Tom Kean Jr. Returns to Congress After Mysterious Absence, Reveals Mental Health Battle
Republican Tom Kean Jr. has returned to congress following his mysterious absence, revealing the reason for his prolonged leave.
“I’m grateful that I accepted help,” the New Jersey congressman, 57, said in a speech on the House floor during his return on Tuesday, June 30, revealing he was undergoing treatment for his mental health while away. “Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a strength.”
Kean explained that he initially went to the hospital to undergo testing for other health concerns, but was ultimately diagnosed with depression.
“Now, when people hear the word ‘depression,’ many people think … it means feeling sad, but depression is so much more than that,” he reflected. “It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.”
Related: Donald Trump Says Missing Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Is Working 'Tirelessly'
President Donald Trump is backing congressman Tom Kean Jr., who has been missing for the past three months. “Congressman Tom Kean is a Great Representative for the People of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District!” Trump, 79, wrote via Truth Social on Monday, June 2. “A Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda.” The president continued, […]Kean added that while in treatment he “began to understand” the diagnosis and realized “how long depression had been affecting my life.”
“There is no timeline for healing, there is no timeline for recovery, only the work of getting better one day at a time,” Kean shared.
Kean first stepped away from Capitol Hill back in March. One month later, the politician shared via social media that he was dealing with a “personal medical issue.”
“My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon,” Kean wrote via X in late April. “I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent.”
Kean’s absence from congress went on for three months, during which time he missed more than 140 votes.
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Deal Alert! This 44%-Off Throw-On Mini Dress Is Too Good to Leave in Your Cart View Deal“I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult,” he tweeted in April. “I am especially proud of my Congressional team, who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong.”
Related: Don Lemon Reveals He Went on Antidepressants After CNN Firing
Don Lemon is opening up about his mental health. The former CNN news anchor, 58, revealed during the Thursday, March 21, episode of the Tamron Hall Show that he had to go on antidepressants after being fired from the network in April last year. “I have suffered from depression. I take an antidepressant now, so […]Kean is also running for re-election as an unopposed Republican candidate. He will face off against Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the general election later this year. During the June primary race, President Donald Trump endorsed Kean amid the congressman’s absence.
“Tom is working tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote via X in June.
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U.S. consumer confidence rises as gas prices fall, but economic outlook remains gloomy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' attitudes toward the economy improved slightly this month as gas prices declined, but their outlook is still mostly negative by historical standards.
The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 0.6 point to 91.2 in June, a figure that is still below its year-ago reading of 95.2. Consumer attitudes worsened after the Iran war caused oil and gas prices to spike, accelerating inflation and causing Americans' inflation-adjusted incomes to decline. Before the pandemic, the index regularly topped 120.
The report suggests that consumer confidence is recovering only slowly from the hit caused by the Iran war. Even so, Americans have continued to spend despite their dour outlook, which has kept the economy growing even as inflation accelerated. Measures of consumer sentiment have been less predictive of how Americans actually shop since the pandemic.
"Consumer confidence inched up in June as falling oil prices in recent weeks provided some relief to consumer inflation fears," Dana Peterson, the Conference Board's chief economists said in a statement. "Consumer appraisals of current business conditions were slightly more positive compared to last month. However, perceptions of the current labor market softened measurably."
Earlier this month, a government report showed that consumers stepped up their spending in May despite higher gas prices. Analysts expect the steady consumer outlays kept the economy growing at about a 2.5% annual rate in the April-June quarter.
Falling gas prices may also help boost Americans' outlook in the coming months. On average nationwide, gas prices spiked above $4.50 after the U.S.-Iran conflict began Feb. 28. They have since fallen back to $3.85 a gallon, according to AAA.
The survey also found that consumers had a dimmer view of hiring and the job market this month. The proportion of Americans who said jobs are "hard to get" rose to 22.5% from 19.8% the previous month, a noticeable increase.
But on Wednesday the government released a report showing that the number of open jobs remained at a solid 7.6 million in May, indicating that companies are showing more interest in recruiting workers.
