Page 10 - Trump Administration

Musk returns to White House as tensions with Trump ease after earlier rift

Musk was invited as a guest for a gala dinner to honour Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, one of many business titans invited including Tim Cook

Trump signals he has identified his pick for next Federal Reserve chair

The president has publicly mused about the decision, praising candidates on the list, but has been coy about suggesting whether he's leaning toward any particular candidate

Nasa planning to divest, demolish buildings at Maryland's Goddard Centre

One of Nasa's premier science Centres, Goddard operates the agency's Hubble Space Telescope and works on science missions including ones that explore the solar system

Trump urges US Congress to block state AI rules, warns it risks innovation

In a post on his Truth Social network Tuesday, the president urged lawmakers to act quickly, and floated the idea of including an AI measure as part of upcoming defense policy legislation

What to know about F-35 fighter jet that Trump is selling to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump says he has agreed to sell the nation's most advanced fighter jet to Saudi Arabia despite concerns that China could gain access to the plane's vaunted American technology. The sale to the Middle Eastern nation, whose top trading partner is China, was reaffirmed Tuesday during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington. Some in the Republican administration also have been wary that selling the F-35 to Saudi Arabia will upset Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbours, especially at a time when Trump is depending on Israeli support for the success of his Gaza peace plan. Israel, which deployed the F-35 in its 12-day war against Iran in June, is among 19 other nations that already have the plane or have agreements to buy it. It was nearly 20 years ago when the first F-35 Lightning strike fighter rolled off an assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, hailed as a technological leap and lamented as a military money pit. Since then, more th

Trump attacks ABC News correspondent in angry response to 3 sharp questions

President Donald Trump denounced ABC News' Mary Bruce as a terrible reporter Tuesday and threatened the network's license to broadcast after she asked him three sharp questions at the White House. The network's chief White House correspondent was among reporters let into the Oval Office to question the president and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She asked Trump whether it was appropriate for his family to be doing business in Saudi Arabia while he was president. Before he could answer, she directed a question to the Saudi leader: Your Royal Highness, the US intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist. 9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr President. After asking Bruce who she worked for, Trump called ABC fake news and defended his family's business operations in Saudi Arabia. The president dismissed the US intelligence findings that the prince likely had so

US Congress passes bill to force release Epstein files, sends bill to Trump

Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership. When a small, bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a petition in July to maneuver around House Speaker Mike Johnson's control of which bills reach the House floor, it appeared a longshot effort especially as Trump urged his supporters to dismiss the matter as a hoax. But both Trump and Johnson failed in their efforts to prevent the vote. Now the president has bowed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said he will sign it. Just hours after the House passed the bill, the Senate agreed to pass the bill with unanimous consent once it is sent to the Senate. The bill passed the House 427-1, with the only no vote coming from Rep. Clay Higgins

Republicans reject claims of affordability crisis, downplay election losses

Almost two weeks after Republicans lost badly in elections in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, many GOP leaders insist there is no problem with the party's policies, its message or President Donald Trump's leadership. Trump says Democrats and the media are misleading voters who are concerned about high costs and the economy. Republican officials aiming to avoid another defeat in next fall's midterms are encouraging candidates to embrace the president fully and talk more about his accomplishments. Those are the major takeaways from a series of private conversations, briefings and official talking points involving major Republican decision-makers across Washington, including inside the White House, after their party's losses November 4. Their assessment highlights the extent to which the fate of the Republican Party is tied to Trump, a term-limited president who insists the economy under his watch has never been stronger. That's even as an increasing number of voters ..

Trump to welcome Saudi crown prince with deal signings, lavish dinner

It's not an official state visit, but the White House is preparing to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week with the pomp and circumstance that is typical of one. The crown prince's day at the White House next Tuesday will begin with an arrival ceremony on the sweeping South Lawn and a subsequent greeting on the South Portico, according to a senior White House official. Then Trump will host him in the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting, followed by a signing and lunch in the Cabinet Room where the US and Saudi Arabia will formalise multiple economic and defence agreements, said the official, granted anonymity to discuss the administration's planning. Later in the evening, the White House will hold an East Room dinner hosted and planned by first lady Melania Trump. His visit is billed as an official working visit because Prince Mohammed is not technically a head of state, the official said. On Wednesday, dozens of CEOs are expected to attend a meeting of the US-Sau

Trump buys at least $82 million in bonds since late Aug, show disclosures

Most of the assets listed in Saturday's disclosures consist of bonds issued by municipalities, states, counties, school districts and other entities with ties to public agencies

