A viral video showing a Russian combat vehicle waving an American flag speeding through Ukraine's front lines has gone viral. This comes just ahead of US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting at the White House.&nbsp;The footage shows an M113 armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the US and captured by the Russian military, flying both Russian and American flags as it moves through a village in Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian state media RT.<h2>WATCH video here&nbsp;</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russian forces driving an American-made M113 armoured vehicle with a Russian and a US flag.<a href="https://t.co/Zyv3nKeaun">https://t.co/Zyv3nKeaun</a> <a href="https://t.co/4kzpBvDAU7">pic.twitter.com/4kzpBvDAU7</a>&mdash; GeopoliticsDawid (@RusUkrDawid) <a href="https://twitter.com/RusUkrDawid/status/1957417224412491845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's most senior adviser condemned the viral video.&nbsp;“The Russians are using the symbols of the United States in their own terrorist, aggressive war,” Andriy Yermak said on Telegram, calling out their “Maximum audacity.”&nbsp;Notably, Putin has earlier demanded Ukraine's withdrawal from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson oblasts as preconditions for peace negotiations.&nbsp;This comes just days after Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, with talks aimed at achieving peace in Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-russia-must-hear-stop-zelensky-blasts-putin-for-killing-people-just-day-ahead-of-trump-meeting-russia-ukraine-war-1755526090306">Also read: 'Russia must hear: STOP', Zelensky blasts Putin for killing people ahead of Trump meeting</a>&nbsp;Moreover, the footage also comes just ahead of the high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, where European leaders will also be joining the two leaders on Monday.&nbsp;Just hours before his meeting with Zelensky and the European leaders, Trump said, "A big day at the White House. We have never had so many European Leaders here at one time", and called it a "great honor for America".&nbsp;Zelensky earlier today stressed that the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, “destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure.”&nbsp;The Ukrainian president said that Russians are "deliberately killing people, particularly children", as he noted that as of now, seven people have been killed as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv.

The footage shows an M113 armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the US and captured by the Russian military, flying both Russian and American flags as it moves through a village in Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine. 

A viral video showing a Russian combat vehicle waving an American flag speeding through Ukraine's front lines has gone viral. This comes just ahead of US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting at the White House. The footage shows an M113 armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the US and captured by the Russian military, flying both Russian and American flags as it moves through a village in Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian state media RT. WATCH video here

The footage shows an M113 armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the US and captured by the Russian military, flying both Russian and American flags as it moves through a village in Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

US armored vehicle flying Russian, American flags attacks Ukrainian positions before Trump-Zelensky meet | WATCH

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, with European leaders also expected to join the talks. 


Europe promises to stand firmly with Ukraine as Trump-Zelensky meeting approaches

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is all set to visit the United States to meet US President Donald Trump to further discuss the war in Ukraine. This comes after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. Zelensky will be accompanied by several European leaders to hold a meeting with Trump on Monday (August 18).&nbsp;The US described the Trump-Putin Alaska meeting as showing “great progress” but admitted no breakthrough was reached to end the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;Following their meeting, Trump called Zelensky and European leaders to brief them about his meeting with Putin. The Ukrainian president said that he had a “long and substantive” call with Trump, joined by European leaders, where “the main points” were covered.&nbsp;Later, Zelensky confirmed that he would travel to the US on Monday “to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.”<h2>List of European leaders joining Trump-Zelensky</h2><ul><li>UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer</li><li>Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni</li><li>French President Emmanuel Macron</li><li>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz</li><li>Finnish President Alexander Stubb</li><li>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen&nbsp;</li><li>Nato secretary general Mark Rutte</li></ul>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared a post on X, saying that she will be meeting Trump along with other European leaders on Monday at the request of Ukrainian President Zelensky.&nbsp;She added that she will welcome Zelensky in Brussels later today and will also participate in a meeting of European leaders part of the "coalition of the willing".&nbsp;Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer will also join Zelensky for a meeting with Trump. Moreover, Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, visit was confirmed by the federal government. The chancellor's spokesperson said, "The trip will serve as an exchange of information with US President Donald Trump following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska."&nbsp;"The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. This includes maintaining the pressure of sanctions," the spokesperson added.&nbsp;While confirming Macron's visit, the French presidency office said the leaders will pursue “coordination between the Europeans and the United States with the goal of coming to a just and lasting peace that preserves the vital interests of Ukraine and the security of Europe.”&nbsp;A few other leaders might also join the two leaders on Monday at the White House.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared a post on X, saying that she will be meeting Trump along with other European leaders on Monday at the request of Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is all set to visit the United States to meet US President Donald Trump to further discuss the war in Ukraine. This comes after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. Zelensky will be accompanied by several European leaders to hold a meeting with Trump on Monday (August 18). The US described the Trump-Putin Alaska meeting as showing “great progress” but admitted no breakthrough was reached to end the war in Ukraine. Following their meeting, Trump called Zelensky and European leaders to brief them about his meeting with Putin. The Ukrainian president said that he had a “long and substantive” call with Trump, joined by European leaders, where “the main points” were covered. Later, Zelensky confirmed that he would travel to the US on Monday “to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.” List of European leaders joining Trump-Zelensky UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni French President Emmanuel Macron German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Finnish President Alexander Stubb European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Nato secretary general Mark Rutte European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared a post on X, saying that she will be meeting Trump along with other European leaders on Monday at the request of Ukrainian President Zelensky. She added that she will welcome Zelensky in Brussels later today and will also participate in a meeting of European leaders part of the "coalition of the willing". Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer will also join Zelensky for a meeting with Trump. Moreover, Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, visit was confirmed by the federal government. The chancellor's spokesperson said, "The trip will serve as an exchange of information with US President Donald Trump following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska." "The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. This includes maintaining the pressure of sanctions," the spokesperson added. While confirming Macron's visit, the French presidency office said the leaders will pursue “coordination between the Europeans and the United States with the goal of coming to a just and lasting peace that preserves the vital interests of Ukraine and the security of Europe.” A few other leaders might also join the two leaders on Monday at the White House.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared a post on X, saying that she will be meeting Trump along with other European leaders on Monday at the request of Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Who all will join Zelensky and Trump at White House after Putin Alaska summit - List of European leaders inside

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (August 17) stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want peace, while US President Donald Trump wants peace in Ukraine. This comes just a day ahead of a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;Macron, when asked about whether he thinks Putin wants peace. The French president replied, "The answer is no. Do I think President Trump wants peace? Yes...) I think he (the Russian president) wants Ukraine's surrender, and that's what he has proposed."&nbsp;He further said that an important moment of conflict and security of Ukraine is being resolved "in an extremely serious situation". “No country can accept the loss of territories unless it has security guarantees for its remaining territory.”<h2>The goal for White House meeting</h2>Laying out the goal for tomorrow's meeting at the White House, Macron said, "The goal is simple - to recall what unites Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," pointing to Russia.&nbsp;"There can be no territorial discussions about Ukraine without Ukrainian leaders," the French president stressed.He added that if partners are weak with Russia, they create preconditions for future conflicts. "If we are weak today, we will pay a heavy price tomorrow … If Europe wants to be free and independent, we need to be feared and we need to be strong.”&nbsp;In order to have a “lasting peace deal for Ukraine, Ukraine needs a strong army", he said, adding that European allies want "Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected” and that “Ukraine must be represented in any talks on Ukraine’s future.”&nbsp;He added that “our goal for tomorrow’s talks is to present a united front between Ukraine and its European allies.”Macron further warned that “if we show weakness today in front of Russia, we are laying the ground for future conflict.”

Laying out the goal for tomorrow's meeting at the White House, Macron said, "The goal is simple - to recall what unites Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," pointing to Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (August 17) stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want peace, while US President Donald Trump wants peace in Ukraine. This comes just a day ahead of a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron, when asked about whether he thinks Putin wants peace. The French president replied, "The answer is no. Do I think President Trump wants peace? Yes...) I think he (the Russian president) wants Ukraine's surrender, and that's what he has proposed." He further said that an important moment of conflict and security of Ukraine is being resolved "in an extremely serious situation". “No country can accept the loss of territories unless it has security guarantees for its remaining territory.” The goal for White House meeting Laying out the goal for tomorrow's meeting at the White House, Macron said, "The goal is simple - to recall what unites Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," pointing to Russia. "There can be no territorial discussions about Ukraine without Ukrainian leaders," the French president stressed. He added that if partners are weak with Russia, they create preconditions for future conflicts. "If we are weak today, we will pay a heavy price tomorrow … If Europe wants to be free and independent, we need to be feared and we need to be strong.” In order to have a “lasting peace deal for Ukraine, Ukraine needs a strong army", he said, adding that European allies want "Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected” and that “Ukraine must be represented in any talks on Ukraine’s future.” He added that “our goal for tomorrow’s talks is to present a united front between Ukraine and its European allies.” Macron further warned that “if we show weakness today in front of Russia, we are laying the ground for future conflict.”

Laying out the goal for tomorrow's meeting at the White House, Macron said, "The goal is simple - to recall what unites Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," pointing to Russia.

'Trump wants peace, Putin wants Ukraine's surrender': Here's what Macron said ahead of high-stakes Trump-Zelensky meet

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday (August 12) said that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a "listening exercise" for the US president. This comes just two days ahead of their meeting in Alaska, where the two leaders will discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and peace proposals.The meeting between Trump and Putin will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, the White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday.When asked about why Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to the Alaska Summit, Leavitt replied that the meeting came at Putin's request, relayed to Trump by special envoy Steve Witkoff after he visited Moscow."The goal of this meeting for the president is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war," Leavitt told reporters.A reporter asked if Zelensky has given Trump any red lines ahead of talks with Putin. She replied, "The president has deep respect for all parties that are involved in this conflict and are trying to bring this conflict to an end."Leavitt added, "I think this is a listening exercise for the president. Look, only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present. And so this is for the president to go and to get, again, a more firm and better understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end."“Sitting face to face, rather than speaking over the telephone, will give this president the best indication of how to end this war and where this is headed,” she said.On selecting Alaska as the meeting point, the White House spokesperson said, "The president is very honored and looks forward to hosting President Putin on American soil."A reporter asked Leavitt about Trump's verbal slip-up yesterday during the briefing, when he mistakenly said that he plans to go to Russia, instead of Alaska.Leavitt said Trump's plans to go to Alaska, but did not close the door to him visiting Putin in Russia down the road. "Perhaps there are plans in the future to travel to Russia and on Friday, the president will be meeting with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska, as you know," she said.

The meeting between Trump and Putin will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, the White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday (August 12) said that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a "listening exercise" for the US president. This comes just two days ahead of their meeting in Alaska, where the two leaders will discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and peace proposals. The meeting between Trump and Putin will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, the White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday. When asked about why Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to the Alaska Summit, Leavitt replied that the meeting came at Putin's request, relayed to Trump by special envoy Steve Witkoff after he visited Moscow. "The goal of this meeting for the president is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war," Leavitt told reporters. A reporter asked if Zelensky has given Trump any red lines ahead of talks with Putin. She replied, "The president has deep respect for all parties that are involved in this conflict and are trying to bring this conflict to an end." Leavitt added, "I think this is a listening exercise for the president. Look, only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present. And so this is for the president to go and to get, again, a more firm and better understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end." “Sitting face to face, rather than speaking over the telephone, will give this president the best indication of how to end this war and where this is headed,” she said. On selecting Alaska as the meeting point, the White House spokesperson said, "The president is very honored and looks forward to hosting President Putin on American soil." A reporter asked Leavitt about Trump's verbal slip-up yesterday during the briefing, when he mistakenly said that he plans to go to Russia, instead of Alaska. Leavitt said Trump's plans to go to Alaska, but did not close the door to him visiting Putin in Russia down the road. "Perhaps there are plans in the future to travel to Russia and on Friday, the president will be meeting with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska, as you know," she said.

The meeting between Trump and Putin will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, the White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

'Only one party involved': Trump-Putin meeting a 'listening exercise' for US president

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Aug 5) talked about installing nuclear missiles on the White House roof. Trump reportedly said that in jest, cracking the "joke" just a day before Japan and the world marked the 80th anniversary of "Little Man", the nuclear bomb that devastated Hiroshima, killing around 140,000 people — killed by the colossal blast and the ball of fire, and also later by the radiation. This comes as tensions between the United States and Russia reach an all-time high and as Trump drags India into the mix, imposing a 25 per cent tariff and a penalty for purchasing Russian oil.<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Trump, who has recently announced plans to revamp the White House to resemble his Mar-a-Lago estate and construct a new 90,000 square foot ballroom that will cost $200 million, was taking an impromptu walk on the roof of the White House briefing room, when some correspondents shouted out a question: "Mr President, what are you trying to build?".The Commander-in-Chief's answer? "Missiles...nuclear missiles". He said this while pointing towards the White House roof beneath him and executing a weird, rigid-armed motion twice, supposedly acting out the launch of a missile. The gesture was reminiscent of the "Nazi salute" gesture made by Elon Musk in January. Videos of the interaction are going viral on social media; watch it here.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Before he returned back into the White House residence, we all think President Trump said (in this video) that he’s looking to install more missiles on the roof? Look at the gesture he makes toward the end of the video too. <a href="https://t.co/932rLQIgCL">pic.twitter.com/932rLQIgCL</a>&mdash; Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorPopielarz/status/1952748572866212112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Was Trump serious about nuclear missiles inside the White House compound?</h2>Trump has a twisted sense of humour and is known to joke…a lot, and hopefully this is one such incident. However, it must be noted that Trump seemed to be evaluating several spots, and this inspection of sorts comes amid America's serious nuclear posturing against Russia. Just last week, Trump ordered that nuclear submarines be positioned near Russia. This was done after Trump and Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev traded verbal blows online, with some serious threats being issued, including one about Russia's Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities.&nbsp; &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's bizarre “joke” comes as tensions between the United States and Russia reach an all-time high and as Trump drags India into the mix, imposing a 25 per cent tariff and a penalty for purchasing Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Aug 5) talked about installing nuclear missiles on the White House roof. Trump reportedly said that in jest, cracking the "joke" just a day before Japan and the world marked the 80th anniversary of "Little Man", the nuclear bomb that devastated Hiroshima, killing around 140,000 people — killed by the colossal blast and the ball of fire, and also later by the radiation. This comes as tensions between the United States and Russia reach an all-time high and as Trump drags India into the mix, imposing a 25 per cent tariff and a penalty for purchasing Russian oil. What did Trump say? Trump, who has recently announced plans to revamp the White House to resemble his Mar-a-Lago estate and construct a new 90,000 square foot ballroom that will cost $200 million, was taking an impromptu walk on the roof of the White House briefing room, when some correspondents shouted out a question: "Mr President, what are you trying to build?". The Commander-in-Chief's answer? "Missiles...nuclear missiles". He said this while pointing towards the White House roof beneath him and executing a weird, rigid-armed motion twice, supposedly acting out the launch of a missile. The gesture was reminiscent of the "Nazi salute" gesture made by Elon Musk in January. Videos of the interaction are going viral on social media; watch it here.

