PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WITH F1 MCLAREN CEO ZAK BROWN

President Trump and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown took an apparent FaceTime call in the presidential suite during Sunday's IndyCar race in Washington, D.C. Brown, a race car driver himself, oversees the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team.

- CBS

WHO IS JOSH KUSHNER, THE BILLIONAIRE WHO JUST BOUGHT THE LAKERS?

Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, speaks during the Hill & Valley forum at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images

New York —  Josh Kushner doesn’t give many interviews or make public appearances often, but he’s keen on making headlines.

Kushner, the brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared, announced that he was teaming up with former Disney CEO Bob Iger to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for a record-breaking $12.5 billion.

It’s just one of many flashy deals and investments involving the 41-year-old as of late. His successful career as founder of Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm that raised more than $10 billion in its latest round, has served as a springboard to build his status as a powerful mogul.

“I think Thrive is a very small percentage of its potential. I feel like we’re just getting started,” Kushner said in a February podcast, frequently mentioning loyalty and humility as his core leadership values.

“I believe that my word, the word of the firm, is more important than anything else,” he continued.

Thrive has amassed a massive portfolio, ranging from early investments in high-profile technology companies like OpenAI and SpaceX, to trendy brands such as Spotify, Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS and movie studio A24. It’s also involved in sports, owning minority portions of the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Heat.

The New York-based firm also has an offshoot, called Thrive Holdings, which invests in companies that are working to modernize traditionally old-school industries through AI.

“I think this is the most important moment in our lifetimes. In many respects AI is underhyped,” Kushner said in a 2025 interview at the tech and policy summit The Hill & Valley Forum.

Kushner’s Thrive is also a pivotal investor in OpenAI, most recently funneling another $1 billion to the company in December, CNBC reported. He shares a close working relationship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

“Josh makes high-conviction bets on high-quality companies and founders, and he doesn’t care too much about what other investors think. I feel a lot of camaraderie with that,” Altman told Fortune in 2024.

Josh, born in New Jersey, is the son of real estate tycoon Charles Kushner. He’s the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is more well known these days as the son-in-law of President Donald Trump. His father Charles was pardoned by Trump in 2020 over a 2005 conviction on federal tax evasion charges.

Founder and CEO of Thrive Capital Josh Kushner attends the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference at the Sun Valley Lodge on July 10, 2026 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Josh, however, has largely steered clear of associating himself with the Trump family. Rather, he’s building one of his own with model Karlie Kloss, who married in 2018 and have three children. The pair are regulars at the Met Gala.

Still, the two have not been fully able to separate themselves from his family. (“Not even to dinner with the Kushners?,” one contestant on reality TV show Project Runway infamously quipped to Kloss over criticism about a dress designed for her.)

“I’m sure I’m not the only person in this country who does not necessarily agree with their family on politics,” Kloss said in a later interview. “… my man and I have been through a lot together and you know I’m so proud that he’s my partner.”

Kushner said in 2017 that “It is no secret that liberal values have guided my life and that I have supported political leaders that share similar values.”

Kushner also founded Oscar Health in 2012, a health insurance company that initially capitalized on the creation of the Affordable Care Act marketplaces and recently posted record profits.

According to Forbes, Kushner is worth about $5 billion.

Still, not all of his bets are successful: Last month Kushner’s Thrive Eternal was part of a controversial —and quickly scrapped — plan with FIFA to sell private stakes in upcoming World Cup tournaments. FIFA said that the money generated will be reinvested back into the sport.

Kushner’s purchase of the Lakers “serves as a way to put the FIFA controversy behind him quickly and almost turn a new leaf in the sports sector,” Mark Conrad, professor of law and ethics at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, told CNN over email.

“It certainly puts him on the map more than before,” he said.

- Jordan Valinsky and Ramishah Maruf

UEFA VOTES TO BOYCOTT WORLD CUP AHEAD OF PRIVATE INVESTOR FUND

The core investor would be a US investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner

US President Donald Trump (right) and Fifa president Gianni Infantino get ready to present the World Cup to Spain in New Jersey. Photo: dpa

Uefa member federations agreed on Thursday to boycott all Fifa competitions in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.

