James Comey’s ‘86 47’ indictment would seem to be bad news for lots of people — including Trump

2026-04-29T16:46:14.415Z / CNN

Analysis by

Aaron Blake

3 hr ago

PUBLISHED Apr 29, 2026, 12:46 PM ET

Former FBI director James Comey answers questions during an interview forum at the Washington Post, on May 8, 2018.

Win McNamee/Getty Images/File

The Trump administration’s second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey appears to be perched on a very slippery slope.

Comey’s alleged criminal offense is posting an image of seashells arranged to spell out “86 47.” The “86” terminology is slang typically used to describe throwing out or eliminating something, and Donald Trump is the 47th president. The administration argued from the beginning that it was a threat against Trump.

Except many Americans, including some prominent Trump allies, could be charged or at least investigated under that logic.

It’s also ironic that Trump’s Justice Department is now investigating and issuing indictments over vaguely threatening-sounding content, given Trump’s own lengthy history with such rhetoric.

It is theoretically possible there is some damning piece of evidence showing Comey understood his post to be a true threat (which the DOJ must prove). The Justice Department’s three-page indictment doesn’t go into much detail.

Back in May, when the administration initially raised this issue, Comey said he didn’t realize “86” could have some potentially violent connotations and quicky deleted the post.

But Occam’s razor would seem to point to this being a thinly constructed case. Trump has previously made clear he wants Comey indicted and, when the first indictment against the former FBI director didn’t pan out, the president and other administration officials quickly declared the seashell post was a threat before any investigation was actually conducted. Plus, this isn’t the first thin case against a Trump foe.

Even some conservative legal scholars and Trump allies have been quite skeptical of the Comey charges.

Part of the government’s problem could be proving that this isn’t selective prosecution. Many others have used the “86” formulation without it being interpreted as a threat.

Perhaps the most prominent example is pro-Trump influencer Jack Posobiec in 2022 posting “86 46.” That’s the same thing Comey posted, except substituting Biden (the 46th president) for Trump. (Posobiec has claimed Comey’s post was a call for assassination, but his post about Biden remains live to this day.)

This now-deleted Instagram post from James Comey shows seashells spelling out the numbers “86 47.”

James Comey/Instagram

Two years later, fellow pro-Trump influencer Scott Adams posted, “The Simulation says it is time to ‘86’ Biden.”

There is no evidence either man has been investigated for potential threats. Adams died in January.

Nor is there evidence of a similar investigation of Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who appeared on TV in 2020 with “86 45” displayed next to her. (Trump, of course, was also the 45th president.)

Other Trump allies have also used “86” in political contexts in ways that make clear it’s not an obvious threat.

Republican former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida in 2024 celebrated having “86’d” a series of Republicans who had been removed from leadership positions, not killed.

And, similar to Posobiec, Fox News host Jesse Watters last year concluded that Comey’s use of “86” meant he had “put a hit out on Trump.” But months later, Watters used the same term for two different people who were merely ousted from their political jobs.

And then there is just the sheer volume of “86” merchandise that’s out there. Online retailers like Amazon have been selling things with “86 47,” “86 46,” “86 45” and even “86 44” (for former President Barack Obama) emblazoned on them for years. Those items — many of which are marketed as calls to remove presidents from office, not to kill them — remain available to this day.

Is the DOJ going to investigate the people who sold and purchased such apparel?

When pressed this week on the other examples — specifically the Posobiec and Whitmer ones — acting Attorney General Todd Blanche suggested Comey’s case is somehow different, without detailing how.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks, as FBI Director Kash Patel listens, at a press conference regarding the investigation of former FBI Director James Comey’s social media photo, at the Department of Justice, on April 28.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

“The mere fact there’s a similar photo posted or similar statement made — that’s true every day,” Blanche told CBS News on Wednesday, adding: “Every one of those are not indicted. It depends on the facts of every case.”

But Blanche conceded that he had “no idea whether there was an investigation into the other times that that post has been made and whether that investigation yielded different results.”

This is also not the first time the Trump Justice Department could plausibly be accused of treating friends and foes differently while pursuing Trump’s retribution campaign.

