Author Stephen King posted a message on social media making fun of President Donald Trump's appearance, and it quickly became popular online. The post received millions of views and prompted many comments, both supportive and critical. The White House and Trump supporters responded negatively to King's remarks.
Key Facts
Stephen King shared a post mocking President Trump's face, which went viral on the social media platform X.
The post referenced a quote about deserving the face one has at age 50 and called Trump's face "puffy" and "pouch-eyed."
The post was viewed over 4.5 million times and had more than 3,500 comments, many from conservatives who disagreed with King.
A White House spokesperson responded, saying King lacked a grasp on reality due to his career in fiction.
King frequently criticizes Trump in his social media posts and has been open about his support for Democratic politicians.
President Trump's spokesperson previously called King an offensive term in response to his criticisms.
King has made other comments about Trump's presidency, indicating he believes it to be negative.
The exchange reflects ongoing political tensions between supporters of King and Trump.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, under President Donald Trump, announced it will not proceed with a plan that required airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays. This decision reversed a proposal initially put forward during former President Joe Biden's administration. The current administration argues the rules would be an unnecessary burden on airlines.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Transportation decided not to require airlines to pay passengers for delayed flights.
The decision was announced by President Trump's administration and was first revealed in September.
The original plan was proposed when Joe Biden was president, suggesting payments of $200 to $300 for delays over three hours.
The proposal aimed to charge airlines up to $775 for longer delays.
18 Democratic senators had urged the Trump administration to keep the compensation plan.
U.S. airlines must refund passengers for cancelled flights but are not required to pay for delays.
The European Union, Canada, Brazil, and the UK have rules for airlines to compensate passengers for delays.
Airline stocks showed mixed performance on Wall Street after the announcement.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reducing some restrictions on commercial flights, which were put in place during a government shutdown. Flight cuts at major U.S. airports will decrease from 6% to 3% as the country works to stabilize air traffic control staffing and safety. The shutdown ended on November 12, but challenges remain for the aviation system to return to normal.
Key Facts
The FAA is reducing flight cuts from 6% to 3% at major U.S. airports.
The restrictions began due to a government shutdown lasting 43 days.
Staffing and safety issues in air traffic control have led to these restrictions.
Flight cuts were intended to ease pressure as absences among unpaid air traffic controllers rose.
During the shutdown, air traffic controllers missed two paychecks.
Some flights experienced issues like getting too close in the air, and more runway incursions were reported.
The exact time needed for the aviation system to stabilize is uncertain.
The shutdown made the existing shortage of controllers more severe, with many retiring or leaving the profession.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will reduce commercial flight restrictions at 40 major U.S. airports from a 6% to a 3% reduction. These restrictions are related to staffing levels and safety standards at air traffic control facilities. More updates are expected as this is a developing story.
Key Facts
The FAA is reducing flight restrictions at 40 major U.S. airports.
Flight reductions will change from 6% to 3%.
Reductions are tied to staffing levels and safety requirements at air traffic control.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that restrictions will continue until safety standards improve.
This update was issued as a breaking news story with more updates to come.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Donald Trump for his response to releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, calling it a "huge miscalculation." Some Republican lawmakers are pushing for the U.S. House to vote on a bill that would require the Justice Department to release all Epstein case files. President Trump has called the focus on Epstein's connections a distraction orchestrated by Democrats.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Congresswoman, voiced concerns over President Trump's stance on the Epstein file release.
Some Republican lawmakers have enough support to force a vote on a bill asking the Justice Department to release Epstein files.
President Trump described the issue as a "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" on social media.
Greene stated she believes women who say Trump did nothing wrong in relation to the Epstein case.
The House is expected to vote on the bill soon, with House Speaker Mike Johnson supporting the measure.
President Trump accuses Democrats of using the Epstein case to divert attention from other political issues.
Indiana's Senate will not return in December to vote on new congressional district maps, which President Trump has been pushing for. This decision impacts efforts to change the maps before the 2026 midterm elections, leaving little time ahead of the filing deadline for candidates.
