Donald Trump

New government portal goes live for businesses seeking tariff refunds under revised trade policies.

Trump publicly demanded Jerome Powell step down by May or face termination, escalating his war with the Federal Reserve before he even takes office. Powell's term runs until 2026, and Fed chairs have legal protections against political firing. The threat triggered a 0.3 percent dollar rally as traders bet on more aggressive pro-growth policies. Powell has already signaled he won't resign voluntarily, setting up the first constitutional test of Fed independence since the 1970s.

Trump consulted with philanthropist Bill Pulte before posting his controversial Jesus comparison meme, according to sources. The coordination suggests more calculated social media strategy than his typical stream-of-consciousness posts.

Immigration enforcement hit 442,000 deportations last fiscal year, the first official data released under Trump's second term.

Donald Trump just picked a fight with 1.4 billion Catholics. After Pope Leo XIV condemned his threats to "destroy an entire civilization" if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump lashed out at the first American pontiff as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy." The Vatican had called Trump's ultimatum — complete with an 8pm Tuesday deadline — "truly unacceptable" violations of international law. While Trump announced a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire hours later, his attack on Pope Leo signals a dangerous escalation of church-state tensions that could cost him Catholic swing voters.

Trump's Iran war is hitting American wallets hard, and New York's feeling it worst. Gas prices have jumped 62 cents per gallon since the conflict began in February — that's 21% higher and $200 million more out of New Yorkers' pockets. Staten Island's GOP Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is highlighting the pain in the city's most car-dependent borough, while Governor Hochul blames Trump's 'illegal tariffs' and war for the spike. The politics are brutal: Republicans hoped tax cuts would insulate them from affordability concerns, but energy costs are wiping out those gains heading into midterms.

Trump's campaigning like it's 2024 again, but the midterm math is brutal. With approval ratings underwater at 45.8% and Republicans defending razor-thin majorities (218-214 House, 53-47 Senate), historical precedent suggests a 28-seat House loss. Democrats have already flipped 28 state legislative seats since Trump's return, with Iowa swinging 20 points and Mississippi losing half its GOP specials. Trump's betting everything on turning out low-propensity voters, but gas prices up 21% since the Iran war started aren't helping his cause. The party that needs perfect turnout is struggling in every off-year race.

Trump can't quit NATO legally, but he's testing every way to hurt it. After European allies refused to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump tweeted criticism of the alliance and threatened troop withdrawals from 'uncooperative' nations. Legal experts note he can't unilaterally exit thanks to a 2023 law requiring Senate approval, but he can gut the alliance by pulling forces or blocking consensus decisions. European capitals are already accelerating defense independence as Trump hints at his 'next Conquest' post-Iran. The transatlantic relationship isn't breaking — it's bending toward a reality where America's security guarantee comes with increasingly explicit conditions.

More than 50 House Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are calling for the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office after his social media threat that "a whole civilization will die tonight" targeting Iran. The push follows Trump's April 8 statements critics describe as threatening genocide, with Rep. Chellie Pingree warning "this man has the nuclear codes." Success remains unlikely as it requires VP Vance and a Cabinet majority to declare Trump unfit—a Cabinet described as "subservient" by analysts.

Trump's two-week Iran ceasefire has exposed deep fractures within his base, with hawks like Laura Loomer calling the deal "legitimizing terrorists" while isolationists including Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes (1.3M X followers) criticize prioritizing Israel over America First. The split reflects broader tension between Trump's campaign promise to end endless wars and his administration's hawkish approach that killed over 3,000 civilians since February 28.

President Trump argued the US imports "almost no oil" through the Strait of Hormuz and urged NATO allies to reopen the waterway themselves, despite gasoline averaging over $4 per gallon nationwide. While EIA data shows the US imports about 7% of crude from the Gulf, analysts warn global market shocks still impact American consumers through interconnected pricing and supply chains, calling Trump's stance "hollow" leverage against reluctant allies.

Brent crude plunged to $92 from record highs above $144, marking the largest single-day drop since 1991's Gulf War, after President Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire that reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The Pakistan-mediated deal suspends US strikes on Iranian infrastructure in exchange for coordinated safe passage through the vital shipping lane. Iran claims victory whilst agreeing to halt defensive operations, though missile launches continued post-announcement. The reprieve ends five weeks of supply disruption affecting 20% of global oil trade.

Military law experts classify Trump's Tuesday ultimatum to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants as potential war crimes, warning of collective punishment and targeting protected civilian infrastructure. The President dismissed concerns by claiming "the war crime is allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon," whilst over 100 lawyers signed letters expressing "deep concern." Defense Secretary Pete Seth removed top military attorneys seen as "roadblocks" to the strategy. Pope Leo XIV issued his sharpest rebuke yet, calling the threats "truly unacceptable" on moral and legal grounds.

Three Republican lawmakers broke ranks to condemn Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iranian civilization, with Rep. Nathaniel Moran stating it's inconsistent with American principles and Sen. Lisa Murkowski calling it an affront to US values. GOP leadership remained silent during congressional recess, maintaining the party's pattern of loyalty despite polling showing 59% of Americans oppose war with Iran. The rare dissent signals potential fractures as Trump's rhetoric escalates beyond traditional Republican foreign policy comfort zones.

Over 85 congressional Democrats called for Trump's impeachment or 25th Amendment removal following his Iran ceasefire announcement, with multiple War Powers Resolutions in development. A CNN poll showed 60% of Americans believe strikes increased Iranian threats despite Trump's military claims.

Viktor Orbán's Fidesz Party is consistently trailing the center-right Tisza Party ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election, according to multiple polls. The Hungarian Prime Minister has served as Trump's model for illiberal democracy since 2010, but voter frustration over a sluggish economy and corruption scandals is threatening to topple the MAGA movement's most successful European ally. If Orbán falls after 16 years in power, it would undermine the viability of Trump's nationalist governance blueprint and potentially shift Hungary toward EU mainstream policies on energy, migration, and Ukraine aid.

Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Tuesday 8pm ET, threatening strikes on power plants and bridges if Tehran refuses. Pakistani, Egyptian and Turkish mediators are pushing a 45-day ceasefire deal, but Iranian officials have rejected multiple US proposals and sources say chances of agreement within 48 hours are "slim". The stakes are enormous: a comprehensive US-Israeli bombing campaign targeting Iran's energy infrastructure is ready to execute if diplomacy fails.

Brent crude surged over 1% to above $111 per barrel as Trump's escalation threats offset reports of intense negotiations with Iran through multiple channels. US gasoline prices hit $4.11 per gallon, up 13 cents from last week and the highest since 2022. Eight OPEC+ nations agreed to boost May production by an undisclosed amount, but availability remains uncertain if the Strait remains blocked. Trump's zigzagging between war threats and peace talks is creating whiplash in energy markets, with one trader noting prices could easily spike above $120 if Tuesday's deadline passes without resolution.

Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, used Easter Sunday to call for dialogue and an end to the US-Israel war on Iran, urging leaders to lay down weapons and choose peace over force. His appeal directly contrasts with Trump's Easter threat to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed past Tuesday night. The Pope referenced reports that Trump wants to end the war and hopes for an "off-ramp," while Trump invoked Christian faith to justify military action. Leo's US roots could pressure Catholic voters and business leaders caught between faith-based peace appeals and economic pain from $4.11 gasoline.