What to know today
- TRUMP-XI CALL: President Donald Trump said that he made progress on several issues with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a call this morning, including on the “approval of the TikTok deal,” and that he plans to meet with Xi in person this year and in China in 2026.
- FEDERAL PROSECUTOR RESIGNS: Erik S. Siebert, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned today after Trump said he no longer wanted him in the role. Siebert was in charge of pursuing mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
- SHUTDOWN THREATS: The Senate voted to block dueling Republican and Democratic proposals to keep the federal government funded on a short-term basis, raising the chances of a shutdown at the end of the month.
- VIRGINIA EARLY VOTING: Today is the first day of early voting in Virginia, which will hold statewide elections this year for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and its House of Delegates. New Jersey is the only other state holding a statewide general election this year.
Federal prosecutor tasked with investigating Trump adversary Letitia James resigns under pressure
The federal prosecutor in charge of pursuing mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James resigned Friday after President Donald Trump said he no longer wanted him to serve in the position.
Erik S. Siebert, the acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, announced his resignation in an email to colleagues that was obtained by NBC News.
Trump unleashed an attack Friday on Seibert, who was tasked with pursuing mortgage fraud charges against James, a longtime Trump foe.
“I want him out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if he wanted Siebert to be fired.
Trump posts video of 'lethal kinetic strike' on vessel which he says killed three 'narcoterrorists'
Trump said today that the United States carried out a strike on a ship, alleging the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics and traveling along a known “narcotrafficking passage enroute to poison Americans.”
Trump said the strike killed three people, whom he called “male narcoterrorists,” and that no U.S. forces were harmed. He announced the strike on Truth Social, where he also wrote that the vessel was affiliated with a “designated terrorist organization conducting narcotrafficking” in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility.
His post included a short video of the boat being set aflame, and he wrote, “STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA, AND COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM AGAINST AMERICANS!!!”
Today’s event came after a U.S. military strike Monday on a second Venezuelan boat, which Trump also alleged was carrying drugs.
Senate Commerce Committee Democrats demand Ted Cruz hold a hearing with FCC's Brendan Carr
Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee are demanding an oversight hearing with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr in a new letter to Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Cruz called Carr’s actions related to ABC indefinitely suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s show “unbelievably dangerous“ on a podcast today.
“As the Committee with jurisdiction over the FCC, it is our constitutional duty to conduct oversight over this matter and demand Chairman Carr answer for this unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” wrote Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
In a direct appeal to Cruz, they added: “You have long prioritized conducting oversight to ensure our government is not being used to weaponize the censorship of speech. At a time when free speech is under threat, this hearing could not be more important for the American people. We look forward to working with you on this hearing with Chairman Carr and upholding our duty to conduct robust oversight over the FCC.”
Senate Republicans poke holes in the filibuster despite vowing to protect it
Reporting from Washington
Senate Republican leaders have made consequential moves this year to weaken or end-run minority power when it stands in the way of their ambitions during the second Trump administration and GOP control of Congress.
In three separate instances, they have knocked down longstanding precedents and established new rules to advance their goals in the face of Democratic opposition, eroding the power of the minority in the process.
Gov. Josh Shapiro says Trump’s threats to revoke TV networks’ licenses are an attempt to ‘stifle dissent’
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro today accused the Trump administration of “trying to stifle dissent” after ABC removed late-night comedy host Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves this week following comments from a federal regulator.
“Without question, they’re trying to stifle dissent,” Shapiro, a Democrat, told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, also characterizing the move as “extremely dangerous.”
Shapiro’s comments come after Trump suggested that the television networks were “97% against” him and that those who give him “bad publicity” should have their federal broadcasting licenses revoked during a gaggle aboard Air Force One yesterday.
Trump raises fee for H-1B visas to $100,000
Trump signed a proclamation this afternoon requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee to obtain H-1B worker visas.
The proclamation comes as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on immigration, through raids and massive deportation efforts in cities nationwide.