Trump cuts ties with top MAGA ally 'Wacky' Marjorie Taylor Greene

President Donald Trump has publicly called it quits with one of his most stalwart MAGA-world supporters, calling Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene 'Wacky' Marjorie and saying he would endorse a challenger against her in next year's midterms if the right person runs. The dismissal of Greene once the epitome of MAGA, sporting the signature red cap for President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union address and acting as a go-between for Trump and other Capitol Hill Republicans appeared to be the final break in a dispute simmering for months, as Greene has seemingly moderated her political profile. The three-term US House member has increasingly dissented from Republican leaders, attacking them during the just-ended federal government shutdown and saying they need a plan to help people who are losing subsidies to afford health insurance policies. Accusing the Georgia Republican of going Far Left, Trump wrote that all he had witnessed from Greene in recent months is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAI

Trump threatens to sue BBC for up to $5 billion despite its apology

After Trump's lawyer issued a letter seeking an apology, the BBC acknowledged an error in the editing and apologised. However, it maintained that it had not defamed Trump

Made 'progress' on stopping flow of drugs from Venezuela, says Trump

US has called Venezuela's leader, President Nicolas Maduro, illegitimate and the head of a drug-trafficking network

Stopped war by preserving ceasefire between Cambodia, Thailand: Trump

President Donald Trump said Friday that he had successfully eased hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand, saying that he'd been able to preserve a previous, US-brokered ceasefire that had appeared to be breaking down. I stopped a war just today, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for the weekend. He said his actions were made possible by his willingness to impose steep tariffs on countries around the world, which he has argued gives the US great leverage on trade and diplomatic leverage. The president said he'd spoken to the prime ministers of both countries by phone and now, They're doing great. They were not doing great. He said the conversations left him believing, I think they're going to be fine. Territorial disputes over exactly where the border lies between the Southeast Asian neighbors led to five days of armed conflict in late July that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. Trump threatened to withhold trade ...

US will probe Epstein's ties to Clinton, other political foes: Pam Bondi

Acceding to President Donald Trump's demands, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday that she has ordered a top federal prosecutor to investigate sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Trump political foes, including former President Bill Clinton. Bondi posted on X that she was assigning Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the probe, capping an eventful week in which congressional Republicans released nearly 23,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate and House Democrats seized on emails mentioning Trump. Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years, didn't explain what supposed crimes he wanted the Justice Department to investigate. None of the men he mentioned in a social media post demanding the probe has been accused of sexual misconduct by any of Epstein's victims. Hours before Bondi's announcement, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he would ask her, the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate Epstein's involvement and relationship with ...

Judge blocks Trump bid to cut federal funding for University of California

The Trump administration cannot immediately cut federal funding to the University of California or issue fines against the school system over claims it allows antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco granted a preliminary injunction sought by labor unions and other groups representing UC faculty, students and employees. Messages sent to the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice were not immediately returned. The unions argue in a lawsuit that the administration is using funding cuts, and the threat of cuts, to silence opposing viewpoints at UC in violation of the Constitution and federal law. President Donald Trump has decried elite colleges as overrun by liberalism and antisemitism. His administration has launched investigations of dozens of universities, claiming they have failed to end the use of racial preferences in violation of civil rights law. The Republican administration says ...

US military's 20th strike on alleged drug-running boat kills 4 in Caribbean

The U.S. military's 20th strike on a boat accused of transporting drugs has killed four people in the Caribbean Sea, a Pentagon official said Friday, coming as the Trump administration escalates its campaign in South American waters. The latest strike happened Monday, according to the official, who wasn't authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. It brings the death toll from the strikes that began in September to 80, with the Mexican Navy suspending its search for a survivor of a strike in late October after four days. The attack, which occurred the same day that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two strikes had been carried out on Sunday, comes as the Trump administration expands the U.S. military's already large presence in the region by bringing in the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The nation's most advanced warship is expected to arrive in the coming days after traveling from the Mediterranean Sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on ...

Trump signs executive order to support children coming out of foster care

Trump talked about how every year, 15,000 children find themselves at a paucity of support upon stepping outside of foster care homes

BBC apologises to Trump, but says there's no basis for defamation claim

The BBC apologized Thursday to U.S. President Donald Trump over a misleading edit of his speech on Jan. 6, 2021 but said it strongly disagreed that there was a basis for a defamation lawsuit. The BBC said Chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House saying that he and the corporation were sorry for the edit of the speech Trump gave before some of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It said there are no plans to rebroadcast the documentary that spliced together parts of his speech that came almost an hour apart. Trump's lawyer sent the BBC a letter demanding an apology and threatened to file a $1 billion lawsuit.

Reached trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador: Trump admin

The Trump administration said Thursday that it had reached trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala. The frameworks are about increasing the ability of U.S. firms to sell industrial and agricultural products in these countries, according to a senior administration official who insisted on anonymity as a condition for briefing reporters on a call about the agreements. The White House also released statements on the frameworks, which have yet to be finalized and are expected to be signed within roughly two weeks. It's all part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to rewrite the rules of global commerce through the use of broad tariffs. The frameworks touch on an array of subjects, including efforts to reduce nontariff barriers and cut tariffs to 0% on American-made goods as well as commitments to not impose digital services taxes on U.S. companies. There would also be tariff relief on select products from these countries. For example, import license