US President Donald Trump's bizarre “joke” comes as tensions between the United States and Russia reach an all-time high and as Trump drags India into the mix, imposing a 25 per cent tariff and a penalty for purchasing Russian oil.

‘Missiles…nuclear missiles’: Trump makes bizarre nuke joke a day before Hiroshima anniversary. Was he actually joking?

After the reports that the White House is preparing an executive order to put pressure on big banks in the US for their discrimination against conservatives, US President Donald Trump subtly confirmed it, saying the banks certainly did discriminate. Talking at an interview with the CNBC on Tuesday (August 5), the American president gave his own example, saying he had "many accounts" loaded with cash, but the banks did not take him as a customer.&nbsp;A journalist questioned Trump, "The Wall Street Journal is reporting that you're preparing an order to punish banks that discriminate against conservatives, including potentially the Bank of America ... Can you tell us about that executive order, what's in that?"&nbsp;The US president responded, saying, "Well, they did discriminate. I had JP Morgan Chase, and I had hundreds of millions of dollars in cash. I can see they want to do something bad if you don't have any money; they took people out. But now I'll give you an amazing example. I had hundreds of millions, I had many, many accounts, loaded up with cash, &nbsp;and they told me, 'I'm sorry, sir. We can't have you. You have 20 days to get out.' I said you gotta be kidding. I have been with you for 35-40 years."&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Sorkin: The WSJ is reporting that you&#39;re prepping an order that would punish banks that discriminate against conservatives...<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;They did discriminate... I had many, many accounts loaded up with cash... and they told me, &#39;I&#39;m sorry, sir. We can&#39;t have you.&#39;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/s30wRePyvm">pic.twitter.com/s30wRePyvm</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1952711262170649022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I was never in this situation before. I never had anything like it," he added. He continued saying, "I call up Bank of America routinely and I speak to him, I speak to couple of people, and they had zero interest ... Brian (CEO of the bank) was kissing my a** when I was president and when I called him after I was president, to deposit, a billion dollars plus and a lot of other things ... he said 'we can't do it, no' ... and that's because the banks discriminated against me very badly, and I was very good to the banks," Trump added. "We had the greatest economy in history when I was the president. and by the way, our economy now will blow that away," he said.<h2>Banks violating Equal Credit Opportunity Act?</h2>On August 4, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was planning to punish major banks in the US that discriminate against conservatives.&nbsp;"A draft of the executive order, which was viewed by The Wall Street Journal, directs bank regulators to investigate whether any financial institutions might have violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, antitrust laws or consumer financial protection laws," the report said.<h2>Trump threatens to raise tariffs</h2>In the same interview, Trump also said that he will raise the tariff imposed on India. The American president said, "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25 per cent, but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil. They're fueling the war machine."&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump confirmed the reports that the White House was preparing an executive order to punish the banks in America that discriminate against conservatives. He said Bank of America discriminated against him when he was no longer the US president.

After the reports that the White House is preparing an executive order to put pressure on big banks in the US for their discrimination against conservatives, US President Donald Trump subtly confirmed it, saying the banks certainly did discriminate. Talking at an interview with the CNBC on Tuesday (August 5), the American president gave his own example, saying he had "many accounts" loaded with cash, but the banks did not take him as a customer. A journalist questioned Trump, "The Wall Street Journal is reporting that you're preparing an order to punish banks that discriminate against conservatives, including potentially the Bank of America ... Can you tell us about that executive order, what's in that?" The US president responded, saying, "Well, they did discriminate. I had JP Morgan Chase, and I had hundreds of millions of dollars in cash. I can see they want to do something bad if you don't have any money; they took people out. But now I'll give you an amazing example. I had hundreds of millions, I had many, many accounts, loaded up with cash, and they told me, 'I'm sorry, sir. We can't have you. You have 20 days to get out.' I said you gotta be kidding. I have been with you for 35-40 years."

US President Donald Trump confirmed the reports that the White House was preparing an executive order to punish the banks in America that discriminate against conservatives. He said Bank of America discriminated against him when he was no longer the US president.

'Brian was kissing my a** when I was president': Trump to punish US banks for discriminating against conservatives

If talking of the 2028 presidential election seems too early, it’s not. Democrats are plotting how to win the next presidential election, as are Republicans. The reality is that Democrats will have to exceed themselves in their opposition to President Donald Trump, while Republicans have to navigate a party that Trump has rebuilt around his own persona and political instincts.&nbsp;The Republican list will grow, but early signs point to JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and Glenn Youngkin as the leading candidates in the post-Trump era, and the race is already taking shape, less than six months into the second term of Trump, who is constitutionally barred from running again.&nbsp;There are a number of GOP hopefuls, including Trump-aligned Cabinet members, high-profile senators, and governors.&nbsp;<h2>Is JD Vance the frontrunner?</h2>&nbsp;Vice President JD Vance is viewed as Trump’s political heir, as he is already a key member of the administration and enters the field in a controlling position. Moreover, Republican voters see him closely aligned with Trump’s agenda.&nbsp;<h2>Marco Rubio re-emerging as contender</h2>&nbsp;Secretary of State Marco Rubio is re-emerging as a contender and is seen as a loyal team player. His run in 2016 gives him recognition and a support base in early states.&nbsp;<h2>Other Republicans in reckoning</h2>&nbsp;Sen. Ted Cruz, who won Iowa in 2016 and finished second to Trump then, remains politically active and maintains a high profile, maybefor another run. Cruz would bring experience, conservative credentials, and a national network to the race.Among Republican governors, Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), whose term is ending soon, will soon be a free agent. His 2021 win in a blue-leaning state makes him a compelling option.Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Arkansas), Trump’s former press secretary and now governor, remains a prominent voice in GOP politics and her ties to Trump’s base make her a contender.Brian Kemp (Georgia) has remained a strong conservative leader and now chairs the Republican Governors Association, which gives him donor access and national exposure.Ron DeSantis (Florida) appears to have mended fences with Trump, and his focus on hardline immigration policies makes him a likely candidate.Greg Abbott (Texas) is another governor closely aligned with Trump’s immigration agenda and may leverage Texas’ electoral heft to stake a claim.&nbsp;Several sitting Republican senators are also being watched, including Tim Scott (South Carolina), who now has strong ties with Trump, though his ability to campaign for himself is in doubt.Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Rick Scott (Florida) have also been active in early primary states and continue to promote fiscally conservative policies.Josh Hawley (Missouri) and Tom Cotton (Arkansas) are also on watch lists for their conservative positions and willingness to engage in national debates.&nbsp;<h2>Democrats initiate shadow 2028 primary</h2>&nbsp;Kamala Harris is keeping her cards close to her chest, as she evaded a direct answer to the question on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ a few days ago. But if she enters the fray for a third try, it will certainly stir the 2028 pot. She enjoys high popularity and has a broader donor network with established relationships.&nbsp;Several 2028 hopefuls have started making strategic moves to keep their name in the mix and have either already visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states.&nbsp;Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire.&nbsp; Ruben Gallego, 45, of Arizona, whose name has popped up on the list, is scheduled to attend two events in the Granite State, fuelling speculation of being a possible contender.California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 57, also trekked through rural South Carolina in July, followed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, 47, who talked of flipping red states.&nbsp;Rep. Ro Khanna, 48, D-Calif., was also on a four-day tour featuring town halls and visits to Black churches.Former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 43, made a trip to Iowa in May to attend a veterans-focused forum focused on existential questions facing Democrats and the country. Buttigieg has been raising his national brand through a podcast tour.&nbsp;Other potential contenders also taking the podcast route include Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, 46, whose name is tossed around despite saying he isn’t running for president.

Among the Republicans, Vice President JD Vance is viewed as Trump’s political heir, as he is already a key member of the administration and enters the field in a controlling position. Besides, Republican voters already see him closely aligned with Trump’s agenda.

If talking of the 2028 presidential election seems too early, it’s not. Democrats are plotting how to win the next presidential election, as are Republicans. The reality is that Democrats will have to exceed themselves in their opposition to President Donald Trump, while Republicans have to navigate a party that Trump has rebuilt around his own persona and political instincts. The Republican list will grow, but early signs point to JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and Glenn Youngkin as the leading candidates in the post-Trump era, and the race is already taking shape, less than six months into the second term of Trump, who is constitutionally barred from running again. There are a number of GOP hopefuls, including Trump-aligned Cabinet members, high-profile senators, and governors. Is JD Vance the frontrunner? Vice President JD Vance is viewed as Trump’s political heir, as he is already a key member of the administration and enters the field in a controlling position. Moreover, Republican voters see him closely aligned with Trump’s agenda. Marco Rubio re-emerging as contender Secretary of State Marco Rubio is re-emerging as a contender and is seen as a loyal team player. His run in 2016 gives him recognition and a support base in early states. Other Republicans in reckoning Sen. Ted Cruz, who won Iowa in 2016 and finished second to Trump then, remains politically active and maintains a high profile, maybefor another run. Cruz would bring experience, conservative credentials, and a national network to the race. Among Republican governors, Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), whose term is ending soon, will soon be a free agent. His 2021 win in a blue-leaning state makes him a compelling option. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Arkansas), Trump’s former press secretary and now governor, remains a prominent voice in GOP politics and her ties to Trump’s base make her a contender. Brian Kemp (Georgia) has remained a strong conservative leader and now chairs the Republican Governors Association, which gives him donor access and national exposure. Ron DeSantis (Florida) appears to have mended fences with Trump, and his focus on hardline immigration policies makes him a likely candidate. Greg Abbott (Texas) is another governor closely aligned with Trump’s immigration agenda and may leverage Texas’ electoral heft to stake a claim. Several sitting Republican senators are also being watched, including Tim Scott (South Carolina), who now has strong ties with Trump, though his ability to campaign for himself is in doubt. Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Rick Scott (Florida) have also been active in early primary states and continue to promote fiscally conservative policies. Josh Hawley (Missouri) and Tom Cotton (Arkansas) are also on watch lists for their conservative positions and willingness to engage in national debates. Democrats initiate shadow 2028 primary Kamala Harris is keeping her cards close to her chest, as she evaded a direct answer to the question on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ a few days ago. But if she enters the fray for a third try, it will certainly stir the 2028 pot. She enjoys high popularity and has a broader donor network with established relationships. Several 2028 hopefuls have started making strategic moves to keep their name in the mix and have either already visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire. Ruben Gallego, 45, of Arizona, whose name has popped up on the list, is scheduled to attend two events in the Granite State, fuelling speculation of being a possible contender. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 57, also trekked through rural South Carolina in July, followed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, 47, who talked of flipping red states. Rep. Ro Khanna, 48, D-Calif., was also on a four-day tour featuring town halls and visits to Black churches. Former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 43, made a trip to Iowa in May to attend a veterans-focused forum focused on existential questions facing Democrats and the country. Buttigieg has been raising his national brand through a podcast tour. Other potential contenders also taking the podcast route include Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, 46, whose name is tossed around despite saying he isn’t running for president.

Among the Republicans, Vice President JD Vance is viewed as Trump’s political heir, as he is already a key member of the administration and enters the field in a controlling position. Besides, Republican voters already see him closely aligned with Trump’s agenda.

2028 Presidential election candidates: Republican and Democrat hopefuls eyeing the White House

In a major expansion of the White House, US President Donald Trump announced building a massive ballroom at the presidential residence that can host a large number of guests. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt unveiled the upcoming makeover during a media briefing on Thursday (Jul 31), saying that the $200 million project has been funded by Trump himself and unspecified donors.&nbsp;“For 150 years, presidents, administrations and White House staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex,” the spokeswoman said.&nbsp;“There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” the 79-year-old president, who is a former real estate developer, told reporters. “I’m good at building things, and we’ll get it built quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful,” said Trump, adding that the character of the original building would be preserved.&nbsp;<h2>How massive will the new ballroom be?</h2>&nbsp;The White House State Ballroom will span over 90,000 square feet (8,000 square meters). Its “ornately designed and carefully crafted space” will have a seating capacity of 650 people, a significant increase from the earlier capacity of 200 people in the East Room of the White House.&nbsp;The ballroom will be used for grand state dinners, which are hosted when a foreign head of state visits Washington. These events were generally organised by erecting a huge tent on the White House grounds. According to Leavitt, the construction of the ballroom will begin this September and is expected to be completed “well before” Trump’s second term ends in January 2029.&nbsp;<h2>Will the new ballroom replace East Wing?</h2>&nbsp;The ballroom building will replace the East Wing, which contains the offices of the US first lady. The section was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times. In 1942, a second story was added to the building. According to the model of the project released by the White House, the white building will have a similar design structure to the main White House building.&nbsp;The project is part of one of the renovations that Trump has brought to the White House, including the Oval Office makeover he did as soon as he began his second term in January.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The ballroom will be used for grand state dinners, which are hosted when a foreign head of state visits Washington. These events were generally organised by erecting a huge tent on the White House grounds. 

In a major expansion of the White House, US President Donald Trump announced building a massive ballroom at the presidential residence that can host a large number of guests. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt unveiled the upcoming makeover during a media briefing on Thursday (Jul 31), saying that the $200 million project has been funded by Trump himself and unspecified donors. “For 150 years, presidents, administrations and White House staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex,” the spokeswoman said. “There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” the 79-year-old president, who is a former real estate developer, told reporters. “I’m good at building things, and we’ll get it built quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful,” said Trump, adding that the character of the original building would be preserved. How massive will the new ballroom be? The White House State Ballroom will span over 90,000 square feet (8,000 square meters). Its “ornately designed and carefully crafted space” will have a seating capacity of 650 people, a significant increase from the earlier capacity of 200 people in the East Room of the White House. The ballroom will be used for grand state dinners, which are hosted when a foreign head of state visits Washington. These events were generally organised by erecting a huge tent on the White House grounds. According to Leavitt, the construction of the ballroom will begin this September and is expected to be completed “well before” Trump’s second term ends in January 2029. Will the new ballroom replace East Wing? The ballroom building will replace the East Wing, which contains the offices of the US first lady. The section was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times. In 1942, a second story was added to the building. According to the model of the project released by the White House, the white building will have a similar design structure to the main White House building. The project is part of one of the renovations that Trump has brought to the White House, including the Oval Office makeover he did as soon as he began his second term in January.

The ballroom will be used for grand state dinners, which are hosted when a foreign head of state visits Washington. These events were generally organised by erecting a huge tent on the White House grounds.&nbsp;

White House unveils $200 million ballroom – How massive is the project? Will it replace East Wing?

