Trump News for Monday, November 17, 2025

INSTA Promotes New AI Tool With Trump Kneeling Before Satanic Demon...

Amber Jo Cooper, The Daily Wire

Meta promoted its artificial intelligence’s new “free AI creator tools” on Instagram with a piece of content that appears to show an AI-generated video of President Donald Trump kneeling before a demon.A screenshot of the AI-generated video, showcased i…

A Chinese firm bought an insurer for CIA agents - part of Beijing's trillion dollar spending spree

BBC, BBC News

When an insurer for FBI and CIA agents was sold to a Chinese entity, it led the US to tighten investment laws.

UN Security Council passes US resolution backing Gaza international force

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The measure mandates transitional administration for Gaza and floats 'credible pathway' for Palestinian statehood.

Unpacking claim photo shows US flag touching the ground at White House

Jack Izzo, Snopes.com

According to the United States flag code, the national flag should never be allowed to touch the ground.

US will give visa appointment priority to World Cup ticket holders

BBC News

The Fifa Pass scheme will allow ticket holders to get faster appointments at US embassies

The Last 5 Pennies Ever Made Have a Special Mark and Could Sell for Big Bucks

Macy Meyer, CNET

There will be no more new US pennies, but 300 million are still in circulation -- and the final five are special.

Internal memo: CISA will increase its hiring efforts in 2026 to rebuild after the Trump administration's cuts and prepare for a potential US conflict with China (Eric Geller/Cybersecurity Dive)

Techmeme.com

Eric Geller / Cybersecurity Dive: Internal memo: CISA will increase its hiring efforts in 2026 to rebuild after the Trump administration's cuts and prepare for a potential US conflict with China  —  The agency will also change some of its workforce policies t…

Paris Hilton Breaks Silence After Controversial Pic With Ghislaine Maxwell Reignites Epstein Rumors

Analice Couto, Boredpanda.com

Maxwell allegedly targeted Paris Hilton, believing she would be “perfect” for Epstein.

Move Over Crypto Bros, the AI PACs Are Here to Buy the Next Election

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

And they've already got their first target.

Fact Check: Real photo of Trump and Bill Clinton shared with false claim about groping

Nur Ibrahim, Snopes.com

The two presidents were photographed together at the U.S. Open in 2000.

Trump Organization Announces Tokenized Hotel Development as Crypto ‘Crime Season’ Continues

Rhett Jones, Gizmodo.com

There's a big crypto pot just waiting for anyone to put money into it.

Pete Hegseth Has Turned State Violence Into TikTok Content

Mike Brock, Techdirt

You know this is a spectacle, right? A show. That’s what it is. A performance for social media. With blood. Pete Hegseth just ordered the twenty-first strike on a suspected drug boat. Three more bodies. Another video posted to X showing a vessel bursting into…

Acting FEMA head David Richardson steps down after troubled tenure

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Richardson is the second official President Donald Trump has appointed to lead FEMA since the start of his second term.

Trump says he will approve sale of F-35 fighter jet to Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

US president signals major arms deal ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.

Trump sparks new health concerns with raspy voice...

Forrest McFarland, The-sun.com

Trump sparks new health concerns with raspy voice... (First column, 5th story, link) Related stories:American Flag Lying on Ground at White House Raises Questions...

Trump says he would sign bill to release Epstein files if it reaches his desk

Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News

Trump said he would sign the bill to compel the Justice Department to release all files relating sex offender Jeffrey Epstein if it comes to his desk.

Judge Rules Trump Can’t Cut UC Funding — but UC Leaders Are Still Negotiating a Settlement

Natasha Lennard, The Intercept

Nationwide, faculty and students fight against Trump’s assault on higher education — and administrators capitulate. The post Judge Rules Trump Can’t Cut UC Funding — but UC Leaders Are Still Negotiating a Settlement appeared first on The Intercept.

Bitcoin price under pressure, slips below $92,000 as 'self-fulfilling prophecy' puts 4-year cycle in focus

Ines Ferré, Yahoo Entertainment

Bitcoin prices were below $92,000 on Monday, while questions mount about whether the market has already hit its cycle high.

Ukraine’s Questionable Plan To Buy Up To 100 Rafale Fighters

Thomas Newdick, Twz.com

After signing a letter of intent for up to 150 Swedish-made Gripen jets, Ukraine has now added up to 100 French Rafales to its future fighter list.

