President Donald Trump will present the nation’s highest honours for scientific and technological achievement to Elon Musk and several other prominent American innovators on Thursday, marking the first time he will personally present the awards. "The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology. These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation," White House spokesperson Liz Huston was quoted as saying to Fox News Digital.&nbsp;The honourees will be recognized during the White House's Science: A New Golden Age Summit, which will bring together leading scientists and technology executives to discuss how artificial intelligence, private-sector investment and scientific innovation can accelerate breakthroughs and strengthen US leadership. Musk will receive the National Medal of Science alongside Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, as per Fox News Digital. The ceremony will be significant for Donald Trump, as it marks the first time he has presented either the National Medal of Science or the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during his administrations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nicolas-maduro-wife-likely-to-face-new-charges-over-alleged-torture-of-us-citizens-report-1791404760814">Nicolas Maduro, wife likely to face new charges over alleged torture of US citizens: Report</a><h2>Elon Musk's return to Trump's orbit</h2>Musk's recognition comes as his relationship with Trump has improved following a highly publicised rupture last year. The Tesla and SpaceX chief left his role with the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE, before publicly criticizing Trump's signature tax-and-spending legislation as a ‘disgusting abomination’. The dispute escalated into a public feud, with Trump threatening Musk's government contracts.&nbsp;The two have since repaired their relationship. Musk recently appeared alongside Trump at a technology leaders' lunch and was also present during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. Musk has additionally returned to an advisory role in the Trump administration, co-leading the Pentagon's Project Meridian, which examines the future of warfare and the technologies and weapons the US military could need to maintain its technological advantage.<h2>Trump has family connection to science medal</h2>Trump also has a personal connection to the National Medal of Science. His uncle, John G Trump, was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan for pioneering work involving ionizing radiation and its applications in medicine, industry and atomic physics.

Donald Trump will award Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Jensen Huang and other tech leaders top US science and technology honours at the White House

President Donald Trump will present the nation’s highest honours for scientific and technological achievement to Elon Musk and several other prominent American innovators on Thursday, marking the first time he will personally present the awards. "The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology. These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation," White House spokesperson Liz Huston was quoted as saying to Fox News Digital. The honourees will be recognized during the White House's Science: A New Golden Age Summit, which will bring together leading scientists and technology executives to discuss how artificial intelligence, private-sector investment and scientific innovation can accelerate breakthroughs and strengthen US leadership. Musk will receive the National Medal of Science alongside Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, as per Fox News Digital. The ceremony will be significant for Donald Trump, as it marks the first time he has presented either the National Medal of Science or the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during his administrations. Also Read: Nicolas Maduro, wife likely to face new charges over alleged torture of US citizens: Report Elon Musk's return to Trump's orbit Musk's recognition comes as his relationship with Trump has improved following a highly publicised rupture last year. The Tesla and SpaceX chief left his role with the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE, before publicly criticizing Trump's signature tax-and-spending legislation as a ‘disgusting abomination’. The dispute escalated into a public feud, with Trump threatening Musk's government contracts. The two have since repaired their relationship. Musk recently appeared alongside Trump at a technology leaders' lunch and was also present during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. Musk has additionally returned to an advisory role in the Trump administration, co-leading the Pentagon's Project Meridian, which examines the future of warfare and the technologies and weapons the US military could need to maintain its technological advantage. Trump has family connection to science medal Trump also has a personal connection to the National Medal of Science. His uncle, John G Trump, was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan for pioneering work involving ionizing radiation and its applications in medicine, industry and atomic physics.

As per report, Trump will award Elon Musk and top US tech leaders national science and technology honours at the White House's Science: A New Golden Age Summit

Trump to honour Elon Musk, Sergey Brin and Jensen Huang with top science honour at White House. Check the full list here

Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego have triggered a sharp political backlash in California, with state leaders condemning the comments and the White House strongly defending the president’s meaning. California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s comments ‘deranged and dangerous’, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they amounted to threats and could ‘encourage attacks on American lives’.&nbsp;The White House, however, rejected that interpretation. Officials said Trump was referring to the potential threat American cities would have faced from Iran if the US had not taken military action against Tehran earlier this year.Both Los Angeles and San Diego are home to significant US military facilities, including major naval and air-force installations. Speaking at a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday while discussing the Iran conflict, Trump said, “It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego.”&nbsp;Some members of the crowd cheered after Trump mentioned the two California cities. The following morning, Newsom said the comments had prompted him to instruct California’s State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation. He described the remarks as ‘dangerous, if not treasonous’ and said officials needed to watch for any possibility that foreign actors could interpret them as an invitation to target California.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/penpa-tsering-says-us-support-for-tibet-remains-strong-despite-dalai-lama-ladakh-meeting-snub-1791311356739">Penpa Tsering says US support for Tibet remains strong despite Dalai Lama-Ladakh meeting not happening</a>&nbsp;The State Threat Assessment Center is responsible for identifying and helping prevent potential security threats across the state. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also pushed back against Trump’s remarks, saying the city was not collateral damage and urging the president to keep San Diego out of his ‘reckless war talk’. Trump has not publicly responded to the criticism from California’s political leaders.&nbsp;The White House, meanwhile, maintained that the president’s comments had been misunderstood. White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung dismissed what he called the ‘media freakout’ and said the reaction was ‘not rooted in reality’. “He was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped,” Cheung wrote. “America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money”. The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that military action against Iran’s nuclear programme was necessary to protect US national security. Officials have also maintained that the consequences of the conflict were justified by the broader security threat.&nbsp;The White House rapid response account separately attacked coverage of Trump’s remarks by the Los Angeles Times, referring to its journalists as ‘buffoons’. The account again argued that Trump had been describing what Iran could have done if it had developed a nuclear weapon. “He was saying the US is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon, which they would if they had the chance,” the account added.<h2>Why San Diego was mentioned</h2>San Diego sits around 17 miles (27km) from the US-Mexico border and is the country’s eighth-largest city. It is home to Naval Base San Diego, the Pacific Fleet’s principal home port, as well as Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, a major West Coast training centre for Navy SEALs. The region also includes Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where approximately 70,000 military personnel, civilians and others work. Los Angeles, roughly 120 miles (193km) north of San Diego, is the second-largest city in the United States. The city and surrounding region have major links to the US military and aerospace sectors, including the Space Systems Command headquarters and Los Angeles Air Force Base.<h2>Trump-Newsom tensions</h2>Trump’s latest clash with Newsom is part of a long-running political confrontation between the president and California governor, who has been discussed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028. Trump previously accused Newsom of incompetence over his response to violent incidents during protests against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Newsom, in turn, accused Trump of a ‘brazen abuse of power’ after military personnel were deployed to protect federal buildings during the unrest. Earlier this year, Trump also mocked Newsom’s dyslexia, saying presidents should not have learning disabilities. The remarks drew criticism from dyslexia advocacy organisations.

