The Republican Nationwide Conference, which kicked off Monday in Milwaukee, is a super-powerful magnet for anybody with even a passing connection to conservative politics. To enter the Fiserv Discussion board downtown, I first needed to move by Erik Prince and Kari Lake. Ron Johnson flits about, heading off followers. As I spoke with delegates within the concourse through the afternoon session, Jason Chaffetz periodically handed by, like a small piece of house junk orbiting the Earth. I’ve seen conservative influencers and candidates I’ve forgotten about. I simply noticed Mike Lindell. However one individual is conspicuously lacking. Has anybody seen Mike Pence?

On Monday, as Republicans awaited Trump’s announcement of J.D. Vance as his subsequent working mate, the person who had joined him on the ticket twice and served alongside him as vp for 4 years was very conspicuously not there. Not contained in the beefed-up safety perimeter. Not in Wisconsin, as far as I can inform. And really a lot not endorsing Trump. If the largest story amongst convention-goers was Trump’s hunt for a working mate, then the defining story of his candidacy, as Matt Gertz not too long ago wrote at Media Issues, is what occurred to his previous one.

The in need of it, as you’ll recall, was that Trump pressured Pence to refuse to certify the Electoral School outcomes on January 6, 2021. After Pence refused, Trump despatched a mob to the Capitol to bodily cease the certification. Some members of the mob shouted “Grasp Mike Pence!” Curiously, that was not the ultimate straw for Pence—who stated this spring that he had “forgiven” the previous president, however that he couldn’t endorse his marketing campaign, partly, due to his not too long ago declared opposition to banning TikTok. However it was the ultimate straw for Trump.

This falling-out over whether or not the final vice presidential nominee ought to have accepted the election outcomes was why we had been spending our Monday ready for the white smoke that might portend a brand new vice presidential nominee. And Pence’s legacy was shaping how Trump’s followers seen the job itself. Once I spoke with supporters of the Republican nominee on Monday, the takeaway from that episode, and the primary administration as an entire, was clear: Trump wanted somebody who would stand by him it doesn’t matter what.

“I don’t even need to say,” stated Rose Roque, a Florida Republican, making a face, once I requested her in regards to the celebration’s earlier next-in-line.

However her daughter, Rose Rodriguez, was prepared to go additional. “He betrayed his nation,” she stated, referring to Pence’s resolution to certify the Electoral School outcomes on January 6. “Though he thought he was doing the proper factor, in keeping with him, he let himself be poisoned. And I believe he already was poisoned—he got here in already being that means.”

“If Gen. Flynn would have been vp,” Rodriguez continued, referring to Trump’s short-lived nationwide safety advisor Michael Flynn, who had instructed after the 2020 election that Trump might order the army to grab voting machines. “Gen. Flynn would have completed issues by the structure, he would have upheld the structure and completed the appropriate factor and we wouldn’t be within the mess we’re.”

Pence “appeared to be making an attempt to do a balancing act and it by no means actually labored,” stated Michael Rosen, a New Jersey Republican who was standing by a giant Trump 2024 signal exterior the world. Trump wanted “Somebody who’s gonna work with him and never gonna go away him in a lurch on the finish. [Pence] ought to have labored with Trump when he was going via all that stuff as an alternative of throwing his palms up and saying ‘I’ve bought no management.’ We had been sort of left with nothing.”

“He was an amazing vp till he wasn’t,” stated Mike Bassett, a Nevada Republican. One among his high necessities for a vp was “loyalty to Trump.”

I did speak to delegates who wished governing or managerial expertise, sturdy communication abilities, and even a little bit of gender or racial variety from their VP. Republicans floated Byron Donalds and Tulsi Gabbard. Multiple individual pined for Glenn Youngkin. However Pence had forged a shadow over the search. A lot so, that after I completed speaking with Rosen, one other New Jersey Republican, Rimma Yakobovich, piped up together with her personal suggestion.

There was one clear option to get a Republican working mater who completely wouldn’t “stab him within the again,” she stated. Her concept? “Don Jr.”

Trump Media’s inventory worth surged greater than 31% Monday following the assassination try in opposition to the previous president at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Shares for Trump Media & Know-how Group (inventory image: DJT), majority-owned by former President Donald Trump, had been buying and selling as excessive as $46.27 ‒ up practically 50% ‒ earlier than ending the day at $40.58.

The share worth enhance displays buyers’ elevated confidence in Trump successful the election in November, analysts say, an occasion that might have impacts on Wall Road.

“Traders have gotten extra assured of a Trump victory, and it’s beginning to be extra closely mirrored in sure sectors,” stated Rick Meckler, associate at Cherry Lane Investments, informed Reuters. He added the impression on the general market was extra muted.

Trump Media, based after Trump was ousted from social media platforms within the wake of the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, has seen huge volatility in current months as the previous president navigated legal circumstances and took half in a debate with President Joe Biden. The inventory additionally took a dive in June when regulators permitted its registration assertion, clearing the way in which for buyers to train warrants and for the corporate to concern further shares, making tens of millions extra accessible for buying and selling. The inventory noticed a surge in late June.