Last year, the administration scrutinized a series of Trump foes for potential mortgage fraud, including Sen. Adam Schiff of California, New York Attorney General Letitia James (who was indicted before the case was dismissed) and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook (who Trump has tried to fire from her post over the allegations). But there is no evidence similar scrutiny has been applied to Republicans with very similar potential mortgage problems, like Texas Attorney General and Senate hopeful Ken Paxton and some Trump Cabinet officials.

The other key point here is that the Comey prosecution standard would seem to be a troubling one for Trump himself.

Trump, after all, has frequently said and posted vaguely threatening-sounding things.

• In 2016, Trump referenced how “Second Amendment people” might prevent then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton from appointing judges.
• In 2020, he posted a video of one of his supporters saying, “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.”
• In 2023, Trump posted a news article that featured an image of himself wielding a baseball bat, juxtaposed with an image of Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg. Trump’s own lawyer called it “ill-advised.”
• In early 2024, Trump shared an image of a truck with a tailgate illustrated as if to show Biden hogtied in the truck bed.
• Late in the 2024 campaign, Trump mused about a circumstance in which Liz Cheney would be “standing there with nine barrels shooting at her”.
• And he has repeatedly suggested his opponents might deserve to be executed.

This is only a small portion of Trump’s violent rhetoric, focused on things that could plausibly be argued were threatening to specific people — particularly if you’re using the newfound Comey standard.

It seems unlikely the Comey prosecution will lead to a conviction. But it could tell us a lot about how desperate the administration is getting in its quest to target Trump’s foes.

As Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN on Wednesday: “I just think it’s another example of where we’re going to regret this, because we’re setting a fairly low bar.”

Ex-FBI chief Comey released after court appearance on alleged Trump threat

2026-04-29 4:16 PM UTC / Reuters

By Mike Scarcella and Andrew Goudsward

April 29, 2026 4:16 PM UTC Updated 5 mins ago

节点运行失败

FBI Director James Comey waits before testifying at a House Intelligence Committee hearing into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

* Summary

* Comey claims innocence, attorney calls prosecution politically motivated
* Instagram post with ’86 47′ seashells cited as basis for threat charges
* Previous DOJ case against Comey for lying to Congress was dismissed by federal judge

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, April 29 (Reuters) – Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court in Virginia on Wednesday, a day after being indicted over a social media ‌post that prosecutors allege threatened President Donald Trump.

Comey turned himself in on two charges, including threatening the life of the president and transmitting threats across state lines. The former FBI director did not speak during a brief court appearance. His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said he would argue that the case is a vindictive prosecution, meaning it was brought to ​punish Comey for exercising his legal rights.

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U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick of the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Comey released and did not ​impose any special conditions. His next court appearance is expected in North Carolina, where a federal grand jury returned ⁠the indictment on Tuesday. Members of Comey’s family entered the courthouse shortly before the proceeding began.

Comey has said he is innocent and will fight ​the accusations in court.

The indictment continues the Trump Justice Department’s pursuit of Comey, who was unsuccessfully prosecuted last year in a separate case, and marks a ​renewed push to target perceived political enemies of the president with criminal prosecution. Trump last year by name in a social media post calling for criminal charges against his adversaries.

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Comey listened in court on Wednesday as Fitzpatrick read aloud the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

SEASHELL POST

The charges relate to a ​post Comey made on Instagram last May showing seashells arranged on a beach to form the numbers “86 47.”

The number “86” is a slang term originating ​in the restaurant industry that can mean to “get rid of” or throw someone out. Forty-seven is a possible reference to Trump as the 47th U.S. president.

The indictment alleged ‌that a ⁠reasonable recipient of the message would interpret it as a threat to Trump.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he viewed “86” as a “mob term.”

“People think of it as something having to do with disappearing, but the mob uses that term to say when they want to kill somebody,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Asked whether he thought the post put his life in danger, Trump responded, “Probably. I don’t know.”

Comey deleted the post shortly after it was ​published, saying he viewed it as a ​political message and was not ⁠aware that the number could be associated with violence.

Comey, a longtime Trump foe, has now faced two criminal cases from the Justice Department during Trump’s second administration. A previous case accusing him of lying to Congress was dismissed ​by a federal judge.

