T

Time

May 2026

Back-to-Back Chemical Disasters Strike as Trump Seeks to Roll Back Safety Rules

Two major incidents at chemical plants within the past week sent tens of thousands fleeing from their homes in California and left 11 people dead in Washington

Once again, we’re seeing the Trump Administration gamble with the health of entire communities, prioritizing the chemical industry’s profits, instead of doing its job to keep families safe from industrial chemical emergencies,
It’s clear that these far-left activists have no idea how to actually prevent chemical disasters. Nor do they seem to have any grasp about how EPA regulations actually work,
Given EPA officials’ deep ties to the chemical industry, the potential for the Trump administration’s proposed rollbacks to improve the bottom line of chemical companies, at the expense of people’s health, cannot be ignored,
A federal employee’s ‘previous lobbying efforts’ do not constitute any conflict of interest as defined by existing federal ethics laws or regulations,

Trump’s Name Won’t Be Coming off the Kennedy Center Just Yet, Despite Court Order

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum would not commit to removing President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center on Sunday, despite a judge’s order requiring it to be done within two weeks

Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,
The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center,
And President Trump was willing to get out, raise private funds, dedicate his time as a master builder to restore this building. And now, a judge says ‘No’,
Doug Burguminterior Secretary
I’m not sure if that’s going to be appealed or not, but I think, you know, there’s controversy on both sides of this about that ruling,
Donald Trumppresident
Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of,

Steve Hilton on His Surging Bid for California Governor

Then there’s Steve Hilton, a Republican who has a shot at being California’s next Governor

Steve Hiltonrepublican
We've had 16 years of one-party rule, and the results are in. And it's a massive disappointment on every front,
Steve Hiltonrepublican
It’s not just the visible things that you can see and anyone across the country can: the homelessness and the squalor of the big cities and smash-and-grab videos of crime rampant and all those things. But actually just the basics of life,
Steve Hiltonrepublican
There’s nowhere better than California, but we’ve just been really badly governed,
The election of a Republican Governor will change the dynamic,
We’ve got to lower the temperature. I think that we’ve had far too much confrontation. It’s unnecessary,

Trump’s Doctor Says He’s In ‘Excellent Health,’ Recommends Losing Weight

President Donald Trump has been declared in “excellent health” by the White House physician following his third known checkup since he returned to office last year

His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being,
Donald Trumppresident
They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,

Treasury Prepares to Put Trump on a $250 Bill

Joe Wilson (R, S.C.) introduced the ‘Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act,’ which was referred to the House Financial Services Committee

Scott Bessenttreasury Secretary
I don’t think that there’s anything untoward about having the person who is president of United States on the 250th anniversary bill,

Artists Withdraw From Semiquincentennial Concerts

Freedom 250, which President Donald Trump has vocally backed, announced on Wednesday nine musical performances for “The Great American State Fair,” one of many events which the Trump Administration has touted for celebrations of the country’s 250th anniversary on July 4 of the signing of the Declaration of Independence

This is to bring us all together. I’m tired of all the news channels dividing this country. We are all one. This is not a political platform. This is celebrating America’s birthday.”
The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event. And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed."
I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues,
Fab Morvanfrench singer
I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,
Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Rocket Explodes Into Flames on Launch Pad

We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,
Jeff Bezosfounder
We’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it,
Jared IsaacmannASA Administrator
Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult,
Elon Muskbillionaire
Most unfortunate. Rockets are hard,
Mike HaridopolosuS House Representative
I am grateful there were no reported injuries and thankful for the first responders, engineers, and launch crews who acted quickly. Praying for Florida’s Space Coast and everyone involved,
Launch vehicle debris is potentially hazardous, direct contact poses a risk to personal health and welfare,

The Future of AI and Trade

The models that will power future change run on a foundation of physical inputs: cables, turbines, chips, and copper

Bondi Stonewalls Questions About Trump as She Defends DOJ’s Handling of the Epstein Files

In fact, she said that she would not speak or respond to any questions that had anything to do with President Trump,
Robert Garcia (California congressman)representative
I think there are still 50 percent of the documents that have not been released to the public or the Congress. You're going to continue to get those. That's breaking the law, the Transparency Act and the subpoena. And, of course, we have additional subpoena ideas on the way,
Danielle Benskyvictim
Let us be clear: What Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche did was criminal,

What You Need to Know About FIFA's Three World Cup Opening Ceremonies

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature three opening ceremonies, with each host nation delivering a personalized, star-studded line-up of performers

Gianni InfantinofIFA president
The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,
Gianni InfantinofIFA president
These ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football [soccer] in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament,
Claudia Sheinbaummexican President
In Mexico, this concept is brought to life through the intricate and celebratory art of ‘papel picado’ [traditional Mexican craft made from cutting designs into sheets of tissue paper], a powerful symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and joy,
Music has the power to bring us all together, no matter where we’re from, and we’re proud to be a part of that celebration,

The Impact of Blue Origin's Rocket Explosion on NASA's Lunar Goals

But that’s what happened at 9:00 p.m. EDT last night at launch complex 36 on the grounds of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, when a New Glenn rocket, built by the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin aerospace company, ate itself in a massive fireball during a test of its seven first-stage engines

