise, echoing his pattern of making sweeping statements that often lack immediate legislative backing. As with previous claims, the feasibility and specifics of such a payout remain unclear, leaving voters to weigh the credibility of the promise against the realities of the legislative process.

Source article

Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6087307-trump-promises-5000-dividend-checks/

Trump warns against slowing AI but he is not against guardrails : NPR

NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-13 17:32:00 — www.npr.org

Trump Downplays AI Risks, Calls Warnings “Exaggerated” and Blames “Negative Forces”

President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed mounting concerns from technology leaders about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, characterizing such warnings as overblown and attributing them to unnamed “negative forces.” Speaking to reporters at his Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland, Trump said, “The dire warnings about AI were exaggerated and that ‘negative forces’ are making claims about things that won’t happen.”

Trump asserted, “We’re leading China in AI, we’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins. And we can put guardrails, we can do this and that. But I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up.” He did not clarify who or what he meant by “negative forces.”

Contradicting Industry Warnings

Trump’s comments came as several prominent figures in the tech industry, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Elon Musk, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have called for slowing the rapid development of AI due to risks such as loss of human control, cyberattacks, and bioterrorism. Amodei specifically warned that humans could lose control of advanced AI systems and advocated for international cooperation and independent oversight.

Despite these warnings, Trump downplayed the risks and suggested that concerns are being amplified by unspecified actors with questionable motives. This stance stands in contrast to the growing consensus among AI experts and industry leaders about the need for caution and robust safety measures.

Exaggeration and Lack of Specifics

Trump’s claim that the U.S. is “leading China in AI” and is “the most sophisticated country in the world” is a sweeping assertion that lacks supporting evidence in the excerpt. While the U.S. is a global leader in AI research and development, the competition with China is intense and complex, with both nations investing heavily in the technology.

Furthermore, Trump’s repeated references to “negative forces” raising concerns about AI are vague and unsubstantiated, offering no specifics about who these forces are or what their motivations might be. This pattern of making broad, unverified claims and dismissing expert warnings has been a hallmark of Trump’s approach to complex policy issues.

Conclusion

President Trump’s remarks in Ireland reflect his ongoing tendency to downplay expert concerns and cast doubt on the motives of those raising alarms about emerging threats. By labeling AI safety warnings as “exaggerated” and blaming unnamed “negative forces,” Trump continues a pattern of minimizing risks and sidestepping substantive debate. As the conversation around AI safety intensifies, Trump’s dismissive stance stands in sharp contrast to the caution urged by leading voices in the technology sector.

Source article

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/13/nx-s1-5968078/trump-mike-johnson-ai-slowdown

Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn’t want to cede edge to China

PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-09-13 17:08:00 — www.pbs.org

Trump Downplays AI Regulation, Cites “Negative Forces” and Focuses on Beating China

President Donald Trump on Sunday minimized the need for his administration to regulate artificial intelligence, expressing concern that increased oversight could undermine America’s competitive edge against China. Speaking to reporters in Ireland, Trump said, “We can put guardrails, we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that … shouldn’t be bringing it up, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.” He added, “But whoever wins with AI wins.”

Despite acknowledging that some regulation may be necessary, Trump did not offer any specific proposals or details about what rules might be put in place. Instead, he dismissed concerns about the rapid, unregulated development of AI—concerns that have been raised by industry leaders such as Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Elon Musk, and Sam Altman of OpenAI—as being promoted by unspecified “negative forces.”

When asked directly if the industry should slow down or face regulation, Trump reiterated his priority was maintaining the U.S. lead over China in AI, saying, “frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins.”

Trump’s comments stand in contrast to calls from technology executives and some lawmakers who have urged a pause or stronger guardrails to allow safety measures to catch up with the technology’s rapid advancement. While Trump has continued to support the expansion of data centers—a key infrastructure for AI—even as bipartisan opposition grows in communities across the country, he has not addressed the specific risks or regulatory needs highlighted by experts.

By attributing warnings about AI’s risks to vague “negative forces” and failing to identify any concrete steps for oversight, Trump has downplayed the urgency of the issue. This approach leaves the U.S. without a clear strategy for managing the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, even as the technology becomes a central topic in the global competition with China and a growing concern for American communities.

Conclusion

Trump’s reluctance to specify regulatory measures for artificial intelligence, coupled with his dismissal of expert warnings as the work of “negative forces,” underscores a pattern of minimizing or deflecting concerns about emerging technologies. As the debate over AI safety intensifies, Trump’s stance leaves key questions unanswered about how the U.S. will address the risks and responsibilities that come with leading the world in AI development.

Source article

Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-downplays-the-need-to-check-ai-development-and-says-he-doesnt-want-to-cede-edge-to-china

Top Lawmakers Agree A.I.’s Risks Are Rising but Say They Have No Quick Fix

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-13 15:49:00 — www.nytimes.com

Donald Trump Downplays AI Risks, Emphasizes Competition with China

As concerns over the rapid development and potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) mount in Washington, Donald Trump has weighed in, emphasizing the need for the United States to maintain its competitive edge over China rather than focusing on what he described as exaggerated fears.

