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Trump’s push to claw back funding ignites a fight that threatens a government shutdown

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s push for Republicans to bypass Democrats and claw back $9.4 billion in approved spending has ignited a new fight in Congress that could upend the normally bipartisan government funding process.

Ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline to prevent a shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is laying down a marker by warning that Democrats won’t sign off on an agreement if the GOP follows through with Trump’s request.

“If Republicans cave to Donald Trump and gut these investments agreed to by both parties, that would be an affront — a huge affront — to the bipartisan appropriations process,” Schumer said. “It is absurd to expect Democrats to play along with funding the government if Republicans are just going to renege on a bipartisan agreement by concocting rescissions packages behind closed doors that can pass with only their votes, not the customary 60 votes required in the appropriation process.”

Schumer’s warning represents a bold gambit that heightens tensions ahead of another government funding showdown — just months after a group of Senate Democrats backed down from a previous showdown and drew heavy backlash from their base.

The dynamics are the product of a quirk in Senate rules. Funding the government is subject to the filibuster, requiring 60 votes, but a separate —and rarely used — process allows for canceling some approved spending with a simple majority vote.

The rescissions package would slash $8.3 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS and NPR. It flows from efforts by Elon Musk’s erstwhile Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to find savings.

It passed by House last month by a vote of 214-212. It’s unclear if the Senate, where Republicans control 53 seats, has enough votes to pass it. Some GOP senators want to make changes, which would send it back to the House.

Democrats staunchly oppose the rescissions package, which was crafted without their input. Republicans can pass the $9.4 billion in cuts on party lines, but if that leads to Democrats refusing to sign off on a new government funding deal, it could trigger a shutdown at the end of September.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Wednesday he will bring up the rescission package “next week” and that it will be subject to an open amendment process.

Thune said he was “disappointed” to see Schumer “implicitly threaten to shut down the government.”

“But I’m hopeful that that is not the position of the Democrat Party, the Democrat conference here in the Senate, and that we can work together in the coming weeks to pass bipartisan appropriations bills,” the majority leader said.

Congress has a deadline of July 18 to send the rescissions package to Trump’s desk, or let it dissolve.

Even some Republicans worry that canceling spending on party lines would harm the traditional appropriations process.

“And the reason for that is because, if you do appropriations in the Senate, you have 60 votes to support it. If you do rescissions, you can take it back with 50, which then makes it tougher to get a bipartisan agreement on an appropriations package,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who sits on the Appropriations Committee, told NBC News. “We are aware of the sensitivities of using a rescissions package versus the appropriations process.”

Beyond that, Rounds said the measure must be revised to protect rural broadcast stations who could lose critical funding.

“We have to have a fix, for sure, on those rural radio stations. Basically 90% or more of their resources are taken away by the rescissions package,” he said. “OMB has agreed to work with us, and now we’re in that process of finding the appropriate path forward where they do not lose their funding.”

And Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the Appropriations Committee chair, said she opposes some parts of the measure.

“For my part, I believe it needs some significant changes,” Collins said, citing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as a program she “can’t imagine why we would want to” cut funding from.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he’s inclined to support the measure, but he’s reviewing parts of it, including PEPFAR.

“I’m fine with the majority of it,” Tillis said. “We’re just looking at any of the national security impacts, any nexus there that would raise concern.”

Schumer’s threat to block an appropriations deal would require at least 41 of the 47 Democrats to rally against it, a level of unity they failed to achieve in March during a contentious spat over a looming government shutdown.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., an Appropriations Committee member, said if Trump and the Republican majority “can undermine the appropriations process by rescinding bipartisan funding on a simple majority vote, that presents real challenges to the appropriations process.”

“Moving forward, it’s our job, in the next few days to make sure that Republicans know that this would be a major trust factor in moving forward with our appropriation bills,” she said.

Bobby Kogan, a former Senate Democratic budget aide who is now at the liberal Center For American Progress, said the GOP effort could break the appropriations process as its currently known.

