Trump says hostilities with Iran "have terminated" in War Powers letter & other top trending stories

[0:06] I'm Ashan Singh. Happy Friday. It's May 1st. You've got questions and we've got answers. [0:11] This is Searched, where we're breaking down what you're asking right now in real time. [0:15] Let's get right to it. We've got our Maya Ephraim here. She oversees our online search trends. [0:19] Maya, happy Friday. What are people searching for right now? [0:23] Hi, Ashan. Starting with global headlines, the situation with Iran continues to dominate [0:27] search as people look for clarity on whether we're still at war. That's because today marks [0:31] the 60-day War Powers resolution deadline for the conflict. And Ashan, if you've filled up [0:35] your tank lately, you aren't alone in your frustration. Rising gas prices are a major [0:39] point of concern, and people are searching for whether there's relief in sight. [0:44] And moving on to sports, we cannot talk about the NBA playoffs without talking about those [0:47] New York Knicks. They didn't just win big. They made history with a historic [0:51] halftime blowout against the Hawks, marking the largest halftime lead ever [0:55] recorded in NBA playoff history. Now, with round two on the horizon, fans [0:59] want to know how the bracket is looking, and when injured players like Anthony Edwards [1:03] and Luka Doncic will return. Finally, President Trump has signed an executive [1:07] order creating retirement accounts for workers who don't currently have access to a 401k [1:12] or another workplace plan. This major change could impact millions of Americans, and today [1:17] people are searching for what these new rules mean for IRAs, 401ks, and other retirement savings [1:22] accounts. [1:23] Wow, busy day ahead. Maya, thank you so much, and we'll see you in just a bit. [1:27] All right, let's first get to the war with Iran. Hitting its 60-day mark, Tom Sufi-Burge is reporting [1:32] live from Tel Aviv, Israel, where he's been covering the conflict for us. Tom, thanks [1:36] so much for joining us. People on search are getting right to it. When is this conflict [1:40] going to end, man? [1:44] That is the question, isn't it, Ashut? I mean, people, businesses, governments all around [1:47] the world want to know for lots of different reasons, and, you know, there isn't a simple [1:52] answer to that. I mean, at the moment, there is a ceasefire. There is a U.S. military blockade [1:56] in place. Iran is also threatening the Strait of Hormuz to the west of there. In simple terms, [2:02] it will end when Iran and the U.S. do a deal, an agreement, a long-term agreement, but at [2:07] the moment, there's no sign that we're even inching towards that. [2:10] Yeah, Tom, a lot of searches about that 60-day deadline. President Trump conveniently declared [2:14] that the conflict was terminated today. We know that's not true. What do we know about [2:18] the 60-day deadline, and why is it so important? [2:23] Yeah, it matters because when President Trump launched this war, he didn't get congressional [2:28] approval, so therefore, under U.S. law, there is a 60-day period, and when that's up, that's [2:32] today, he has to go back to Congress and ask for approval. In this letter, he's basically [2:37] saying that because of the ceasefire, the war has stopped. In his words, as you say, [2:41] Ashen, terminated. But there is a U.S. military blockade still in place, and many Democrats [2:47] would take big issue with that. [2:49] Yeah, Tom, people are wondering about the status of these peace talks. President Trump [2:54] says that Iran's leadership is disjointed. Is that true? [2:56] There's always been factions in Iran, right? Moderates, hardliners, pragmatists, theologians. [3:05] Look, at the beginning of the war, Israel and the U.S. took out a lot of the Iranian leadership, [3:10] namely the supreme leader. But what's true now was always true in the past. The IRGC, [3:15] the military in Iran, is very, very powerful. A lot of the key figures that we're seeing being [3:20] rumored, really, as being the key figures in Iran today are linked or in the IRGC, the military, [3:26] effectively. And therefore, I think it's hard to know to what extent those divisions are really [3:31] impacting both the leadership of the country right now and also the talks with the U.S. [3:35] Tom, I know you're in the Middle East right now, but these gas prices over here in the states [3:39] are crazy. People are wondering just when are the prices going to decrease? We've seen daily [3:45] searches about the Strait of Ormuz. They're looking up the traffic. Is the gas coming? Are ships [3:50] coming through the strait? [3:51] Very few, like single numbers every day. I mean, some ships are allowed through by Iran. They have [3:58] to ask permission to the Iranians. They have to follow a route, which the Iranians give them. [4:02] And even those ships, if they get through, then they have to pass the U.S. military blockade to [4:06] the east of there. Any ship linked to Iran won't be allowed through the U.S. military blockade. [4:11] So we're talking very, very small