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Zelensky Warns That Russia Will Try to Deceive the U.S.

August 11, 2025 at 6:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“With President Trump and President Vladimir Putin preparing to meet in Alaska on Friday, ending the Russian leader’s years of diplomatic isolation with the West, Ukraine’s sidelined leaders warned that the Kremlin would try to ‘deceive America’ as Mr. Trump pushed to end the war,” the New York Times reports.

“Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is determined to demonstrate that his country is not the obstacle to peace by emphasizing Kyiv’s willingness to accept an unconditional cease-fire, an idea that Russia has rejected. He has cautioned that Mr. Putin will try to drive a wedge between the United States, Ukraine and its European allies by putting forth demands that the Kremlin knows Ukraine cannot accept and then portraying Mr. Zelensky as the barrier to a deal.”

Trump May Activate National Guard in D.C.

August 11, 2025 at 6:26 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The U.S. military is preparing for the activation of hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., Reuters reports.

Playbook: “If Trump does activate the National Guard, it would be in keeping with his recent actions in Los Angeles and his talk on the 2024 campaign trail.”

Another Megabill?

August 11, 2025 at 6:21 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“House Republicans are pushing for a second megabill. The Senate GOP’s not so sure,” Politico reports.

“After a grueling ordeal to get President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” signed into law last month, Speaker Mike Johnson and other leaders are already talking about crafting at least one more domestic policy package that can pass along party lines in the Senate.”

Glenn Youngkin Visits South Carolina

August 11, 2025 at 6:17 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin rubbed shoulders with major donors at the South Carolina Republican Party’s annual Silver Elephant fundraiser, fueling intrigue around a possible run for president in 2028,” the Charleston Post & Courier reports.

U.S. Government to Take Cut of Chip Sales to China

August 10, 2025 at 11:10 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices are expected to pay the United States 15 percent of the money they take in from selling artificial intelligence chips to China, as part of a highly unusual financial agreement with the Trump administration,” the New York Times reports.

“There are few precedents for the Commerce Department agreeing to grant licenses for exports in exchange for a share of revenue. But the unorthodox payments are consistent with Mr. Trump’s increasingly interventionist role in international business deals involving American companies.”

Wall Street Journal: “It is unusual for companies to essentially pay for export licenses. The agreements follow criticism from national-security hawks who fear the chips and other technology will boost China’s AI ecosystem and military.”

CNBC: “The arrangement comes as President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to reverberate through the global economy, underscoring the White House’s willingness to carve out exceptions as a bargaining tool.”

Intel CEO Singled Out by Trump to Visit White House

August 10, 2025 at 8:11 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is set to visit the White House Monday after President Trump called for his removal last week over ties to Chinese businesses,“ the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Tan is expected to have a wide-ranging conversation with Trump, with the intent of explaining his personal and professional background… He could also propose ways that the government and Intel could work together.”

FBI Dispatches Agents to D.C. Streets

August 10, 2025 at 4:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The FBI has taken the unusual step of dispatching as many as 120 of its agents to help local law enforcement prevent carjackings and violent crime in Washington, as President Donald Trump threatens a federal takeover of the nation’s capital,” the Washington Post reports.

“Trump, who plans a news conference at the White House on Monday on this topic, compared the forthcoming action against D.C. crime to his administration’s aggressive crackdown against illegal immigration at the southern border, saying on Sunday that he plans to ‘immediately clear out the city’s homeless population and take swift action against crime.’”

Truth Social’s New Chatbot Disagrees with Trump

August 10, 2025 at 1:08 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump and the new AI search tool on his social media network, Truth Social, don’t exactly see eye to eye,” the Washington Post reports.

“Truth Search AI contradicts the president by saying that tariffs are a tax on Americans, the 2020 election wasn’t stolen, and his family’s cryptocurrency investments pose a potential conflict of interest.”

Vance Urges ‘Decisive Action’ on Redistricting

August 10, 2025 at 1:05 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Vice President JD Vance said Republicans must take “very decisive action” with redistricting, arguing in an interview aired Sunday that those efforts and a new census will make “the congressional apportionment fair,” Axios reports.

