Trump News for Friday, February 6, 2026

Trump Phone Looks Different, Costs More and Won't Be Made in the US, Report Shows

Corinne Reichert, CNET

The T1 looks different (again), and its specs and pricing have changed, according to a model handset shown in a video call to The Verge.

Trump Mobile execs showcase the T1 Phone's new design and specs, and say the phones go through "final assembly" in Miami and full assembly in the US is a "goal" (Dominic Preston/The Verge)

Techmeme.com

Dominic Preston / The Verge: Trump Mobile execs showcase the T1 Phone's new design and specs, and say the phones go through “final assembly” in Miami and full assembly in the US is a “goal”  —  I spoke to two Trump Mobile executives for an exclusive first loo…

‘Nothing retaliatory’: US seeks deportation of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Lawyers for the Ecuadorian asylum seeker have speculated the Trump administration is seeking 'retaliatory' actions.

Jack White Slams Trump’s Racist Post About the Obamas: ‘Arrest This Man’

Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone

Jack White calls out President Trump after Trump shares racist video about the Obamas

Palmer Luckey's Erebor becomes the first newly created bank to receive a national charter under the second Trump administration, launching with $635M in capital (Wall Street Journal)

Techmeme.com

Wall Street Journal: Palmer Luckey's Erebor becomes the first newly created bank to receive a national charter under the second Trump administration, launching with $635M in capital  —  Erebor founder Palmer Luckey was one of the tech industry's early Trump s…

Judge orders 3 families returned to US after finding DHS used 'lies' to deport them

Laura Romero, ABC News

A judge has ordered the administration to return three immigrant families to the U.S. after finding that immigration agents used "deception and coercion" to remove them.

Trump’s racist post, briefly explained

Cameron Peters, Vox

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump’s racism is making his party an…

DOJ’s Frivolous Boasberg Complaint Dismissed—While Nobody Can Explain How DOJ Got The ‘Evidence’ It Never Provided

Mike Masnick, Techdirt

Back in August, we wrote about the Department of Justice’s unprecedented decision to file a judicial misconduct complaint against D.C. Chief Judge James Boasberg. The complaint, which Attorney General Pam Bondi tweeted about in what was itself likely a violat…

South Korean Crypto Exchange Accidentally Gave Away $43 Billion Worth of Paper Bitcoin

Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com

Now that is a promotion.

US FCC notice to broadcasters prompts concerns on curtailing free speech

Saumya Roy, Al Jazeera English

Critics say such actions and increasing corporate ownership of media is causing a backsliding in US media freedom.

Oil and US oversight: How is Venezuela’s interim government surviving?

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

As Venezuela enters a new political phase, we look at how the government keeps functioning.

The Lion King Excuse Does Not Make the Racist Donald Trump Post Any Better

Molly Olmstead, Slate Magazine

Sen. Tim Scott, who is Black, called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”

Turns Out Congestion Pricing Has Been Good for Drivers in the Suburbs, Too

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

Traffic has improved inside and out of Manhattan.

Dow crosses 50,000 for the first time ever

Max Zahn, ABC News

A market surge propelled the Dow to a new record high.

Mexico promises food support for Cuba as US stifles the island’s fuel supply

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Sheinbaum says she is still negotiating with US after Trump threatens tariffs on countries that ship oil to Havana.

Measles Outbreak in South Carolina Linked to Brain Swelling in Kids

Ed Cara, Gizmodo.com

Several children have come down with serious complications like encephalitis and pneumonia, state health officials reported this week.

Anti-ICE protesters rally in Milan before Winter Olympics

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Students demand ICE agents protecting US delegation leave amid global outrage over Trump's brutal deportation push.

Trump’s Memecoin Down 95% as Democrats Seek Answers on Crypto ‘Corruption’

Kyle Torpey, Gizmodo.com

Tough times for crypto bros whether they're the President or not.

Dems Channel Kramer in Softening ICE Demands

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Democrats in Congress have released a new list of demands for ICE restrictions, but Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries already seem to be sofening.

WATCH: Disabled Minneapolis resident dragged, detained by ICE speaks out

ABC News

Aliya Rahman gave her account of what happened during her now-viral account with ICE, where she was dragged out of her car. She also shared what she saw in the detention center.