TRUMP RAINED AGAINST COMEY

Trump has for years railed against Comey over his role overseeing an ​FBI investigation into ⁠alleged ties between Trump’s first presidential campaign and Russian officials in 2016.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has moved quickly to carry out Trump’s demands for criminal cases. Blanche’s predecessor, Pam Bondi, was ousted in part for not moving fast enough on them.

Since Blanche took over the top post earlier this month, the Justice Department ⁠has brought criminal ​charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, reinstated the firing squad and electrocution as options for ​the federal death penalty, released a critical report on past prosecutions of anti-abortion activists and indicted an aide to Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, ​for allegedly concealing records related to COVID-19 research.

Reporting by Mike Scarcella and Andrew Goudsward; Additional reporting by Susan Heavy; Editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio

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Trump’s behind-the-scenes enforcer pulls back the curtain in rare public move

April 29, 2026 1:54pm EDT / Fox News

Trump’s top aide says she welcomes ‘different viewpoints’ and will share ‘insights and information’

By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles details her path to the West Wing and comments on the success of the second Trump administration on ‘My View with Lara Trump.’

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White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, one of President Donald Trump’s most influential but least public-facing advisers, launched an X account Tuesday to share updates from inside the administration.

“I’m joining X to share occasional updates about the work we do at the White House. We are relentlessly focusing on advancing President Trump’s agenda and delivering on promises to the American people,” her first post read. “I welcome different viewpoints. Follow along for insights and information.”

Her newly formed account has amassed nearly 300,000 followers since its launch this week. Wiles is seen very often with the president, sitting in on high-level meetings and standing by his side at events, but Trump’s chief of staff rarely speaks directly to the public.

WHO IS SUSIE WILES, TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF? 5 THINGS TO KNOW

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles launched her own X account on Monday.(Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

Her account only follows six users, all media outlets: Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC News, The New York Times, and CBS News.

“NEW MUST FOLLOW: White House Chief of Staff @SusieWiles47,” the White House’s Rapid Response account shared her first post writing.

JOE CONCHA: MY TOP FIVE ‘CRINGE’ JEAN-PIERRE MOMENTS

The White House directed Fox News Digital to her first post when approached for additional comment.

Wiles worked on all three of Trump’s presidential campaigns.(Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Trump made history when he appointed the first woman to serve as his chief of staff, saying Wiles was integral to his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.

FOX NEWS POLITICS NEWSLETTER: TRUMP DECLARES HIMSELF VENEZUELA’S ‘ACTING PRESIDENT’

Wiles has been dubbed the “Ice Maiden” by Trump, which he noted in his 2024 victory speech, for hard-nosed approach to handling business.

Susie Wiles is the first female chief of staff.(Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg)

Wiles is a longtime Trump ally, first throwing her support behind him in 2015 when she became the Trump campaign’s co-chairwoman in Florida.

“As a card-carrying member of the G.O.P. establishment, many thought my full-throated endorsement of the Trump candidacy was ill-advised — even crazy,” Wiles told the New York Times in a rare public statement back in 2016.

Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for Fox News Digital.

FEMA’s disaster relief fund hits red zone ahead of hurricane season

2026-04-29T12:21:00-0400 / CBS News

By

Updated on: April 29, 2026 / 12:30 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — With hurricane season just weeks away, FEMA has officially entered a financial danger zone — forcing the agency to limit spending to only the most urgent, life-saving needs amid the partial government shutdown.

The move, known as Imminent Needs Funding, is triggered when FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund drops below $3 billion.

And the timing couldn’t be worse.

“Disasters are unpredictable. They’re very costly. We don’t know what could happen between now and June 1,” said FEMA Associate Administrator Victoria Barton.

FEMA hasn’t stopped working outright, but the disaster agency must now sharply narrow how it spends federal disaster dollars — prioritizing immediate emergency response, direct aid to survivors and critical infrastructure protection, while delaying many reimbursements and longer-term recovery projects.

FEMA’s funding strain also impacts the pay of its own essential workers. Roughly 10,000 staff — including permanent employees and disaster-response personnel hired under the Stafford Act — are paid out of the Disaster Relief Fund, even during a government shutdown. Those payroll costs alone run between $300 million to $400 million per month, according to congressional and agency budget estimates, which makes staffing costs one of the largest ongoing draws on the fund, even as FEMA shifts into its red zone.