Donald Trump’s Iran remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego trigger backlash from Gavin Newsom and California leaders as the White House defends his comments

Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego have triggered a sharp political backlash in California, with state leaders condemning the comments and the White House strongly defending the president’s meaning. California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s comments ‘deranged and dangerous’, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they amounted to threats and could ‘encourage attacks on American lives’. The White House, however, rejected that interpretation. Officials said Trump was referring to the potential threat American cities would have faced from Iran if the US had not taken military action against Tehran earlier this year. Both Los Angeles and San Diego are home to significant US military facilities, including major naval and air-force installations. Speaking at a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday while discussing the Iran conflict, Trump said, “It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego.” Some members of the crowd cheered after Trump mentioned the two California cities. The following morning, Newsom said the comments had prompted him to instruct California’s State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation. He described the remarks as ‘dangerous, if not treasonous’ and said officials needed to watch for any possibility that foreign actors could interpret them as an invitation to target California. Also Read: Penpa Tsering says US support for Tibet remains strong despite Dalai Lama-Ladakh meeting not happening The State Threat Assessment Center is responsible for identifying and helping prevent potential security threats across the state. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also pushed back against Trump’s remarks, saying the city was not collateral damage and urging the president to keep San Diego out of his ‘reckless war talk’. Trump has not publicly responded to the criticism from California’s political leaders. The White House, meanwhile, maintained that the president’s comments had been misunderstood. White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung dismissed what he called the ‘media freakout’ and said the reaction was ‘not rooted in reality’. “He was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped,” Cheung wrote. “America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money”. The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that military action against Iran’s nuclear programme was necessary to protect US national security. Officials have also maintained that the consequences of the conflict were justified by the broader security threat. The White House rapid response account separately attacked coverage of Trump’s remarks by the Los Angeles Times, referring to its journalists as ‘buffoons’. The account again argued that Trump had been describing what Iran could have done if it had developed a nuclear weapon. “He was saying the US is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon, which they would if they had the chance,” the account added. Why San Diego was mentioned San Diego sits around 17 miles (27km) from the US-Mexico border and is the country’s eighth-largest city. It is home to Naval Base San Diego, the Pacific Fleet’s principal home port, as well as Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, a major West Coast training centre for Navy SEALs. The region also includes Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where approximately 70,000 military personnel, civilians and others work. Los Angeles, roughly 120 miles (193km) north of San Diego, is the second-largest city in the United States. The city and surrounding region have major links to the US military and aerospace sectors, including the Space Systems Command headquarters and Los Angeles Air Force Base. Trump-Newsom tensions Trump’s latest clash with Newsom is part of a long-running political confrontation between the president and California governor, who has been discussed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028. Trump previously accused Newsom of incompetence over his response to violent incidents during protests against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Newsom, in turn, accused Trump of a ‘brazen abuse of power’ after military personnel were deployed to protect federal buildings during the unrest. Earlier this year, Trump also mocked Newsom’s dyslexia, saying presidents should not have learning disabilities. The remarks drew criticism from dyslexia advocacy organisations.

Donald Trump's remarks about Iran targeting Los Angeles and San Diego spark backlash from Newsom and California leaders as the White House defends him

White House responds after Trump's ‘take out’ LA, San Diego Iran remarks spark backlash

The White House television press pool, which covers events by the US President Donald Trump on a rotating basis, has announced on Monday that it will stop covering these events as a response to White House's ban on CNN from acting as a member of that five-member pool when the president is visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly. In addition to CNN, the other members of the White House TV pool are NBC News, ABC News, CBS News and Fox News.Even Fox News, which is Trump's favourite broadcaster, pulled out of the coverage. Bryan Boughton, Fox News' Washington bureau chief and the acting chair of the TV pool consortium, in a note to pool members obtained by The New York Times, said, “Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President.”The decision to drop US President Donald Trump's events coverage comes as CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, said they are filing a lawsuit against Trump to overturn a ban of those three media outlets from the White House. The lawsuit argued that the ban violated their rights to free speech and a free press under the US Constitution's First Amendment. Trump, however, denied these allegations, claiming that he “cherishes” a free press, and the ban was an assault on “fake news”.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/8000-bees-stolen-queensland-hives-20000-suspected-inside-job-1789998442635">8,000 bees worth over $20,000 stolen from hives in Queensland</a>“The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America. It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW!” said Trump in a post on the Truth Social platform.&nbsp;The pool members, in a joint statement posted on X by NBC News’ communications department, said, “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.”“No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” the statement said.&nbsp;

The White House TV pool, including Fox News, halted coverage of Donald Trump after CNN was barred from the pool during his UNGA visit.

The White House television press pool, which covers events by the US President Donald Trump on a rotating basis, has announced on Monday that it will stop covering these events as a response to White House's ban on CNN from acting as a member of that five-member pool when the president is visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly. In addition to CNN, the other members of the White House TV pool are NBC News, ABC News, CBS News and Fox News. Even Fox News, which is Trump's favourite broadcaster, pulled out of the coverage. Bryan Boughton, Fox News' Washington bureau chief and the acting chair of the TV pool consortium, in a note to pool members obtained by The New York Times, said, “Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President.” The decision to drop US President Donald Trump's events coverage comes as CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, said they are filing a lawsuit against Trump to overturn a ban of those three media outlets from the White House. The lawsuit argued that the ban violated their rights to free speech and a free press under the US Constitution's First Amendment. Trump, however, denied these allegations, claiming that he “cherishes” a free press, and the ban was an assault on “fake news”. Also Read: 8,000 bees worth over $20,000 stolen from hives in Queensland “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America. It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW!” said Trump in a post on the Truth Social platform. The pool members, in a joint statement posted on X by NBC News’ communications department, said, “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.” “No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” the statement said.

The White House TV pool, including Fox News, halted coverage of Donald Trump after CNN was barred from the pool during his UNGA visit.

White House TV pool halts Trump coverage after CNN barred from UNGA events

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) and major news organizations have issued emergency demands for the Trump administration to immediately restore full press access after journalists from CNN, POLITICO, and MS NOW were turned away at the gates. White House press credentials were disabled after President Trump accused the outlets of publishing "fake news" and "dishonest coverage". WHCA President Jacqui Heinrich condemned the move as an illegal "ban on the free press," while media organizations warned that arbitrarily revoking access based on unfavorable reporting directly violates First Amendment constitutional protections.   


US President Trump bans American media outlets from White House

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three news outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”.&nbsp;Trump announced the decision in a post on Truth Social and said the ban would take effect immediately, while also warning that “other Fake News Media Outlets to follow”.&nbsp;“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW... and Politico... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!” Trump said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 <a href="https://t.co/67J1tHH7pj">pic.twitter.com/67J1tHH7pj</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2101025120399626488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Trump did not give specific examples of the reports that led to the decision, but accused the outlets of publishing “fiction and lies” about his administration and the United States.&nbsp;“Media outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” he said.<h3>Trump tightens White House media access</h3>It is extremely rare for a US president to completely bar news outlets from the White House. Trump had previously banned a CNN reporter during his first term, while former president Richard Nixon imposed restrictions on The Washington Post over its coverage of the Watergate scandal.&nbsp;Trump’s second administration has introduced tighter controls on media access, including taking greater control over which journalists can join the press pool for events held in restricted spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-revives-mandatory-testosterone-testing-for-male-troops-aged-30-and-above-1789758203584">Pentagon revives mandatory testosterone testing for male troops aged 30 and above</a>&nbsp;Trump also barred The Associated Press from some White House events last year after the news agency continued using the name “Gulf of Mexico” instead of “Gulf of America”, which Trump had decreed.&nbsp;The latest move against CNN, MS NOW and Politico comes as Trump continues to accuse media outlets of unfair or inaccurate coverage of his administration.

US President banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS” and “fiction and lies”.

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three news outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”. Trump announced the decision in a post on Truth Social and said the ban would take effect immediately, while also warning that “other Fake News Media Outlets to follow”. “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW... and Politico... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!” Trump said.

US President banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS” and “fiction and lies”.