“Uefa and its national associations will not participate in Fifa competitions,” the European football body said after an urgent online meeting of the 55 members.

“Some things are simply too important to sell,” Uefa said in a statement. “The Fifa World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”

The strategy meeting was called to counter Fifa president Infantino’s offer of US$20 million to each of Fifa’s 211 global members that has to be accepted by mid-September.

Infantino’s secret proposal was revealed on Tuesday to spin off its commercial operations in a new US$20 billion subsidiary 20 per cent owned by private investors. The core investor would be a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has presented the private equity offer as a chance to “turbocharge” funding development of football. Photo: Reuters

“This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of Fifa’s duty as the custodian of world football,” said Uefa, where Infantino was a long-time staffer and its CEO-like general secretary when he was first elected to lead Fifa in 2016.

- Associated Press

LA LIGA PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT ABOUT FIFA BOSS GIANNI INFANTINO AFTER 2026 WORLDNCUP RANT

 La Liga president Javier Tebas has issued a stinging statement in response to Gianni Infantino’s 2026 World Cup rant.

Infantino has been accused of going ‘full Donald Trump’ with an unexpected statement posted on FIFA’s official website and across 15 slides on his Instagram account.

The under-fire FIFA president blasted critics of the 2026 World Cup, claiming they’ve been “consumed by hate” and urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” in order to “find peace”.

Infantino claimed this summer’s tournament in North America featured “no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security” - ignoring the fact four supporters tragically died during World Cup celebrations in Mexico City.

He defended the treatment of Iran’s national football team, issues over visas, and even the hugely controversial Folarin Balogun red card situation.

“Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees' decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” Infantino wrote. “It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”

La Liga President Responds to Infantino's World Cup Statement

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Rather than convince people that the 2026 World Cup was a tournament without any downsides, Infantino’s statement appears to have had the opposite effect.

The “lame-duck FIFA president” now finds himself under even more scrutiny, with La Liga president Tebas tweeting:

"Today Gianni Infantino has written a pathetic message on his Instagram account and on the accounts of FIFA.

"No one disputes that football is emotion and unity. But transparency, good governance, and accountability are never hate; they are an obligation. Strong institutions do not discredit those who ask questions; they answer the questions.

"And a reflection Gianni: when a leader dedicates an entire message to disqualifying those who exercise legitimate scrutiny, it's inevitable to wonder... why precisely now? Is there something that explains such a defensive tone? Is something happening that we don't know about?"

Infantino Called to Appear Before Congress Over Trump Ties

Reuters/Mark J Rebilas

Meanwhile, Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, has launched an investigation into Infantino, seeking documents that would detail the ties between FIFA and US President Donald Trump and his administration, per The Guardian.

“[Y]our election as FIFA president was supposed to mark a red-card break from a decades-long culture of corruption and scandals that dressed down world soccer’s reputation,” Raskin wrote to Infantino in the letter.

“Instead, at the start of your tenure, you dismantled FIFA’s ethical guardrails and disabled the organization’s ethics committee by pushing out most of its members. This lack of transparency and oversight has since paved the way for you to ingratiate yourself with the Trump administration via tactics that a New York University law professor and one of your former ethics committeemen described as ‘legal bribery’.”

Trump, who has close ties with Infantino, has reportedly lined up a potential new job for the under-pressure FIFA president.

- Rob Swan

SPAIN WORLD CUP MEME 😂 | STUBBORN DONALD TRUMP

US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RECEIVED HOSTILE A HOSTILE REACTION FROM FANS AS HE PRESENTED THE WORLD CUP TROPHY TO SPAIN

Donald Trump was booed at the World Cup final

US President Donald Trump received a hostile reaction from fans as he presented the World Cup trophy to Spain.

The US still lost 4-1, and the Belgium players were seen appearing to mock Trump's dance moves from his 2024 presidential campaign.

Donald Trump was booed by fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The President of the United States joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the podium to present the trophy after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

US President Donald Trump received a hostile reaction from fans as he presented the World Cup trophy to Spain.

As the two men stepped out onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium on Sunday (19.07.26), boos and jeers could be heard ringing out.

Despite the reaction, Trump could still be seen waving out to people in the stands.