The Evangelicals Who See Trump’s Viciousness As a Virtue

Peter Wehner, The Atlantic

At the National Prayer Breakfast, the president tested his audience’s commitment to Christian ethics.

Jenin Younes on Threats to Free Speech from the Left and the Right

The New Yorker

A First Amendment lawyer once attacked Democrats for suppressing unpopular opinions; she now sees a vastly greater threat from the Trump Administration.

Republicans condemn racist Trump video post depicting Obamas as apes

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Members of Trump's political party called for the removal of the reposted clip, which has since been taken down.

Stock market today: Dow soars 1,000 points, leading S&P 500, Nasdaq higher as Wall Street rebounds from rout

Rian Howlett, Yahoo Entertainment

Wall Street is weighing whether the AI fears behind the recent tech-driven sell-off were exaggerated.

Larian director has a "crash out on main" over HBO's Baldur's Gate 3 TV show, but CEO Swen Vincke is more optimistic — "the conversation we had ... gives me hope"

lowryb3865@gmail.com (Brendan Lowry) , Brendan Lowry, Windows Central

The news that Baldur's Gate 3 is getting an HBO TV show was a huge shock to everyone, and even Larian devs have mixed feelings about it.

Trump Deletes Extremely Racist Meme About Obamas After Backlash From Republicans

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

The White House initially defended the post by saying, "Please stop the fake outrage."

US imposes sanctions on ‘shadow fleet’ accused of transporting Iranian oil

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

The US State Department has said the economic penalties are necessary to 'stem the flow of revenue' to Tehran.

Amazon is expanding 'Melania' to nearly 300 more theaters after a strong opening weekend

Jason Guerrasio, Business Insider

Amazon MGM's "Melania" documentary scored a 10-year best $7 million at the box office in its opening weekend. Now, it's expanding to more screens.

Trump posts racist meme of the Obamas - then deletes it

Deepa Shivaram, NPR

Trump's racist post came at the end of a minute-long video promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

WATCH: Benghazi attack suspect caught, extradited to US, DOJ says

ABC News

The suspect landed in Andrews Air Force Base, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Facial Recognition Tech Used To Hunt Migrants Was Deployed Without Required Privacy Paperwork

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

In the grand scheme of things — the wanton cruelty, the routine violations of rights, the actual fucking murders — this may only seem like a blip on the mass deportation continuum. But this report from Dell Cameron for Wired is still important. It not only ex…

Iran, US hold talks in Oman as fears of war hang over region

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the indirect talks were “a good start”.

Trump shares video that includes racist depiction of the Obamas, sparking backlash

Justin Gomez, Isabella Murray, ABC News

President Trump shared a video that includes a racist animation of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

EU Says TikTok’s ‘Addictive Design’ Likely Violates the Law, Will Need to Change

Bruce Gil, Gizmodo.com

European regulators issued a preliminary finding that the app’s design likely violates the bloc’s laws.

WATCH: Team USA gears up for Milan Cortina opening ceremony

ABC News

Maggie Rulli caught up with Team USA's Freestyle Women's Moguls as they tried on their opening ceremony looks.

WATCH: Urgent search for Nancy Guthrie intensifies

ABC News

The FBI is now jointly investigating the case and offering a $50,000 reward

Epstein files set off Norwegian political storm: What we know

Shola Lawal, Al Jazeera English

Two high-profile Norwegian politicians and the country's crown princess have been linked to the late sex offender.

Trump shares video with racist clip depicting Obamas as apes

BBC News

As a black Republican senator calls it "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House", the administration says "stop the fake outrage".

Consumer sentiment brightens, defying economists' expectations

Max Zahn, ABC News

Shopper attitudes remain below where they registered a year ago, data showed.

Jimmy Kimmel Makes Bombshell Accusations About Melania Trump’s “Rigged” Documentary

Karina Babenok, Boredpanda.com

The documentary about the first lady reportedly exceeded box office expectations, earning more than $7 million during its opening weekend.

Congress passes $50 billion foreign aid bill, despite the Trump's cuts in 2025

Fatma Tanis, NPR

Congress allocated $50 billion for initiatives aimed at supporting democracy, scholarship programs, U.S. embassy operations and health and humanitarian programs around the world.