Key Facts
Indiana's Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray announced there aren't enough votes for redistricting.
The Indiana Senate will not meet in December to discuss new congressional maps.
Indiana is the second Republican-led state to resist President Trump's redistricting push.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have pressured Indiana lawmakers since August for redistricting.
Indiana has a 7-2 Republican congressional delegation, but some Republicans oppose overt gerrymandering.
The state will return for its regular session in January, shortly before the candidate filing deadline in early February.
Several other states, like Texas and North Carolina, have redrawn maps to benefit Republicans.
Kansas also resisted redistricting, and efforts stalled in some Democratic-led states like Illinois and Maryland.
A missing nurse from San Antonio, Texas, was found alive in her car days after she went missing. Anita Elizabeth Gould, a nurse practitioner and Army veteran, had gone missing earlier in the week, and her family and local authorities were actively searching for her. She was transported to a hospital for medical care following her discovery.
Key Facts
Anita Elizabeth Gould was found inside her vehicle after being reported missing.
She disappeared on a Tuesday and was found later in the same week.
Gould is a 56-year-old nurse practitioner, Army veteran, and mother of four.
Her vehicle was discovered on Potranco Road in San Antonio.
Gould's disappearance prompted a search by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
She was found suffering from a "medical episode" and taken to a hospital.
Gould is the founder of Haute Wellness and MediSpa.
She served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.
A judge in Georgia dismissed three charges against President Donald Trump related to his attempts to change the 2020 election results in Georgia. Earlier, the judge had dismissed two other charges. This decision is part of an ongoing legal case in the state.
Key Facts
A Georgia judge dismissed three charges against President Trump on Friday.
The charges were related to claims around the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued the dismissal order.
The Georgia case alleges that laws were broken while trying to overturn the 2020 election results.
Two other charges against President Trump were dismissed in September.
This news is part of a larger, ongoing legal process.
A judge found parts of the grand jury records missing in the case against former FBI Director James Comey. This has raised questions about the legal process and the authority of a U.S. attorney involved in the case. A decision on the attorney's legal standing is expected before Thanksgiving.
Key Facts
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie noted missing parts in the grand jury records for James Comey's indictment.
The Department of Justice stated the missing time corresponds to jury deliberations, which are not recorded.
Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney, is involved in the case against Comey for alleged false statements and obstruction of Congress.
A decision on Halligan's lawful authority is expected before Thanksgiving.
Attorney General Pam Bondi's review of the case has been questioned due to the missing records.
James Comey has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
There's concern about unrecorded audio tapes that may contain key information from the grand jury session.
Recent polls in California's governor race show Republican candidates leading, raising concerns for Democrats. The state's primary system allows the top two candidates, regardless of party, to move to the general election, which could result in both finalists being Republicans due to vote splitting among Democrats.
Key Facts
California's primary system lets all candidates from any party run together, and the top two move to the general election.
Two Republicans, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, are in the race for governor, along with several Democrats.
The latest poll showed Hilton leading with 20% support, followed by Democrat Katie Porter with 16% and Republican Bianco with 14%.
Democrats are concerned about vote splitting due to multiple Democratic candidates, which could allow two Republicans to advance.
Three recent polls indicate a tight race between Republican and Democratic candidates.
A poll conducted by Ben Tulchin showed Bianco with 20% and Villaraigosa following closely with 19%.
An Emerson College poll found Hilton at 16%, Porter at 15%, and Bianco at 11%.
Porter's campaign has seen some controversy which could affect her standing.
President Donald Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate connections between Jeffrey Epstein and certain public figures. Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will lead this investigation. Some politicians expressed concern that this could affect the Justice Department's independence.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is selected to lead an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's connections by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
President Trump requested this investigation to look into ties including those with well-known Democrats.
Jay Clayton is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, a major federal legal role.
