Top Stories

Trump Weighs Taxpayer Takeover of Spirit Airlines President Trump confirmed Thursday that his administration is considering a taxpayer-funded takeover of struggling budget carrier Spirit Airlines, saying he would do it "for the right price" with the intent of reselling the airline after oil prices drop. Sources indicate the deal could include a loan of up to $500 million. The proposal has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, with former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore calling it "corporate welfare." (CBS News; National Review)

Meta to Slash 8,000 Jobs Amid AI Push Meta announced plans to lay off approximately 8,000 employees — roughly 10% of its workforce — as the tech giant accelerates spending on artificial intelligence initiatives. The cuts mark another major round of restructuring at the social media company. (CBS News)

Iran War Drives Jet Fuel Shortage, Threatens Air Travel Chevron CEO Mike Wirth warned that the ongoing war with Iran is disrupting global oil and gas supplies, leading to a jet fuel shortage that will likely push airline fares higher and reduce available flights in the coming weeks. Industry analysts are advising travelers to book summer flights immediately before prices surge further. (CBS News)

Deadly Shooting at Mall of Louisiana One person was killed and five were injured in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after two groups reportedly got into an argument in the food court. Five suspects are in custody. (CBS News)

Oklahoma Tornado Causes Widespread Destruction A powerful tornado tore through parts of Oklahoma on Thursday, destroying homes, ripping roofs off buildings, knocking down power poles, and forcing an Air Force base to close. (CBS News)

Left Perspective

Left-leaning outlets focused heavily on what they frame as accountability gaps and policy concerns within the Trump administration. CBS News spotlighted legal scrutiny of the DOJ's indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), reporting that former federal prosecutors see significant legal flaws that could lead to partial or full dismissal. CBS also reported that only one "gold card" visa — the $1 million pathway to U.S. residency — has been approved since applications opened in December, raising questions about the program's viability. Coverage of the Spirit Airlines bailout emphasized the use of taxpayer funds and bipartisan criticism. Reporting on the DOJ's decision to ease restrictions on some marijuana products and the stalling of a federal office aiding indigent immigrants highlighted ongoing policy shifts. The resignation of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer amid workplace misconduct allegations also received prominent coverage. (CBS News)

Right Perspective

Right-leaning coverage from National Review took a firm editorial stance against the Spirit Airlines bailout, with a piece titled "Don't Lift Spirit" arguing against government intervention in the airline market. The outlet also featured cultural commentary, including a piece criticizing progressive streamer Hasan Piker and an essay lamenting what it describes as a growing "allergy to patriotism" in American culture. On the legal front, National Review praised an originalist court ruling protecting Ten Commandments displays in public spaces, calling it a "masterwork." The outlet also covered Virginia's redistricting battles, framing them as a gerrymandering war. (National Review)

International View

Iran War Fallout: The conflict with Iran continues to reverberate through global energy markets, with Chevron's CEO warning of cascading effects on air travel and fuel prices worldwide. President Trump issued an order to shoot and destroy boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. (CBS News)

Prince Harry Visits Ukraine: Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, accusing Russia of war crimes and urging the United States to do more in support of Ukraine. (CBS News)

U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions: Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended Canada's ban on U.S. liquor sales, stating "we didn't start this at all," as Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed that Canadian provinces will maintain the ban in response to Trump's tariffs. (CBS News)

Mexico Cartel Captures: Ten cartel members linked to the brother of notorious drug lord El Chapo were captured in Mexico. The U.S. has a $5 million reward outstanding for information on Aureliano Guzman Loera, known as "El Guano." (CBS News)

Underreported

U.S. Soldier Arrested for Betting on Maduro's Removal: A U.S. special forces soldier was arrested after allegedly winning $409,000 on a bet that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be removed — placed before news of a U.S. raid was publicly reported, raising serious questions about insider knowledge and potential intelligence leaks. (CBS News)

DOJ Office for Indigent Immigrants Stalls: Attorneys for a DOJ program that accredits nonprofits to provide legal help to immigrants were quietly reassigned last month, effectively stalling legal aid for vulnerable immigrant populations — a development receiving minimal mainstream attention. (CBS News)

Costco Heated Socks Recall: Nearly 208,000 pairs of 32 Degrees Heated Socks sold at Costco have been recalled after reports of first- and second-degree burn injuries. (CBS News)

Sources

• CBS News (Lean Left)
• National Review (Right)