Trump News for Monday, December 1, 2025

TSA Will Start Charging $45 to Travelers Without Real ID

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

The new fee starts Feb. 1, 2026.

Sen. Kelly slams Trump, calls for investigation into Caribbean strikes

Allison Pecorin, ABC News

"I will not be intimidated by this president," Sen. Kelly said.

'Keep your mouth shut.' Mark Kelly hits back at Trump, Pentagon investigation

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, USA Today

Mark Kelly alleged Donald Trump has “no regard for the rule of law" after the Pentagon announced an investigation into the Democratic senator.

Thousands of U.S. trucking schools could lose accreditation under DOT crackdown

Joel Rose, NPR

The U.S. Transportation Department is threatening to shut down thousands of truck driving schools, part of the Trump administration's widening crackdown on industry.

Zelenskyy says territorial concessions remain Ukraine’s ‘biggest challenge’

Caolán Magee, Al Jazeera English

US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the Kremlin has confirmed.

US Senator Chuck Schumer receives bomb threats at three offices in New York

Andy Hirschfeld, Al Jazeera English

Threatening emails say '2020 election was rigged', echoing Trump's false claims about the vote.

Trump loyalist Habba out as top NJ attorney after losing appeal

Garrett Owen, Salon

An appeals court upheld a lower court's decision that the Trump loyalist was serving illegally.

Hondurans Called Right-Wing Ex-President a “Narco-Dictator.” Trump Plans to Pardon Him — but Threatens War on Venezuela

Jared Olson, Noah Hurowitz, The Intercept

Juan Orlando Hernández has been promised a pardon for drug trafficking. Trump is threatening to oust Nicolás Maduro over similar allegations. The post Hondurans Called Right-Wing Ex-President a “Narco-Dictator.” Trump Plans to Pardon Him — but Threatens War o…

Trump’s ultimatum to Maduro: “Leave the country now”

Garrett Owen, Salon

Recent calls between Trump and Maduro have been tense, per reports.

GOP-led states settle lawsuit against federal government over checking citizenship status of voters

HANNAH FINGERHUT, Yahoo Entertainment

Four Republican-led states agreed to settle lawsuits against the federal government over access to voters' citizenship data, ending a dispute that began with...

Hegseth slams report on boat strike targeting attack survivors, denies war crimes

Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, New York Daily News

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has slammed a report alleging he ordered U.S. service members to launch a second strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel...

Trump to host Rwanda, DRC leaders at White House to sign peace agreement

Al Jazeera Staff, News Agencies, Al Jazeera English

Meeting to build on earlier agreements to end fighting in eastern DRC, which has persisted throughout talks.

Experts explain what the law says about killing survivors of a boat strike

BEN FINLEY, Yahoo Entertainment

Leveling a second strike on the survivors of an initial attack on an alleged drug boat would have been a crime, legal experts say. It doesn’t matter whether...

New York Casino Next To Citi Field Approved After Years Of Wrangling; Mets Owner Steve Cohen To Run It

Dade Hayes, Deadline

An investment group led by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has secured a license from New York state officials to build one of three casinos slated to be the first within city limits. The bid was approved by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board on Mond…

US Navy commander ordered second Venezuela boat strike, White House says

Brandon Drenon - BBC News, BBC News

The White House confirmed the second strikes on 2 September, but denied reports that Defence Secretary Hegseth said "kill everybody" on board the vessel.

Pete Hegseth Needs to Go—Now

Tom Nichols, The Atlantic

A man with such contempt for the military should not run the Pentagon.

Why is the US on the verge of war with Venezuela?

Joshua Keating, Vox

Since the early fall, the US has been building up its military forces in the Caribbean and launching airstrikes on alleged drug boats, fueling speculation that it is planning a major military operation against the government of Venezuela.  And if the past few…

What to know about this year’s White House holiday decorations

Associated Press

Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the holiday decorations for her family’s first Christmas back at the White House and her theme is “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” The decor also nods to next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Indep…

White House physician says Trump's imaging test results were 'perfectly normal'

Mary Kekatos, ABC News

The White House released the results of President Donald Trump's recent advanced imaging tests on Monday, describing them as "perfectly normal."

Amid growing bipartisan scrutiny of Pete Hegseth, Trump says he 'wouldn't have wanted … a second strike' on alleged Venezuelan drug boat survivors

Andrew Romano, Yahoo Entertainment

Military experts and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have characterized the Sept. 2 attack as a possible "war crime."