Spending tightens before trigger

Even before formally entering that status, officials had begun slowing or selectively approving some payments as they approached the cutoff.

Reimbursements tied to past disasters — including billions in outstanding pandemic-related aid — were increasingly handled on a case-by-case basis, rather than at normal speed.

“A lot of those reimbursements are for rural hospitals … but now that we’re in immediate needs funding, those payments are going to be paused,” Barton told CBS News.

Uncharted territory during shutdown

FEMA has used Imminent Needs Funding nine times over the past two decades. But officials say entering that posture during an active government funding lapse would be unprecedented, adding new uncertainty about how long disaster operations could be sustained.

The risk grows if funding continues to fall. In an extreme scenario, officials acknowledge that a fully depleted disaster fund could eventually halt not only recovery payments but also affect staffing funded through the account.

If multiple disasters hit — or a major hurricane strikes — the system could be pushed to its limits.

“The potential response efforts … could be wiped out if there’s no disaster relief funding,” Barton warned.

Disaster costs can escalate quickly. Major disasters routinely run into the tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars — with Hurricane Katrina causing about $160 billion in damage and Hurricane Harvey about $125 billion.

FEMA itself does not cover all of those expenses, but it plays a central role in helping communities recover. Under federal law, the agency typically reimburses at least 75% of eligible disaster costs for state and local governments, including debris removal, emergency response and infrastructure repair — with the federal share sometimes rising even higher after the most catastrophic events.

Hurricane season raises stakes

The timing is particularly concerning with hurricane season beginning June 1.

The funding threshold FEMA uses is designed to ensure the agency can respond to at least one major catastrophic event. Dropping below that level increases the risk that multiple disasters — or overlapping national security events — could strain available resources.

Officials warn that entering hurricane season with reduced reserves could leave communities more exposed if major storms or other emergencies occur in quick succession.

Broader operational impacts

Beyond funding, the shutdown is disrupting FEMA’s broader preparedness efforts.

Training programs for emergency managers and first responders have been curtailed, affecting tens of thousands of participants each week. The agency has also scaled back coordination with state and local partners and has already missed key preparedness events ahead of hurricane season.

FEMA has also been absent from key national coordination events ahead of hurricane season, including the National Hurricane Conference and National Emergency Management Association Midyear Forum. These gatherings, often overlooked outside emergency management circles, are where plans are refined and relationships forged before disasters strike.

Meanwhile, DHS officials say the National Flood Insurance Program is operating under severe limitations, delaying policy renewals and disrupting real estate markets in flood-prone regions.

Those disruptions are compounding financial pressures as officials race to maintain readiness while operating with limited resources and staffing uncertainty.

FEMA officials say the solution isn’t just refilling the disaster fund — it’s restoring full funding across the entire Department of Homeland Security.

“We really need to think about funding the entire organization so that we can properly serve the American people,” Barton said.

By Laura Coates and Manu Raju, CNN

Published 12:53 PM EDT, Wed April 29, 2026

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Laura Coates: Supreme Court ruling makes Voting Rights Act ‘not just a toothless tiger, you’ve got no tiger’

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CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst and anchor Laura Coates joins “Inside Politics” after the Supreme Court ruled to limit the reach of the Voting Rights Act. Coates tells Manu Raju, “All you have now is the theory that you have to trust people who are in power to do things that are in the best interest of those who are not.”

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Leaked audio shocker: UK envoy says US ‘special relationship’ not with Britain, but another ally

2026-04-29T12:34:16-04:00 / Fox News

Sir Christian Turner’s leaked remarks to students come as King Charles visits Washington amid US–UK diplomatic strains

By Efrat Lachter Fox News

Published April 29, 2026 12:34pm EDT

Leaked remarks from Britain’s ambassador to the U.S. suggesting Washington’s “one true special relationship” is with Israel — not the United Kingdom — have sparked political backlash in London.

Sir Christian Turner reportedly told a group of British students earlier in 2026 that the United States’ one true “special relationship” is “probably Israel,” not the United Kingdom, according to leaked audio first reported by the Financial Times.