Timofey Mozgov said American views of Russia and Vladimir Putin were stereotypes: "They try to make their country better"

Julian Eschenbach, Basketball Network

Timofev explored Americans' misconceptions.

Why are stocks falling and what should investors do? Experts explain

MAX ZAHN, ABC News

Stocks tumbled on Monday, extending a dayslong slide.

Prosecutors ask appeals court to let ex-officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid out of prison

DYLAN LOVAN, Yahoo Entertainment

The U.S. Department of Justice is arguing that a former Louisville police officer convicted of using excessive force during the deadly Breonna Taylor raid...

‘Disturbing pattern’: US judge rebukes ‘missteps’ in James Comey indictment

Allison Griner, Al Jazeera English

Judge William Fitzpatrick wrote there was 'a reasonable basis' to question whether 'government misconduct' occurred.

The Story Behind the ‘Shining’ Couple That Became a Trump-Clinton Meme

JM McNab, Cracked.com

The horror movie is still far less creepy and random than reality

The US Air Force's new strategic bomber and ICBM got more money — almost $1 billion —in the government shutdown deal

Chris Panella, Business Insider

Funding is going to construction-related projects at Air Force bases expected to house the B-21, as well as infrastructure for Sentinel.

Psychologist Mary Trump sees the same tell-tale signs the president’s father exhibited before he died in 1999.

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

Mary Trump did not hesitate when asked why she believes her uncle, President Donald Trump, is in cognitive decline. In a searing interview on The Daily Beast...

Ariana Grande Hosting ‘SNL’ Christmas Episode With Musical Guest Cher

Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone

'Saturday Night Live' revealed a stacked slate for December, including Ariana Grande, Cher, Josh O'Connor, Melissa McCarthy, Lily Allen, and Dijon.

US families’ ‘mind blown’ with cuts to solar rooftop funds

Saumya Roy, Al Jazeera English

Many US families had been adopting solar panels for their homes to bring down electricity costs which have shot up.

Federal Judges Frees More Than 300 Chicago-Area Detainees Because ICE Violated A 2018 Consent Decree

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Well, well, well. If it isn’t the system of checks and balances. We’ve missed you, buddy! Long story somewhat short: ICE has been terrible for years, but it’s been much worse under Trump. During Trump’s first regime (~2016-2020), ICE got rocked by a court dec…

A normal Thanksgiving? Mass flight cancellations end as holiday rush nears

Sean Cudahy, The Points Guy

Thanksgiving travel is almost here, and flights are getting mostly back to normal. On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration ended cancellation requirements at 40 hubs.

MAGA Beauty Queen Humiliated by Judge Over Botched Probe

Farrah Tomazin, Daily Beast

A federal judge has slammed the Trump Justice Department for a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” in the case against former FBI...

Appeals court denies review of contempt case against Trump admin over deportations

Laura Romero, Peter Charalambous, ABC News

An appeals court denied a request to reconsider an earlier decision that prevented a federal judge from investigating whether the Trump admin acted in contempt.

How Many People Has the U.S. Killed in Boat Strikes?

Nick Turse, The Intercept

The Intercept is keeping count of all publicly declared U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The post How Many People Has the U.S. Killed in Boat Strikes? appeared first on The Intercept.

Kash Patel girlfriend protected by FBI SWAT agents as security perk...

MS NOW, Ms.now

Kash Patel girlfriend protected by FBI SWAT agents as security perk... (First column, 4th story, link) Related stories:Judge scolds Justice Dept for 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case... Developing... Year of Chaos Under Bo…

When is the Epstein files vote - and what happens next?

BBC News

There are still procedural and legal hurdles to cross before the files can be released to the public.

Peter Thiel Is Reportedly Dumping Nvidia Stock Amid AI Bubble Jitters

Ece Yildirim, Gizmodo.com

Are investors turning their backs on Nvidia?

WATCH: Banned college basketball player reveals details of gambling scheme

ABC News

Former University of New Orleans basketball player Dae Dae Hunter is speaking out after being banned for life from the NCAA as a result of his participation in a gambling scheme.

US Supreme Court to weigh ‘metering’ of asylum claims at US-Mexico border

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The Trump administration has sought to restrict asylum claims at the US border, alleging abuse within the system.

Florida grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in US

Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel (TNS), Tampa Bay Times

Paul John Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a German refugee camp a year after World War II ended. His family legally emigrated to the United States in ...

