Trump News for Thursday, September 4, 2025

Trump to sign order renaming Pentagon 'Department of War': Sources

Hannah Demissie, Anne Flaherty, Katherine Faulders, ABC News

The formal renaming would require Congress to act, but the order is expected to say the new name can be used in official correspondence and ceremonial contexts.

‘The Robots Are Here’: Melania Trump and White House Officials Spout Gibberish About AI

Miles Klee, Rolling Stone

The First Lady led a meeting of White House task force members who promised that AI would usher the U.S. into a 'golden age of prosperity.'

Trump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of War

BBC News

The US president has sought to refocus the department on "warfighting" and a "warrior ethos".

US files lawsuit against California utility over Los Angeles wildfires

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The Department of Justice alleges that negligence by Southern California Edison sparked deadly Eaton Fire in January.

RFK Jr.’s alarming Senate hearing, briefly explained

Cameron Peters, Vox

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a disastrous d…

4 takeaways after RFK Jr.'s fiery Senate hearing over CDC turmoil, vaccines

Cheyenne Haslett, Will McDuffie, Mary Kekatos, Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a grilling before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday over CDC turmoil and vaccine changes. Here are four takeaways.

A Different RFK Jr. Just Appeared Before Congress

Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic

America’s health secretary has moved into attack mode.

‘Kill Tony’ Fans Wonder Why Lorne Michaels Thinks Kam Patterson Will Go Over Better Than Shane Gillis

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Patterson’s body of work make Gillis’ infamous slurs sound like ‘Sesame Street’

US sanctions Palestinian rights groups for supporting ICC Israel probe

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Al-Haq, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Al-Mezan targeted for engaging with ICC, state department says.

Appeals court allows Alligator Alcatraz to continue operations

Ely Brown, Peter Charalambous, ABC News

A federal appeals court is allowing the state of Florida to continue operating the controversial immigrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz."

The U.S. is designating Ecuador's largest gangs as terrorists

Michele Kelemen, NPR

The U.S. is designating Ecuador's two largest gangs — Los Choneros and Los Lobos — as foreign terrorist organizations.

Northwestern University president to resign amid tensions with Donald Trump

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US universities have faced pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on pro-Palestine activism.

South Park Season 27 Uses Donald Trump (And Satan) To Tease A Classic Horror Concept

staff@slashfilm.com (Quinn Bilodeau), /FILM

The latest development in South Park season 27's Donald Trump and Satan storyline plays upon a horror movie trope that could factor into the episodes to come.

Some Federal Judges Appear Done With SCOTUS’s Shadow Docket Bullshit

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

When federal judges with decades of experience start publicly mocking the Supreme Court’s lack of clarity, you know the system is broken. This week brought us two remarkable examples of lower court judges who are clearly fed up with trying to parse the Suprem…

For mixed status families, deportation fears cast shadow over new academic year

Jasmine Garsd, NPR

As the new school year begins, mixed immigration status families face heightened fears about ICE enforcement near schools, creating anxiety that extends far beyond the classroom.

Why is the US military building up its presence in the Caribbean?

Inside Story, Al Jazeera English

The Trump administration recently targeted a Venezuelan boat it said was carrying drugs.

Sky-high budget gap: FAA launches air traffic overhaul, lacks cash to finish it

Brandon Vigliarolo, Theregister.com

Agency wants a single private integrator to herd 74K bits of kit with only 40% of the funding so far Get ready to start flying American skies with a renewed sense of confidence, at least eventually, as the Federal Aviation Administration has finally decided t…

US job cuts soared in August, outplacement company says

Max Zahn, ABC News

Jobs cuts announced by U.S. firms climbed 39% last month, data shows.

US Congressman’s Brother Lands No-Bid Contract to Train DHS Snipers

Dell Cameron, Wired

DHS says retired Marine sniper Dan LaLota’s firm is uniquely qualified to meet the government’s needs. LaLota tells WIRED his brother, GOP congressman Nick LaLota, played no role in the contract.

Donald Trump redesigned the White House's Rose Garden. See how the space has changed over the years.

Talia Lakritz, Business Insider

President Donald Trump's Rose Garden redesign is one of many decor changes he's made to White House. Take a look at the new "Rose Garden Club."

Macron hopeful of US support to Kyiv’s security as 26 nations pledge troops

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Twenty-six allies promise troops for Ukraine after fighting stops, as Russia shows no signs of being ready to end war.

‘It’s a war’: Marco Rubio labels Ecuadorian cartels ‘foreign terrorists’

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The US diplomat suggested continued action against Latin American gangs while in Ecuador, days after a strike on a boat.

Trump’s lawyers just inadvertently admitted that his tariffs are illegal

Ian Millhiser, Vox

The Trump administration formally asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday evening to decide whether President Donald Trump’s ever-shifting tariff policy is lawful. Two federal courts, and a total of 10 federal judges, have all concluded that it is not. The remar…

Kristi Noem Gets Mad About CBS Not Broadcasting Her Bullshit About Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

You don’t often see blackmail victims extending offers to their blackmailers to sit down and discuss political issues, but that’s what happened when CBS — who recently paid off Trump to settle a lawsuit the broadcaster could have won — invited Kristi Noem to …

Search warrant reveals what feds seized at John Bolton’s home

Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill

FBI agents raided former national security adviser John Bolton's home and seized multiple computers, phones, and documents related to his handling of...

Elon Musk Denies He Was Snubbed From Guest List at White House AI Event

Lucas Ropek, Gizmodo.com

The billionaire was reportedly not included on an invite list for today's tech soiree.

Senate clashes with RFK Jr over vaccine policies and CDC firings

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

RFK Jr faces bipartisan criticism for allegedly undermining vaccine trust and reshaping public health leadership.

Conservative ‘South Park’ Fans Demand That the Show Stop Mocking Trump and Go After Joe Biden

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

The two, six-episode ‘South Park’ seasons released under Biden weren’t nearly this biting

There's less than a month to get a $7,500 EV tax credit. Here's what you should know.

ledmonds@businessinsider.com (Lauren Edmonds), Business Insider

Drivers in the US have until September 30 to qualify for federal EV tax credits, which President Donald Trump axed as part of his "Big Beautiful Bill."

Trump’s golf tracking site accuses White House of concealing health issues

Liesel Nygard, MassLive.com

The website’s decision comes amid persistent public concern and speculation about the president’s well-being.

WATCH: Sen. Warren grills HHS Sec. Kennedy on COVID vaccines and CDC director ouster

ABC News

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused HHS Secretary RFK Jr. of turning back on his statements during his confirmation hearing that he would not take away vaccines for Americans who want them.

WATCH: FDNY's wedding day tribute for bride whose firefighter dad died on 9/11

ABC News

Kristin Marino lost her father Kenneth, a firefighter, on 9/11. David Muir shares the touching moment his FDNY colleagues showed up for Kristin on her wedding day — and brought dad to the wedding.

RFK Jr. Says He Doesn’t Know How Many Americans Died From Covid During Heated Senate Hearing

Ed Cara, Gizmodo.com

The health secretary dodged any blame for imploding the CDC's leadership and appeared to endorse anti-vaccination talking points.

‘South Park’ Called Trump Satan Right After He Started His Campaign to Get Into Heaven

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

The President has been hyper-fixated on his afterlife, in spite of his relationship with evil

GOP senator delivers epic takedown of Trump health czar during tense hearing

Lauren Sforza, nj.com

Cassidy, who is a doctor, criticized Kennedy for limiting the public’s access to the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.

Judge blocks Trump’s bid to cut $4bn in US foreign aid

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Federal judge says Trump administration cannot refuse to spend funds appropriated by US Congress.

US Justice Department launches fraud probe into Fed Gov Lisa Cook: Report

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Probe follows a lawsuit filed by Cook challenging Trump firing her from the central bank on mortgage fraud allegations.

In boat strike, Trump repurposes ‘war on terror’ for Latin American crime

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Analysts warn the US is using its 'war on terror' playbook for potential extrajudicial killings in Latin America.

Elon Musk snubbed from invite list for Trump's Rose Garden event with CEOs

Alice Tecotzky,Bryan Metzger, Business Insider

Trump is hosting his first event in the newly renovated Rose Garden. One notable tech leader didn't snag an invite.

US accused of ‘illegal massacre’ after strike on Venezuelan boat

Al Jazeera English

Venezuela accuses the US of breaking international law after strike on alleged 'drug boat'.

Greg Gutfeld Says He’s the Only Late-Night Host Having Fun

Matt Solomon, Cracked.com

By Matt Solomon Published: September 04th, 2025

Washington, DC files lawsuit to stop Trump deployment of National Guard

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

DC attorney general says ongoing deployment in US capital is illegal, as Trump floats sending troops to more cities.

Trump says he has pressured Putin for Ukraine truce: So what has he done?

Shola Lawal, Al Jazeera English

US President Trump has threatened non-specific consequences for Putin if Russia fails to agree to peace with Ukraine.

Venezuela has the world’s most oil: Why doesn’t it earn more from exports?

Mohammed Haddad, Al Jazeera English

Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, more than five times more than the United States.

Bill Pulte scrapped a press conference about Lisa Cook ahead of reports that she's under criminal investigation

Jacob Shamsian, Business Insider

The Wall Street Journal first reported that a criminal investigation was opened into Lisa Cook. Bill Pulte cancelled a planned press conference ahead of the news.

We Can Get Rid of Carcinogens and Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water. Will We Do It?

Molly Taft, Wired

New research shows that filtration systems that remove PFAS can also get rid of other harmful substances. Whether they'll actually be introduced is a different matter entirely.

Rubio visits Ecuador as US military strike on Venezuelan boat overshadows talks

MATTHEW LEE and REGINA GARCIA CANO, Yahoo Entertainment

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping up a brief trip to Latin America with a stop in Ecuador as countries in the region nervously watch the Trump ...

The Biggest Test for the Supreme Court Yet

Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic

It is no exaggeration to say that the future of checks and balances hinges on what the Court does in the tariffs case.

Trump urges Putin-Zelenskiy meeting, tells Europe to stop buying Russian oil

Vlad Schepkov, Yahoo Entertainment

Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet, suggesting ...

‘South Park’ Roasts Kid Rock, Decades After Collaborating With Him

JM McNab, Cracked.com

Before crying on Fox News, Kid Rock covered Eric Cartman

WATCH: Northern lights stun off of English white cliffs

ABC News

A woman captured overnight time-lapse footage of the northern lights off the coast of Flamborough, England, on Monday, displaying the aurora in all its glory.

WATCH: 'Volnado' forms near Kīlauea volcano's active lava fountain

ABC News

A live camera captured the moment a whirlwind formed kicking up loose ash deposits. Whirlwinds are caused by the chaotic and turbulent mixing of hot and cold air, according to USGS.

WATCH: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein speak at rally

ABC News

In a rally in Washington, D.C., survivors detailed the abuse they said they suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, with some saying the abuse happened when they were teenagers.

Airlines lobby DOT to remove major passenger consumer protections

David Slotnick, The Points Guy

U.S. airlines' lobbying group filed a proposal with the Department of Transportation seeking to repeal a wide range of consumer protections.

Butters’ New Girlfriend Has Been on ‘South Park’ Since the Very First Episode

JM McNab, Cracked.com

Red McArthur is the legacy character we all forget about

Ukraine knocks out Russian refineries as Russia kills dozens in Kyiv

John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine has cut Russia's refining capacity by a fifth, in a bid to starve it of energy and revenue from exports.

No Comedy Show Has Explained How Tariffs Work Better Than ‘South Park’

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Who knew City Wok would perfectly demonstrate what Trump is doing to the American consumer?

Apple CEO Tim Cook Invited Back to White House for Tech Event

Hartley Charlton, MacRumors

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been invited to an event for tech leaders at the White House today in the newly renovated Rose Garden, according to The Hill. Cook is among more than two dozen technology executives invited to the White House by President Donald Tr…

When Trade Was at a Crossroads

E. Tammy Kim, The New York Review of Books

In 1999 the World Trade Organization gathered in Seattle to celebrate free trade. The protest that followed offers a blueprint for effective resistance to globalization at a time of renewed urgency.