The remarks, made privately but leaked publicly during King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s high-profile visit to Washington and New York amid efforts to repair strained relations, have placed fresh scrutiny on Britain’s standing in Washington at a particularly sensitive diplomatic moment.

Turner reportedly stressed that Britain’s ties with the U.S. remain deeply intertwined, particularly on defense and security.

‘TRUMP EFFECT’ ON DISPLAY AS UK’S STARMER BOOSTS DEFENSE SPENDING ON EVE OF US VISIT

“There is a deep history and affinity between us. Particularly on defence and security, we are intertwined,”according to leaked audio cited by British media. “The relationship will carry on, if you want, being ‘special,’ but I think it’s going to have to be different.”

President Donald Trump met with Britain’s King Charles III in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a state visit. Britain’s Ambassador to the U.S. Christian Turner, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present.(Alex Brandon/AP)

Turner also said, according to the transcript, that Britain and Europe must “work to redefine” their relationship with Washington, particularly in terms of defense, rather than relying on a U.S. security umbrella.

The leak comes after recent strains between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including disagreements over Britain’s posture toward U.S.–Israeli military action against Iran. Trump previously criticized Starmer publicly, saying he was “not Winston Churchill.”

An embassy spokesperson and a U.K. Foreign Office spokesperson sought to distance the government from the leaked remarks, telling Fox News Digital: “These were private, informal comments made to a group of U.K. sixth-form students visiting the U.S. in early February. They are certainly not any reflection of the U.K. government’s position.”

The wide-ranging informal discussion, the spokesperson explained, focused on diplomacy and the political issues of the day that students asked questions about, stressing that the remarks were clearly never intended as on-record statements of government policy.

PRINCE WILLIAM VIEWS TRUMP RELATIONSHIP AS KEY TO MONARCHY’S FUTURE: EXPERT

President Donald Trump speaks with Britain’s King Charles III during a state dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 28, 2026.(Aaron Schwartz/AFP)

Still, the controversy raises broader questions that extend beyond diplomatic optics: whether the symbolic “special relationship” between Washington and London has been eclipsed by more immediate U.S. strategic priorities, particularly Israel’s central role in American Middle East security calculations.

Barak Seener, senior fellow at the London-based Henry Jackson Society, said Turner’s remarks reflected a hard strategic reality rather than a diplomatic blunder.

“Ambassador Christian Turner was giving a realistic assessment that echoed President Trump’s criticism of NATO, calling it a ‘paper tiger’ for not contributing to joint U.S.-Israel-led operations against Iran,” Seener told Fox News Digital.

Seener pointed to his recent report, “Israel 2048: A Blueprint for an Asymmetric Geopolitical Power,” arguing that Israel’s expanding military capabilities increasingly function as a force multiplier for U.S. regional interests. By contrast, Seener argued, Britain’s modern strategic value has weakened despite its historic rhetoric.

“King Charles, in his recent speech to the U.S. Congress, was forced to emphasise the U.K. and U.S.’s shared culture and history rather than recent military contributions simply because the U.K.’s naval and military capabilities have been completely hollowed out,” Seener said.

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King Charles made history as the second British monarch to address Congress, after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, first did so in 1991.(Henry Nicholls/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

He added that Charles’ invocation of past joint sacrifices “does not bear any relevance to today” given Britain’s reported refusal to allow U.S. use of Royal Air Force bases for strikes on Iran.

The White House, however, emphasized continuity over controversy, telling Fox News Digital that, “President Trump has enjoyed welcoming Their Majesties to the White House this week, including yesterday morning, when he highlighted the historic, special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.

“The events of this visit are unprecedented in scope and spectacle, and the President enjoyed hosting a beautiful State Dinner yesterday evening,” she added.

Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.

Florida legislature approves new congressional map intended to boost Republicans in midterms

2026-04-29T19:22:14.619Z / Associated Press, CNN Politics

State senators listen to debate on SB 8-D, a redistricting bill, during a special session of the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee, Florida, on Wednesday.

Mike Stewart/AP

The Florida Legislature on Wednesday approved a new congressional map intended to maximize Republicans’ advantage in the state as part of the national redistricting battle that President Donald Trump launched ahead of this year’s midterms.

The vote came just two days after Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposal and the same day that the US Supreme Court rolled back a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The decision could make it harder for Democrats to challenge Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts in ways that limit the influence of nonwhite voters.