WATCH: WH offers shifting explanations of why Gabbard was at Georgia election office raid

ABC News

President Donald Trump on Thursday again shifted explanations of why Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was at a FBI search of a Georgia election office where 2020 ballots were seized.

Stellantis Takes Massive $26.5 Billion Hit On EV Pullback

staff@jalopnik.com (Andy Kalmowitz), Jalopnik

Stellantis is dealing with a massive $26.5 billion writedown because of EVs, Toyota is replacing its CEO following a massive tariff bill and more.

Trump Admin Doesn’t Want Us to Call the Klansman Who Murdered Medgar Evers a Racist

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Mississippi Today reported that several officials said the National Park Service attempted to remove museum brochures that described Byron De La Beckwith as "a member of the racist and segregationist White Citizens’ Council.”

Ukraine pulls plug on Russian Starlink, beefs up drone defence

John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine responded to renewed Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, logistics far from front lines.

Splinter: Trump Crushed U.S. Tourism

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

American tourism may be permanently debilitated because Trump and the GOP made everyone else around the world realize that there are plenty of other places they’d rather visit than a country run by the biggest antisocial freaks on the planet.

The Pope’s Man Arrives in New York

Paul Elie, The New Yorker

Paul Elie reports on Ronald Hicks, Pope Leo XIV’s new Archbishop of New York, and considers what the appointment indicates about the Pontiff’s priorities in the U.S.

Iraq’s Shia bloc divided over tactics after US rejects al-Maliki for PM

Alfadhel Ahmad, Al Jazeera English

Opposition within Shia coalition and US threats hinder Nouri al-Maliki's path to becoming Iraq's next prime minister.

‘Crypto winter’: Why is Bitcoin crashing despite Trump’s support?

Priyanka Shankar, Al Jazeera English

Bitcoin has been on a downward spiral since last October as the 'hype' over crypto wanes.

President Trump Shares Racist Video of Michelle, Barack Obama as Apes

TMZ Staff, TMZ

It's no secret President Donald Trump and the Obamas don't get along ... but DT has now taken their bad vibes to a whole new level, posting a short video of Barack and Michelle depicted as apes. Trump uploaded the shocking clip on his Truth Social…

MAGA Zealots Are Waging War On Affordable Broadband

Karl Bode, Techdirt

The Trump administration keeps demonstrating that it really hates affordable broadband. It particularly hates it when the government tries to make broadband affordable to poor people or rural school kids. In just the last year the Trump administration has: I’…

Canada, France to open consulates in Greenland amid ongoing US threats

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Move comes as Trump insists on securing the semi-autonomous island belonging to Denmark, citing security concerns.

Trump wants Penn Station, Dulles Airport named after him in deal, sources say

Jonathan Karl, ABC News

Sources told ABC that Schumer rejected Trump's offer.

Bitcoin Crashes as Crypto Investors Whine About People Making Fun of Them

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

What happened to Trump as crypto's savior?

How Melania Trump's style has evolved, from her modeling days to first lady life

Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn, Business Insider

Melania Trump used to walk red carpets in sparkly, sheer outfits. As first lady, she embraces suits, high-fashion designers, and bold accessories.

U.S., Iran to hold nuclear program talks. And, Dems unveil new list of DHS demands

Brittney Melton, NPR

The U.S. and Iran begin high-stakes talks today over Iran's nuclear program. And, Democrats unveil a detailed list of demands to change how DHS immigration enforcement officers operate.

Trump Posts Video Depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as Apes

Yahoo Entertainment

Trump’s America First doctrine is remaking global diplomacy

Adolfo Franco, Al Jazeera English

Trump is using military strength and economic pressure to advance US interests.

“Terrorist”: How ICE Weaponized 9/11’s Scarlet Letter

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

Spencer Ackerman on how the politics of counterterrorism led to ICE and CBP completing their transformation into a death squad — and why the agencies are unreformable. The post “Terrorist”: How ICE Weaponized 9/11’s Scarlet Letter appeared first on The Interc…

These Are the Democrat ICE Reform Demands the GOP Calls 'Impossible'

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Democrats demand that ICE agents behave as if they might ever have to face consequences for breaking the law. Republicans say "impossible."

Just how ‘excellent’ was Trump and Xi Jinping’s phone call, really?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US president raved about his 'extremely good' personal relationship with the Chinese leader, but Xi was more muted.