Vance urged “hard work to reset the scales a little bit.”

Trump Hasn’t Sought Approvals for White House Ballroom

August 10, 2025 at 1:02 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump is rushing to break ground next month on a giant White House ballroom, but has not yet submitted the project for a review that experts said is required by law and often takes years to complete,” the Washington Post reports.

“A security fence and a tennis pavilion — neither of which involved the White House itself — each took at least two years to move through the National Capital Planning Commission, which vets construction of and renovation to the region’s federal buildings. The Trump administration plans to start work next month on a $200 million, 90,000-square-foot structure that would nearly double the footprint of the main building and its East and West wings.”

“Records show the project has yet to be reviewed by the commission. Three former planning commission members told The Washington Post that a review of any exterior construction project at the White House is required by federal law.”

Netanyahu Doubles Down on Gaza Offensive

August 10, 2025 at 1:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel defended on Sunday his government’s plan to launch a renewed offensive against Hamas in parts of Gaza, following a wave of international condemnation from traditional allies and critics at home,” the New York Times reports.

Does the Stock Market Know Something We Don’t?

August 10, 2025 at 11:44 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Rogé Karma: “The uncomfortable fact about its historic run is that no one is sure why it’s happening—or what could bring it to an end.”

Court Rules Against Trump Clamp Down on Spending Data

August 10, 2025 at 11:37 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Politico: “A federal appeals court panel shot down a Trump administration bid to make secret a public database of federal spending that researchers say is crucial to ensure the administration is not flouting Congress’ power of the purse…”

“It voted unanimously to give the administration until Friday to put the data back online. Two of the three appeals judges assigned to the matter also signed onto a forceful opinion declaring that the administration’s bid to conceal the data was an affront to Congress’ authority over government spending.”

Trump Moves Obama, Bush Portraits to Hidden Stairwell

August 10, 2025 at 11:22 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Once a dramatic feature of the White House entryway, the official portrait of former President Barack Obama has been moved to a decidedly less prominent position, underscoring the yearslong tensions between the 44th and 47th presidents,” CNN reports.

“Portraits of other recent predecessors with whom President Donald Trump has a contentious relationship, former President George W. Bush and his father, George H. W. Bush, have also been moved.”

“Trump directed staff to move the Obama portrait to the top of the Grand Staircase, where it will now be out of view from thousands of visitors who tour the White House each day. One of the sources added that the portraits of both Bushes are also now in the staircase area.”

China Detains Senior Diplomat Who Aided U.S. Relations

August 10, 2025 at 11:19 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential foreign minister, has been taken away by authorities for questioning,“ the Wall Street Journal reports.

“A veteran of China’s foreign service who also fought corruption as a Communist Party graftbuster, Liu has most recently been serving as head of the party’s International Department, which oversees relations with foreign political parties and socialist states.”

India Can’t Afford to Ditch Russia

August 10, 2025 at 11:14 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump is using the threat of stiff tariffs to try to peel India away from Russia, as he attempts to boost pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“But decades of close economic, political and military relations between New Delhi and Moscow mean Trump faces a challenge in persuading Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drop a partnership that has survived great geopolitical turmoil.”

RFK Jr. Stokes Fears of Lost Medical Breakthroughs

August 10, 2025 at 11:13 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to cut federal funding for mRNA vaccine research is the latest in a series of moves that have the potential to crush future medical breakthroughs and accelerate a brain drain,” Axios reports.

“America has historically led the world in scientific innovation — driving economic growth, strengthening national security, and attracting global talent. But scientists, including some who served in Trump’s first administration, warn that lead is slipping away.”

Trump Wants ‘MAGA’ Stock Listing for Mortgage Giants

August 10, 2025 at 11:10 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Days after the administration confirmed plans to start selling the government’s stakes in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, President Trump suggested they might be combined and trade as “MAGA,” Axios reports.