Trump bans  CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House over ‘FAKE NEWS’

President Donald Trump gave three of his closest White House aides $45,000 each in cash holiday gifts, according to annual financial disclosure filings submitted by the officials. Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin each reported receiving $45,000 from Trump. The gifts totaled $135,000 and were separate from the aides’ taxpayer-funded annual salaries of $150,000. The financial disclosures list Trump as the source of each payment and describe the money as a ‘cash gift for the holidays’.&nbsp;&nbsp;Harris identified Trump’s location as Washington, DC, while Harp and Martin listed Palm Beach, Florida. The disclosures were filed under federal government requirements governing public financial reporting by senior government officials. Each $45,000 payment represents 30% of the recipient’s annual White House salary. The three aides are among the officials who have frequent access to Trump and play prominent roles around the president.&nbsp;Harp, who serves as a special assistant and executive assistant to Trump, has attracted attention for her highly visible presence around the president. She is frequently seen at Trump’s side, printing articles, social media posts and other material for him, earning her the nickname 'the human printer'. Harris serves as deputy director of Oval Office operations and as an executive assistant to the president. Trump also appointed her to the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal panel responsible for reviewing architectural and design matters in Washington.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-firefighters-carried-him-to-safety-on-9-11-what-actually-happened-1788920387076">Trump claims firefighters carried him to safety on 9/11: What actually happened</a>&nbsp;That appointment has become particularly notable because the commission is involved in reviewing Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, a project that has sparked legal and political controversy. Former commissioners and preservation advocates criticized Harris’ appointment and questioned whether she had the qualifications for the position. Martin, Trump’s communications adviser, also travels regularly with the president. She frequently records and publishes videos of Trump, including footage showing him dancing on a tarmac in Malaysia and interacting with visitors in the Oval Office.&nbsp;The financial filings provide limited information about the circumstances surrounding the holiday payments. A White House spokesperson defended the gifts, saying, “The President has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including at times employees and aides, both in government and in his time in the private sector,” a White House spokesperson said. “The gifts at issue here have nothing to do with any of these individuals’ official government duties, and, therefore, are entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.”

Donald Trump gave three top White House aides $45,000 holiday cash gifts each, totaling $135,000, according to federal financial disclosures

President Donald Trump gave three of his closest White House aides $45,000 each in cash holiday gifts, according to annual financial disclosure filings submitted by the officials. Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin each reported receiving $45,000 from Trump. The gifts totaled $135,000 and were separate from the aides’ taxpayer-funded annual salaries of $150,000. The financial disclosures list Trump as the source of each payment and describe the money as a ‘cash gift for the holidays’. Harris identified Trump’s location as Washington, DC, while Harp and Martin listed Palm Beach, Florida. The disclosures were filed under federal government requirements governing public financial reporting by senior government officials. Each $45,000 payment represents 30% of the recipient’s annual White House salary. The three aides are among the officials who have frequent access to Trump and play prominent roles around the president. Harp, who serves as a special assistant and executive assistant to Trump, has attracted attention for her highly visible presence around the president. She is frequently seen at Trump’s side, printing articles, social media posts and other material for him, earning her the nickname 'the human printer'. Harris serves as deputy director of Oval Office operations and as an executive assistant to the president. Trump also appointed her to the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal panel responsible for reviewing architectural and design matters in Washington. Also Read: Trump claims firefighters carried him to safety on 9/11: What actually happened That appointment has become particularly notable because the commission is involved in reviewing Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, a project that has sparked legal and political controversy. Former commissioners and preservation advocates criticized Harris’ appointment and questioned whether she had the qualifications for the position. Martin, Trump’s communications adviser, also travels regularly with the president. She frequently records and publishes videos of Trump, including footage showing him dancing on a tarmac in Malaysia and interacting with visitors in the Oval Office. The financial filings provide limited information about the circumstances surrounding the holiday payments. A White House spokesperson defended the gifts, saying, “The President has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including at times employees and aides, both in government and in his time in the private sector,” a White House spokesperson said. “The gifts at issue here have nothing to do with any of these individuals’ official government duties, and, therefore, are entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.”

Donald Trump gave three top White House aides $45,000 holiday cash gifts each, totaling $135,000, according to their federal financial disclosures

Trump's $135,000 holiday surprise for three White House aides revealed in new disclosures

Vice President JD Vance stepped up to take questions from reporters — the first White House press briefing in over 40 days, since Karoline Leavitt left the podium for good on July 23. Leavitt has since moved on to work with Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC. No permanent replacement has been named yet, with names like Scott Jennings and Anna Kelly floating around. Until then, it's a rotating cast of top officials fielding the press.


Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll steps down by the end of the year after months of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

US army secretary Dan Driscoll resigns from White House 

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a highly sensitive diplomatic trip to Moscow this week at the personal direction of President Donald Trump, with some senior White House officials reportedly unaware of the mission beforehand. Trump personally sent Ratcliffe to Russia and limited advance knowledge of the trip, including the specific message he was expected to deliver to senior Kremlin officials, according to US officials.&nbsp;The unusual mission came after several rounds of diplomacy involving other Trump administration envoys failed to halt the fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. In recent months, Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, strengthened its support for Iran’s regime and resisted US efforts to expand economic engagement. Ratcliffe traveled secretly to Moscow aboard an unmarked US C-17 military transport aircraft from Latvia. The visit prompted European officials to seek information after reports of the trip emerged.&nbsp;After receiving briefings, two European officials said Ratcliffe reiterated to Russian intelligence officials that Washington remained committed to NATO’s Article 5, under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that Ratcliffe warned Russian officials against attacking NATO countries. The CIA director’s visit comes as U.S. and European intelligence assessments warn that Moscow could test NATO’s resolve within the next several years. European officials have also raised concerns that Russia has accumulated Ukrainian drones that could potentially be used in a false-flag operation against countries on NATO’s eastern flank.&nbsp;Despite those concerns, Trump said on Thursday that he did not expect Putin to attack NATO members. Trump said Putin “won’t attack NATO territory.” Ratcliffe also discussed efforts to restart negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to U.S. and European officials. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said on Thursday that talks could resume in September. The CIA chief additionally urged Russian officials not to continue economic and security cooperation with Iran as the Trump administration increases pressure and sanctions against Tehran.&nbsp;The CIA declined to comment on Ratcliffe’s trip. The White House referred to Trump’s recent public remarks, including an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck in which Trump described the CIA director’s journey as “semi-routine.” The diplomatic mission comes amid growing concern in Europe over Russia’s military intentions. Some leaders, particularly in NATO’s eastern member states, sought to reassure their populations Thursday. “There is currently no reason for concern,” Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said in a video posted on social media. “Latvia’s level of military threat hasn’t changed. The risk of direct military invasion threats to Latvia is currently low.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-vp-says-he-would-have-stopped-enrichment-if-he-knew-us-would-kill-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-1787922341818">Iran VP says he would have stopped enrichment if he knew US would kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;Nevertheless, European officials say Russia is already conducting an expanding hybrid campaign against Ukraine’s European allies. The alleged campaign has included drones, cruise missiles, cyberattacks and explosive-filled packages, raising fears that an incident could trigger a broader confrontation. European leaders view these actions as part of an effort to weaken support for Ukraine and undermine NATO unity. US and European officials assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to pursue the strategic objective of taking control of Ukraine. According to those assessments, the Kremlin is revising potential military plans involving NATO after Russia suffered significant battlefield casualties, weapons shortages and economic pressure during the war.&nbsp;The concern extends beyond the immediate conflict. Several European officials believe Russia could represent a substantially greater conventional military threat by 2030, when Moscow could have rebuilt forces depleted by the Ukraine war while European countries are still expanding their own military capabilities. Ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has remained a major foreign-policy objective for Trump during his second term. He has repeatedly sent special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for meetings with Putin and later involved his son-in-law Jared Kushner in the diplomatic effort.&nbsp;Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg have also traveled internationally to engage with representatives of both Russia and Ukraine. Trump also held a summit with Putin in Alaska last August in an attempt to break the diplomatic deadlock. The meeting failed to produce a final agreement, while Trump administration officials subsequently continued pressing Ukraine to consider territorial concessions in eastern areas that Russia had not fully captured.&nbsp;Ratcliffe's experience with Russia may have influenced Trump's decision to send him. US officials said the CIA director has helped secure the release of American hostages held in Russia and has experience working through the agency's longstanding relationships with Russian intelligence services. His close position within Trump's inner circle, combined with his knowledge of Moscow's intelligence establishment, makes Ratcliffe a potentially valuable channel for sensitive negotiations, US officials said.&nbsp;Former senior US intelligence official and Senate national-security adviser JC Lintzenich said Ratcliffe's decision to deliver Trump's message personally was intended to make clear that diplomatic efforts over Ukraine would not weaken Washington's security commitments to Europe.&nbsp;“Putin has a tolerance for extraordinary risk and is even potentially willing to escalate to compel de-escalation, but he is unlikely to roll the dice on actions that could threaten the Russian state,” said Lintzenich, now a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund think tank in Washington, DC. Ratcliffe's mission therefore carried two messages at once: Washington remains interested in negotiations to end the Ukraine war, but Trump's pursuit of peace does not mean the United States is prepared to compromise on NATO's collective-defense commitments.