WWE Chief Operations Officer (COO) and a former in-ring performer, Paul Levesque, also and famously known as Triple H, won the internet with his trademark water splash on his latest visit to the White House on Thursday (Jul 31). Triple H joined American President Donald Trump for a major announcement - the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test; however, it was his iconic water splash just upon entering the president's residence that left social media talking.&nbsp;The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN,”<h3>WATCH –&nbsp;</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN WHITE HOUSE X <a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TRIPLEH</a> 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/2sBFWok5ZF">pic.twitter.com/2sBFWok5ZF</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1951059912735236308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, in a ceremony held in the Roosevelt Room, Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test, expanding its Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. The move, however, was aimed at fighting the decline in youth fitness by reintroducing structural physical education back into American schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-brings-back-presidential-fitness-test-in-presence-of-triple-h-what-it-is-and-why-obama-discontinued-it-1754020930810">Trump signs order to revive presidential fitness test in presence of Triple H - What is the program and why Obama discontinue it?</a> &nbsp;The US President also introduced Triple H by calling him “a man who you’re not going to mess around with,” adding, “it’s a great honour to have [him],” acknowledging Levesque’s influence both in and outside the ring. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Triple H was not the only A-lister present at the White House for this event, with two-time major golf champion Bryson DeChambeau, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and golf icon Annika Sorenstam also attending.&nbsp;<h3>HHH ready for ‘summer’s biggest party’</h3>Triple H took time out from his crunch schedule, with him overseeing SummerSlam 2025 preparations, scheduled over the coming weekend at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.&nbsp; &nbsp;With the stacked match card for the summer’s grandest event, to be hosted across two nights (for the first time), Triple H must be keen on making this a massive success. &nbsp;From the 17-time world champion John Cena to the most-appeared-in-ring performer at SummerSlam, Randy Orton, alongside CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, all will grace their presence across the two-night event at SummerSlam 2025.

The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN. 

WWE Chief Operations Officer (COO) and a former in-ring performer, Paul Levesque, also and famously known as Triple H, won the internet with his trademark water splash on his latest visit to the White House on Thursday (Jul 31). Triple H joined American President Donald Trump for a major announcement - the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test; however, it was his iconic water splash just upon entering the president's residence that left social media talking. The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN,” WATCH –

The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN.&nbsp;

Triple H joins Trump at White House for major announcement; wins internet with famous ‘water splash’ – WATCH

The White House on Friday in a statement confirmed that it “remains open to engaging” &nbsp;with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to achieve a “fully denuclearised North Korea”. This development comes a day after the Trump administration's crackdown on illicit funding loops of North Korea. The statement is coherent with the objectives of the first term, where Trump held three high-level summits with North Korea to pursue denuclearisation, though these talks failed without any concrete progress.&nbsp;"President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un that stabilised the Korean Peninsula and achieved the first-ever leader-level agreement on denuclearisation," said a White House official to Yonhap News Agency. The three meetings happened in Singapore in 2018, Hanoi in February 2019, and Panmunjom in June 2019, respectively.Notably, on July 24, the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company and three individuals, Kim Se Un, Jo Kyong Hun, and Myong Chol Min, allegedly linking them with illicit funding of Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.&nbsp;In June, Trump seemed optimistic to get "the conflict solved" with North Korea, if there is one, hinting at the possibility of a dialogue. The administration seems to be taking a dual approach, on the one hand remaining open to diplomacy and on the other hand pressuring it through sanctions and enforcement actions.<h2>How did North Korea respond?</h2>North Korea did not respond positively to Trump's overtures. Late in June, North Korean diplomats refused a letter from Trump displaying a strong pushback against any renewed communication. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has repeatedly denounced the US, South Korea and Japan military partnership. It vowed to modernise its missiles and increase its nuclear arsenal. Analysts suggest that North Korea is less interested in US engagement, with strong diplomatic relations with Russia and China.

The White House on Friday said that it wants a fully denuclearised North Korea and remains open to talks with Kim Jong Un for that purpose. Historically, North Korea opposed US dominance in the Korean Peninsula and the US, South Korea and Japan military partnership.

The White House on Friday in a statement confirmed that it “remains open to engaging” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to achieve a “fully denuclearised North Korea”. This development comes a day after the Trump administration's crackdown on illicit funding loops of North Korea. The statement is coherent with the objectives of the first term, where Trump held three high-level summits with North Korea to pursue denuclearisation, though these talks failed without any concrete progress. "President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un that stabilised the Korean Peninsula and achieved the first-ever leader-level agreement on denuclearisation," said a White House official to Yonhap News Agency. The three meetings happened in Singapore in 2018, Hanoi in February 2019, and Panmunjom in June 2019, respectively. Notably, on July 24, the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company and three individuals, Kim Se Un, Jo Kyong Hun, and Myong Chol Min, allegedly linking them with illicit funding of Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs. In June, Trump seemed optimistic to get "the conflict solved" with North Korea, if there is one, hinting at the possibility of a dialogue. The administration seems to be taking a dual approach, on the one hand remaining open to diplomacy and on the other hand pressuring it through sanctions and enforcement actions. How did North Korea respond? North Korea did not respond positively to Trump's overtures. Late in June, North Korean diplomats refused a letter from Trump displaying a strong pushback against any renewed communication. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has repeatedly denounced the US, South Korea and Japan military partnership. It vowed to modernise its missiles and increase its nuclear arsenal. Analysts suggest that North Korea is less interested in US engagement, with strong diplomatic relations with Russia and China.

The White House on Friday said that it wants a fully denuclearised North Korea and remains open to talks with Kim Jong Un for that purpose. Historically, North Korea opposed US dominance in the Korean Peninsula and the US, South Korea and Japan military partnership.

Trump open to talks with Kim — but only after ‘FULL DENUCLEARISATION'

Several senior Trump administration officials have described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “madman” following a series of airstrikes in Syria that caught the White House by surprise. “Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” one official told Axios, adding, “This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-one-year-ago-us-was-dead-trump-marks-6-months-in-office-says-america-is-now-the-hottest-country-in-world-1753022570531">'One year ago US was dead': Trump marks 6 months in office, says America is now the ‘hottest’ country in world</a>Another official told Axios that frustration over the recent shelling of a church in Gaza led President Trump to phone Netanyahu directly. “The feeling is that every day there is something new. What the f*?” the official said. A third US official told Axios there’s growing doubt inside the administration over Netanyahu’s judgment. “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”<h2>Why is the US alarmed over Netanyahu’s actions in Syria?</h2>Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Syria, Israel launched a strike on Tuesday targeting Syrian army tanks heading to Suwayda. The attack followed deadly clashes in the area between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen, with over 700 people reported dead. Israel said the convoy entered a demilitarised zone and that Syria was targeting the Druze minority. Syria denied this.US envoy Tom Barrack had asked Israel to hold back and seek a diplomatic solution, which Israeli officials agreed to. But within a day, Israel escalated the strikes, hitting Syria’s military HQ and areas near the presidential palace. “The bombing in Syria caught the president and the White House by surprise,” said one US official. “The president doesn’t like turning on the television and seeing bombs dropped in a country he is seeking peace in,” he added.<h2>Trump officials tried to rein Netanyahu in</h2>Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told Netanyahu to stop the bombings on Wednesday. Netanyahu agreed, on the condition that Syria withdraw from Suwayda. But by that point, regional backlash had already grown. Turkey and Saudi Arabia had voiced concerns to Washington, and several top officials, including Barrack and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, complained to Trump about Netanyahu’s actions. “Bibi’s political agenda is driving his senses. It will turn out to be a big mistake for him long-term,” one official said. Another added, “The Israelis need to get their head out of their asses.”<h2>US pushback grows after Gaza church shelling and settler violence</h2>The Syria strikes came days after Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he and Trump appeared united following the war with Iran. But tensions have since flared. Apart from the airstrikes, US officials were angered by the church shelling in Gaza and the killing of Palestinian American Saif Musallet by Israeli settlers last week.Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a longtime ally of Netanyahu, criticised the attack and called it “terrorism.” He also raised concerns about how Israeli policy was affecting Christian communities and even visa access for American evangelicals.<h2>Israel insists it acted to protect the Druze</h2>A senior Israeli official pushed back on US criticism, claiming the Syrian military had targeted the Druze and that Israel intervened out of obligation to its own Druze citizens. “The US wants to keep the new Syrian government stable and doesn’t understand why we attack in Syria,” the official said.<h2>Could Netanyahu push things too far?</h2>A senior US official warned that Israeli policy in Syria risked destabilising the region. “The current Israeli policy would lead to an unstable Syria. Both the Druze community and Israel will lose in such a scenario,” the official added.While Trump has not publicly criticised Netanyahu, the White House is growing more frustrated. Some officials believe Netanyahu has repeatedly gambled on Trump’s support, first with strikes on Iran, then by prolonging the Gaza war, and now in Syria. “Netanyahu’s luck, and Trump’s goodwill, could run out,” warned one&nbsp;US&nbsp;official.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Syria, Israel launched a strike on Tuesday targeting Syrian army tanks heading to Suwayda. The attack followed deadly clashes in the area between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen, with over 700 people reported dead.

Several senior Trump administration officials have described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “madman” following a series of airstrikes in Syria that caught the White House by surprise. “Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” one official told Axios, adding, “This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.” Also read: 'One year ago US was dead': Trump marks 6 months in office, says America is now the ‘hottest’ country in world Another official told Axios that frustration over the recent shelling of a church in Gaza led President Trump to phone Netanyahu directly. “The feeling is that every day there is something new. What the f*?” the official said. A third US official told Axios there’s growing doubt inside the administration over Netanyahu’s judgment. “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.” Why is the US alarmed over Netanyahu’s actions in Syria? Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Syria, Israel launched a strike on Tuesday targeting Syrian army tanks heading to Suwayda. The attack followed deadly clashes in the area between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen, with over 700 people reported dead. Israel said the convoy entered a demilitarised zone and that Syria was targeting the Druze minority. Syria denied this. US envoy Tom Barrack had asked Israel to hold back and seek a diplomatic solution, which Israeli officials agreed to. But within a day, Israel escalated the strikes, hitting Syria’s military HQ and areas near the presidential palace. “The bombing in Syria caught the president and the White House by surprise,” said one US official. “The president doesn’t like turning on the television and seeing bombs dropped in a country he is seeking peace in,” he added. Trump officials tried to rein Netanyahu in Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told Netanyahu to stop the bombings on Wednesday. Netanyahu agreed, on the condition that Syria withdraw from Suwayda. But by that point, regional backlash had already grown. Turkey and Saudi Arabia had voiced concerns to Washington, and several top officials, including Barrack and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, complained to Trump about Netanyahu’s actions. “Bibi’s political agenda is driving his senses. It will turn out to be a big mistake for him long-term,” one official said. Another added, “The Israelis need to get their head out of their asses.” US pushback grows after Gaza church shelling and settler violence The Syria strikes came days after Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he and Trump appeared united following the war with Iran. But tensions have since flared. Apart from the airstrikes, US officials were angered by the church shelling in Gaza and the killing of Palestinian American Saif Musallet by Israeli settlers last week. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a longtime ally of Netanyahu, criticised the attack and called it “terrorism.” He also raised concerns about how Israeli policy was affecting Christian communities and even visa access for American evangelicals. Israel insists it acted to protect the Druze A senior Israeli official pushed back on US criticism, claiming the Syrian military had targeted the Druze and that Israel intervened out of obligation to its own Druze citizens. “The US wants to keep the new Syrian government stable and doesn’t understand why we attack in Syria,” the official said. Could Netanyahu push things too far? A senior US official warned that Israeli policy in Syria risked destabilising the region. “The current Israeli policy would lead to an unstable Syria. Both the Druze community and Israel will lose in such a scenario,” the official added. While Trump has not publicly criticised Netanyahu, the White House is growing more frustrated. Some officials believe Netanyahu has repeatedly gambled on Trump’s support, first with strikes on Iran, then by prolonging the Gaza war, and now in Syria. “Netanyahu’s luck, and Trump’s goodwill, could run out,” warned one US official.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Syria, Israel launched a strike on Tuesday targeting Syrian army tanks heading to Suwayda. The attack followed deadly clashes in the area between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen, with over 700 people reported dead.

'Child who won’t behave': White House frustrated by ‘madman’ Netanyahu’s behaviour; US official warns 'Trump’s goodwill could run out'

In the White House press briefing room, as tensions between Israel and Iran boiled over, current White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stepped to the podium with her voice rising with rehearsed conviction. It was vintage Trumpian spin—and the latest chapter in an era where the White House press secretary have become more marionette than messenger.&nbsp;The string of White House press secretaries in Donald Trump's first and second terms—Karoline Leavitt, Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany—seemed less like independent communicators and more like synchronised marionettes, dangling from the same orange-tinted strings.&nbsp;&nbsp;In what should have been the most trusted voice between the presidency and the press, we instead saw a rotating cast of characters who were less about transparency and more about total fealty to one man’s narrative, no matter how bizarre or provably false. The role of the press secretary, traditionally one of poise, policy, and accountability, became under Trump a mouthpiece of performance—one that demanded absolute loyalty, shameless spin, and, above all, showmanship.<h2>Body language that screams ‘submission’</h2>Watch any footage—seriously, any—and you'll notice it: the stiff posture, the forced smiles, the furrowed brows, the clenched fists at the podium. Each secretary embodied their own physical version of damage control.&nbsp;Sean Spicer burst into the job like a man late to a meeting he didn’t understand. His now-iconic lie—“This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration—period”—was delivered with the sweaty anxiety of someone trying to bluff through a lie detector test on live TV. His voice cracked, his eyes darted, and his knuckles whitened on the podium like he was holding onto credibility by a thread.&nbsp;Sarah Huckabee Sanders adopted a stoic wall-of-steel approach. Her eyes narrowed, her arms folded—a classic self-protective gesture—as she fielded questions with a half-smile and an expression that said: “I could not care less.” It wasn't confidence. It was deflection masked as deadpan.&nbsp;Kayleigh McEnany turned the job into a Harvard-polished performance. Her plastic smiles and over-rehearsed hand gestures gave off the polished sheen of a game show host crossed with a Sunday School teacher. Yet beneath the surface was relentless aggression, particularly in her habit of ending briefings mid-question with, “And with that, I’ll leave it there”—like a magician vanishing in a puff of evasion.&nbsp;Stephanie Grisham skipped the performance entirely. She held no press briefings during her entire tenure. That’s not a metaphor. She simply didn’t show up. She once justified it by saying: “I felt like the media was not good to us, so why give them a platform?”Which is like a firefighter refusing to fight fire because it’s “too hot.”&nbsp;And then there’s Karoline Leavitt, the newest inheritor of the Trumpian throne. She channels her boss’s sneer with youthful gusto, waving off journalistic scrutiny with the arrogance of a Twitter troll at a campaign rally. Her body language—tight, fidgety hands and a forward-thrust jaw—exudes aggression over poise, confrontation over clarity.<h2>Language that mirrors a master’s voice</h2>From day One, their linguistic loyalty was unmistakable. These weren’t spokespeople—they were translators of Trump. The vocabulary was predictable: “Fake news.” “Radical left.” “Witch hunt.” “Tremendous success.” Spicer lied loud. Sanders lied stone-faced. McEnany lied with legalese. Grisham lied by vanishing. Leavitt lies with snark and sarcasm.&nbsp;They weren't delivering facts; they were delivering feelings—Trump’s feelings. Journalists asking factual questions were treated as antagonists, not interlocutors. There was no longer an effort to explain the administration’s decisions; only to defend them, blindly and aggressively.&nbsp;Each press secretary channelled Trump’s grievances like tuning forks vibrating in MAGA frequency. Policy became secondary to personality, and press briefings transformed into ideological theatre—complete with props, binders, and moral grandstanding.<h2>A cult of personality on display</h2>More than anything, the Trump-era press secretaries were/are emblematic of a government that prized loyalty over truth. These individuals didn’t speak for the presidency. They spoke for Trump—the man, not the office he holds.&nbsp;Rather than serving as intermediaries between the public and the president, they became palace guards, protecting their king from uncomfortable facts. They weren’t trying to sell you on policy—they were trying to convince you that your eyes were lying. Their function wasn’t communication. It was containment.&nbsp;They were expected not just to control the narrative, but to mirror the mood. Angry Trump? Angry press secretary. Vindicated Trump? Triumphant press secretary. Cornered Trump? Defensive, sneering, combative press secretary. And through it all, they contorted themselves—physically and rhetorically—into whatever shape was needed to shield the man behind the curtain.<h2>The legacy: A podium of puppets</h2>What remains is a blueprint for what not to do. This isn’t just about individual failures. It’s about the institutional rot that occurs when the role of press secretary is weaponised as a propaganda tool. When truth becomes optional and performance becomes policy, the public suffers.&nbsp;From Spicer’s flop-sweat lies to Leavitt’s gleeful contempt, each of these figures proved that under Trump, the White House podium wasn’t a symbol of government transparency. It was a stage for submission, a megaphone for madness, and a place where truth went to die—draped in flags, buzzwords, and bad faith.&nbsp;And with that… we’ll leave it there.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Trump press secretaries only toe his line, and the new one is not any different