Nicki Minaj to Speak at United Nations on Behalf of Trump Administration

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Well, this is a collab nobody saw coming ... Nicki Minaj is partnering with the Trump Administration to address the United Nations. The "Anaconda" rapper will reportedly join the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Mike Waltz, to deliver remarks Tuesday…

Courage Doesn’t Scale

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

It has been frustrating, to say the least, to watch many of the big Silicon Valley tech firms bow down to Trump and do his bidding, especially when it directly contradicts things they’ve said and done in the past. I’ve tried to explain to tech company execs w…

Trump Wants to Mine Near the Marianas Trench—Some of the Deepest Waters on Earth

Anita Hofschneider, Grist, Gizmodo.com

Efforts to expand deep-sea mining are alarming scientists and Indigenous leaders, who worry mining risks fisheries and food security.

DC Preservation League sues Donald Trump to prevent "irreversible alterations" to Eisenhower building

Tom Ravenscroft, Dezeen

Conservation group DC Preservation League and law firm Cultural Heritage Partners are suing US president Donald Trump to prevent him altering the appearance of the 19th-century Eisenhower building in Washington DC without a review. In the suit, filled in fede…

How Trump’s plan to transform Obamacare would affect millions of Americans

Nick Moyle, nj.com

The proposal would redirect funds from insurance companies to individuals for purchasing their own healthcare coverage as Senate prepares for December vote.

Gaza’s shelter crisis is ‘most dangerous’ disaster of war: Authorities

Faisal Ali, Al Jazeera English

Gaza's Government Media Office warns that hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians face catastrophic conditions.

What to know about abductions of schoolchildren in Nigeria

Associated Press, Yahoo Entertainment

Nigeria says more schoolchildren have been abducted in the country’s volatile north. It's not immediately clear who's to blame in the latest seizure in...

Epstein survivors' video message urges release of files

James Hill, Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News

The women show photos of their younger selves, sharing ages they met Epstein.

Israel’s Ben-Gvir urges killing PA officials if UN backs Palestinian state

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Key Israeli minister say Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should also be jailed if Palestinian statehood advances.

FCC Chair Retweets Trump Call To Fire Seth Meyers ‘Immediately’

Matt Solomon, Cracked.com

By Matt Solomon Published: November 17th, 2025

Ecuador rejects U.S. military bases in major defeat for President Noboa

Carrie Kahn, NPR

Ecuadorians have decisively rejected a series of referendum measures, including plans for U.S. military bases and constitutional changes, handing President Daniel Noboa a major political setback amid rising gang violence.

Can’t Have a MAGA Fallout Without These 3!

Danielle Han, Jezebel

We've entered another new circle of MAGA hell.

Jeffrey Epstein Victim Makes Huge Claim About Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell

Joel Lefevre, Reality Tea

Trafficking victim makes massive revelation about the US President. The post Jeffrey Epstein Victim Makes Huge Claim About Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell...

BBC ‘determined to fight’ Trump lawsuit over Panorama documentary

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

In a letter, BBC Chair Samir Shah argued there remains 'no basis for a defamation case' against the British broadcaster.

More than 130 arrested in North Carolina as governor says immigration crackdown is 'stoking fear'

ERIK VERDUZCO, GARY D. ROBERTSON and BRIAN WITTE, Yahoo Entertainment

U.S. immigration agents arrested more than 130 people in a weekend sweep through North Carolina’s largest city, a federal official said Monday, as the...

Japan’s Takaichi Has Few Options to End China’s Retaliation

Bloomberg News, Yahoo Entertainment

Takaichi this month became the first sitting Japanese leader in decades to publicly link a Taiwan Strait crisis with the possible deployment of Japanese...

Top Dem makes shocking prediction on Epstein files after Trump’s flip-flop

Lauren Sforza, nj.com

Trump urged House Republicans on Sunday to vote to release the Epstein files after months of pleading with them not to do so.

America’s path out of $38 trillion national debt crisis likely involves pushing up inflation and ‘eroding Fed independence,’ says JPMorgan Private Bank

Eleanor Pringle, Yahoo Entertainment

The government could "tolerate stronger growth and higher inflation, allowing real interest rates to fall and the debt burden to shrink over time," JPMB says...

Jimmy Fallon Sees Right Through Donald Trump's MRI Claim On Sunday 'Tonight Show'

Ron Dicker, HuffPost

The host mocked the president's suspicious lack of awareness on the matter.

