Trump News for Friday, January 16, 2026
81 articles
Sort
Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza 'Board of Peace'
BBC News
The former UK prime minister and US secretary of state will sit on the "founding executive board", the White House says.
Jan 16, 2026, 11:15 PM
Trump to pardon former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez after plea deal
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
Vazquez accepted a plea deal in 2025 after she was accused of participating in a bribery scheme while in office.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:43 PM
Trump names Tony Blair, Jared Kushner to Gaza ‘Board of Peace’
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
This is a breaking news story.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:21 PM
Israeli attacks kill several as Gaza governance committee meets in Cairo
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
Nothing changes on ground for Palestinians needing ‘food, shelter, safety’, who see Trump’s plan as ‘distant, abstract'.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:17 PM
Trump’s Tariffs Just Opened the Door for Chinese EVs in Canada
Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com
Our neighbors to the north are slashing tariffs on Chinese EVs as tensions with the U.S. continue to rise.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:05 PM
Congress passes $24.4 billion NASA budget, rejecting Trump's deep cuts
mwall@space.com (Mike Wall) , Mike Wall, Space.com
"Today, we sent funding bills to the president's desk that reject the steep cuts he wanted and protect investments that families across America depend on every day."
Jan 16, 2026, 10:00 PM
Iran says 3,000 people arrested as antigovernment protests subside
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
Internet access remains cut off as the streets of Tehran, other Iranian cities are largely calm after widescale unrest.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:28 PM
Why is there so much international interest in Greenland?
BBC News
The BBC's Europe Editor Katya Adler has been reporting from Greenland and dissects why the island has so much value in the eyes of President Trump.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:28 PM
Gavin Newsom is heading to Davos with plans to call out Trump
kvlamis@businessinsider.com (Kelsey Vlamis), Business Insider
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is going to Davos next week with plans to call out Trump and "complicit" CEOs.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:21 PM
The Best Videos of ICE Agents Eating Shit in the Brutal Minneapolis Winter
Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com
Watch out for that ice, you fascist clowns.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:20 PM
‘Profoundly pro-American’: Machado outlines a vision for Venezuela’s future
Allison Griner, Al Jazeera English
Machado said the interim government of Delcy Rodriguez would do the 'dirty work' of assuring a democratic transition.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:18 PM
HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened
Kate Storey, Rolling Stone
Two Danish researchers faced accusations of “questionable research practices” as RFK Jr.’s top appointees made their study a “funding priority”
Jan 16, 2026, 9:15 PM
Trump and Mid-Atlantic governors want tech companies to pay for new power plants
Justine Calma, The Verge
The Trump administration and a bipartisan group of governors are pressuring the PJM Interconnection, the biggest electricity market in the US, to hold a power auction meant to spur a massive buildout of new power plants. Together, they're "urging" PJM to hold…
Jan 16, 2026, 8:51 PM
Donald Trump praises Iran for halting mass executions
Al Jazeera English
US President Donald Trump praised Iran for halting what he said were plans to hang more than 800 political prisoners.
Jan 16, 2026, 8:12 PM
Trump’s ‘Free Speech’ Presidency Racked Up 200 Censorship Attempts In Its First Year
Mike Masnick, Techdirt
We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep saying it because apparently it needs repeating: Donald Trump is not a free speech president. He just plays one on TV while doing the exact opposite behind the scenes. And in front of the scenes. And basically everywhere. …
Jan 16, 2026, 8:11 PM
Trump is waffling on Iran strikes. Here are four possible reasons why.
Joshua Keating, Vox
Is help really “on its way” for Iran’s protesters? That’s what President Donald Trump promised in a Truth Social post earlier this week, adding that “Iranians Patriots” should “KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” Trump first threatened that the …
Jan 16, 2026, 7:59 PM
It took 75 governors to elect a woman. Spanberger will soon be at Virginia's helm
Margaret Barthel, NPR
Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is breaking long-held traditions on inauguration day. She says she wants her swearing-in to showcase the state's modern vibrancy.