At one point, just before Spain lifted the iconic trophy, Infantino was seen trying to usher the US President out of the way so they could celebrate as a team.

Before the match kicked off, Trump spoke to Fox News and claimed he tried to tell Infantino that the US is "not a soccer country" when the idea of the World Cup was first presented.

However, he said: "It turns out we are a soccer country."

Trump added: "I don’t think there’s ever been anything like what’s happened with the whole World Cup, it’s been beautiful to watch."

Earlier in the tournament, Trump left fans curious after admitting he phoned Infantino and asked him to "review" a red card and suspension handed to US striker Folarin Balogun, which allowed him to still play in the round of 16 game against Belgium.

The US still lost 4-1, and the Belgium players were seen appearing to mock Trump's dance moves from his 2024 presidential campaign.

- Bang Premier 

'WHAT DO I KNOW?' - DONALD TRUMP JOINS CRITICISM OF THOMAS TUCHEL FOR PLAYING 'GOLF PARTNER' HARRY KANE IN 'DEFENSE' DURING WORLD CUP EXIT

 

Getty/GOAL

United States President Donald Trump has offered an unlikely critique of Thomas Tuchel's tactics following England's dramatic World Cup semi-final exit against Argentina. The American leader questioned the decision to drop captain Harry Kane into a deep defensive role after the Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 in Atlanta.

Tuchel faces unlikely critic

Criticism of Tuchel's tactics following England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina has come from an unexpected source, with US President Trump questioning the manager's decisions. The Three Lions looked set to reach the final after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, but Tuchel's switch to a back five - eventually finishing with six defenders - allowed Argentina to dominate the closing stages. Lionel Messi set up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win for the South Americans.

Getty Images 

Trump questions tactical mistake

Speaking alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an event at Trump Tower, Trump referenced his friendship with Kane from a past round of golf before questioning the manager's tactical adjustments.

Trump said: "You have a great player in England, who I played golf with. You know that, right? Harry, who's been fantastic. I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player.

"What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence. We have got to be a little offensive, right? But I'm not going to call it. What do I know about coaching? It was unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually."

Manager rejects defensive claims

Tuchel shrugged off Trump's comments while defending his team's defensive structure and the captain's role on the pitch. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the third-place playoff against France, the England boss insisted: "Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case or...? I was just asking.

"In which situation did Harry play too deep? What do you mean? Like in the last 30 minutes? Well, we defended in a deep block. That's what you do if you defend in a block. We were not active enough, we could not escape the deep block, but if you defend in a deep block, everyone defends in a deep block. That is what team spirit, togetherness, and mentality is translated to in football terms.

"We defend as a 10 and as 11, and if we are pushed back to a deep block, Harry defends in a deep block. This is what he did for moments in the first half. The difference is that we pushed back and we stepped out and we found the triggers to come out of the deep block. But we do everything together as a team.

"The team spirit, the togetherness, the mentality that this team built in the last six and a half weeks is not to be questioned and it showed even in defending. We became too passive in the last 30 minutes. We could not get hold of the ball, we could not find duels anymore. This is the next step that we want to take and from there we go."

Getty Images 

FA backing remains firm

England must swiftly shift their focus to face a tough test against France in Saturday's World Cup third-place playoff match. Despite the wave of criticism following their semi-final collapse, ESPNreports that Tuchel's position remains perfectly secure, with the tactician retaining the full backing of the Football Association (FA) to lead the team through to Euro 2028.

- Adhe Makayasa

WORLD CUP RED-CARD DECISION FOR BALOGUN, QUANSAH RAISE QUEATIONS AMONG EX-FIFA REFEREES

England's Jarell Quansah, U.S. striker Folarin Balogun get different fates after respective red cards

Folarin Balogun, right, of the United States fouls Bosnia's Tarik Muharemović, resulting in a red card for Balogun during their World Cup soccer match in California on July 1. (Jeff Chiu/The Associated Press)

FIFA's handling of two World Cup red-card cases came under renewed scrutiny on Thursday after England defender Jarell Quansah got a two-match suspension while U.S. striker Folarin Balogun avoided an immediate ban for a similar challenge.

That has left former international referees unable to reconcile the ‌two decisions.