numbers, a fraction of the usual traffic pre-war. [4:16] Tom, thank you so much. Appreciate you, man. [4:18] All right, let's take it back to the hardwood. For the other story, you guys cannot stop asking [4:22] about the NBA playoffs. More than half a million searches. ESPN's Tim McMahon is tracking all the [4:28] action. Tim, thank you for joining us, man. Over 500,000 searches, taking a look just at the [4:34] Nuggets and Timberwolves from last night. I mean, break it down for us. They did it. The Wolves got it [4:39] done without Anthony Edwards. [4:40] Yeah, without Anthony Edwards, without his backcourt mate, Dante DiVincenzo, an injury-ravaged [4:48] Wolves team, pulled off a massive upset, knocking out three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic in the Denver [4:54] Nuggets. And listen, Jaden McDaniels is a guy who was talking a lot of trash early in the series, [4:59] considered a role player really come into this series. 32 points and 10 rebounds, shut down [5:05] Jamal Murray in the closeout win. So a massive win for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a [5:11] just a devastating disappointment for Nikola Jokic in the Denver Nuggets. [5:15] Tim, we saw a massive uptick in searches of the biggest blowout in NBA history. Now, [5:20] the Knicks didn't quite get that accolade, but what do we know about their beatdown in [5:25] Atlanta last night? [5:27] I mean, listen, the game was over at halftime. It was the biggest halftime deficit in NBA [5:32] playoff history. It was the biggest road win for the New York Knicks in franchise history, [5:37] regular season or postseason. And I mean, let's just be honest, it's an [5:41] absolutely humiliating way for the Atlanta Hawks to end their season. This is a series [5:46] the Hawks led 2-1 at one point. They got two one-point wins and the Knicks win the series [5:52] in six with a 105-point differential overall. So it's as lopsided as a six-game series could [5:59] possibly be. [6:00] Tim, people are looking up predictions for tonight's full slate of NBA matchups. What [6:05] should they be looking forward to tonight? [6:07] I mean, there's a lot of anticipation and a lot of excitement about the Lakers in Houston [6:13] to play the Rockets for game six of that series. The Rockets are trying to become the first team [6:18] in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. And they're trying to do it without Kevin Durant. [6:24] The Rockets, frankly, kicked away game three to fall in that 3-0 hole. They've scratched out a couple [6:30] of wins since then. And, you know, unfortunately, this series is as much about who's not on the floor [6:35] as who is. Luka Doncic is yet to play. Kevin Durant has only played in the one game. [6:40] But anytime you have LeBron James on the floor, there's obviously going to be a ton of interest [6:45] in 41-year-old LeBron James. Played 39 minutes just 48 hours ago. That is difficult math anyway [6:51] that you cut it up. We'll see how much he's got left in the tank tonight as the Lakers try to close [6:56] that series out. [6:57] Tim, he keeps turning about the clock, but we keep seeing searches about Luka Doncic's injury. [7:02] What do we know about that? When can we actually see him back on the court? [7:05] To be determined, it's not going to be in this series. We'll see if the Lakers can get [7:09] to a second round to give him a chance to come back. But, you know, he's pretty early still [7:16] in that return to play protocol. He hasn't done any of the, like, three-on-three, even, [7:22] much less full-court scrimmaging. There is hope that at some point, if the Lakers can get to the [7:27] second round to play the defending champion, Oklahoma City Thunder, that Luka Doncic will be able [7:32] to play in that series exactly when. That's too early to say at this point. [7:37] A lot of great basketball ahead. Tim McMahon, thank you so much. [7:41] And making money moves into your 401k, President Trump signing an executive order expanding [7:46] workers' access to retirement accounts. I've got Selena Wang following the story from the [7:50] White House. Selena, appreciate you being here. The searches are pretty simple on this [7:55] one. People just want it broken down. People are looking up Trump's executive order retirement [7:59] plan. Break it down for us. Yeah, Ashton, so what President Trump's executive order does [8:03] is it expands on and implements something called the Savers Match. That's a provision from 2022 [8:10] legislation under the Biden administration that kicks in next year. So starting next year, [8:15] the federal government will be matching retirement contributions of up to $1,000 for workers earning [8:21] less than $35,000. But here's a problem. According to the Economic Innovation Group, about 54 million [8:28] people who work full or part-time in the United States do not have access to an employer-provided [8:33] retirement plan. So to solve that problem, ensure that workers can actually get this money from the [8:39] government to collect the funds, the executive order directs the Treasury Department to launch a new [8:44] website