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Trump has scored another legal victory, this time against YouTube, which agreed to pay $24.5 million.

YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump after he was suspended by social media platforms following the January 6, 2021, insurrection. https://cnn.it/4gJHiZs

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-29T21:52:45.819658453Z

The lawsuit was filed by President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, insurrection, after YouTube, along with several other social media platforms, suspended his account.

«Trump fought for free speech and WON!»

According to CNN, YouTube, the latest media company to settle one of the many lawsuits Trump has brought against such platforms, declined to comment on the agreement, while Trump celebrated his victory on Truth Social.

«YouTube SURRENDERS!» Trump wrote on his social platform, adding: «President Trump $24.5 MILLION for illegal ban!»

A «Victory» for Free Speech

Trump celebrated the settlement as a triumph for free speech, declaring «This MASSIVE victory proves Big Tech censorship has consequences» and «Trump fought for free speech and WON!», even as he faces accusations of having tried to silence late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, highlighting the contradictions at the center of his free speech crusade.

Court documents reveal the details of the settlement between the two parties: YouTube will pay $22 million to the nonprofit «Trust for the National Mall», an organization «dedicated to restoring, preserving, and elevating the National Mall, to support the construction of the White House State Ballroom,» according to the filing.

According to CNN, The platform will also pay $2.5 million to settle with other plaintiffs, including the «American Conservative Union.»

Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has scored a series of legal settlements against major media and tech companies, turning courtroom battles into political victories.

More than $90 million

Trump has pursued an aggressive legal strategy against media and tech companies in recent years, securing a series of high-profile settlements between 2024 and 2025.

In March 2024, Meta agreed to pay $25 million to resolve Trump’s claims stemming from his suspension on Facebook and Instagram after January 6. Two months later, in May 2024, X (formerly Twitter) reached a $10 million settlement over his removal from the platform.

By August 2024, ABC / Disney agreed to pay $15 million and issue a clarification after anchor George Stephanopoulos incorrectly said Trump was found liable for rape. In January 2025, Paramount / CBS settled a lawsuit concerning a 60 Minutes interview edit for $16 million.

Most recently, in September 2025, YouTube settled for $24.5 million, directing the bulk of the payment to nonprofits tied to Trump’s political projects.

Together, these deals totaling more than $90 million, have fueled Trump’s narrative of victory over what he calls Big Tech and mainstream media censorship, even as critics highlight the political and ethical implications of such settlements.

Donald Trump gleefully trolled YouTube after it agreed to pay $24.5 million to end a longstanding lawsuit—with most of it earmarked for the president’s tacky White House ballroom project.

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) 2025-09-30T11:39:46.790937Z

In an address before all of America’s senior military officials, at an emergency meeting convened by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump declared that the United States faces «a war from within.»

Breaking News: President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military should use U.S. cities as “training grounds” at an unusual meeting focused on culture wars. It was unclear why they needed to gather senior military leaders from overseas to tell them this face to face.

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-09-30T14:52:14.741097Z

The U.S. president stated that generals and admirals should be prepared to address domestic threats with the same urgency and discipline usually applied to foreign adversaries.

«This is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room.»

They don’t wear uniforms

At a rare military gathering in Quantico, Trump urged his top commanders to shift their focus away from foreign adversaries and toward domestic security.

The president argued it would be «no different than a foreign enemy,» but emphasized the challenge, noting that the targets «don’t wear uniforms,» which makes the task «more difficult in many ways.»

«We are under invasion from within … no different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don’t wear uniforms,» Trump declared in his speech before the nation’s generals, who sat in unusual silence.

Upon taking the stage, Trump even remarked on the atmosphere, saying: «I never walked into a room so silent before», a striking contrast for a president more accustomed to being greeted with chants and cheers from his fervent MAGA supporters.

«We should use some of the dangerous cities as training grounds.»

Very unsafe places

Trump went on to single out major U.S. cities, blaming Democratic leadership for turning them into what he described as dangerous places:

«The ones that are run by the radical left Democrats … what they’ve done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, they’re very unsafe places.»

The president then warned his audience that restoring order in these cities would fall to the military, declaring: «And we’re going to straighten them out one by one. And this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room.»

Trump added that the armed forces should be directly involved in tackling unrest at home, saying: «We should use some of the dangerous cities as training grounds» for the military.

«If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room. But, there goes your rank and there goes your future.»

The president then revealed that he had issued orders to create quick-reaction forces tasked with helping to quell civil disturbances, directing the National Guard to form standing units capable of rapid deployment across the country.