Quansah was sent off in England's last round-of-16 victory over Mexico after a video review deemed his sliding studs-up challenge serious foul play. He was later handed a two-match ban that England's Football Association said it could not appeal.

Balogun, by contrast, was sent off during the United States' round-of-32 win over Bosnia but received a one-match suspension that world soccer's governing body FIFA later suspended.

Balogun's ban was suspended on probation for one year under Article 27 of the disciplinary code, FIFA said, although it has not publicly explained why it considered that sanction appropriate in his case.

The fact that U.S. President Donald Trump had personally urged FIFA President ⁠Gianni Infantino to review Balogun's ⁠case only intensified the controversy, even though FIFA insisted the ‌conversation played no part in its decision.

"FIFA have failed in their duty towards the game after they delayed the ban for Balogun. They allowed outside interference by the president," former referee Keith Hackett wrote on social media on Thursday.

"FIFA the major lawmaker are at fault. But both players committed Serious ⁠Foul Play challenges sanctioned by a red card."

'More important always is consistency'

Jonas Eriksson, who was a FIFA referee for 16 years from 2002, said if Balogun got a one-match suspension, Quansah should have as well, seeing their two on-field incidents were roughly equal in ‌terms of intensity and aggression.

"What everyone wants from referees, they want the correct decisions, yes, but more important always is consistency," Eriksson said.

"That you identify, OK, player A gets the same sanction as player B. Team A gets the same sanction as team B. You know, that's what you expect. And this is not the case when it comes to Quansah and Balogun."

Quansah leaves the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup match between Mexico and England in Mexico City on Sunday. (Ricardo Mazalan/The Associated Press)

British media quickly drew comparisons between the two cases, with The Independent running the headline: "FIFA ⁠confirms Jarell Quansah ban just days after Folarin Balogun reprieve."

Eriksson said the subsequent suspension of Balogun's match ban was ⁠never adequately explained, contributing to the furor.

Belgium unsuccessfully challenged Balogun's eligibility before their round-of-16 victory over the U.S., ⁠but ⁠FIFA has still not publicly explained why it decided to suspend the striker's ban under Article 27.

"If you're not able to communicate how they interpret the situation — was it an incorrect decision of the ⁠referee or was it the wrong application of the laws of the game — we don't know," said Eriksson, whose book House of Cards explores the "dirty game behind the game" for FIFA referees.

"It's just for you and me and for everybody else to guess. But with that in mind, the red card for Quansah and the suspension is for me, just, it's a mystery."

- Thompson Reuters 

HISTORIC WORLD CUP FUROR AT 'INCOMPREHENCIBLE' FIFA DECISION TO LET U.S. FORWARD BALOGUN PLAY

ILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025.

Chris Carlson/AP

GENEVA — An all-time controversy in the World Cup's 96-year history was raging Monday ahead of the co-host United States and forward Folarin Balogun facing Belgium with a quarterfinals place at stake.

The Belgian soccer federation said it is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game — a shocking move made Sunday after pressure on the world soccer body's leader Gianni Infantino from his close ally, U.S. President Donald Trump.

The "deeply concerned" Belgians' statement just 11 hours before starting their round of 16 game in Seattle showed clear frustration with FIFA at what seemed a lack of good faith in shaping an urgent legal process.

European soccer body UEFA earlier criticized FIFA for an "incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," that it said "crossed a red line" by not enforcing Balogun's mandatory one-game ban for his foul tackle against Bosnia-Herzegovina last Wednesday.

FIFA's ruling Sunday — to defer Balogun's ban for one year of probation — deviated from soccer's traditional rule of law and drew stinging criticism globally including from former World Cup stars and coaches at this tournament.

"It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup," Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Sunday after his team beat Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.

UEFA, whose member federations include Belgium, insisted: "Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not."

"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," said the European soccer body, which has often clashed with Infantino during his decade in FIFA power.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," said UEFA, where Infantino was its CEO-like general secretary from 2009 until being elected to lead FIFA in February 2016.

FIFA was asked Monday to comment on the UEFA criticism.

Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office in 2015 in fallout from corruption scandals, posted Monday on social media: "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies."

Belgium's legal options

Belgian officials had been preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling with a FIFA-appointed appeals judge. They said FIFA had not provided documents key to filing a valid appeal.