It doesn’t help, he added, that Trump and his party already modified part of government funding with a major increase in spending for the military and immigration enforcement under the party-line megabill the president signed into law last week.

“This all risks a lot more shutdowns. Republicans are looking at breaking appropriations deals on both sides of the ledger: spending more on the things they like and less on the things they don’t like,” Kogan said. “If you can break bipartisan appropriations deals with partisan rescissions packages, that is going to be the end of bipartisan appropriations.”



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Best Prime Day laptop deals 2025: Live updates on MacBook, Windows, and more discounts

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July 10, 2025

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We’re coming to the end of the second day of Amazon Prime Day, which runs through Friday, July 11 — making it a four-day sales event for the first time ever. On the second day of the sale, we’re seeing some noteworthy deals on laptops, including aggressive price cuts on the latest MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Windows PCs from Lenovo, Dell, HP, and more.

Get daily deals straight to your inbox during Prime Day when you sign up for ZDNET Recommends, your one-stop newsletter for the sale.

Also: The best Prime Day deals we’ve found

We’ve gone hands-on with dozens of the best laptops of this year, and only highlight sales on laptops we’ve tested and can personally vouch for. That means significant discounts, solid value relative to price, good portability, and respectable performance. Read on to explore some of the best laptop deals Amazon (and competing retailers) have to offer. As the event continues, we will be continuously updating this page with the best deals, flash sales, and online discounts we can find live.

Best Prime Day laptop deals

  • Current price: $1,049
  • Original price: $1,199

The 2025 MacBook Air M4 refines the user experience of the thin and lightweight laptop that pioneered the trend. It now supports two external monitors with the lid open, has more starting memory for cheaper, and does video conferencing better than almost anything else. With all the updates coming to MacOS 26 (Liquid Glass interface, the Phone app on MacBook, and a totally revamped Spotlight feature), the MacBook Air M4 is THE productivity laptop for modern professionals.


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  • Current price: $48
  • Original price: $60

This nifty laptop accessory makes it easy to work standing up or sitting down, and can also be used with a tablet. Our editor has replaced her standing desk with this accessory, and it’s on sale for under $50 now. 


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  • Current price: $650
  • Original price: $700

The Acer Aspire 14 AI is similar to the Acer Aspire 15, but offers “a few steps up” in terms of hardware and features, according to our laptop reviewer. It’s a great value, especially if you’re looking for a computer designed for AI workflows. Our expert said it was “one of the better bang-for-your-buck options available right now.” 


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  • Apple iPad 11th Gen: $279 (save $70): This isn’t a laptop, but the base model iPad can be a functional and portable laptop alternative, and it’s on sale for its best price yet. 
  • Logitech MX Master 3S: $95 (save $25): This popular ergonomic wireless mouse is sleek and silent, and is on sale now. It’s a great pairing to any new laptop. 
  • Apple MacBook Air M3: $1,819 (save $225): After the M4’s release, prices are dropping on the 2023 M3 MacBook Pro, and we couldn’t be happier. The 18GB version is a competitive machine that’s ready to support the new macOS 26 coming to all Mac devices this fall.
  • Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro (15-inch): $600 (save $300): Samsung’s Book4 Pro has a gorgeous touchscreen display, top-tier hardware, and a massive trackpad for a distinctly comfortable user experience. When I went hands-on with it, I praised its smart integrations.
  • Acer Swift Go 14: $799 (save $208): Acer’s Swift Go 14 brings a budget-friendly package to respectable hardware: Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This makes it a solid backup laptop for business travel, but I’d also highly recommend it to students. 
  • LG Gram Pro 2-in-1 (16-inch): $1,696 (save $403): We’re big fans of LG’s Gram Pro line of laptops for their record-breaking lightweight form factors. Right now, this 16-inch convertible laptop/tablet hybrid with 16GB of RAM is seeing a notable price drop; a very competitive price for anyone looking for a thin and light laptop. 
  • Acer Aspire Go 15: $250 (save $50): A laptop I would recommend for study purposes is the Acer Aspire Go. This model comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD storage — plenty for basic educational tasks.
  • ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025): $1,275 (save $225): If you’re on the hunt for a gaming laptop, there’s a fair discount available on a 16-inch laptop with Nvidia GeForce RTX Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. 
  • ASUS TUF Gaming A14: $900 (save $300): Another gaming laptop deal we like the look of is for an ASUS TUF model, set with a 14-inch display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics, and 16GB of RAM.
  • Logitech ERGO Wireless Keyboard: $119 (save $31): Type more naturally with a curved, split keyframe and reduce muscle strain on your wrists and forearms thanks to the sloping keyboard design. 
  • Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station: $340 (save $60): Transfer massive files quickly-move a 150GB file in just 25 seconds with the Thunderbolt 5 port.