The mother or father firm of the Fact Social app has been in comparison with meme shares like GameStop and AMC, which have seen shares surge primarily based on sentiment as an alternative of laborious metrics like income and money movement.

Like typical meme shares, Trump Media is overvalued in contrast with its friends – different social media corporations – at the least by typical Wall Road requirements. The corporate reported income of $770,500 within the first quarter, with a internet lack of $327.6 million.

With practically 115 million shares, Trump’s stake in his namesake firm at present costs is price greater than $4.6 billion.

Different shares have additionally seen progress

Along with Trump Media, crypto, jail, and gun shares additionally climbed Monday. Firms like Coinbase World (up 11.4%), Marathon Digital (up 18.3%), and Riot Platforms Inc. (up 17.1%) have seen a lift.

“Trump is seen to be pro-crypto and the speculation that he’s now in a stronger place within the race to the White Home has fired up merchants on the lookout for belongings to learn if he will get again into energy,” funding analyst Dan Coatsworth informed Reuters.

The exercise comes after the assault in opposition to Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Officers say a suspect fired at Trump with an AR-15-style rifle. Trump, who was grazed in the fitting ear with a bullet, was rushed off the stage by the Secret Service.

The suspected gunman was killed. A firefighter, Corey Comperatore, died, and two different males had been injured on the rally. President Biden and different officers denounced the taking pictures.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley, Jessica Guynn, and USA TODAY workers; Reuters

Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson bowed out early within the 2024 Residence Run Derby Monday evening, hitting 11 dwelling runs and failing to advance previous the primary spherical. Henderson is third within the MLB with 28 dwelling runs on the all-star break, and he had the very best complete of anybody competing within the occasion.Henderson completed final within the first spherical.The Orioles aren’t completed with All-Star Weekend, although.Henderson is one among 5 Orioles to make the journey to Arlington, Texas, for the 2024 MLB All-Star Sport. He is joined by catcher Adley Rutschman, third baseman Jordan Westburg, pitcher Corbin Burnes and outfielder Anthony Santander.

CNN
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Jack Black’s comedy rock band Tenacious D has canceled its remaining tour dates after band member Kyle Gass sparked a backlash with an obvious joke about Saturday’s assassination try on former US President Donald Trump.

Footage posted on social media from the band’s live performance in Sydney on Sunday confirmed Black presenting Gass with a birthday cake onstage and telling him to “make a want.”

Gass responded: “Don’t miss Trump subsequent time.”

The change prompted a name from one Australian lawmaker for the band to be deported from the nation.

In a press release to CNN on Tuesday, Black mentioned he was “blindsided by what was mentioned on the present.”

“I might by no means condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any type,” he added. “After a lot reflection, I not really feel it’s applicable to proceed the Tenacious D tour, and all future inventive plans are on maintain. I’m grateful to the followers for his or her help and understanding.”

Gass apologized for the remark in a publish on Instagram on Tuesday.

“The road I improvised onstage Sunday evening in Sydney was extremely inappropriate, harmful and a horrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any sort, in any type, in opposition to anybody,” wrote Gass.

“What occurred was a tragedy, and I’m extremely sorry for my extreme lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to these I’ve let down and really remorse any ache I’ve induced.”

Gass has since been dropped by his Hollywood expertise consultant. His agent, Michael Greene of Greene Expertise, advised CNN that he has parted methods with Gass, however he didn’t present extra remark.

Band members Black and Gass had been resulting from play within the metropolis of Newcastle, New South Wales, on Tuesday, however promoter Frontier Touring introduced that the present had been “postponed” in an Instagram publish earlier on Tuesday.

Tenacious D was scheduled to carry out in Brisbane on Thursday, earlier than heading to Melbourne and Adelaide, after which onto New Zealand and the US.

Whereas some commenters interpreted the change as a joke, Australian senator Ralph Babet mentioned that the pair “ought to be instantly faraway from the nation” in a press release posted on X.

“To advocate and or want for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and never acceptable in any manner, form or type,” mentioned Babet. “This was not a joke, he was lethal critical when he wished for the loss of life of the President.”

“I name on the prime minister Anthony Albanese to hitch me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I name on the immigration minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them instantly,” Babet mentioned on Tuesday.

“Something lower than a deportation is an endorsement of the capturing and the tried assassination of Donald J Trump,” he mentioned.

Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands additionally criticized the band.

“I cannot be collaborating in any future Tenacious D interviews,” he mentioned. Tenacious D have beforehand appeared on the Kyle & Jackie O “Within the Morning” present on KIIS radio.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden condemned political violence within the wake of the capturing.

“There is no such thing as a place in America for this sort of violence – it’s sick, it’s sick, it’s one of many the explanation why now we have to unite this nation,” Biden advised reporters.

“We can not permit for this to be taking place. We can’t be like this. We can not condone this.”

This story has been up to date.

CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this story.

The Skip Bayless period at Fox Sports activities will come to an finish later this summer season. The longtime co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed” and Fox Sports activities have agreed to half methods, sources briefed on the choice confirmed Monday.

The New York Put up’s Ryan Glasspiegel first reported the information.