The round of 16 game against the U.S. is due to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

"Regardless of the sporting outcome of the match," the Belgian federation said, "(we are) deeply concerned by the way these events have unfolded and will continue, in the hours, days and months ahead, to pursue every available avenue to uphold the fundamental principles of ethics, sporting fairness and the interests of football as a whole."

Soccer rules require teams ultimately judged to have fielded an ineligible player to default the game as a 3-0 loss. Belgium must first appeal to FIFA and then to the Court of Arbitration for Sport based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Balogun's tackle

Balogun was sent off directly for planting his cleated foot on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic during a 2-0 win for the U.S. in the round of 32.

That kind of challenge has been a routine red card all season in competitions worldwide, and Balogun could have expected a two-game ban for serious foul play under the FIFA disciplinary code.

Still, similar challenges by star players have gone unpunished at this World Cup — by Lionel Messi for Argentina against Algeria and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi vs. Brazil. Bernardo Silva of Portugal got just a yellow card against Congo.

"I think a yellow card would have been fair," Balogun later suggested.

FIFA's interventions

This World Cup has been remarkable for FIFA under Infantino seeming to rewrite the norms of disciplinary action even before the tournament began.

A pattern of pardons opened FIFA to suggestions of executive intervention in the statutory independence of its judicial bodies, including the disciplinary committee that formally reprieved Balogun.

Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in Portugal's opening World Cup game despite getting a red card for serious foul play in a qualifying game against Ireland last November. He struck an opponent with an elbow.

Ronaldo served his mandatory ban in Portugal's final qualifying game but he was reprieved from an expected two-game ban because FIFA introduced the idea of probation. An imposed three-game ban was less meaningful as two games were deferred during a one-year probationary period.

At the opening game on June 11, South Africa's Themba Zwane got a red card against Mexico for a similar offense to Ronaldo's and FIFA imposed a three-game ban with no probation. Zwane did not play again at the World Cup.

Three players sent off in their teams' qualifying games last year were surprisingly told by FIFA in May they could serve their bans in a future competition instead of at the World Cup, which was the long-standing norm.

Ecuador midfielder Moisés Caicedo, Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi and Qatar defender Tarek Salman all had their bans waived for the World Cup.

US exceptionalism

This, FIFA said in May, was to ensure teams "can compete with their strongest possible squads on the biggest stage of men's international football."

The Balogun decision simply took this policy further, though not for other players shown a red card so far who were mandated to miss at least one game.

"It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions," UEFA said, "let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension."

- The Associated Press

DONALD TRUMP TO JOINTLY PRESENT FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 TROPHY TO WINNERS

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team.

Donald Trump had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy.© AFP

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team. Earlier, talkSPORT reported that FIFA has no objection to Trump handing the World Cup trophy directly to the winning captain and remaining on the podium during celebrations. "We're going to be together with US President Donald Trump, enjoying the World Cup Final and handing the trophy to the winner together," Infantino said as per Fox News.

The US president had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy to the tournament winners. Officials from Mexico and Canada are also expected to be invited to attend the closing ceremony.

Trump drew attention at the Club World Cup when he remained on the podium beside Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer appeared visibly puzzled, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially appeared to guide Trump away before later encouraging him to stay.

Under standard FIFA protocol, the World Cup trophy is typically placed on a plinth and carried by the winning team onto the stage for the presentation ceremony.

Trump did not attend the USMNT's opening victory over Paraguay due to a scheduling conflict, but is expected to be present at the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

- ANI

REPORT: FBI STOPPED VIOLENT TERRORIST PLOT AIMED AT UFC WHITE HOUSE, DONALD TRUMP RESPONDS

UFC White House might have avoided more than just a little bad weather.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: A general view during the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at The Ellipse on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC)

On Tuesday, Fox News reported that FBI officials disrupted an alleged terrorist plot that involved explosive drones and snipers with the target being attendees of this past Sunday’s UFC event, which took place on the South Lawn of the White House, with President Donald Trump and numerous officials and VIPs watching, as well as at the nearby Ellipse Park, where nearly 80,000 fans were expected to be in attendance.

