Townhall

U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson ordered Patrick Byrne to pay Hunter Biden $1.7 million in punitive damages plus $1 in nominal damages after Byrne failed to appear for trial. The ruling stems from statements Byrne made in a 2023 interview alleging Hunter Biden sought an $800 million bribe from Iran. Byrne, former Overstock.com CEO, also faces enforcement of $34,969.20 in prior sanctions.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a 33-page lawsuit on July 9 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland Northern Division against the state of Maryland and Attorney General Anthony Brown. The suit challenges Senate Bill 791 and related policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown's office declined to comment.

Israel provided the United States with intelligence indicating Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate President Trump, according to multiple reports. Trump publicly stated he is Iran's top target and referenced the threat during a NATO summit in Turkey. Details regarding aircraft changes and any direct link to the intelligence remain unverified.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, was buried on July 9, 2026, at the Imam Reza Shrine following his death. A verified Truth Social post from Donald Trump warned of missile strikes if Iran attempted to assassinate him. Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. airstrikes occurred, and a prior ceasefire ended.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) posted a tweet on July 12, 2026, quoting 'Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in…' and stated she would 'take a look' at running for Lindsey Graham's U.S. Senate seat if voters wanted her to. Mace finished fifth with 12 percent in the South Carolina governor's race held just over a month earlier. Reports differ on whether Graham's seat is vacant due to his death.

Jenny Racicot made a rape claim against Graham Platner, after which his campaign ended and he planned to file withdrawal paperwork before the July 13 deadline, according to Townhall. Platner’s top aide Morris Katz confirmed the filing plans. DSA members circulated a letter calling for candidates and officials to avoid working with Katz or Fight Agency due to its ties to Sen. John Fetterman’s consultants.

Marco Rubio stated that Tou Lue Vang was deported after the Trump administration terminated his legal status. Tim Walz served on the Minnesota pardon board that pardoned Vang, who pleaded guilty in 2005 to first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child victim. Coverage of the case originates exclusively from right-leaning outlets.

Townhall and The Daily Wire reported on a The View segment discussing Senate candidate Graham Platner amid allegations and a Nazi tattoo. Hosts contrasted Democratic responses to Platner with Susan Collins' vote on Brett Kavanaugh. ABC maintains The View qualifies as a news program exempt from equal-time rules.