The proclamation-signing is a win for immigration hardliners on Capitol Hill, but is likely to rankle tech executives seeking qualified workers from abroad.
The H-1B visa program, which was signed into law by then-President George H.W. Bush in 1990, enables skilled workers from overseas to temporarily work in the United States. Major tech companies have relied on approvals from the program to hire employees from abroad. Amazon was among the top beneficiaries of the program, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, with more than 10,000 approvals, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, with 5,500 and Microsoft and Meta, with more than 5,000 approvals each.
Why Trump wants the U.S. to ‘get back’ the Bagram Airfield from the Taliban
Trump has said he hopes to see Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan returned to U.S. control, suggesting a renewed American presence in the country now again ruled by the Taliban.
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said of Bagram during a news conference yesterday alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that capped a whirlwind state visit to the United Kingdom.
Taking aim at the Biden administration’s fraught withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as a “total disaster,” Trump criticized the decision to relinquish Bagram Airfield, which quickly fell under the control of the Taliban as they swept back into power in 2021.
Trump made clear at least one motivating factor for his interest in reclaiming Bagram, noting its proximity to rival superpower China.
Trump signs executive order for 'Trump Gold Card' expedited visa program
Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office today establishing a program that would permit foreigners to pay for access to expedited visa treatment.
The program has been billed as a new visa pathway for foreigners who pay $1 million to the Treasury, or in the case of corporate sponsorship, a corporation paying $2 million for access to an expedited visa as part of the program.
Trump said that he expects the program to be very lucrative and to enable more tax cuts “and paying down debt.”
"They’re very productive people," Trump said of potential gold card applicants. "It’s going to raise billions of dollars, billions and billions of dollars, which is going to go to reduce taxes, pay off debt and other good things."
Kennedy's autism report to be released at the end this month
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will release a long-awaited report on autism later this month, likely Sept. 29 or 30, according to a person familiar with the schedule. The Department of Health and Human Services is also likely to announce which autism research projects will receive federal funding to move forward.
Despite early reports that the health agency will look into a possible connection between the complex developmental disorder and the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, an HHS spokesperson said that until the final report is released, “any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation.” Trump told reporters in the Oval office today that there would be a news conference early next week on autism, adding, “‘It’s out of control, and I think we maybe have a reason why.”
In April, Kennedy said autism was a “preventable disease” and vowed to uncover its underlying causes by September. At the time, Kennedy said HHS would look at environmental exposures such as mold, food additives, pesticides, water, medicines and ultrasound.
Trump says he wants U.S. Attorney overseeing stalled investigation into Letitia James 'out'
The president this afternoon said, "I want him out," referring to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S. Siebert.
The Trump administration has pushed the prosecutor to seek an indictment against his political foe, New York Attorney General Letitia James, in an investigation into potential mortgage fraud. But the investigation has stalled because federal agents and prosecutors do not believe they have enough evidence to get a conviction at trial, NBC News reported earlier this week.
Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, lamented that Siebert was approved through the Senate's "blue slip" custom, which allows senators to help guide judicial appointments for their state.
"I learned that he was blue slipped through by two Democrats, senators in Virginia, people that would never vote for the people -- that haven't voted for us for probably years," Trump said.
He went on to call Virginia's Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner "two bad guys, bad senators, too."
Trump defends FCC chair after Ted Cruz compares him to a mob moss
Trump defended Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr in the Oval Office today calling him a "great American patriot" after he pressed for the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following comments its host made about Charlie Kirk's assassination.
Trump was asked what he made of comments Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, made on an episode of his podcast that aired today comparing Carr to a mob boss over his efforts to punish TV networks in the wake of Kirk's assassination.
"I think Brendan Carr is a courageous person. I think Brendan Carr doesn’t like to see the airwaves be used illegally and incorrectly and purposely horribly," Trump said.
"So I think Brendan Carr is a great American patriot, so I disagree with Ted Cruz," he added.
