U.S. and world news for May 23

Trump’s court appearance: Donald Trump appears by video link in a Manhattan court to hear a judge place restrictions on his use of evidence in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The restrictions are designed to prevent Trump from posting evidence on social media and possibly tainting the pool of jurors. The judge also is requiring Trump’s lawyers to keep some materials away from Trump since the judge doesn’t think Trump can be trusted to handle the material responsibly.

Carroll seeks more damages: Writer E. Jean Carroll has amended a previously-filed lawsuit against Donald Trump and seeks more damages because he allegedly continues to defame her. Trump again has made public statements denying he sexually assaulted and defamed her even though a jury found him guilty of doing those things. Carroll is asking for at least $10 million in additional damages. Carroll already has been awarded $5 million in damages from Trump.

Dick’s financials: Dick’s Sporting Goods reports net sales for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 of $2.8 billion and income of $305 million. President and CEO Lauren Hobart said the company remains confident in its ability to drive sales and profitability growth in 2023 and over the long term.

White House barrier: Police in Washington, D.C., have arrested the driver of a truck that crashed into a security barrier protecting the White House. The driver was identified as being from Chesterfield, Missouri. Police found a Nazi flag inside of the truck. The truck was a U-Haul. Initial reports did not say where it had been rented. Charges lodged against the driver include trying to kill the president.

Debt ceiling talks: President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are due to meet again today at the White House to continue their efforts to resolve the debt ceiling situation. The government says that if the debt ceiling isn’t raised by June 1, for openers 66 million Social Security checks won’t go out, military personnel won’t be paid, the unemployment rate will jump to at least 5% and the stock market will tumble 45%.

TikTok lawsuit: TikTok has filed lawsuit to overturn the new Montana law that bans TikTok in the state effective Jan. 1, 2024. TikTok said the law is unconstitutional and violates its rights to free speech. Montana said it is concerned that the Chinese government could misuse data about Montana residents. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company.

Cover photo by Mike Mozart / Flickr Creative Commons