White House confirms second strike on alleged drug boat survivors as lawmakers suggest it could be a war crime

Andrew Romano, Yahoo Entertainment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has insisted that "current operations in the Caribbean are lawful."

As political winds shift, top chipmaker TSMC looks beyond Taiwan

John Ruwitch, NPR

The lifeblood of Silicon Valley — advanced microchips — pumps from a science park on Taiwan's west coast, mostly from TSMC, the world's biggest chipmaker. But now the company is looking abroad for places to grow.

Afghan suspect in DC National Guard attack appeared to suffer personal crisis

Brian Mann, NPR

Rahmanullah Lakanwal an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on November 26. One of those soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her wounds.

This Xbox Series X Best Buy deal (no, seriously) throws in a $100 gift card for Cyber Monday — hurry if you want to save

samuelwtolbert@gmail.com (Samuel Tolbert) , Samuel Tolbert, Windows Central

A Cyber Monday deal at Best Buy will net you a $100 gift card when you buy an Xbox Series X, making it easily the best deal on an Xbox console this season.

“In over his head”: Report claims FBI is a “rudderless ship” under Patel

Garrett Owen, Salon

A report from sources inside the FBI claims that the bureau is floundering under the Trump Cabinet pick.

1st European to fly to the moon will be German

tereza.pultarova@futurenet.com (Tereza Pultarova) , Tereza Pultarova, Space.com

A German astronaut will be the first European to fly to the moon with a future NASA-led Artemis mission.

Ellen DeGeneres Is Reportedly Crawling Back To America

Keegan Kelly, Cracked.com

DeGeneres hates the cold more than she hates Trump

Zelenskyy says US peace plan ‘looks better’ with new revisions

Al Jazeera English

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke optimistically about revising the plan to end its war with Russia.

Franklin the Turtle Becomes an AI Meme After Pete Hegseth Jokes About War Crimes

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

Even Republicans are calling for an investigation.

Top consultant exits Mace’s gubernatorial campaign, says congresswoman ‘decided to turn her back on MAGA’

Sophie Brams, WCBD News 2

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A top consultant in Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s bid for South Carolina governor in 2026 announced Monday he is stepping away ...

Diddy Rips Netflix & 50 Cent Over ‘Reckoning’ Docuseries: “Shameful Hit Piece,” Says Incarcerated Ex-Music Mogul

Dominic Patten, Deadline

Sean “Diddy” Combs insists that Netflix should have never got into business with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and the streamer should  definitely not used “stolen” footage of the currently incarcerated All About the Benjamins’ performer for the docuseries launchi…

Intel makes a tiny comeback in PC graphics cards at 1 percent

Mark Hachman, PCWorld

Little has changed in the PC graphics-card market, according to a new report Monday. Nvidia still controls the vast majority of the PC graphics card market, but Intel actually has a small share. Yes, Intel and its partners managed to sell enough PC grap…

Americanswers… On 5 Live! Why has the US been accused of war crimes off the Venezuelan coast?

BBC News

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called the claims “fake news”

Trump administration discusses Venezuela amid military build-up concerns

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

US military build-up near Venezuela raises fearof invasion; White House defends kill order of alleged drug smugglers.

“Dude, grab a history book,” Steve Bannon said about Marco Rubio.

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

Trump ally Steve Bannon fired some shots at Marco Rubio in the latest installment of MAGA’s splintering. The right-wing pundit spoke on his War Room podcast ...

Trump admin live updates: WH says Adm. Bradley gave order on 2nd drug boat strike

Megan Forrester, Kevin Shalvey, ABC News

Karoline Leavitt said Adm. Mitch Bradley made the order for the second strike.

Europol Shuts Down Bitcoin Mixer That Processed €1.3 Billion Worth of Crypto

Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com

Centralized mixing tools for obscuring crypto transactions are the latest target of authorities.

Ex-Defense chief Panetta says he doesn’t ‘think there’s any question’ second strike was war crime

Tara Suter, The Hill

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday he doesn’t “think there’s any question” a reported second U.S. strike on an alleged Caribbean drug boat was...

Mike Johnson, Al Gore stump in high-stakes TN congressional race

Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, Tennessean

As Democrat Aftyn Behn closes the gap in a historically GOP district, Speaker Mike Johnson seeks to defend Republicans' razor-thin House majority.