Former FCC Officials Push To Kill Dated ‘News Distortion’ Rule Trump Abused To Bully CBS And ABC Into Feckless Compliance

Karl Bode, Techdirt

A coalition of former FCC officials are pushing for the elimination of a longstanding FCC rule the Trump administration abused to “bully” ABC and CBS into kissing the president’s ass (I’ll use the term bully loosely since both companies seemed very eager to r…

His family say he was a fisherman. The Saudis say he smuggled drugs. He was one of hundreds executed this year

Muhammad Darwish, CNN, CNN

Egyptian fisherman Mohamed Saad is one of hundreds of people executed this year in Saudi Arabia, most accused of non-lethal drug crimes. Campaigners worry US...

Opinion - The Supreme Court made a horrible mistake when it gave Trump absolute power

William S. Becker, opinion contributor, The Hill

The Supreme Court should admit its error and restore the principle that no one, not even the president of the United States, is exempt from the rule of law.

Growing number struggle to pay bills as Trump faces cost of living pressure

Yahoo Entertainment

American Flag Lying on Ground at White House Raises Questions...

Marni Rose McFall, Newsweek

American Flag Lying on Ground at White House Raises Questions... (First column, 4th story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Why are flags still flying at half-staff in Florida? What to know

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida, Tallahassee Democrat

Flags continue to fly at half-staff in Florida and across the United States for former Vice President Dick Cheney.

‘From the movies’: Sami Hamdi details ‘aggressive’ ICE detention

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Bundled into vehicle with blacked-out windows, British journalist recounts detainment in US due to Palestinian support.

There's an issue that people in big cities and rural areas agree on, according to a new poll

THOMAS BEAUMONT, SIMRAN PARWANI and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX, Yahoo Entertainment

Pessimism about the country's future has risen in cities since last year, but rural America is more optimistic about what's ahead for the U.S., according to ...

The president says it’s important that “people have to decide” about a man whose quotes include “I love Hitler.”

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

President Donald Trump defended Tucker Carlson’s decision to give a softball interview to a Holocaust-denying white nationalist. Nick Fuentes, 27, is one of...

Why has Bitcoin erased all its 2025 gains?

Ramzan Karmali, Yahoo Entertainment

Bitcoin fell into the red for 2025. After topping $126,000 in October, Bitcoin has fallen sharply, wiping out its 2025 gains. Bitcoin’s total market value...

Letters from Our Readers

The New Yorker

Readers respond to E. Tammy Kim’s article about the Trump Administration’s attack on immigration courts, Manvir Singh’s piece about mythologies, and Maggie Doherty’s review of “True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Matthiessen,” by Lance Richardson.

Ice cream and MAGA drama in the American swamp

Belén Fernández, Al Jazeera English

Trump’s breakup with some Republicans may entertain, but it won’t pull American politics out of the plutocratic bog.

Gold prices waver as bets on a Fed rate cut in December falter

Pedro Goncalves, Yahoo Entertainment

Markets now give a 44% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December.

When SC charter school expanded to new campus, local district didn’t get a say

Hannah Wade, The State

The charter school, which classified a new campus as an extension, wasn’t required to inform local district. What the law says.

Pete Hegseth and the Very Porny Military Operations

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.

Warren urges Trump administration to 'immediately cease' student loan selloff plans

Arthur Jones II, ABC News

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is attempting to stop the reported selloff of the $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to private companies.

Google who? How a new generation of media startups is thriving without search traffic

Lucia Moses,Dan Whateley,James Faris, Business Insider

New media startups like The Bulwark and Ankler Media are building their businesses with a focus on loyal subscribers over Google or Facebook traffic.

Justice Department official told prosecutors that U.S. should 'just sink' drug boats

Ryan Lucas, NPR

NPR interviews with current and former officials reveal more of the backstory around the military's strikes in the Caribbean.

How women over 30 are rewriting the single mom narrative in America

Pallavi Gogoi, NPR

Forty percent of babies in the U.S. are born to unmarried mothers. Increasingly, those moms are over 30, at a time when teen pregnancy has fallen off a cliff and births are declining for younger women.

You Will Never Send Money Digitally Without a Private Company — If the GOP Gets Its Way

Matt Sledge, The Intercept

Republicans are trying to permanently block central bank digital currencies that would create an alternative to profit-seeking companies. The post You Will Never Send Money Digitally Without a Private Company — If the GOP Gets Its Way appeared first on The In…

Trump admin live updates: Trump seeks stay of judge's Oregon National Guard order

Kevin Shalvey, ABC News

A federal judge ruled on Friday that Donald Trump "exceeded the President's authority" when he sent federalized National Guard troops into Portland.