According to the report, the alleged plot would have seen explosive-laden drones strike buildings at the event with the intention to force an emergency evacuation. People would then be steered towards an area where they could be shot at by snipers. A “second wave” would then directly attack the White House gates.

UFC White House took place June 14, and the potential threat was reportedly first discovered by the FBI on June 10, with the alleged suspects gathering for final preparations in Fredericksburg, Va. One suspect was taken into custody in Cincinnati and, as of Monday, five suspects are in custody with investigators identifying 23 people as being involved in the plot.

“In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement to Fox News. “Equally important to our protective mission is ensuring accountability through the justice system. To that end, our formal comments regarding the specifics of this case will be made through court filings.”

Ahead of Sunday’s event, which was first announced in June 2025, much of the talk revolved around how UFC CEO Dana White and his team would deal with the numerous logistical issues involved with putting on a show at the White House, with security being a chief concern. Weather was also a major topic of discussion, though the event proceeded with only a delay to the start time despite inclement weather in the surrounding areas.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised his team for preventing the alleged plot.

“While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team,” Patel said. “We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens—particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC [Freedom] 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here.”

At the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday, Trump was asked about the FBI stopping the alleged plot and he replied that he wasn’t aware.

“I haven’t heard about it,” Trump said. “The attack that I watched were the fighters. … They were as good a fights as I’ve ever seen, the best. That last fight was brutal and the two last—all of the fights were good. It was all good, it was a great evening, it was very different for the White House.”

In the main event of Sunday’s card, Justin Gaethje scored a dramatic fourth-round knockout over Ilia Topuria to unify the UFC lightweight titles, while Ciryl Gane became interim heavyweight champion a second time with a knockout over former two-division champion Alex Pereira.

- Alexander K. Lee

PRESIDENT TRUMP ATTENDS UFC FREEDOM 250 FIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

 

TRUMP BOOED AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 😂 | NBA FINALS 2026

 

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN ATTENDANCE FOR GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

 

DONALD TRUMP'S STATUS FOR NBA FINALS GRABS ATTENTION AMID SPURS-KNICKS GAME.3

FILE - Actor Elliott Gould, left, joins Donald Trump, center, and Marla Maples at courtside during an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, in New York, March 6, 1991. (AP Photo/Steve Freeman, File)

The New York Knicks are expecting quite a special guest as the team hosts the San Antonio Spurs with President Donald Trump hinting that he plans to attend Game 3 on Monday, June 8. Will Trump attend today’s NBA Finals game?

Nothing will be a certainty until Trump is spotted at the game, but all signs point to the president being at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks already announced increased security measures for Game 3 and have canceled the watch party outside Madison Square Garden out of precaution.

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to attend the game, but will be in a different section of Madison Square Garden, per BBC. Trump revealed that Knicks owner James Dolan invited him to Game 3, and the president also left the door open to attending Game 4 as well.

“The answer is yes — he’s invited me, I’m going,” Trump noted on June 5, 2026, per The Hill. “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan. …Maybe I’ll do both.”

Here’s what you need to know about Trump attending today’s Spurs-Knicks game.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Donald Trump: ‘I Was There at Many Knicks Games With Him in the Old Days’

NBA commissioner Adam Silver noted that Trump “was a big Knicks fan.” Silver added that Trump worked with the NBA on several commercials prior to transitioning from the business world to politics.

“Before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,” Silver said of Trump, per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon. “I’ve been with the league for a long time. I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days.

“He attended many of our drafts when they used to take place at Madison Square Garden, and he actually appeared in one of our ‘I love this Game’ spots when I was running NBA Entertainment years ago.”

Knicks Star Karl-Anthony Towns Has Been Critical of Donald Trump

Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns is among the NBA players who have been critical of Trump. Back in 2017, Towns called out Trump for his response to the Charlottesville, Virginia, rally.

“I was shocked by how our President responded to Charlottesville,” Anthony wrote in an August 26, 2017, story for The Players’ Tribune titled, “There Are More of Us Than There Are of Them.” “Our President was given a layup: Denounce white supremacists. And he couldn’t … and wouldn’t. He missed … he missed badly.

“… It’s disheartening when our President doesn’t understand his words carry a tremendous amount of weight. It’s really hard to see our President refuse to stand up for what’s right — at a time when the country needs it. Especially for minorities.”

