Trump News for Thursday, January 29, 2026

Canada’s Carney hails new trade deals, ‘expects’ US to respect sovereignty

Al Jazeera and Agencies, Al Jazeera English

Canadian prime minister has sought to rally 'middle powers' to respond to an increasingly unpredictable global climate.

Maybe CISA should take its own advice about insider threats hmmm?

Jessica Lyons, Theregister.com

The call is coming from inside the house opinion Maybe everything is all about timing, like the time (this week) America's lead cyber-defense agency sounded the alarm on insider threats after it came to light that its senior official uploaded sensitive docume…

US Justice Department charges man with assault after Ilhan Omar town hall

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

As part of the government's affidavit, an FBI agent testified to the suspect approaching Omar with a syringe.

Trump looks ready to bomb Iran again. Why?

Joshua Keating, Vox

It appears increasingly likely that in the coming days, the United States will once again launch airstrikes against Iran. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that a “massive Armada is heading to Iran,” referring to the air…

The only federal regulator that oversees prediction markets says it will ease up on Kalshi and others

Jack Newsham, Business Insider

CFTC chairman Michael Selig said the agency would reverse previous statements on prediction markets, write new rules, and speak up in lawsuits.

Trump Shrugs Off the Ilhan Omar Attack

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

He baselessly claimed that the congresswoman “probably had herself sprayed.”

Syria's defiant Kurds vow to 'fight until last breath' despite government push

BBC News

The US fought IS with the Kurds for years. Now, Donald Trump is siding with Syria's new leader.

Why Trump is threatening Iran again

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: More US naval forces are arriving in the Middle East a…

Administration Lied To Itself To Keep Pushing Its Fake ‘Tren De Aragua’ Terrorism Narrative

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

We always knew the narrative was false. The administration’s insistence that Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) was somehow an international menace always rang hollow — just another way to disappear brown people into an El Salvadoran torture prison. For mon…

Apple Drops $2 Billion on Israeli AI Facial Tracking Company

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

Tim Cook is having a week.

White House Scrambles to Fix Humiliating Math Errors

The Daily Beast, Daily Beast

The Trump White House updated its projections of how much children could earn from the newly launched Trump Accounts after criticism that its earlier...

Speak Its Name: Yes, This Is Naziism

Cathy Gellis, Techdirt

History never repeats exactly the same, which is how it can be hard to recognize when it is indeed repeating—too many little things may be different the second time around for subsequent events to be a perfect twin of the previous. But it’s the big things tha…

‘Melania’: What to know about the US first lady’s new documentary

Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera English

The film's high budget has raised questions about efforts by powerful donors to win favour with the White House.

Stacey Abrams Says U.S. Is on Path to Authoritarianism Because of Trump

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Stacey Abrams may not be a congresswoman anymore, but she's very much locked in ... she told us the bloodshed we've been seeing in Minnesota is a direct result of a "military occupation of American cities," which "cannot stand." We caught up with…

Trump posts discredited conspiracy theories following seizure of 2020 ballots

Jonathan Karl, ABC News

In the hours after FBI agents in Georgia seized 2020 election ballots, President Trump posted a series of thoroughly discredited conspiracy theories about the election.

Trump takes another key step toward rolling out his major student-loan repayment changes this summer

Ayelet Sheffey, Business Insider

Trump's admin posted its proposed rule to overhaul student-loan repayment, including new caps on borrowing. The public will have 30 days to comment.

Medicare Advantage insurers face new curbs on overcharges in Trump plan

Fred Schulte, NPR

Federal officials have a plan that could curb billions of dollars in overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans. But will they follow through on it?

Iran slams ‘selective outrage’ after EU labels IRGC a ‘terrorist’ group

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Iranian authorities reject European Union's measures, denouncing the IRGC blacklisting as 'illogical and irresponsible'.

Border czar says he plans to "draw down" ICE and CBP operations in Minnesota

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR

Tom Homan, who took over leadership of the surge in Minneapolis, says he is working on a plan to reduce the force of federal agents in the Twin Cities.

Trump says that he will allow reopening of Venezuelan airspace

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US has asserted control over Venezuela on key issues of sovereignty and made threats of further military attacks.

Mexico’s oil industry faces new pressures from Venezuela oil under US

Chantal Flores, Al Jazeera English

Pemex, burdened with significant debt, financial and operational constraints, now faces competition from Venezuelan oil.

The Worst White House Aide in History

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Donald Trump needs to fire Stephen Miller, for the good of the United States and the president's already tarnished legacy.

Lady Gaga Blasts ICE at Tokyo Concert: ‘My Heart Is Aching’

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone

The artist, who will return home ahead of the Grammys this weekend, used her platform to call on America's leaders to "have mercy on everyone in our country"

WATCH: Fulton County Board of Commissioners chairman denounces FBI seizure

ABC News

The chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners defended the authenticity of the 2020 election results after the FBI seized original voting records from the county.

