Pentagon accepts Boeing jet from Qatar for Trump

May 22 - Pentagon accepts Boeing jet from Qatar for Trump

The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday it has accepted a $400 million Boeing 747 from Qatar that will be retrofitted to transport President Trump. The aircraft will serve as a temporary Air Force One while awaiting new Boeing planes. Despite ethical concerns raised by Congress members about this gift from a foreign government, the White House insists the aircraft is being donated to the U.S. military according to all legal rules.

May 22 - Trump ambushes South African president in Oval Office with "genocide" allegations

President Donald Trump orchestrated a spectacular confrontation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, screening a video and brandishing articles to support his unfounded allegations of "genocide" against White South Africans. Despite Ramaphosa's diplomatic attempts to refute these accusations, Trump remained inflexible, turning this meeting into a moment of public tension orchestrated by the White House.

May 22 - "Big, beautiful bill" passed by House

Trump’s legislative priorities made their way through the House of Representatives, as his sweeping “big, beautiful bill” was passed by House Republicans. The 215-214 early-morning vote took days of marathon meetings and last-minute tweaks, closing just before 7 AM EDT on Thursday. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” extends Trump’s tax cuts from 2017, boosts funding for border, deportation, and national defense priorities and increases the debt limit by $4 trillion. The next step is expected to be a tough battle with the Senate over key aspects of the White House’s policy agenda.

May 21 - Announces “Golden Dome” missile defence project

Trump revealed that he’s selected a $175B design for the “Golden Dome” missile defence project, which would counter aerial threats “even if they are launched from space”. Missile interceptors would shield against ballistic and hypersonic threats. Trump plans for the project to be completed by the end of his term in 2029. He also announced that Canada “has called us, and they want to be a part of it.” A spokesperson from the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it is in discussions to join the program.

May 20 - Has "excellent" call with Putin on Ukraine war

Trump held a rare phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the subject of ending the war in Ukraine. He described the “tone and spirit” of the two-hour conversation as “excellent” and came away from the talks feeling that negotiations toward a ceasefire would shortly follow. However, Putin’s assessment of the call was quite different. While he did say the conversation was “very meaningful and frank”, he declined to support the US-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Washington’s primary objective for the call.

May 19 - Reacts to Biden's cancer diagnosis

Trump was one of many world leaders that sent out reactions to the news of Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. He said he was “saddened to hear about” his predecessor on Truth Social on Sunday. However, a day later, Trump told reporters that Biden’s doctors should have caught the cancer earlier. He also hinted that these were the some doctors that gave Biden a clean bill of cognitive health, who “said there was nothing wrong there, and that’s being proven to be a sad situation.”

May 16 - New tariff rates on the way

During a business roundtable in Abu Dhabi, Trump indicated that his top trade negotiators - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick - “will be sending letters out” to 150 countries with details on new tariffs rates in the next two to three weeks. He explained that there’s simply not enough time to negotiate customized deals before the administration’s self-imposed July deadline. “We’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States,” Trump said.

May 15 - Trump says US is close to nuclear deal with Iran

While touring the Middle East, Trump said that the United States is “getting close” to securing a nuclear deal with Iran. He described the status of the deal as “very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” and added that Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms. Iranian sources have said that there were still gaps to bridge in the talks. Trump also told reporters that there are “two steps to doing this…a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don't want to do it the second way.”

May 14 - Brokers $96B deal between Qatar Airways and Boeing

Trump continued the diplomatic maneuvering that has shaped his presidency while on his tour of the Middle East. He announced a $96 billion deal between Qatar Airways and Boeing, which will ultimately include up to 210 purchased by the state-owned Qatari carrier. While Trump continues to promote American manufacturing and highlight his personal obsession with aviation, the deal comes at a great time for Boeing, which has faced a series of setbacks as a result of plane incidents and production strikes.

May 13 - Expedites refugee applications for white South Africans

While Trump has halted refugee admissions from around the world - including those applying from warzones - he has chosen to expedite the applications for a few dozen white South Africans, who have now arrived in the United States. Trump claimed that the Afrikaner minority are victims of “racial discrimination” and that “white farmers” were facing a “genocide”. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he told Trump that his assessment was “not true”, and that the Afrikaner group was not suffering any persecution to merit refugee status.

May 13 - Donald Trump seeks 1 trillion in investments in Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump was received with honors Tuesday in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accompanied by a business delegation including Elon Musk. This first major tour of his second term aims to secure huge contracts. Trump asked the Saudi prince to increase his investments in the United States from 600 billion to 1 trillion dollars, favoring transactional diplomacy in the defense, aviation and artificial intelligence sectors.

May 12 - Preparing to make Qatari luxury plane new Air Force One

Air Force One is apparently getting a major upgrade. The Trump administration is set to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar to be used as the new Air Force One until right before Trump leaves office. Ownership of the plane - described as a “flying palace” - will then transfer to the Trump presidential library foundation. While Trump has called it a “very public and transparent transaction”, many are saying it’s the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government.

May 12 - Trump promises historic drug price cuts

President Trump announced Sunday that he would sign an executive order Monday aligning Medicare prices for certain drugs with "the lowest prices practiced in the world." This "most favored nation" policy could drastically reduce American healthcare costs, according to Trump. The project, which failed during his first term, targets drugs administered in doctors' offices and is expected to face strong opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.

May 9 - Names Jeanine Pirro interim US attorney for DC

Trump has added another Fox News mainstay to his administration. He will appoint TV host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as the interim US attorney for Washington, DC. The two have had a longstanding friendly relationship; Pirro dedicated one of her books to Trump. The President said of Pirro that “she excelled in all ways” and called her a “powerful crusader for victims of crime.”

May 8 - Will decide on “Persian Gulf” name during Middle East visit

Trump says he’ll make a decision on how the United States will refer to the Persian Gulf going forward during his May 13-16 trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. “I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings,” Trump told reporters at the White House. There are reports that the US will call the body of water either the Gulf of Arabia or the Arabian Gulf, as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq and other Arab states do. Iran argues that “Persian Gulf” is the correct name, citing historical evidence that the waterway is part of its territory.

Trump and Starmer Announce Historic Trade Deal Reducing Tariffs Between the United States and the United Kingdom

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to announce today a major trade deal that will ease American tariffs on British imports.

This agreement particularly aims to reduce taxes of 10% on general imports and 25% on automobiles, steel, and aluminum from the United Kingdom.

Trump described this deal as "comprehensive and global," strengthening the historic alliance between the two nations, promising that "many other deals will follow."

May 7 - Supreme Court allows ban on trans people in the military

The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to lift a nationwide injunction blocking a ban on transgender people serving in the military. All three liberal Supreme Court justices dissented. Defense Department data shows that more than 4,000 transgender people currently serve in the US military, however several activists believe the figure is much higher.

May 6 - Hosts $1.5 million-per-plate dinner in Virginia

Trump hasn’t been shy about hosting extravagant dinners at his various properties, and his most recent event might top them all. He hosted a $1.5 million-per-plate dinner at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks co-hosted the May 5 dinner with Trump. The event was closed to the press, so its specific purpose was unclear. Concerns have been expressed by ethics watchdogs that businesses and individuals may be trying to curry favour with or influence the Trump administration by attending these dinners.

May 6 - Trump Administration Offers $1,000 to Undocumented Immigrants for Voluntary Departure

The Department of Homeland Security announced a new initiative offering $1,000 payments to immigrants in the U.S. illegally who voluntarily return to their home countries. Secretary Kristi Noem stated the program includes travel assistance and uses the CBP Home app. The initiative aims to reduce costs, as DHS estimates it spends $17,121 per forced deportation. Critics question the program's effectiveness based on similar international efforts that have shown limited success.

May 6 - Trump and Carney meet at the White House

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with President Trump at the White House today. This first meeting since Carney's election in March comes amid heightened tensions, marked by 25% tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian products. Carney has promised to stand firm against Trump and categorically rejects the idea suggested by the American president of making Canada the 51st state. The economic relationship between the two countries needs to be redefined.

May 6 - Lawsuits against the Trump administration for mass layoffs at HHS

A coalition of 19 states and Washington D.C. filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday regarding large-scale layoffs at the Department of Health. The complaint, filed in a federal court in Rhode Island, challenges the 25% staff reduction announced in March. The plaintiffs maintain that these cuts, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have paralyzed essential services and deprived states of crucial data and resources for public health.

May 5 - Trump plans to reopen Alcatraz

Trump appears set to put criminals back in Alcatraz. He posted that he plans to reopen and expand the prison located on an island off the coast of San Francisco, which has been closed for more than 60 years. This is the latest in Trump’s effort to overhaul the system of how and where federal prisoners and immigration detainees are incarcerated. Alcatraz closed in 1963 due to high costs of operating, repairing and supplying the island facility.

May 5 - Trump uncertain about constitutional right to "due process"

In an interview aired Sunday on NBC News, President Trump said "I don't know, I'm not a lawyer" when asked if every person on American soil is entitled to due process. These remarks come as the Trump administration delays repatriating Kilmar Abrego Garcia, erroneously deported to El Salvador despite the Supreme Court's order to facilitate his return to the United States.

May 5 - Trump Imposes 100% Tariff on Foreign Films Imported to the United States

President Donald Trump ordered Sunday a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad and imported into the United States. "We want movies made in America again," he declared on Truth Social. This measure aims to counter tax incentives offered by other countries that attract American productions outside the United States, a situation Trump describes as a "national security threat."

May 4 - Trump Denies Seeking Unconstitutional Third Term Despite "Trump 2028" Merchandise

President Donald Trump has firmly rejected speculation about pursuing a third presidential term, stating in a recent NBC interview, "I'll be an eight-year president, I'll be a two-term president." Despite acknowledging that supporters have requested he seek another term and referencing merchandise bearing "Trump 2028," the 78-year-old president recognized constitutional limitations. He mentioned several potential Republican successors, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump Stirs Controversy with AI-Generated Pope Image During Vatican Mourning Period

President Donald Trump faced criticism after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as pope on Truth Social while the Vatican observes its official mourning period following Pope Francis' death. The New York State Catholic Conference accused Trump of mockery, stating, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image." Italian former Premier Matteo Renzi called the image "shameful," saying it "offends believers" and "insults institutions." The Vatican has declined to comment.

May 2 - Plans to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status

Trump’s feud with Harvard University over the school’s policies and governance has reached a boiling point. He announced plans to revoke the school’s tax-exempt status, stating “It’s what they deserve!” Harvard became a high-profile opponent of a White House task force that froze more than $2 billion in its federal research funding, suing for release of the money. Democratic senators have called the move “both illegal and unconstitutional.”