called Trumpira.gov in time for the Savers Match to kick into effect in January. So under this order, [8:51] workers can use that site to compare private sector retirement plans by cost, minimum contribution, [8:57] minimum balance, and enroll in the plan that allows them to collect the funds if eligible. [9:02] Selina, I know it's tough to read the tea leaves, but any idea what the motivation behind this expansion is? [9:08] I mean, first of all, look, this president is under a lot of pressure to address affordability, [9:12] especially as Americans are struggling with rising gas prices, gas prices hitting that four-year high. [9:19] And many are feeling squeezed, according to the latest polling. The president did, however, [9:24] also preview his plans for this during a State of the Union address earlier this year. He was touting [9:29] how well the stock market was doing, but remarking that a lot of Americans aren't experiencing and [9:35] reaping those benefits because so many Americans do not have access to retirement plans with matching [9:40] contributions from employers. The president is saying that he wanted to remedy that problem. [9:45] I'm also told by White House officials that they want to expand on the Savers match, [9:49] a provision from that 2022 legislation. But in order to do that, they would need congressional [9:54] approval. Selina, any idea when this all goes into effect? [9:58] Yeah, look, this is something that kicks in, as I mentioned, next year in January. This is not a new [10:04] concept from the Trump administration. This is part of a provision from 2022 signed under the Biden [10:11] administration. Yeah, Selina, we're seeing a ton of searches now about Trump accounts for kids. How [10:16] does this sort of factor in? Yeah, so this is something separate. This is about tax advantage [10:21] savings accounts for people with young children. So starting this July, for families that signed up [10:27] for these accounts, the federal government will be depositing $1,000 for every baby born between 2025 [10:34] and 2028. Parents can also add their own money up to $5,000 a year, but it has to be invested [10:39] in the broad stock market fund like the S&P 500. And you can't withdraw until your child turns 18. [10:47] Now, critics say that these accounts still mostly benefit wealthier families who can afford to [10:51] contribute more. And they point out that the tax benefits are less generous than some existing [10:56] options like those 529 college savings accounts. Selina, you're the best. Thank you, sis. [11:00] We just ran through your top searches, but what else is on your timeline? Let's get back [11:05] to Maya. Maya, what else is trending today? This is a delicious one. Oreo is trying something [11:11] bold, something new. They've just introduced a new cookie flavor as a tribute to the classic [11:15] popsicle. The new Firecracker Pop Oreo is a limited edition and released inspired by the [11:21] classic red, white, and blue rocket popsicles. We all grew up with those. The cookie features blue [11:26] raspberry, white lemon, and cherry-flavored red cream sandwiched between two golden cookies. [11:31] And the new flavored cookies are scheduled to hit shelves nationwide starting Monday, [11:35] May 4th. It's basically a summer in a cookie. So it will be amazing. [11:40] Maya, if you get a pack, I will try one, but I'm more of a chocolate guy. I appreciate you, [11:44] though. Coming up, one search always leads to another. We've got a trending topic, but that's [11:49] just the surface. We're breaking down why South Carolina's only HBCU could be at risk of losing [11:55] vital funding. That's in the spiral up next. Welcome back to Search. Today's top searches [12:08] are only part of the story. A simple scroll can sometimes take you down a deep rabbit hole. [12:13] It's time now for the spiral. All right, you guys can't stop asking questions about the [12:24] historically black university, South Carolina state. We're following your clicks and curiosity, [12:28] and it looks like you guys want to know why Republican lawmakers are calling to defund the [12:32] state's only HBCU, and how a student-led protest led to the university uninviting the lieutenant [12:38] governor from speaking at this year's commencement. So let's break it down. We've got our Faith Abube [12:42] up first, and then we will speak to student protest leader Cameron Sutton. Guys, thank you so much for [12:48] joining us. Let's start with Faith, who's been following this story for us. Faith, first of all, [12:52] welcome to Search. But why are Republican lawmakers in South Carolina calling to defund the state's only [12:57] HBCU? Well, actually, this is a story that a lot of people have been talking about, getting a buzz from [13:05] a lot of people, not just in South Carolina. And right now, lawmakers, according to a post that [13:11] was shared by the lieutenant governor of South Carolina, they're circulating, some Republicans [13:16] in the statehouse are circulating a letter asking for the university to be unfunded in the next [13:22] spending bill that is coming up here soon. And the