Speaking to reporters in Ireland, Trump stated, “Look, we’re leading China in A.I. We can put guardrails, we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up. And they’re bringing up things that won’t happen. But whoever wins with A.I., wins.”

Trump’s comments reflect a familiar pattern of downplaying or dismissing concerns raised by experts and lawmakers. In this case, he suggested that warnings about AI’s risks are being overstated by “negative forces” and implied that some of the dangers being discussed “won’t happen.” This stance stands in contrast to the growing bipartisan consensus in Congress that urgent action is needed to regulate AI and address its potential threats to safety, security, and the economy.

While other political leaders and technology executives have called for slowing the pace of AI development and implementing meaningful safeguards, Trump’s focus remained on maintaining American dominance over China in the AI sector. His remarks echo arguments made by some Republicans that excessive regulation could harm U.S. companies and give China an advantage.

Fact-checking Trump’s assertion, there is broad agreement among AI researchers and policymakers that the risks associated with AI—including cybersecurity threats, misinformation, and economic disruption—are real and require careful oversight. Dismissing these concerns as unfounded or unlikely, as Trump did, contradicts the warnings issued by both industry insiders and bipartisan lawmakers.

In summary, Trump’s response to the AI debate centers on competition with China and minimizing the risks highlighted by experts. As Congress debates how to move forward, Trump’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing divide over how seriously to take the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and who should lead the effort to regulate this transformative technology.

Source article

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/us/politics/congress-ai-risks-johnson-jeffries.html

Trump cuts Ireland’s whiskey tariff as a parting gift

Donald Trump — 2026-09-13 14:19:00 — www.politico.com

Trump Claims Tariff Relief for Irish Distillers as “Thank-You” for Hosting Golf Tournament

President Trump stated that Ireland’s distillers would no longer face tariffs, presenting the move as a “thank-you gesture” for his hosting of the Irish Open golf tournament.

Unpacking the Claim

The president’s assertion links a significant trade policy change—removal of tariffs on Irish distillers—to his personal involvement in hosting a sporting event. This statement, as reported, directly attributes the policy shift to Trump’s own actions and frames it as a reward for his hospitality.

Fact-Check: Trade Policy and Personal Favor

Trade tariffs are typically subject to complex negotiations and formal agreements between governments, not unilateral decisions tied to private or promotional events. By suggesting that tariffs were lifted as a personal favor, Trump’s statement distorts the standard process of international trade policy, which is not designed to serve as a transactional thank-you for private business activities.

Pattern of Exaggeration

This episode fits a broader pattern in which Trump has exaggerated his influence or misrepresented the mechanisms of government action. The claim that a major trade decision was made as a direct result of his hosting a golf tournament is not supported by the established procedures for setting or removing tariffs.

Conclusion

President Trump’s statement that Ireland’s distillers would be exempted from tariffs as a thank-you for his hosting of the Irish Open golf tournament is a clear example of exaggeration and misstatement. It conflates personal business interests with official government policy, misrepresenting how such decisions are made. This instance underscores the importance of scrutinizing claims that blur the lines between private interests and public policy.

Source article

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/13/trump-irish-whiskey-tariffs-01073879

Trump rejects calls to slow AI development, citing Chinese competition

Politics — 2026-09-13 13:48:00 — www.washingtonpost.com

Trump Dismisses AI Regulation Concerns as Democrats Target Administration’s Stance

President Donald Trump on Sunday appeared to dismiss calls from top artificial intelligence leaders to slow the development of AI models, even as concerns about the rapid pace of AI innovation grow. This response comes as Democrats increasingly criticize his administration’s resistance to regulating the technology, making it a focal point in the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump’s Position on AI Oversight

Trump’s apparent dismissal of warnings from AI experts signals a continuation of his administration’s hands-off approach to regulating emerging technologies. While top leaders in the AI field have urged caution and called for a slowdown in development to address potential risks, Trump has shown little interest in heeding these calls. The president’s stance reflects a broader pattern of downplaying or disregarding expert advice on complex policy issues.

Fact-Checking Trump’s Approach

The excerpt highlights Trump’s resistance to regulation, a position that has drawn criticism from both technology experts and political opponents. By appearing to brush aside concerns raised by AI leaders, Trump reinforces a narrative of indifference to the potential dangers posed by unregulated AI development. This attitude has become a point of contention, especially as Democrats seize on the issue to argue that the administration is prioritizing industry interests over public safety and ethical considerations.

Conclusion: A Divisive Stance Amid Growing Concerns

President Trump’s apparent dismissal of calls for greater oversight of artificial intelligence underscores a larger debate about the role of government in managing technological change. As Democrats continue to highlight his administration’s reluctance to regulate AI, the issue is likely to remain at the forefront of political discourse heading into the midterms. Trump’s record of downplaying expert concerns on this and other issues raises important questions about the administration’s approach to safeguarding the public interest in the face of rapid technological advancement.

