The Associated Press-The Morning Wire.

 "Questionable online fundraising, Trump criticizes Putin, Gaza Aid Plan."

Views expressed in this geopolitical news and analysis are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 27 May 2025, 1244 UTC.

Content and Source:  "The Associated Press-The Morning Wire."

Site URL--https://apnews.com.

Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Robertss (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com).

ADVERTISEMENT

View in Browser

Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate.

By Sarah Naffa May 27, 2025

In the news today: President Donald Trump targets Democrats over questionable online fundraising, ignoring contributions to his campaign from potentially problematic donors; Trump levels some of his sharpest criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin; and a look at how the new Gaza aid plan is supposed to work. Also, Egyptian archaeologists have discovered three new tombs in Luxor. President Donald Trump at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) POLITICS Trump targeted Democrats over questionable online fundraising. His campaign has similar issues When President Donald Trump directed his attorney general last month to investigate campaign fundraising, he cited concerns that foreigners and “malign actors” were laundering illegal contributions to U.S. politicians through the internet. Instead of calling for an expansive probe, he identified just one potential target: ActBlue, the Democrats’ online fundraising juggernaut. But Trump’s announcement also contained a glaring omission — his own political committees have received scores of contributions from potentially problematic donors. Read more.

Why this matters: It’s against the law for U.S. candidates and political committees to accept contributions from foreign nationals. An Associated Press review of donations to Trump over the past five years found his campaign committees received 1,600 contributions from donors who live abroad, had close ties to foreign interests or failed to provide key pieces of information. If the Justice Department were to investigate ActBlue, it could imperil a key fundraising tool for the Democrats before the 2026 midterm elections, when Republicans’ threadbare House majority — and the president’s ability to pass an agenda through Congress — will be on the line.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Chief Justice agrees to pause court orders requiring DOGE to turn over records about its operation   Judge blocks another Trump executive order targeting a major law firm   Trump signs executive orders to boost nuclear power, speed up approvals   Trump administration sues 4 New Jersey cities over ‘sanctuary’ policies   Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at Pentagon   Trump says he’s pardoning a Virginia sheriff convicted on bribery charges   Justice Department reaches deal to allow Boeing to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes   Privacy and hunger groups sue over USDA attempt to collect personal data of SNAP recipients   Some of Trump’s loyalty-first picks for prosecutors draw opposition from senators who can block them   Here’s what a Texas oil executive from DOGE is doing inside the Interior Department Cuban exiles were shielded from deportation. Now Trump is cracking down WATCH: Congressman Ivey expresses anger after failing to meet with deported resident in El Salvador visit EU trade negotiator says calls with US officials were ‘good’ after Trump extends tariff deadline  Texas is closer to putting the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a key vote A Planned Parenthood affiliate plans to close 4 clinics in Iowa and another 4 in Minnesota Former US Rep. Charles Rangel, who spent nearly 50 years representing New York, has died ‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies POLITICS President Donald Trump says Russian leader Vladimir Putin ‘has gone absolutely CRAZY!’ President Donald Trump made it clear he is losing patience with Vladimir Putin, leveling some of his sharpest criticism at the Russian leader as Moscow pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles. Read more.

Why this matters: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump wrote in a social media post on Sunday night. Trump said Putin is “needlessly killing a lot of people,” pointing out that “missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.” The latest attack was the largest aerial assault since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022, according to Ukrainian officials. At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured. A peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remains elusive. The European Union slapped new sanctions on Russia this month in response to Putin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire. But while Trump has threatened to step up sanctions and tariffs on Russia, he hasn’t acted so far.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Russia seizes Ukrainian border villages as its massive bombing campaign slows As Ukrainian POWs die in Russian prisons, autopsies point to a system of brutality Germany’s Merz says there are no more range restrictions on the weapons supplied to Ukraine WORLD NEWS How is the new Gaza aid plan supposed to work – and why are so many aid groups against it? A U.S.-backed group approved by Israel to take over aid distribution in Gaza says it has started operations, despite opposition from the U.N. and most humanitarian groups and the unexpected resignation of its executive director. Read more.

Why this matters: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is the linchpin of a new aid system that would wrest distribution away from aid groups led by the U.N., which have carried out a massive operation moving food, medicine, fuel, tents and other supplies across Gaza since the war began in October 2023. GHF said it moved trucks of food to its hubs on Monday and began distribution, without giving details on how much aid was distributed. Jake Wood, the American heading the effort, said Sunday night he was resigning because it was clear the organization would not be allowed to operate independently. GHF said in a statement it is independent and apolitical and will not be part of any mass displacement. It said its system is fully consistent with humanitarian principles including impartiality and independence. Israel has demanded an alternative plan because it accuses Hamas of siphoning off aid. The United Nations and aid groups deny there is significant diversion. They reject the new mechanism, saying it allows Israel to use food as a weapon, violates humanitarian principles and won’t be effective.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Thousands of Israeli nationalists chant ‘death to Arabs’ during annual procession through Jerusalem US-German citizen is charged with trying to attack US Embassy in Tel Aviv WATCH: New York artist inspired by his eight months as a hostage of Hamas ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Premier League championship parade: 4 Liverpool fans seriously hurt when car plowed into a crowd. The suspect acted alone, police say New Orleans jailbreak: 8 of the 10 inmates who escaped in a New Orleans jailbreak are back in custody Arkansas: Former police chief, serving murder and rape sentences, escapes from prison Impacts of divorce: US children of divorce have reduced earnings, increased chances of teen births and jail, study says Vatican and China: Pope prays for Chinese Catholics to be in communion with Rome in first comments on thorny issues Kami Rita: Famed Sherpa guide climbs Mount Everest for the record 31st time Today in History: In 2006, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java, killing more than 5,700 people WATCH Emmanuel Macron: France’s first lady seems to push her husband as they land in Vietnam. He says they were joking Siege of Leningrad survivor: 83-year-old fined $125 for her anti-war picket in Russia A CHANGE OF PACE Hieroglyphs in the Dra' Abu al-Naga necropolis area in Luxor, Egypt. (Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via AP) Egyptian archaeologists discover three tombs in Luxor Egypt unveiled three new tombs of prominent statesmen in the Dra Abu al-Naga necropolis in Luxor, officials said Monday. Archaeologists have discovered tombs dating back to the New Kingdom period (1550–1070 B.C.) and identified the names and titles of their owners through newly discovered inscriptions.

Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah

SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE.

Manage preferences or unsubscribe | Privacy Policy *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT