Former President Trump announced a meeting with Russ Vought, known for Project 2025, to discuss potential cuts to Democrat-led agencies. Trump framed this as an unexpected opportunity to “Make America Great Again.” Reports suggest mass layoffs of federal employees could begin imminently following a government shutdown, as indicated by Vought in a private call with GOP members.
World leaders were caught on camera openly mocking Donald Trump for his repeated misstatements and claims of brokering peace deals. During a summit, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and French President Emmanuel Macron joked about Trump’s consistent confusion of Armenia with Albania, a gaffe he has made while boasting of resolving conflicts. Trump has often taken credit for settling conflicts, even citing peace deals between countries that have never been at war, such as Armenia and Cambodia. These incidents have added to the criticism surrounding Trump’s age and accuracy in public statements.
The “Trump-Epstein friendship statue” was back on display on the National Mall Thursday, after being removed a week prior by the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service. The group “Secret Handshake,” responsible for the installation, said the statue was broken when removed and had to be repaired. Though the group had secured a new permit, they were allegedly blocked by the Deputy Director of the National Park Service, but it was ultimately put back up. The National Park Service has been contacted for comment.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has recently called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked to remove President Trump from office following the President’s statements about using the military in American cities. Pritzker criticized Trump’s remarks, suggesting they indicate cognitive decline and are reminiscent of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tactics. This sentiment was echoed by other Trump critics like Representative Eric Swalwell and a defense official. This call for the 25th Amendment follows concerns about Trump’s mental state, fueled by his behavior and actions, including promoting misinformation and appearing to misunderstand events. The 25th Amendment allows for the removal of a president deemed unable to fulfill their duties.
The government shutdown has significantly hampered the White House’s ability to engage in its typical brand of online trolling and combative responses. Due to furloughed staff, the press office has experienced delays in responding to media inquiries, impacting their efforts to deploy memes and edgy clapbacks. This disruption follows the established pattern of the White House communications team, which is known for utilizing AI-generated images, memes, and even obscenities in its communications. Despite these setbacks, the trolling campaign persists, as evidenced by the recent broadcast of a racist, AI-generated video within the White House briefing room.
President Trump recently acknowledged that his trade policies, specifically the trade war with China, are negatively impacting farmers by hindering soybean sales. This admission arrives amid concerning economic indicators, including a loss of 32,000 jobs in September reported by ADP, potentially signaling further economic decline. These unfavorable economic conditions are further complicated by an impending government shutdown battle. Therefore, Democrats may be in a stronger position to negotiate in the shutdown standoff due to these mounting economic vulnerabilities for Trump and the Republicans.
During recent public appearances, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly confused Armenia and Albania when discussing his efforts to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Trump has claimed to have brokered peace deals, including one at the White House in August between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and asserted he has ended multiple wars, though these claims have been fact-checked as false. Despite these inaccuracies, Trump continues to highlight these supposed diplomatic victories while campaigning. This includes incorrectly naming the countries involved in these deals.
The Trump administration has issued letters to nine universities, requesting that they commit to a “compact” that aligns with the administration’s political objectives to retain federal funding. The compact demands tuition freezes, restrictions on international student enrollment, and adherence to the administration’s gender definitions. Schools must also avoid policies that could be perceived as hostile to conservative viewpoints. In exchange for compliance, the administration promises “multiple positive benefits,” offering a competitive advantage in securing grants, while threatening consequences for non-compliance.
A viral clip shows Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean expressing to House Speaker Mike Johnson that President Trump’s address to military leaders indicated he was “unhinged.” Dean’s statement prompted Johnson to acknowledge the comment but also said similar sentiment could be said about the opposing side. The congresswoman cited the speech’s rambling nature as evidence, while a White House spokesperson responded by calling the comment a “bizarre, unhinged rant.” This exchange comes after Dean previously urged Johnson to challenge Trump regarding an AI-generated video she deemed “racist,” further highlighting tensions surrounding Trump’s rhetoric.
Amid political turmoil and increasing human rights concerns in the United States, a growing number of American citizens are seeking asylum in Australia. Department of Home Affairs figures reveal at least 29 US citizens applied for humanitarian protection visas between January and July 2025, coinciding with Donald Trump’s second presidential term. While specific reasons for the applications are not disclosed, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre notes a rise in inquiries, particularly from the LGBTIQ+ community. Although no visas were granted during this period, the applications, which require a “well-founded fear of persecution”, can take considerable time to be finalized, with the outcome dependent on the current political climate.
John Q. Hosedrinker