How Donald Trump Changed His Tune

If you only read one thing: Donald Trump drew rare praise in GOP circles Wednesday with a measured, yet blistering, critique of Hillary Clinton’s record. Reading from a teleprompter at the Trump SoHo in New York, Trump attacked Clinton’s foreign policy vision, highlighted allegations of pay-for-play, and argued she was only in the race for herself. “She believes she is entitled to the office,” Trump said. “Her campaign slogan is ‘I’m with her.’ You know what my response to that is? I’m with you: the American people.” To Republicans who don’t like Trump, it was a reminder of why they also dislike Clinton, and for his fans, it was a sign that his ongoing campaign shakeup may be setting him on the right course. But the change was more style than substance—many of his claims have repeatedly been debunked, while others rely on questionable foundations. He was still prone to Trumpian hyperbole. But it was focused on Clinton, absent the distractions and digressions that have overshadowed almost every other Trump speech—and therein lies the New Trump: he’s the same old Trump, just directed almost single-mindedly on Clinton.

Hillary Clinton delivered an economic policy speech of her own, outlining plans to help Americans feel the benefits of the slow, but steady, recovery. The speech was peak Clinton: substantive, thoughtful, long—and somewhat boring when she wasn’t jabbing at Trump. Meanwhile an allied super PAC is targeting younger voters with a new ad campaign to bring Bernie Sanders supporters over to Clinton.

After more than a year of denials, Marco Rubio began his political comeback Wednesday as he announced he was running for re-election to the Senate. Giving him a clearer political future, the move also puts the Florida seat back in the lean-GOP column for the fall, and while it will be a tough fight, increases the odds that the GOP will retain control of the chamber.

Across the Capitol building, Democrats are staging a sit-in for gun control, but the lights and cameras are off, as Republicans adjourned the body until after the July 4th holiday in an early morning procedural move.

President Obama on why his daughters won’t work for Wall Street. How the election will really affect your investments. And a joyous Cleveland prepares for the GOP convention.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Bold, Brash and Under Renovation
Donald Trump Hits Reset [TIME]

Why Donald Trump Might Be Wrong About the Economy
Narrative of decline clashes with what people are feeling, TIME’s Haley Sweetland Edwards writes

Democrats Continue Sit-in Demanding Gun Control
As House recessed until after July 4th, lawmakers remain on the floor [Associated Press]

The ‘Anti-Business’ President Who’s Been Good for Business
Obama on free trade, regulating banks, and why his daughters won’t work for Wall Street [BusinessWeek]

Pro-Clinton Super PAC Unleashes New ‘Stop Trump/Stop Hate’ Campaign Aimed at Young Voters
Effort to shore up Sanders-leaning demographic [Washington Post]

Sound Off

“What I’m not going to do any more are these unequivocal pronunciations.” — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to CNN on announcing he will run for re-election after a year of saying he wouldn’t

“Well, you know, it’s a very dishonest newspaper. And it’s really there so that Amazon doesn’t pay tax, and, frankly, that’s just a toy for Amazon.” — Donald Trump repeating a debunked claim about the Washington Post in an interview with Hugh Hewitt

Bits and Bites

A Joyous Cleveland Braces for a Fractious GOP Convention [TIME]

Marco Rubio: ‘I changed my mind,’ will run for re-election [CNN]

Rana Foroohar: Hillary Clinton Just Delivered a Profound Economic Speech [TIME]

Former Top Bush Adviser Backs Hillary Clinton Over Donald Trump [TIME]

Pentagon’s Mum on Blood and Treasure [TIME]

President Obama has ‘discussed’ being NBA owner, White House says [Washington Post]

How the Election Will Really Affect Your Investments [Money]

House Republicans Cut C-SPAN Cameras During Gun Control Sit-In [TIME]

Watch President Obama Tease Derek Jeter About His Retirement [TIME]

Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist, two self-serving politicians aiming for a comeback [Tampa Bay Times]

Fact Checks: Donald Trump’s Speech [New York Times]