May 1 - Reassigns national security adviser Mike Waltz

Trump has moved Mike Waltz out of the national security adviser role and nominated him as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz was at the center of the controversy around the unclassified Signal chat that mistakenly included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Waltz was expected to leave his post, as was his deputy, Alex Wong. Trump also announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would serve as interim national security adviser.

April 30 - Blames Biden for shrinking US economy

Trump didn’t hesitate to blame his predecessor Joe Biden - and not his widespread tariffs - as the reason why the US economy shrank 0.3% in the first three months of 2025. “This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s. I didn’t take over until January 20th,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, less than an hour after a U.S. Department of Commerce report showed negative GDP growth in a quarter for the first time since Q1 of 2022. Trump claimed that his “boom” will “take a while” and that this has “NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS.”

April 29 - Lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years

Trump is commemorating his reaching the 100-day mark on the job, but his approval rating shows there’s not much for U.S. citizens to celebrate. According to a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, only 39% of respondents approve of how he is handling his job as president, the lowest percentage since polls began in 1945. Trump also held the previous low of 42% in approval for a president at or near 100 days in office, back in 2017. Public pushback on his policies and recession fears are the main factors in his low support numbers.

April 28 - Trump suggests Canadians should vote for him in election

Trump took to Truth Social on the morning of Canada’s federal election, wishing Canadians good luck, but also suggesting they should vote for him when they go to the polls. "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World…if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America." It was revealed in a CBC Radio-Canada report that Trump had a call with Liberal Leader Mark Carney on March 28, where he brought up Canada becoming the 51st state.

April 25 – Trump signs executive order to step up global deep-sea mining

Trump has set his sights on the ocean floor as the latest battleground with China. He signed a new executive order that aims to “establish the United States as a global leader in responsible seabed mineral exploration.” The goal is to mine polymetallic nodules, rocks that contain critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper and manganese. China—which dominates global production of rare earths—has condemned the move, saying it “violates” international law, and bypasses a longstanding round of UN negotiations.

April 24 - Shows displeasure and frustration at lack of Russia/Ukraine peace progress

Hours after Russia launched its deadliest strike on Kyiv in months, Trump voiced displeasure towards his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. During an Oval Office question period, Trump said he “wasn’t happy” with missiles being fired during peace talks, and suggested that “things, things will happen” if Russia doesn’t stop. Trump still believes Putin is serious about getting a deal done with Ukraine, and has offered a significant concession by not “taking the whole country.”

April 23 – Trump softens stance on China and Powell

Trump appears to be walking back two of his most recent threats involving China and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He has indicated that tariffs on Chinese imports will “come down substantially” from its current 145% mark—to somewhere between 50% and 65%—and is willing to adopt a less adversarial approach to trade talks with China. Trump also said that he has “no intention” of firing Powell before his term ends in May 2026. U.S. stocks jumped following the news on both China and Powell.

April 22 - Trump refuses to grant migrants a trial

Trump apparently has little interest in due process for migrants. He said that his administration cannot give everyone it aims to deport a trial "because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years." Trump has already ignored court orders that state detainees are to be given a chance to challenge their removal. This is likely to result in a showdown with the US legal system and could trigger a constitutional crisis.

April 21 - Stands behind Hegseth as defense secretary

While defense secretary Pete Hegseth remains in hot water, Trump appears to be backing him - at least, for now. The White House stated that Trump “stands strongly behind” Hegseth, following a report that alleges he shared sensitive information about planned strikes in Yemen in a private Signal group chat, which included members of his family. Hegseth himself has pointed the finger at “disgruntled former employees” at the Pentagon, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump “absolutely has confidence” in Hegseth.

April 19 – Trump’s approval rating on economy drops to all-time low

According to a CNBC survey, Trump’s economic approval numbers are now at the lowest of his presidential career. He is at 43% approval and 55% disapproval, which marks the first time he's had a net negative rating in any CNBC poll. Discontent over Trump's handling of tariffs, inflation and government spending have contributed to the drop, and the boost in optimism that came with his reelection has evaporated.

April 17 - Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair

Trump continued to lash out against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has given warnings about the effects of his widespread tariffs on the economy. Trump called for Powell’s “termination” for not acting more quickly to cut interest rates - as the European Central Bank has already done - and labelled his efforts “TOO LATE AND WRONG”. Powell - whose current term ends in May 2026 - had called the tariffs “significantly larger than anticipated” and could result in the Federal Reserve battling stagflation for the first time in decades.

April 16 - Plans to overhaul the Endangered Species Act

Trump is also coming for America’s wildlife. A White House official has confirmed he plans to overhaul the Endangered Species Act to facilitate building in areas where endangered species live. Trump has previously voiced frustration with the 1973 law and other environmental protections, arguing they impede growth. He has also directed agencies that regulate energy and the environment to wind down several environmental protections to boost construction.

April 15 - Trump suggests deporting US criminals to El Salvador

After welcoming El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to the White House, Trump told reporters that he hopes to deport violent “homegrown criminals” to the Central American country’s notorious CECOT prison. Trump’s comments on sending criminals that hold US passports to El Salvador come amidst controversy over the wrongful deportation of a migrant to CECOT. Trump added that he’d only go through with it if his administration decided it was legal; immigration experts have stated no provision in US law exists to allow the government to deport citizens.