A Stern Warning on Dissent

During his address to America’s top military leaders, President Trump struck a combative tone while outlining his vision of the armed forces playing a greater role in domestic security. After declaring that the country faced «a war from within» and urging generals and admirals to treat internal threats like foreign enemies, Trump warned the assembled officers about dissent.

«If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room. But, there goes your rank and there goes your future,» he said, according to People

Singer Ariana Grande sparked backlash all the way to the White House with an Instagram post questioning MAGA voters after 250 days of Trump’s presidency.

White House fumes at Ariana Grande after she asks MAGA if their lives are better under Trump

— The Independent (@the-independent.com) 2025-09-30T14:34:39.677Z

In an Instagram story over the weekend, pop star Ariana Grande reposted a message directed at Trump supporters, beginning with: «I want to check with Trump voters. I have one genuine question.»

«It’s been 250 days […] has your life gotten better?»

Trump’s first 250 days back in office

In the text reshared by the Wicked star, the message expressed her views on Trump and his administration since his return to the White House:

«It’s been 250 days, now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all…»

This statement reflects many of the flashpoints of Trump’s first 250 days back in office, from mass deportation raids to escalating battles over free speech on college campuses and in the media, while the transgender community has been singled out and broadly blamed by the right and the Trump administration for the actions of a few.

«Has the widespread suffering of others paid off for you in the way he promised it would, or are you still waiting?»

Grande’s message goes on:

«Has your life gotten better? Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Have your health insurance premiums gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?»

Despite campaign promises, grocery prices remain high, with inflation easing only slightly while everyday costs for families continue to bite. Health insurance premiums have not meaningfully decreased, and critics argue that Trump’s efforts to roll back parts of the Affordable Care Act risk pushing costs higher for vulnerable Americans. Labor advocates also note that stagnant wages and weakened worker protections make work–life balance harder to achieve.

Meanwhile, polls show many households still unable to afford vacations or discretionary spending.

Grande’s post resonate as a cultural reflection of the growing skepticism about whether Trump’s policies have improved the daily lives of ordinary Americans.

The message shared by Grande concludes with:

«Has the widespread suffering of others paid off for you in the way he promised it would, or are you still waiting?»

A fierce backlash from Trump supporters

Ariana Grande’s post quickly drew fierce backlash from Trump supporters online, many of whom attacked her personally with body-shaming and derogatory comments rather than addressing the substance of her message.

«Save your tears, Ariana»

The controversy eventually reached the White House, where spokesperson Kush Desai fired back at Grande with a jab of his own, telling reporters:

«Save your tears, Ariana … President Trump’s actions ended Biden-era inflation and are bringing in trillions in new investments.»

Ariana Grande Calls Out Trump Supporters in Fiery Instagram Post https://t.co/1CS7iF99aF pic.twitter.com/1kb6HFY1Sq

— TMZ (@TMZ) September 28, 2025

Dwayne The Rock Johnson is many things in his daily life: an actor, a wrestler, an entertainer, a family man, a businessman, but will he become a politician?

For several years, the big guy has often been identified by observers and fans for a possible campaign to become President of the United States. These are rumors and speculations that never want to die out in the media. He has revealed in the past that several political parties have already approached him about a presidential bid, but that he had no interest in it.

But what does Johnson think now?

He loves his job, but…

Currently promoting his new film The Smashing Machine, a biographical title about former MMA fighter Mark Kerr, The Rock responded to those rumors of a potential campaign to become president.

He didn’t close the door on the possibility, though he loves his work as an actor.

« It’s wild man. I’m always honored when people ask that. I love what I do. But yeah… we’ll see. » – The Rock, interview with Variety

Dwayne Johnson on if he would ever run for president: "We’ll see."

"It’s wild, man. I’m always honored when people ask that. I love what I do. I love storytelling. But yeah… we’ll see."https://t.co/XbJ6b5yDDC

— Variety (@Variety) September 26, 2025

As a charismatic figure on the cinematic landscape, The Rock would certainly have votes of confidence across the U.S., having been supported by around 46% of U.S. adults who took part in a poll in 2021. Other celebrities such as Angelina Jolie (30%), Oprah (27%) and Tom Hanks (22%) had been included in a similar poll.

'The Rock' for President Supported by 46 Percent of U.S. Adults https://t.co/Fg7gQ8Dl8l

— TMZ (@TMZ) April 8, 2021

In fact, since 2016, he has raised the possibility of becoming a presidential candidate, having said he would consider it « if that’s what the people want ».

A difficult transformation

The 53-year-old touched on other pertinent topics, including his incredible physical transformation for The Smashing Machine. He mentioned that this process has been the hardest thing he’s done in his life, having lost around 60 lbs.

