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Billionaire Dem Donors Bloomberg, Diller Slam ‘Ineffectual’ DNC — Say They Won’t Fork Over More Cash For Now
High-profile Democratic contributors, including billionaires Barry Diller and Michael Bloomberg, are pulling back their financial support for the Democratic National Committee, citing what insiders describe as a growing consensus that the organization is failing to function effectively, the NY Post reports.
The DNC has struggled with internal conflict and a lack of unified leadership in the aftermath of President Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Disillusionment among longtime backers has led several top-tier donors to hit pause on their contributions.
“For a variety of reasons, I have no intention of donating to the DNC,” Diller told The New York Post.
In his newly released memoir Who Knew, Diller, who heads the digital conglomerate IAC, sharply criticized the Biden administration for failing to live up to its promises of restoring honor to government.
“I think the biggest crime of the Biden administration is that it came in with a pledge to restore a more civilized, selfless, and uplifting manner of governance and instead let us all down with its progressive elitism, personal ego, and cynical behavior. Such a shame,” Diller wrote.
Sources close to Bloomberg say he, too, is hesitant to contribute again to the DNC, though he hasn’t made an official statement. Other donors, including hedge fund manager Marc Lasry, are said to be similarly reluctant, with no firm commitment yet to resume giving.
Bloomberg donated $413,000 to the DNC during the 2023–24 cycle, while Diller gave $330,400 and Lasry contributed $133,400. Lasry has indicated he might donate again eventually, but he hasn’t laid out a timeline. Bloomberg’s team declined to comment.
“There is just a broad consensus that the DNC is ineffectual and not where we should be giving money,” one longtime Democratic donor said.
The donor added, “But it’s not surprising. ‘I don’t belong to an organized party, I’m a Democrat’ is a longtime joke for a reason.
“We’re so decentralized. The DNC has always been a joke. If you are a megadonor looking to shape the direction of the party, don’t give to the DNC. At this point, the shape of the DNC is just embarrassing.”
Concerns about the DNC’s solvency have escalated to the point where some insiders are questioning whether the party may soon need to borrow money. However, DNC Chairman Ken Martin has publicly dismissed the idea of resorting to loans.
A DNC spokesperson pushed back, noting that many loyal donors have already given substantial contributions this year, and touted record-breaking fundraising during Martin’s first four months as chair.
Yet another prominent donor told The Post he’s completely cut off funding to the committee, and he believes many others have quietly done the same.
“People are too embarrassed to admit this,” the source said. “I’m a lifelong Dem who raised a ton of money, and I won’t give them a nickel — and I’m not alone.
“I’m not even a Democrat anymore. The Dems should kidnap Elizabeth Warren and take her to Mexico,” the source added, referring to the progressive Massachusetts senator. “This is how Trump got [his win] — not because Trump is loved but because his ideas are popular.”
Several insiders noted that much of the party’s recent donor activity has focused on New York City’s mayoral primary, where fears are mounting among party leaders about the possibility of self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani defeating Andrew Cuomo.
The DNC’s latest campaign finance disclosures, filed last week, show that the party burned through nearly $3 million in May alone, draining its reserves to a precarious $15 million.
If Mamdani were to win, some donors worry that the party’s resources could increasingly be redirected toward socialist candidates, further alienating major contributors.
In response, the DNC rejected claims of a donor exodus and issued a statement on Friday boasting about “record fundraising” levels, which it said represent “the highest in DNC history under any chair’s first four months.”
The committee told Axios that it raised nearly $40 million between February and May 2025 — exceeding the $37 million collected under former chair Jaime Harrison over the same time frame in 2021.
But a Democratic strategist warned against repeating past mistakes. “In the early and mid 2010’s, some big-money donors already tried not funding the DNC and state parties, instead funding groups outside of the Party, which hollowed out the critical work that the Party does while putting us behind the eight-ball when it came to critical coordination during the 2016 presidential election,” the strategist said.
“We all know how that story ended — Donald Trump won the Presidency and the Democratic Party fell to an all-time low at every level of government. The Democratic Party needs a fully-funded Party to fight Donald Trump.”
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee reported a healthy boost in its May finances, with more than $5 million in net positive cash flow. Its war chest now exceeds $72 million, giving the GOP nearly five times the cash reserves of the DNC.
Longtime Republican donor and Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone reportedly celebrated the news. “We don’t have to worry as the GOP party because the Dem positions are so stupid they’ll never raise money again,” Langone told friends, according to sources.