Court records: Chicago immigration raid was about squatters, not Venezuelan gangs

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR

In the documents the Department of Homeland Security said the raid "was based on intelligence that there were illegal aliens unlawfully occupying apartments in the building." There is no mention of criminal gangs or Tren de Aragua.

Architects' designs for Donald J Trump Airport

Dezeen staff, Dezeen

In the latest episode of Dezeen Weekly we ask: does Donald Trump approve of modernist buildings if they have his name on them? And are we living through an era of "gentleism"? In this week's podcast, we discuss architects' proposals for an overhaul of Eero Sa…

Minneapolis now has daily deportation flights. One man has been documenting them

Kat Lonsdorf, NPR

A professional airplane enthusiast has been tracking the federally chartered deportation flights out of the Minneapolis airport as DHS sends immigration detainees to other states and, eventually, other countries.

Iran and US to reopen nuclear talks in Oman after weeks of tension

Kevin Shalvey, ABC News

The U.S. is seeking "zero nuclear capability" from Iran, the White House said.

Mexico’s tariffs on India are a double whammy after US tariffs

Gurvinder Singh, Al Jazeera English

The steep hikes by Mexico have devastated several Indian industries already reeling under crushing US tariffs.

Ronald Hicks to be installed as 11th archbishop of New York

The Associated Press, NPR

Ronald Hicks, a former Illinois bishop chosen by Pope Leo XIV to replace the retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan, is set to be installed as New York's 11th archbishop

Iran and US set for talks in Oman over nuclear program after Tehran shaken by nationwide protests

The Associated Press, NPR

Iran and the United States could hold negotiations in Oman after a chaotic week that initially saw plans for regional countries to participate in talks held in Turkey

Canada dispatches senior officials to open Greenland consulate

BBC News

It was planned before Trump said he wanted the Arctic island but Canada says the move is a show of solidarity with Greenlanders.

Hong Kong to sentence media mogul Jimmy Lai on national security conviction

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Lai's case has been condemned internationally by free speech advocates, human rights groups and global leaders.

Argentina and US sign a major trade deal to slash tariffs and boost political alliance

The Associated Press, NPR

The deal slashes hundreds of reciprocal tariffs between the two countries.

‘STFU’: Mark Ruffalo Slams Kevin O’Leary After He Attacks Billie Eilish’s Anti-ICE Speech

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone

Mark Ruffalo hit back at Kevin O’Leary after the Shark Tank reality TV star criticized Billie Eilish's anti-ICE Grammys acceptance speech.

Trump’s ‘maximalist demands’ for Iran put talks in Oman on uncertain ground

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

Analysts say Trump's unclear strategy risks derailing US-Iran talks amid military posturing and protests across Iran.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,443

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

These are the key developments from day 1,443 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

US military kills two people in latest attack on vessel in the Pacific

Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera English

US says two people were killed in strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, continuing a campaign denounced as illegal.

Bitcoin plummets in value again after week of heavy losses

John Power, Al Jazeera English

The world's most popular cryptocurrency has lost about one-third of its value since the start of the year.

Trump Is Asked if He'll Commit to Sending $2K Tariff Checks He Promised. His Answer Raises More Questions

Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE

Trump addressed the topic in a new interview with NBC News journalist Tom Llamas

‘TrumpRx’ website launches in US with promise to lower price of medicine

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US president has pitched initiative as populist attack on pharmaceutical companies, but analysts question efficacy.

Virginia Democrats show map to counter Trump redistricting but its future is unclear

Jahd Khalil, NPR

The new map still requires approval from the courts and the voters but, if enacted, it could help Democrats win four more House seats

HILLARY: LET PUBLIC WATCH MY TESTIMONY!

Scripps News Group, Scrippsnews.com

HILLARY: LET PUBLIC WATCH MY TESTIMONY! (Second column, 10th story, link) Related stories:FALLOUT: UK LEADER APOLOGIZES TO EPSTEIN VICTIMS... FRESH PRESSURE OVER MANDELSON APPOINTMENT... King heckled.. Was picture of grinning Andrew l…

Trump rejects call from Russia’s Putin to extend cap on nuclear deployments

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US president says that he wants to negotiate replacement for strategic nuclear deployment treaty that recently expired.