Trump News for Monday, August 18, 2025

Opening of new migrant detention center in Texas met with protests

Ely Brown, ABC News

Texas' Camp East Montana, the latest and largest of the migrant detention centers being opened across the country, is being met with criticism from immigration advocates.

Germany's Merz says Putin, Zelenskiy to meet within next two weeks

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz credited U.S. President Donald Trump with persuading Russia's President to agree to a meeting with his...

The Collapse Of American Judgment

Mike Brock, Techdirt

Western allies are abandoning American leadership while we stand by, morally bankrupt and intellectually spent, watching children starve in Gaza with weapons we provided to a corrupt authoritarian we’re too cowardly to constrain. Meanwhile, the same brilliant…

The Trump-Loving Star of ‘South Park’s Most Anti-Woke Streaming Special Is A Huge Fan of Season 27

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Janeshia Adams-Ginyard apparently believes that Donald Trump has the ability to laugh at himself

How Does Trump’s Federal Takeover End?

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

The president has opened the door to a permanent military occupation of the nation’s capital—and maybe other cities too.

Trump’s remarkable statement against states’ rights

Analysis by Aaron Blake, CNN, CNN

Donald Trump’s intentions to get rid of mail ballots and voting machines made clear the president elected to lead the party of states’ rights has very little...

Well-mannered White House welcome for Ukraine leaves many questions

Trevor Hunnicutt and Gram Slattery, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump gathered European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a hastily arranged White House...

Despite Online MAGA Freakout About Her Jeans, Sydney Sweeney’s New Movie Bombs

Lucas Ropek, Gizmodo.com

Sometimes it's good to remember that the internet is not a real place.

An Account Using the Same Name as Trump's BLS Pick Posted Red-Pilled Conspiracy Theories

David Gilbert, Wired

A WIRED review of a now-deleted Twitter account that used the screen name “Dr. Erwin J. Antoni III” shows it posted conspiratorial content about the 2020 election, Covid-19, and Jeffrey Epstein.

All-In Podcast Boys Poke Fun at Uber Founder’s ‘AI Psychosis’ (Which They Encouraged)

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

"We may need to do a health check because smart people can get involved with these AI."

New Ukrainian Cruise Missile With Claimed 1,800-Mile Range Breaks Cover

Thomas Newdick, Twz.com

A weapon of such prodigious range and warhead size would be a major threat to targets across huge swathes of Russia.

DC area restaurants lose patrons as police takeover leads to drop in reservations...

Ariana Baio, The-independent.com

Fewer people made seated reservations at restaurants in DC this past week than in any state, compared to the same time last year

WATCH: President Trump pressed on security guarantees for Ukraine

ABC News

A repeated refrain from European leaders during remarks ahead of their meeting was the need for security guarantees for Ukraine.

WATCH: President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders

ABC News

President Trump has downplayed the need for a ceasefire agreement, but if there isn't a one "before those peace agreement talks, then the killing will just keep going," ABC News' Martha Raddatz says.

WATCH: President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy meet in Oval Office

ABC News

President Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House as Trump continues to push for a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Believes We're in an AI Bubble

Imad Khan, CNET

Altman also doesn't want ChatGPT to become an anime sex robot. Good to know.

Key takeaways so far from Ukraine talks in Washington

BBC News

Ukraine's President Zelensky managed to avoid another disastrous Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump.

Judge issues injunction preventing Trump's FTC from investigating watchdog Media Matters

Associated Press, Yahoo Entertainment

A federal judge has issued an injunction preventing the Trump administration's Federal Trade Commission from investigating Media Matters for America, the...

‘South Park’ Fans Roast the ‘New York Times’ for Saying Cartman Is Part of the Resistance

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Don’t count on ‘South Park’ fans to read any further than a headline

Trump vows to change how elections are run. The US Constitution doesn't give him that power

NICHOLAS RICCARDI and ALI SWENSON, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump on Monday vowed more changes to the way elections are conducted in the U.S., but based on the Constitution there is little to nothing ...