{Matzav.com}
Limited Outbound Flights Resume from Israel as Airlines Adjust to New Policy
Hochul Declares State of Emergency for NYC, Much of State As Temps Set to Shatter 125-Year-Old Records
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency on Monday for New York City and large portions of the state in response to a dangerous heat wave expected to break records dating back more than a century.
Over the weekend, violent storms swept through upstate New York, triggering deadly flash floods and intense thunderstorms. Meteorologists warned that a prolonged heat wave gripping the Northeast could push thermometers past 100 degrees on at least one day this week, with oppressive humidity making it feel even hotter.
Temperatures in the five boroughs nearly reached triple digits on Monday, and Tuesday’s forecast predicted a high of 102 degrees. If that holds, it would surpass the previous record highs of 96 degrees recorded in Central Park in 1888.
Meanwhile, central New York was hit hard by fierce weather. Powerful winds and torrential rain uprooted trees and destroyed buildings, claiming at least three lives in Oneida County — among them, twin girls, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department.
In response to the devastation and extreme heat, Hochul enacted a state of emergency covering New York City, Long Island, and several upstate counties, including Westchester. The move enables the deployment of additional resources to affected areas.
“Our hearts break for the tragic loss of life during last night’s storms, and my administration has been in touch with local elected officials offering support,” Hochul said in a press release.
“State emergency response personnel are already on the ground providing resources and support as we work to recover from this severe weather and restore power quickly,” she said.
“I urge all New Yorkers to stay weather aware and take precautions to stay vigilant and safe as extreme heat and severe weather are expected to continue impacting the State over the next couple of days.”
Central New York, the Southern Tier, and the North Country were all expected to face continued rainfall, exacerbating the risk of more flooding.
Officials cautioned that flash flood conditions in central parts of the state could quickly spread to the Southern Tier and the mid-Hudson Valley.
As of Monday, about 50,000 residents across New York were dealing with power outages caused by the weekend storms. Roughly 35,000 of those were in Oneida County alone, according to National Grid’s outage map.
The emergency declaration encompasses all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and the counties of Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester, and surrounding counties.
{Matzav.com}
Jury Awards $500K to Widow of Capitol Officer Who Died by Suicide After Jan. 6 Riot
Israel Issues Evacuation Warning for Tehran Districts Ahead of Strikes, as Trump Announces Ceasefire
Trump Mocks Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Retaliation in Qatar
Iran launched a missile barrage at a U.S. military installation in Qatar on Monday in what it described as retaliation for the U.S. airstrikes over the weekend that struck Iranian nuclear facilities. President Trump dismissed the action as weak and ineffective, calling it “very weak” in a social media post.
“CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!” Trump proclaimed on Truth Social after the Iranian attack failed to inflict serious damage.
Reports indicated that Tehran had signaled its intentions in advance to Qatar, and 13 out of 14 missiles were intercepted mid-air before impact. Footage captured the projectiles being destroyed by Qatari air defenses over the Persian Gulf.
Later, Qatari authorities said that a total of 19 missiles were actually launched toward Al Udeid Air Base. One managed to hit the facility, but no injuries were reported.
Analysts say the restrained nature of the attack suggests Iran may be running low on its missile reserves and is possibly exploring a way to de-escalate tensions with Washington.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” Trump wrote. “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” he continued, adding a sarcastic jab.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost and nobody to be injured.”
A U.S. military source told The Post that the Pentagon does not plan to retaliate for what it described as a failed strike.
Residents in Doha reported hearing explosions overhead, and video captured defensive missile systems in action. Iran labeled the effort “Operation Blessings of Victory,” according to state media.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility, stating it had launched a “devastating and powerful missile” at the U.S. base in Qatar.
Videos circulating online, including those posted by NewsNation’s Brian Entin, showed bright trails from the missiles lighting up the skies above the Gulf.
Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts around 10,000 American personnel, serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command.
Iranian officials now say they are open to diplomacy.
“We are rational enough to start a diplomatic process after punishing the aggressor,” one official told Reuters.
Still, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took a defiant tone in a social media post Monday, saying, “We didn’t harm anyone. And we will not accept any harassment from anyone under any circumstances. And we will not submit to anyone’s harassment,” as translated from Farsi.
A defense official confirmed that ballistic missiles, both short- and medium-range, were fired from Iran and aimed at the U.S. facility in Qatar.