Trump says Chinese president Xi 'approved' of TikTok deal in phone call
Trump this afternoon spoke to reporters in the Oval Office about his morning phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying it was a "great call."
He added that, "As you know, he approved the TikTok deal," the framework of which was announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this week in Madrid.
Trump, in his remarks, noted that, "we have investors, American investors," as part of the deal, but offered little more in specifics about the deal.
"We look forward to getting the deal closed," the president added before speaking about the millions of young people in the U.S. who use the app regularly.
“The young people in our country wanted it to stay open pretty badly," he said, adding that his campaign got "massive numbers of youth vote," in 2024.
Trump says the federal government could shutdown 'for a period of time'
The president told reporters in the Oval Office this afternoon that Americans could see a government shutdown "for a period of time."
"We’ll continue to talk to the Democrats but you could very well end up with a closed country for a period of time," after he repeatedly attacked Democrats in his remarks.
Trump referenced the stopgap funding measure that passed in the House this morning, telling reporters that it was, "an amazing vote actually” and "showed we want to keep things going and going properly."
The Senate voted this afternoon on the same measure and fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to pass the continuing resolution. If the House and Senate do not pass a funding bill by the end of the month, the federal government will shutdown.
In his comments, Trump thanked Pennslyvania Sen. John Fetterman, the lone Democrat who voted for the House-passed bill.
"I want to thank Senator John Fetterman, he wants to keep the country moving," the president said, saying that Democrats "actually dislike our country greatly."
"I guess they want crime and we fight crime and it’s a pretty big difference," Trump said. "They want transgender for everybody” and that Democrats "want to close our government down."
Some Democrats oppose resolution honoring Charlie Kirk and condemning political violence
Reporting from Washington
In a vote that divided Democrats, the House today passed a resolution honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and rejecting the political violence of recent years.
The vote was 310-58, with 95 Democrats joining all 215 Republicans in voting yes on the nonbinding resolution. The 58 no votes all came from Democrats — mostly members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses — and another 38 Democrats voted present. Another 22 Democrats did not vote.
Lawmakers don't plan to return to Washington before the end of the month
The House has revised its schedule and will not return to Washington until Oct. 7 after passing the seven-week government stopgap funding bill and leaving town this morning.
Originally, the House was scheduled to be in a district work period next week and then return to Washington on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30. But the notice sent to members by Majority Whip Tom Emmer just now says those days are canceled.
The House can always be called back into session if needed. Members are usually given a notice of 48-72 hours if they need to travel back.
The Republican whip's memo said members should be prepared to return to Washington, “if Senate Democrats insist on a Schumer Shutdown of the federal government.”
The Senate has also adjourned for the week, but does plan to return to Washington on Sept. 29, meaning they will be in Washington to address the government funding impasse. Still, that leaves the Senate with fewer than 48 hours until government funding is set to expire at the end of the day on Sept. 30.
Sen. John Fetterman votes in favor of House GOP stopgap funding bill
As the Senate voted today on two opposing stopgap bills to fund the government, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., reiterated that he will never vote for a government shutdown.
“I refuse to be a part of plunging our nation to chaos,” he told NBC News, adding, “It’s not the right time for this kind of chaos, and if anyone believes that we’re on a rocket sled to autocracy, why would we hand our shuttered government over to President Trump or to Vought at OMB?”
Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote yes on both the continuing resolution backed by House Republicans and the continuing resolution backed by Senate Democrats.
House Democrats are unsatisfied with former labor secretary's testimony
Democrats aren’t satisfied with the House Oversight Committee’s closed-door interview today with former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta as part of the Epstein investigation.
Ranking member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said “it’s very clear” Acosta’s investigation into Epstein in the mid-2000s was “deeply flawed.” Garcia said that Acosta wouldn’t admit that Epstein “received a sweetheart deal.”