DeSantis’ map could increase Republicans’ advantage in Florida’s House delegation to 24 to 4, up from the current split of 20 to 8. The potential four-seat gain is the same as what Virginia Democrats expect from a recent redistricting referendum, which is being challenged in state court there.

Florida’s new map is certain to face lawsuits as well, especially because the state constitution prohibits redistricting for explicitly partisan purposes. DeSantis and his aides believe those provisions will not be a legal barrier because they have been weakened previously by the Florida Supreme Court and again by Wednesday’s US Supreme Court ruling.

A state senator’s laptop displays a proposed congressional redistricting plan during debate on SB 8-D on Wednesday.

Mike Stewart/AP

Florida Republicans, comfortable in their supermajority in both legislative chambers, said little about the new districts during the whirlwind special session. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Republican of Fort Myers, limited her remarks to careful answers about an “evolving legal landscape” as Democrats asked her about the redistricting effort.

“I believe that there is a likelihood that that map will be upheld against legal challenge,” Persons-Mulicka said.

Democrats decried it as a partisan power play to satisfy Trump and hurt the majority of registered Florida voters who are not Republicans.

“Y’all are doing this because y’all’s daddy in the White House is injecting national political objectives into what should be a state-driven process,” Rep. Michele Rayner, Democrat of St. Petersburg, told her Republican colleagues.

A WWII-era gift, historic speech and more highlights from King Charles’ visit to Washington, D.C.

2026-04-29 12:32 PM EDT / CBS News

By Emily Mae Czachor News Editor
Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She typically covers breaking news, extreme weather and issues involving social justice. Emily Mae previously wrote for outlets like the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

Read Full Bio

King Charles gifted President Trump a British World War II relic with his name on it, delivered rousing remarks to Congress, and cracked quite a few historical jokes during his state visit to Washington, D.C., alongside Queen Camilla

Here are some of the standout moments and photos from their visit:

Charles gifts Trump WWII-era submarine bell

The king presented Mr. Trump with an original bell that once hung aboard the HMS Trump, a British submarine used during World War II. The bell bore an inscription that read “Trump 1944.”

President Trump and Britain’s King Charles III smile beside the original bell from the HMS Trump, a World War II-era submarine inscribed “Trump 1944,” a gift from the king, during a state dinner at the White House on April 28, 2026. Henry Nicholls /AFP via Getty Images

The bell from the HMS Trump, gifted by King Charles III to President Trump. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images

In remarks at the dinner, Charles focused on the relationship between the U.K. and U.S. that has grown over the 250 years since America declared independence from Britain. He praised America’s “audacious and visionary act of self-determination” when it broke from the British Empire and said he was there “to renew an indispensable alliance.”

“Our people have fought and fallen together in defense of the values we cherish,” the king said.

Charles also cracked a few historical jokes. In one, he referenced the ballroom Mr. Trump is looking to build on the grounds of the White House after the demolition of the East Wing.

“I cannot help noticing readjustments to the East Wing. I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate development in the White House in 1814,” the king quipped.

State dinner guests included justices, tech leaders

Tuesday’s state dinner was a highly anticipated event on the British monarchs’ travel itinerary, with a formal dress code and a guest list including a roster of tech industry giants, business moguls and government leaders.

Ahead of the official state dinner, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump posed for a photo with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Grand Foyer of the White House on April 28, 2026. Alex Brandon / AP

On the list, released by first lady Melania Trump’s office, were the Supreme Court’s six conservative justices, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook and Paramount CEO David Ellison, among others. (Paramount Skydance is the parent company of CBS News.)

Administration officials in attendance included Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Three of the president’s children, Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany, were also there with their spouses.

Guests at the state dinner with Queen Camilla and King Charles III in the East Room of the White House on April 28, 2026. Craig Hudson / The Washington Post / Bloomberg via Getty Images

At the dinner, Charles referenced previous comments by Mr. Trump aimed at European allies he claims are not paying their fair share on defense.

“You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German,” the British monarch said, adding: “Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French.”

