Mar-a-Lago: a Palm Beach resort and National Historic Landmark owned by Donald Trump; site of ongoing political and legal attention since his presidency.
The president has announced a trip to Ireland for Sept. 12-13, where he will attend events with embassy staff and officials, and visit Trump-owned golf properties. AP, New York Post and Independent note the trip underscores how official travel can intersect with family business interests, including LIV Golf ties and potential political signaling.
President Trump has been informally polling aides and guests about whether Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio should lead the Republican ticket in 2028 and has repeatedly mused that a Vance–Rubio ticket would be a "dream team." Both officials have been taking higher-profile roles: Vance is expanding his foreign policy and Midwest campaigning, while Rubio is engaging in diplomacy and public briefings.
President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte will keep his housing posts, has no known intelligence experience and can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation, prompting bipartisan concern about politicising the intelligence community.
An Associated Press investigation has found that dozens of children have been re-separated from their families under the current administration, despite a landmark settlement meant to keep families together. Some parents have been detained, and others deported, after being taken from their communities during interior arrests. The plight echoes earlier border separations and follows a federal judge’s ruling that earlier actions were illegal.
The New York Times, The Guardian, CNBC, Al Jazeera and other outlets report that Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, moving from acting to permanent head of the Justice Department. The nomination faces a Senate confirmation battle amid scrutiny of Blanche’s ties to the Epstein files, the $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund and past actions at the DOJ.
A review of internal documents shows the White House ballroom project has a rising price tag, with private donations expected to cover most of the cost while public funds support security upgrades. Officials acknowledge escalating figures and ongoing disputes over funding sources.
Developments from Haberman and Swan's Regime Change reveal ongoing clashes over Rose Garden redesigns and other White House decor, with staffers caught between two Trumps as Melania and Donald pursue starkly different visions. The book also details Musk’s overnight stays and other high-profile interruptions to White House life.
Since the Reflecting Pool renovation, officials have faced scrutiny over costs, management and transparency as algae blooms and peeling coating prompt questions about planning and oversight.
The Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial has faced algae blooms, peeling paint and security concerns after a multi‑million renovation. Officials say vandalism claims are under investigation while critics demand transparency. New proposals call for nature‑based algae control as the administration faces questions over maintenance and costs.
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.
A Manhattan judge has sentenced Guo Wengui, a Chinese dissident-turned-US critic, to 30 years in prison after a seven-week trial found him guilty on nine counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering. Prosecutors say he exploited followers who invested more than $1bn in ventures under his control to fund a lavish lifestyle.
The Haberman-Swan book detailing the first 14 months of Trump’s second presidency has sold more than 300,000 copies in its opening week, with preorders and multiple printings driving demand. The White House has reportedly reacted with alarm while Trump has dismissed the work as “mostly made up.” The book covers Trump’s military decisions, DOJ actions, and efforts to redesign the White House, arguing he believed a second term would yield less power if he had won in 2020.
Donald Trump is flying aboard a Qatar-gifted Air Force One for the first time. The jet’s use and the source of the gift have drawn bipartisan criticism over potential conflicts of interest as questions about funding and security upgrades persist.
The Times of Israel, Axios, Al Jazeera and other outlets report on a forthcoming White House meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, as they reaffirm shared goals on Iran. Trump has publicly asserted control over talks while Netanyahu emphasizes a strong US-Israel alliance. A NATO summit and ongoing ceasefire negotiations frame the context for possible joint actions and strategy.
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
Nigel Farage has resigned as Clacton MP and has stood again in a by‑election set for 13 August after revelations about undeclared gifts and donations. Major parties are refusing to contest the seat; the campaign is dominated by novelty and fringe candidates such as Count Binface and Laurence Fox while parliamentary and criminal inquiries continue.
Senator Lindsey Graham has died, prompting immediate questions about a temporary appointment and the path to a likely special election. The governor will announce a pick to fill the seat as Graham’s passing reverberates through national politics.
Palm Beach County debates Project Tango, a large AI data center proposal near Mar-a-Lago. Voters cite infrastructure, water, and schooling concerns as developers promise tax revenue and jobs amid a national data-center buildout.
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.
The Oversight Project has released roughly three hours of audio and 117 pages of heavily redacted transcripts of Joe Biden’s 2016–17 interviews with his ghostwriter for Promise Me, Dad. The recordings, obtained during Special Counsel Robert Hur’s documents probe, show Biden discussing retained notes and at times struggling with dates and details; Republicans say the tapes prove decline, Biden calls the release political.
Funeral services for Senator Lindsey Graham have taken place in Washington and South Carolina after his sudden death on July 11. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have attended memorials that have highlighted Graham’s influence on U.S. foreign policy and set off a scramble for his Senate seat in South Carolina.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
Trump has floated JD Vance as a top pick for 2028 and has publicly questioned allies about a potential ticket with Marco Rubio. Donor dinners and private polling fuels fresh talk as opponents scrutinize the shifting landscape ahead of midterms.