The Labor Department will release its monthly jobs report for June on Thursday, and economists forecast it will show that employers added 100,000 jobs, a solid gain. The unemployment rate is expected to stay at a low 4.3%, according to data provider FactSet.
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Future Hall of Famer ‘Seriously Contemplating Coming Out of Retirement’ for Los Angeles Rams
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Andrew Buller-RussTue, June 30, 2026 at 7:05 PM UTC·1 min readLast year, the Los Angeles Rams had one of the NFL’s best teams, reaching as far as the NFC Conference Championship, but it wasn’t enough. Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay know what a championship-caliber team looks like, and they didn’t think the Rams were there right now. So, they reacted by making the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett.
By adding the Defensive Player of the Year onto a team that already featured the NFL’s reigning MVP, some might say the Rams have assembled a bit of a super team, and now others want to join in.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAaron Donald Truly Debating Re-Joining Rams
Almost from the moment the Rams made the move for Garrett, rumors about Aaron Donald coming out of retirement surfaced. Interestingly enough, neither Donald nor the Rams have done anything to squash those rumors. If anything, they’ve only poured more fuel on the fire. Now that flame is growing again.
Recently, Vincent Bonsignore of the New York Post reported that the retired 35-year-old defensive tackle is “seriously contemplating” coming out of retirement to join the Rams in 2026.
The eight-time first-team All-Pro defender hasn’t played a snap since the end of the 2023 season, when he earned his 10th trip to the Pro Bowl. It’s an incredible feat, considering he only played 10 seasons in the NFL.
AdvertisementAdvertisementIn other words, Donald went out at the top of his game, recording eight sacks in his final year. Who’s to say he doesn’t still have a bit left in the tank? Maybe it’s enough to help the Rams win another Super Bowl ring.
Related: One NFL Trade All 32 Teams Could Make Before 2026 Season Starts
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Watch Live: House Hearing on the Devastation of Sanctuary Policies
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Argentina Fans Return Man's Lost Wallet by Chanting His Name
WATCH — World Cup: Argentina Fans Return Man’s Lost Wallet by Chanting His Name
A man at a World Cup match in Dallas, Texas, got help from more than one person when he thought his wallet was gone forever amid fan excitement.
Crowds gathered on Saturday at AT&T Stadium to watch Argentina and Jordan face off, and everyone was excited about it, Upworthy reported Monday.
However, one man among the crowd lost his wallet, but he did not expect what happened next.
Argentina’s fans apparently found the billfold and took it upon themselves to return it to him. However, they did not know how to go about finding the man until the crowd full of excited soccer fans began jumping up and down while chanting the man’s name in hopes he would hear it and come to retrieve the lost item.
WATCH:
Video footage taken at the scene showed the fans raising their arms in the air while chanting “Juan Manuel Montero!” One man in the crowd held up what looked like the wallet as he scanned the crowd, searching for its owner.
Moments later, another man approached him and gestured for the wallet while apparently handing it over to Montero. When the good deed was done, the crowd erupted into cheers yet again.
The incident happened as millions of people have traveled to the United States for the FIFA World Cup. Upon arrival, the visitors have enjoyed the nation’s culture, small towns, and food, according to KVIA.
Europeans have fallen in love with Buc-ee’s, Target, large portion sizes, and unlimited soda refills, per Breitbart News.
“We owe America a huge apology, because America is nothing like the media tells us. Everyone is so friendly — I’ve honestly had the best time,” a World Cup fan said.
Meanwhile, a report said the champions of the World Cup, which is set to conclude on July 19, will have the trophy presented to them by President Donald Trump.
“President Trump already has some experience in presenting soccer champions with their trophies. Last summer, he gave English Premier League team Chelsea their FIFA Club World Cup trophy and even hung out on stage for a celebration that went viral. So, that certainly makes it all the more believable that the president will elect to remain on stage,” according to Breitbart News.