“The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” read an official statement from Washington.
Trump was scheduled to convene with his national security team in the Situation Room at 1 p.m., according to the White House.
Qatar’s defense forces successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, the Qatari government confirmed.
Iran’s warning to Doha gave the U.S. time to relocate aircraft from vulnerable positions, Axios reported.
“At this time, there are no reports of US casualties,” a U.S. defense official stated, noting that monitoring efforts were ongoing and updates would follow.
According to The New York Times, Iranian officials said they felt compelled to respond to the U.S. strike on the Fordow nuclear site, but wanted to avoid escalating into full-scale conflict with Trump. They likened the move to the symbolic 2020 missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq after Qasem Soleimani’s death.
That earlier strike caused no fatalities but left 110 service members with traumatic brain injuries.
U.S. intelligence had reportedly anticipated some form of retaliation following its strikes on three nuclear-related targets inside Iran.
On Monday, more than two dozen commercial flights bound for Qatar or the UAE were rerouted due to airspace safety concerns.
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter,” a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted to X.
“We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.”
Despite the tension, Iran later emphasized it wished to maintain good relations with Qatar, stressing that the missile strikes were aimed far from populated areas. This statement came from the office of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Located about 40 miles southwest of Doha, Al Udeid is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.
The base houses more than 100 aircraft, including bombers, refueling planes, and surveillance assets critical to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region. It also features the longest runway in the Persian Gulf, and last month Trump announced that Qatar had agreed to invest $10 billion to upgrade the facility.
{Matzav.com}VP Vance Praises Trump’s Israel-Iran Ceasefire, Says Iran’s Nuclear Program Destroyed Without U.S. Casualties
VP Vance: 12 Day War Ends Iran’s Nuclear Program, Signals New Era for Middle East Peace
CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED: Trump: Israel and Iran Have Agreed On a Ceasefire
President Donald Trump announced Monday evening that both Israel and Iran have reached a consensus on a temporary halt to hostilities, with the ceasefire set to begin in six hours.
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump wrote in a message shared on his Truth Social platform.
He continued, “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’ This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
According to Trump’s statement, Iran will be the first to initiate the truce, with Israel following 12 hours later. Once both phases are completed, the two-week conflict will officially be declared over, with global recognition anticipated. Trump praised the leadership and resolve of both nations in reaching this point and expressed hope that peace will now prevail.
{Matzav.com}
Israel Launches New Airstrikes on Iran, Targeting Tehran, Parchin, and Tabriz; Air Defenses Active
NYC Democratic Candidates Unite Against Andrew Cuomo Ahead of Tuesday’s Mayoral Primary
Ex-Clinton National Security Official Admits Kamala Harris ‘Would Not Have Had The Courage’ To Order ‘Bold’ Iran Strike
A onetime official from the National Security Council during the Clinton administration stirred controversy over the weekend with remarks suggesting that Kamala Harris would have lacked the resolve to carry out the kind of military operation President Trump ordered against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Jamie Metzl, a former Senate staffer and a longtime critic of Trump who openly supported Harris in past elections, wrote on X, “I’m not a blind tribalist and am perfectly comfortable praising President Trump for bold and courageous actions in support of America’s core national interests, as he took last night.”
He continued, “Although I believe electing Kamala Harris would have been better for our democracy [and] society. I also believe VP Harris would not have had the courage or fortitude to take such an essential step as the president took last night.”
On Saturday, American forces launched a high-stakes air and missile assault targeting key nuclear facilities in Iran, including Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. The coordinated strike involved B-2 stealth bombers and Navy-launched Tomahawk missiles in a dramatic escalation aimed at preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
While a full official evaluation of the damage has yet to be disclosed, President Trump stated that “monumental damage” had been inflicted on the targeted sites.
Metzl, who also previously served as deputy staff director for then-Senator Joe Biden on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, underscored the severity of the Iranian threat. “Iran has been at war with the United States for 46 years. Its regime has murdered thousands of American citizens,” he said. “Its slogan, ‘Death to America,’ was not window dressing but core ideology.”
He added, “It was racing toward a nuclear weapon with every intention of using it to threaten America, our allies, and the Middle East region as a whole. No actions like this come without risks, and I imagine the story will get more complicated over time, but that’s why these types of decisions are complicated.”
Metzl’s public service also includes time as a United Nations human rights officer, and he is currently part of the World Health Organization’s advisory committee.