Bayless arrived with a lot fanfare at Fox Sports activities in 2016 following 12 years at ESPN and a distinguished function on “First Take” alongside Stephen A Smith. Whereas ESPN wished to retain him, Fox Sports activities made a considerably bigger provide and the host headed West in quest of new bloviating fame.

Fox Sports activities executives promised to construct a debate present round Bayless’s persona — and that they did. The present discovered an viewers with Bayless and companion Shannon Sharpe — and positively did effectively on social platforms — however did not duplicate linear success after Sharpe left for ESPN in 2023. (Sharpe lately signed a multi-year cope with ESPN to stay a key participant on “First Take” alongside Smith.)

As for viewership struggles, Sports activities Media Watch editor Jon Lewis reported that the present drew simply 50,000 viewers for a late February episode and was outdrawn by a first-round Dubai Open tennis match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Shevchenko, which averaged 54,000 on Tennis Channel.

Fox Sports activities declined to remark.

Sources briefed on the choice stated there was a risk the “Undisputed” identify could be retired and a brand new present would are available place however these discussions are ongoing.

Required studying

(Picture of Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Photographs)

Sports activities speak persona Skip Bayless is leaving FS1’s “Undisputed” later this summer season, in keeping with a number of experiences.

Bayless has been with FOX Sports activities for eight years, becoming a member of the community in 2016 after a 12-year run at ESPN.

The New York Publish was the primary to report the information.

FOX Sports activities didn’t instantly reply to USA TODAY Sports activities’ request for remark.

This could be the second consecutive summer season through which the present had certainly one of its key hosts depart. In June 2023, Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Shannon Sharpe left the present after working alongside Bayless for the reason that present’s inception in 2016. Sharpe then moved on to ESPN’s “First Take,” becoming a member of one other well-known sports activities speak persona, Stephen A. Smith. Sharpe just lately signed a multiyear contract extension with ESPN.

With Sharpe not with the present, former NFL gamers Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson and Richard Sherman, in addition to NBA legend Paul Pierce, crammed the void on “Undisputed” alongside Bayless.

The 72-year-old Bayless began his media profession within the mid-Nineteen Seventies masking sports activities for newspapers such because the Miami Herald, Los Angeles Occasions and Dallas Morning Information.

A ten-year-old TikTok star often known as Bella Courageous died July 14, her household stated.

Bella, born Isabella Thomson, had greater than 7 million followers on the app. Her mom, Kyla Thomson, confirmed Bella’s demise on social media July 15.

“Our courageous woman left her legacy right here on earth to bop on streets of gold,” she wrote within the caption of an Instagram put up. “Bella handed peacefully in our arms. Please maintain her title in your lips, her reminiscences alive and her bravery in your hearts.”

Thomson additionally posted a TikTok of Bella dancing in a purple gown to “By no means Sufficient” by Loren Allred from “The Best Showman.”

“Please share with us each element of how she touched your life or saved you courageous,” Thompson added within the caption. “Bella would need you to recollect; God is love, be courageous and you’re by no means too outdated to convey a stuffy.”

The day of Bella’s demise, her mom posted an replace on Instagram, writing: “Every little thing feels numb, as if my thoughts is shielding me from the overwhelming concern of dropping my baby. Regardless of the percentages, I maintain on to hope.”

Only a week earlier, Bella had been positioned in a medically induced coma on July 10 after experiencing issues from a lung an infection, her mom wrote in an Instagram put up.

Earlier than she was positioned within the coma, she had been intubated within the ICU on July 9, her mom stated.

Bella’s supporters left messages remembering the 10-year-old within the feedback of her newest TikTok:

• I too got here for an replace and now left crying my eyes out. That is heartbreaking. We’re all for the higher in realizing Bella Courageous. Could she relaxation in everlasting peace 🕊️
• Quietly I’ve adopted this account and watched her dwell her finest life and never complain as soon as…….. that is heartbreaking 💔😢 I’m so very sorry to listen to this information. She is a real hero…… 🙌👼
• So unhappy to listen to of her passing 😢 She was so lovely and humorous. I’ve solely folder for the previous couple of months however she all the time put a smile on my face once I was having a foul day. Fly excessive Bella Courageous 🕊
• This broke me to items. Relaxation in peace, Bella, prayers to you all 💖
• I’m truly going to sob. Relaxation in peace Bella Courageous❤️‍🩹🕊️

Bella was born with three uncommon medical circumstances: dwarfism, a bowel illness known as Hirschsprung illness and extreme mixed immunodeficiency, which results the immune system, based on Canadian radio station CJME.

“All three are very uncommon, however to have all of them collectively can also be extraordinary,” Thomson instructed CJME.

In 2020, Bella was positioned on an inventory to get a bowel transplant, and she or he acquired the transplant at SickKids Hospital in Toronto in 2023.

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds visited Bella after her transplant, and a number of other of the movies went viral. One video of Reynolds sitting on the ground subsequent to her hospital mattress acquired 3 million likes.

Earlier than her demise, Bella described what she thought heaven can be wish to Individuals: “Heaven has lots of clouds, a giant fort constructed of clouds. God can be there.”