Bernd Debusmann Jr

The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed construction of Donald Trump’s proposed $400m White House ballroom to continue while it considers the administration’s appeal. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the stay after a federal appeals court ordered work halted, ruling that Trump, as a temporary occupant, could not alter the White House without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that demolition of the East Wing is causing irreversible damage and should undergo further review, while government lawyers and Trump say the project is needed for events and protection against security threats. The stay gives Trump a temporary victory but is not a final ruling on whether construction can proceed.

The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed construction of Donald Trump's proposed $400m White House ballroom to continue while it considers the administration's appeal. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay after a federal appeals court ordered work halted, ruling that Trump could not alter the White House without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is challenging the project, says the stay is not a final decision and argues that demolition and construction could cause irreversible damage to the historic site. The administration says the expanded ballroom and underground security complex are needed for events and protection against threats including drones, missiles and biohazards. The project would demolish the East Wing and has grown from a proposed 650-person venue to a facility for roughly 1,000 people.

Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old executive assistant to Donald Trump, has gained unusual visibility because of her constant presence near the president and her role in printing information for him and composing posts for his Truth Social account. A cancer survivor who credits Trump’s Right to Try Act with saving her life, Harp became a prominent Trump supporter, worked at One America News Network and joined his 2024 campaign. Her profile rose further after Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Trump’s reported use of a plane carrying Harp during a secret departure from Turkey. White House officials defended her as a trusted and valued aide, while journalists and anonymous insiders have described her as a gatekeeper or comfort blanket with significant influence over the information Trump receives.

Natalie Harp, a longtime and highly trusted aide to Donald Trump, has gained renewed attention after Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff criticized her reported presence during Trump's secret departure from Turkey and his use of a new aircraft. Harp became prominent after crediting Trump's Right to Try Act with enabling her successful treatment for bone cancer, later defending Trump on One America News Network and joining his 2024 campaign. As executive assistant, she is a near-constant presence around Trump, providing printed articles and social media updates and reportedly helping compose posts for Truth Social. Formerly described by insiders as a gatekeeper, human printer and comfort blanket, Harp appears to have unusual influence over the information and support reaching the president, although little is publicly known about her private life.

The USS George Washington is being redirected from the Pacific to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East after the Lincoln’s deployment extended to nearly nine months. Sailors’ families have reported food shortages, poor sanitation, broken plumbing, exhaustion and alleged attempts to jump overboard, while the Navy denies an increase in suicidal behavior but acknowledges supply disruptions linked to combat operations. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns that the deployment was too long, whereas families and Democratic lawmakers called for urgent attention to sailors’ welfare and questioned whether the Navy can sustain its current operational tempo.

Donald Trump secretly transferred from the aircraft commonly identified as Air Force One to a separate military plane after leaving the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, reportedly because of security concerns linked to Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on the first aircraft to preserve the presidential succession order if Trump were killed or incapacitated. Other senior White House officials and reporters also stayed aboard, apparently unaware that the flight was a decoy. Trump said the military and Secret Service made the decision after he received numerous threats, but the nature of the threat and the risks faced by the other passengers remain unclear. The report places the operation in the context of longstanding presidential security deception tactics, including a similar decoy-aircraft arrangement used during Bill Clinton’s 2000 visit to Pakistan.

Donald Trump was reportedly moved from Air Force One into a catering truck and then onto a C-32A military aircraft during his departure from Turkey, apparently to counter a serious but undisclosed threat. Security experts say presidential decoys and route changes are common, while comparable deception operations protected Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden on high-risk foreign trips. The Secret Service and White House have not confirmed the details, but experts believe the unusual aircraft switch indicates that multiple agencies judged the potential danger to be substantial. The incident also raises questions about whether journalists and other passengers left on the decoy aircraft should have been warned, although officials are not legally required to disclose protective operations.