MSNBC reveals new name as part of corporate divorce from NBC

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The US TV network has also been building its own news division separate from NBC News.

Pot calls kettle black as China dubs US 'surveillance empire' over chip tracking

Tobias Mann, Theregister.com

Spy vs spy in the chips Comment Chinese state media called the US an aspiring "surveillance empire" over its proposed use of asset tracking tags to crack down on black-market GPU shipments to the Middle Kingdom.…

JFK's Grandson Says Mocking Melania Trump Over Putin Letter Is Fair Game

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Melania Trump walked straight into the global crossfire by putting pen to paper in a letter to Vladimir Putin -- and that's made her prime roast material, according to Jack Schlossberg, who just posted a parody video mocking the First Lady. JFK’s…

President Zelensky's Response To Another Suit Question Is Going Viral For Obvious Reasons

Matt Stopera, Buzzfeed

He got the last word on this one.View Entire Post ›

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy reveals key details of private meeting with Trump

Al Jazeera English

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed key details of his private White House meeting with Donald Trump.

The serious trend behind MSNBC’s silly new name

Andrew Prokop, Vox

Goodbye MSBNC, and hello “MS NOW.” In an announcement that has triggered widespread befuddlement and mockery, the progressive cable news network is getting rebranded.  The new name isn’t meant to call to mind Microsoft or the honorific “Ms.” Instead, in the s…

Zelenskyy Gets Snarky After Marjorie Taylor Greene's Boyfriend Remarks On His Suit

David Moye, HuffPost

Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn had previously policed the Ukrainian leader's attire in the White House.

Are US security guarantees enough to end the war in Ukraine?

Al Jazeera English

European leaders join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, DC for talks.

The Hosts of ‘The Daily Show’ on Creating the Best Political Satire in America

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire

Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Ronny Chieng sat down with IndieWire for a roundtable discussion about their Emmy-nominated show and the state of late night comedy.

Jimmy Lai: Closing arguments in Hong Kong tycoon national security trail begin

Laura Westbrook, NPR

Lai is accused of colluding with foreign forces under the controversial national security law, which Beijing imposed.

Leaking By Leaving: Guest Finds Trump-Putin Summit Docs In Alaskan Hotel Room

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

While this latest bit of low-key embarrassment may not be a black eye for the administration, it certainly isn’t putting any more lipstick on this pig. Whatever you may think about the recent summit meeting between these two international besties, you can be …

Key takeaways from Trump and Zelenskyy's Oval Office meeting to discuss Ukraine

Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's met at the White House for a high-stakes talks on Ukraine's future and Russia's invasion.

Trump administration revoked more than 6,000 student visas, State Dept says

Humeyra Pamuk, Yahoo Entertainment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The administration of President Donald Trump has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and breaking the law, including a ...

Watch: Key moments as Zelensky and European leaders meet Trump

BBC News

Ukraine's president and other European leaders met at the White House to talk peace.

Trump downplays need for ceasefire before private Zelenskyy meeting

Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump talked down the need for a ceasefire to end the Ukraine war as he greeted Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

'You look fabulous': Reporter compliments Zelensky on his suit

BBC News

There was a lighthearted moment when the Ukrainian president was complimented on his suit, by both President Trump and reporter Brian Glenn.

Is the Trump Administration Spending $50 Million to Combat ‘South Park’s Takedown of Kristi Noem?

JM McNab, Cracked.com

For that much, they could make their own cartoon series

Zelenskyy arrives at White House for talks with Trump

Al Jazeera English

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the White House for a crucial meeting with Donald Trump about Russia's war.

Right-wing US network Newsmax to pay $67m over false 2020 election claims

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Newsmax has paid $27m so far, and will pay $20m in 2026 and $20m in 2027 to technology firm Dominion Voting Systems.