Best Prime Day MacBook deals 

  • Current price: $850
  • Original price: $1,000

The MacBook Air M4 is our favorite laptop for work, thanks to its ultra-portability and suite of productivity features. “The MacBook Air M4 is a modest upgrade from its predecessor but pushes the line forward overall. In fact, with burgeoning Apple Intelligence features, the same camera technology as the MacBook Pro M4, upgraded hardware, and a lower starting price, the MacBook Air seems like the most logical choice for a new Apple laptop in 2025,” our laptop reviewer writes. 


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  • Apple MacBook Air M4 (15-inch): $1,049 (save $150): The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 is one of the friendliest, all-around performing laptops we’ve tested all year. Even better is the fact that Apple is offering competitive pricing, even on its newest laptops. 
  • Apple MacBook Pro M3 (18GB): $1,819 (save $225): Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro from 2023 is seeing some steep discounts now that the M4 has been released. The 18GB version is a competitive machine that’s ready to support the new macOS 26 coming to all Mac devices this fall.
  • Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro): $2,249 (save $250): Apple’s aggressive discounts continue, with the newest MacBook Pro in 2025 $250 off. The Space Black configuration with 24GB of unified memory features a 20-Core GPU and 16-Core neural engine, ready to tackle demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, animation, and yes, even gaming.
  • Apple 2024 MacBook Pro: $3,596 (save $406): Powered by an M4 Max processor, this model is pricey, but it comes with power that will last you for years to come, as well as 1TB of storage, 48GB of RAM, and a 16.2-inch display.
  • Apple MacBook Air, 13.3-inch: $599 (save $50): If you want an affordable MacBook, consider this M1-powered model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
  • Apple MacBook Air 13-inch: $699 (save $100 at Best Buy): Another model we like at Best Buy is a 13.3-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. 
  • Apple Magic Keyboard: $119 (save $10): This keyboard comes with a numeric keypad and can wirelessly connect to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth. 
  • Apple Mac Mini M4 256GB: $500 (save $100): Though not a laptop, our expert recommends the M4 Mac Mini to both creatives and business professionals. It’s $100 off thanks to an extra on-page coupon. 

Best Prime Day Windows laptop deals 

  • Current price: $1,696
  • Original price: $2,099

If you’re over carrying around a bulky, heavy laptop to and from the office, we got you. LG’s Gram Pro lineup features some of the lightest, thinnest laptops on the market. We reviewed LG’s 16-inch 2-in-1 Gram Pro last year, and praised it for its fast and responsive performance, brilliant OLED display, and surprisingly good battery. 


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  • Current price: $800
  • Original price: $1,000

Acer’s Swift Go 14 was among the first round of laptops to come loaded with Intel’s Meteor Lake AI processors last year, and it does so for an attractive price point. The Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9 processor offers snappy performance and fantastic battery life, letting it hang with other machines like the Asus Zenbook A14, and the Lenovo ThinkPad E14, which are significantly more expensive. 