Donald Trump reportedly left Air Force One in Ankara via a catering truck and transferred to a C-32A that flew him to RAF Mildenhall, leaving passengers and crew on the larger aircraft as unwitting decoys. Former Secret Service agents and a former CIA officer say presidential decoys are common, but the aircraft swap was unusually elaborate and likely reflected a substantial perceived threat in Turkey. The Secret Service and White House have not confirmed the operation or explained the danger, while experts debate whether those who remained on the aircraft should have been warned.

Iran says it is negotiating with Oman over a temporary arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but denies holding talks with the United States, contradicting Donald Trump's claim that negotiations to end the war would resume. Trump postponed planned large-scale strikes and insisted an agreement on Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme was possible, while accusing Tehran of duplicity. Shipping through the strait has fallen and oil prices have fluctuated, given its importance to global energy flows. Previous mediated talks failed, and growing US public dissatisfaction with the war could create political difficulties for Trump's Republican allies ahead of the November midterm elections.

Iran says it is negotiating with Oman over a temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz to restore commercial shipping, while denying that it is holding talks with the United States. Donald Trump says negotiations to end the war are resuming and claims he called off planned large-scale strikes because a deal may be possible, including agreements on reopening Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. The conflicting accounts have prompted Trump to accuse Iran of duplicity. Shipping through the strait has fallen sharply, contributing to oil-price volatility, while previous mediated talks and a ceasefire collapsed. Growing American dissatisfaction with the war and its unclear objectives is creating political difficulties for Trump and Republican lawmakers ahead of the November midterm elections.

Donald Trump held separate White House meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the wars involving Ukraine and Iran continued. Zelensky sought US support for air defenses, particularly Patriot missiles, and said Trump agreed to license domestic Ukrainian production; he also met Lockheed Martin executives and urged senators to advance new sanctions against Russia. The Senate moved the sanctions bill forward, while questions remain over production speed, security and cost. Netanyahu said he and Trump shared the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, despite growing tensions over Israel's regional military actions. The meetings followed reports of Iranian attacks on US forces and US and Saudi strikes against Iranian-linked targets in Iraq.

The United States suspended its attacks on Iran to allow diplomacy to proceed, but reports suggest concerns about the depletion and slow replacement of key weapons also influenced the decision. The nearly 40-day Operation Epic Fury reportedly cost $37.5 billion, involved more than 13,000 strikes, and used large numbers of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot interceptors. CSIS estimates that replenishing some depleted stocks could take several years, raising concerns about US readiness for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan and about Washington’s ability to supply Ukraine. Donald Trump and the White House deny that the US faces an immediate weapons shortage, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has requested additional funding to address major equipment gaps. Experts say the war has damaged Iran’s military capacity even more severely, although the conflict has exposed the need for faster production of cheaper, mass-produced weapons.

The United States used large quantities of expensive munitions during nearly 40 days of operations against Iran, including more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles, up to 1,430 Patriot interceptors and an estimated 190–290 THAAD missiles. Although Donald Trump denies that the country faces a shortage, analysts say replenishing some systems could take three to five years, creating a temporary vulnerability—particularly if the US must respond to a crisis involving China and Taiwan. The depleted stocks also complicate weapons support for Ukraine. Officials argue that US supplies remain sufficient for current objectives, while experts call for expanded production, cheaper counter-drone systems and a balance between supporting allies and preserving readiness for future conflicts.

Donald Trump addressed a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, mocking journalists and accusing some of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” while also calling for respect for free speech and open debate. The event was moved from the Washington Hilton after an April shooting and was attended by about 700 people under heightened security. Trump honored Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez and joked about seeking additional presidential terms, despite the constitutional two-term limit. The dinner took place amid strained relations between the White House and news organizations, including Trump's threats against broadcasters and ongoing disputes with major outlets.

Donald Trump addressed a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner at Washington's Waldorf Astoria, three months after a shooting forced the original event to be cancelled. He praised some journalists but attacked the media as “fake news” and accused reporters of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” while also calling for disputes to be settled through open debate rather than violence. The event was smaller and more heavily secured than usual, and Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez received an award for responding to the April shooting. Trump joked about running for a further term and displayed a Trump 2028 cap, despite the US Constitution's two-term limit. The evening underscored continuing tensions between the White House and the press.