Jan 16, 2026, 7:56 PM
Jerome Powell’s Thankless Rescue of Trump
Roger Lowenstein, The Atlantic
The Fed chair has saved Trump from his worst instincts but failed to do so for Biden.
Jan 16, 2026, 7:50 PM
Trump’s Fateful Choice in Iran
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic
Taking military action is risky. Falsely encouraging freedom fighters would be shameful.
Jan 16, 2026, 7:47 PM
European troops deploy to Greenland as Trump's annexation threats intensify
Ellsworth Toohey, Boing Boing
France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden are sending troops to Greenland, with approximately 15 French mountain infantry soldiers already in Nuuk and a 13-person German reconnaissance team deploying Thursday, reports NPR. Denmark is also ramping up its own militar…
Jan 16, 2026, 7:04 PM
What next for Iran's Supreme Leader?
BBC News
Despite the bloodbath of recent weeks, Ayatollah Khamenei might think he must plough on with an iron fist
Jan 16, 2026, 6:58 PM
Welcome To The Resistance… Grand Juries?
Tim Cushing, Techdirt
The DOJ can’t indict a ham sandwich these days. That old saying doesn’t ring as true as it used to now that most of the DOJ’s work is just vindictive prosecutions. It’s not just cases being tossed because DOJ prosecutors weren’t legally appointed to their pos…
Jan 16, 2026, 6:52 PM
What are the hurdles to implementing phase two of Gaza ceasefire?
Al Jazeera English
The US says its Gaza plan is moving towards disarmament and reconstruction.
Jan 16, 2026, 6:33 PM
Democrats Ask SEC to Explain Lack of Enforcement on Trump-Linked Crypto Entities
Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com
“Given the industry’s history of investor-harm... this turn raises troubling questions about the SEC’s priorities and effectiveness."
Jan 16, 2026, 5:35 PM
Anthony Scaramucci thinks Trump’s ‘hard-left’ move to cap credit-card fees is because he’s ‘texting back and forth with Mayor Mamdani’
Nick Lichtenberg, Eva Roytburg, Yahoo Entertainment
The "mooch" says it really shows a pivot to "full nihilism." His podcast guest, longtime GOP strategist Stuart Stevens, called it "darkly hysterical."
Jan 16, 2026, 5:29 PM
The Case For A 100-Justice Supreme Court
Mike Masnick, Techdirt
With the current mess that the US is in, there has been plenty of talk of “what comes after” and how to think about the big structural changes needed to prevent another authoritarian from taking over and abusing all the levers of power for corruption and self…
Jan 16, 2026, 5:22 PM
Ludacris Drops Off MAGA-Adjacent Rock the Country Tour
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone
Rapper received blowback from fans when his name appeared on lineup of country music festival headlined by Kid Rock and Jason Aldean
Jan 16, 2026, 5:21 PM
Canada, China strike trade deals to slash tariffs on EVs, canola
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
Carney is the first Canadian PM to visit China since 2017 and is seeking to rebuild ties as he looks for new markets.
Jan 16, 2026, 5:15 PM
How Trump is breaking with precedent by naming a growing list of federal properties after himself
Associated Press, Ap.org
Most American presidents aspire to the kind of greatness that prompts future generations to name important things in their honor.Donald Trump isn’t leaving it to future generations.As the first year of his second term wraps up, his Republican administration a…
Jan 16, 2026, 4:30 PM
Trump struck deals with 16 drug companies. But they're still raising prices this year
Sydney Lupkin, NPR
All 16 drug companies that inked deals with the Trump administration over the past few months still raised some of their prices for 2026.
Jan 16, 2026, 4:13 PM
Son of Iran's last shah appeals for more pressure to help protesters
By Humeyra Pamuk, Yahoo Entertainment
By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi on Friday urged the international community to ramp up pressure on the...
Jan 16, 2026, 4:06 PM
Former USDS Leaders Launch Tech Reform Project to Fix What DOGE Broke
Steven Levy, Wired
The plan, which is still in its early stages, is spearheaded by former USDS administrator Mikey Dickerson.