April 14 - Called “fully fit” by White House physician

There have been debates about whether or not Trump is fit to serve as president, but according to the exam results from his own physician, he’s in “excellent cognitive and physical health.” Navy Captain Sean Barbabella cites Trump’s “active lifestyle” as a key contributor to his well-being, and that he is “fully fit” to serve as commander-in-chief. The report shows that Trump has lost 20 pounds since his last physical as president in 2020, going from 244 pounds down to 224 pounds. It also noted that Trump had cataract surgery, which is a common procedure for people his age.

April 9 - Pauses tariffs on everyone but China for 90 days

Trump has apparently reversed his position on global tariffs for the time being. He announced a 90-day pause on tariffs to seemingly all previously affected nations, except China, which was hiked to 125%. Trump also added that the “reciprocal tariff” would be lowered to 10% for the same time period. It’s unclear which countries are specifically affected by the pause. US stocks skyrocketed in response to Trump’s about-face.

April 9 - Urges Americans to “BE COOL!”

Trump says relax. Minutes after U.S. stock markets opened in the red - the fourth straight day of decline - he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: “BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well.” Trump added, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” in a later post. With tariffs now in effect - including a 104% tariff on Chinese imports - global trading sessions are volatile. A recession in the United States has been deemed “a likely outcome”, especially considering China’s announcement of reciprocal 84% tariffs on U.S. goods.

April 8 - Prepared to add new tariffs on China

Trump continues to escalate his global trade war, with China firmly in his crosshairs. He said he would slap China with additional 50% tariffs - that would take effect midweek - following Beijing’s retaliatory 34% levies last week. Trump added that “he’s not looking” at a pause in enforcing tariffs, even amidst tumbling and volatile global markets. China’s Commerce Ministry labelled the additional tariffs “a mistake on top of a mistake.”

April 7 - Wins ruling on rapid deportations

Trump secured a significant victory for his controversial immigration policies, as the Supreme Court allowed him to enforce the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This gives a president broad power to remove undocumented immigrants in times of war or “invasion or predatory incursion” from an enemy. Trump argued that alleged gang members from Venezuela fit the definition of an invasion, instructing immigration officials to fly more than 200 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. Trump praised the decision, calling it “a great day for justice in America.”

April 7 - Hosts World Series champion Dodgers at White House

Trump continued the tradition of sports champions meeting the US president, hosting the World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House. Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw presented Trump with a custom Dodgers jersey with the number 47, and Trump notably shook hands with infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts, who opted not to visit the White House in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. Trump also met with superstar Shohei Ohtani in the Oval Office, curiously asking him to pose next to the Declaration of Independence.

April 2 - Announces widespread reciprocal tariffs

Trump outlined his plan to impose tariffs on at least 60 countries at the “Make America Wealthy Again event” in the Rose Garden, with the goal of creating a hard reset on US industry and eventually leading to a stronger economy and lower prices for American consumers. These “partial” reciprocal tariffs are supposedly based on half of the rate of the trade tariffs and barriers that the listed countries “charge the US”. Trump also announced a 10 percent “minimum baseline tariff” for all imports into the United States, and a 25 percent levy on all foreign-made automobiles.

April 1 - Administration sued by state AGs over health funding cuts

A coalition of state attorneys general sued the Trump administration over its decision to cut $11 billion in federal health funds earmarked for COVID-19, addiction and mental health initiatives. The lawsuit - featuring officials from 23 states, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro - demands courts to immediately stop Trump’s rescinding of the money allocated by Congress during the pandemic. It argues that these cuts “violate federal law, jeopardize public health, and will have devastating consequences for communities nationwide.”

March 27 - Trump pulls Stefanik's nomination for U.N. ambassador

Trump announced he is pulling the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He added that Stefanik will "rejoin the House Leadership Team" and remain in Congress, where Republicans have a razor-thin majority with which to enact his legislative agenda. It's not clear what role Stefanik would have; she previously served as chair of the House Republican Conference, making her the highest-ranking GOP woman on Capitol Hill.

March 26 - Imposing tariffs on all automobiles made outside the US

As part of his protectionist trade policy to shift production to the U.S., Trump announced he will impose 25 percent tariffs on all automobiles made outside of the United States, as of April 2. This would apply to imported passenger vehicles - such as sedans, SUVs, and light trucks - as well as critical automobile parts. Both Canada and Mexico will have the opportunity to certify any U.S. parts used in finished vehicles, so that the tariff would only be on the value not made in America.

March 25 - Calls group chat security leak a “glitch”

Trump has commented on the U.S. government security breach, after The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg revealed he had been included in a Signal chat discussing war plans in Yemen, alongside several high-ranking cabinet members. Trump dismissed the leak as a “glitch” that “turned out not to be a serious one.” He added that his national security advisor Michael Waltz - who had apparently mistakenly invited Goldberg to the chat called “Houthi PC Small Group” - had “learned a lesson.”