A federal judge nullified a settlement that shielded Donald Trump from IRS audits and enabled creation of a $1.8bn “anti‑weaponisation” fund, ruling the underlying lawsuit was filed for improper purposes and lacked true adversarial grounds. The decision blocks Trump and others involved from invoking the settlement in future cases, potentially reopening the possibility of new IRS audits. The court also referred two Trump‑aligned lawyers for disciplinary review. Critics argued the fund risked politically influenced payouts and violated safeguards against presidential self‑dealing, and the plan had already been halted following separate legal challenges.

The United States is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports and imposing a 20% charge on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz as escalating strikes continue between the two countries. Iran and the US exchanged further attacks, with Iran targeting US military assets and US forces striking Iranian positions for a third consecutive night. Iran’s foreign minister insisted Tehran remains the strait’s guardian, while the International Maritime Organization stated there is no legal basis for transit fees. The renewed blockade follows earlier tensions surrounding control of the waterway and could strain global oil markets, challenge US alliances, and complicate domestic politics amid rising fuel prices and questions from lawmakers.

The United States marked its 250th anniversary with celebrations across the country, including a delayed rally in Washington featuring Donald Trump, a large fireworks display and a flyover with the new Air Force One. Events unfolded amid an intense heat wave and severe weather that caused cancellations and widespread power outages. Patriotic ceremonies, concerts and naturalisation events were held nationwide, while former presidents Biden, Obama, Bush and Clinton issued reflective messages on the country’s progress and divisions. Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo won their respective hot dog-eating contests, and America 250 organisers buried a national time capsule for future generations.

The United States marked its 250th anniversary with large-scale celebrations including fireworks, flyovers and concerts, despite extreme heat and storms that caused cancellations and power outages across several states. President Donald Trump used the Freedom 250 event to deliver a politically charged speech, drawing criticism for positioning himself at the center of the celebrations. In contrast, former presidents Biden, Obama, Bush and Clinton issued reflective messages emphasizing equality, civic responsibility and national unity. Events nationwide included concerts, naturalisation ceremonies, a time capsule burial and the annual hot dog-eating contest, while heat waves and severe weather disrupted festivities from Washington DC to the Midwest.

A large White House-backed celebration for the US 250th anniversary will take place in Washington DC, featuring frequent military flyovers, the debut of Trump’s new Air Force One, and what organisers hope will be a record-setting fireworks display. Extreme heat, potential storms, and environmental concerns may affect the event. The celebration has sparked political controversy, with Democrats accusing the Freedom250 organisers of overshadowing the bipartisan America250 commission, while supporters deny politicisation. Related events are planned nationwide, including multiple Times Square ball drops and a Philadelphia concert featuring major artists.

Donald Trump will headline a large-scale celebration on the National Mall marking America’s 250th anniversary, featuring extensive military flyovers and a record‑attempt fireworks display. Intense heat, potential storms and political controversy surrounding the White House‑backed Freedom250 organisers may affect turnout. Critics, including Democratic Senator Alex Padilla, accuse Trump of politicising the event, while organisers deny sidelining the bipartisan America250 commission. Other US cities, including New York and Philadelphia, will hold their own anniversary festivities.

The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that children born in the United States are citizens at birth under the 14th Amendment, rejecting Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship by executive order. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the amendment’s guarantee applies to all children born on US soil, including those of undocumented or temporary visitors. Conservative justices Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito dissented, arguing the ruling misinterprets the amendment’s intent. Trump and allies condemned the decision and vowed to pursue legislative changes, while civil rights groups and Democratic leaders praised the ruling as reaffirming a long‑established constitutional principle.

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that children born in the United States are citizens under the 14th Amendment, rejecting Donald Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship through executive action. Chief Justice John Roberts affirmed that the amendment guarantees citizenship regardless of parents’ legal status, while three conservative justices dissented. Trump and his advisers condemned the decision and vowed to pursue legislative changes, while civil rights groups and Democratic leaders praised the ruling as a reaffirmation of long‑standing constitutional protections.