In the White House press briefing room, as tensions between Israel and Iran boiled over, current White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stepped to the podium with her voice rising with rehearsed conviction. It was vintage Trumpian spin—and the latest chapter in an era where the White House press secretary have become more marionette than messenger. The string of White House press secretaries in Donald Trump's first and second terms—Karoline Leavitt, Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany—seemed less like independent communicators and more like synchronised marionettes, dangling from the same orange-tinted strings. In what should have been the most trusted voice between the presidency and the press, we instead saw a rotating cast of characters who were less about transparency and more about total fealty to one man’s narrative, no matter how bizarre or provably false. The role of the press secretary, traditionally one of poise, policy, and accountability, became under Trump a mouthpiece of performance—one that demanded absolute loyalty, shameless spin, and, above all, showmanship. Body language that screams ‘submission’ Watch any footage—seriously, any—and you'll notice it: the stiff posture, the forced smiles, the furrowed brows, the clenched fists at the podium. Each secretary embodied their own physical version of damage control. Sean Spicer burst into the job like a man late to a meeting he didn’t understand. His now-iconic lie—“This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration—period”—was delivered with the sweaty anxiety of someone trying to bluff through a lie detector test on live TV. His voice cracked, his eyes darted, and his knuckles whitened on the podium like he was holding onto credibility by a thread. Sarah Huckabee Sanders adopted a stoic wall-of-steel approach. Her eyes narrowed, her arms folded—a classic self-protective gesture—as she fielded questions with a half-smile and an expression that said: “I could not care less.” It wasn't confidence. It was deflection masked as deadpan. Kayleigh McEnany turned the job into a Harvard-polished performance. Her plastic smiles and over-rehearsed hand gestures gave off the polished sheen of a game show host crossed with a Sunday School teacher. Yet beneath the surface was relentless aggression, particularly in her habit of ending briefings mid-question with, “And with that, I’ll leave it there”—like a magician vanishing in a puff of evasion. Stephanie Grisham skipped the performance entirely. She held no press briefings during her entire tenure. That’s not a metaphor. She simply didn’t show up. She once justified it by saying: “I felt like the media was not good to us, so why give them a platform?” Which is like a firefighter refusing to fight fire because it’s “too hot.” And then there’s Karoline Leavitt, the newest inheritor of the Trumpian throne. She channels her boss’s sneer with youthful gusto, waving off journalistic scrutiny with the arrogance of a Twitter troll at a campaign rally. Her body language—tight, fidgety hands and a forward-thrust jaw—exudes aggression over poise, confrontation over clarity. Language that mirrors a master’s voice From day One, their linguistic loyalty was unmistakable. These weren’t spokespeople—they were translators of Trump. The vocabulary was predictable: “Fake news.” “Radical left.” “Witch hunt.” “Tremendous success.” Spicer lied loud. Sanders lied stone-faced. McEnany lied with legalese. Grisham lied by vanishing. Leavitt lies with snark and sarcasm. They weren't delivering facts; they were delivering feelings—Trump’s feelings. Journalists asking factual questions were treated as antagonists, not interlocutors. There was no longer an effort to explain the administration’s decisions; only to defend them, blindly and aggressively. Each press secretary channelled Trump’s grievances like tuning forks vibrating in MAGA frequency. Policy became secondary to personality, and press briefings transformed into ideological theatre—complete with props, binders, and moral grandstanding. A cult of personality on display More than anything, the Trump-era press secretaries were/are emblematic of a government that prized loyalty over truth. These individuals didn’t speak for the presidency. They spoke for Trump—the man, not the office he holds. Rather than serving as intermediaries between the public and the president, they became palace guards, protecting their king from uncomfortable facts. They weren’t trying to sell you on policy—they were trying to convince you that your eyes were lying. Their function wasn’t communication. It was containment. They were expected not just to control the narrative, but to mirror the mood. Angry Trump? Angry press secretary. Vindicated Trump? Triumphant press secretary. Cornered Trump? Defensive, sneering, combative press secretary. And through it all, they contorted themselves—physically and rhetorically—into whatever shape was needed to shield the man behind the curtain. The legacy: A podium of puppets What remains is a blueprint for what not to do. This isn’t just about individual failures. It’s about the institutional rot that occurs when the role of press secretary is weaponised as a propaganda tool. When truth becomes optional and performance becomes policy, the public suffers. From Spicer’s flop-sweat lies to Leavitt’s gleeful contempt, each of these figures proved that under Trump, the White House podium wasn’t a symbol of government transparency. It was a stage for submission, a megaphone for madness, and a place where truth went to die—draped in flags, buzzwords, and bad faith. And with that… we’ll leave it there. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

The role of the press secretary, traditionally one of poise, policy, and accountability, became under Trump a mouthpiece of performance—one that demanded absolute loyalty, shameless spin, and, above all, showmanship

Trump press secretaries only toe his line, and the new one is not any different. A series of lies from term 1 and 2

The White House on Monday (Jun 16) said that US President Donald Trump would be leaving the Group of Seven summit a day early due to developments in the Middle East. This comes as the military operations in Israel and Iran continue for a fourth night.&nbsp;“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.&nbsp;According to Reuters, a US official said that Trump will not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict.&nbsp;The draft statement, seen by Reuters, states that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and that Israel has the right to defend itself. It also commits to safeguarding market stability, including energy markets. Canadian and European diplomats said that world leaders at the G7 summit in Canada are continuing discussions on the conflict in the Middle East.&nbsp;In a post on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump warned Iranians to evacuate Tehran, reiterating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warnings amid the military conflict between Israel and Iran.&nbsp;"Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote during G7 summit in Canada, without providing further details.&nbsp;“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” the US president said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced that the United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East to enhance its “defensive posture”.&nbsp;Talking to reporters at the G7 summit in Canada, Trump expressed confidence that Iran would eventually sign a nuclear deal with the US, warning that Washington will be “doing something” once he leaves the international summit. He did not specify what possible actions the US plans to take. He added that Iran is not winning the conflict and should sign the deal “before it’s too late”.&nbsp;He reiterated Washington’s support for Israel, adding, “We’ve always supported Israel and Israel is doing very well here.”

According to Reuters, a US official said that Trump will not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict.

The White House on Monday (Jun 16) said that US President Donald Trump would be leaving the Group of Seven summit a day early due to developments in the Middle East. This comes as the military operations in Israel and Iran continue for a fourth night. “President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. According to Reuters, a US official said that Trump will not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. The draft statement, seen by Reuters, states that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and that Israel has the right to defend itself. It also commits to safeguarding market stability, including energy markets. Canadian and European diplomats said that world leaders at the G7 summit in Canada are continuing discussions on the conflict in the Middle East. In a post on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump warned Iranians to evacuate Tehran, reiterating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warnings amid the military conflict between Israel and Iran. "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote during G7 summit in Canada, without providing further details. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” the US president said. Meanwhile, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced that the United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East to enhance its “defensive posture”. Talking to reporters at the G7 summit in Canada, Trump expressed confidence that Iran would eventually sign a nuclear deal with the US, warning that Washington will be “doing something” once he leaves the international summit. He did not specify what possible actions the US plans to take. He added that Iran is not winning the conflict and should sign the deal “before it’s too late”. He reiterated Washington’s support for Israel, adding, “We’ve always supported Israel and Israel is doing very well here.”

According to Reuters, a US official said that Trump will not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict.

‘Much was accomplished, but…’: White House says Trump to leave G7 summit early | Here's why

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shot back at a reporter for asking a “stupid question” over potential protests at US President Donald Trump’s military parade on Saturday (Jun 14).&nbsp;During a press briefing on Wednesday (Jun 11), a reporter asked Leavitt whether Trump would allow peaceful protests on Saturday after he issued a stark warning for any protestors who plan to disrupt the military parade in Washington.&nbsp;Leavitt snapped at the reporter, saying, “Of course the president supports peaceful protests, what a stupid question.”&nbsp;Leavitt earlier said that Trump “absolutely supports peaceful protests, he supports the First Amendment, he supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard.”&nbsp;“He does not support violence of any kind, he does not support assaulting law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,” she added.&nbsp;“It’s very clear for the president what he supports and what he does not,” Leavitt said. “Unfortunately for Democrats that line has not been made clear, and they’ve allowed this unrest and violence to continue and the president has had to step in.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> nukes the Fake News: &quot;Of course the President supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.&quot; 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/dOB8wtSV55">pic.twitter.com/dOB8wtSV55</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932854614044426358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday (Jun 10), Trump said, “If there’s any protesters that want to come out, they will be met with very big force.”&nbsp;“I haven’t heard about a protest, but you know, these are people that hate our country,” he said at the White House. “But they will be met with very heavy force.”&nbsp;A large military parade and festival is set to take place on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army, which is also falling on Trump’s birthday. Hundreds of thousands of people have been estimated to witness the parade in Washington.&nbsp;The Trump administration’s decision to deploy thousands of troops to Los Angeles has been met been heavy criticism by California authorities, who have called the president’s move “dictatorial” and “un-American”. The protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles have now spread across several other cities in the US.&nbsp;“The president supports the right of Americans to peacefully protest, he supports the First Amendment, but that is not the majority of the behaviour that we have seen taking place in Los Angeles,” Leavitt said. “We have seen mobs of violent rioters and agitators assaulting law enforcement officers, assaulting our federal immigration authorities.”

Leavitt earlier said that Trump “absolutely supports peaceful protests, he supports the First Amendment, he supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shot back at a reporter for asking a “stupid question” over potential protests at US President Donald Trump’s military parade on Saturday (Jun 14). During a press briefing on Wednesday (Jun 11), a reporter asked Leavitt whether Trump would allow peaceful protests on Saturday after he issued a stark warning for any protestors who plan to disrupt the military parade in Washington. Leavitt snapped at the reporter, saying, “Of course the president supports peaceful protests, what a stupid question.” Leavitt earlier said that Trump “absolutely supports peaceful protests, he supports the First Amendment, he supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard.” “He does not support violence of any kind, he does not support assaulting law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,” she added. “It’s very clear for the president what he supports and what he does not,” Leavitt said. “Unfortunately for Democrats that line has not been made clear, and they’ve allowed this unrest and violence to continue and the president has had to step in.”

Leavitt earlier said that Trump “absolutely supports peaceful protests, he supports the First Amendment, he supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard.”

‘What a stupid question’: Leavitt snaps at reporter for asking if Trump would allow ‘peaceful protests’

The White House on Wednesday (Jun 11) said that US President Donald Trump would not allow “mob rule” as protests spread across the United States against his immigration policies. This comes after the Trump administration deployed thousands of military personnel after clashes during protests in Los Angeles.&nbsp;During the press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the Democratic governor of California and mayor of Los Angeles, claiming they had “fanned the flames” amid the clashes.&nbsp;“President Trump will never allow mob rule to prevail in America,” Leavitt said at the White House. The television screens showed visuals of burning vehicles and masked rioters.&nbsp;“The most basic duty of government is to preserve law and order, and this administration embraces that sacred responsibility,” she said.&nbsp;Leavitt’s remarks come a day after Trump’s speech at the Fort Bragg military base on Tuesday (Jun 10), in which he said that the rioters in Los Angeles bearing foreign flags were part of a “foreign invasion”. He vowed to “liberate” Los Angeles and called the protesters “animals”.&nbsp;California authorities have criticised Trump's moves, saying that the deployment of troops is unnecessary and will inflame the situation. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called the president’s actions “dictatorial” and “un-American”.&nbsp;“Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass shamefully failed to meet their sworn obligations to their citizens,” Leavitt said, accusing Newsom of having “fanned the flames and demonized our brave ICE officers.”&nbsp;Trump has also called the protesters “paid insurrectionists”, claiming that some of them had professional anti-riot equipment.&nbsp;“It’s a good question the president is raising, and one we are looking into, about who is funding these insurrectionists,” Leavitt said when asked by AFP about the president’s comments.&nbsp;The protests erupted on June 6 after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials carried out raids across Los Angeles as part of Trump’s crackdown against illegal immigrants. This triggered anger in local communities and civil rights groups, who called the raids heavy-handed and unjust. The protest soon turned into violent clashes with law enforcement, following which National Guard troops were deployed.

During the press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the Democratic governor of California and mayor of Los Angeles, claiming they had “fanned the flames” amid the clashes.