AI datacenter boom triples US gas power builds, widening carbon footprint

Brandon Vigliarolo, Theregister.com

Reduce emissions? Screw that - we have money to lose and memes to generate Fossil fuel-fired power plant development is roaring back to life in the US thanks to the AI datacenter boom, with data from 2025 suggesting we're reaching the point where the renewabl…

JD Vance: Children Of People Seeking Asylum Are Illegals That Need To Be Deported

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Let’s open with a joke: Mr. Bovino said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents were probably more experienced at handling young people than “any domestic law enforcement agency.” “I will say unequivocally that we are experts in …

Harvey Levin Wonders How Many Times Alex Pretti Clashed With Feds Before Death

TMZ Staff, TMZ

The new video of Alex Pretti busting the taillight of a federal vehicle days before being shot to death is very critical to the shooting ... but not for the reasons you might think. Harvey Levin's been stewing on the new footage of Pretti violently…

Fulton County official slams Trump administration over FBI's seizure of 2020 ballots

Matt Foster, Olivia Rubin, ABC News

A top Fulton County, Georgia, official is blasting the Trump administration for the FBI's seizure of 2020 election ballots, calling it an attempt at "intimidation."

Tehran to convert metro stations, underground parking lots into 'war shelters' as US threat looms

ELI LEON, The Jerusalem Post

The announcement seems to reflect a growing concern among Iranian leadership regarding the possibility of widespread military confrontation. Metro stations...

Uncle Sam dangles nuclear campuses for states while watering down safety rules

Dan Robinson, Theregister.com

Governors offered atomic megasites and federal cash as hundreds of pages of regulations go missing The Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting US states to host "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses" to revitalize atomic power amid reports the agency has weak…

Will killings by immigration agents cause another US government shutdown?

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

The death of Alex Pretti has prompted a shift among Democratic senators, who are willing to risk a shutdown for reforms.

US cybersecurity chief leaked sensitive government files to ChatGPT: Report

Calum Patterson, Dexerto

The acting head of the US government’s top cybersecurity agency reportedly uploaded sensitive government files into a public version of ChatGPT.

Melania Trump Movie Posters Defaced With Hitler 'Stache Across L.A.

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Ads for Melania Trump's documentary "Melania" have been getting a lot of attention in L.A. ... but not in a good way. The city's public transit agency has reported a huge rise in vandalism on buses and at stops featuring the First Lady's face.…

Lady Gaga Condemns ICE in Passionate Speech at Concert in Japan

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Lady Gaga took a moment at her concert in Japan to blast ICE ... calling out the way they "mercilessly" target families in a passionate speech. The singer-songwriter was performing in Tokyo Thursday night ... when she took a break from playing…

Ukraine receives bodies of 1,000 soldiers from Russia

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine and Russia confirm soldier body exchange, enabling families to bury loved ones as the conflict continues.

2nd Angle of New Alex Pretti Video Days Before Death Shows Altercation Clearly

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Yet another new angle of the newest video of Alex Pretti tussling with federal agents in Minneapolis, 11 days before he was shot to death, has surfaced ... and you can see the violent altercation and clearly hear the insults he hurled at the officers leading …

Are We Seriously Going to Relitigate Trump's Dozens of Failed 2020 Election Interference Lawsuits?

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Team Trump even seems to be bringing back election interference figures like Sidney Powell, who agreed to testify against him in Georgia.

Netflix is eating Hollywood — because it has to

Nilay Patel, The Verge

On today’s episode of Decoder, I’m talking about the bidding war over Warner Bros. Discovery, which is the biggest story in the entertainment industry right now, and for good reason. It has pretty much everything you could want in a buzzy Hollywood saga — big…

Key questions about US military build-up near Iran

Virginia Pietromarchi, Al Jazeera English

Trump is building up a military force in the Middle East, saying the US is ready to strike Iran.

What’s UpScrolled, the app gaining popularity after TikTok’s US takeover?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Disgruntled TikTok users are flocking to the platform which is promising a ‘transparent tech' experience.

Federal Judge Flames AG Bondi for Ignoring Presumption of Innocence

Danielle Han, Jezebel

On Wednesday Judge Foster said she was “deeply disturbed” that Bondi shared mug shots of arrested protesters in Minnesota while they were still defendants in an ongoing trial and hence, still innocent. “This conduct is not something that the court condones.”