The War App

Mark O’Connell, The New York Review of Books

Last year, according to a recent report in The New York Times, Alexander Karp received a total of $6.8 billion for his services as CEO of the data analytics software company Palantir Technologies. This “compensation actually paid”—a metric that takes into acc…

Watch What You Say

Kwame Anthony Appiah, The New York Review of Books

Fara Dabhoiwala considers the right to free speech the con at the heart of the Constitution because of the harms it permits. But what about the harms it prevents?

Abortion’s Long History

Linda Greenhouse, The New York Review of Books

Abortion has been an inescapable fact of life for millennia. The question is, why do women gain or lose control over their reproductive lives at different times in history?

Nobody’s Grand Tour

Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books

Only seventy-two pages into Schattenfroh, Michael Lentz’s bleak, confounding, and finally brilliant doorstopper of a novel, the story, which had just seemed to be getting off the ground, cuts short. The type gives way to facsimile pages covered with the handw…

How to Blow Up a Planet

Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books

What happened to the future? When did we lose it, and what has taken its place? Political scientists have found a continual decline in visions of a shared transformative future since the early 1980s. Around the world, in party manifestos, inaugural speeches, …

Ukraine allies push security guarantees amid US and Russian uncertainties

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Western leaders meet with Zelenskyy and US envoy at Ukraine summit in Paris as they draw up plans to deploy troops.

Is Venezuela the big cocaine menace Trump claims it to be?

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

US president justified recent strike on boat by accusing Venezuela's president of direct links to drugs cartel.

Apple's iPhone 17 Is Almost Here: These Are the Biggest Rumors

Abrar Al-Heeti, CNET

Here's everything to know about the upcoming iPhone, from redesigned cameras to an upgraded display -- and maybe higher prices.

Donald Trump 'Giving Serious Thought' to Revoking Rosie O’Donnell's U.S. Citizenship

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell are sparring on social media yet again ... this time after the prez reminded followers he's "giving serious thought" to revoking the actress' U.S. citizenship. He reignited their feud on Truth Social Wednesday,…

RFK Jr. faces Senate about CDC chaos. And, Harvard funding freeze ruled illegal

Brittney Melton, NPR

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify in the Senate today after last week's shakeup at the CDC. And, a federal judge says the Trump administration illegally froze billions of Harvard's funds.

As a cell phone expert, I’m worried about the future of prepaid carriers

Andrew Grush, Android Authority

The prepaid wireless market is changing, and while some of the moves are for the better, there is one trend that concerns me.

Welcome to the Vaccine Free-for-All

Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic

States are making their own rules.

Trump Chickens Out After Horrific Prison Camp Is Named After Him

Tom Latchem, Daily Beast

Donald Trump appears to have chickened out after Louisiana tried to name a brutal prison camp in his honor. The camp was forced to shut down due to its...

Here’s How ICE Will Use Israeli Spyware

Ece Yildirim, Gizmodo.com

The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency has been in the midst of a particularly large crackdown on immigrants.

Russia issues warning as European leaders, Zelenskyy meet in Paris before Trump call

David Brennan, ABC News

Russia's Foreign Ministry again warned that Moscow will not accept the presence of any Western troops in Ukraine as part of a future peace deal.

How Trump is helping China extend its massive lead in clean energy

James Temple, MIT Technology Review

On a spring day in 1954, Bell Labs researchers showed off the first practical solar panels at a press conference in Murray Hill, New Jersey, using sunlight to spin a toy Ferris wheel before a stunned crowd. The solar future looked bright. But in the race to c…

Why Are Republicans Intent on Suppressing Their Own Voters?

Jacob Kenswil, Slate Magazine

Hint: It has a lot to do with Donald Trump’s delusions.

What did a US court rule on Tren de Aragua deportations?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Alien Enemies Act cannot deport Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, but deportations proceed under immigration laws.

Why is the price of gold hitting record highs?

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

The price of gold has soared as investors seek out safe havens amid heightened economic uncertainty.