March 24 - Dismisses existing portrait of himself, praises unseen Russian picture

Trump is no fan of the portrait that, until recently, hung in the Colorado State Capitol building. He called it “purposefully distorted” and “truly the worst”. The portrait - which had been hanging in the building since 2019 - was removed following Trump’s negative comments. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), Trump was also gifted a new picture from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. His envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that he was “clearly touched” by the as-of-now unseen painting, described as a “beautiful portrait” by a “leading Russian artist”

March 20 - Signs order to dismantle Department of Education

Trump signed an executive order to do something no president in modern history has ever done before: closing down a Cabinet-level agency. He aims to fulfill decades of conservative plans to eliminate the Department of Education, which was created by Congress in 1979. Trump's administration expects to "greatly reduce the agency," but certain "critical functions" like student loans and grants for at-risk students would be redistributed to "various other agencies and departments." It's unclear how the components of the department will be dismantled, given that it would require an act of Congress.

March 15 - Signs bill to fund government through September

Trump has signed into law legislation that will fund the U.S. government through the end of September, ending the threat of a partial government shutdown. The bill overall keeps funding at levels set during Joe Biden’s presidency, with notable changes in non-defense and defense spending that could shortchange healthcare, housing and other priorities, as Trump and DOGE dismantle congressionally approved agencies and programs. The Senate approved the legislation in a 54-46 party-line vote—just one Republican voted against the bill, and two Democratic holdouts voted for it despite vocal opposition from Democratic House colleagues to reject it entirely.

March 11 - Supports Elon Musk and Tesla

Trump transformed the White House South Lawn into a makeshift showroom for Tesla, in an effort to boost Elon Musk’s automaker. He reiterated his pledge to personally purchase a Tesla as a “show of confidence” in Musk, a major campaign donor who has been in charge of DOGE’s slashing of the federal workforce and faced scrutiny from both lawmakers and members of Trump’s administration over his actions.

March 11 - Escalates trade war with Canada

Trump continues to go back and forth with Canadian leaders regarding tariffs. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to Trump’s trade war by threatening a 25% surcharge on about 1.5 million U.S. electricity users in Minnesota, New York and Michigan. After this contributed to another rocky day on the U.S. stock market, Trump retaliated by pledging to double planned steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada to 50%. Ford then met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and agreed to suspend the 25% electricity surcharge in exchange for a meeting to discuss renegotiating the USMCA trade agreement. Trump subsequently announced that tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum would remain at 25%.

March 9 - Won’t rule out recession

Trump did little to calm fears of a recession amid concerns about his tariff-heavy economic policy. When asked on Fox News if he was expecting a recession in 2025, Trump refused to rule it out, saying, “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big.” The following day, U.S. stocks plunged, Bitcoin continued trending downward, and Wall Street’s fear gauge hit its highest level this year.

March 7 - Holds crypto summit, Bitcoin price tumbles

Trump’s much-awaited crypto summit didn’t result in positive gains for Bitcoin: quite the opposite, in fact. Despite claims that the strategic Bitcoin reserve would “make America the Bitcoin superpower of the world and the crypto capital of the planet” as well as “a virtual Fort Knox for digital gold,” the cryptocurrency slipped below $83,000. Nevertheless, Trump urged Americans to “follow the rule that every Bitcoin knows very well. Never sell your Bitcoin.”

March 4 - Gives speech to Congress

In a lengthy, meandering speech that lasted more than an hour and a half, Trump addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time since retaking office. He highlighted the flurry of executive orders he has issued and laid out how Congress should implement his agenda. Trump praised the work of Elon Musk and DOGE for slashing executive branch spending, while hitting his usual talking points on tariffs, the economy and immigration. While Republicans applauded, Democrats protested silently and not-so-silently—so much so that Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the House chamber for heckling Trump’s speech.

March 4 - Officially puts tariffs into effect

Trump officially launched a trade war against the United States’ three largest trading partners. His administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports—with the exception of Canadian energy, which only has a 10 percent tariff—and doubled last month’s tariff on Chinese products to 20%. Both Canada and Mexico responded swiftly, stating that their countries will impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods both immediately and in the coming weeks.

March 3 - Freezes military aid to Ukraine

After his heated argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Trump ordered a pause on shipments of US military aid to Ukraine. He held a series of meetings with top national security officials that led to the decision to pause aid until Zelensky has apparently made a greater commitment to peace talks. This effectively forces Ukraine to return to the negotiating table, faced with the threat of a catastrophic effect on its war-fighting abilities and widespread losses on the battlefield.

March 2 - Announces crypto reserve

Trump finally addressed a longtime campaign promise by unexpectedly announcing that his administration will create a “Crypto Strategic Reserve,” one set to include the lesser-known cryptocurrencies XRP, solana and cardano. A follow-up post on his Truth Social platform clarified that the planned reserve would “obviously” include Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two most popular cryptocurrencies. Crypto prices jumped after Trump’s out-of-the-blue announcement, which came on the heels of news that the first-ever White House Crypto Summit would be taking place on March 7.

February 28 - Has tense meeting with Zelenskyy at White House

The meeting between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House was supposed to be the kickoff for negotiations on a deal concerning Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Instead, it devolved into a shockingly antagonistic confrontation. Both Trump and Vice-President JD Vance openly chastised Zelenskyy, stating he wasn’t grateful enough to the United States. Zelenskyy left Washington abruptly after the Oval Office shouting match with no minerals deal in place.