reason being that the lieutenant governor was [13:27] uninvited as a commencement speaker at that university, the HBCU, South Carolina State University. [13:32] Students started protesting earlier this week, saying that they did not want her to be on [13:37] campus to be their commencement speaker. And the university decided to uninvite her. [13:42] And now Republicans are pushing back, calling this inexcusable. And it's shameful that a university [13:48] that is funded by taxpayers has now uninvited a political leader who they do not agree with. [13:54] And that is how they're framing it. We don't know how much support this has just yet, but we know [13:58] a handful of Republicans have signed on to that letter, Ashton. [14:01] Yeah, Faith, what are some of the motivations behind those protests? Like, why was the South [14:05] Carolina's lieutenant governor actually uninvited? How did the pressure get to the university? [14:10] Students found out earlier this week that she was invited back in December, according to her, [14:19] invited in December to be the commencement speaker. The university said they invited her because [14:23] she's an entrepreneur. She's a female entrepreneur who started a small business and grew it to a [14:29] multi-million dollar corporation. And so they wanted her to come speak to the students [14:34] in a way that would inspire them. But the students were not having it. They found out, [14:38] according to them specifically, about the way she's been doubling down on cutting DEI initiatives. [14:44] These are diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on a historically black college and [14:50] university campus. And HBCU, South Carolina State University, is the only HBCU in the state of [14:57] South Carolina. And it's also part of a bigger system across this country that started before [15:02] the 1960s because black people were being discriminated against. And so these students [15:07] took issue with the fact that the university was inviting someone who wanted to gut DEI initiatives. [15:13] Yeah, just seeing the video right now, Faith, of these protests, they certainly look active. [15:17] How is the lieutenant governor actually responding? [15:22] Well, she's defiant. She's unapologetic. She said she's not going to apologize. In fact, [15:26] she called the student protesters woke mobs and said that the fact that she's been uninvited is [15:32] another reason why DEI initiatives need to be cut from college and university campuses, because [15:38] in her words, students are being indoctrinated. Ashin. [15:42] Faith, thank you so much. Let's now bring in South Carolina State University student protest [15:46] leader Cameron Sutton. He's on campus right now. Cameron, why did students protest lieutenant governor [15:51] as the commencement speaker? And what's it like on campus now? How's the sentiment [15:56] been like for you? So for us, it was mainly just about the most. We understand that she doesn't [16:03] stand for what we stand for. So we wouldn't allow her the opportunity to speak here. We understand [16:08] that she is an amazing woman, but just her morality and the things she stands for, like taking away DEI [16:14] for HBCU, it just can't be had on our campus. And it's amazing. I can't. We all are filled with [16:21] energy that is due for a win, energy that deserves to be shown during our win. [16:26] Yeah. Cameron, how did you and other student protest leaders react to the calls to defund your [16:31] school? Did you see that coming when the protest started? And how are you guys responding now? [16:37] No, we've never seen it coming. But we understood that standing on what we believe will always come [16:42] with repercussions when you have somebody that doesn't believe in the same thing as you. [16:46] Cameron, what's the response now? Sorry, go ahead. [16:50] No, it's okay. It's okay. Finish. [16:51] Yeah. Cameron, what's the response now? I mean, how do you take these sort of threats to be defunded [16:56] and translate them into making sure that you guys achieve what it is that you'd like to see happen? [17:03] Well, one, we hope that there are just threats because this is not their first time trying to [17:07] defund a school for using a First Amendment right. Also, we understand that the only way we can change [17:13] this is by voting. We must go out to the polls. We must register to vote. And come November, we must [17:18] vote. We must act on what we say. If every student we have at the protests for these last two days, [17:24] these protests that will happen within this week that may ever happen, as long as you go vote, [17:29] we can change. And that can be the change. [17:33] Cameron, you're just a sophomore. Do you feel supported by the university in this time? [17:39] Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I know it's nothing but love for my Bulldog family. Bulldog tenacity and [17:44] Bulldog pride is something that runs deep within all of our veins. So being out there protesting, [17:49] standing up for our school and what we believe, it felt amazing. And it made me understand how [17:55] one person can