The White House on Wednesday (Jun 11) said that US President Donald Trump would not allow “mob rule” as protests spread across the United States against his immigration policies. This comes after the Trump administration deployed thousands of military personnel after clashes during protests in Los Angeles. During the press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the Democratic governor of California and mayor of Los Angeles, claiming they had “fanned the flames” amid the clashes. “President Trump will never allow mob rule to prevail in America,” Leavitt said at the White House. The television screens showed visuals of burning vehicles and masked rioters. “The most basic duty of government is to preserve law and order, and this administration embraces that sacred responsibility,” she said. Leavitt’s remarks come a day after Trump’s speech at the Fort Bragg military base on Tuesday (Jun 10), in which he said that the rioters in Los Angeles bearing foreign flags were part of a “foreign invasion”. He vowed to “liberate” Los Angeles and called the protesters “animals”. California authorities have criticised Trump's moves, saying that the deployment of troops is unnecessary and will inflame the situation. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called the president’s actions “dictatorial” and “un-American”. “Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass shamefully failed to meet their sworn obligations to their citizens,” Leavitt said, accusing Newsom of having “fanned the flames and demonized our brave ICE officers.” Trump has also called the protesters “paid insurrectionists”, claiming that some of them had professional anti-riot equipment. “It’s a good question the president is raising, and one we are looking into, about who is funding these insurrectionists,” Leavitt said when asked by AFP about the president’s comments. The protests erupted on June 6 after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials carried out raids across Los Angeles as part of Trump’s crackdown against illegal immigrants. This triggered anger in local communities and civil rights groups, who called the raids heavy-handed and unjust. The protest soon turned into violent clashes with law enforcement, following which National Guard troops were deployed.

During the press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the Democratic governor of California and mayor of Los Angeles, claiming they had “fanned the flames” amid the clashes.

‘Trump won’t allow mob rule in America’: White House says as protests spread across US

Elon Musk’s team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) installed a Starlink Wi-Fi terminal on the White House roof and used it to transmit a large amount of data, all of it undetected, a report by The Washington Post has revealed. The move reportedly took place in Feburary with the approval of Donald Trump’s administration, despite objections from internal security teams.Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet access. While the official reason for the installation was to fix internet “dead zones” on the White House campus, insiders suggest there may have been other motives.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maga-loves-musk-too-here-s-how-elon-musk-s-popularity-among-republicans-could-hurt-donald-trump-s-future-plans-1749298584471">MAGA loves Musk too! Here's how Elon Musk's popularity among Republicans could hurt Donald Trump's future plans</a><h2>Experts say Starlink was used to dodge security protocols</h2>Those close to the matter told The Post that the Starlink connection could have been used to bypass the White House’s highly controlled network systems. “Starlink doesn’t require anything. It allows you to transmit data without any kind of record or tracking,” one source claimed.White House devices are typically required to use a secure VPN to access the internet, which logs all traffic with names and timestamps. “With a Starlink connection, that means White House devices could leave the network and go out through gateways,” the person added. “It’s going to help you bypass security,” they said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-vs-elon-musk-news-today-republicans-more-popular-than-musk-spoiler-it-s-not-kash-patel-or-rubio-1749305592931">'Trump has 3.5 years left': Only TWO Republicans are more popular than Musk - SPOILER! It's not Kash Patel or Rubio</a><h2>Secret Service says it wasn’t a breach</h2>The United States Secret Service, however, dismissed the concerns. “We were aware of DOGE’s intentions to improve internet access on the campus and did not consider this matter a security incident or security breach,” said Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s spokesperson.<h2>Accusations of deeper data breaches emerge</h2>This is not the first time the DOGE team has faced allegations related to data access. Before Elon Musk’s exit from the government and his public fallout with Trump, DOGE was reportedly looking into several sensitive government databases, including systems handling Social Security information.In April, a whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board accused Musk’s DOGE department of a “significant cybersecurity breach.” Daniel Berulis, an IT employee, claimed to have observed unusual data transfers and suspicious login attempts from Russia after DOGE gained control of the agency’s systems.DOGE employees allegedly asked not to be tracked while accessing these systems.<h2>Musk and Trump: From allies to rivals</h2>Trump’s administration had backed Musk during his campaign to cut government budgets and jobs. But the relationship between the two powerful figures has since soured. Their once-close alliance has become a public feud, with both sides trading jabs.Interestingly, despite the fallout, visitors to the White House can still see “Starlink Guest” listed on their Wi-Fi networks, indicating that the satellite internet system remains operational on the premises.

Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet access. While the official reason for the installation was to fix internet “dead zones” on the White House campus, insiders suggest there may have been other motives.

Elon Musk’s team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) installed a Starlink Wi-Fi terminal on the White House roof and used it to transmit a large amount of data, all of it undetected, a report by The Washington Post has revealed. The move reportedly took place in Feburary with the approval of Donald Trump’s administration, despite objections from internal security teams. Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet access. While the official reason for the installation was to fix internet “dead zones” on the White House campus, insiders suggest there may have been other motives. Also read: MAGA loves Musk too! Here's how Elon Musk's popularity among Republicans could hurt Donald Trump's future plans Experts say Starlink was used to dodge security protocols Those close to the matter told The Post that the Starlink connection could have been used to bypass the White House’s highly controlled network systems. “Starlink doesn’t require anything. It allows you to transmit data without any kind of record or tracking,” one source claimed. White House devices are typically required to use a secure VPN to access the internet, which logs all traffic with names and timestamps. “With a Starlink connection, that means White House devices could leave the network and go out through gateways,” the person added. “It’s going to help you bypass security,” they said. Also read: 'Trump has 3.5 years left': Only TWO Republicans are more popular than Musk - SPOILER! It's not Kash Patel or Rubio Secret Service says it wasn’t a breach The United States Secret Service, however, dismissed the concerns. “We were aware of DOGE’s intentions to improve internet access on the campus and did not consider this matter a security incident or security breach,” said Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s spokesperson. Accusations of deeper data breaches emerge This is not the first time the DOGE team has faced allegations related to data access. Before Elon Musk’s exit from the government and his public fallout with Trump, DOGE was reportedly looking into several sensitive government databases, including systems handling Social Security information. In April, a whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board accused Musk’s DOGE department of a “significant cybersecurity breach.” Daniel Berulis, an IT employee, claimed to have observed unusual data transfers and suspicious login attempts from Russia after DOGE gained control of the agency’s systems. DOGE employees allegedly asked not to be tracked while accessing these systems. Musk and Trump: From allies to rivals Trump’s administration had backed Musk during his campaign to cut government budgets and jobs. But the relationship between the two powerful figures has since soured. Their once-close alliance has become a public feud, with both sides trading jabs. Interestingly, despite the fallout, visitors to the White House can still see “Starlink Guest” listed on their Wi-Fi networks, indicating that the satellite internet system remains operational on the premises.

Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet access. While the official reason for the installation was to fix internet “dead zones” on the White House campus, insiders suggest there may have been other motives.

‘Bypass security, no tracking, no records’: Elon Musk’s DOGE secretly transmitted White House data via Starlink

A Secret Service whistleblower has reportedly told Republican Senator Josh Hawley that Joe Biden would sometimes get lost in his own closet at the White House. The claim, which adds to growing concerns about the former president’s mental sharpness, was shared by Hawley during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.“He told me that Biden used to get lost in his closet in the mornings at the White House,” Hawley said. “I mean, the guy literally stumbling around in the White House residence couldn’t find his way out of his own closet. The president of the United States,” he added.Hawley, a close ally of Donald Trump and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the information came from a Secret Service agent who had been part of Biden’s detail.<h2>Senator says Biden's mental state may be a major scandal</h2>Hawley used the story to highlight what he called a growing scandal surrounding Biden’s cognitive state while in office. “This is outrageous. We were lied to,” he said.The White House has not responded to the claim. A spokesperson for Biden did not return a request for comment.<h2>Book reveals deeper concerns about Biden's condition</h2>Questions about Biden’s mental fitness have been around for a while, but they have intensified in recent weeks following the release of Original Sin, a book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson.The book includes details from people close to Biden. One story claims aides considered using a wheelchair if he won re-election. Another says Biden did not recognise his longtime friend George Clooney at a fundraising event.<h2>Republicans push for more scrutiny</h2>Republicans in Congress have started investigations into Biden’s mental condition while he was president. Rep. James Comer has raised doubts about the legality of orders signed by an autopen, arguing they might not be valid. However, legal experts have pushed back against that idea.<h2>Biden hits back at critics, then exits race</h2>Biden, 82, who recently revealed he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, has dismissed the claims. In an interview with CNN, he said sarcastically, “You can see that I’m mentally incompetent, and I can’t walk, and I can beat the hell out of both of them,” referring to the book’s authors.His mental condition became a central issue in the 2024 election, especially after a poor debate performance in June against Trump. Biden later withdrew from the race, giving Kamala Harris just a few months to campaign as the Democratic nominee.“I don’t have any regrets,” Biden told CNN. “I think we’re at one of those inflection points in history, where the decisions we make in the next little bit are going to determine what things look like for the next 20 years.”

Hawley, a close ally of Donald Trump and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the information came from a Secret Service agent who had been part of Biden’s detail.

A Secret Service whistleblower has reportedly told Republican Senator Josh Hawley that Joe Biden would sometimes get lost in his own closet at the White House. The claim, which adds to growing concerns about the former president’s mental sharpness, was shared by Hawley during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. “He told me that Biden used to get lost in his closet in the mornings at the White House,” Hawley said. “I mean, the guy literally stumbling around in the White House residence couldn’t find his way out of his own closet. The president of the United States,” he added. Hawley, a close ally of Donald Trump and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the information came from a Secret Service agent who had been part of Biden’s detail. Senator says Biden's mental state may be a major scandal Hawley used the story to highlight what he called a growing scandal surrounding Biden’s cognitive state while in office. “This is outrageous. We were lied to,” he said. The White House has not responded to the claim. A spokesperson for Biden did not return a request for comment. Book reveals deeper concerns about Biden's condition Questions about Biden’s mental fitness have been around for a while, but they have intensified in recent weeks following the release of Original Sin, a book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson. The book includes details from people close to Biden. One story claims aides considered using a wheelchair if he won re-election. Another says Biden did not recognise his longtime friend George Clooney at a fundraising event. Republicans push for more scrutiny Republicans in Congress have started investigations into Biden’s mental condition while he was president. Rep. James Comer has raised doubts about the legality of orders signed by an autopen, arguing they might not be valid. However, legal experts have pushed back against that idea. Biden hits back at critics, then exits race Biden, 82, who recently revealed he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, has dismissed the claims. In an interview with CNN, he said sarcastically, “You can see that I’m mentally incompetent, and I can’t walk, and I can beat the hell out of both of them,” referring to the book’s authors. His mental condition became a central issue in the 2024 election, especially after a poor debate performance in June against Trump. Biden later withdrew from the race, giving Kamala Harris just a few months to campaign as the Democratic nominee. “I don’t have any regrets,” Biden told CNN. “I think we’re at one of those inflection points in history, where the decisions we make in the next little bit are going to determine what things look like for the next 20 years.”

Hawley, a close ally of Donald Trump and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the information came from a Secret Service agent who had been part of Biden’s detail.

'Stumbling around in the White House': Secret Service whistleblower says Biden ‘got lost in his closet,’ claims close Trump ally

The Trump administration has rolled out a major plan to reform how the US federal government hires new workers. The aim is to ensure that only what it calls “patriotic Americans” who back the president’s priorities are brought on board.In a new hiring memo released on Thursday, the White House, along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), outlined how federal agencies must now recruit staff under what it calls a “merit hiring plan.”This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen to serve in government roles.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-key-to-white-house-trump-gifts-special-golden-key-to-musk-what-is-it-and-how-many-people-have-it-wion-explains-1748671194690">'Key to White House': Trump gifts 'special' golden key to Musk. What is it and how many people have it? WION Explains</a><h2>New essay requirement for federal job applicants</h2>Under the new policy, anyone applying for federal positions starting at the GS-5 level or higher will now have to write short essays. These must outline how they will support the US Constitution, improve efficiency, back Trump’s executive orders and policy goals, and demonstrate a strong work ethic.Trump's allies argue the changes are necessary to root out government employees they believe are standing in the way of his agenda.But critics say the plan amounts to a political loyalty test. They also warn it could make it harder to attract top talent to public service roles.<h2>End of diversity metrics in hiring and promotions</h2>The memo, written by Vince Haley, assistant to the president for domestic policy, and Charles Ezell, the acting director of OPM, claims the previous system relied too heavily on what it calls “discriminatory ‘equity’ quotas.”It directs agencies to stop using statistics based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin when making hiring or promotion decisions. It also orders departments to stop sharing internal workforce data based on these characteristics.Instead, the plan focuses entirely on merit and individual commitment to Trump’s vision.<h2>Focus shifts away from ‘elite’ universities</h2>Trump’s hiring overhaul also targets where the federal government looks for recruits. The memo says there’s been too much focus on hiring from “elite universities and credentials.”Instead, the administration wants agencies to look for talent from a broader range of sources, including:<ul><li>State and land-grant universities</li><li>Religious colleges and community colleges</li><li>Trade and technical schools</li><li>Homeschooling groups</li><li>Military and law enforcement communities</li><li>Faith-based and youth organisations like 4-H and the American Legion</li></ul><h2>Trump aims to speed up hiring across government</h2>Another part of the plan aims to cut down the time it takes to hire someone for a federal role. The new target is to complete hiring processes in under 80 days, as per an earlier executive order from Trump.<h2>Overhauling top executive recruitment</h2>The memo also includes a separate strategy for hiring senior federal executives, those in the Senior Executive Service (SES). These roles involve significant decision-making power within government agencies.Trump had previously said on his first day in office that these officials “must serve at the pleasure of the President.”The memo calls the current SES hiring process “broken” and “insular,” accusing it of bringing in officials who either leak sensitive information, defy presidential policies, or work inefficiently.It also says previous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements for SES hiring were “unlawful” and have now been removed.<h2>New leadership programme to groom future executives</h2>To train future executive leaders, OPM will now offer an 80-hour “fee-based aspiring executive development programme.” According to the memo, this training will be rooted in the Constitution and US laws and will include education on Trump’s executive orders.The goal is to build a pipeline of leadership candidates “with the skills, knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in senior leadership roles.”

This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen.

