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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump sensationally anoints Sydney Sweeney his anti-woke queen as he hurls blistering insult at Taylor Swift
President Donald Trump continued to cheer on actress Sydney Sweeney in a Truth Social post Monday morning, pitting her against singer Taylor Swift. Clothing brand American Eagle has been under fire for days after running a 'racially charged' ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney being described as 'Nazi propaganda.' 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' a tagline in one of the videos featuring the blonde-haired, blue-eyed 27-year-old reads. But Trump has rushed to Sweeney's defense after learning she's a registered Republican since last June. 'Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the "HOTTEST" ad out there. It's for American Eagle, and the jeans are "flying off the shelves." Go get 'em Sydney!' the president said. Trump then called attention to the controversy surrounding a Jaguar ad, which prompted the car company's CEO to step down. The ad showed androgynous models - and zero cars - with some conservative critics referring to it as 'Bud Light 2.0.' 'On the other side of the ledger, Jaguar did a stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement, THAT IS A TOTAL DISASTER!' Trump said. 'The CEO just resigned in disgrace, and the company is in absolute turmoil.' President Donald Trump took to Truth Social Monday morning to share his newfound appreciation for actress Sydney Sweeney, who he complimented after finding out she registered as a Republican in 2024 'Who wants to buy a Jaguar after looking at that disgraceful ad,' the president asked. 'Shouldn't they have learned a lesson from Bud Lite, which went Woke and essentially destroyed, in a short campaign, the Company.' The 78-year-old Republican then turned his attention to Swift, who endorsed both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2020 and 2024, respectively. 'Or just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift. Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can't stand her (HATE!). She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT,' Trump claimed. 'The tide has seriously turned - Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be,' Trump said. He ended the Truth Social post with his trademark, 'Thank you for your attention to this matter!' On Sunday night, the Daily Mail had asked Trump if he had any reaction to the Daily Mail and other outlets reporting that Sweeney had registered as a Republican in 2024. 'She's a registered Republican?' the president said with interest on the tarmac of the Lehigh Valley International Airport outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Trump was heading back to Washington after spending the weekend at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort. 'You'd be surprised at how many people are Republican. That's one I wouldn't have known, but I'm glad you told me that,' he continued. 'If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.' Sweeney is a member of the Republican Party of Florida, according to public voter records viewed by the Daily Mail. She registered in Monroe County, Florida in June 2024. Buzzfeed was the first outlet to report Sweeney's voter registration. Sweeney has been criticized for the American Eagle ad, which used the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,' with some critics saying it sounded like 'Nazi propaganda.' A number of conservatives and MAGA personalities have come out in her defense. Spokespeople for Sweeney and Swift did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Some tourists and business travelers may face up to $15,000 bond to enter US
The US state department has prepared plans to impose bonds as high as $15,000 for some tourism and business visas, according to a draft of a temporary final rule. The bonds would be issued to visitors from countries with significant overstay rates, under a 12-month pilot program. It renews an initiative issued by the first Trump administration in November 2020, the month that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the presidential election. That rule would have required a $15,000 bond for tourist and business travelers from two dozen countries with 10% or higher overstay rates, mostly in Africa. The new federal registry notice of the visa bond pilot program is scheduled to be published on 5 August. 'The Pilot Program will enable the Department to assess the operational feasibility of posting, processing, and discharging visa bonds, in coordination with the Department of the Treasury ('Treasury') and the Department of Homeland Security ('DHS'), and to inform any future decision concerning the possible use of visa bonds to ensure nonimmigrants using these visa categories comply with the terms and conditions of their visas and timely depart the United States,' it states. It said it would announce the countries in question at the ' website no fewer than 15 days before the pilot program takes effect. It also said the list might change, again with 15 days notice. Tourists and business travelers would receive their bonds back when they depart the US, are naturalized as a citizen or die, according to Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations. The original six-month pilot program was never implemented. The Trump administration has cracked down on immigration to the US, including terminating temporary protected status for many people living in the US, and banning immigration visas outright for 12 countries. The state department last month also unveiled new guidance directing US diplomats to review the online activity of foreign students before issuing educational and exchange visas. Students who refuse to unlock their social media profiles will be suspected of hiding the activity from US officials.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
‘He's a great negotiator and diplomat': Starmer praised as UK outshines EU in Trump trade talks