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  • Current price: $600
  • Original price: $899

The 15-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro rounds out Samsung’s lineup of thin and light laptops with brilliant displays and premium physical forms. We got great performance out of this laptop during our testing, with the Snapdragon X Plus processor and 16GB of RAM delivering responsive performance in a variety of tasks from productivity to content creation. 


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  • Microsoft Surface Pro (13-inch): $870 (save $330): The 13-inch Surface Pro with the Snapdragon X Plus processor is a supremely portable, high-performing tablet/laptop hybrid with a brilliant OLED display. 
  • HP OmniBook 5 (16-inch): $679 (save $110): HP’s lightweight and battery-efficient OmniBooks are well-rounded and reliable devices, and this version with a Ryzen AI 7 350 processor is no exception, especially at this discount. 
  • HP 14 Laptop (14-inch): $178 (save $50): This laptop’s thin and light design makes it ultra-portable, and its sizable and nearly bezel-less screen makes it perfect for entertainment. 
  • MSI 15.6-inch gaming laptop: $719 (save $280): You can take advantage of a $280 discount on a decent mid-range gaming laptop with an i5 processor and 16GB of RAM.
  • Acer Nitro V gaming laptop: $650 (save $150): The Nitro V doesn’t have the highest specs on the market, but as ZDNET’s Charlie Osborne found, it’s great for gaming and use as a lab. During Amazon’s event, you can save $150 off the typical RRP.
  • Dell’s Inspiron 5440: $579 (save $170): The Inspiron lineup consists of reliable, jack-of-all-trades laptops, and this 14-inch with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor is no exception. Right now it’s 23% off for the 16GB version.
  • Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: $1,650 (save $350): This laptop comes built in with Windows 11 Pro and has all the best Galaxy AI features. 
  • ASUS Vivobook Go: $220 (save $110): An affordable laptop we’ve found is a great fit for students. The ASUS Vivobook Go has a 15.6-inch display and runs on Windows 11 Home. 
  • HP 14-inch student laptop: $275 (save $225): Another laptop suitable for students and containing good specifications for the price — including Copilot AI and 16GB of RAM — is this laptop. It’s in lavender, though, and so might not suit everyone color-wise. 

Best Prime Day Chromebook deals

If you’re looking for a Chromebook with a 2-in-1 form factor, this one from HP comes with all the feature perks of a Chromebook Plus in a convertible. It’s armed with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of local storage, too, so performance will feel snappy and responsive in the lightweight operating system. 


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  • Asus Chromebook CM14: $163 (save $116): It doesn’t get more affordable than Asus’ 14-inch CM14 Chromebook. It comes with 64GB of local storage and 4GB of RAM to handle daily tasks like checking email and browsing the web.
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook: $149 (save $100): While also on sale at Amazon, the best price is found at Best Buy. This mid-sized Chromebook features a 15-inch display, a full-sized keyboard, and Intel Celeron N4500 to power multitasking for work, school, or everyday use.
  • Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: $240 (save $60): Looking for a Chromebook suitable for work or study? Opt for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go, currently available on a limited-time deal, so don’t wait if you want to buy one.
  • Asus Chromebook Flip CX1: $290 (save $80): This laptop has a 360-degree flippable touchscreen display that can be configured into four different work modes. 
  • Asus Chromebook CR11: $250 (save $50): This rugged laptop has US military-grade durability with rubber edges, as well as a spill-resistant keyboard. 