John Ratcliffe’s secret Russia trip delivers Trump’s message on Ukraine peace talks, NATO Article 5, Russia and Iran to Kremlin officials

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a highly sensitive diplomatic trip to Moscow this week at the personal direction of President Donald Trump, with some senior White House officials reportedly unaware of the mission beforehand. Trump personally sent Ratcliffe to Russia and limited advance knowledge of the trip, including the specific message he was expected to deliver to senior Kremlin officials, according to US officials. The unusual mission came after several rounds of diplomacy involving other Trump administration envoys failed to halt the fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. In recent months, Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, strengthened its support for Iran’s regime and resisted US efforts to expand economic engagement. Ratcliffe traveled secretly to Moscow aboard an unmarked US C-17 military transport aircraft from Latvia. The visit prompted European officials to seek information after reports of the trip emerged. After receiving briefings, two European officials said Ratcliffe reiterated to Russian intelligence officials that Washington remained committed to NATO’s Article 5, under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that Ratcliffe warned Russian officials against attacking NATO countries. The CIA director’s visit comes as U.S. and European intelligence assessments warn that Moscow could test NATO’s resolve within the next several years. European officials have also raised concerns that Russia has accumulated Ukrainian drones that could potentially be used in a false-flag operation against countries on NATO’s eastern flank. Despite those concerns, Trump said on Thursday that he did not expect Putin to attack NATO members. Trump said Putin “won’t attack NATO territory.” Ratcliffe also discussed efforts to restart negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to U.S. and European officials. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said on Thursday that talks could resume in September. The CIA chief additionally urged Russian officials not to continue economic and security cooperation with Iran as the Trump administration increases pressure and sanctions against Tehran. The CIA declined to comment on Ratcliffe’s trip. The White House referred to Trump’s recent public remarks, including an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck in which Trump described the CIA director’s journey as “semi-routine.” The diplomatic mission comes amid growing concern in Europe over Russia’s military intentions. Some leaders, particularly in NATO’s eastern member states, sought to reassure their populations Thursday. “There is currently no reason for concern,” Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said in a video posted on social media. “Latvia’s level of military threat hasn’t changed. The risk of direct military invasion threats to Latvia is currently low.” Also Read: Iran VP says he would have stopped enrichment if he knew US would kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Nevertheless, European officials say Russia is already conducting an expanding hybrid campaign against Ukraine’s European allies. The alleged campaign has included drones, cruise missiles, cyberattacks and explosive-filled packages, raising fears that an incident could trigger a broader confrontation. European leaders view these actions as part of an effort to weaken support for Ukraine and undermine NATO unity. US and European officials assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to pursue the strategic objective of taking control of Ukraine. According to those assessments, the Kremlin is revising potential military plans involving NATO after Russia suffered significant battlefield casualties, weapons shortages and economic pressure during the war. The concern extends beyond the immediate conflict. Several European officials believe Russia could represent a substantially greater conventional military threat by 2030, when Moscow could have rebuilt forces depleted by the Ukraine war while European countries are still expanding their own military capabilities. Ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has remained a major foreign-policy objective for Trump during his second term. He has repeatedly sent special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for meetings with Putin and later involved his son-in-law Jared Kushner in the diplomatic effort. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg have also traveled internationally to engage with representatives of both Russia and Ukraine. Trump also held a summit with Putin in Alaska last August in an attempt to break the diplomatic deadlock. The meeting failed to produce a final agreement, while Trump administration officials subsequently continued pressing Ukraine to consider territorial concessions in eastern areas that Russia had not fully captured. Ratcliffe's experience with Russia may have influenced Trump's decision to send him. US officials said the CIA director has helped secure the release of American hostages held in Russia and has experience working through the agency's longstanding relationships with Russian intelligence services. His close position within Trump's inner circle, combined with his knowledge of Moscow's intelligence establishment, makes Ratcliffe a potentially valuable channel for sensitive negotiations, US officials said. Former senior US intelligence official and Senate national-security adviser JC Lintzenich said Ratcliffe's decision to deliver Trump's message personally was intended to make clear that diplomatic efforts over Ukraine would not weaken Washington's security commitments to Europe. “Putin has a tolerance for extraordinary risk and is even potentially willing to escalate to compel de-escalation, but he is unlikely to roll the dice on actions that could threaten the Russian state,” said Lintzenich, now a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund think tank in Washington, DC. Ratcliffe's mission therefore carried two messages at once: Washington remains interested in negotiations to end the Ukraine war, but Trump's pursuit of peace does not mean the United States is prepared to compromise on NATO's collective-defense commitments.

John Ratcliffe’s secret Moscow mission delivered Trump’s message on Ukraine, NATO security and Russia’s growing ties with Iran

CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s 'secret' Moscow trip caught senior White House officials off guard

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her high-profile role at the end of August. President Donald Trump announced the major departure, stating that Leavitt—the youngest person in history to hold the position—is leaving to spend more time with her young family following the birth of her second child. 

While her exit has sparked intense speculation and political shockwaves with the midterms approaching, Trump confirmed that she will transition into a new role as one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice for the Republican Party.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt resigns to focus on family

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she will step down from her high-profile role at the end of August, describing the choice as a "bittersweet" transition. Leavitt, the youngest person ever to hold the position at 28 years old, stated that balancing the intense, around-the-clock demands of the West Wing with raising her two young children—including a newborn daughter born in May—became increasingly difficult following her return from maternity leave.


Leavitt to depart role at August end, calls decision bittersweet

Reports claim U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over concerns about shrinking U.S. munitions stockpiles amid ongoing military operations. According to reports, Trump sought answers over missile shortages and the Pentagon's preparedness, while the White House has disputed accounts of a major confrontation and insists the United States has sufficient weapons supplies.

Donald Trump Reportedly Clashed with Pete Hegseth Over the Shortage of Munitions 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating an air safety incident involving U.S. President Donald Trump's military helicopter, Marine One, and a commercial passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

According to the FAA's preliminary review, the two aircraft experienced a momentary loss of separation shortly after the passenger plane took off. Officials said both aircraft then continued moving away from each other, and there was no immediate danger.

The White House has maintained that President Trump was never at risk, while aviation authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is expected to determine whether additional safety measures are needed around one of the nation's busiest and most tightly controlled airspaces.

FAA Investigates Trump’s Marine One After Close Call With Passenger Jet Near Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a highly unusual closed-door meeting at the White House, sparking intense speculation over the future of the Iran conflict.

Unlike previous meetings, there were no public remarks or joint press interactions before the talks. The White House released photographs only after the 90-minute meeting, raising questions about what was discussed behind closed doors.

Trump-Netanyahu Meeting: What's Really Changing on Iran?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described his latest White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as "one of the best conversations" they have ever had. The high-level discussions focused on Iran's nuclear program, regional security, and the broader situation in West Asia following the Iran conflict. Netanyahu said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and strengthening Israel's long-term security. Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside the White House, with anti-Zionist Orthodox Jewish groups, Christian organizations, and other faith-based activists calling for an end to the war in Gaza, an end to violence in the West Bank, and a renewed push for diplomacy over military action.