Jan 16, 2026, 4:00 PM
Trump may tariff countries that don’t go along with his Greenland plan
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
Greenland’s location and resources make it vital to US security, Trump argues in his ongoing push for acquisition.
Jan 16, 2026, 3:57 PM
Machado vows to lead Venezuela 'when right time comes'
BBC News
The opposition leader says she has a mandate to lead the country after the US seized its president.
Jan 16, 2026, 3:50 PM
WATCH: Family of Khyree Jackson gets Super Bowl surprise
ABC News
The family of the Minnesota Vikings rookie who was killed in a 2024 car crash receives a Super Bowl surprise on "Good Morning America."
Jan 16, 2026, 3:31 PM
Why is Venezuela ‘uninvestable’ for Big Oil?
Al Jazeera English
After seizures, sanctions and collapse, can Venezuela ever win back Big Oil’s trust?
Jan 16, 2026, 3:27 PM
Who is Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah?
BBC News
He has been a prominent voice calling for protests against Iran's authoritarian regime to continue.
Jan 16, 2026, 2:21 PM
Arizona Man Gets 5 Years in Prison for Setting Fire to Cybertruck
Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com
Elon Musk remains at large.
Jan 16, 2026, 2:20 PM
As Russian attacks worsen Ukraine’s energy woes, Trump rebukes Kyiv
John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English
Moscow hits Ukraine with hail of drones and missiles as US president says Kyiv 'less ready for a deal' than Russia.
Jan 16, 2026, 1:56 PM
Lawmakers urge FTC to probe Trump Mobile over 'deceptive' marketing
Connor Jones, Theregister.com
Gold phone more like fool's gold as none show up six months later Senator Elizabeth Warren is leading calls for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Trump Mobile for failing to ship gold phones, months after collecting deposits.…
Jan 16, 2026, 1:29 PM
Trump FCC Helps Verizon Make It Harder For You To Switch Wireless Carriers
Karl Bode, Techdirt
Last May we noted how Verizon was lobbying the Trump administration to eliminate rules making it easier to switch mobile providers (and bring your phone with you). And as usual with the pay-to-play Trump administration, the Trump FCC is tripping over itself t…
Jan 16, 2026, 1:25 PM
Analysis: Why a ‘quick and clean’ US attack on Iran won’t be easy
Andreas Krieg, Al Jazeera English
Donald Trump has boxed himself in by promising to 'help' Iran's protesters. But he has few good options.
Jan 16, 2026, 1:04 PM
Trump Hit by Humiliating Poll Showing Just How Much He’s Failing
Ewan Palmer, Daily Beast
Donald Trump is losing the support of Americans on every major hot-button issue, and a majority now say the president’s second term has been a disaster in a ...
Jan 16, 2026, 1:00 PM
Trump threatens military action in Minneapolis. And, inside his healthcare plan
Brittney Melton, NPR
President Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota to stop protests happening in Minneapolis. And, the president unveils what he calls a new healthcare plan.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:35 PM
Ukraine’s battered power grid faces unprecedented challenge, energy minister says
ILLIA NOVIKOV, Yahoo Entertainment
Russia has not spared a single Ukrainian power plant from attack since its all-out invasion, Ukraine’s new energy minister said Friday, as a recent...
Jan 16, 2026, 12:32 PM
Venezuela’s Machado gives Trump her Nobel Peace Prize: Is it his now?
Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English
Machado and Trump met at the White House amid uncertainty over the future of Venezuela.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:27 PM
Microsoft stock continues downward trend, dropping 10% — ballooning infrastructure CAPEX, shrinking AI hype, and Google blamed
jez@windowscentral.com (Jez Corden) , Jez Corden, Windows Central
Microsoft execs have offloaded millions of dollars worth of stock over the past quarter, as the firm's outlook (no pun intended) looks murky.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:23 PM
'I was hit in the face by pellets': Iranians on border describe violence and more protests
BBC News
The BBC speaks to Iranians at the border with Iraq, as authorities continue to block the flow of information with an internet blackout.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:02 PM
Trump-Administration Officials Describe an Elementary School Drop-Off
Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic
Once they’ve identified you as the enemy, every action looks sinister.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:00 PM
Prayer leader in Iran and the faithful call for executions over protests, a red line for Trump
JON GAMBRELL, Yahoo Entertainment
A hard-line cleric leading Friday prayers in Iran's capital demanded the death penalty for protesters detained in a nationwide crackdown and directly...
Jan 16, 2026, 11:53 AM
10 Friday AM Reads
Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com
My end-of-week morning train WFH reads: • 10 Breakthrough Technologies: Here are the advances that we think will drive progress or incite the most change—for better or worse—in the years ahead. (MIT Technology Review) • $25 Billion. That’s What Trump Cost Det…
Jan 16, 2026, 11:30 AM
A Witness Says He Saw ICE Agents Choking a Migrant. His Death Will Likely Be Ruled a Homicide.
Jim Vorel, Jezebel
The medical examiner said that following a struggle with ICE staff, Geraldo Lunas Campos died of asphyxiation.
Jan 16, 2026, 11:22 AM
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese EVs in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products
The Associated Press, NPR
Breaking with the United States, Canada has agreed to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday.
Jan 16, 2026, 11:00 AM
'Real nightmare scenario': How Nvidia's China struggles could hurt its competitive edge
Laura Bratton, Yahoo Entertainment
Nvidia could face the risk of ceding its software edge if it loses the China market.
Jan 16, 2026, 11:00 AM
In Venezuela, Big Oil Collides with a Hotter Planet
Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, Scientific American
A break down of why Venezuela’s oil boom is clashing with a hotter, more fragile planet
Jan 16, 2026, 11:00 AM
Over 2,500 buildings reportedly destroyed in Gaza by Israel since ceasefire
Amy Peacock, Dezeen
Research carried out by The New York Times has shown that over 2,500 structures in Gaza have been destroyed by Israeli actions since a ceasefire agreement was made in October 2025. Analysing satellite imagery from Planet Labs, the New York Times reported that…
Jan 16, 2026, 10:35 AM
20th Woman to Ever Win the Nobel Peace Prize Gives It to a Man
Danielle Han, Jezebel
Maybe can Trump can display the medal next to his fake FIFA Peace Prize.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:32 AM
CNN’s MAGA Star Caught Making Rude Gesture to Defend Trump
The Daily Beast, Daily Beast
Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings performed an Olympic-level eye roll during a heated discussion over the impact of ICE raids. Jennings joined a fiery...
Jan 16, 2026, 10:15 AM
About 1.4 Million Fewer Americans May Now Have Health Insurance, Thanks to Spiking ACA Premiums
Jim Vorel, Jezebel
Some 1.4 million people who had health insurance through the ACA last year don't have it now, as premiums become too expensive to afford.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:09 AM
With limited political power, Minnesota Democrats navigate resistance to Trump
Clay Masters, NPR
From public pleas to lawsuits, Minnesota's Democratic leaders are trying to stop the surge of federal agents on their streets.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:00 AM
Minnesota shows what happens when governing and content creation merge
Stephen Fowler, NPR
As President Trump approaches one year back in office, the policies his administration pursues — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:00 AM
House Republicans are investigating Jan. 6. NPR fact-checked the first hearing
Tom Dreisbach, NPR
A Republican-led congressional subcommittee is leading a new investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Do their claims add up?
Jan 16, 2026, 10:00 AM
FEMA is getting rid of thousands of workers in areas recovering from disasters
Rebecca Hersher, NPR
Thousands of employees whose contracts end this year will lose their jobs, FEMA managers said at personnel meetings this week. The cuts could hobble the nation's disaster agency.
Jan 16, 2026, 10:00 AM
Political science professor talks about María Corina Machado's meeting with Trump
A Martínez, NPR
NPR's A Martinez talks to Eduardo Gamarra, a politics and international relations professor at Florida International University, about María Corina Machado's meeting with President Trump.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:44 AM
UN treaty to protect ‘extraordinary’ marine life due to come into force
Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English
World-first pact aims to protect 10 million species from threats like climate change, overfishing and deep-sea mining.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:18 AM
Will eliminating fraud clear the US national deficit as Trump claims?