More laptop deals from Best Buy, Walmart, and other retailers

  • Asus Zenbook S 15: $534 (save $265): Asus’ Zenbook S 15 was one of the first Copilot+ PCs to come out last year, and it’s drastically marked down at Walmart right now for just $534. It’s got a vivid 120Hz OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 7 chip and 16GB of RAM, making it a solid all-around laptop with a lightweight form.
  • Lenovo Duet 2-in-1 Chromebook (11-inch): $269 (save $130): If you’re looking for a device that can act as either a tablet or small, portable laptop, Lenovo’s Duet is a very affordable option with 4GB of RAM and an included keyboard, stylus, and durable carrying case. Think a much more affordable Microsoft Surface Pro. 
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1: $629 (save $220): This 2-in-1 model gives you the functionality of a traditional laptop and the versatility of a tablet in the same device.
  • Asus Vivobook 14: $250 (save $200): Enjoy vivid visuals in detailed 1920 x 1080 resolution (16:9) with brilliant colors and a smooth 60Hz refresh rate. 
  • Dell Inspiron 14: $349 (save $201): This laptop has 512GB of storage, an Intel Core i5 Processor, a long-lasting battery life, and a 14-inch display. 
  • Cherry Xtry MX 3.1 Gaming Keyboard: $90 (save $30): Our expert says this mechanical keyboard is just as good for work as it is for gaming – and it’s 25% off. 
  • ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp Keyboard: $50 (save $50): Expert Kyle Kucharski says this portable workstation keeps him productive on the go, and it’s half off now. 
  • LG gram 17: $850 (save $650 plus free smart monitor at LG): The LG gram 17 is built with a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. And right now when you buy at LG, you can get a free 27-inch smart monitor when you bundle with your laptop purchase.
  • Acer Aspire Vero 14: $450 (save $250 at Acer): A great entry-grade laptop for students and casual home use with an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD storage drive, and 12.5-hour battery life.
  • Acer Swift 14: $900 (save $500 at Acer): A mid-range laptop for office work, college classes, and home use with a 14-inch display, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and 13th generation Intel Core i7 CPU.
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 AMD: $680 (save $250 at Lenovo): An entry-grade 2-in-1 laptop that’s built with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
  • Dell 14 Plus: $680 (save $420 at Dell): A budget-friendly laptop for students and home use with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and 14-inch 2.5K display.
  • HP Pavilion Laptop 16: $500 (save $700 at HP): A mid-range laptop for office work, students, and home use with a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? 

This year, Prime Day starts on Tuesday, July 8, and goes through Friday, July 11. 

Are laptops really cheaper on Prime Day? 

Manufacturers know consumers are on the lookout for deals during Prime Day, so yes, quite a few of the laptop sales have significantly steeper discounts than during regular sales throughout the year. 

How did we choose these Prime Day deals?

Our team of reviewers at ZDNET only write about deals we personally can vouch for and would personally recommend. We scour the deals for sale prices that are at least 20% off, or are hardly ever on sale, using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine how frequently it drops. 

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. 

What are the best Prime Day deals so far? 

ZDNET’s experts are searching through Prime Day sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:

You can also find the best deals from other retailers competing with Prime Day sales:


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I Genuinely Had No Idea That It Was A Slur

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2 hours ago

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July 10, 2025

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Cierra Ortega has addressed her exit from Love Island USA after a social media post resurfaced where she used a racist slur.

The former Islander was removed from the villa after using a word that demeans the Asian community. After flying back to the U.S., Ortega took to Instagram to take accountability for her past mistakes.

“Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. for about 48 hours and I’ve had the chance to process [everything], I now feel like I’m at a space where I can speak about this without being highly emotional, because I am not the victim in this situation,” Ortega started off saying in the Instagram video.

“While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term,” she continued. “I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community. I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it.

Ortega noted that although she “had no ill intention” when she used the word, “That’s absolutely no excuse because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance. It just doesn’t and I just need you to know that I am sorry.”

The former contestant of the Peacock dating series was removed from the villa on the episode that streamed on Sunday, with narrator Iain Stirling simply stating that she left “due to a personal situation.”

RELATED: Ariana Madix Makes Call To ‘Love Island USA’ Fans To Not Be “Atrocious” To Islanders On Social Media: “Don’t Do That”

In the video she posted online, Ortega says that it’s “not an apology video,” adding, “This is an accountability video. I do want to hold my hands up and say that I take accountability for using the word, but I do want it to be known that I genuinely had no idea that it was a slur. I had no idea of its meaning.”