Trump's Crypto Hype Fades: Is Bitcoin in Trouble?

Bloomberg, Yahoo Entertainment

Just a little more than a month after hitting an all-time high, Bitcoin has wiped out over 30% of its gains for the year. The excitement around the Trump...

Bitcoin Erases Year's Gain as Crypto Bear Market Deepens

EditorDavid, Slashdot.org

655"Just a little more than a month after reaching an all-time high, Bitcoin has erased the more than 30% gain registered since the start of the year..." reports Bloomberg: The dominant cryptocurrency fell below US$93,714 on Sunday, pushing the price beneath…

Trump backs full release of Epstein files in sharp reversal

David D. Lee, Al Jazeera English

US president backs bipartisan push to release documents amid tensions within his Republican base.

China's investment spree in UK gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC told

BBC News

Tens of billions of pounds has been spent by the Chinese in the UK since 2000, Panorama has learned.

The details of the Chinese billionaire’s pardon have been put on blast by the CBS show.

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

Donald Trump’s pardon for a billionaire Chinese felon with financial links to his family has been called out as “corruption.” Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao,...

‘Chess’ Review: Lea Michele Reigns as Queen of This Uneven Broadway Revival

Gordon Cox, Variety

How do you solve a problem like “Chess”? With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (of ABBA) and Tim Rice, and now with a new version of Rice’s book by Danny Strong, “Chess” tells of the Cold War chess rivalry between Freddie Trumper (Aaron T…

In a shift, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files

NPR Washington Desk, NPR

Members of the House, including some Republicans, have forced a vote as early as Tuesday to release unclassified files held by the government.

Indiana lawmaker who opposed Trump's redistricting push is victim of a swatting

CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Yahoo Entertainment

An Indiana lawmaker who resisted President Donald Trump's push to have Republicans redraw the state's congressional boundaries was the victim of a swatting...

Trump calls on House Republicans to release Epstein files

BBC News

'We have nothing to hide," Trump wrote on Truth Social, in reversal after days of fighting proposal to make more of the Epstein files public.

US flights to return to normal after aviation authority lifts restrictions

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Federal Aviation Administration says airlines can resume normal schedules from Monday.

Trump defends Tucker Carlson after interview with activist known for his antisemitic views

MICHELLE L. PRICE and CHRIS MEGERIAN, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump on Sunday brushed aside concerns about conservative commentator Tucker Carlson's recent interview with a far-right activist known for ...

The FAA says it's lifting shutdown-related flight cuts at airports nationwide

Cheryl Teh, Business Insider

The lifting of flight restrictions will set airports back on a path to step up travel just before Thanksgiving.

Trump plans to meet with Mamdani, says he'll 'work something out' with New York City's mayor-elect

MICHELLE L. PRICE and CHRIS MEGERIAN, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that he plans to meet with New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and said they'll “work something out," in what ...

Jeffrey Epstein's Brother Says 'Bubba' From Trump Email Isn't Bill Clinton

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's brother, is clarifying remarks he made about photos of Donald Trump "blowing Bubba" in a released email, saying they had nothing to do with Bill Clinton. He told The Advocate, “The reference to ‘Bubba’ in this…

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise as investors count down to Nvidia earnings, jobs report

Rian Howlett, Yahoo Entertainment

Investors get their first official read on the labor market this week after a shutdown-induced blackout.

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures climb as traders look toward Nvidia earnings, jobs report

Rian Howlett, Yahoo Entertainment

The major gauges rose after a rocky week, as major players in the AI space failed to impress Wall Street with their earnings reports.

‘No’ vote leads in Ecuador referendum on hosting foreign military bases

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Count of a third of ballots show 60 percent rejection of the proposal to host foreign military bases.

The oil pipeline feud testing Canada's global ambitions

BBC News

The rift between two provinces at odds over a proposed pipeline is straining Canada's unity as it seeks to become an energy superpower.

Chile faces presidential runoff between leftist Jara and far-right’s Kast

David D. Lee, Al Jazeera English

Chile’s presidential appears is headed to a December run-off after leading candidates fail to gain majority votes.

Aaron Sorkin Says Studios “Wouldn’t Agree” To Make ‘The American President’ Today Because Half The Audience Would Be “Alienated”

Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline

Oscar-winning scribe Aaron Sorkin said he doesn’t think studios “would agree” to make his political romantic dramedy The American President today because its...