Clayton previously worked as the head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
There are concerns within the Republican Party that directing the Justice Department could undermine its impartiality.
Calls are growing to release all case files related to Epstein.
Emails mentioning President Trump have surfaced, leading to more scrutiny about his past connections with Epstein.
The House is considering a vote on releasing comprehensive Justice Department files concerning Epstein.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most U.S. adults do not support the military killing suspected drug traffickers without a legal process. The Trump administration has conducted drone strikes against alleged drug traffickers, which has faced criticism from both U.S. lawmakers and Latin American leaders.
Key Facts
Most U.S. adults (51%) oppose military killings of suspected drug traffickers without judicial involvement.
29% of Americans support these military actions without a court's involvement.
There is a split in opinion along party lines: 58% of Republicans support the approach, while only 8% of Democrats do.
Since early September, the U.S. has conducted at least 20 drone strikes, killing about 80 people alleged to be drug traffickers.
President Trump may expand these strikes to land targets.
The strikes have coincided with military buildup in regions near Venezuela.
46% of Americans approve of labeling drug cartels as foreign terrorist groups, which could allow military action.
The poll was conducted with 1,200 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
The Trump administration has decided not to move forward with a proposal from the previous Biden administration that would have required U.S. airlines to compensate passengers for long flight delays. The proposal was initially considered as a way to handle disruptions caused by airlines but was withdrawn due to concerns about it placing heavy demands on airlines. Instead, the administration believes airlines should compete based on their offered services and compensation.
Key Facts
The Biden administration had proposed that airlines pay passengers for delays they caused, starting in December 2024.
Compensation amounts would have been $200 to $300 for delays of at least three hours and up to $775 for longer disruptions.
The Trump administration claims the rule would create unnecessary regulatory demands and financial strain on airlines.
The proposal aimed to mirror compensation rules found in the European Union, Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
A group of 18 Democratic senators asked the Trump administration to keep the compensation plan.
USDOT has decided to allow airlines to set their compensation policies instead of imposing federal rules.
The Trump administration is considering reversing other Biden-era regulations concerning airline fee disclosures and refund rules.
An 80-year-old man named Mark Personette was found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Marissa Harvey in 1978. DNA evidence and investigative genealogy identified him as a suspect after the case remained unsolved for over 40 years. Personette, who claims there was reasonable doubt, now faces sentencing in December.
Key Facts
An 80-year-old named Mark Personette was convicted for a murder that happened in 1978.
The victim, Marissa Harvey, was a 15-year-old visiting San Francisco when she was killed.
DNA evidence was found on her clothing and a piece of gum, linking Personette to the crime.
Investigators used a method called investigative genealogy to identify Personette as a suspect.
Personette was seen discarding trash that contained his DNA, confirming his identity.
The case involved testimony from a woman claiming Personette raped her in 1979.
Personette denies being in San Francisco at the time of the murder.
He will be sentenced on December 17 and could face seven years to life in prison.
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has stopped new rules by the Transportation Department that would limit immigrants' ability to get commercial driver's licenses. The court says the government didn't follow the right process to make these rules and didn't explain how they would improve safety. The proposed rules would have mostly affected immigrants with specific work visas.
Key Facts
A federal court blocked new Transportation Department rules for immigrant commercial drivers.
The court said the government did not follow correct procedures when creating these rules.
Data shows that immigrants with commercial licenses make up about 0.2% of fatal crashes, although they hold 5% of such licenses.
The rules would have limited licenses to immigrants with specific visas, affecting only 10,000 out of 200,000 immigrant drivers.
The crash that prompted the rule changes involved a driver in the U.S. illegally and raised safety concerns.
California recently revoked 17,000 licenses issued to immigrants due to expired work permits.
The new rules were not retroactive, meaning existing licenses wouldn't be affected until renewal.
A bill in Congress is trying to make the new rules permanent law.