From the start of his first presidential campaign in 2016, Trump has consistently emphasized that the United States must not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
During her 2024 run for the White House, Harris called Iran the “greatest adversary” of the United States and declared that every option remained available to stop Tehran from becoming a nuclear power.
The strike authorized by Trump came shortly after Israel launched its own preemptive attacks targeting Iranian military and nuclear capabilities, aiming to slow down the regime’s development of weapons of mass destruction.
Military analysts noted that neutralizing the Fordow enrichment facility — buried deep within a mountain — likely required U.S. intervention. On Shabbos, the Air Force deployed 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, 30,000-pound GBU-57 A/B “bunker-buster” bombs, to obliterate the fortified site.
{Matzav.com}
Supreme Court Allows Trump To Resume Deporting Migrants To Third Countries
The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a legal victory on Monday, allowing it to continue deporting certain migrants to countries other than their own, without requiring extensive prior notice.
In a 6–3 ruling that split the Court along ideological lines, the justices overturned a decision issued in late April by a federal judge in Boston. That earlier ruling had temporarily blocked the administration’s efforts to quickly remove individuals under the revised deportation policy.
While the majority of justices did not elaborate on their decision, Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a forceful dissent. She was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in criticizing the move.
“In matters of life and death, it is best to proceed with caution,” Sotomayor wrote. “In this case, the Government took the opposite approach.”
“This Court now intervenes to grant the Government emergency relief from an order it has repeatedly defied. I cannot join so gross an abuse of the Court’s equitable discretion.”
{Matzav.com}
Evacuation Flights Begin for U.S. Citizens in Israel, More Planned
More Flights Expected; Application Process Still Open
The U.S. Embassy in Israel has begun operating evacuation flights for U.S. citizens and Green Card holders stranded in Israel and seeking to return to the United States.
Four flights departed Israel today, Monday, June 23, heading to Rome, Larnaca, and Athens. Chaim V’Chessed has learned that the Embassy aims to operate as many as six additional flights tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24.
These flights are available only to those who have registered in advance. Applicants must register via the U.S. State Department’s Crisis Intake Form at this link. As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, when completing the form, applicants must check off that they are seeking assistance leaving Israel and are requesting financial help.
After submitting the form, applicants immediately receive an email confirmation. If selected for a flight, they will receive a second email, generally within a few days, from the State Department informing them of their eligibility. When received, applicants must immediately reply, confirming their willingness to travel.
These Embassy-coordinated flights may currently be the most viable option for many Americans attempting to leave Israel. It is important to note, however, that evacuees must independently arrange and purchase onward travel from the European city to which they are flown.
Other potential exit options from Israel include land crossings into Jordan or Egypt. However, both these alternatives involve travel through areas with challenges and heightened security risks. Additionally, travelers can travel by sea to Cyprus.
Chaim V’Chessed will continue to monitor developments closely and share verified updates as they become available.
{Matzav.com}
Supreme Court Permits Trump Admin to Deport Convicted Criminals to Third World Countries
Health Insurers Vow Overhaul of Prior Authorization Amid Mounting Criticism
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IDF Requests Extension For Response On Draft Law Petition Amid Iran Conflict
The IDF is preparing to ask the Supreme Court for another postponement in submitting its official response to a petition concerning the Draft Law, according to a report from Galei Tzahal. The reason for the delay request is the current military campaign involving Iran, which is occupying the attention of the army’s top brass.
The military’s original deadline to respond was set for Tuesday. However, with the ongoing regional hostilities demanding the full attention of senior defense officials, the IDF is expected to seek an extension.
This comes after a planned meeting with the Attorney General to discuss the matter was already deferred at the army’s request. That meeting had been scheduled to include a detailed presentation from the Manpower Directorate on new strategies for cracking down on draft evasion—plans that have yet to be submitted.
Despite the evolving security situation and the likely delay in court proceedings, IDF officials stress that one key development remains unchanged: beginning next month, more than 50,000 draft notices will be sent to chareidi men who are of conscription age.
In a statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed: “There is no change in the planned issuance of the summonses in the scope and timing previously presented. In addition, the plan for enforcing draft evasion will be presented transparently through the standard channels. Due to the security situation, a request for an extension may be submitted to the Supreme Court regarding the deadline for submitting the response. The IDF will continue to operate in accordance with the law.”
{Matzav.com}
The Strait Of Hormuz Is A Vital Route For Oil. Closing It Could Backfire On Iran
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