Key facts
- Donald Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "everybody hates you" due to actions in Lebanon.
- Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" during a phone call.
- Donald Trump claimed he personally convinced Netanyahu to halt a planned invasion of Lebanon.
- Donald Trump stated Iran has "already agreed" not to develop nuclear weapons.
- The U.S. Justice Department dropped a $1.8 billion compensation program, previously criticized as a "slush fund."
- Donald Trump continues to defend his "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
- Donald Trump is intensifying calls for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
- U.S. officials are proceeding with an agreement preventing investigations into Donald Trump's past tax filings.
- The Trump administration repaired 22 fountains and 28 statues in Washington, D.C. over 14 months.
- The Pentagon rapidly provided a $620 million loan to a company following a White House call.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly engaged in contentious communications with international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During a phone call concerning Israel's strikes in Lebanon, Trump allegedly told Netanyahu, "Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this," and also called him "f***ing crazy." Trump claimed he personally convinced Netanyahu to halt a planned invasion of Lebanon, though details of this alleged intervention are not provided. Trump also stated that Iran has "already agreed" not to develop nuclear weapons, though he acknowledged Iran could change its mind, and denied reports of a halt in U.S.-Iran talks. He asserted that Iran is restoring missile tunnels struck by U.S. and Israeli forces, while he claims Iran has lost a significant portion of its missile arsenal. Trump's pursuit of an Iran deal faces obstacles from Netanyahu's objections, and Trump stated that Iranian assets will remain frozen and sanctions will not be lifted until a peace deal is finalized, clarifying that Lebanon is not a condition for a short-term agreement. Trump also enforced firm policies on Iranian proxies, describing them as arms of the Iranian regime posing a risk to America, and noted that Al Qaeda has its headquarters in Tehran. He denied promising to avoid initiating new wars.
In domestic matters, U.S. officials are proceeding with an agreement that prevents government investigations into the past tax filings of Donald Trump and his businesses, though specific terms remain undisclosed. The Justice Department's agreement to shield Trump from future audits of his past tax records will remain, while his "weaponization fund" is on hold, with Republican lawmakers seeking assurances it is defunct before advancing an immigration bill. The U.S. Justice Department has dropped a controversial plan for a $1.8 billion compensation program, which critics denounced as a "slush fund" for Trump's political allies; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the decision. Trump continues his defense of the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." Trump also intensified his calls for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, directly pressuring Governor Jerome Powell.
The Trump administration repaired 22 fountains and 28 statues in Washington, D.C. over the past 14 months. Separately, the White House directed the Pentagon to loan $620 million to a company following a call from the White House. The President posted a social media message criticizing Republicans as "unpatriotic." U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra shared a social media post from Trump suggesting Canada become the "51st State." Donald Trump Jr. promoted cryptocurrencies and AI at a forum in Zurich. An article argues that current artificial intelligence systems do not meet the criteria for consciousness. The White House confirmed President Joe Biden will not veto a Senate-passed bill that would nullify his administration's latest student loan forgiveness plan. The Columbus Circle Fountain, vandalized with pro-Hamas graffiti, has been restored. Trump stated that JD Vance and Marco Rubio teaming up for a 2028 presidential run would be unbeatable.