Donald Trump on Knicks: ‘I Don’t Think They’ve Lost a Playoff Game’

Trump praised the Knicks’ hot streak pondering whether New York has lost a playoff game. Ahead of Trump’s appearance, the Knicks have won 13 straight games and hold a 14-2 record in the postseason.

“I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan,” Trump noted, per The Athletic. “He’s a nice guy, OK? He’s spent a long time wanting to win and he’s a competitive guy and he’s got a team that’s amazing. I don’t think they’ve lost a playoff game. Can you imagine that?”

- Jonathan Adams

STEPHEN A. SMITH DOESN'T WANT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT MADDISON SQUARE GARDEN | NBA FINALS 2026

 

FORMER NHL STAR CLAUDE LEMIEUX DIED BY SUICIDE, POLICE SAY

Claude Lemieux, who won the Stanley Cup four times during a memorable NHL career, has died, the NHL Alumni Association announced Thursday. He was 60.

Lemieux died by suicide, according to authorities.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said that deputies responded just after 3 a.m. to the scene of an apparent suicide at a furniture store showroom in Lake Park, Florida. The sheriff's office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux and said he was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons.

Just three days before, Lemieux was the Montreal Canadiens' torch bearer before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre.

"Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community," Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. "A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day."

Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux was selected by the Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL draft. He played 1,215 games in the NHL, scoring 786 points (379 goals, 407 assists). Lemieux played primarily with the Canadiens (seven years), New Jersey Devils (six years, in two different stints) and Colorado Avalanche (five years) before making stops with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose near the end of his career.

President Donald Trump, in a post on social media, called Lemieux a "true Legend of the Game and one of the fiercest competitors Hockey has ever seen."

Lemieux was known for elevating his game in the playoffs, with 0.68 career points per game in 234 postseason games. He won the Stanley Cup four times in his career with the Canadiens (1986), Devils (1995 and 2000) and Avalanche (1996). He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995 with a playoff-best 13 goals in 20 games.

He played one game for the Sharks in the 2008-09 season, having last played in the 2002-03 season with Dallas. In between, Lemieux was featured on the Spike TV show "Pros Vs. Joes" and the CBC reality competition figure skating show "Battle of the Blades."

Lemieux was one of the NHL's most antagonistic players, known for getting under the skin of other teams' star players. His play would frequently cross the line of legality, as Lemieux earned 1,777 penalty minutes in his career as well as the ire of opposing fans.

There was never more heat on Lemieux than in 1996 with the Avalanche, when he checked Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper from behind in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. Draper suffered a concussion and needed reconstructive surgery on his face. Lemieux was suspended for two playoff games. This led to an epic line brawl between the teams on March 26, 1997. This would eventually be covered in ESPN's series "Unrivaled" in 2022.

After his retirement, Lemieux became an NHLPA-certified agent, representing players such as Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.

Lemieux appeared before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Bell Centre, carrying the Canadiens' pregame torch to "light up" the arena before their game against Carolina.

"He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. Memorial service details to follow," wrote the NHL Alumni Association.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

- Greg Wyshynski

"PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD MAKE THE TRIP TO NEW YORK": PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD ATTEND NBA FINALS WHEN NEW YORK KNICKS RETURN HOME (REPORT)

The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs that season. New York last won the NBA title in 1973. Could a drought be ending for the Knicks soon? Well, New York will be on the road for Game 1 and 2 either against San Antonio or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks will have Game 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 10. Is there a chance that President Donald J. Trump will be attendance for the NBA Finals like he has been with other major sporting events in the past? It remains to be seen.

President Donald J. Trump Could Be In Attendance For NBA Finals When New York Knicks Return Home

Oct 27, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trumo watch game five of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Nicholas McEntyre of nypost.com wrote about the latest reports about Trump potentially making an appearance at the NBA Finals in New York City. McEntyre said, 

“DJT at MSG.

President Trump could make the trip to New York to watch his hometown Knicks play in the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

The 79-year-old president is considering attending the monumental matchup when the Knicks host Game 3 and 4 of the championship series scheduled for June 8 and June 10, the New York Times reported.