Sen. Warren pushes Altman for guarantee OpenAI isn’t seeking government bailout

Robert Hart, The Verge

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is pushing OpenAI for assurances it won't seek a government bailout if it doesn't turn a profit. In a letter to CEO Sam Altman, Warren says she is concerned that the company is preparing to fall back "on the classic strategy of…

Tesla revenue falls for first time as Musk bets big on robots and autonomy

Carly Page, Theregister.com

Elon thinks taxis and androids will succeed where car sales are stalling Tesla reported 2025 revenue of $94.8 billion, down 3 percent year-on-year and marking the first annual revenue decline since the electric car maker began publishing financial results in …

Trump border czar says staying in Minnesota ‘until problems gone’

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

This is a breaking news story.

California Regulators Force Verizon To Do “Woke” Stuff Like Make Sure Broadband Is Semi-Affordable To Poor People

Karl Bode, Techdirt

Last year we reported how Verizon executives happily agreed to be more racist and sexist in exchange for Trump DOJ and FCC approval of their $20 billion merger with telecom giant Frontier Communications. Verizon embarrassingly said they’d cull race and gender…

The Crime of Witness

Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books

Renée Good and Alex Pretti were murdered for daring to interfere with the Trump administration’s efforts to normalize abductions and state violence.

Israel hands over 15 bodies of Palestinians in last stage of captive swap

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Palestinians still waiting for the Red Cross to turn over the bodies either in Khan Younis or Gaza City.

Iran-US tensions soar: What do both sides want?

Priyanka Shankar, Charu Sudan Kasturi, Al Jazeera English

From enriched uranium and ballistic missiles to sanctions and regional influence, the differences are many.

‘Melania’: The First Lady’s New Documentary Abruptly Pulled From Release in South Africa

Pamela McClintock, Hollywood Reporter

Melania Trump's film is still getting what's likely to be the widest release of all time at the global box office for a doc, including a revised location...

Sen. Duckworth Slams JD Vance After He Compares Her, a Disabled Veteran, to Forrest Gump

Danielle Han, Jezebel

“Forrest Gump ran toward danger in Vietnam. Your boss ran to his podiatrist crying bone spurs," Duckworth shot back.

DHS funding battle risks shutdown. And, Fed holds rates steady despite Trump pressure

Brittney Melton, NPR

Senate Democrats threaten a partial government shutdown over DHS funding. And, the Fed defies President Trump's pressure and holds rates steady to fight inflation.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor amid immigration turmoil

Benjamin Siegel, Oren Oppenheim, ABC News

"I like my job in the Senate. But I love our state more than any job," Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in announcing on Thursday her candidacy for Minnesota governor.

Ghana's malaria gains at risk as Trump and other donors cut aid

Reuters Videos, Yahoo Entertainment

<body><p>STORY: :: Ghana's malaria gains are put at risk as Trump and other donors cut their aid for malaria shots </p><p>:: Kasoa, Ghana / December...

What Oil Means to Venezuela

Gisela Salim-Peyer, Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic

Many of its citizens don’t mind giving the Americans another chance.

Why is ‘Deuce Bigalow’ rooting for Viktor Orban in Hungary?

Somdeep Sen, Al Jazeera English

A washed-up American comedian’s endorsement offers a window into Hungary’s central role in the global far right.

Why is the UK’s Keir Starmer in China and what does he want to achieve?

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has portrayed his trip as a pragmatic move to improve UK-China relations.

10 Thursday AM Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

My morning train WFH reads: • Will Danoff, Fidelity Contrafund’s Legendary Manager Keeps Beating the Market. Now He’s Getting Closer to Passing On the Reins. The legendary manager has taken on two co-managers to help him run the mammoth fund. Just don’t use t…

If Cuba falls, the Global South is to blame, too

Belén Fernández, Al Jazeera English

As the United States tightens the screws, Cuba’s supposed allies respond with empty gestures and selective solidarity.

The Dry January Hangover

Alexander Nazaryan, The New Yorker

What began, in 2011, as part of a British woman’s half-marathon training has turned into a global phenomenon. Dr. Oz, and others, weigh in on whether the trend is actually useful.

Whatever This Is, It Is Not Strategy

Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic

Defending the nation will take more than sycophancy, slurs, and slop.

The Long-Term Benefit of Gentrifying Cities

Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic

Bringing rich and poor together has major benefits.

Kennedy Center's Head Of Programming quits after 12 days

Drew Gillis, Jezebel

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

Why Does Chevy Make Vehicles In Mexico?

staff@jalopnik.com (Benjamin Gracias), Jalopnik

Chevrolet has been building cars in Mexico since the 1930s, making the country an important part of its global manufacturing strategy. Here's why.

Police Identify Orange Substance Sprayed at Rep. Ilhan Omar During Town Hall Attack: Reports

Becca Longmire, Meredith Kile, PEOPLE

The Minnesota congresswoman was attacked while hosting a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Jan. 27

Clashes between government troops and Tigrayan forces erupt in Ethiopia

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

'Deteriorating' situation causes suspension of flights, security and diplomatic sources say.

