Biden re-emerges to defend Social Security as Trump cuts agency staff:

"These sweeping, reckless cuts of experienced intelligence personnel by the Trump administration will undoubtedly undermine our ability to detect and respond to threats and make America less safe."— Sen. Mark R. Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed concern about the impact of the planned cuts.

The America that I’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and, regardless of its faults, is a great country with a great people, so will survive this moment.— Bruce Springsteen spoke during a concert in Manchester about the current political situation in the USA.

"I had no intention of promoting violence."— James Comey explains that he was unaware of the potential connotation of his Instagram post.

BREAKING: In a stunning move, Moody's has downgraded the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1—for the first time in history. That's right: the only major credit agency that hadn't downgraded us under Trump just did. Who else enjoying all this 'economic winning' under Trump?— Democratic strategist Chris Jackson posted on X, formerly Twitter, in response to Moody's downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.

I think it's sad the way it ended.— Patricia McEnerney, a 74-year-old Democrat in Goodyear, Arizona, expresses her opinion on Biden's decision to run again.

We don’t want war, but we’re ready to fight for a year, two, three, however long it takes.— Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide, during peace talks in Istanbul.

"I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT."— Donald Trump expressed this on Truth Social after Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris.

Springsteen is 'not a talented guy - just an obnoxious, unbearable idiot.'— Donald Trump about Bruce Springsteen on Truth Social.

We're making great progress for the $1.4 trillion that UAE has announced it intends to spend in the United States.— Donald Trump during his visit to Abu Dhabi, discussing UAE's investments in the U.S.

"The Gulf has always gotten along better with business-first presidents, and President Trump fits that mold perfectly."— Tarik Solomon, board member and former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, discussing the relationship between the Gulf and Trump.

Macron is not just dictatorial, but if things go in this rhythm, in 20-50 years we won’t be able to talk of the France that we know.— George Simion made this statement during a live talk show in Paris, criticizing Emmanuel Macron's influence.

"President Zelensky was ready for the meeting - President Putin never showed up."— Ursula von der Leyen regarding the negotiations between Zelensky and Putin.

"Tim, you are my friend, I have treated you very well."— Donald Trump discusses his relationship with Tim Cook and the pressure he is putting on him to increase production in the USA.

"I want them [Iran] to succeed, I want them to end up being a great country."— Donald Trump spoke during his Gulf tour in Qatar.

President Trump, keep making America great. I'm ready to go.— Glen Rogers, just before his execution.

The claims of a 'genocide against whites' in South Africa are a debunked conspiracy theory.— The chatbot Grok, developed by xAI, describes the controversial theory regarding the alleged genocide.

The African Union called last week for the immediate release of Ali Bongo's family and for guarantees that their rights and health would be protected.— The African Union expressed this demand in a statement.

"An investigation is under way to first find those responsible and the motive behind this situation."— Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, during her regular morning press conference.

As South Africans, we are resilient. We don't run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems. When you run away you are a coward, and that's a real cowardly act.— President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at an agricultural exhibition in the Free State province.

"This order reflects the original meaning of the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed citizenship to the children of former slaves, not illegal aliens or temporary visitors."— D. John Sauer, the U.S. Solicitor General, spoke to the Supreme Court about Trump's directive.

"I regret posting that very personal opinion of mine."— Kangana Ranaut expressed her feelings about sharing her opinion on Trump on social media.

I was sleeping and I thought the house fell on us. I went into a state of shock… I thought I was a martyr.— A teenage boy, Ahmad Al-Safi, who had been displaced from northern Gaza, describes his experience after an airstrike in Khan Younis.

"I think we want to start with the initial waiver, which will allow foreign partners who wanted to flow in aid to begin to do so without running the risk of sanctions."— Marco Rubio, during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers where he commented on President Trump's announcement to lift sanctions on Syria.

Given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins.— Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, on an earnings call.