Netanyahu hails Trump meeting as 'One of the Best' amid Iran tensions and White House protests

US President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, three months after the original event was cancelled following an assassination attempt. Speaking before journalists, lawmakers, and senior officials, Trump reflected on the attack, joked about running for another term, and once again criticized the media and his political opponents.

During his speech, Trump held up a "Trump 2028" cap, joked about seeking a third and even fourth term despite constitutional limits, and mocked what he described as "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The event was held under heightened security with Secret Service, National Guard, and police presence around the venue.

Trump returns to White House Correspondents' Dinner | Jokes about 2028, mocks media & third term

US President Donald Trump will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday (July 24), three months after gunshots forced his evacuation and led organisers to cancel the event. The dinner will take place under heightened security. However, First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the president to the event.&nbsp;A White House spokesperson confirmed that Melania has a prior commitment, as per Fox News.Trump will deliver the speech he could not give in April after gunshots were fired at the Washington Hilton, forcing the cancellation of the black-tie dinner.&nbsp;The event has also moved from the Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel. Organisers said the new venue will make the gala much smaller and "more intimate."<h2>Previous gala called off after shooting</h2>Chaos erupted at the White House dinner on April 25, 2026, when gunman Cole Tomas Allen opened fire near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. Armed with a shotgun, pistol and knives, the 31-year-old shot a Secret Service officer, whose vest prevented serious injury.&nbsp;Tactical agents rushed President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance to safety as 2,600 guests scrambled under tables. Officers quickly subdued Allen, who had emailed an anti-government manifesto beforehand.&nbsp;The dinner was cancelled, and Allen now faces federal attempted assassination charges.California man Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempting to kill the president.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-army-chief-used-private-oil-venture-to-keep-iran-attacks-off-saudi-arabia-report-1784899497194">Pakistan army chief used private oil venture to keep Iran attacks off Saudi Arabia: Report</a><h2>Trump to return after three months</h2>"In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and today, he will deliver on that promise," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;"We look forward to a great and fun evening celebrating 250 years of American greatness and a free press."&nbsp;Trump's appearance at the April dinner marked his first attendance at the event during either of his two terms as president. His absence from previous dinners reflected his disdain for the media, which he has called the "enemy of the people."

US President Donald Trump will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner three months after a shooting forced the previous event to be cancelled, while First Lady Melania Trump will skip the gathering due to a prior commitment.

US President Donald Trump will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday (July 24), three months after gunshots forced his evacuation and led organisers to cancel the event. The dinner will take place under heightened security. However, First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the president to the event. A White House spokesperson confirmed that Melania has a prior commitment, as per Fox News. Trump will deliver the speech he could not give in April after gunshots were fired at the Washington Hilton, forcing the cancellation of the black-tie dinner. The event has also moved from the Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel. Organisers said the new venue will make the gala much smaller and "more intimate." Previous gala called off after shooting Chaos erupted at the White House dinner on April 25, 2026, when gunman Cole Tomas Allen opened fire near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. Armed with a shotgun, pistol and knives, the 31-year-old shot a Secret Service officer, whose vest prevented serious injury. Tactical agents rushed President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance to safety as 2,600 guests scrambled under tables. Officers quickly subdued Allen, who had emailed an anti-government manifesto beforehand. The dinner was cancelled, and Allen now faces federal attempted assassination charges. California man Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempting to kill the president. Also Read: Pakistan army chief used private oil venture to keep Iran attacks off Saudi Arabia: Report Trump to return after three months "In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and today, he will deliver on that promise," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying by AFP. "We look forward to a great and fun evening celebrating 250 years of American greatness and a free press." Trump's appearance at the April dinner marked his first attendance at the event during either of his two terms as president. His absence from previous dinners reflected his disdain for the media, which he has called the "enemy of the people."

US President Donald Trump will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner three months after a shooting forced the previous event to be cancelled, while First Lady Melania Trump will skip the gathering due to a prior commitment.

Trump to attend White House press dinner rescheduled after shooting; Melania to skip

The Trump administration has ruled out any involvement in the extradition proceedings involving Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate. White House officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the administration will not intervene in the legal process. The development comes as British prosecutors have filed additional charges against the Tate brothers. Andrew Tate now faces 42 allegations, while Tristan Tate faces 17. The charges include rape, sex trafficking, assault, and offenses involving sexual images. The brothers also continue to face separate criminal investigations in Romania related to human trafficking, sexual offenses, and money laundering.

Trump White House refuses to intervene in Andrew & Tristan Tate UK Extradition Case

US President Donald Trump has once again accused China of interfering in the 2020 US Presidential Election, claiming Beijing obtained American voter data and attempted to influence the election. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the alleged interference happened "a long time ago" but confirmed that the United States would raise the issue with China. The remarks come just ahead of the expected Xi Jinping visit to Washington, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met China's top diplomat in Manila to prepare the groundwork for high-level talks. However, Rubio reportedly did not raise Trump's election interference allegations during the meeting, instead focusing on Iran, trade, fentanyl trafficking, and broader US-China relations.

Trump accuses China of 2020 Election Interference again | Xi Visit, Rubio talks & US-China tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump is once again at the center of online speculation after videos appearing to show him nodding off during official meetings went viral. Critics have questioned the president’s alertness, while the White House and Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed the claims, insisting the clips are being misinterpreted. The renewed debate comes as Trump’s fitness and stamina continue to draw public attention.

Trump dozing videos go viral again as White House rejects claims about President’s alertness

President Donald Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, is under investigation by federal regulators over alleged bets placed on prediction market platform Kalshi related to Trump's speeches. According to reports, Perez allegedly earned more than $90,000 in profits by predicting words and phrases Trump would mention during scheduled addresses. Kalshi flagged the trades as suspicious, froze most of the alleged profits, and referred the matter for review by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Perez, who has operated Trump's teleprompter since the 2016 presidential campaign, is now at the center of an investigation raising fresh concerns over insider information and prediction market trading.


White House staffer removed amid insider trading allegations

President Donald Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, is under investigation by federal regulators over alleged bets placed on prediction market platform Kalshi related to Trump's speeches. According to reports, Perez allegedly earned more than $90,000 in profits by predicting words and phrases Trump would mention during scheduled addresses. Kalshi flagged the trades as suspicious, froze most of the alleged profits, and referred the matter for review by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Perez, who has operated Trump's teleprompter since the 2016 presidential campaign, is now at the center of an investigation raising fresh concerns over insider information and prediction market trading

Trump suspends teleprompter operator over Kalshi betting allegations, White house says

US President Donald Trump has claimed that newly declassified intelligence reveals major vulnerabilities in America's election system and alleged that China obtained 220 million US voter files beginning during the 2020 election cycle. Speaking from the White House, Trump said the data included sensitive voter information and argued that it exposed the country to foreign interference. He also announced that the declassified documents would be released publicly and renewed his call for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voter identification, proof of citizenship and tighter rules on mail-in voting. While US media noted that the documents are newly declassified, they also reported that many of the security concerns referenced have been publicly discussed for years. Trump's broader allegations about the 2020 election remain disputed, and the proposed legislation continues to face significant political hurdles in Congress.

Trump unveils declassified election documents, alleges China accessed US voter data since 2020

Donald Trump claimed that newly declassified intelligence reveals China compromised millions of U.S. voter records and exposed vulnerabilities in America's election infrastructure. The announcement comes as the U.S. launches a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets, while tensions continue to rise across West Asia. CENTCOM also intensified maritime operations near Iran as Ukraine reported deadly Russian missile strikes on Odesa. Meanwhile, North Korea pledged stronger ties with China, SpaceX aborted its latest Starship launch seconds before liftoff, and Japan's stock market plunged amid growing concerns over the AI sector.

Stay tuned for the latest international developments, geopolitical updates, defence news, breaking headlines, and global affairs.