Source article

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/13/trump-rejects-calls-so-slow-ai-development-citing-chinese-competition/

Obama Urges Democrats to Move A.I. Oversight to the Center of Their Agenda

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-13 11:37:00 — www.nytimes.com

Donald Trump Dismisses AI Risks, Contrasts With Growing Bipartisan Concerns

Donald Trump recently told reporters he didn’t have “any” concerns about the risks of artificial intelligence, focusing instead on the need to compete with China. Trump has also said that those who oppose AI data centers must prefer to be “backwards and poor.” This stance comes at a time when anxiety about AI’s potential dangers is rising across the political spectrum, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers calling for more oversight and regulation.

Trump’s position stands in sharp contrast to the growing calls for caution from industry leaders and lawmakers. While some AI executives and researchers have publicly warned about the technology’s risks—including the possibility that misaligned AI could cause significant harm—Trump has continued to downplay these concerns. His comments reflect a broader “accelerationist” approach, prioritizing rapid development and economic competition over safety measures.

The debate over AI regulation is intensifying as both parties grapple with how to respond. Democrats, led by figures like Barack Obama and Hakeem Jeffries, are urging the creation of a clear policy framework to address AI’s societal and economic impacts. Meanwhile, some Republicans have joined bipartisan efforts to introduce AI legislation and call for special sessions on the topic.

Despite these efforts, Trump’s dismissive attitude toward AI risks highlights a significant divide within the Republican Party and the broader national conversation. As the 2024 elections approach, the issue of AI safety and regulation is likely to become a key point of contrast between the parties.

In summary, Trump’s professed indifference to AI’s risks and his focus on economic competition set him apart from a growing consensus that more oversight is needed. As concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, safety, and society mount, the debate over how to manage this powerful technology will remain at the forefront of American politics.

Source article

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/us/politics/obama-democrats-ai.html

Obama calls for Dems to focus on AI

Politics — 2026-09-13 10:55:00 — www.politico.com

Donald Trump Downplays AI Risks, Focuses on Beating China

Donald Trump has dismissed concerns about artificial intelligence posing an existential threat, telling reporters last week that his primary worry is ensuring the United States beats China in dominating the technology.

This stance stands in stark contrast to the growing bipartisan alarm over the rapid development of AI and its potential dangers. While Democratic leaders and tech industry figures are calling for urgent safeguards and government action to address risks such as job displacement, misinformation, and national security threats, Trump has made clear that his focus is on international competition rather than regulation or oversight.

Trump’s comments come as lawmakers in Congress struggle to advance legislation to slow or limit AI development, with proposals facing uncertain futures due to disagreements over liability and state versus federal authority. Meanwhile, other political leaders—including Barack Obama, Pete Buttigieg, and Josh Shapiro—are urging a more comprehensive approach to AI safety, economic impact, and public trust.

By dismissing existential risks and prioritizing a race with China, Trump’s position highlights a significant divide in the national conversation about the future of artificial intelligence and the responsibilities of American leadership. As the debate continues, the contrast between Trump’s approach and those calling for stronger guardrails underscores the challenges ahead in shaping AI policy.

Source article

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/13/obama-ai-democrats-fundraiser-01073778

Politics chat: Trump's $5,000 promise to voters, Vance invokes Charlie Kirk

NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-13 07:04:00 — www.npr.org

President Trump’s $5,000 Campaign Promise Draws Skepticism

President Trump’s recent $5,000 campaign promise, announced following the midterm convention in Dallas, has generated significant attention but little belief among observers. The pledge, which Trump positioned as a direct benefit to voters, has been met with widespread doubt regarding its feasibility and sincerity.

Fact-Checking Trump’s $5,000 Pledge

Trump’s campaign promise has been scrutinized for its lack of detail and credibility. While the president has made bold claims about delivering financial benefits to Americans, fact-checkers and analysts have pointed out that there is no clear plan or legislative path to make the $5,000 payment a reality. The skepticism surrounding the promise reflects a broader pattern in Trump’s record, where ambitious pledges often lack substantive follow-through.

Public Reaction and Pattern of Exaggeration

The attention generated by Trump’s $5,000 promise highlights ongoing concerns about the accuracy of his statements. Critics note that this is not the first time Trump has made grandiose promises that have failed to materialize. The public’s disbelief underscores a pattern of exaggeration and overstatement that has characterized much of Trump’s rhetoric.

Conclusion: A Familiar Pattern

President Trump’s $5,000 campaign promise, while headline-grabbing, has not convinced the public or experts of its viability. The widespread skepticism reflects a familiar pattern in Trump’s approach—making bold claims that attract attention but often lack substance or follow-through. As the campaign continues, voters and analysts alike remain wary of promises that may not withstand scrutiny.

Source article

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/13/nx-s1-5964863/politics-chat-trumps-5-000-promise-to-voters-vance-invokes-charlie-kirk