Trump says Israel must seek ‘strong and true dialogue’ with Syria

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Donald Trump warns against actions that could 'interfere with Syria’s evolution' amid new Israeli incursion, strikes.

Once Again, The Trump Administration Is Caught Lying About Deportation Options For Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

The Trump administration just lies and lies and lies. Those in charge assume they can just bluster their way past the system of checks and balances. For everything else, there’s AI generated memes depicting Trump taking a shit on the people he serves. Win-win…

Fired worker sues government in case that could upend civil rights laws

Carrie Johnson, NPR

A fired immigration judge says she was dismissed from her job because of her gender, her status as a dual citizen of Lebanon, and the fact that she once ran for municipal office in Ohio as a Democrat.

Dan Bongino Scrambles to Explain Epstein Files Redaction Email

Tom Latchem, Daily Beast

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is on the defensive after the release of an email showing he’d been made aware of the Trump administration’s sweeping...

US, UK agree to zero tariffs on medicines; UK commits to higher spending

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The deal involves a major change in how the UK values drugs and will apply to all new medicines, not just US ones.

I toured the White House to see Melania Trump's Christmas decorations. The East Wing is no more, but the display was still dazzling.

tlakritz@businessinsider.com (Talia Lakritz), Business Insider

First lady Melania Trump unveiled the 2025 White House Christmas decorations centered on the theme "Home Is Where The Heart Is."

MacBooks Could Have ‘Intel Inside’ Once Again, Sort Of

Kyle Barr, Gizmodo.com

Apple is throwing the beleaguered chipmaker a bone.

‘The Order Was to Kill Everybody’: A Savage Incident at Sea

David Kurtz, TPM

The Implications Are Vast and Serious The explosive holiday story from the WaPo — that on orders from Defense Secretary...

“France Is Boiling”: French Soldier’s “Odd” Behavior Behind Macron Before Abruptly Leaving The Stage Sparks Conspiracy Theories

Gabija Saveiskyte, Boredpanda.com

"Silent act of defiance?"

Ukraine seeks to shore up support in Brussels, Paris

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Senior US officials will meet President Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, two days after US-Ukraine peace talks in Florida.

Trump to hold Venezuela Oval Office meeting... Developing...

Natasha Bertrand, Alayna Treene, CNN

Trump to hold Venezuela Oval Office meeting... Developing... (First column, 1st story, link) Related stories:White House gives Maduro ultimatum... 11 warships and 15,000 troops in Caribbean... Threats bring war closer as contradictions…

She Was a 19-Year-Old College Freshman Flying Home for Thanksgiving. Within 48 Hours She Was Deported to Honduras.

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

The same week that Trump pardoned the drug-trafficking former president of Honduras, his admin deported a 19-year-old college student there as she flew home for Thanksgiving.

Confused Trump, 79, Instantly Forgets He Just Refused to Comment

Will Neal, Daily Beast

President Donald Trump declined to answer a question from a reporter—only to instantly forget and then confirm exactly what she’d just asked him. During the ...

Trump says he will release MRI results, but has “no idea” what part of his body was scanned

Garrett Owen, Salon

Trump's health has been under intense scrutiny since taking office

Newsom 2028: Hollywood Donors Start Lining Up Behind Expected White House Bid; “He’s A Fighter, That’s What We Need!”

Dominic Patten, Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Later this week, Gavin Newsom will once again command a portion of the national spotlight. Set as the marquee interview for the New York Times’ annual DealBook Summit, the California governor is attracting a lot of big league attention of late all …

Jackie Chan Thought ‘Rush Hour’ Was "Terrible"

JM McNab, Cracked.com

The martial arts star sure didn’t love his biggest American franchise

Appeals court disqualifies Alina Habba from serving as US attorney for New Jersey

Aaron Katersky, Peter Charalambous, ABC News

A federal appeals court has disqualified President Trump's former personal attorney Alina Habba from serving as the U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

Bongino 'Something Of A Clown'...

Rhian Lubin, The-independent.com

Bongino 'Something Of A Clown'... (Second column, 7th story, link) Related stories:Damning Report Labels FBI 'Rudderless Ship' Under Patel... Tantrum Exposed in Bombshell Dossier... Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Be…

In Trump country, suburban grandmas push back against ICE...