bring everybody together. But it just only doesn't take one person. [18:00] Cameron, how do you hope to use this experience to move forward? Especially, I guess it matters [18:05] what the outcome actually is. But what are you and other student protest leaders hoping to do next? [18:12] We hope to get people out to the ballots and vote. We hope that people stay educated on their [18:17] legislation, their government, and every chain of command that there is. Being educated can protect [18:23] you from so much. Because if we were uneducated, if we were the mob that she said we were, [18:27] we would have never protested. We would have never been out there. But because we understand what is [18:33] at stake and we understand what she stands for, we cannot let her speak and try to encourage [18:39] students that she can never truly encourage. Cameron, I appreciate your man. Still ahead, [18:44] it might be at the top of your feed, but what's the vibe? We've got your top pop culture and [18:48] entertainment searches, including theories about a countdown on Taylor Swift's website. [18:53] Vibe Check is next. You know what that music means? It's time now for our Vibe Check, a look [19:13] at what's buzzing in entertainment and pop culture. My friend Morgan Norwood joins me now for more on [19:18] what's trending on your feeds. Morgan, welcome to Searched and talk to me. [19:24] Hey, Ash, it's so good to be with you. And we start with our girl, Britney Spears. Look, [19:28] fans are really worried about her. With more than 20,000 searches for Britney Spears, [19:32] after news that she's been charged with the misdemeanor DUI in California. Remember, [19:38] she was just pulled over back in March for what police said was driving erratically and has since [19:43] entered treatment. Now, lots of fans, they are wishing her well and hoping that she gets the [19:48] treatment and the support that she needs. Well, now we turn to pop superstar Taylor Swift. She's known [19:53] to dominate the searches anyways, Ashin, but this time more than 200,000. And it's all because of this [20:00] 10-minute countdown on her website. It disappeared just as quickly as it went up. And you know the [20:05] Swifties, they are like Inspector Gadget. They are detectives. They are on the case. They immediately [20:10] went to work to figure out what this was about. And here's their theory. It's either very Toy Story [20:16] coded. You see the clouds. You got the blue sky. You know, kind of Andy's room aesthetic. I don't know. [20:21] So is this a soundtrack or a collab for Disney's Toy Story 5? No official confirmation linking Swift [20:28] to the movie. But Taylor does have a history of writing for these major films. Remember Hunger Games, [20:34] Hannah Montana, and of course the list goes on. What can Tay-Tay do? All right. Well, gird your loins, [20:40] lock down your cerulean blue sweaters, fashion girls assemble. This is where I personally lock in, [20:46] more than 100,000 searches on this story. The Devil Wears Prada 2. It is officially here. We're [20:52] set to get the opening date numbers this weekend, but it is already pulling in 10 million in previews [20:58] and expect it to strut to a massive showing. But honestly, this is the real star. Do you see the [21:04] merch? This is a red handbag, popcorn bucket, the limited edition runway magazine, and a pair of [21:11] sunglasses? It's literally all the internet has been able to talk about. Sadly, for my sake, [21:17] much of it is already sold out. I definitely want that purse. By the way, Devil Wears Prada 2 [21:22] is in theaters now. Well, finally, this would certainly raise the hair on Miranda Priestley's [21:28] head with more than 10,000 searches today. Lots of folks are talking about this. You see it there. [21:34] That is the dress. Tiana Taylor is trending for this look. It is a corset gown by Ashi Studio, [21:41] and it is literally made of hair, like actual strands. Who grew it? We don't know, but it is a [21:46] full-brain moment. You see it? The internet has been divided on this. Some say it's a little creepy. [21:52] Some say it's a look. But Tiana Taylor, she is a fashion icon, right? She's known for taking these [21:58] risks. She just honed in at this year's Billboard and Women Music Awards, where she accepted this [22:04] year's Visionary Award. So my question to you, Ashen, would you, I don't know if this is your [22:09] color, but what do you think? Would you rock this? Is this a sleigh or a nay? Look, I think anything [22:14] Tiana Taylor does is a sleigh, but I don't know if I'm rocking human hair on my dress. I got enough [22:20] on my body. You know what I'm saying? Enough on your body. I like it, though. I could get down with [22:26] it. I mean, look, if Lady Gaga can wear what meat to an award show, Tiana Taylor can wear hair. [22:31] Morgan, thank you so much. All right, I'm Ashen Singh, and this is Searched on ABC News Live, [22:37] where your questions meet real answers. We'll leave you with what's trending right now on [22:41] abcnews.com. You can scan that QR code right there to catch up, and Gio Benitez, we'll see you on Monday.