She further explained that after she made her post public in 2024, someone reached out to her to educate her on the meaning of the word and its history. Ortega said that she “immediately deleted the post” and “was apologetic” for having used the term and learned her lesson.

RELATED: ‘Love Island USA’ Narrator Iain Stirling Sets U.S. Dates For Live Stand-Up Comedy Show

“I think since that moment, I’ve done so much growing as an individual, and I’ve tried my best to educate others who might be accidentally holding space for these types of words that could be offensive in their vocabulary,” she said. “I completely agree with the network’s decision to remove me from the villa. I think that this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received, for sure.”

RELATED: All Of Ariana Madix’s Outfits As Host Of ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7

Although Ortega agrees with the punishment she received, she finds it “extremely difficult” that her family is receiving death threats and having ICE called on them, saying, “My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home. I’m receiving death threats like it’s there’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that’s justice.”

Ortega asked Love Island USA fans to allow her “to grow with grace” from this experience and promised “to take strides to be better.”

Watch the full video below.





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Cierra Ortega Speaks Out Following Departure from ‘Love Island USA’

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July 10, 2025

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NEED TO KNOW

  • Cierra Ortega has spoken out for the first time following her July 6 exit from Love Island USA
  • Fans were told the 25-year-old left the villa due to a “personal situation,” but the exit came after posts had resurfaced where Cierra used a racial slur
  • Her family previously asked for patience as she left the villa and got her phone back

Cierra Ortega is breaking her silence following her dramatic exit from Love Island USA.

The 25-year-old’s departure from the Fiji villa was announced during the July 6 episode and explained as a “personal situation.” However, the exit came after posts from her past that saw her using racial slurs had resurfaced online.

Three days after Cierra’s exit from the villa, she issued a video and a written statement on Instagram about the posts and her departure. The TV personality explained she has been back in the U.S. for two days and is ready to “speak about this without being highly emotional, because I’m not the victim in this situation.”

“I want to first start by addressing, not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community,” she began. “I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm, and came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it. I had no ill intention when I was using it. But that’s absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”

Cierra then recalled the events that led to the post and its removal.

“I take accountability for using the word, but I do want it to be known that I genuinely had no idea that it was a slur,” she said before noting that after making a public Instagram Story in 2024, a follower corrected her and informed her of the derogatory and “incredibly hurtful” language.

“In that moment, I was embarrassed,” she said. “I, of course, immediately deleted the post. I was apologetic, and I educated not only myself on the true meaning and history of the word, but also anyone around me who was accidentally holding space for this slur.”

Cierra Ortega July 9, 2025 Instagram Stories.

Cierra Ortega/Instagram


Next, she said she completely agreed with the network’s decision to remove her from the villa. “I think that this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received,” she said.

Although “the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with,” Cierra noted, she does “understand where the hate is coming from.” She added that she is trying to “drown out the noise,” but she has received death threats.

Cierra Ortega on ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7.

Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty


She also said that it has been “extremely, extremely difficult” to watch how “people are approaching [her] family and [her] loved ones.” Noting that her family had Immigration and Customs Enforcement called on them, and they don’t “feel safe in their own home.”

“If you want to know that you are heard and that I’m sorry and that I will move differently, I promise you that’s what will happen,” she continued.

“I know that no apology could ever be enough for the harm that I’ve caused and the offense that’s taken place,” she continued, before concluding, “I know that moving forward, my actions and how I decide to live my life from here on out, is going to speak louder than any apology ever could. But I do need it to be known that I am sorry, and I did mean no harm.”

Cierra’s family previously released a statement after the episode in which she exited the villa aired.

In a statement posted on their daughter’s Instagram Stories, her family called out the hate that they were facing and that was being directed at their daughter amid the backlash.

“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that,” the statement read.

“The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking, It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”

Cierra Ortega on ‘Love Island USA’ season 7.

Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty


Her family promised that Cierra would “face this with honesty, growth, and grace” and “take responsibility” once she had her phone back.

“Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.”

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New episodes of Love Island USA drop every day except Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.





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