February 26 - Posts AI-generated video on Gaza transformation

Trump posted a bizarre video on his Truth Social platform that promotes the transformation of Gaza into a luxurious resort. Clearly created with generative AI, the video features golden statues of Trump, Elon Musk joyously eating hummus and dancing, and shirtless American and Israeli leaders lounging on a beach sipping drinks. Trump has previously proposed expelling 2.1 million Palestinians from Gaza and turning it into a US-owned “Riviera.” The West Bank–based Palestinian Authority called this proposal a “serious violation of international law.”

February 24 - Says tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go forward

After changing his mind earlier in the month, Trump says he will implement 25 per cent tariffs on most imports from Canada and Mexico on March 4 as initially planned. While speaking at the White House with French president Emmanuel Macron, Trump indicated that “the tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule.” Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Mélanie Joly, responded by saying the Canadian government will “fight back” with a package of retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of American goods.

February 21 - Fires senior military leadership

Trump purged the top levels of U.S. military leadership, firing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown and shockingly replacing him with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan Caine. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth later announced the dismissal of Navy chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force vice chief Gen. James Slife. Trump’s removal of Brown, the second Black man to serve as America’s most senior general, and Franchetti, the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is a continuation of his assault on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the military and government.

February 15 - Channels Napoleon

Trump continues to resist any and all limits on his executive authority. He posted “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” on his Truth Social platform. This phrase is often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader who created the Napoleonic Code of civil law way back in 1804, before declaring himself emperor. Many Democrats have criticized Trump’s words here, calling them that of a dictator. Even Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly argued that if the president does it, it’s not illegal.

February 12 - Speaks with Putin about ending war in Ukraine

Trump revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about beginning negotiations to immediately end the war in Ukraine. He added that they were in agreement on the need to stop the killing and planned to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to inform him of the conversation. This is a departure from the Biden administration’s policy that emphasized “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

February 10 - Imposes 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports

Trump has signed orders that will impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada, despite previously agreeing to put such measures on hold. Trump stated that these tariffs would go into effect on March 4 and come “without exceptions or exemptions.” When asked by a reporter if he thought countries might retaliate, Trump replied, “I don’t mind.”

February 7 - Meets with Japanese prime minister

Trump welcomed Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba to the White House for their first face-to-face meeting, where he expressed his desire to slash the United States’ trade deficit with Japan, which currently sits at $68 billion. Trump won’t take tariffs against Japan off the table, though he doesn’t believe they will be necessary. He also announced that Japan’s Nippon Steel would drop its $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel and would instead be making an “investment, rather than a purchase.”

February 5 - Bans transgender women from female sports

Another Trump executive order prevents transgender women from competing in female categories of sports, a move that LGBTQ advocacy and human rights organizations called discriminatory. The order goes into effect immediately and largely covers high school, universities and grassroots sports. Trump did specify, however, that it would include the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and said he will deny visas for transgender Olympic athletes trying to visit the U.S. to compete there.

February 4 - States that the US will “take over” Gaza Strip

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump shockingly declared that the United States will “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip. He said that he envisions a “long-term” ownership of Gaza after Palestinians are moved elsewhere, adding that “[e]verybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.” Trump didn’t rule out sending US troops to secure Gaza and plans to create an economic development in the area, claiming it could become “the Riviera of the Middle East” where “the world’s people” could live there, Palestinians included.

February 3 - Delays tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico

After threatening to slap both Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs on a wide range of goods, Trump decided to delay the decision by at least 30 days. In return, Canada and Mexico will each commit to increasing security at their respective borders in order to battle the influx of fentanyl into the US. Trump made the deal early on in the day with Mexico, but it took two meetings late into Monday afternoon for an agreement to be reached with Canada.

January 23 - Lays out economic vision to WEF

Trump provided more details on how he plans to deliver on his campaign promises while speaking from Washington in live-via-satellite remarks to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His “carrot-and-stick approach” includes lower taxes in America—encouraging companies to do business there—as well as higher taxes on businesses outside America. Trump also suggested the U.S. will produce more oil to lower energy costs and lower interest rates. This marks the first time Trump has articulated all themes of his plan in a singular vision.

January 20 - Suspends sale of TikTok for 75 days

One of Trump’s executive orders contained good news for TikTok users, temporarily suspending the sale of the Chinese-owned social media platform for 75 days. Trump stated that he hadn’t made a decision on what the right path forward might be, but said that the executive order “gave me the right to sell it or close it.”

January 20 - Pardons 1,500 people involved in Jan. 6 Capitol riots

Trump used his clemency powers on his first day in office to pardon or commute the prison sentences of about 1,500 people that were charged with crimes in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. This includes those convicted of seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers—many of whom were captured on camera— and leaders of both the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys extremist groups.

January 20 - Plans 25% tariffs for Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1

Trump is targeting February 1 as the day that he will impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on both Canada and Mexico. He indicated this while signing executive orders at the White House after the inauguration, and unexpectedly gave the date, as Trump officials suggested he’d only sign a memorandum instructing federal agencies to study trade issues between the countries.

January 20 - Marco Rubio confirmed as secretary of state

Marco Rubio officially became the first high-level Cabinet official for the new Trump administration to be approved, as secretary of state. The bipartisan vote was a whopping 99 to 0 with no senators voting against the nomination. The Florida senator was once a Trump adversary, but has become an ally in recent years.

January 20 - Signs first executive orders

Trump got right to work on his first day, starting off with rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions. He also signed several executive orders at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., including orders to enact regulatory and hiring freezes, end the weaponization of government, and withdraw the United States from both the Paris Climate Agreement (again) and the World Health Organization. Trump then threw the pens he used to sign the documents into the crowd.