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump toast King Charles at a state dinner at the White House on April 28, 2026. Craig Hudson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Charles addressed Congress

The king became the first British monarch in more than three decades to address Congress, when he delivered a speech Tuesday before a joint meeting at the U.S. Capitol. He and Camilla received a standing ovation from a packed House chamber when they arrived.

King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress on April 28, 2026. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more. President Lincoln understood this so well, with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do,” the king said in his speech, which lasted almost 30 minutes.

“And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world.”

The king leaves Congress after addressing the joint meeting Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Kylie Cooper/Pool via AP

Charles’ congressional remarks also included some levity. He kicked off the speech with a joke: “And for all of that time, our destinies as Nations have been interlinked. As Oscar Wilde said, ‘We really have everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language!’”

A military flyover and cannon salute at welcome ceremony

Charles and Camilla were welcomed to the White House with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, which included a military flyover and cannon salute.

A state arrival ceremony welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House for a visit with President Trump on April 28, 2026. Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

Mr. Trump delivered remarks at the ceremony, sharing that his late mother “loved” the royal family and referencing the “special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K.

King Charles and President Trump shake hands during an arrival ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House. Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP

“That understanding of our nation’s unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship,” the president said. “And we hope it will always remain that way.”

President Trump, King Charles, Queen Camilla and first lady Melania Trump stand on a White House balcony during the arrival ceremony for the British monarchs. Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump during the welcome ceremony. Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Oval Office meeting

After finishing his remarks at the arrival ceremony, Mr. Trump, the first lady and the British royals observed a military procession and then entered the White House for talks that were closed to members of the press.

The president and the king entered the Oval Office just before noon, with the first lady and the queen following behind. Mr. Trump and Charles held a bilateral meeting, which the president later called “really good.”

“It was a really good meeting. He’s a fantastic person. They’re incredible people and it’s a real honor,” he said.

President Trump and King Charles meet in the Oval Office of the White House. Alex Brandon / AP

Caroline Linton, Joe Walsh and Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.

‘Shark Tank’ star backs Trump’s White House ballroom plan amid security concerns: ‘It’s bipartisan’

April 29, 2026 3:51pm EDT / Fox News

O’Leary says the $400M project would showcase the ‘American Dream’ and serve future presidents of both parties

By Kiera McDonald Fox News

“Shark Tank” star and investor Kevin O’Leary backed President Donald Trump’s push for a White House ballroom as a way to showcase the “American Dream” and serve future administrations of both parties, days after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

“I don’t think the ballroom’s a partisan issue, it’s bipartisan because one day there’ll be a Democratic president that’ll use the ballroom,” O’Leary told Fox News Digital.

The comments come as congressional Republicans push to approve the ballroom following the shooting at the Washington Hilton ballroom during the annual event attended by hundreds of journalists and Cabinet officials. Lawmakers believe this would offer a secure venue for future events.

O’Leary argued the project, opposed by many Democrats, would also elevate the “American brand” on the world stage.

REPUBLICANS EYE PICKING UP $400M TAB FOR TRUMP’S BALLROOM AS SOME DEMS OPEN TO ‘DISCUSS’ IDEA

Kevin O’Leary visits the set of “Outnumbered” at Fox News Channel Studios in New York City on April 18, 2024.(Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

“I want the ballroom because I believe in pomp and circumstance, the American brand,” he added.

He said the nation’s image is more than just the economy.

“People think it’s exporting technology or exporting energy,” he said. “It’s not. It’s the American Dream and so you want to showcase that.”

He added the ballroom would bring this image to life.

“Let’s get that ballroom fired up and show the world the American Dream,” he said. “That’s what it is.”

He noted the project would not rely on taxpayer dollars. President Trump said the project would be privately financed through personal contributions and outside donors.

WALZ REPEATS DEBUNKED CLAIM THAT TRUMP CONSIDERS WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM ‘TOP PRIORITY’

President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the planned White House Ballroom extension during a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C.(Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)

“My lobbyist over here said the taxpayers are not paying for it,” he said. “So then why not let them have a ballroom? I don’t get it.”

However, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., proposed new legislation this week that would fund the project using customs fees on imports to cover the cost.

A lawsuit and court-ordered injunction halted construction of the 90,000-square-foot, $400 million ballroom. A federal court ruled in March that construction must stop without congressional approval, but an appeal allowed limited below-ground construction to continue.