Victoria Moorwood, USA Today

A grassroots group of seniors protests Ohio county's cooperation with ICE. Only retirees are free to attend daytime commissioners' meetings, they say.

Trump threats bring war closer as contradictions and legal fears mount...

Stephen Collinson, CNN

Trump threats bring war closer as contradictions and legal fears mount... (First column, 3rd story, link) Related stories:White House gives Maduro ultimatum as U.S. moves toward land operations... 11 warships and 15,000 troops now in Ca…

Trump Gutted AIDS Health Care at the Worst Possible Time

Steven W. Thrasher, Afeef Nessouli, The Intercept

By the first World AIDS Day of his second term, Trump gutted LGBTQ+ employment globally and put humanity at greater risk of AIDS. The post Trump Gutted AIDS Health Care at the Worst Possible Time appeared first on The Intercept.

In attacking Mark Kelly, Trump is elevating a 2028 contender

Jason Kyle Howard, Salon

The president's threats are setting up the Arizona senator for a presidential bid

Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba disqualified as New Jersey prosecutor, US appeals court rules

MIKE CATALINI, Yahoo Entertainment

President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Alina Habba, whom the administration has maneuvered to keep in place as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor, ...

Melania Trump reveals White House holiday decorations and her theme, 'Home Is Where the Heart Is'

DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Yahoo Entertainment

Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the White House holiday decorations and her theme is “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” her first since she resumed the role of...

Trump Vowed to ‘End Inflation’ — His Voters Are Growing Impatient

Yahoo Entertainment

The most powerful news photos of the year

Talia Lakritz, Business Insider

The most powerful news photos taken by Getty Images photographers in 2025 captured political unrest, natural disasters, and other major news events.

Trump Withholding Billions In Grants From States That Engage In Corporate Oversight

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Hoping to repay corporate America’s feckless support of authoritarianism, the Trump administration is once again attempting to illegally ban all state and federal oversight of corporate power. Both via executive order, and by withholding already awarded grant…

Eli Lilly cuts Zepbound price to widen access for obesity drug

Reuters, Yahoo Entertainment

Dec 1 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly said on Monday it has lowered the price of single-dose vials of its popular obesity drug Zepbound to make the treatment more...

The End of Soft Power in Washington

Michael Powell, The Atlantic

David Rubenstein was the quintessential symbol of wealth and influence in the capital. Then Donald Trump returned to the White House.

What does Netanyahu want to be pardoned for and is it possible?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

The Israeli prime minister is facing corruption charges that could see him sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. tightens immigration after National Guard shooting. And, latest on Ukraine talks

Brittney Melton, NPR

The White House is moving swiftly to tighten legal immigration reviews after two National Guard members were shot last week. And, Ukraine enters a new round of negotiations to end the war with Russia.

Don't Forget to Pardon One Drug Trafficker When You're Prepping to Invade Another

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Even as the U.S. masses troops to potentially depose Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, Trump is busy pardoning another drug trafficking president.

Four dead in Russian attack as diplomatic efforts to end war continue

BBC News

As US negotiating teams continue to hold talks with Moscow and Kyiv, Russia's attacks on Ukraine continue.

Growing political contributions from billionaires

Nathan Yau, Flowingdata.com

The Washington Post examined political contributions from the 100 wealthiest Americans, which have shown big swings the past few years. What changed? Republicans long characterized Silicon Valley a…

Mike Johnson’s Got the Work of a Firefighter, the Mind of a Therapist, and the Brain of a Waffle

Danielle Han, Jezebel

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

NATO mulling preemptive strikes against Russia?

Patrick Harrington, The-sun.com

NATO mulling preemptive strikes against Russia? (Third column, 4th story, link) Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

Zelenskyy arrives in Paris for talks with Macron as U.S.-led peace negotiations advance

SYLVIE CORBET, Yahoo Entertainment

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday at the Elysée presidential palace in Paris, part of a flurry of...

National Guardsmen shooting suspect: Afghan commander's death, financial woes surface

Pierre Thomas, Aleem Agha, Luke Barr, ABC News

The death of the commander -- whom Rahmanullah Lakanwal is said to have revered -- had deeply saddened the suspect, sources said.

Tennessee’s special House election should be a GOP cakewalk — but voters are really sick of Trump

Michael A. Cohen, Ms.now

The sudden competitiveness of an election in a heavily gerrymandered Republican district could be a sign of rising political fortunes for Democrats.