Jeff Bezosamazon founder
Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying,
Jared IsaacmannASA administrator
Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult,... We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”
John Logsdonamerican academic
NASA's plans for a Moon base are heavily dependent on using the New Glenn booster,
Elon Muskceo
Sorry to see this, I hope you recover quickly,
John Logsdonamerican academic
If the New Glenn booster is out of service for some months,... either the Artemis 3 schedule has to slip or NASA has to move ahead with sole dependence on the lander version of the SpaceX Starship. That option has its own problems. Starship is currently grounded after multiple problems on its last flight and the Starship lander version has never flown.”
Jared IsaacmannASA administrator
NASA is aware of the anomaly that occurred tonight at Launch Complex 36 involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,
John Logsdonamerican academic
NASA has planned Artemis on a ‘success-oriented’ schedule. That's NASA speak for setting very ambitious target dates for various milestones,

National & World Updates

The question framed a panel discussion at the inaugural TIME100 AI Leadership Forum on May 27, which featured Dr. Omar Lateef, the president and CEO of Rush University System for Health; Arianna Huffington, the founder and CEO of Thrive Global; and Neil Lindsay, senior vice president of Amazon Health Services (Amazon One Medical, an Amazon health service, was an event sponsor)

Omar Lateefdr.
If you’re born in Chicago, on Michigan Avenue, where all the bougie stores are, you live 16 years longer than if you’re born around five subway stops west, where our medical center is,
Information and data are incredibly important,... but we need to translate information and data into action.”... Otherwise
Omar Lateefdr.
The amount of time we spend on healthcare in this country dealing with inefficiencies is astronomical,
Omar Lateefdr.
Without data, you can’t treat a patient,
I don’t know when incentives will be aligned with payers and providers,
If you can synthesize the ecosystem and the information that exists outside and make it palpable, it will absolutely improve health outcomes for the people who are fortunate enough to have those devices,
Perhaps you have a urinary tract infection, or suspect you do—you can start that conversation and have an asynchronous visit with a provider. And that prescription can be sent anywhere you want,
We work on five foundational ones,... what we eat, how we sleep, how we manage our stress, how we move and exercise, and how we connect with ourselves and others.”
If you just enhance adherence, you can make a bigger difference than if you make a new medication,
When people are on Amazon, we know quite a large percentage of searchers have what we call a high health intent,

National & World Updates

We can generate a character set and a universe in a span of a couple of days, as opposed to a decade,
I think the use of AI and how we're using AI gives us the time and perspective to actually observe and hold up as a mirror of what it means to be human,

Trump Threatens to ‘Blow Up’ Oman Over Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trumppresident
The Strait is going to be open to everybody,
We’re not talking about any easing of sanctions or giving money,

The Power Hiding in Underwater Forests

These sea forests have maintained our ancestors’ fabric of life and shaped our culture as we know it today,
Swati Thiyagarajanindian conservationist, documentary filmmaker and environmental journalist
Biodiversity is the immune system of the planet. The more varied it is, the healthier the planet,
Aaron Egerresearcher
There's not often intention put into protecting kelp forests—they are just captured as part of the larger seascape when marine protected areas are created,
Aaron Egerresearcher
All carbon strategies focus on primary producers—trees, mangroves, seagrass—but a step above that is the biodiversity that maintains them, and that is rarely included in policy,
The Great African Seaforest is cold and cryptic and inspiring. I’ve been privileged enough to get to know many of its species,
Swati Thiyagarajanindian conservationist, documentary filmmaker and environmental journalist
The only seaweeds most people know are the ones that wrap around their sushi,
Aaron Egerresearcher
Kelp forests are the fabric that weaves together the ocean in our seas outside the tropics and so, when you start to pull apart the thread of that fabric, everything starts to unravel,
When you’re face-to-face with what's happening, it's absolutely terrifying,

House Democrats to Introduce Bill to Block Trump’s Triumphal Arch Amid Backlash Over ‘Vanity' Projects

Dina Titusu.S. Representative from Nevada
As President Trump strips away the necessary safety nets from Americans who are struggling to afford their basic needs like groceries and healthcare, he builds his unauthorized, grandiose Triumphal Arch,
Don Beyeramerican politician and diplomat (born 1950)
It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump’s ego,
Davis Inglewhite House Spokesperson
The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world,
Me. It’s going to be beautiful.”
A construction project of this nature, especially one previously described by President Trump as privately funded, falls well outside the intended use of NEH program funding. Allocating funds to a project that has no legal basis to proceed is an abuse of taxpayer dollars,
Nobody's ever seen anything like it,
Chuck Schumersenate Minority Leader
While Americans are getting crushed by the cost of rent, groceries, gas, health care, child care, Senate Republicans have spent their time trying to salvage a plan to force taxpayers to fund Donald Trump's gilded ballroom,

Who Will Run for President in 2028? What Potential Contenders Have Said

Even with more than two years left to go before the next presidential election, speculation about who could run is everywhere

Gretchen Whitmermichigan Governor
There will be a robust group of people running for president,
Pete Buttigiegformer Transportation Secretary
You save me a seat, I’ll be there,
Al Sharptonreverend
Just so my calendar is clear, should I be reserving a table at Sylvia’s? Are you going to run again?”
Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,
That is a debate that our party hasn’t had for a good long while, and that debate is not only going to help the Democratic party; I think it’s going to be healthy for this country,
I’m not a potential future candidate,
I’m comfortable in that,... I haven’t made any final decision.”
Al Sharptonreverend
We have, I think, some incredibly talented folks in the Democratic Party. And what I think we are poised to do, if we have this national referendum in the midterms, and if people show up in record numbers, we have an opportunity to have a real debate within our party about what we stand for, about what our affirmative vision is.”