U.S. officials shut down a logging project on 10,000 acres in Montana due to concerns about its impact on grizzly bears. The decision came after a court ruled that federal agencies violated laws protecting endangered species and their habitats. The agencies must now re-evaluate the project's environmental effects.
Key Facts
A federal judge ordered the shutdown of a 10,000-acre logging project in Montana.
The shutdown is due to the project's potential harm to grizzly bears and their habitat.
The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were sued in 2022 by the Center for Biological Diversity.
The project is in the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear recovery zone, with only about 50 bears remaining.
The project affects 5,070 acres of logging, burning on 4,757 acres, and road work totaling over 46 miles.
Roads are a concern because they allow human access to bear areas, leading to risks like poaching.
The judge ruled that agencies failed to meet legal obligations under laws like the Endangered Species Act.
A new prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, has taken over the Georgia election interference case against President Donald Trump and others after the original prosecutor, Fani Willis, was removed. Skandalakis will review the case materials to decide how to proceed, as legal action against Trump is unlikely while he remains president. The case involves 14 other defendants, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.
Key Facts
Fani Willis was removed from the case due to a conflict of interest involving a relationship with the special prosecutor she appointed.
Pete Skandalakis, head of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, is now leading the case.
Legal proceedings against Trump cannot continue while he is serving as President.
The case includes charges against 14 other individuals, such as Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.
Skandalakis received a large amount of case material, including 101 boxes of documents and an eight-terabyte hard drive.
Skandalakis can decide to follow the previous direction, pursue only some charges, or dismiss the case.
The Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council will not receive extra funding for handling the case.
Resources for the case may be limited, potentially leading to simpler charges or plea deals.
The episode explores concerns among some Republicans in the MAGA movement about President Trump's focus on foreign affairs instead of domestic issues. It examines pressures within the Republican party and how Trump might address these concerns.
Key Facts
The episode is part of the Americast podcast by BBC News.
It discusses potential divisions within the MAGA movement.
Some Republicans are questioning Trump's "America first" commitment.
President Trump spoke to Fox News about the need for foreign workers in the U.S.
Critics want Trump to focus more on the economy and domestic policy.
The hosts of the episode are Justin Webb, Anthony Zurcher, and Marianna Spring.
The episode is available on BBC Sounds and can be accessed via smart speakers.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering approving a new pesticide called epyrifenacil, which contains chemicals known as PFAS, sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals." This decision has caused concern among environmental experts due to potential health and environmental risks. The EPA states they have taken steps to ensure the pesticide does not pose significant risks to humans or the environment.
Key Facts
The EPA proposed approving the pesticide epyrifenacil for use on crops like canola, corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Epyrifenacil breaks down into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which is often found in drinking water.
PFAS chemicals, to which epyrifenacil belongs, are known to pose health risks even at low concentrations.
This is the fifth pesticide containing PFAS chemicals the EPA has sought to approve since President Trump began his second term.
The EPA claims epyrifenacil has a "moderate acute toxicity profile" and is not likely carcinogenic at certain levels.
The agency plans to implement measures like spray drift buffers to reduce potential side effects.
Critics argue these measures might not be enough to prevent contamination and adverse impacts on health and ecosystems.
PFAS chemicals are classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen, meaning there is enough evidence they can cause cancer in humans.
A new poll shows that Republican candidate Mike Rogers is close to Democratic candidates in the race for Michigan's Senate seat in 2026. The seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters is not running again. Three prominent Democrats, including Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow, are competing in the primary.
Key Facts
Senator Gary Peters will not run for reelection in 2026, leaving his Senate seat open.
Republican Mike Rogers is competing for the seat against Democratic candidates.
A poll by EPIC-MRA indicates Rogers is close behind Democrats Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow.
Stevens leads Rogers by 2 percentage points, and McMorrow leads by 1 percentage point.
The poll surveyed 600 Michigan residents and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
Michigan is a critical swing state in U.S. elections.
President Donald Trump won Michigan in his 2016 and 2024 campaigns, but not in 2020.