Garcia claimed Acosta said he was “not aware” of claims that Epstein “went on to abuse other women” during his sentence. Garcia accused Acosta of being “clearly involved” in a cover-up and being “directed” by the White House and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., in agreement with Garcia, said the former labor secretary “had no idea about what was going on in his own office.”
Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., dodged questions about Acosta’s performance and whether he was satisfied with the former labor secretary’s answers. Instead, Comer blamed Democrats for wasting their time questioning Acosta, saying it was focused on Trump.
Rep. Spanberger speaks out about fired federal workers as she casts a ballot for herself
Reporting from Henrico County, Virginia
NBC News spoke to Rep. Abigail Spanberger after she cast her ballot — for herself — in the Virginia governor’s race. Spanberger is running against Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, a Republican, in the closely watched race.
On her priorities, Spanberger, a Democrat, first mentioned “getting the ball rolling” on prescription drug policy.
“Ultimately, it will be elements of my affordability plan, and ensuring that we are able to pull every lever to lower health care costs, will be the priority,” she said.
Spanberger also spoke to the issue of federal worker cuts — noting that of the 320,000 federal employees in Virginia, tens of thousands have lost their jobs, with more expected at the end of the month.
“That impact is significant, certainly, in our communities,” she said, adding, “It’s small-business owners, it’s restaurant owners, it’s government contracting firms. We’ve seen just a constriction of various parts of our economy.”
The next governor, she said, needs to stand strong for their constituents who have been affected.
“We need a governor who will name a number of the challenges that we’re facing as Virginians and stand up for our federal workforce,” she said.
Senate rejects both parties’ bills to avoid a shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain
The Senate today voted to block dueling Republican and Democratic proposals to keep the federal government funded on a short-term basis, raising the chances of a shutdown at the end of the month.
The Republican plan, which passed the GOP-controlled House by a vote of 217-212 earlier today, fell short of the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster in the Senate: The vote was 44-48, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania the only Democrat to vote yes, and Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska the only Republicans voting no.
Ohio Lt. Gov. (and famous football coach) Jim Tressel won't run for governor
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a Republican who was appointed to his post earlier this year and had been considering a bid for governor, announced today that he would not launch a bid for higher office.
"I believe that our crucial opportunities in the areas of education and workforce deserve my full attention for the remainder of our term. My goal is to help finish the amazing work started by the DeWine-Husted Administration. Ohio is winning and it must continue," Tressel said in a statement posted on X.
Tressel, who gained fame as a college football coach at Ohio State University, had acknowledged several months ago that he was considering a run for governor. As he pondered, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy landed early endorsements from Trump, the Ohio Republican Party and several labor unions, complicating any primary path for Tressel.
Trump says call with China’s Xi on TikTok was ‘productive’ and he plans to visit China next year
Trump said that he had made progress on several issues with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in their phone call, including on the “approval of the TikTok deal,” and that he plans to meet with Xi in person in November and in China early next year.
Supreme Court asks for response from Fed Board member Lisa Cook, a target of Trump, by Thursday
The Supreme Court this morning did not immediately act on Trump’s request that he be allowed to fire Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, an appointee of former President Joe Biden.
Chief Justice John Roberts instead asked for a response from Cook by 4 p.m. next Thursday. That move suggests the court will not issue a decision before then.
House passes GOP bill to avert a shutdown, but Senate looks likely to reject it
Reporting from Washington
The Republican-controlled House this morning passed a stopgap bill to fund the government until just before Thanksgiving, daring Democrats in the Senate to reject the measure and risk a shutdown at the end of this month.
The vote was 217-212, with one Democrat joining Republicans voting yes. Two Republicans, and all other Democrats, voted against the bill.
House Oversight committee interviewing Acosta
Acosta arrived for his closed-door interview with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee shortly after 9:30 a.m. as part of its investigation into the Epstein files. He did not answer shouted questions.
Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told reporters they plan to ask about the plea deal Acosta gave to Epstein.
