Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Prays with Staff Before Briefing
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initiated her daily press briefing with a moment of prayer alongside her staff, underscoring the intersection of faith and politics in the current administration. This instance, captured on video and shared by a West Wing aide, highlights the personal approach Leavitt brings to her role as she addresses the media and navigates complex policy questions. The topics range from US-China trade relations and tariffs, with President Trump expressing optimism, to international affairs involving Russia and Ukraine, and domestic matters such as presidential health and daylight saving time.
Prayer Before Press Briefing
Video footage released by Margo Martin, a prominent West Wing staffer, depicted Press Secretary Leavitt engaging in prayer with her team prior to a recent press briefing. This practice, Leavitt has stated, is a regular part of her preparation before facing the press corps.
- Daily Ritual: Leavitt confirmed that she routinely prays with her staff prior to each press briefing.
- Location: The prayer session occurred within the White House, just outside the doors leading to the press briefing room.
- Prayer Content: In the prayer, Leavitt invoked Jesus Christ, asking for “strength, knowledge, the ability to articulate our words, have fun and to be confident.”
- Following Through: After the prayer, Leavitt proceeded to conduct her scheduled press briefing.
Xi Jinping Criticizes Trump’s ‘Bullying’ Tariff Policies
Chinese President Xi Jinping has levied accusations of “bullying” against Donald Trump in response to the former U.S. president’s imposition of international tariffs.
China Responds to US Tariffs
- Condemnation: Speaking with Spain’s Prime Minister, Xi urged collaboration between China and the European Union to counter what he termed Trump’s ‘unilateral acts of bullying.’
- Tariff Details: Trump had initiated a 10 percent tariff, temporarily paused for 90 days, while cautioning of potential escalated sanctions reaching 125 percent.
- Chinese Rebuttal: A spokesperson for the CCP Commerce Ministry attributed ‘full responsibility’ for reciprocal tariffs to the U.S., dismissing Trump’s threats as ‘a joke.’
- Economic Impact: The Chinese finance ministry suggested that further tariff increases would render imports ‘almost entirely impossible’ due to economic strain.
Trump Expresses ‘Optimism’ for China Trade Agreement
Despite ongoing trade tensions, the White House maintains a positive outlook on reaching a trade deal with China.
White House Stance on Trade
- Trade War Concerns: The White House acknowledges the potential for a trade war amid tariff disagreements.
- Leavitt’s Statement: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed the administration’s stance, noting that ‘if China continues to retaliate, it’s not good for China.’
- Presidential Confidence: Leavitt affirmed President Trump’s ‘optimistic’ view that Beijing seeks a mutually beneficial resolution regarding tariffs.
President Trump Undergoes Annual Physical Examination at Walter Reed
President Donald Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his first annual physical exam of his current term, triggering public interest in the health of the 78-year-old leader.
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President’s Health in Focus
- Physical Examination: President Trump arrived at Walter Reed shortly before 1 p.m. for his annual health assessment.
- Public Insight: This physical is anticipated to provide an official update on the President’s health, a topic of public discussion given his age.
- Physician: Dr. Sean Barbabella, President Trump’s newly appointed personal physician, a veteran with combat trauma expertise, is expected to conduct the examination.
- Age and Scrutiny: As the oldest U.S. president, Trump’s health faces increased public and media attention, similar to that of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump Advocates for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump has once again voiced his support for making daylight saving time permanent, reigniting the debate around the biannual clock change.
Push for Year-Round Daylight Saving
- Social Media Call: President Trump urged the House and Senate via Truth Social to ‘push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day’ by making daylight saving time permanent.
- Inconvenience and Cost: He described the clock changes as a ‘big inconvenience’ and ‘A VERY COSTLY EVENT’ for the government.
- Previous Stance: Trump previously expressed opposition to the time change, even suggesting eliminating daylight saving time, a position seen as contradictory to his current stance.
- Bipartisan Support: Key allies, including former Senator Marco Rubio (now Secretary of State) and Senator Rick Scott, have championed the ‘Sunshine Protection Act’ to enact permanent daylight saving time.
