AP Afternoon Wire

"Backlash to $1.8B settlement fund, Postelection autopsy, AI executive order."

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By Sallee Ann Harrison May 21, 2026

Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, backlash to President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion settlement fund delays Republicans’ immigration bill; the DNC releases its postelection autopsy, which criticizes Kamala Harris; and Trump calls off an AI executive order over concern it could weaken the country's edge in tech.   We're experimenting with some changes to Afternoon Wire, including send times. As always, we welcome feedback on what you like or don't like. UP FIRST Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., center, is joined by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., left, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., during the Senate Republican policy luncheon news conference on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Backlash to Trump’s $1.8B settlement fund delays GOP immigration bill Senate Republicans appeared increasingly unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline for passing a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement bill this week as disputes over security funding for the White House and the Trump administration's $1.8 billion settlement fund effectively derailed progress. Republicans were already expected to abandon $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and President Donald Trump’s ballroom amid backlash from members of their own party. But then questions about the settlement fund added to some of the senators’ concerns. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action This hard-line Iranian general is a major player in talks with US over war Supreme Court dismisses Alabama’s bid to execute inmate with borderline intellectual disability Trump eases refrigerant rule in a bid to address surging grocery costs Trump’s push for deep-sea mining spawns new companies and fast-tracked rules

TOP STORIES Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases postelection autopsy that criticizes Kamala Harris  Kamala Harris “wrote off rural America” during the 2024 presidential campaign and failed to attack Donald Trump with sufficient “negative firepower,” according to a long-awaited postelection autopsy released Thursday by the Democratic National Committee. The committee’s chair, Ken Martin, shared the 192-page report only after facing intense internal pressure from frustrated Democratic operatives concerned with his leadership. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ At one Kentucky bar, young Republicans wrestle with their disappointment in Trump and their party  Trump calls off AI executive order over concern it could weaken US tech edge President Donald Trump called off plans to sign a new executive order on artificial intelligence hours before an expected White House ceremony Thursday because he said he was worried the measure could dull America’s edge on AI technology. The order would have established a framework for the government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced AI systems before their public release, according to a person who is familiar with the White House’s deliberations with the tech industry but was not authorized to speak about it publicly. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ The Trump administration expands its use of AI in the hunt for healthcare fraud Two men charged with creating AI-generated porn under new law targeting 'deepfakes' A look at the SpaceX IPO by the numbers

ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Kyle Busch is introduced during the NASCAR All-Star auto race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) 2-time NASCAR champion: Kyle Busch has died at 41 after being hospitalized Procedures clash with customs: Residents burn an Ebola treatment center after being blocked from retrieving a body Russia-Ukraine war: Germany urges the EU to offer Ukraine 'associate membership' and boost talks with Russia $250 million fraud case: Woman at center of sprawling Minnesota fraud case gets nearly 42-year prison sentence Free speech or race-baiting?: Tennessee shooting stirs debate over livestreamer’s approach IV difficulties: Tennessee governor grants Tony Carruthers 1-year stay after his execution is halted Illegal use allegations: Owner of ‘Peanuts’ music sues 3 companies and US government Signing off tonight: Stephen Colbert is saying goodbye to ‘The Late Show.’ How it ends is still a secret  WATCH: Hundreds of Cambodian villagers hold centuries-old ceremony TRENDING A festivalgoer poses for photographers as people sit by the beach along the Croisette during the 79th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, on May 15. (AP Photo/John Locher) The Cannes Film Festival away from the carpet, in photos The Palais des Festival is the center hub of the Cannes Film Festival but is far from the festival’s only stage. Every day, while stars stream down the red carpet, countless others are living out their own Cannes Film Festival dreams, posing for photographers on the Croisette, the famous seaside boulevard, or striving for a glimpse of stars.

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