The Trump administration has rolled out a major plan to reform how the US federal government hires new workers. The aim is to ensure that only what it calls “patriotic Americans” who back the president’s priorities are brought on board. In a new hiring memo released on Thursday, the White House, along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), outlined how federal agencies must now recruit staff under what it calls a “merit hiring plan.” This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen to serve in government roles. Also read: 'Key to White House': Trump gifts 'special' golden key to Musk. What is it and how many people have it? WION Explains New essay requirement for federal job applicants Under the new policy, anyone applying for federal positions starting at the GS-5 level or higher will now have to write short essays. These must outline how they will support the US Constitution, improve efficiency, back Trump’s executive orders and policy goals, and demonstrate a strong work ethic. Trump's allies argue the changes are necessary to root out government employees they believe are standing in the way of his agenda. But critics say the plan amounts to a political loyalty test. They also warn it could make it harder to attract top talent to public service roles. End of diversity metrics in hiring and promotions The memo, written by Vince Haley, assistant to the president for domestic policy, and Charles Ezell, the acting director of OPM, claims the previous system relied too heavily on what it calls “discriminatory ‘equity’ quotas.” It directs agencies to stop using statistics based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin when making hiring or promotion decisions. It also orders departments to stop sharing internal workforce data based on these characteristics. Instead, the plan focuses entirely on merit and individual commitment to Trump’s vision. Focus shifts away from ‘elite’ universities Trump’s hiring overhaul also targets where the federal government looks for recruits. The memo says there’s been too much focus on hiring from “elite universities and credentials.” Instead, the administration wants agencies to look for talent from a broader range of sources, including: State and land-grant universities Religious colleges and community colleges Trade and technical schools Homeschooling groups Military and law enforcement communities Faith-based and youth organisations like 4-H and the American Legion Trump aims to speed up hiring across government Another part of the plan aims to cut down the time it takes to hire someone for a federal role. The new target is to complete hiring processes in under 80 days, as per an earlier executive order from Trump. Overhauling top executive recruitment The memo also includes a separate strategy for hiring senior federal executives, those in the Senior Executive Service (SES). These roles involve significant decision-making power within government agencies. Trump had previously said on his first day in office that these officials “must serve at the pleasure of the President.” The memo calls the current SES hiring process “broken” and “insular,” accusing it of bringing in officials who either leak sensitive information, defy presidential policies, or work inefficiently. It also says previous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements for SES hiring were “unlawful” and have now been removed. New leadership programme to groom future executives To train future executive leaders, OPM will now offer an 80-hour “fee-based aspiring executive development programme.” According to the memo, this training will be rooted in the Constitution and US laws and will include education on Trump’s executive orders. The goal is to build a pipeline of leadership candidates “with the skills, knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in senior leadership roles.”

This move comes as former President Donald Trump pushes to shrink the size of the federal workforce, a key promise from the start of his presidency. According to the memo, the goal is to make sure “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans” are chosen.

Loyalty test for federal jobs? Trump demands ‘patriotic Americans’ in sweeping hiring shake-up

The White House on Friday (May 30) announced that the Trump administration is preparing to take other actions against China over accusations that Beijing violated its preliminary trade agreement with the US.&nbsp;“That opens up all manner of action for the United States to ensure future compliance,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told reporters.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There are measures that have already been taken, there are measures that are being taken, there are measures that are being considered,” Miller told CNN. “It would be incredibly unwise for China to continue down this path and not seek instead the path of cooperation.”&nbsp;Miller’s remarks shortly follow the statement by the US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;&nbsp;Accusing China of violating its trade agreement with the US, Trump said, “I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didn’t want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”&nbsp;Earlier in the day, Trump’s trade representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC that critical minerals were one area of particular concern. “We haven’t seen the flow of some of those critical minerals as they were supposed to be doing … China continues to, you know, slow down and choke off things like critical minerals and rare earth magnets,” he said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Thursday (May 29) that the trade discussions between the US and China were “a bit stalled”. He added that finalising a deal will likely require the direct involvement of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“There are measures that have already been taken, there are measures that are being taken, there are measures that are being considered,” said White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

The White House on Friday (May 30) announced that the Trump administration is preparing to take other actions against China over accusations that Beijing violated its preliminary trade agreement with the US. “That opens up all manner of action for the United States to ensure future compliance,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told reporters. “There are measures that have already been taken, there are measures that are being taken, there are measures that are being considered,” Miller told CNN. “It would be incredibly unwise for China to continue down this path and not seek instead the path of cooperation.” Miller’s remarks shortly follow the statement by the US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. Accusing China of violating its trade agreement with the US, Trump said, “I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didn’t want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Earlier in the day, Trump’s trade representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC that critical minerals were one area of particular concern. “We haven’t seen the flow of some of those critical minerals as they were supposed to be doing … China continues to, you know, slow down and choke off things like critical minerals and rare earth magnets,” he said. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Thursday (May 29) that the trade discussions between the US and China were “a bit stalled”. He added that finalising a deal will likely require the direct involvement of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“There are measures that have already been taken, there are measures that are being taken, there are measures that are being considered,” said White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

US-China trade tensions: White House warns Beijing against ‘unwise’ moves, says fresh actions being considered

Elon Musk is stepping down from his post in the Trump administration after 129 controversial days leading the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE.The billionaire, confirmed his departure earlier this week in a post on X, his own social media platform, where he thanked President Trump for the opportunity.Trump, in turn, announced a news conference at the Oval Office on Friday (May 30) with Musk by his side. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” he wrote.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-first-red-line-must-not-be-crossed-china-fumes-over-reports-of-us-arms-sales-to-taiwan-1748606326662">'First red line must not be crossed': China fumes over reports of US arms sales to Taiwan</a>Despite being in government for just over four months, Musk’s impact was significant, shaking up departments across Washington and leaving a ripple effect around the world.<h2>Deep cuts to federal budget marked Musk's tenure</h2>Musk joined the Trump administration to cut as much government spending as possible. At first, he aimed to cut $2 trillion from the budget, though that figure later dropped to $1 trillion, and then settled at $150 billion.According to DOGE, the department ultimately achieved $175 billion in savings. These came from asset sales, cancelled leases and grants, deleted “fraud and improper payments,” reduced regulation and by cutting 260,000 workers from the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce.However, the scale of the cuts also brought chaos. In several cases, judges blocked mass layoffs and ordered the reinstatement of sacked employees.Musk admitted early on that mistakes were likely. In February, after DOGE cut an aid programme confusing Mozambique for Gaza, he said: “We will make mistakes. But we'll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”One of the most dramatic effects of Musk’s policies was felt abroad. After a six-week review, DOGE eliminated more than 80% of programmes run by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with the rest absorbed by the State Department.These cuts aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda but hit hard. Projects ranging from famine response and vaccinations to support for transgender clinics in India and scholarships for Afghan women were either cut back or shut down.<h2>Ethical concerns over Musk's dual role</h2>Musk’s presence in the White House raised eyebrows. He was not elected, but held considerable power, all while his companies continued doing business with the US government.Some Democrats claimed he used his post to promote Starlink, his satellite internet firm, overseas. The White House was also accused of giving special treatment to Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, after showcasing its vehicles on the South Lawn in March.<h2>Musk clashed with officials over scale of cuts</h2>Despite public unity, tensions simmered within the administration over Musk’s sweeping budget cuts. While Trump gave DOGE his full support, some cabinet members reportedly grew uneasy.In one cabinet meeting in February, Trump addressed the discomfort. “They have a lot of respect for Elon and that he's doing this, and some disagree a little bit,” he said. “If they aren't, I want them to speak up.” No one did.On the same day Musk’s departure was announced, CBS aired part of an interview in which Musk voiced frustration over Trump’s latest budget bill.Calling it a “big, beautiful” spending plan packed with tax breaks and boosted defence funding, Musk said it “undermines” DOGE's work.

The billionaire, confirmed his departure earlier this week in a post on X, his own social media platform, where he thanked President Trump for the opportunity.

Elon Musk is stepping down from his post in the Trump administration after 129 controversial days leading the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE. The billionaire, confirmed his departure earlier this week in a post on X, his own social media platform, where he thanked President Trump for the opportunity. Trump, in turn, announced a news conference at the Oval Office on Friday (May 30) with Musk by his side. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” he wrote. Also read: 'First red line must not be crossed': China fumes over reports of US arms sales to Taiwan Despite being in government for just over four months, Musk’s impact was significant, shaking up departments across Washington and leaving a ripple effect around the world. Deep cuts to federal budget marked Musk's tenure Musk joined the Trump administration to cut as much government spending as possible. At first, he aimed to cut $2 trillion from the budget, though that figure later dropped to $1 trillion, and then settled at $150 billion. According to DOGE, the department ultimately achieved $175 billion in savings. These came from asset sales, cancelled leases and grants, deleted “fraud and improper payments,” reduced regulation and by cutting 260,000 workers from the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce. However, the scale of the cuts also brought chaos. In several cases, judges blocked mass layoffs and ordered the reinstatement of sacked employees. Musk admitted early on that mistakes were likely. In February, after DOGE cut an aid programme confusing Mozambique for Gaza, he said: “We will make mistakes. But we'll act quickly to correct any mistakes.” One of the most dramatic effects of Musk’s policies was felt abroad. After a six-week review, DOGE eliminated more than 80% of programmes run by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with the rest absorbed by the State Department. These cuts aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda but hit hard. Projects ranging from famine response and vaccinations to support for transgender clinics in India and scholarships for Afghan women were either cut back or shut down. Ethical concerns over Musk's dual role Musk’s presence in the White House raised eyebrows. He was not elected, but held considerable power, all while his companies continued doing business with the US government. Some Democrats claimed he used his post to promote Starlink, his satellite internet firm, overseas. The White House was also accused of giving special treatment to Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, after showcasing its vehicles on the South Lawn in March. Musk clashed with officials over scale of cuts Despite public unity, tensions simmered within the administration over Musk’s sweeping budget cuts. While Trump gave DOGE his full support, some cabinet members reportedly grew uneasy. In one cabinet meeting in February, Trump addressed the discomfort. “They have a lot of respect for Elon and that he's doing this, and some disagree a little bit,” he said. “If they aren't, I want them to speak up.” No one did. On the same day Musk’s departure was announced, CBS aired part of an interview in which Musk voiced frustration over Trump’s latest budget bill. Calling it a “big, beautiful” spending plan packed with tax breaks and boosted defence funding, Musk said it “undermines” DOGE's work.

The billionaire, confirmed his departure earlier this week in a post on X, his own social media platform, where he thanked President Trump for the opportunity.

Elon Musk's White House crusade comes to an end: What he really did in 129 chaotic days as Trump’s DOGE chief

Dozens of staffers were abruptly fired from the White House National Security Council on Friday, as President Donald Trump moved to dramatically slash the scope and size of the once-powerful body, said people familiar with the matter. Staff dealing with major geopolitical issues, from Ukraine to Kashmir, were terminated, said sources while requesting anonymity.The move came just weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over from Mike Waltz as national security adviser. &nbsp;The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.&nbsp;The move will pave the way for giving more authority to the State Department, the Defense Department, and other departments and agencies involved in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence matters.The Trump administration aims to reduce the final headcount at NSC to just a few dozen people.&nbsp;Previously, the NSC staff was involved in key decisions regarding America’s approach to the world’s most volatile conflicts.&nbsp;Several high-ranking staffers were fired earlier this year after right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer handed Trump a list of staffers she perceived to be disloyal. &nbsp;The cuts were made under President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, Marco Rubio, who also is serving as secretary of state. Rubio, who has emerged as a key figure in the administration, was tapped for the White House post early this month after his predecessor as national security adviser, Michael Waltz, was pushed aside following a series of missteps.&nbsp;Waltz, the previous national security adviser, had accidentally shared information on an imminent bombing campaign in Yemen with an Atlantic journalist. Trump has said he intends to nominate Waltz to be his ambassador to the United Nations. Most NSC staffers are from other parts of the federal government and were expected to go back to their home agencies, including the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence agencies.Since Waltz’s ouster, administration officials have signalled a major scale-down of the National Security Council was imminent. Some have argued that the NSC had become bloated under previous administrations.&nbsp;Hegseth curtails press access inside Pentagon to curb leaks&nbsp;Meanwhile, defense secretary Pete Hegseth dramatically curtailed press access inside the Pentagon in a move deemed as punishing the news media for reporting on leaks of classified and unclassified information in the recent weeks.&nbsp;The changes, announced in a two-page memo issued by Hegseth, effectively boxed credentialed reporters into one corner on one floor of the building that houses the press office and spaces used by news organisations.&nbsp;Reporters will now need to request permission to walk anywhere else in the Pentagon, including past areas occupied by the joint chiefs and the press office for the joint chiefs, and will be escorted by an official, the memo said.&nbsp;Reporters will also be banned from accessing the Pentagon Athletic Center and be issued new credentials, which more clearly state the word “PRESS” on the badge. The current credential has the letters written in regular size at the bottom.&nbsp;Hegseth said he was adding the most draconian access restrictions in decades in a bid to limit the number of leaks coming from the Pentagon.

The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.



Dozens of staffers were abruptly fired from the White House National Security Council on Friday, as President Donald Trump moved to dramatically slash the scope and size of the once-powerful body, said people familiar with the matter. Staff dealing with major geopolitical issues, from Ukraine to Kashmir, were terminated, said sources while requesting anonymity. The move came just weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over from Mike Waltz as national security adviser. The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said. The move will pave the way for giving more authority to the State Department, the Defense Department, and other departments and agencies involved in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence matters. The Trump administration aims to reduce the final headcount at NSC to just a few dozen people. Previously, the NSC staff was involved in key decisions regarding America’s approach to the world’s most volatile conflicts. Several high-ranking staffers were fired earlier this year after right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer handed Trump a list of staffers she perceived to be disloyal. The cuts were made under President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, Marco Rubio, who also is serving as secretary of state. Rubio, who has emerged as a key figure in the administration, was tapped for the White House post early this month after his predecessor as national security adviser, Michael Waltz, was pushed aside following a series of missteps. Waltz, the previous national security adviser, had accidentally shared information on an imminent bombing campaign in Yemen with an Atlantic journalist. Trump has said he intends to nominate Waltz to be his ambassador to the United Nations. Most NSC staffers are from other parts of the federal government and were expected to go back to their home agencies, including the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence agencies. Since Waltz’s ouster, administration officials have signalled a major scale-down of the National Security Council was imminent. Some have argued that the NSC had become bloated under previous administrations. Hegseth curtails press access inside Pentagon to curb leaks Meanwhile, defense secretary Pete Hegseth dramatically curtailed press access inside the Pentagon in a move deemed as punishing the news media for reporting on leaks of classified and unclassified information in the recent weeks. The changes, announced in a two-page memo issued by Hegseth, effectively boxed credentialed reporters into one corner on one floor of the building that houses the press office and spaces used by news organisations. Reporters will now need to request permission to walk anywhere else in the Pentagon, including past areas occupied by the joint chiefs and the press office for the joint chiefs, and will be escorted by an official, the memo said. Reporters will also be banned from accessing the Pentagon Athletic Center and be issued new credentials, which more clearly state the word “PRESS” on the badge. The current credential has the letters written in regular size at the bottom. Hegseth said he was adding the most draconian access restrictions in decades in a bid to limit the number of leaks coming from the Pentagon.