As Donald Trump signed a new trade deal with the EU, many Independent readers were less focused on Brussels – and more surprised by how well the UK had done in comparison. With Keir Starmer securing lower tariffs and a visibly warmer reception from the US president, some asked: how did Britain get a better deal than the EU? Commenters were quick to praise Starmer's calm, measured style. One reader described him as a 'great negotiator and diplomat' with a 'forensic' grasp of detail, while another said Trump 'genuinely likes him' and respects that he 'stands up for himself' rather than fawning. In contrast, Europe's performance was seen as lacklustre, with the bloc 'unable to mount an effective response'. The EU-US deal itself drew criticism for being weak and symbolic, accused of rewarding Trump's coercive tactics and reframing tariffs as legitimate economic tools. Several readers lamented that the UK's apparent success would be used to claim a 'Brexit benefit' – while others were content to see the EU embarrassed. Here's what you had to say: A great negotiator and diplomat There's a lot of criticism of Starmer, and some is justified. While he might not be the greatest leader Labour we have had, there's no doubt he's a great negotiator and diplomat. What also helps him is that he has a strong sense of fairness, decency, and dignity. Then there's his obvious legal background, which you see in his forensic thoroughness when debating issues. Can you imagine Kemi Badenoch and that useless lot negotiating with Trump... he'd have a field day. DHC How do you feel about the UK's trade deal compared to Europe's? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation below. Trump is half Scottish Trump is half Scottish and he seems to have a little more respect for his mother's native country. We also don't manufacture anything, and we have long given up the future capacity to be a producing nation. We are customers; Europe, on the other hand, is a competitor. 227detius A weak EU capitulating to Trump The deal has been widely criticised on the European side, viewed by some as a weak EU capitulating to Trump's demands, unable to mount an effective response. While that perception is difficult to counter, the reality is much more complex and nuanced. It's worth noting that the deal isn't a fully fleshed-out trade agreement but, for the time being, one of the many symbolic political deals Trump has announced in recent months. Yet it's not meaningless. It pauses what could have escalated into a full-scale transatlantic trade war and defuses a major source of volatility and anxiety. That said, the real challenge lies ahead – hammering out the details. Without legally binding documents, the door remains open to misinterpretation. We've seen this play out recently with the US-Japan agreement, hastily concluded a few days ago, and already sparking differing interpretations. The same could easily happen with the EU-US deal. The deal is being widely perceived as a big political win for Trump and a defeat for the EU, negatively affecting its image both domestically and worldwide. Unfortunately, this interpretation ultimately praises and legitimises an approach based on aggression and coercion, rewarding tactics that undermine trust and cooperation. Sadly, tariffs – long discredited as a blunt and damaging economic tool – are now being recast as effective policy instruments, which the EU should also wield. It's astonishing how, in only a few months, Trump has managed to frame such a confrontational strategy and unsound economic policies as a success – even with Europe. It's simply self-defeating. But whatever the "final outcome", the misery of this GileadUS administration will continue to affect the lives of billions of people! LeeisBlue I ignore all the Faragist, Corbynite vitriol Starmer really has done well in his dealings not only with Trump but also the EU and his Gaza stance. Additionally, his policies are really changing and improving our lives – e.g. the NHS is performing much better (my wife has benefitted from this). Frankly, I ignore all the Faragist, Corbynite vitriolic attacks on Starmer and co and research for myself what's ACTUALLY happening. All this Reform/Farage/Corbyn propaganda is a distraction, largely irrelevant. voxtrot UK sacrificed bioethanol sector The UK's largest trade partner, by far, in goods is the EU. Don't think EU's higher tariffs from the USA have no effect on the UK. The UK also sacrificed the bioethanol sector, and allowed US beef into the UK, to the detriment of home agriculture, to get those reduced tariffs. I know there is some desperation in some quarters to try and claim some form of #BrexitBenefit, and hope the utter disaster and failure that it is gets forgotten. wolfie Nothing to do with Starmer It's got nothing to do with Starmer. The UK got a better deal with the US than the EU despite Starmer, not because of him. The UK is an independent, sovereign nation again and no longer anchored to the failing, anti-democratic EU political union thanks to Brexit, and we're one of the US's closest allies. Our bond with the US will grow even stronger once the current shambles of a Labour government – that appears to be doing its best to suppress free speech – is booted out at the next election. Kingswood Diversifying the EU's trading partners Yes, but every trading country/bloc has the opportunity of improving their prospects by diversifying their trading portfolio. Perhaps this is what Ms von der Leyen had in mind when making a deal with Trump – i.e. to force the EU to diversify its trading partners. In the longer term, that might be the best solution. Hungubwe Trump swallowed the carrot of a state visit All to do with the vanity of Trump. The state visit was the ultimate carrot that Starmer dangled, and Trump swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. He likes the sense of self-importance which this state visit will bestow on him, and all the pomp and ceremony. Beyond this, it shows that as long as you pander to him, he's happy to tolerate most things. Charles's views on the climate and compassion for migrants would normally have him called a radical lefty by Trump, and likewise, Starmer would also get short shrift, but because they are praising Trump, he's lapping it up – for now. The only constant has been the unapologetic support for Netanyahu, and ultimately it will come to a head when the ethnic cleansing plan is put in place. At that point, the world will have to decide to confront Trump directly or capitulate under fear of tariffs, leaving NATO, etc. I fear the capitulation. Truthonly With Trump you always follow the money The UK has a trade surplus with the USA of about £2 billion. The EU's trade surplus is about £200 billion. That's the difference – it's nothing to do with love of the UK or a Scottish mother or the tactics of the UK government. With Trump, you always follow the money. He does hate the EU's society because it is so much better than the US, so he feels compelled to drag it down to his level. He also knows he can play the UK like a banjo, whereas he fears the EU. We all know he will change his mind at any minute. AnonyMousse Starmer has done well on international issues Starmer has done well on international issues. The problem is that his focus on those things has left his inexperienced underlings to preside over domestic affairs. We have to remind ourselves who they replaced though. Compared to 14 years of Tory corruption and chaos, they are paragons of efficiency. Inkling