Trump claims China hacked U.S. election data | U.S. strikes Iran again | Starship launch aborted 

The White House is preparing to expand its "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" through a new initiative designed to shield households from rising electricity costs driven by AI data centers. While the original March 2026 pledge focused on major tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, this upcoming effort will broaden participation to include electric utilities, data center developers, and state governors.


White House plans voluntary AI energy pledge

After the ballroom and reflecting pool, US President Donald Trump is now renovating the North Portico entrance of the White House as the US administration pushes ahead with a broader overhaul of security around the presidential residence. Behind the scaffolding and large tarpaulins that have covered the White House façade in recent weeks, crews are carrying out more than routine restoration work. While the visible project involves repairing the North Portico’s ageing stone columns, officials say another layer of construction is aimed at strengthening security at the main entrance, a proposal the US Secret Service has supported for years.According to a CNN report, the security work is expected to continue through the summer, with the reinforced entrance likely to be completed by the middle of September.Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/1-000-missiles-locked-and-loaded-trump-threatens-iran-amid-assassination-plot-fears-1783749255771"> ‘1,000 missiles locked and loaded’: Trump threatens Iran amid assassination plot fears</a>The administration is also laying the groundwork for more permanent security measures beyond the White House gates. A proposal submitted on Friday seeks approval for new fencing around Lafayette Park, the public space facing the north side of the executive mansion. The plan would replace the temporary barricades that frequently appear during presidential travel, state visits and high-security events.According to planning documents, the redesigned perimeter would give security agencies greater flexibility to respond to changing threat levels while allowing roads around the White House to be sealed more efficiently. The proposal must clear reviews by multiple federal bodies before construction can begin. If approved, work could start in 2027.The security push comes after several alleged threats involving Trump over the past year. Those incidents have also been cited by the administration while defending its ambitious plans for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds. The proposed complex is expected to feature advanced security infrastructure, including facilities for drone operations, elevated sniper positions and a protected underground shelter.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-knows-who-the-boss-is-trump-says-ahead-of-possible-white-house-meet-1783229474079">Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’: Trump says ahead of possible White House meet</a>This also comes at a time when reports suggested that Israeli intelligence has uncovered an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Following the claims, the US president has renewed his threats, ordering a massive attack on Iran should there is an attempt to eliminate him.Outside the North Portico, restoration work remains visible. On Friday, workers installed another printed tarp depicting the White House façade, further concealing the construction site as stone repairs continue. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had earlier suggested the restoration would move quickly, saying the work was expected to be completed within weeks, though the expanded construction indicates the project has grown beyond a straightforward facelift.Watch | Trump agrees to fresh Iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising Middle East tensions<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-agrees-to-fresh-iran-talks-as-us-imposes-new-sanctions-amid-rising-middle-east-tensions-1783754837431/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-agrees-to-fresh-iran-talks-as-us-imposes-new-sanctions-amid-rising-middle-east-tensions-1783754837431/embed</a>&nbsp;

Trump’s White House entrance is undergoing security upgrades as the administration plans fortified structures and new fencing amid assassination threats and alleged plots targeting the US president.

After the ballroom and reflecting pool, US President Donald Trump is now renovating the North Portico entrance of the White House as the US administration pushes ahead with a broader overhaul of security around the presidential residence. Behind the scaffolding and large tarpaulins that have covered the White House façade in recent weeks, crews are carrying out more than routine restoration work. While the visible project involves repairing the North Portico’s ageing stone columns, officials say another layer of construction is aimed at strengthening security at the main entrance, a proposal the US Secret Service has supported for years. According to a CNN report, the security work is expected to continue through the summer, with the reinforced entrance likely to be completed by the middle of September. Also read | ‘1,000 missiles locked and loaded’: Trump threatens Iran amid assassination plot fears The administration is also laying the groundwork for more permanent security measures beyond the White House gates. A proposal submitted on Friday seeks approval for new fencing around Lafayette Park, the public space facing the north side of the executive mansion. The plan would replace the temporary barricades that frequently appear during presidential travel, state visits and high-security events. According to planning documents, the redesigned perimeter would give security agencies greater flexibility to respond to changing threat levels while allowing roads around the White House to be sealed more efficiently. The proposal must clear reviews by multiple federal bodies before construction can begin. If approved, work could start in 2027. The security push comes after several alleged threats involving Trump over the past year. Those incidents have also been cited by the administration while defending its ambitious plans for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds. The proposed complex is expected to feature advanced security infrastructure, including facilities for drone operations, elevated sniper positions and a protected underground shelter. Also read | Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’: Trump says ahead of possible White House meet This also comes at a time when reports suggested that Israeli intelligence has uncovered an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Following the claims, the US president has renewed his threats, ordering a massive attack on Iran should there is an attempt to eliminate him. Outside the North Portico, restoration work remains visible. On Friday, workers installed another printed tarp depicting the White House façade, further concealing the construction site as stone repairs continue. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had earlier suggested the restoration would move quickly, saying the work was expected to be completed within weeks, though the expanded construction indicates the project has grown beyond a straightforward facelift. Watch | Trump agrees to fresh Iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising Middle East tensions https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-agrees-to-fresh-iran-talks-as-us-imposes-new-sanctions-amid-rising-middle-east-tensions-1783754837431/embed

Trump’s White House entrance is undergoing security upgrades as the administration plans fortified structures and new fencing amid assassination threats and alleged plots targeting the US president.

Assassination threat to Trump? Report claims White House undergoing major security upgrade

In an unusual political standoff, President Donald Trump has refused to sign a landmark bipartisan housing bill, allowing it to become law without his endorsement. The "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act," which passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming support, will take effect at midnight. President Trump, who dismissed the legislation as "a yawn," explicitly stated his refusal to sign the measure is a protest against the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass the "SAVE America Act."


Trump refuses to sign housing bill passed with overwhelming support 

President Donald Trump says the White House South Lawn is getting an upgrade — a brand new granite helipad for Marine One. Sikorsky, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary that builds the presidential helicopters, will foot the $5 to $6 million bill. Trump says the next-gen Marine One helicopters are just too powerful and have been tearing up the lawn on landing.