Federal Judge Delivers Judicial Smackdown To FTC’s Politically Motivated Attack On Media Matters

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

A federal judge has delivered an extraordinary rebuke to the FTC’s Andrew Ferguson, finding that his investigation into Media Matters was motivated by “retaliatory animus” rather than legitimate antitrust concerns. In a scathing ruling, Judge Sparkle L. Sookn…

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, alleged Mexican drug lord, set to plead guilty

Luc Cohen, Yahoo Entertainment

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the accused co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, is expected to plead guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges...

Hulk Hogan Couldn't Stand Gavin Newsom, Ex-Wife Says About Gov's Online Trolling

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to beat Trump at his own game as far as ridiculous A.I. memes go ... but his latest post featuring Hulk Hogan was just too painfully stupid, the WWE legend's ex-wife tells TMZ. Here's the deal ... On Sunday morning,…

Conan O’Brien Finally Comments on Stephen Colbert’s Firing

JM McNab, Cracked.com

The ex-late night host has a dire prediction for late night

Russia put out an unusual propaganda video of a 'captured' US-made armored vehicle flying American and Russian flags in Ukraine

Jake Epstein, Business Insider

Russian state media footage shows the M113 armored personnel carrier driving into combat in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Is the IRS giving stimulus checks in 2025? How to track my stimulus check status update

Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK, The News Journal

Are we getting a stimulus check 2025? Here's status update on Trump's $600 rebate stimulus checks, how to track IRS refund by social security number

Trump’s changing stance on Ukraine war

Al Jazeera English

US President Trump has repeatedly changed his position on the Ukraine war.

Fujifilm is raising the prices of its cameras again

Emma Roth, The Verge

Just two weeks after raising the prices of its cameras by up to $800, Fujifilm is warning customers about another increase for US customers. In a statement provided to DPReview, the Japanese company says it will “further adjust prices” as it contends with “vo…

MSNBC Rebrands as MS NOW, but the Web Domain Is for Korean Snowmobiles

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

You always gotta grab the dot-com.

Data Shows ICE Deportation Efforts Are Way More Aggressive In ‘Blue’ States

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Trump and his GOP enablers wouldn’t know subtlety if it held them down and punched them in the face repeatedly. Being a little bit crafty is never an option for an administration that prides itself on its performances. A little subtlety tends to go a long way…

Trump-Zelenskyy live updates: European leaders arrive at WH in support of Zelenskyy

Kevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News

President Trump will host Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House in a high-stakes meeting seeking an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

24 killed, over 150 injured in explosion and fire at factory in Russia

CBSNews, CBS News

State news agency RIA Novosti has reported that a gunpowder workshop at the facility caught fire and triggered an explosion.

Texas Democrats ending two-week walkout over gerrymandered US GOP House map

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

California Democrats have advanced countereffort to redraw their congressional boundaries, against Trump's push.

Iran’s president visits Armenia for talks on US-backed Azerbaijan corridor

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Iran rejects TRIPP, says the presence of American companies in the region would be 'worrying'.

Trump releases new rules to limit a major student-loan forgiveness program for public servants

Ayelet Sheffey, Business Insider

Trump's proposal to narrow eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness is now open for public comment.

European leaders rush to US to help Ukraine avoid 'capitulation'

BBC News

The heads of state hope to stop Trump from threatening long-term European security, writes James Landale.

Expert Claims Putin’s Mention Of This 1 Issue To Trump Is Clearly A ‘Manipulation’ Tactic

Yahoo Entertainment

Trumpy News Channel Finally Pays Up for Crazy 2020 Lies

Ewan Palmer, Daily Beast

Pro-Donald Trump outlet Newsmax has agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $67 million to settle the voting machine company’s defamation lawsuit against it...

Bioethanol plant begins shut-down process

Lucy Hooker - Business reporter, BBC News, BBC News

Hull-based Vivergo says all staff will have left and the site will be ready for demolition by the end of the year.