January 20 - Sworn in as 47th president of the United States

Trump’s political comeback is complete: he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts. Due to dangerously cold temperatures in Washington, D.C., the inauguration took place indoors with a much smaller audience. The guest list included past and present political figures as well as billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said. “I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country.”

January 19 - Pledges to release classified Kennedy and MLK records

During Trump’s final celebration speech before being sworn in, he suggested he would release information on “topics of great public interest.” One such area of interest appears to be the classified records connected to the assassinations of major figures like former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Trump declared that “it’s all going to be released.”

January 18 - Launches own cryptocurrency

Trump is definitely pro-Bitcoin, but he’s also decided to get into the meme coin game. He launched his own cryptocurrency $Trump, coordinated by the same Trump Organization affiliate that has sold Trump-branded shoes and fragrances. Like most meme coins, it’s mostly a viral internet trend without much actual value, and will be an extremely volatile investment. That said, $Trump market capitalization has reached nearly $5.5 billion at its peak. 200 million digital tokens have been issued, with another 800 million believed to be on the way in the next three years.

January 14 - Plans to create “External Revenue Service”

Trump revealed how he plans to collect the tariffs he’s been threatening to impose on imports into the United States. He posted on Truth Social that he’ll create a new agency on January 20 called the External Revenue Service, which will collect tariffs, duties and all other revenue from foreign sources. Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection collects tariffs paid by importers—not foreign countries—who often pass costs onto consumers, which drives up prices.

January 10: Planning 100-plus executive orders on day one

January 20 promises to be an extremely busy first day in office. Trump is planning north of 100 executive orders, with border security and immigration enforcement measures as top priorities. School gender policies and vaccine mandates are among several other day-one promises that Trump made during his campaign.

January 10: Receives no punishment for felony hush money conviction

The first criminal prosecution and conviction of a former and future U.S. president ended with a whimper. Trump was sentenced to an unconditional discharge—essentially no punishment—in his historic hush money case. The ruling allows him to return to the White House with no threat of a prison term or even a fine. Trump later called the proceedings a “despicable charade” and “a weaponization of government.” He will nevertheless become the first president to take office with a felony conviction on his record.

January 9: Interacts with Barack Obama and Mike Pence at Jimmy Carter’s funeral

Perhaps the most surprising thing that occurred at the state funeral of President Jimmy Carter was the amicable-looking conversation between Trump and Barack Obama. At one point, Trump said something to Obama that drew a broad smile and a laugh. Trump also shook the hand of his former vice-president, Mike Pence, with whom he had a very public falling-out in the aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

January 8: Plans to designate Mexican cartels as terror organizations

Trump is reportedly bringing back another failed idea from his first term in office: designating Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. He held off on his attempt to do so in late 2019, at the request of then Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Several Republicans have floated the idea since, and it appears to be back on the table for 2025.

January 5: Meets Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni

We’re not used to hearing Trump use the word “fantastic” when talking about a woman, but Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni must have made a great impression when she visited him at Mar-a-Lago. Meloni took office in October of 2022 and is believed to have close ties to Trump’s incoming administration, particularly with Elon Musk.

December 26 - Told Wayne Gretzky to run for Canadian Prime Minister

Could The Great One be the next Prime Minister of Canada? Trump says he’s planted the seed for it. He posted on his Truth Social platform that he told Wayne Gretzky he should run for PM and would “win easily.” While Gretzky apparently “had no interest,” Trump insisted it would be “fun to watch” if Canadians got behind the legendary retired hockey player to run for office.

December 25 - Tells death row prisoners to “go to hell”

Trump’s Christmas Day social media post had nothing but lumps of coal in it, particularly for the 37 death row prisoners who recently had their sentences commuted by outgoing President Biden. Long an advocate for capital punishment, Trump refused to wish a Merry Christmas to those shown clemency by Biden, instead evoking an R-rated version of the Grinch by saying “GO TO HELL!”

December 23 - Once again looking to buy Greenland

After Trump named his ambassador to Denmark, he renewed an unsuccessful pitch from his first term in office for the United States to buy Greenland from the Scandinavian country. Trump called it “an absolute necessity” for the US to own and control Greenland “[f]or purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World.” Much like before, however, the world’s largest island is not up for grabs. Múte Bourup Egede, the premier of Greenland, stated that “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.”

December 22 - Threatens to regain control of Panama Canal

Trump now has the Central American country of Panama in his crosshairs. He told supporters of conservative activist group Turning Point USA that “the fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair” to American shipping and naval vessels on the Panama Canal and demanded the country either reduce these fees or return the canal to US control. The Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, quickly rebuked Trump’s remarks, saying “every square metre” of the area belongs to Panama.

December 22 - Rejects claims that Elon Musk is pulling his strings

Elon Musk has taken an outsized role in Trump’s incoming administration, which has led to bipartisan criticism that the president-elect has “ceded the presidency” to the billionaire. Trump praised Musk, but pushed back on these claims, calling them another “hoax” from his opponents. Trump also astutely pointed out that Musk is constitutionally barred from taking over the presidency, as “he wasn’t born in this country.”