Trump announces $6m granite helipad for marine one, paid by Sikorsky

On a humid June evening in Washington, five elderly gentlemen stood quietly beyond the White House gates, watching crowds gather beneath floodlights and giant television screens.George Washington seemed uneasy. Thomas Jefferson gazed upward at drones moving across the night sky. Alexander Hamilton studied the security cordons with professional interest. Benjamin Franklin appeared delighted by nearly everything he saw. John Adams already looked irritated.“What is occurring here?” Washington finally asked.A young passerby overheard him.“You don’t know? It’s the mixed-martial-arts tournament for President Trump’s birthday. And for the country’s birthday too, General Washington. Two hundred and fifty years.”“The country’s birthday?” Washington asked cautiously.“Yes sir. Big celebration.”Franklin smiled.“Well, George, tavern brawls in Philadelphia were once conducted with considerably less ceremony.”Music thundered across the White House grounds as giant American flags flashed across digital screens.Hamilton folded his arms.“The republic has acquired a taste for spectacle,” he observed.“So had Rome,” Adams muttered. “By the end.”A few blocks away, and across the country on other screens, another phrase appeared: No Kings. On Flag Day itself, while one celebration gathered around the presidency, another invoked the oldest American warning against monarchy.Adams noticed the words first.“At least,” he said dryly, “someone remembers the point.”As they moved through the city, another controversy appeared across television broadcasts: proposals for a commemorative 250-dollar note bearing the portrait of the sitting presidentJefferson stopped walking.“A living face upon the nation’s currency?” he asked. “Have Americans grown fond of kings again?”Hamilton raised an eyebrow.“No, Thomas. Only men who mistake popularity for legitimacy.”Washington remained silent for several moments.“The presidency,” he finally said, “was meant to restrain ambition, not advertise it.”Yet even in their unease, they could not dismiss the sheer magnitude of what America had become.They passed through cities illuminated brighter than daylight. They learned that aircraft carried thousands of people across oceans in hours. They saw surgeons repairing damaged hearts, scientists altering genes, and children holding in their hands devices containing more knowledge than existed in entire libraries during the Revolution.Franklin was transfixed.“We once drew fire from the clouds,” he declared. “These people appear to have domesticated it.”At a medical research institute, Jefferson listened in amazement as physicians described treatments that had extended human life beyond anything his century could have imagined.“Millions live now,” he said softly, “who in our time would surely have died.”Hamilton was equally captivated by New York.From a high room overlooking lower Manhattan at night, he watched financial markets move across immense electronic screens.“The commercial republic succeeded beyond even my imagination,” he admitted. “Energy, capital, industry — they built a power no European empire could have conceived.”Adams looked down toward the streets below.“And yet,” he replied, “they do not appear especially content.”That judgment followed them across the country.In Philadelphia they passed homeless encampments standing in the shadows of glittering towers. In struggling rural towns they heard of addiction, despair, and communities hollowed out by economic change.Everywhere Americans argued bitterly over immigration, race, religion, identity, and patriotism itself.Citizens no longer merely disagreed with one another. Increasingly, they regarded opponents as enemies.“The oldest danger to republics,” Adams warned, “is faction.”Jefferson was less certain.“The people are loud,” he admitted. “Passionate. Divided. Yet perhaps liberty has always sounded this way.”“And perhaps,” Adams replied sharply, “civilisations collapse sounding exactly the same.”Washington listened quietly as citizens debated elections with bitterness bordering upon hatred.“I warned against the spirit of party,” he said at last.“Yet party now seems to have become a form of national religion.”Their most difficult moment came at the National Archives.There they stood before the Declaration of Independence itself, preserved beneath glass and guarded almost like scripture. Schoolchildren from every imaginable background passed before it — Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, immigrants speaking languages from every continent.Jefferson stared silently at his own words.“All men are created equal.”Franklin leaned closer to the parchment.“Hancock still takes up half the room,” he said.Adams frowned.“Yes, but at least he attached his flourish to a declaration.”Hamilton glanced toward a television screen nearby, where the president’s looping signature appeared beneath another proclamation.“In this age,” he said, “the flourish sometimes seems to have become the declaration.”Nearby, an elected official spoke proudly of a nation where women served as judges, governors, military commanders, and corporate leaders.Washington seemed genuinely astonished.“In our time,” he admitted quietly, “such a thing would scarcely have been imagined.”Franklin smiled.“Then perhaps our imaginations were too small.”But the founders’ deepest discomfort emerged when they confronted slavery and the long struggle that followed it. They visited memorials to the Civil War and the civil rights movement. They listened to the words of Martin Luther King Jr. echoing across Washington.Jefferson appeared shaken.“The republic fought a terrible war over the contradiction embedded within its own birth,” he said.“Yes,” Adams replied. “Because once a principle is declared, later generations may insist upon taking it seriously.”Washington removed his hat before the memorial to Abraham Lincoln.“He preserved the Union,” he said solemnly. “And perhaps redeemed it.”They walked next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where names descended into black stone as though the republic itself had been cut open.Hamilton, who had spoken so confidently of power, said nothing.Washington ran his fingers lightly over the polished wall.“A republic may possess armies,” he said, “but it must never grow careless with the lives it asks of citizens.”Jefferson looked at the reflected faces of visitors moving across the stone.“Here,” he said, “victory is not the only measure of history.”For a long moment none of them spoke.Finally Jefferson asked quietly:“Do they judge us harshly?”A young Black student standing nearby overheard the question.“Sometimes,” she answered honestly. “But the story did not end with you.”Jefferson looked at her carefully and, for the first time that day, smiled faintly.At the Pentagon they heard briefings on tensions with China, instability in the Middle East, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and fears surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. They learned that America maintained military commitments across oceans and continents unimaginable to the fragile republic born in 1776.Washington appeared weary.“We once hoped to avoid permanent entanglements of this kind.”Jefferson nodded.“Yes. But perhaps a nation this powerful cannot remain untouched by the world.”On the evening of the Fourth of July, the five founders stood at the edge of a crowd watching fireworks rise above the National Mall. Hundreds of thousands gathered around them. Children waved flags. Immigrants took oaths of citizenship. Protesters marched peacefully nearby. Soldiers stood watch. Church bells echoed across the capital.For a long time, the founders said nothing.Then Franklin spoke softly.“Well, gentlemen, the experiment appears not to have failed.”“No,” Washington replied, gazing across the immense republic before him. “But neither is it finished.”Jefferson watched the crowds.“They are still arguing about liberty.”Adams reluctantly smiled.“That may be the clearest evidence,” he admitted, “that the republic yet lives.”Hamilton looked toward the illuminated skyline stretching into the distance.“History will judge our failures,” he said. “But no one will say the American experiment lacked ambition.”Fireworks thundered across the summer sky.And somewhere within the spectacle, the wealth, the division, the triumphs and anxieties of two and a half centuries, one truth remained self-evident: the experiment in self-government was still alive, and still unfinished.&nbsp;

America's founders imagine visiting the US at 250, marveling at its progress while confronting deep political divisions, inequality and unresolved ideals, concluding the democratic experiment remains unfinished.

