The national cultural center of the United States, in Washington, D.C.
The world’s richest person has seen his fortune swing wildly after SpaceX’s IPO. SpaceX and Tesla shares have fallen amid a broader tech sell-off, eroding Musk’s trillionaire status. Despite volatility, he remains the wealthiest individual as markets reassess growth prospects in AI and tech.
Trump has canceled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, saying he will not sign until Senate passes the SAVE America Act. The move follows a tense exchange at a Capitol Hill luncheon where Cassidy challenged the administration’s Iran war approach. The episode highlights deep GOP rifts as lawmakers balance housing affordability with stricter voting measures ahead of midterms.
The Kennedy Center has named Bill Maher the Mark Twain Prize for Humor, as legal battles over the venue’s leadership and a planned two-year closure unfold. Trump’s influence on the center’s governance has dominated the narrative, with a gala featuring Maher and other celebrities taking place as the center navigates the controversy.
The East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. is set for major renovations, with President Trump stating plans to begin Sept. 1. A court case challenges the overhaul, and officials say plans are still under review. The project is part of a broader push to reshape public spaces in the capital.
The Reflecting Pool renovation has been plagued by an algae bloom and peeling coating after initial completion, with officials citing vandals, while investigations highlight contracting questions and security measures as the 250th anniversary approaches.
David Hearn has been indicted on a felony count of destruction of property linked to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation. He denies vandalism, saying the damage existed before his visit. Prosecutors say evidence shows a deliberate act. A July 9 hearing is scheduled.
The White House Domestic Policy Council has released a 162-page report criticizing the National Museum of American History for ideological capture and urging a shift toward a patriotic, traditional presentation of American history. The document accuses current leadership of steering exhibits toward activism and social justice, while critics argue it threatens academic independence. Several outlets have published the report’s findings and reactions.
Sen. Whitehouse has expanded a probe into renovations at the Kennedy Center, accusing leadership of mismanaging funds, bypassing contracting rules, and pursuing cosmetic changes to please the president. Courts have forced the removal of the president’s name from the building amid a broader legal fight about branding and governance.
The White House has released a July Fourth report criticizing the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history as biased toward activism. President Trump has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs outside the Smithsonian and a temporary exhibit to present what he calls accurate information, while Smithsonian leadership defends ongoing scholarship and a fuller account of the nation’s story.
The White House reveals updated perimeter security plans, including fencing Lafayette Park and a new underground screening facility, as part of a broader modernization drive. Projects are advancing amid ongoing security concerns and dramatic architectural changes across Washington.
HBO host Bill Maher has sparked renewed debate about the Kennedy Center row surrounding Donald Trump, after commenting on the Center’s status and the political climate. He has criticized Trump’s influence and defended the Center’s programming, while Democrats and Republicans clash over cancelations and art’s role in politics.
The Department of State has begun issuing Patriot Passports, featuring a living president’s portrait, at 27 passport offices nationwide. In-person applications are required on designated days; the gold-embossed interior shows the president’s signature. The move follows a wave of high-visibility tributes to the president, including coins and potential currency signatures.
The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to let construction on the president's 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom continue while courts hear challenges. A federal appeals court last week upheld an injunction requiring congressional approval for above‑ground work and stayed that order for 14 days. The administration argues the project includes vital security and military features and is roughly two‑thirds complete.
The Kennedy Center faces a legal and financial dispute as a federal judge has blocked closures and a $250 million renewal plan; Chuck Redd has been awarded attorneys’ fees after a dispute over his Christmas Eve concert, and the center plans to appeal.
The Kennedy Center's board has voted to place the inscription "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" on the building and to close most of the facility for two years for renovations. The move has been led by trustees aligned with President Trump and has prompted immediate legal condemnation from Democratic board member Rep. Joyce Beatty.
The Kennedy Center is embroiled in a legal fight over whether President Donald J. Trump’s name can be inscribed on the building. A court hearing is set as Beatty argues the move violates the Kennedy Center statute and risks the center’s finances. Trustees insist the changes are essential to fundraising and reopening after modifications.