Russia pounds Ukraine, kills more civilians before White House meeting

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says attacks on civilians are 'demonstrative and cynical' before high-stakes talks.

Trump Pledges Unconstitutional Order to Limit Mail-In Voting After Putin Chat

Nikkimccannramirez, Rolling Stone

The president demanded that states do what the federal government “tells them,” after announcing an executive order aimed at banning mail-in voting

Melania’s Embarrassing Letter to Putin Has Huge I-Can-Fix-Him Energy

Danielle Han, Jezebel

“In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone–you serve humanity itself," FLOTUS wrote in her bizarre letter to the Russian President.

An investigative report found that the first family is projected to rake in $3.4 billion thanks to their proximity to the White House.

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

The journalist behind a bombshell report detailing the staggering amount of money that President Donald Trump’s second term is raking in for the first family...

Zelensky heads to White House with European leaders for Ukraine talks

DPA, Dpa-international.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the White House on Monday, days after President Donald Trump warmly received Russian President...

Logitech May Soon Prove if It Made the Best Mouse Even Better

Kyle Barr, Gizmodo.com

The Logitech MX Master 4 could replace the best mouse of the past 8 years.

Perplexity made a sky-high $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome — a bold and unusual move in the midst of antitrust scrutiny

sean.endicott@futurenet.com (Sean Endicott) , Sean Endicott, Windows Central

Perplexity made a $34.5 billion offer for Chrome, far above its own value, but Google has no plans to sell the world’s most-used browser.

Net Neutrality Advocates Won’t Appeal Trump Destruction, Say U.S. Courts Are Broken

Karl Bode, Techdirt

A fusion of authoritarianism and corporatism is destroying what’s left of already soggy U.S. federal consumer protection and corporate oversight. You might not know this because the U.S. press and many policymakers genuinely don’t appear to care, but it’s hap…

Russian tank drives into battle flying American flag...

Nicole Cherruault, Will Stewart, The-sun.com

THIS is the moment twisted Russian soldiers mock Ukraine by flying an American flag into battle. Their malicious taunts come as Donald Trump meets Volodymyr Zelensky today for high-stakes peace tal…

This could be my new PDF scanner app once Microsoft Lens is taken away

Andy Walker, Android Authority

With Microsoft Lens' demise scheduled for later this year, I went in search of a new PDF scanner app and found PDFgear Scan.

I’m an Economist: Here’s When Tariff Price Hikes Will Start Hitting Your Wallet

Gabrielle Olya, Yahoo Entertainment

An economist explained why U.S. prices haven’t surged yet -- and when tariffs will start raising costs for consumers in America.

Trump-Zelensky meeting: What’s the schedule, what’s at stake?

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

European leaders will accompany the Ukrainian president in a united front when they meet Donald Trump.

JFK's Grandson Savagely Mocks Melania Trump For Writing Putin Letter

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Melania Trump's letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin didn't go over so well with one of the Kennedys ... who trolled the First Lady while wearing a wig. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg savagely mocked Melania in an Instagram video…

Rivian, Tesla, and Lucid say they face big losses as the Trump administration overhauls EV regulations

Tom Carter, Business Insider

The three companies have warned that the end of a system that allows them to make money off EVs their rivals aren't selling will impact their profits.

Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss end of war. And, more troops head to D.C.

Brittney Melton, NPR

President Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today at the White House. And, more National Guard troops head to Washington, D.C. for the president's crime crackdown.

Alaskan man gifted new motorcycle by Putin during Trump summit

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

An employee of the Russian embassy in the United States handed the man, Mark Warren, the keys to his new Ural motorcycle in the parking lot of the Anchorage ...

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) Could Easily Take On More Debt

Simply Wall St, Yahoo Entertainment

Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it seems the smart money knows that...

While Trump secures our border, Wisconsin needs to secure its labor force | Opinion

Scott Mayer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Guest worker programs offer best of both worlds for immigrants and Americans. Programs make it easier for businesses and farms to hire legal migrants.