Republican dissenters spark discharge petition clash with Johnson

Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is staring down a potential political firestorm in the coming weeks as a few Republican dissenters aim to use a rare procedural ...

Donna Lieberman Is at the Wheel

Dan Greene, The New Yorker

The head of the New York Civil Liberties Union doesn’t only lead the fight against injustice. She can also make you a great pottery bowl, Dan Greene writes.

Tartuffe Times Two

Henry Alford, The New Yorker

Matthew Broderick and André De Shields have both undertaken Molière’s con-man character. They feel he has a few things in common with a certain orange President, Henry Alford writes.

Mamdani Family Values

Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker

Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran’s father, just published his twelfth book. The subject? Dictators, Jake Offenhartz writes.

Trump Has Never Been More Isolated

Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic

Even Trump’s allies worry that he has become out of touch with what the public wants.

438 Reasons to Doubt that David Sacks Should Work for the Federal Government

Mike Pearl, Gizmodo.com

His investments may expose him to conflicts of interest. They also probably distort common sense.

Trump Wants to Make African Countries Share Abortion Data to Get AIDS Funding

Jessica Washington, The Intercept

An aid agreement template would require countries to share vast amounts of health data, including on abortion, to receive funds to combat HIV and other infectious diseases. The post Trump Wants to Make African Countries Share Abortion Data to Get AIDS Funding…

And Now a Moment for Kim Kardashian's Brain

Nora Biette-Timmons, Jezebel

I don’t want to be too credulous here, but according to celebrity doctor Daniel Amen, Kim has “holes” in her brain and “low activity” in her frontal lobe.

Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura leads Honduras race, early trends show

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Nasry Asfura holds a narrow lead over his rival Salvador Nasralla, with about 40 percent of the votes counted.

After US-Ukraine meeting in Florida, focus shifts to Putin

Patrick Reevell, Kevin Shalvey, ABC News

The presidents of Ukraine and Russia are expected to be briefed this week on outcomes of Sunday's U.S.-Ukraine talks.

Former US immigration judge among dozens fired

Al Jazeera English

Former US immigration judge among dozens fired

WATCH: Bear enjoys fresh snowfall at Chicago zoo

ABC News

A resident bear at Brookfield Zoo Chicago took delight in the fresh snowfall over the weekend, rolling around in the snow.

Trump Posts Cryptic Ballroom Message After Major Building Setbacks

Cameron Adams, Daily Beast

Donald Trump has issued a cryptic message about his beloved ballroom following clashes between the president and the architect he hand-picked to design his...

Ukrainian President Zelensky set for visit to Republic of Ireland

BBC News

It will be the first official visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president and first lady.

Trump Gives Bonkers Excuse for Pardoning Drug-Runner President

Julia Ornedo, Daily Beast

President Donald Trump defended his pardon of a former Honduran president who once bragged that he would “stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses.” Trump, 79, ...

Why is work-related migration to rich countries falling?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Migration tide turns as rich countries see a slowdown and shifting flows of inbound people.

Indiana lawmakers in state House to convene session with redistricting top of mind

ISABELLA VOLMERT, Yahoo Entertainment

Indiana House members are expected to push forward Monday with redrawing the state’s congressional districts in Republicans’ favor, increasing pressure on...

Venezuela calls on OPEC to counter US threats

Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English

Maduro asks oil-producing bloc to help protect Venezuela's oil reserves from US 'aggression'.

US lawmakers demand answers over Hegseth Venezuela boat strike claims

BBC News

Concern over media reports that the US military carried out a second strike killing survivors on a suspected drug boat prompts a bipartisan inquiry.

Israelis protest in Tel Aviv after Netanyahu seeks pardon on fraud cases

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Protesters rally outside President Isaac Herzog's home demanding he reject the prime minister's request for a pardon.

The president, whose own mother was a naturalized citizen, doubled down on his vow to strip some Americans of their citizenship.

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his push to revoke some Americans’ citizenship. In the wake of Wednesday’s shooting of two National Guard members ...

China wants to lead the world on AI regulation — will the plan work?

Elizabeth Gibney, Nature.com

Having placed artificial intelligence at the centre of its own economic strategy, China is driving efforts to create an international system to govern the technology’s use.