Vultures Circle as Trump Offers Up $2.3 Billion Disaster Deal

Scandal-hit companies tuned into a virtual Homeland Security briefing on a $ 2.3 billion Trump administration contract for its controversial self-deportation scheme, according to an investigation by PunchUp, the Daily Beast’s sister Substack. Data-mining giant Palantir, private prisons group GEO Group, and chartered deportation carrier CSI Aviation led the pack on last week’s call about the second iteration of Project Homecoming. Round one saw former Secretary Kristi Noem, 54, hand $915 million to Salus Worldwide Solutions in May 2025, a company just two years old at the time which has since faced corruption allegations over how it won that award. Draft terms for the new contract require the winning bidder, which is “unlikely” to be Salus, to pay unaccompanied migrant children who “choose” to leave the country. The winning firm will also track down eligible participants through commercial software normally used by bounty hunters and lead teams to find migrants at more than 35 detention sites nationwide.

Tom Latchem exposes the secrets, scandals, and stories that powerful people and institutions want to keep under wraps. Follow all of his reporting at PunchUp on Substack.

The New York Times lost its first defamation suit in more than 50 years when a jury found it had defamed a former college basketball star. In 2023, the Times wrongly reported that Kai Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s basketball team, was in a car with teammates at the scene of a shooting where a 23-year-old mother died. A teammate was charged with murder and awaits trial. The reporter relied on a single anonymous source to place Spears at the scene. After publication, Spears’ father denied his son was present, and the article was updated with his denials. However, two months later, Spears sued, complaining that he would forever be linked with a murder. The article was corrected, and the reporter even apologized to Spears in court. On Thursday, the jury awarded Spears $9.25 million in damages. This followed a nine-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Spears’ lawyer told the jury in his closing argument that they had “the opportunity today to change the way journalism works at The New York Times.” “There was a mistake, an honest mistake,” Michael Bell, a lawyer for the paper, argued. After the verdict, Spears posted a Bible verse from James 1‬:‭17‬ on Instagram: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

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Fall is officially around the corner, which means shorter days, cooler weather, and criminally overrated pumpkin spice everything is on the agenda in the coming month. As we inch closer to the dreaded end of daylight saving time and the beginning of SAD season (or “cuffing season,” if you’re a glass-half-full person), the good news is that it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a new blanket. Lola Blankets are indisputably the best on the market—they’re designed from the softest faux fur fabric we’ve ever felt and are actually machine-washable. Right now, the brand is offering a very generous 50 percent-off deal to help us quell our post-summer blues during its annual Christmas in August sale.

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In addition to this unheard-of deal, the brand is also offering free shipping on orders over $250 and a $50 gift card with every order. It’s a great opportunity to treat yourself and save one for holiday gifting… or not. If you’re new to Lola Blankets, you cannot go wrong with the Original Lola, but we also love the XL size (it fits over a queen-size bed) and the weighted versions. Either way, it’s one of (if not *the*) biggest deals of the year, so if you’re looking for a luxury blanket for snuggle season, now’s the time to treat yourself. Use the code AUG50 at checkout to unlock the savings.

Dave Bautista is officially taking over as the titular role in God of War after the new series’ original lead actor suffered an on-set injury. Bautista, 57, was confirmed to be playing the role of Kratos in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series based on the popular video game franchise, according to Variety. The series had previously announced in January that actor Ryan Hurst was cast in the lead role. However, Hurst suffered a torn bicep that required surgery during filming, which would have delayed production into 2027. Amazon and Sony, which are co-producing the series, announced shortly afterward that they were recasting Kratos. Bautista, a retired pro wrestler, is an ideal pick for the role, as the character in the games boasts an impressively muscular build. The series will focus on the story told in the two latest games of the God of War franchise. It will follow Kratos as he cares for his 10-year-old son Atreus (played by Callum Vinson) while they defend themselves against Norse gods such as Odin and Baldur.