Starmer and Xi call for deeper UK-China ties as Trump shakes up global relations

The Associated Press, NPR

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing called for a "comprehensive strategic partnership" to deepen ties amid global uncertainty.

Kristi Noem Blames Stephen Miller, Who Blames DHS, Who Blames Miller, Who Blames…

Lauren Tousignant, Jezebel

After federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, Noem and Miller both tried to paint him as a domestic terrorist…and now they’re throwing each other under the bus.

No work, no school, no shopping: A general strike to protest ICE is attempting to go national

Juliana Kaplan, Business Insider

Minnesotans stayed home from work and took to the streets to protest ICE on Jan. 23. Now, activists want to take it nationwide.

China warns against US ‘military adventurism’ as Iran tensions escalate

Al Jazeera English

China warns against US ‘military adventurism’ as Iran tensions escalate

Is the global economic order unravelling?

Al Jazeera English

As the US pushes its 'America First' agenda, its partners are edging towards China and new alliances are being formed.

Syria grants immediate citizenship to Kurds in wake of gains against SDF

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Interior Minister Anas Khattab's order includes all listed as stateless and sets February 5 as deadline for its rollout.

Gold surges past $5,500 amid Iran tensions, weakening US dollar

John Power, Al Jazeera English

Precious metal hits fresh record as US President Donald Trump renews threats against Iran.

EU appears poised to sanction Iran's Revolutionary Guard over protest crackdown

SAM McNEIL and JON GAMBRELL, Yahoo Entertainment

The European Union appeared poised Thursday to sanction Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard over Tehran’s deadly crackdown on nationwide protests...

LIVE: Iran warns of quick retaliation as Trump revives US threats

Caolán Magee, Tim Hume, Al Jazeera English

Iran pushes back after Trump says Tehran can either negotiate 'a fair and equitable deal' or face a US 'armada'.

Trump’s troop deployment in US cities cost almost $500m in 2025

Erin Hale, Al Jazeera English

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that ongoing military operations in US cities will cost $93m a month.

Venezuela’s police, military pledge loyalty to interim President Rodriguez

Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English

Delcy Rodriguez receives loyalty pledge weeks after dozens killed in US military operation to abduct Nicolas Maduro.

How does US military build-up off Iran compare to the June 2025 strikes?

Shola Lawal, Al Jazeera English

And could a sudden deployment of major US naval and air force assets indicate a strike on Iran is imminent?

How the Minneapolis killings look from Trump country

Frank Langfitt, NPR

The shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good by federal agents in Minneapolis have enraged many people across the country. NPR wanted to know what supporters of President Trump's immigration policy think about the shootings.

The new TikTok is freaking people out

Adam Clark Estes, Vox

If you opened TikTok recently, you probably saw some weird stuff happening. Maybe you couldn’t post a new video. Maybe the app asked for your precise location. Maybe you weren’t seeing as much stuff about ICE or the Trump administration’s latest assault on th…

WATCH: Inside the 'ghost student' scam that uses identity theft to steal college loans

ABC News

At many colleges, "ghost students" — sophisticated thieves who use stolen or fake identities to enroll in classes online and sign up for Pell grants and loans — are committing identity theft.

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda with 1.4m followers reports TikTok ban

Lyndal Rowlands, Al Jazeera English

Emmy-winning Owda points to changes in TikTok's US ownership, remarks from Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to explain ban.

US judge blocks Trump policy targeting Minnesota's refugees

Yahoo Entertainment

Border agents involved in fatal shooting of Alex Pretti placed on leave

BBC News

As Trump and the Minneapolis Mayor spar over social media on immigration law enforcement, the US continues to be roiled by the killing of nurse Alex Pretti.

US agents involved in Alex Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis placed on leave

Kevin Doyle, Al Jazeera English

Two agents placed on administrative leave as outrage continues over killing of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti.

Alex Pretti Kicks Tail Light on Federal Agents' SUV Days Before Death, New Video

TMZ Staff, TMZ

Alex Pretti busted the tail light of a federal agent's SUV days before he was shot to death ... and the tense exchange -- while he was armed -- played out on camera. The Minneapolis ICU nurse, who was killed by Customs and Border Protection…

With Tesla Revenue and Profits Down, Elon Musk Plays Up Safety

Mike Pearl, Gizmodo.com

On a bleak earnings call, he also said “amazing medical care” is coming.

MAGA Influencers Are All-In on the Idea That a Politician Would Fake an Assassination Attempt for Sympathy

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

"She probably sprayed herself," President Trump said about Rep. lhan Omar of Minnesota.

Tesla profits slumped 46% last year, as it lost its crown as the top EV seller

Camila Domonoske, NPR

The company announced it was ending production of its higher-end Model S and Model Y, and turning that production space over to making humanoid robots.