“We want to know what went on during the prosecution when many believe that Epstein was awarded a sweetheart plea deal,” Comer said.
Trump and Republicans find themselves on the other side of the cancel culture wars
At their convention five years ago, Trump and his Republican Party rallied their supporters fervently against an idea they characterized as a rot on society: cancel culture.
Too many people, they argued one by one in prime-time speeches, were being publicly ostracized — in some cases losing their jobs — for exercising their constitutional right to free speech.
“To the voiceless, shamed, censored and canceled, my father will fight for you,” Eric Trump pledged then.
But the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was among the speakers at that 2020 convention, seems to have rapidly shifted how Trump and other Republicans see the boundaries of free speech and the rules of engagement for a once-loathed cancel culture.
Trump confirms he’ll speak at Charlie Kirk’s funeral
Ahead of Charlie Kirk’s funeral this weekend, crowds of supporters gathered across the country to pay tribute to the conservative activist. Trump confirmed he will speak at his memorial. Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk, announced his widow, Erika Kirk, will take over as the group’s CEO. NBC’s Morgan Chesky reports for "TODAY."
Electricity costs jolt New Jersey’s race for governor — and they’re coming for the midterms
Soaring electricity costs have become a major issue in this year’s race for governor in New Jersey — previewing a potential national battle over energy prices that could put both parties on defense in next year’s midterm elections.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli have both focused on the issue in their opening salvos on the airwaves, a sign that surging electric bills are top of mind for New Jersey voters less than two months before Election Day.
Senators to force a vote on blocking unauthorized boat strikes in the Caribbean
Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., have introduced a resolution under the War Powers Act that would block the U.S. military from engaging in "hostilities against certain non-state organizations."
Their measure comes after the U.S. military targeted two boats traveling from Venezuela recently that were allegedly carrying drugs. The first strike occurred in early September, and Trump announced that it killed 11 people whom he alleged were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The second one happened this week and Trump said that strike killed three people.
The senators’ offices said their measure "also emphasizes the importance of Congress retaining its power to declare war as President Trump has stated that 'it is not possible at this time to know the full scope and duration of military operations that will be necessary,'"
A resolution introduced under the War Powers Act is privileged, which means the Senate is required to vote on the measure quickly.
RFK Jr.’s new CDC panel to recommend vaccine limits for kids
The CDC’s revamped vaccine advisory panel is set to recommend new guidance for immunizations, including for Covid shots and the childhood vaccine schedule. Changes come after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all of the panels members in June and replaced them with people who share his history of vaccine skepticism. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports for "TODAY."
Early voting starts today in Virginia
Early voting begins today in Virginia for the November general election, including the race for governor between former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and current Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
The early voting will also apply to other statewide races, including for lieutenant governor, attorney general and state House races, as well as local offices.
Trump's call with Xi Jinping has started
The call between Trump and Xi began at 8 a.m., a White House official said. Finalizing a deal to keep TikTok operational in the United States was the original impetus for the conversation.
House committee to question Alex Acosta about Epstein case
The House Oversight Committee will interview Alex Acosta today behind closed doors as part of its investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Acosta served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida when his office reached a nonprosecution agreement with Epstein in 2008. He agreed to appear voluntarily before the panel.
During testimony before Congress this week, FBI Director Kash Patel blamed Acosta for his handling of the case.
“The original case involved a very limited search warrant, or set of search warrants, and didn’t take as much investigatory material it should have seized," Patel said. "If I were the FBI director then, it wouldn’t have happened."
Acosta also served as labor secretary during the first Trump administration.
House to vote on GOP government funding bill
The House is set to vote on the Republican-sponsored short-term government funding bill this morning.
The measure would keep the government funded through Nov. 21, but Democratic leaders made clear earlier this week that the caucus opposes the legislation.
Democrats released a competing bill Wednesday that would permanently extend Obamacare subsidies, lift a freeze on foreign aid and reverse Medicaid cuts through the GOP's sweeping domestic policy bill, which Trump signed into law earlier this year. The Democrats' measure would keep the government funded through Oct. 31.