Pizza Hut is dropping “Pizza” from its name as the chain begins a temporary football-themed makeover. The franchise is going simply by “HUT” to mark the start of football season, covering the word “Pizza” on some restaurant signs with a large red football banner. The company noted that “hut” has been called before football snaps for generations, adding that now “it’s calling your next order.” The company said in a social media post the temporary rebrand will be in place for the next 25 weeks. The transformation comes as the parent company Yum! Brands is preparing to sell the chain in a deal worth $2.7 billion. Private equity firm LongRange Capital agreed to acquire Pizza Hut’s operations outside mainland China for about $1.5 billion, while Yum China will buy the Chinese business for $1.2 billion. Pizza Hut Global CEO Aaron Powell announced on Friday that he will leave the company after the LongRange deal closes, despite being asked to remain in the role. “I’ve always believed in leaving things better than you found them—and this business is in a better state,” Powell wrote on LinkedIn. Pizza Hut is not the first major food chain to shorten an iconic name. Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC in 1991 to distance itself from negative health connotations, while Dunkin’ Donuts officially became Dunkin’ in 2019. The Daily Beast has reached out to ‘Hut’ for comment.

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When it comes to liver-focused supplements, many of us assume they’re only for recovering from a hangover or for people who drink heavily (or at least frequently). But alcohol is just one small part of the equation. Your liver is responsible for hundreds of essential functions, including filtering waste products from the blood, processing nutrients, supporting metabolism, and producing bile. This digestive fluid helps break down fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When bile secretion or liver function is less than optimal, digestion can suffer, possibly contributing to symptoms like bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort, and sluggishness.

In other words, whether you drink alcohol or not, your liver could probably use a little extra TLC—especially if you’re dealing with persistent digestive issues such as bloating, irregularity, or stomach discomfort. Vitamin Shoppe is celebrating Wellness Month this August, with a slew of products formulated to support your liver (along with digestion and metabolism). Still, our favorite is Dose For Your Liver’s liquid supplement.

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Dose For Your Liver has earned the nickname “liquid gold” for good reason. The daily wellness shot is formulated with science-backed ingredients traditionally associated with liver health, including turmeric, milk thistle, dandelion, and ginger. The formula also contains bioflavonoids and other plant compounds designed to support healthy liver function, digestion, and metabolism. Plus, it actually tastes good. The bright, citrusy flavor reminds me of the SunnyD “orange drink” I grew up on, minus the artificial ingredients and sugar overload. Instead, you’re getting a concentrated mixture of botanicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help support the body’s natural detoxification processes and general digestive health.

If you’re looking to give your liver (and, by extension, your digestive system) a little extra support without adding yet another capsule to your supplement routine, Dose For Your Liver offers a convenient way to combine several popular wellness ingredients into one surprisingly delicious daily shot. Grab a bottle (or two) on sale at The Vitamin Shoppe this month.

Nancy Kissinger, wife of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has died at 92. The philanthropist and socialite died on Thursday at her home in South Kent, Connecticut, according to the New York Times. Her death was announced by her family. Henry Kissinger died in 2023, also at home, at 100. She was born Nancy Maginnes in Manhattan in 1934 and raised in White Plains, New York. Prior to marrying Kissinger in 1974, she worked as an aide to New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. She was Kissinger’s researcher while he worked at Harvard University, and later became a foreign policy specialist for Rockefeller’s Commission on Critical Choices for Americans. She traveled widely with her husband on diplomatic missions. After Kissinger stepped down from Secretary of State in 1977, the couple became a fixture at Washington state dinners, embassy parties and Republican White House receptions. The Times noted the “ash-blond, chain-smoking” Mrs. Kissinger was nearly six feet tall, and her husband was 5-foot-8, “but friends said that they were a good match, intellectually and emotionally, and described them as inseparable.” In 1982, when Ellen Kaplan, a follower of extreme cult leader Lyndon LaRouche, insulted both Kissingers at Newark International Airport, witnesses said Nancy grabbed the heckler by the throat and threatened to throttle her. The Kissingers had no children. She is survived by two stepchildren, Elizabeth Vandermark and David Kissinger, and five step-grandchildren.

Two teenagers who were left dangling upside down on a malfunctioning amusement park ride have been awarded a combined $550,000. Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta were 13 and 14 when they became trapped with 26 other riders on the AtmosFEAR pendulum ride at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland in June 2024. The ride malfunctioned during its 360-degree cycle, leaving passengers suspended about 100 feet in the air for 25 minutes. A jury awarded the girls, both now 16, $275,000 each Wednesday after they sued the park and ride manufacturer Zamperla for $2 million. “Just the highest terror I ever felt,” Yannotta testified. “There’s nothing like it ever in my life,” Gomez-Salais told jurors, saying she feared dying in front of her friends below. “I didn’t want people to see me die,” she said. Both teens have suffered anxiety and post-traumatic stress since the incident, according to their lawsuits. “We are grateful that all of the riders are safe, and this incident is now resolved,” a park spokesperson told KATU.