A Nation of Lawyers Confronts China’s Engineering State

Dan Wang, The Atlantic

As the Chinese economy surges forward, the U.S. has lost its capacity for physical improvement.

Pam Bondi’s Power Play

Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker

A profile of Donald Trump’s Attorney General, who has become a MAGA target for her handling of the Justice Department’s Epstein files while supporting the President’s focus on immigration, D.E.I., and political revenge. Ruth Marcus reports.

Trump prompted a battle over voting maps. Here's how redistricting affects voters

Larry Kaplow, NPR

In a battle prompted by President Trump, Texas and California could redraw lines that change whose votes really matter in the 2026 congressional elections.

Trump to meet Zelenskyy with 2 big issues in focus: security guarantees and land

Franco Ordoñez, NPR

The Ukrainian president will be joined at the White House on Monday by several key European leaders, as they look to find an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The rise of the $1 a year AI deal

Brent D. Griffiths, Business Insider

AI giants are trying to find every way to get their models in front of federal employees.

Trump's D.C. 'crisis' enters 2nd week with more soldiers — and no exit strategy

Brian Mann, NPR

Leaders in Washington, D.C., say they're striving to maintain calm as growing numbers of National Guard soldiers deploy to the city. President Trump hasn't said how he wants this "crisis" to end.

India’s purchase of Russian oil has to stop, says US trade adviser

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The US official accuses India of cozying up to China and Russia, as Trump admin mounts further pressure on New Delhi.

Oh no! Hypocritical celebrities abandon US, blaming Trump. What will we do now? | Opinion

Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, USA Today

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel hints he got Italian citizenship in part because of President Donald Trump. Give me a break.

Three charts show Shein's big leaps in a key market ahead of its IPO

Aditi Bharade, Business Insider

The fast fashion giant reported a more than 56% profit gain in 2024 compared to 2023 in the UK. It also nearly tripled its headcount in the country.

ESPN Won’t Air Spike Lee’s Colin Kaepernick Docuseries Due to ‘Creative Differences’

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone

The filmmaker began working on the series in 2022 with the aim to tell the "full, first-person account of his journey"

Zelenskiy, flanked by Europe, heads to Washington as Trump presses for Russia deal

Max Hunder, Yahoo Entertainment

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to map out a peace deal amid fears the U.S....

Trump 300% chip tariff shakes tech industry, Intel may find relief

Tyler Lee, Phandroid - News for Android

Trump’s proposed 300% chip tariff could reshape the tech industry, with exemptions possible for firms like TSMC, Nvidia, and AMD. The post Trump 300% chip tariff shakes tech industry, Intel may find relief appeared first on Phandroid.

Zelenskyy brings Europe's top leaders with him to meet Trump on ending Russia's war

JOSH BOAK and SAMYA KULLAB, Yahoo Entertainment

Ukraine's future could hinge on a hastily assembled meeting Monday at the White House as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brings with him an...

Trump says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy could end war ‘almost immediately’

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president ramps up pressure on Ukrainian leader to accept deal with Russia ahead of talks in Washington, DC.

Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai given heart monitor for final stretch of marathon trial

Jessie Pang and James Pomfret, Yahoo Entertainment

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai was provided with medication and a heart monitor for the start of his final submissions in...

Hong Kong court begins hearing final arguments in Jimmy Lai's national security trial

KANIS LEUNG, Yahoo Entertainment

A Hong Kong court began hearing final arguments Monday in the landmark national security trial of former pro-democracy newspaper founder Jimmy Lai, who could...

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,271

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Here are the key events on day 1,271 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Washington talks could prove more vital for Ukraine's future than Trump-Putin summit

BBC News

The Washington meeting could prove to be crucial to the future of Ukraine, and all of Europe's security.

Zelensky and allies head to White House for Ukraine talks

BBC News

European leaders will join Zelensky as he attends a crunch meeting with Trump on the Russia-Ukraine war.