On a humid June evening in Washington, five elderly gentlemen stood quietly beyond the White House gates, watching crowds gather beneath floodlights and giant television screens. George Washington seemed uneasy. Thomas Jefferson gazed upward at drones moving across the night sky. Alexander Hamilton studied the security cordons with professional interest. Benjamin Franklin appeared delighted by nearly everything he saw. John Adams already looked irritated. “What is occurring here?” Washington finally asked. A young passerby overheard him. “You don’t know? It’s the mixed-martial-arts tournament for President Trump’s birthday. And for the country’s birthday too, General Washington. Two hundred and fifty years.” “The country’s birthday?” Washington asked cautiously. “Yes sir. Big celebration.” Franklin smiled. “Well, George, tavern brawls in Philadelphia were once conducted with considerably less ceremony.” Music thundered across the White House grounds as giant American flags flashed across digital screens. Hamilton folded his arms. “The republic has acquired a taste for spectacle,” he observed. “So had Rome,” Adams muttered. “By the end.” A few blocks away, and across the country on other screens, another phrase appeared: No Kings. On Flag Day itself, while one celebration gathered around the presidency, another invoked the oldest American warning against monarchy. Adams noticed the words first. “At least,” he said dryly, “someone remembers the point.” As they moved through the city, another controversy appeared across television broadcasts: proposals for a commemorative 250-dollar note bearing the portrait of the sitting president Jefferson stopped walking. “A living face upon the nation’s currency?” he asked. “Have Americans grown fond of kings again?” Hamilton raised an eyebrow. “No, Thomas. Only men who mistake popularity for legitimacy.” Washington remained silent for several moments. “The presidency,” he finally said, “was meant to restrain ambition, not advertise it.” Yet even in their unease, they could not dismiss the sheer magnitude of what America had become. They passed through cities illuminated brighter than daylight. They learned that aircraft carried thousands of people across oceans in hours. They saw surgeons repairing damaged hearts, scientists altering genes, and children holding in their hands devices containing more knowledge than existed in entire libraries during the Revolution. Franklin was transfixed. “We once drew fire from the clouds,” he declared. “These people appear to have domesticated it.” At a medical research institute, Jefferson listened in amazement as physicians described treatments that had extended human life beyond anything his century could have imagined. “Millions live now,” he said softly, “who in our time would surely have died.” Hamilton was equally captivated by New York. From a high room overlooking lower Manhattan at night, he watched financial markets move across immense electronic screens. “The commercial republic succeeded beyond even my imagination,” he admitted. “Energy, capital, industry — they built a power no European empire could have conceived.” Adams looked down toward the streets below. “And yet,” he replied, “they do not appear especially content.” That judgment followed them across the country. In Philadelphia they passed homeless encampments standing in the shadows of glittering towers. In struggling rural towns they heard of addiction, despair, and communities hollowed out by economic change. Everywhere Americans argued bitterly over immigration, race, religion, identity, and patriotism itself. Citizens no longer merely disagreed with one another. Increasingly, they regarded opponents as enemies. “The oldest danger to republics,” Adams warned, “is faction.” Jefferson was less certain. “The people are loud,” he admitted. “Passionate. Divided. Yet perhaps liberty has always sounded this way.” “And perhaps,” Adams replied sharply, “civilisations collapse sounding exactly the same.” Washington listened quietly as citizens debated elections with bitterness bordering upon hatred. “I warned against the spirit of party,” he said at last. “Yet party now seems to have become a form of national religion.” Their most difficult moment came at the National Archives. There they stood before the Declaration of Independence itself, preserved beneath glass and guarded almost like scripture. Schoolchildren from every imaginable background passed before it — Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, immigrants speaking languages from every continent. Jefferson stared silently at his own words. “All men are created equal.” Franklin leaned closer to the parchment. “Hancock still takes up half the room,” he said. Adams frowned. “Yes, but at least he attached his flourish to a declaration.” Hamilton glanced toward a television screen nearby, where the president’s looping signature appeared beneath another proclamation. “In this age,” he said, “the flourish sometimes seems to have become the declaration.” Nearby, an elected official spoke proudly of a nation where women served as judges, governors, military commanders, and corporate leaders. Washington seemed genuinely astonished. “In our time,” he admitted quietly, “such a thing would scarcely have been imagined.” Franklin smiled. “Then perhaps our imaginations were too small.” But the founders’ deepest discomfort emerged when they confronted slavery and the long struggle that followed it. They visited memorials to the Civil War and the civil rights movement. They listened to the words of Martin Luther King Jr. echoing across Washington. Jefferson appeared shaken. “The republic fought a terrible war over the contradiction embedded within its own birth,” he said. “Yes,” Adams replied. “Because once a principle is declared, later generations may insist upon taking it seriously.” Washington removed his hat before the memorial to Abraham Lincoln. “He preserved the Union,” he said solemnly. “And perhaps redeemed it.” They walked next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where names descended into black stone as though the republic itself had been cut open. Hamilton, who had spoken so confidently of power, said nothing. Washington ran his fingers lightly over the polished wall. “A republic may possess armies,” he said, “but it must never grow careless with the lives it asks of citizens.” Jefferson looked at the reflected faces of visitors moving across the stone. “Here,” he said, “victory is not the only measure of history.” For a long moment none of them spoke. Finally Jefferson asked quietly: “Do they judge us harshly?” A young Black student standing nearby overheard the question. “Sometimes,” she answered honestly. “But the story did not end with you.” Jefferson looked at her carefully and, for the first time that day, smiled faintly. At the Pentagon they heard briefings on tensions with China, instability in the Middle East, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and fears surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. They learned that America maintained military commitments across oceans and continents unimaginable to the fragile republic born in 1776. Washington appeared weary. “We once hoped to avoid permanent entanglements of this kind.” Jefferson nodded. “Yes. But perhaps a nation this powerful cannot remain untouched by the world.” On the evening of the Fourth of July, the five founders stood at the edge of a crowd watching fireworks rise above the National Mall. Hundreds of thousands gathered around them. Children waved flags. Immigrants took oaths of citizenship. Protesters marched peacefully nearby. Soldiers stood watch. Church bells echoed across the capital. For a long time, the founders said nothing. Then Franklin spoke softly. “Well, gentlemen, the experiment appears not to have failed.” “No,” Washington replied, gazing across the immense republic before him. “But neither is it finished.” Jefferson watched the crowds. “They are still arguing about liberty.” Adams reluctantly smiled. “That may be the clearest evidence,” he admitted, “that the republic yet lives.” Hamilton looked toward the illuminated skyline stretching into the distance. “History will judge our failures,” he said. “But no one will say the American experiment lacked ambition.” Fireworks thundered across the summer sky. And somewhere within the spectacle, the wealth, the division, the triumphs and anxieties of two and a half centuries, one truth remained self-evident: the experiment in self-government was still alive, and still unfinished.

America's founders imagine visiting the US at 250, marvelling at its progress while confronting deep political divisions, inequality and unresolved ideals, concluding the democratic experiment remains unfinished.

The founders return at 250

White House shared an old post of a birthday wish for Hillary Clinton, with the original post captioned - "Happy birthday to this future president", leaving netizens shocked. The old message was posted by several people in response to a post by UberFacts. "Today is Social Media Day — What social media post will forever remain unmatched?" The black and white photo shows a teen Hillary Clinton smiling and was originally posted on October 26, 2016, as per the date mentioned at the bottom.&nbsp;&nbsp;This was the time when Clinton was running for president against Donald Trump. The latter staged a shock victory, after which Hillary never ran for president again. The post is being seen as a sarcastic jab at Hillary.<h2>White House post on Hillary Clinton</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/Q9N1JjVdDG">https://t.co/Q9N1JjVdDG</a> <a href="https://t.co/KrFwEtl0EN">pic.twitter.com/KrFwEtl0EN</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2072103029621362912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Shocked netizens react to White House post on Hillary Clinton</h2>The post from the White House left everyone shocked, with some asking whether Trump himself handles this account. It is unexpected to see a body like the White House taking a jibe at a politician and an ex-presidential candidate.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260701/image-1782881427152.png"></figure>&nbsp;A user asked what kind of person would post something like this, using expletives that WION cannot share here. Another wrote, "I can’t wait until the day Trump is removed from everything. The disgraced White House and all the garbage posted by these losers is wiped from existence."&nbsp;One shocked user wrote, "I would have lost a lot of money if someone had bet me that one day the White House Official communications would be run by petty, juvenile teenagers," expressing disbelief over such a post being shared by the White House. Another called out whoever handles White House's social media account. "Someone stop the White House interns. They are wasted on Boone Farms and poasting whatever they like."&nbsp;"Don’t you have more important things to do like protect the public from threats, solve the economy, drive down gas prices and grocery prices, etc etc?" one asked.&nbsp;<h2>Netizens shared Trump's own social media posts that shocked the world</h2>A user shared that on World Social Media day, Trump's "genocide" warning against Iran remains "unmatched", adding a screenshot of the Truth Social post by Trump in which he wrote, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."&nbsp;Another mocked Trump by sharing a screenshot of Trump's suspended then-Twitter account from 2021.&nbsp;

White House's latest X post is being seen as a sarcastic jibe at Hillary Clinton, who ran against Donald Trump for president in 2016 and lost. People are shocked to see the post, with users calling out the people handling White House's X handle.

White House shared an old post of a birthday wish for Hillary Clinton, with the original post captioned - "Happy birthday to this future president", leaving netizens shocked. The old message was posted by several people in response to a post by UberFacts. "Today is Social Media Day — What social media post will forever remain unmatched?" The black and white photo shows a teen Hillary Clinton smiling and was originally posted on October 26, 2016, as per the date mentioned at the bottom. This was the time when Clinton was running for president against Donald Trump. The latter staged a shock victory, after which Hillary never ran for president again. The post is being seen as a sarcastic jab at Hillary. White House post on Hillary Clinton

White House's latest X post is being seen as a sarcastic jibe at Hillary Clinton, who ran against Donald Trump for president in 2016 and lost. People are shocked to see the post, with users calling out the people handling White House's X handle.

White House X account mocks Hillary Clinton, shocked netizens say it is being run by 'petty, juvenile teenagers'

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to address growing rifts within the alliance. The meeting followed heightened friction over the recent U.S. military conflict in Iran, during which President Trump criticized several NATO members for failing to support U.S. efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.


NATO Chief Pushes Back On Some of US President's Criticism 

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