O’Leary addressed Saturday’s shooting, saying it unfolded “at a moment’s notice.”

“No one was hurt, thank goodness,” he said. “I think there’ll be a lot of investigations on that stuff.”

The suspect was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, Calif. He is facing charges of attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

STEPHEN A SMITH TELLS POLITICIANS, MEDIA TO STOP GIVING ‘LIP SERVICE’ ON CIVILITY AFTER WHCA DINNER SHOOTING

Agents stand guard after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Authorities said the suspect sent a manifesto to family members outlining his intent to target President Trump and other Cabinet officials.

President Trump said at a news conference Saturday night the shooting reinforces the need for a White House ballroom.

“We need the ballroom,” he said. “That’s why the Secret Service, that’s why the military are demanding it. They’ve wanted the ballroom for 150 years for lots of different reasons. But today is a little bit different, because today we need levels of security that probably nobody’s ever seen before.”

O’Leary expressed doubts about the future of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and raised concerns about securing large-scale events.

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“I also wonder about long-term if that dinner’s going to survive, because providing the security for 2,600 people is next to impossible,” he said.

Fox News Digital’s Adam Pack and Alex Miller contributed to this report.

Kiera McDonald is a Production Assistant for Fox News Digital.

Afghan man convicted of conspiracy in deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport during US withdrawal

2026-04-29 2:19 PM ET / Associated Press

This courtroom sketch depicts Justice Department prosecutor John Gibbs speaking as defense attorneys Lauren Rosen, Geremy Kamens, from center middle seated, defendant Mohammad Sharifullah, and an interpreter, listen along with Judge Anthony John Trenga during the opening day of the trial for Sharifullah in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, Monday, April 20, 2026. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)

Dana Verkouteren/AP

An alleged Islamic State militant was convicted on Wednesday of a conspiracy charge in a deadly suicide bombing at a Kabul airport during the US military’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Mohammad Sharifullah faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years after his one-count conviction in an international terrorism case that President Donald Trump heralded last year during a speech to a joint session of Congress. Sharifullah didn’t testify at his weeklong trial.

Approximately 160 Afghans and 13 US service members were killed in the August 26, 2021, attack at the airport, where US troops were conducting an evacuation operation when a lone suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device near an entry point known as Abbey Gate.

A federal jury in Virginia convicted Sharifullah of providing material support to an Islamic State regional branch known as ISIS-K. But the jurors deadlocked on whether any deaths at the airport “resulted from” that conspiracy.

Sharifullah could have faced a possible life sentence if the jury had unanimously decided that question.

Sharifullah didn’t appear to have any visible reaction to the verdict. US District Judge Anthony Trenga didn’t immediately set a date for Sharifullah’s sentencing.

Defense attorney Lauren Rosen argued that prosecutors failed to present any evidence tying Sharifullah to the bombing besides his own words during hours of FBI questioning. Rosen said Sharifullah told FBI agents what he thought they wanted to hear, possibly because he was afraid of being tortured in Pakistani custody before he was brought to the US.

“The problem was, he didn’t know much about what actually happened that day,” Rosen told jurors during the trial’s closing arguments. “The government has told you nothing about how this attack actually happened.”

Justice Department prosecutor Ryan White said Sharifullah played a crucial role in planning the Abbey Gate bombing and was involved in several other attacks by ISIS-K, including its March 2024 attack at a Moscow concert hall that killed roughly 140 people.

“The defendant thought nothing of killing,” White said. “For him, it was just another day at the office.”

A review by US Central Command found that the Abbey Gate bomber was Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an Islamic State group militant who had been released from an Afghan prison by the Taliban. Sharifullah recognized the alleged bomber as an operative he had known while incarcerated, according to an FBI affidavit.

A former Marine testified to Congress that he and others had spotted two possible suspects behaving suspiciously on the morning of the bombing but didn’t get permission to act. However, the Central Command review concluded that the snipers hadn’t seen the actual bomber and that the attack was not preventable.

A prosecutor assigned to the Abbey Gate case was fired last year after a right-wing commentator publicly criticized him over his work during President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration. Michael Ben’Ary’s ouster was part of a broader purge of Justice Department veterans deemed to be insufficiently loyal to Trump, a Republican.