The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.&nbsp;

White House dismisses dozens of National Security Council staff in Trump-backed downsizing

Following a dramatic meeting with US President Donald Trump, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was praised for “keeping his cool” in the Oval Office on Thursday (May 22).&nbsp;The meeting, which was supposed to be regarding bilateral trade between the two nations, took a turn when Trump accused South Africa of committing a “white genocide”. While Ramaphosa aimed to improve South African ties with the US, which have significantly gotten worse since Trump took office in January this year.&nbsp;Trump has claimed that South Africa’s white minority farmers are being systematically murdered and having their land seized.&nbsp;“He didn’t get Zelenskyed. That’s what we have to hang onto (he) did not get personally insulted by the world’s most horrible duo of playground bullies,” Rebecca Davis of the national Daily Maverick wrote.&nbsp;In February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him ungrateful for US military aid. Soon, the argument turned heated, and Zelensky left the White House abruptly.&nbsp;Some also questioned Ramaphosa’s cool composure, asking what was achieved by the exchange between the two leaders.&nbsp;“I don’t think it was the right call. I don’t think we need to explain ourselves to USA,” said Sobelo Motha, a member of a trade union, according to Reuters.&nbsp;“We know there’s no white genocide. So for me, it was pointless exercise.”&nbsp;In recent months, Trump has cancelled aid to South Africa, expelled the country’s ambassador, offered refuge to the white minority, and condemned its genocide court case against Israel. Trump proved his allegations by showing videos and articles discussing the treatment of white South Africans.&nbsp;Defending Ramaphosa’s handling of the meeting with Trump, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said it was important that the two leaders engaged.&nbsp;“It’s not in the president’s nature to be combative. (He) looks at issues calmly, matter-of-factly. I think that’s what we expect of our presidents,” he told Reuters. &nbsp;

Trump has claimed that South Africa’s white minority farmers are being systematically murdered and having their land seized.

Following a dramatic meeting with US President Donald Trump, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was praised for “keeping his cool” in the Oval Office on Thursday (May 22). The meeting, which was supposed to be regarding bilateral trade between the two nations, took a turn when Trump accused South Africa of committing a “white genocide”. While Ramaphosa aimed to improve South African ties with the US, which have significantly gotten worse since Trump took office in January this year. Trump has claimed that South Africa’s white minority farmers are being systematically murdered and having their land seized. “He didn’t get Zelenskyed. That’s what we have to hang onto (he) did not get personally insulted by the world’s most horrible duo of playground bullies,” Rebecca Davis of the national Daily Maverick wrote. In February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him ungrateful for US military aid. Soon, the argument turned heated, and Zelensky left the White House abruptly. Some also questioned Ramaphosa’s cool composure, asking what was achieved by the exchange between the two leaders. “I don’t think it was the right call. I don’t think we need to explain ourselves to USA,” said Sobelo Motha, a member of a trade union, according to Reuters. “We know there’s no white genocide. So for me, it was pointless exercise.” In recent months, Trump has cancelled aid to South Africa, expelled the country’s ambassador, offered refuge to the white minority, and condemned its genocide court case against Israel. Trump proved his allegations by showing videos and articles discussing the treatment of white South Africans. Defending Ramaphosa’s handling of the meeting with Trump, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said it was important that the two leaders engaged. “It’s not in the president’s nature to be combative. (He) looks at issues calmly, matter-of-factly. I think that’s what we expect of our presidents,” he told Reuters.

Trump has claimed that South Africa’s white minority farmers are being systematically murdered and having their land seized.

‘Didn’t get Zelenskyed’: South Africa’s Ramaphosa praised for calmly handling Trump White House showdown

President Donald Trump will attend a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Canada next month, the White House said on Thursday (May 22), in a visit to a country that he has urged to become the 51st US state.&nbsp;"President Trump will travel to the G7 leaders' summit in Canada from June 15 through the 17th," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily briefing. More details of his visit will be announced shortly, Leavitt said.&nbsp;Over the past few months, relations between US-Canada relations have been marked by problems, fuelled by Trump’s repeated calls for Canada to join the United States and his imposition of implementing tariffs. However, the relations showed signs of positivity after newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the White House in May 2025, after he won the elections in April.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-denies-indigo-s-pilot-request-to-use-its-airspace-after-delhi-srinagar-flight-hit-by-turbulence-1747932446135">Pakistan denies IndiGo's pilot request to use its airspace after Delhi-Srinagar flight hit by turbulence</a>&nbsp;What is G7 Summit? &nbsp;The G7 Summit is an international forum held annually for the leaders of the G7 member states of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada (in order of rotating presidency), and the European Union (EU).&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-feared-dead-after-small-plane-crashes-into-san-diego-neighbourhood-homes-cars-on-fire-1747926352605">Several feared dead after small plane crashes into San Diego neighbourhood, homes &amp; cars on fire</a>&nbsp;At the G7 Summit, the leaders of the G7, which shares fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and human rights, exchange candid views on important challenges the international community is facing at that time, such as the global economy, regional affairs and various global issues, and issue a document as an outcome of such discussions.　&nbsp;With the leadership of the leaders of the G7, which shares fundamental values, the G7 has effectively responded to important challenges that the international community faces.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-pakistan-gives-birth-to-terrorism-know-anupama-singh-the-indian-diplomat-who-exposed-islamabad-s-lies-1747910751027">'Pakistan gives birth to terrorism': Know Anupama Singh, the Indian diplomat who exposed Islamabad’s lies</a>

White House confirms US President Donald Trump will visit Canada for G7 leaders’ summit

President Donald Trump will attend a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Canada next month, the White House said on Thursday (May 22), in a visit to a country that he has urged to become the 51st US state. "President Trump will travel to the G7 leaders' summit in Canada from June 15 through the 17th," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily briefing. More details of his visit will be announced shortly, Leavitt said. Over the past few months, relations between US-Canada relations have been marked by problems, fuelled by Trump’s repeated calls for Canada to join the United States and his imposition of implementing tariffs. However, the relations showed signs of positivity after newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the White House in May 2025, after he won the elections in April. Also Read: Pakistan denies IndiGo's pilot request to use its airspace after Delhi-Srinagar flight hit by turbulence What is G7 Summit? The G7 Summit is an international forum held annually for the leaders of the G7 member states of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada (in order of rotating presidency), and the European Union (EU). Also Read: Several feared dead after small plane crashes into San Diego neighbourhood, homes & cars on fire At the G7 Summit, the leaders of the G7, which shares fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and human rights, exchange candid views on important challenges the international community is facing at that time, such as the global economy, regional affairs and various global issues, and issue a document as an outcome of such discussions.　 With the leadership of the leaders of the G7, which shares fundamental values, the G7 has effectively responded to important challenges that the international community faces. Also Read: 'Pakistan gives birth to terrorism': Know Anupama Singh, the Indian diplomat who exposed Islamabad’s lies

President Donald Trump will attend a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Canada next month, the White House said

What is G7 Summit? White House confirms US President Donald Trump will visit Canada next month

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with former Canadian PM Mark Carney for a crucial discussion at the White House. The meeting is expected to focus on global economic concerns and growing trade tensions. With trade wars looming, the outcome could have global implications.

Mark Carney set for a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump

As Hollywood is still trying to understand what a possible 100% tariff on foreign films could mean, following a dramatic post from President Donald Trump suggesting that such a move is on the table, the White House seemed to walk back on what US President Donald Trump said on Monday (May 05).
<h2>White House walks back Trump&rsquo;s post</h2>
On Monday, the White House stepped in to clarify the situation. Spokesman Kush Desai told The Hollywood Reporter, &ldquo;Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump&rsquo;s directive to safeguard our country&rsquo;s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alcatraz-trump-wants-to-send-toughest-criminals-once-housed-al-capone-real-story-of-prison-of-last-resort-9037067" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Prison of last resort': Alcatraz, where Trump wants to send toughest criminals, once housed Al Capone. Here is its story</a>
The statement suggests the plan is still in its early stages, with the legal and logistical details far from finalised. Industry experts have raised questions about whether such a tariff could even be applied, given the complexity of taxing services like film production, especially when international co-productions and streaming content blur geographical lines.
In a social media post on Sunday night, Trump claimed, &ldquo;The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,&rdquo; and said a foreign film tariff could help revive it.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trump-tariffs-on-movies-produced-on-foreign-lands-9035984" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump to impose tariffs on film production, is it a bad news for Hollywood?</a>
He has directed the Commerce Department and the US Trade Representative to begin exploring the option of imposing such a tariff, adding that it was part of his broader goal to &ldquo;Make Hollywood Great Again.&rdquo;
The White House has voiced concern that too many U.S. productions are being shot overseas, lured by lower labour costs and generous tax credits. While some American states also offer tax incentives, they are often not enough to compete with countries that provide substantial financial breaks to foreign film crews.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/donald-trump-orders-100-tariff-on-non-us-movies-in-a-bid-to-save-the-american-film-industry-hollywood-is-dying-9033517" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Hollywood is dying&rsquo;: Donald Trump orders 100% tariff on non-US movies in a bid to save the American film industry</a>
<h2>Hollywood confused and concerned</h2>
The unexpected announcement has left many in the entertainment world scrambling for answers. There&rsquo;s uncertainty around whether the tariffs would affect TV shows, streaming platforms, co-productions, or even films partially produced in the US but completed abroad.
Executives, filmmakers, and producers are unsure how such a policy would be implemented or how it might impact projects already in progress.
<h2>Special ambassadors named as Hollywood plan develops</h2>
Trump has appointed actors and directors Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson as &ldquo;special ambassadors&rdquo; to Hollywood. According to reports, Voight has been working on a strategy to bring more film production back to the U.S., though it&rsquo;s unclear if tariffs were ever part of that plan.
Ironically, Mel Gibson himself could be directly affected. His next film, a follow-up to The Passion of the Christ, is set to begin filming in Italy later this year, potentially making it one of the first projects hit by the proposed tariff&nbsp;if it ever moves forward.

World: In a social media post on Sunday night, Trump claimed, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” and said a foreign film tariff could help revive it.

As Hollywood is still trying to understand what a possible 100% tariff on foreign films could mean, following a dramatic post from President Donald Trump suggesting that such a move is on the table, the White House seemed to walk back on what US President Donald Trump said on Monday (May 05). White House walks back Trump’s post On Monday, the White House stepped in to clarify the situation. Spokesman Kush Desai told The Hollywood Reporter, “Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.” Also read: 'Prison of last resort': Alcatraz, where Trump wants to send toughest criminals, once housed Al Capone. Here is its story The statement suggests the plan is still in its early stages, with the legal and logistical details far from finalised. Industry experts have raised questions about whether such a tariff could even be applied, given the complexity of taxing services like film production, especially when international co-productions and streaming content blur geographical lines. In a social media post on Sunday night, Trump claimed, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” and said a foreign film tariff could help revive it. Also read: Donald Trump to impose tariffs on film production, is it a bad news for Hollywood? He has directed the Commerce Department and the US Trade Representative to begin exploring the option of imposing such a tariff, adding that it was part of his broader goal to “Make Hollywood Great Again.” The White House has voiced concern that too many U.S. productions are being shot overseas, lured by lower labour costs and generous tax credits. While some American states also offer tax incentives, they are often not enough to compete with countries that provide substantial financial breaks to foreign film crews. Also read: ‘Hollywood is dying’: Donald Trump orders 100% tariff on non-US movies in a bid to save the American film industry Hollywood confused and concerned The unexpected announcement has left many in the entertainment world scrambling for answers. There’s uncertainty around whether the tariffs would affect TV shows, streaming platforms, co-productions, or even films partially produced in the US but completed abroad. Executives, filmmakers, and producers are unsure how such a policy would be implemented or how it might impact projects already in progress. Special ambassadors named as Hollywood plan develops Trump has appointed actors and directors Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood. According to reports, Voight has been working on a strategy to bring more film production back to the U.S., though it’s unclear if tariffs were ever part of that plan. Ironically, Mel Gibson himself could be directly affected. His next film, a follow-up to The Passion of the Christ, is set to begin filming in Italy later this year, potentially making it one of the first projects hit by the proposed tariff if it ever moves forward.

'No final decisions': White House walks back Trump’s 100% foreign film tariff threat - Did the US President speak too soon?

The White House accuses Amazon of being 'hostile' after the company denies reports it would display tariff costs on its website, saying it's not pursuing such a plan. Watch this report to know more!

White House slams Amazon over tariff display plan

The Official Trump Store, the retail online store of The Trump Organization, is now selling red &lsquo;Trump 2028&rsquo; hats, hinting at the US president&rsquo;s third term run in 2028. The hat is available for purchase on the website for $50.
This comes amid the speculation about whether Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/trump-0">Trump</a>&nbsp;can run for a third term in office. In recent weeks, he has made it clear that he is serious about pursuing another term.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-be-interviewed-by-atlantic-editorguy-added-to-houthi-group-chat-how-will-he-handle-signalgate-questions-8998941">Trump to be interviewed by Atlantic editor&mdash;guy added to Houthi group chat. How will he handle Signalgate questions?</a>
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Donald Trump is now selling &lsquo;Trump 2028&rsquo; hats on his official merchandise website. (The Constitution prohibits him from running for a third term.) <a href="https://t.co/jYVAXXgYp5">pic.twitter.com/jYVAXXgYp5</a>
&mdash; Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1915452841633710176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>Can Trump run for a third term?</h2>
According to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, &ldquo;No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-stop-trump-slams-putin-for-russian-strikes-on-kyiv-tells-him-to-stop-attacking-ukraine-8998156">'Vladimir, STOP': Trump slams Putin for Russian strikes on Kyiv, tells him to stop attacking Ukraine</a>
Last month, the Republican told NBC&rsquo;s Kristen Welker that he was &ldquo;not joking&rdquo; about considering a third term, adding that there were &ldquo;methods which you could do it.&rdquo;
Trump suggested that one such method involves Vice President JD Vance leading the Republican ticket in 2028, with Trump as his running mate. Later, Vance could resign from his position in 2029, which would allow Trump to return to the White House for a third term.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-trumps-economic-policies-and-tariffs-negatively-impacting-his-approval-ratings-poll-reveals-8998075">Are Trump&rsquo;s economic policies and tariffs negatively impacting his approval ratings? Poll reveals</a>
However, as per the 12th Amendment, anyone who is &ldquo;constitutionally ineligible&rdquo; to serve as president cannot serve as the vice president as well.
According to a recent poll, almost half of the Republicans who identify as members of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement believe that Trump can run for a third term despite the limit prescribed by the Constitution.
Watch | Zelensky, Trump clash over US's u-turn on 2014 Crimea annexation by Russia
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2404_G5_US_9PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2404_G5_US_9PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=281&amp;tags=russia, ukraine, war, news, world news, international" title="Zelensky, Trump clash over US's u-turn on 2014 Crimea annexation by Russia" id="PL_iframe_block-m9vowo9h-5j0l7lcx-pj32fiju"></iframe>
As per a SurveyUSA poll, 21 per cent of all respondents said Trump was eligible for a third term in office, while 49 per cent of MAGA-identifying Republicans agreed to the same.
<h2>Republican proposes amendment</h2>
In January, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, introduced a joint resolution to amend the part of the Constitution that prohibits a president from serving more than two terms.
Ogles proposed that the 22nd Amendment be changed to say that no person shall be elected to the office of president more than thrice. It added that no president shall serve any additional term after serving two consecutive terms in office. This wording of the amendment is permanent for former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who served two consecutive terms, from running for a third term.

