It’s Friday! So, what’s the deal with that strange yogurt and strawberry pasta dish? Iga Świątek, are we giving it a whirl? If you’re unsure what I’m referring to, keep reading for the details.
In today’s edition:
- Trump in Texas, defends flood response
- FEMA cuts are a concern
- Divorce references and “Bible grounds” explained
- Unusual pasta dishes make waves in tennis
A Tough Day in Texas
It’s going to be a long one:
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have arrived in Texas to meet with families, first responders, and local officials after severe flash floods resulted in over 120 fatalities around July 4th.
What’s on the agenda? Trump is set to assess the damage and participate in discussions with state and local leaders. 💻 Catch the live roundtable at 2:10pm
💬 Check out our live blog today
Trump’s FEMA remarks are under scrutiny: For some time, Trump has expressed a desire to eliminate FEMA.
The administration needs to tread carefully given FEMA’s critical role in disaster relief in Texas.
Noem continues to endorse restructuring the agency despite ongoing concerns, but it appears the White House currently has no solid plans to abolish it. A potential “rebranding” is also being discussed to foster national engagement. Officials have indicated to News Nation that a review of FEMA is forthcoming.
Avoid using the word FEMA during Trump’s visit.
Dynamics at play: Texas is a stronghold for the GOP, and Trump is expected to be welcomed by friendly faces, including Governor Greg Abbott and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Abbott praised the federal response this week, but concerns about potential politicization are rising. You can read more about this in Alex Gangitano’s report: “Trump investigates floods, showcasing ties to Texas.”
One pressing question – Did budget cuts lead to this disaster? A CNN report indicates that FEMA’s response could have been hampered by requirements for contracts above $100,000. Noem reportedly delayed the deployment of search and rescue teams until Monday, over three days after the floods.
Trump defended his team’s response, asserting to NBC News that, “We were on time,” while asserting that Noem was the first person he saw on TV post-disaster.
Trump’s take on the storm with Welker: He remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
More later: Sign up for our Hill Night Report newsletter for a recap of the President’s Texas visit. Click here to subscribe.
➤ Texas status:
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with at least 120 confirmed deaths, including 36 children. Over 170 people remain missing.
Related reading via CNN: “Searchers face adversity in Texas floods, including children.”
➤ More on insufficient flood warning systems:
This is looking grim – A recent report predicted flooding: The New York Times states that Kerr County officials warned last October about a likely flood event this year. There was a FEMA grant available for installing a $1 million alert system that didn’t go through. Officials had sought funding for flood warning systems multiple times since 2017 but to no avail.
Read the NYT Report: “Prior to this tragedy, Texas dismissed funding requests for flood alert systems.”
📦 Trade War
* Keep your distance from the north*:
President Trump announced Thursday that a 35% tariff on Canadian goods will take effect from August 1.
Why? The President claimed Canada has not done enough to stop fentanyl from entering the US, despite the fact that far less fentanyl comes through the northern border compared to the southern border.
For context: The US previously had a 25% tariff, but Trump had exempted some goods per the 2020 trade agreement involving the US, Canada, and Mexico. It’s uncertain if those exemptions will still apply post-August 1. Read more on the Canadian tariffs.
Stock market took a dive this morning as the news broke.
📕️Other news
Understanding the “Bible grounds” references:
Texas Senator Angela Paxton (R) has filed for divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) as of Thursday.
In a statement on X, Angela highlighted that she “submitted to biblical reasons” following recent events. 🔎 Read her full statement
Ken Paxton also responded: He spoke out about how both he and Angela decided to start a new chapter amidst increasing political pressure and public scrutiny. 🔎 Check out his post
Note: Ken Paxton is aiming for a Texas Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn (R), and his divorce news has stirred up political repercussions. A spokesman for the National Republican Senate Committee called the situation “repulsive.” Joanna Rodriguez commented.
About Ken Paxton’s campaign: His team raised nearly $3 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Upcoming Schedule
The House and Senate are on break. President Trump is in Texas this afternoon. (All times EST)
2:10pm: Trump participates in the roundtable in Kerrville, Texas. 💻 Watch live.
3:15pm: Trump departs for Bedminster, New Jersey.
Sunday: Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem will be on “Meet the Press” on NBC alongside Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D).
Just announced – July 16th: Vice President Vance will visit Pennsylvania to promote the “big and beautiful” law.
🐝 Internet Buzz
🍟 Celebration: Today is National French Fry Day! Here’s a list of deals to celebrate!
🍝 Exhaling: Polish tennis star Iga Świątek has a peculiar post-match snack involving pasta, yogurt, and strawberries. The crowd at Wimbledon seemed baffled. 📹 Check out the video. Interested in trying? Here’s the recipe.
What’s trending on TikTok? A woman brought an antipasto salad to a July 4th party in her new neighborhood, only to have it rejected. The drama unfolded online, capturing everyone’s attention. Forbes explains the story.
👋 Finally…
Really enjoyed watching this ~tutorial~ good reminder on how to handle leftovers!