Congress must pass a funding bill by Sept. 30 to prevent a government shutdown.
Trump urged members of his party to back the GOP bill in a Truth Social post yesterday.
"TOMORROW, House Republicans are taking a very important Vote to pass a CLEAN TEMPORARY FUNDING BILL," Trump wrote. "The Leader of the Democrats, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, wants to shut the Government down. Republicans want the Government to stay open. Every House Republican should UNIFY, and VOTE YES!"
U.S. vetoes U.N. Security Council resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire and hostage release
The United States once again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution yesterday that had demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, saying that the effort did not go far enough in condemning Hamas.
The 14 other members of the United Nations’ most powerful body voted in favor of the resolution, which described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and called on Israel to lift all restrictions on the delivery of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in the territory.
Sen. Bill Cassidy’s 2026 primary looms as Rep. Julia Letlow considers a run
Rep. Julia Letlow is seriously considering mounting a primary challenge against fellow Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, according to three GOP sources familiar with the matter. And she has received encouragement from the White House to jump into the race, two sources said.
Letlow, 44, has been weighing her options carefully over the past few months but has not put a timeline on making a decision, though sources say she’s grown more serious about the idea of running for Senate.
Multiple MAGA-aligned candidates are already vying to take on Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Cassidy, a physician, has recently been in the spotlight taking on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy.
But even with a trio of Republican candidates already in the race, Letlow, who was seen meeting with a GOP megadonor this week at the Capitol Hill Club, has been the subject of recruiting efforts.
Renovations, royal parties and sports: Trump relishes the perks of being president
Reporting from London
How powerful is the U.S. president? Enough to take the weightiest job imaginable and make it pretty entertaining.
Take a couple of weeks recently out of Trump’s life. He slept Wednesday night in a castle fit quite literally for a king, the guest of a British leadership eager to impress a president who likes to be honored.
He left yesterday for a White House that he’s remaking to suit his tastes. Workers have been digging up trees to accommodate his passion project: a new ballroom that will seat up to 900 guests.
Trump’s trip to Yankee Stadium on Sept. 11 to watch a baseball game was the ninth sporting event he’s attended since retaking office, compared to just one at the same point in his first term, NBC News research shows. Next week, he heads to Long Island to watch the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the fabled Bethpage Black course.
Since his inauguration, Trump has been fashioning a presidency aligned with his preferences, taking presidential diversions in new directions. He has taken about a third as many domestic trips to promote policy initiatives than last time around, while plunging into pursuits that one might consider, well, fun.
Hungary, following Trump, will designate antifa a terrorist organization
Hungary will replicate a policy announced yesterday by Trump and designate antifa a terrorist organization, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said today.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascist,” is an umbrella term for loosely affiliated far-left-activists and groups that resist fascism, fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations. It resembles more an ideology than an organization, though some have embraced militant tactics.
Trump suggests FCC could revoke licenses of TV broadcasters that give him too much ‘bad publicity’
Trump yesterday floated the possibility yesterday that TV broadcasters could lose their federal licenses over what he perceives as negative coverage of him, a day after Disney’s ABC yanked “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air.
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that the Federal Communications Commission should revoke broadcasters’ licenses, arguing that many late-night hosts appearing on those networks are “against me” and that “they give me only bad publicity, press.”
Trump set to speak with China’s Xi to finalize TikTok deal
Reporting from Hong Kong
Trump is set to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping today as they try to finalize a deal to keep popular short-video app TikTok operating in the United States.
The call, which China has not yet confirmed, is expected to take place around 9 a.m. ET. It will also focus on the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, and could set the stage for the leaders of the rival superpowers to hold their first in-person meeting since Trump returned to office.
Trump told Fox News yesterday that the two sides were “very close to deals on all of it,” adding that his relationship with China is “very good” and “it sounds like they’ve approved TikTok.”