RFK Jr. to testify before Senate Finance Committee amid CDC turmoil, vaccine changes

Cheyenne Haslett, Mary Kekatos, ABC News

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will come before the powerful Senate Finance Committee on Thursday for hours of questioning sure to center on his vaccine policy.

Trump Is Trying to Blackmail the Supreme Court

Yahoo Entertainment

America's colleges are having an identity crisis

Amanda Hoover, Business Insider

Today's college freshmen face sky-high tuition and debt, shaky career paths, and mixed messaging on AI. Universities are scrambling to respond.

Exclusive-Chinese firms still want Nvidia chips despite government pressure not to buy, sources say

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

They want reassurance that their orders of Nvidia's H20 model, which the U.S. firm in July regained permission to sell in China, are being processed, and are...

Experts call on US Health Secretary RFK Jr to resign over misinformation

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Health experts said Kennedy's 'repeated efforts to undermine science and public health' left Americans 'less safe'.

Trump says Elon Musk is 80% 'super genius' and 20% problems, and it'd be great if he could sort those out

Lloyd Lee,Kwan Wei Kevin Tan, Business Insider

"When he works out the 20% he'll be great," Trump said of Musk.

North Korea wipes traces of Kim Jong Un after Beijing meeting with Putin

Ju-min Park and Josh Smith, Yahoo Entertainment

SEOUL (Reuters) -After Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, North Korean staffers carefully wiped off items touched by the...

Russia says it will not discuss foreign troops in Ukraine in ‘any format’

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says deployment of a post-conflict security force would be 'fundamentally unacceptable'.

Trump says Elon Musk doesn't have a choice but to return to the Republican Party

Lloyd Lee, Business Insider

President Donald Trump said on The Scott Jennings Show that Elon Musk is a "man of common sense" who has no choice but to return to the GOP.

Tim Cook expected at White House on Thursday for Trump AI event

Zac Hall, 9to5Mac

Where will Tim Cook be on the Thursday before the iPhone 17 event? Back at the White House, it seems. more…

WATCH: Maryland corn maze pays tribute to ‘Wicked’

ABC News

This "Wicked"-inspired corn maze opens to the public next week, just in time for the release of "Wicked: For Good" in November.

On Tonight’s New ‘South Park,’ Fox News Loves That Trump Is ‘F---ing Satan’

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

Trey Parker and Matt Stone suggest that Trump’s fans are in favor of his Season 27 arc

OK Anti-Woke Teachers Test From Prager U Is Impossible To Fail

Timothy Geigner, Techdirt

The Ryan Walters saga of stupid continues. Walters is the Superintendent of Oklahoma, where he oversees a state education system that ranks near the bottom among states, while also carving out time to lick Donald Trump’s boots as thoroughly as possible. Betwe…

Scott Bessent Says Trump Tariffs Delivering 'Historic Results,' GDP Growth Could Hit 5% — Justin Wolfers Hits Back: 'Ask American Manufacturers'

Vishaal Sanjay, Yahoo Entertainment

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is doubling down on the potential economic upsides of the tariffs, predicting massive revenue growth for the U.S. Government...

UK and allies ready to back Ukraine before and after peace deal

BBC News

The UK and other allies hope to obtain clear US backing for their efforts to shore up Ukraine's defences.

Comedian’s arrest over social media posts sparks warning for Americans

Michael Ramsey, Newsnationnow.com

Britain’s Online Safety Act makes it illegal to incite violence through Internet posts.

‘Shameful’: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse push for US transparency

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Some survivors spoke publicly for the first time in an event on Capitol Hill, in support of a bill to release files.

Mamdani calls reports of Trump meddling in NYC mayor's race an 'affront to democracy'

Brittany Shepherd, ABC News

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called reports that the White House is considering jobs for Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa an "affront to our democracy."

The Military Wasn’t Built to Fight Crime

Nancy A. Youssef, Missy Ryan, Jonathan Lemire, Shane Harris, The Atlantic

A missile strike in the Caribbean and National Guard deployments are pushing the armed forces beyond their traditional mission.

American Eagle shares soar after Sydney Sweeney ad

BBC News

The US actress was part of the company's controversial "Great Jeans" campaign which drew backlash.