US Attorney Alina Habba Launches Investigation into New Jersey Governor
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has announced a ‘warning’ and the commencement of an investigation into New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, marking a significant development in state-federal relations.
Investigation into Governor Murphy
- Hannity Announcement: Alina Habba, former counsel to President Trump and now U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, revealed the investigation on Sean Hannity’s program.
- State AG Targeted: The investigation extends beyond Governor Murphy to include state Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
- Immigration Directive: The probe centers on alleged non-cooperation with ICE immigration authorities, stemming from New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive.
- Federal Law Enforcement: Habba asserted that Platkin instructed state police to not assist federal agencies under her direction, citing instructions from Pam Bondi and President Trump to enforce federal law against ‘violent criminals.’
- Habba’s Background: Prior to her current role, Habba served as President Trump’s personal attorney, notably in the Stormy Daniels case.
Trump Demands Action from Russia as Envoy Meets with Putin
President Donald Trump has issued a renewed demand to Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict at a time when his envoy, Steve Witkoff, is meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Envoy Meeting with Putin
- Social Media Statement: President Trump posted on Truth Social, stating ‘Russia has to get moving’ to end the ‘terrible and senseless war’ in Ukraine.
- Envoy Meeting: Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, was filmed meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, facilitated by Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s investment envoy.
- Third Meeting: This marks the third encounter between Witkoff and Putin as Trump administration seeks a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
EU Warns of Retaliation Against Tech Giants if Tariff Talks Fail
The European Commission president has cautioned of potential ‘retaliatory measures’ aimed at tech giants if trade discussions with the U.S. concerning tariffs fail.
EU Trade War Warning
- Trade War Threat: The head of the European Commission is prepared to escalate trade tensions with the U.S. if tariff talks during the 90-day pause are unsuccessful.
- Retaliatory Measures: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, indicated to the Financial Times that ‘we are developing retaliatory measures.’
- Digital Tax: Countermeasures may include a tax on digital advertising revenues, significantly impacting companies like Google and Meta.
- VAT Defense: Von der Leyen defended the European Value Added Tax and digital content regulations as ‘sovereign decisions’ outside of trade negotiations, pushing back against Trump’s criticisms.
- Delayed Tariffs: The EU had previously postponed retaliatory tariffs following Trump’s tariff pause in response to market instability. Trump had imposed and then suspended a 20 percent tariff on EU imports, which would still be subject to a 10 percent baseline tariff.
Trump Asserts Tariff Policy is ‘Doing Really Well’
President Donald Trump has declared his tariff policy a success, amidst escalating trade dynamics with China.
Tariff Policy Claim
- Social Media Declaration: President Trump stated on Truth Social that his ‘TARIFF POLICY’ is ‘doing really well,’ describing it as ‘Very exciting for America, and the World!!!’
- Chinese Tariffs: This statement coincides with China’s announcement of increased tariffs on American goods to 125 percent, mirroring Trump’s previous actions against Beijing.
- 90-Day Pause: Trump had recently initiated a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all nations, except China, highlighting the ongoing trade dispute.
Peter Doocy’s Unexpected Bird Encounter During Live Broadcast
Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy experienced an unanticipated interruption during a live broadcast outside the White House when a bird landed on his head, eliciting a surprised reaction.
Bird Incident at White House
- Live TV Moment: While reporting live on ‘Fox and Friends,’ a bird unexpectedly landed on Peter Doocy’s head.
- Doocy’s Reaction: Doocy expressed shock and distaste, saying ‘I didn’t like that at all’ and brushed the bird away. He also commented on the potential unsanitary nature of the incident.
- Presidential Plea: Doocy jokingly appealed to President Trump, ‘President Trump, if you’re watching upstairs, we gotta do something about these birds.’
- White House Birds: Birds have reportedly nested in tents used by television networks on the White House grounds to protect equipment.
- Past Animal Incidents: The White House grounds, managed by the National Park Service, have seen prior animal-related incidents, including raccoons and foxes, impacting live broadcasts.
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