It's about perspective. Here's an exclusive look at Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in #TheSmashingMachine, in theaters October 3. pic.twitter.com/zgpVOUup7e

— IMDb (@IMDb) September 26, 2025

Both actors’ performances are already sparking an Oscar Buzz, speculation that they could receive Oscar nominations. This would be a first for Dwayne Johnson, unlike Blunt who received her first career nomination in 2024 for her role as Kitty in Oppenheimer.

In theaters October 3!

A Russian Submarine retrofitted with nuclear capabilities has been severely damaged after a “serious accident” in the Mediterranean Sea, per Russian watchdog VChk-OGPU.

[their] fleet is being turned into a shelter for the disabled, where half the boats and ships are incapacitated and do not go to sea,

The “Novorossiysk”, a massive 242ft submarine, surfaced on Friday, and is now making its way back to the Russian Shore. The electric-diesel submarine can stay underwater for up to 45 days when fully functional and has the capability of carrying nuclear missiles.

What we know

The fuel accumulated in the hold is an explosive hazard – the crew has no choice but to begin rolling the hold back directly into the sea

According to the Telegram account VChk-OGPU, “Due to damage to the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the hold. There are no repair parts or qualified specialists on board, and the crew is unable to resolve the issue.”

The report added, “The fuel accumulated in the hold is an explosive hazard. A source believes the crew has no choice but to begin rolling the hold back directly into the sea.”

The “Novorossiysk” carries a crew of 52 people, and has the capacity to carry nuclear Kalibr missiles, though it’s unconfirmed whether “Novorossiysk” is carrying the specific weapons.

Not the first damaged submarine

Cheka-OGPU reported that “This is far from the first non-combat loss for the Black Sea Fleet in recent months,”

One after another, the ships are returning to base with tarpaulin patches. Everyone [in the] city sees it

According to the watchdog, the “small missile ship” “Vyshny Volochok” collided with a civilian tanker just off the coast of Crimea, sustaining serious damage. The incident sparked questions about Moscow’s transparency regarding the state of its Black Sea fleet.

A crumbling fleet

According to a source reporting to Chk-OGPU, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is in dire disrepair. “One after another, the ships are returning to base with tarpaulin patches. Everyone in the city sees it.”

These missile-carrying ships and submarines are among the most valuable Russia has, and according to the Kremlin source, the Black Sea Fleet has few.

After three years of Russia’s attempted invasion of Ukraine, “[their] fleet is being turned into a shelter for the disabled, where half the boats and ships are incapacitated and do not go to sea.”

The Kremlin haven’t commented on the accident, and Russian news sites are not reporting the story, causing speculation about Moscow’s motivations.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, at least 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers and at least 130,000 Russian forces have been killed, according to the BBC and the United Nations. Russian troops currently control approximately 20% of Ukraine.

Electronic Arts (EA), the video game giant behind Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden NFL, is going private in a record $55 billion buyout.

Video game maker Electronic Arts is going private in a $55 billion deal that’s funded by Saudi Arabia and a Jared Kusher-backed investment firm https://cnn.it/4nrinwb

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-29T17:30:10.404315115Z

The buyout was led by a consortium including private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Affinity Partners, the investment company founded by Jared Kushner, the husband of Ivanka Trump.

«By taking EA private, we’ll have greater freedom to invest, innovate, and deliver the kind of groundbreaking experiences players expect from us.»

More than 30 years

The video game industry remains one of the fastest-growing segments in entertainment, a market so attractive that investors are scrambling to get a stake in it.

Together, the group carried out the biggest leveraged buyout the video game industry has ever seen, according to CNN, a deal funded mostly with borrowed money. It will take EA private after more than 30 years on the stock market, ending public trading of its shares and putting the company fully under the control of its new investors.

EA’s leadership team, including CEO Andrew Wilson, will remain in place to steer the company through the transition. In a statement, Wilson said: «By taking EA private, we’ll have greater freedom to invest, innovate, and deliver the kind of groundbreaking experiences players expect from us.»

A pioneer in the video game industry

Founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins, Electronic Arts (EA) quickly established itself as a pioneer in the video game industry.

The company gained early recognition with computer games like Pinball Construction Set before rising to global prominence with sports titles under its EA Sports label, especially Madden NFL (launched in 1988). In the 2000s, EA expanded its portfolio with blockbuster franchises including The Sims, Battlefield, FIFA, and Need for Speed, solidifying its dominance in both console and PC markets.

Over four decades, EA has grown into one of the world’s largest publishers, shaping modern gaming culture worldwide.

Electronic Arts, maker of video games like “Madden NFL,” “Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” is being acquired for $52.5 billion in what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms.

— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) 2025-09-29T14:59:10Z