December 16 - Will not have NY hush money case dismissed

Trump isn’t out of hot water yet regarding his felony conviction in the New York hush money case. A judge ruled the conviction should not be tossed out because of the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. Trump’s lawyers now have one less avenue to dismiss his May 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

December 14 - Gets $15M in ABC defamation case

Trump became $15 million richer after ABC News agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit. ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely said Trump had been found “liable for rape” during an interview on March 10. As part of the settlement, ABC will also publish a statement expressing “regret” for the statements made by Stephanopoulos.

December 13 - Vows to end daylight saving time

Trump has had a long and complicated relationship with the sun, so it’s not really a surprise that he wants to put an end to daylight saving time. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump stated that DST is both “inconvenient” and “very costly” to Americans, and that his Republican party would work towards ending the timeworn tradition.

December 11 - Invites Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration

Trump is sure to have some interesting guests at his inauguration in January. He’s extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and plans are being made for more foreign dignitaries to attend the swearing-in ceremony, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

December 9 - Lays out agenda in television interview

Trump appears to have no intention of reneging on his election promises of mass deportations, new tariffs, and more. During his interview with NBC’s Meet the Press—his first since being re-elected—Trump doubled down on his plan to end birthright citizenship and deport every person who has entered the United States without authorization, as well as impose tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico and pull back on US support for Ukraine.

December 5 - Selects David Sacks to oversee AI and crypto

Trump tapped tech investor and entrepreneur David Sacks for the role of White House “AI and crypto czar,” which will oversee artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy. Sacks founded the software company Yammer and was formerly the COO of PayPal. He is also a co-host of All-In, a popular American business and technology podcast, and had Trump on the show in June of 2024.

December 4 - Names Peter Navarro as top trade advisor

Another one of Trump’s top aides from his first term has been tapped to join him during his next White House stint. Peter Navarro will serve as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. Navarro was selected less than five months after he was released from prison for defying a congressional subpoena during the investigation of 2021’s January 6 riot at the Capitol.

December 3 - Jokes about making Canada the “51st state”

Did Trump actually say that Canada should “become the 51st state of the U.S.” if it can’t handle a proposed 25% tariff on its goods? Canadian public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was there when the remark was made, says the president-elect was clearly joking. Trump made the quip at an intimate, largely social dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a small Canadian contingent at Mar-a-Lago on November 30.

December 2 - Demands release of Israeli hostages in Gaza

In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump stated that there would be “HELL TO PAY” if the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza were not released before he was sworn into office. Trump added that “those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”

December 2 - Plans to travel to Paris

Trump announced he will make his first trip overseas in a year and a half when he travels to Paris to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which will welcome visitors on December 7 for the first time since the devastating April 2019 fire. It’s Trump’s first known trip outside the U.S. since he visited his golf properties in Ireland and Scotland in May of 2023.

November 21 - Matt Gaetz withdraws from AG consideration

Matt Gaetz barely lasted a week as Trump’s pick for attorney general. He withdrew from consideration, saying he didn’t “want to be a distraction” for the Trump administration after he met with Republican senators amid scrutiny over sexual misconduct allegations.

November 20 - Chooses Linda McMahon to be education secretary

Linda McMahon couldn’t win a Senate seat in Connecticut—or properly sell a Stone Cold Stunner—but Trump wants her to be on his team anyway. The former co-founder and CEO of WWE and Trump’s transition co-chair is his pick for Education Secretary.

November 19 - Picks Dr. Oz to run Medicare and Medicaid

Trump aims to put another Washington outsider in charge of a key department, choosing TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The surgeon will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to tackle the “illness industrial complex.”

November 16 - Attends UFC 309

Trump was in attendance at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, clapping along as Jon Jones celebrated his victory with an homage to Trump’s YMCA dance. Several of Trump’s cabinet picks were by his side, including Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

November 14 - Plans to use recess appointments

How does Trump hope to choose loyalists and outsiders to his cabinet? Recess appointments: a tool that allows presidents to fill out their administrations while the Senate is in recess. This isn’t designed for top-level cabinet positions, but Trump clearly wants to flex his political power.

November 14 - Nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did, and now he’s been tapped by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. RFK Jr.—a vaccine denier—would oversee the agency for drugs, food safety, medical research, Medicare and Medicaid.

November 13 - Nominates Marco Rubio as secretary of state

Trump also put forth his nomination for secretary of state, and it’s a familiar face for Republicans. Florida Senator Marco Rubio—oftentimes a political rival of Trump’s—is a senior member of both the foreign relations and intelligence committees.

November 13 - Nominates Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense

The President-elect went off the board with his pick for secretary of defense, choosing Fox News commentator and Army National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth. If confirmed, Trump could fulfill a campaign promise to clear the U.S. military of generals who have progressive policies.

November 13 - Nominates Matt Gaetz as attorney general

Perhaps the most pivotal pick for Trump’s cabinet is Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Trump is not only giving the nod to the former Florida congressman, he is insisting on the controversial choice. This despite Gaetz’s limited legal experience and recent sexual misconduct allegations.

November 13 - Nominates Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence

Yet another wild-card pick: Trump will choose former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. Gabbard was a Democrat who left the party in 2022 and endorsed Trump earlier in 2024. She’s inexperienced but loyal, which Trump values above all.

November 12 - Nominates Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary

The President-elect nominated South Dakota governor Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. A loyal Trump supporter, she will work alongside “Border Czar” Tom Homan and Stephen Miller to crack down on immigration.