HEEEEERE’S JIMMY!

ABC is bringing back Jimmy Kimmel, in a sign of fresh resistance to Trump’s authoritarian attempts to silence his critics.

• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will be back on the air this Tuesday, Disney and ABC announced this afternoon. The comedian’s show is returning less than a week after network executives temporarily yanked it in response to Trump administration pressure over Kimmel’s jokes about MAGA after the murder of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s remarks were “ill-timed and thus insensitive,” a company spokesperson said, but added: “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show."

• Kimmel’s suspension drew howls of protest from across the cultural and political spectrum — including even from some top MAGA-friendly politicians. Comedians and podcast hosts, including some on the right, attacked the company for censoring Kimmel at the government’s insistence. Critics also slammed FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s jarring campaign to threaten ABC and affiliate owner Nexstar into censoring Kimmel at the risk of their business interests.

• Trump allies like Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) broke MAGA ranks to criticize what they saw as a state infringement on free speech. The government’s attempt to strong-arm the companies was “right out of ‘Goodfellas,’” Cruz quipped. Donald Trump did nothing to tamp down those worries when he told reporters that TV networks who are unfair to him should risk having their licenses revoked.

ABC’s reversal shows that bedrock American values like freedom of speech and rejection of state censorship still mean something, even in an era of MAGA-enabled authoritarianism.

• Kimmel’s temporary ouster sparked little meaningful pushback from elected Democratic leaders. But there were signs of a burgeoning boycott movement. On Monday leading New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pulled out of a local ABC town hall broadcast in protest of the network’s decision.

Kimmel’s return underscores that Trump’s power to intimidate his foes does have limits, especially when he’s so unpopular.

THE HARISSA-MENT OF TOM HOMAN

Don’t you just hate it when your $50,000 wad of cash gets all sticky with hummus and tahini, because the federal agents investigating you for potential corruption stuffed it into the bottom of a paper bag from the fast-casual dining chain CAVA?

Actually, it’s far from clear whether the bag full of bills in question, which was reportedly accepted by Tom Homan last year before he went on to become Trump’s Border Czar, also had any food in it. But according to MSNBC and the New York Times, the interaction was recorded as part of an undercover probe into whether Homan was soliciting payments in exchange for awarding contracts should Trump win the election. Trump appointees then closed the probe, soon after Trump entered office, according to MSNBC.

The White House said Homan didn’t take the money and “did absolutely nothing wrong,” and accused former President Joe Biden’s FBI of “going undercover to try and entrap” the future official. Homan himself dismissed the probe: “Nothing to it.”

This news popped over a weekend when Trump appeared to be placing unprecedented pressure on the Department of Justice, complaining publicly to “Pam,” aka, his Attorney General Pam Bondi, that his enemies haven’t yet been prosecuted. That includes NY Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and former FBI Director James Comey.

Well. As long as we’re in Trump and Bondi’s DM’s… Sir, can you scroll up to the ones about the Epstein files?

WHAT ELSE?

The Trump Administration endorsed what experts call an unproven link between autism and the painkiller acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol — drawing conclusions that medical experts warn are rushed and over-simplistic. In a White House press conference filled with medical disinformation, Trump stumbled to pronounce the word “acetaminophen.” Reminder, folks: Trump is the guy who suggested injecting bleach to treat COVID… so, y’know.

Trump named a White House advisor and former personal lawyer as the new interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). Lindsey Halligan is a former insurance lawyer with no experience as a prosecutor. The EDVA prosecutes many sensitive national security and terrorism cases. Halligan’s most recent White House job was cracking down on Smithsonian museums the administration considers “woke.” Only the best people!

Donald Trump and his family have netted billions of dollars since he returned to the White House, largely from crypto investments, according to a Forbes analysis. Trump’s net worth has jumped $3 billion in one year, while his children have amassed billions collectively, largely through deals in foreign countries with official business before Trump’s administration. Even Trump’s youngest son, the 19-year-old college sophomore, Barron, is now worth an estimated $150 million or more thanks to crypto transactions. Wow, sure beats running a lemonade stand, huh?

Investigators haven’t yet found evidence linking Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer to any left-wing groups, NBC News reported, citing multiple sources. The suspect appears to be “one guy who did one really bad thing because he found Kirk’s ideology personally offensive,” an investigator told the outlet. Trump and his supporters have continued to blame Kirk’s murder on left wing political forces.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to fire the last remaining Democratic appointee on the Federal Trade Commission. It’s all part of Trump’s push to overturn 90 years of precedent and grab control of independent executive agencies.

Light at the End of the Email…

Harry Styles is… an incredible runner? The flamboyant English singer completed the Berlin Marathon in a stunning sub-3 hour time, and he did it under the incognito name, “Sted Sarandos.” That’s one direction…to the finish line, Harry!

Environmentalists and climate activists gathered in New York City for “Sun Day” in support of solar power and other renewable energy. Organizers held events in more than 500 locations around the country in support of clean energy.

NASA introduced its new class of astronaut candidates. The group of 10 recruits will compete to join the astronaut corps expected to return to the moon as part of Project Artemis.

Meet Dory, the eyeless Canadian cat who landed a starring role in the new Stephen King movie “The Long Walk”, Dory sat on a mailbox and performed ad-meowr-ably.

Can dogs use their sense of smell to tell time? Experts say… probably! Wow. Is there anything our furry friends can’t smell?