The Kennedy Center dispute over President Trump’s name on the facade continues as a federal judge weighs board actions to restore the inscription, despite a May ruling that such renaming requires congressional approval. The Trump-aligned board has moved forward with renovation plans and a two-year closure, while opponents argue the move defies the court and risks donors and the building’s future.
DOJ lawyers warn the Kennedy Center may face teardown if the Trump-backed renovations do not proceed; multiple lawsuits, board actions, and court orders shape the struggle over naming and future use. The issue centers on whether the center can be renamed and how renovations will unfold amid political pressure.
Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America in the US; critics say the move echoes past rebrand efforts and ignores bilateral tensions with Canada amid tariffs and a stalled Iran conflict. The change applies to US government materials, with unclear uptake by businesses and states.
The acting Navy secretary has been nominated by the president to a permanent post as U.S. forces confront intensified strikes with Iran. The Lincoln has spent nine months at sea, while domestic political shifts accompany the military movements.
The U.S. Mint has launched a commemorative $1 coin bearing President Trumps portrait to mark the countrys 250th anniversary. The coins went on sale and into circulation this week, sold in rolls and bags at a steep premium to face value, and have drawn legal and political challenges because federal rules generally bar living people from appearing on currency.
The Kennedy Center has deinstalled Joel Shapiro’s Blue sculpture and is battling ongoing court cases as a Trump-aligned board seeks to rename the venue and rebrand its grounds. The sculpture, installed in 2019, has been removed amid a broader push to realign Washington’s cultural institutions with President Trump’s priorities.
Democratic-aligned groups have warned against President Trump’s Great Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle, citing disruption to Arlington Cemetery and the site’s historic value. Courts are weighing challenges as Interior Secretary Burgum says ground may begin within days; critics say congressional authorization is required.
The Kennedy Center’s Grand Foyer has suffered a ceiling collapse with a large hole in the ceiling and debris on the red carpet after Friday’s storm. The incident follows decades of deferred maintenance and a court battle over a $250 million renovation and the name of President Donald J. Trump on the facade. No injuries are reported, and reopening is anticipated after assessments.
Lonnie G. Bunch III will leave the Smithsonian Institution by year’s end. The departure follows a White House report criticizing Smithsonian leadership and a broader push from the Trump administration to realign how American history is presented in national museums. The move comes as the institution faces renewed calls for changes to exhibits and leadership amid partisan pressure.
President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both houses in November’s midterms. The White House has provided only a short fact sheet; Republicans, legal experts and budget analysts have questioned the plan’s legality, cost (about $1.2–1.4 trillion) and how it would be funded.
The Kennedy Center is on the brink of bankruptcy as a board led by Donald Trump argues renaming or major renovations are needed to avert fiscal collapse. Courts have ruled against unilateral branding changes, and the center faces mounting costs as legal battles continue.
The Kennedy Center has closed its main building for renovations as a fight over renaming the center to include President Trump continues. Courts have blocked the Trump-aligned board from adding Trump’s name, while the center faces bankruptcy concerns and potential shutdown amid ongoing legal battles.
Multiple U.S. aid cuts are affecting health, nutrition, environment and disaster relief across all states. A new publicly accessible tracker shows the scale of disrupted grants, while philanthropy and private donors are stepping in to fill gaps, though with uneven impact.
President Donald Trump has announced that the planned 250-foot memorial arch near the Arlington Memorial Bridge will be converted into a "top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch" to store and launch drones, host snipers on roofs and plazas, and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition. The Pentagon says it has no information beyond the president's statement. Lawsuits and federal reviews are pending.
The president has updated the plan for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery to serve as a military complex, housing drones and snipers. The move is framed as national security, with critics warning it could disrupt sightlines and raise legal challenges. Courts have yet to rule, while the FAA confirms no immediate aviation danger.