Follow Tom Sykes’ royal reporting at The Royaliston Substack, and get exclusive insight on everything going down behind the palace gates.

One constituency of professionals is tracking Harry and Meghan’s blockbuster return to the United Kingdom differently from the rest of us: the accountants.Experts in the field believe the timeline of their departure and return is—from a U.K. tax perspective—perfect, if the goal was to minimize tax liabilities. AsNimesh Shah, chief executive of the London tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, wrote on X: “Good to see Harry and Meghan achieve six full tax years of non-UK residency to manage the ‘temporary non-resident’ rules for capital gains tax… the timing of their move back to the U.K. is immaculate.” The U.K. has a “temporary non-residence” rule—if you leave the country and come back within five years, you never really left for tax purposes as far as “capital gains” are concerned. But if you stay out for over five years (which in practice means six complete tax years) you’re golden. Now look at the Sussex calendar: Having left just before the 2020 U.K. tax year wrapped up, they’ve now been non-resident for—surprise!—the requisite six full tax years. Say what you like about their staff management skills, somebody in Montecito seems to have a very good accountant.

Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Follow all Tom Sykes’ reporting at The Royalist on Substack or listen toThe Royalist podcast on YouTube.

Legendary fashion designer Marc Jacobs, 63, is facing backlash for wild comments he made under a lie detector test for a Vanity Fair interview. Jacobs, who has styled countless celebrities—including Lil’ Kim, Courtney Love, and Winona Ryder during their criminal trials—said he would be open to styling confessed UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione. “Yes,” said Jacobs, when asked if he would style Mangione for his murder trial. “I think he looks pretty good the way he dresses.” He called the 28-year-old who pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges last week a fashion “trendsetter,” citing a maroon sweater he wore to court sold out at Nordstrom. Critics called him out on X. “Hopefully he’ll never have a loved one shot in the back by a deranged killer,” said one X user. “Maybe Marc Jacobs of the global luxury brand Marc Jacobs hasn’t fully considered the idea of random people killing off wealthy businessmen,” wrote another.

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If you’re already a cannabis user, you may already be familiar with TribeTokes, the cult-favorite, women-owned brand that emphasizes wellness in an industry saturated with additives and synthetic ingredients. Whether you’re already a fan of the premium brand or just looking for new ways to get buzzed without a hangover, now is the perfect time to stock up with the brand’s biggest sale of the summer: 20 percent off sitewide using the code SUMEMRSALE20.

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However you like to enjoy your cannabis, TribeTokes has you covered. On the edible side, you’ll find gummies and tinctures, including the fan-favorite THC Libido Lift Gummies boosted with CBC, maca, and adaptogens. If you’re dealing with soreness or chronic aches, the brand’s pain creams are a must-have addition to your nighttime routine. And if you’re still a good-ol’-fashioned smoker, you can snag a five-pack of pre-rolls for your next session. There’s even pet CBD, because nothing says “time to relax” more than cuddling up with your favorite four-legged friend.

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As some extra incentive, the sale also coincides with the final weeks of TribeTokes’ limited-edition Watermelon strain. Available as both a THCa disposable and cartridge, this summer exclusive won’t be back until next year.

The FDA has given GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries the FDA’s highest-risk classification after 12 people fell ill and four were hospitalized. The illnesses occurred in Florida and Georgia between May 11 and June 5. The recall has been issued in eight Southern states that serve the brand at Publix stores: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The recall began at a Chile-based store, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., which tested a bag of the GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries presumptive positive for E. Coli on July 3. The FDA is investigating the outbreak. There have been no deaths reported.

A Pennsylvania pilot has died following a harrowing crash with a state police helicopter Wednesday, officials said. The Cessna 150 was traveling down the runway when it collided with the Bell 407 helicopter at a small airport in Carlisle, about 100 miles from Philadelphia, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “When I say it was a very violent crash, that plane was cut into a lot of pieces,” Lt. Col. George Bivens, the state’s acting police commissioner, said in a statement. Bivens said the helicopter lost its blades and tail boom as it crashed onto its side. Both state troopers in the helicopter are in stable condition after escaping through a broken window. “Tonight could’ve been much worse,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said. “Tonight could’ve been much more tragic for our state police family.” The identity of the plane’s pilot has not been released. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.