This comes amid the speculation about whether Donald Trump can run for a third term in office. In recent weeks, he has made it clear that he is serious about pursuing another term. World

The Official Trump Store, the retail online store of The Trump Organization, is now selling red ‘Trump 2028’ hats, hinting at the US president’s third term run in 2028. The hat is available for purchase on the website for $50. This comes amid the speculation about whether Donald Trump can run for a third term in office. In recent weeks, he has made it clear that he is serious about pursuing another term. Also read | Trump to be interviewed by Atlantic editor—guy added to Houthi group chat. How will he handle Signalgate questions? Donald Trump is now selling ‘Trump 2028’ hats on his official merchandise website. (The Constitution prohibits him from running for a third term.) pic.twitter.com/jYVAXXgYp5 — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 24, 2025 Can Trump run for a third term? According to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.” Also read | 'Vladimir, STOP': Trump slams Putin for Russian strikes on Kyiv, tells him to stop attacking Ukraine Last month, the Republican told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he was “not joking” about considering a third term, adding that there were “methods which you could do it.” Trump suggested that one such method involves Vice President JD Vance leading the Republican ticket in 2028, with Trump as his running mate. Later, Vance could resign from his position in 2029, which would allow Trump to return to the White House for a third term. Also read | Are Trump’s economic policies and tariffs negatively impacting his approval ratings? Poll reveals However, as per the 12th Amendment, anyone who is “constitutionally ineligible” to serve as president cannot serve as the vice president as well. According to a recent poll, almost half of the Republicans who identify as members of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement believe that Trump can run for a third term despite the limit prescribed by the Constitution. Watch | Zelensky, Trump clash over US's u-turn on 2014 Crimea annexation by Russia As per a SurveyUSA poll, 21 per cent of all respondents said Trump was eligible for a third term in office, while 49 per cent of MAGA-identifying Republicans agreed to the same. Republican proposes amendment In January, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, introduced a joint resolution to amend the part of the Constitution that prohibits a president from serving more than two terms. Ogles proposed that the 22nd Amendment be changed to say that no person shall be elected to the office of president more than thrice. It added that no president shall serve any additional term after serving two consecutive terms in office. This wording of the amendment is permanent for former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who served two consecutive terms, from running for a third term.

Trump to run for a third term? ‘Trump 2028’ goes live for sale on his official store

Donald Trump is standing behind as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said despite a new scandal. Trump's backing comes amid growing calls to fire the US defense secretary over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen with his wife and others.

White House says no chance of Trump firing defence secretary

The South Lawn of the White House was buzzing with excitement on Monday (April 21) as families gathered for the 147th edition of the White House Easter Egg Roll, a cherished American tradition dating back to 1878.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Roll with almost 30,000 eggs, even as egg prices remain exorbitant.
Children under the age of 13, selected through a national lottery, joined President Trump, the First Lady Melania, and White House staff for a festive morning filled with games, music, and patriotic flair.
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First Lady Melania Trump Reads to Children at the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll <a href="https://t.co/mpY2k7Ap0l">https://t.co/mpY2k7Ap0l</a>
&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1914346112548323452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
The event this year includes corporate sponsorships, a departure from the sponsorship by the American Egg Board previously. The egg board used to sponsor the event to avoid having corporate sponsors on the White House grounds. Sponsors who paid $200,000 received a &ldquo;custom 30&rsquo;x30&rsquo; branded activation&rdquo; as well as four tickets to the WHEER brunch with Melania Trump and a choice of a meet and greet or a tour of the White House, reported CBS News. Sponsorship packages were available for $125,000 and $75,000. Several companies, including Big Tech firms like Amazon, YouTube, and Meta, are sponsoring several event stations.&nbsp;
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> signal the start of the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll <a href="https://t.co/nBFWeY36zY">pic.twitter.com/nBFWeY36zY</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1914338794876068223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
The theme of this year&rsquo;s egg roll acknowledges the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S., with children signing mini versions of the Declaration of Independence and dressing up as the Founding Fathers. Winners of a lottery in all 56 states and territories and children with political connections attend the event. Trump said that as many as 42,000 people were expected at the White House throughout the day.&nbsp;
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-questions-ecs-credibility-at-boston-event-bjp-slams-him-for-defaming-india-8986734" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rahul Gandhi questions EC&rsquo;s credibility at Boston event, BJP slams him for defaming India</a>
&ldquo;Easter is special, and it&rsquo;s one of our favourite days. It&rsquo;s one of our favourite periods of time. We&rsquo;re honouring Jesus Christ, and we&rsquo;re going to honour Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives,&rdquo; said Trump.&nbsp; &ldquo;We're bringing religion back in America. We&rsquo;re bringing a lot of things back, but religion is coming back to America.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9ra1bhz-6p9gohzq-jc3ovtax">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: "We're honoring Jesus Christ and we're going to honor Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives ... not just now, all throughout our lives." 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/aS6QIDBY5G">pic.twitter.com/aS6QIDBY5G</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1914336026316648642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
The White House Easter Egg Roll officially began in 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the South Lawn to children who usually rolled eggs on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. However, some accounts of informal egg-rolling events date back to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the White House website states.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-detonates-hydrogen-bomb-creates-devastating-effect-without-using-nuclear-material-8986348" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China detonates hydrogen bomb, creates devastating effect without using nuclear material</a> The celebrations on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol grew so popular in the 1870s that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill banning egg-rolling events on the grounds due to landscape concerns. In 1878, a group of children approached the gates of the White House in the hope that they would be allowed to play egg-rolling games on the grounds. Hayes let the children in, and the White House event became an annual tradition. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison added the U.S. Marine Band to the event. The planning of the event has traditionally been the task of First Ladies, with Lou Hoover adding folk dancing while Pat Nixon included the now-traditional egg roll races.

World: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Roll with almost 30,000 eggs, even as egg prices remain exorbitant.

The South Lawn of the White House was buzzing with excitement on Monday (April 21) as families gathered for the 147th edition of the White House Easter Egg Roll, a cherished American tradition dating back to 1878. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Roll with almost 30,000 eggs, even as egg prices remain exorbitant. Children under the age of 13, selected through a national lottery, joined President Trump, the First Lady Melania, and White House staff for a festive morning filled with games, music, and patriotic flair. First Lady Melania Trump Reads to Children at the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll https://t.co/mpY2k7Ap0l — The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2025 The event this year includes corporate sponsorships, a departure from the sponsorship by the American Egg Board previously. The egg board used to sponsor the event to avoid having corporate sponsors on the White House grounds. Sponsors who paid $200,000 received a “custom 30’x30’ branded activation” as well as four tickets to the WHEER brunch with Melania Trump and a choice of a meet and greet or a tour of the White House, reported CBS News. Sponsorship packages were available for $125,000 and $75,000. Several companies, including Big Tech firms like Amazon, YouTube, and Meta, are sponsoring several event stations. .@POTUS and @FLOTUS signal the start of the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll pic.twitter.com/nBFWeY36zY — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 21, 2025 The theme of this year’s egg roll acknowledges the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S., with children signing mini versions of the Declaration of Independence and dressing up as the Founding Fathers. Winners of a lottery in all 56 states and territories and children with political connections attend the event. Trump said that as many as 42,000 people were expected at the White House throughout the day. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi questions EC’s credibility at Boston event, BJP slams him for defaming India “Easter is special, and it’s one of our favourite days. It’s one of our favourite periods of time. We’re honouring Jesus Christ, and we’re going to honour Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives,” said Trump. “We're bringing religion back in America. We’re bringing a lot of things back, but religion is coming back to America.” .@POTUS: "We're honoring Jesus Christ and we're going to honor Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives ... not just now, all throughout our lives." 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aS6QIDBY5G — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 21, 2025 The White House Easter Egg Roll officially began in 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the South Lawn to children who usually rolled eggs on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. However, some accounts of informal egg-rolling events date back to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the White House website states. Also Read | China detonates hydrogen bomb, creates devastating effect without using nuclear material The celebrations on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol grew so popular in the 1870s that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill banning egg-rolling events on the grounds due to landscape concerns. In 1878, a group of children approached the gates of the White House in the hope that they would be allowed to play egg-rolling games on the grounds. Hayes let the children in, and the White House event became an annual tradition. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison added the U.S. Marine Band to the event. The planning of the event has traditionally been the task of First Ladies, with Lou Hoover adding folk dancing while Pat Nixon included the now-traditional egg roll races.

‘We're bringing religion back in America,’ says Trump as he and Melania host White House Easter Egg Roll

Just as the US government is fighting the fallout of the Signalgate leak, another report has claimed that sensitive information including White House floor plans may have been inadvertantly sent to some 11,000 federal workers. The information was shared during both the current Trump administration as well as when his predecessor Joe Biden was at the White House.
&nbsp;
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According to a report in The Washington Post, the oversight happened at the the General Services Administration or GSA.
GSA is responsible for supporting the federal bureaucracy and managing government properties.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-group-chat-leak-trumps-defense-secretary-hegseth-shared-details-of-yemen-attack-with-his-wife-and-family-8983897">Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family</a>
The concerning report comes just weeks after a Signal group chat on US plans to attack the Houthi rebels in Yemen was leaked when a journalist was inadvertently added to the chat group.
<h2>Cybersecurity lapses in the federal government raise alarm</h2>
Documents open to all GSA staff, and which could have been potentially leaked, included blueprints of the White House East and West Wings, according to the Washington Post report
All the files were not classified, but might have contained information that should have been closely guarded from the enemies of the US.
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-google-your-symptoms-tell-them-to-chatgpt-it-saved-a-womans-life-8972116">'If you had gone to sleep...': ChatGPT told a pregnant woman to call an ambulance. It saved her life</a>
<h2> How did the GSA leak come to light?</h2>
The data breach came to light during internal audits last week, according to the report.&nbsp;The tech team of IT locked down the files, and reversed access to the documents.
An investigation is currently underway.
<h2>How did GSA data leak?</h2>
According to the Washington Post report, a Google Drive folder containing the sensitive data was made accessible to the entire GSA staff, which numbers around 11,000.
Exactly how many of these staffers may have opened and seen the information, or worse, shared it outside, is not clear from the report.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ordered-to-preserve-signalgate-chats-amid-growing-controversy-over-leaked-yemen-attack-plans-8898621">Trump admin ordered to preserve 'Signalgate' chats amid growing controversy over leaked Yemen attack plans</a>
The details in the folder included White House security features, including a proposed blast door for the White House Visitor Center, and even banking information for a vendor tied to a Trump-era news conference.
It is alarming news, given that the Capitol riot happened not too long ago.
On 6 January 2021, a group of Trump supporters barged into the Capitol Hill when Trump rejected the outcome of the 2020 November election.
The error may have been triggered by the actions of some career employees at the GSA, and a full investigation is on, according to the Washington Post.
<h2>GSA data breach: How bad is the damage?</h2>
May of the files in the folder were marked as CUI, meaning Controlled Unclassified Information.
These were not all classified information, but sensitive enought to be protected from outsiders.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-chat-leak-two-top-pentagon-officials-put-on-leave-as-part-of-probe-say-reports-8968227">Signal chat leak: Two top Pentagon officials put on leave as part of probe, say reports</a>
Shockingly, it also emerged that out of the 15 documents, 10 were editable, meaning any GSA staff member with access could have altered the contents in the files.
<h2>When did the data leak start, and is it still happening?</h2>
The 'free for all' access to the GSA documents dates back to March 2021, just two months after Biden took over as president, and into the current Trump administration.
The report said there was also a 'particularly damaging leak' as recently as last week.&nbsp;
<h2>GSA under scrutiny</h2>
The GSA is now facing intense scrutiny over its handling of digital security, as the breach shows how easy it is for data to slip through.&nbsp;
&ldquo;These documents should never have been shared with 11,000 people. The potential risks are enormous,&rdquo; the report quoted an expert as saying.
GSA is revieiwing its practices and has intensified &nbsp;training efforts to ensure a security disaster like this does not occur in future, the report added.

GSA leaks : Documents open to all GSA staff, and which could have been potentially leaked, included blueprints of the White House East and West Wings. World Trending

Just as the US government is fighting the fallout of the Signalgate leak, another report has claimed that sensitive information including White House floor plans may have been inadvertantly sent to some 11,000 federal workers. The information was shared during both the current Trump administration as well as when his predecessor Joe Biden was at the White House. According to a report in The Washington Post, the oversight happened at the the General Services Administration or GSA. GSA is responsible for supporting the federal bureaucracy and managing government properties. Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family The concerning report comes just weeks after a Signal group chat on US plans to attack the Houthi rebels in Yemen was leaked when a journalist was inadvertently added to the chat group. Cybersecurity lapses in the federal government raise alarm Documents open to all GSA staff, and which could have been potentially leaked, included blueprints of the White House East and West Wings, according to the Washington Post report All the files were not classified, but might have contained information that should have been closely guarded from the enemies of the US. 'If you had gone to sleep...': ChatGPT told a pregnant woman to call an ambulance. It saved her life How did the GSA leak come to light? The data breach came to light during internal audits last week, according to the report. The tech team of IT locked down the files, and reversed access to the documents. An investigation is currently underway. How did GSA data leak? According to the Washington Post report, a Google Drive folder containing the sensitive data was made accessible to the entire GSA staff, which numbers around 11,000. Exactly how many of these staffers may have opened and seen the information, or worse, shared it outside, is not clear from the report. Trump admin ordered to preserve 'Signalgate' chats amid growing controversy over leaked Yemen attack plans The details in the folder included White House security features, including a proposed blast door for the White House Visitor Center, and even banking information for a vendor tied to a Trump-era news conference. It is alarming news, given that the Capitol riot happened not too long ago. On 6 January 2021, a group of Trump supporters barged into the Capitol Hill when Trump rejected the outcome of the 2020 November election. The error may have been triggered by the actions of some career employees at the GSA, and a full investigation is on, according to the Washington Post. GSA data breach: How bad is the damage? May of the files in the folder were marked as CUI, meaning Controlled Unclassified Information. These were not all classified information, but sensitive enought to be protected from outsiders. Signal chat leak: Two top Pentagon officials put on leave as part of probe, say reports Shockingly, it also emerged that out of the 15 documents, 10 were editable, meaning any GSA staff member with access could have altered the contents in the files. When did the data leak start, and is it still happening? The 'free for all' access to the GSA documents dates back to March 2021, just two months after Biden took over as president, and into the current Trump administration. The report said there was also a 'particularly damaging leak' as recently as last week. GSA under scrutiny The GSA is now facing intense scrutiny over its handling of digital security, as the breach shows how easy it is for data to slip through. “These documents should never have been shared with 11,000 people. The potential risks are enormous,” the report quoted an expert as saying. GSA is revieiwing its practices and has intensified training efforts to ensure a security disaster like this does not occur in future, the report added.

Another major leak! 11,000 US federal workers could access White House floor plans, other sensitive documents: Report

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