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
US president says 'massive' fraud has caused budget imbalance, but calculations do not support this.
Jan 16, 2026, 9:06 AM
Canada’s Carney hails ‘strategic partnership’ in talks with China’s Xi
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seeking to reset ties with Beijing amid global tensions and US tariffs.
Jan 16, 2026, 8:50 AM
‘Easy way or hard’: Trump issues new demand for Hamas demilitarisation
Al Jazeera Staff, News Agencies, Al Jazeera English
US raising pressure on Hamas to disarm as phase 2 of ceasefire deal launches while Israel yet to act on withdrawal, aid.
Jan 16, 2026, 8:44 AM
Why access to Venezuela’s ‘heavy’ oil is ‘tremendous’ news for US refiners
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
The type of oil held by Venezuela makes it particularly lucrative for US refineries, analysts say.
Jan 16, 2026, 7:35 AM
Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act in Minnesota: What it means
Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English
Trump threatened to invoke the rarely used act if officials failed to quell protests against ICE agents.
Jan 16, 2026, 7:07 AM
Gulf countries gear up diplomacy to stave off US-Iran escalation
Virginia Pietromarchi, Al Jazeera English
Gulf nations don't want the chaos that a US attack on Iran or the collapse of the Islamic Republic would generate.
Jan 16, 2026, 6:59 AM
Macron says Ukraine now relies on France, instead of the US, for intelligence
Matthew Loh, Business Insider
Macron said that Ukraine was previously "overwhelmingly dependent" on US intelligence, but that France is now providing "two-thirds" of that service.
Jan 16, 2026, 5:03 AM
Gold slips as upbeat US data boosts dollar, dims rate-cut bets
By Ishaan Arora, Yahoo Entertainment
By Ishaan Arora Jan 16 (Reuters) - Gold extended its losses on Friday after stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data dampened expectations of the U.S.
Jan 16, 2026, 4:56 AM
RFK Jr.’s FDA Removed A Webpage Of Warnings About Bogus Autism Treatments
Timothy Geigner, Techdirt
Welcome to year two of the unmitigated disaster that is RFK Jr. being in charge of Health and Human Services and its child agencies. To call Kennedy an anti-vaxxer is not remotely controversial any longer, and probably never was. To state that he’s a corrupt …
Jan 16, 2026, 4:01 AM
US seizes sixth tanker as Venezuela’s interim leader vows oil sector reform
Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English
US forces say another Venezuela-linked tanker seized as Trump moves to take control of nation's oil reserves.
Jan 16, 2026, 3:27 AM
Cuba counts cost of alliance after 32 troops killed in Venezuela
BBC News
The recent events in Venezuela have exposed the strategic risks of Cuba’s foreign entanglements.
Jan 16, 2026, 2:49 AM
UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on deadly protests in Iran
Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English
Iran, the US and Iranian civil society spoke about the deadly protests which have been obscured by an internet blackout.
Jan 16, 2026, 2:44 AM
US judge dismisses Justice Department lawsuit seeking California voter details
By Sara Merken, Yahoo Entertainment
By Sara Merken NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit that sought an unredacted statewide voter...
Jan 16, 2026, 2:11 AM
Trump welcomes Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado in closed-door meeting
Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English
The Venezuelan opposition leader said she presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize, an honour he has long coveted.
Jan 16, 2026, 1:54 AM
Vance’s former friend responds to the Vice President’s ICE ‘absolute immunity’ claim: ‘I don’t know if JD knows the law’
CNN
Sofia Nelson, criminal defense attorney and Vice President JD Vance’s former Yale law school classmate and friend, talks to CNN’s Erin Burnett about the...
Jan 16, 2026, 12:44 AM
The Minnesota War Zone Is Trump’s Most Trumpian Accomplishment
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker
Susan B. Glasser on Minnesota’s role in the pantheon of President Donald Trump’s assorted wars, after the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent sparked protests.
Jan 16, 2026, 12:43 AM