Trump – who has made appearances at multiple large sporting events over the past year, including the Daytona 500, the US Open, a Yankees game and countless UFC fights – would be the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.

The commander in chief had originally planned on a surprise visit to Midtown for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals before the red-hot Knicks trounced the Cleveland Cavaliers to sweep the series in four games, according to the outlet.”

It would not be a surprise to see Trump make an appearance at the NBA Finals when it returns to New York. He also visited the New York Yankees locker room over the past year as well. Trump being in the crowd for a Knicks NBA Finals game would be interesting. The Knicks have won 11 straight games. What if New York wins the first two games on the road, but Trump shows up to Game 3 at the Garden and lose?

There is no doubt that a lot of Knicks fans and other Trump haters would blame him for the team losing. Well, it will be interesting to see if Trump is even going to show up to the NBA Finals to begin with here.

- Glenn Kaplan

'OUR HOST IS FIFA NOT TRUMP': IRAN FA CHIEF WARNS NO US WORLD CUP TRIP WITHOUT GUARANTEE OVER IRGC RESPECT

An FFIRI delegation, including Taj, turned back from the Canadian border last week because of what they said was disrespectful treatment at the hands of immigration officials as they tried to attend the Fifa Congress in Vancouver

The New York/New Jersey's FIFA World Cup 2026 logo is revealed during the kickoff event in Times Square in New York City, US
Reuters file photo

Iranian FA (FFIRI) chief Mehdi Taj says Fifa must guarantee that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is not insulted by the United States if the national team is to travel to the country to play at the World Cup in June.

An FFIRI delegation, including Taj, turned back from the Canadian border last week because of what they said was disrespectful treatment at the hands of immigration officials as they tried to attend the Fifa Congress in Vancouver.

Taj said the decision to return home had been their own choice but Canada's immigration minister later confirmed to parliament that the FFIRI president's visa had been cancelled while he was in the air because of his links to the IRGC.

Canada listed the IRGC, an elite military force whose purpose is to protect Shi'ite Muslim clerical rule in Iran, as a "terrorist entity" in 2024, five years after the US did the same.

Fifa Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom sent a letter expressing regret at the "inconvenience and disappointment" the Iranians had experienced in Canada and inviting FFIRI to Zurich on May 20 for a meeting about their World Cup preparations.

Taj told state broadcaster IRIB on Tuesday that he would be seeking assurances from the governing body about the treatment of the Iranian delegation in the US.

"We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system — especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," he said on the sidelines of a pro-government night rally in Tehran.

"This is something they must pay serious attention to. If there is such a guarantee and the responsibility is clearly assumed, then an incident like what happened in Canada will not happen again."

'Our host is Fifa'

The US, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with Iran scheduled to play two group games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the tournament but no one with ties to the IRGC would be admitted to the country.

Taj, who served as a high-ranking official with the IRGC in Isfahan Province before moving into soccer administration, said anything short of cast-iron guarantees could result in the Iranian delegation turning back at the U.S. border.

"We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is Fifa - not Mr. Trump or America," he added.

"If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way.

"Because if they do, then naturally it could create the same kind of situation that happened in Canada, where there was a possibility we might have to return.

"So there must be this kind of guarantee so that we can go with peace of mind."

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

With Iranian top-flight football suspended, the home-based players have been in a training camp in Tehran preparing for the tournament.

Taj said the FFIRI were hoping to set up at least one friendly with a "very good team" in neighbouring Turkey, where Iran played matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica in late March.

- Reuters 

TRUMP WANTS ITALY TO REPLACE IRAN AT WORLD CUP SAYS US SPECIAL ENVOY ZAMPOLLI

Azzurri have the 'pedigree' to be included says Paolo Zampolli

© ANSA/EPA

US President Donald Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, has said that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to give Italy Iran's place at this summer's World Cup, which the United States is hosting with Mexico and Canada.

    Four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify for the tournament for a third consecutive time after they lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff final last month, while Iran's participation is in doubt because of the war in the Gulf.

    "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup," Zampolli told the Financial Times.

    "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament.

    "With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion".

    The report said the move was aimed at making peace between Trump and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, after the US president reacted angrily to her saying his criticism of Pope Leo XIV was unacceptable.

- ANSA English Desk