A Palm Beach resort, landmark, and political perch in the U.S. spotlight
As of early April 2026, President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, initiated by US and Israeli strikes on February 28, has reached a stalemate with rising oil prices and public disapproval. Trump’s political standing weakens following a key Democratic special election win in Florida. Congressional divisions deepen over war funding and election-related voting rights disputes.
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.
Developing details from Haberman and Swan’s Regime Change reveal a clash between Donald Trump and Melania over White House decor, including a Rose Garden redesign, a controversial ballroom, and separate bedrooms. Staff say the dispute has created a staff-wide headache as the couple pursues distinct visions.