Trump and Musk's slash-and-burn tactics are a sticking point in talks to prevent a shutdown

President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk are taking a hatchet to federal agencies, using executive power to impose spending and job cuts that have sparked a polarizing debate in the nation’s capital and across the country.

Topics

Republicans dig in heels against restricting Trump powers in shutdown talks

Top Republicans are digging in their heels against restricting President Trump’s powers in funding negotiations with Democrats, as both sides struggle to strike a deal to avert a government ...
The Hill - 2h
Trump Elevates Kremlin Talking Points, a Familiar Pattern From His First Term

President Trump’s description of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine as a “Dictator without Elections” echoes the Kremlin’s messaging.
The New York Times - 6d
Shutdown fight collides with GOP push for Trump priorities

The race to prevent a government shutdown next month is colliding with Republican efforts to enact President Trump’s tax and funding priorities. Congressional negotiators have been struggling for ...
The Hill - 1d
Judge 'dissolves' order preventing Trump administration from overhauling USAID

A federal judge moved to "dissolve" a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from hollowing out the U.S. Agency for International Development.
ABC News - 5d
Musk used 'What did you get done this week?' tactic at Twitter

Elon Musk is again using tactics that he has employed at his company X and trying to apply it to the federal government.
ABC News - 2d
Live updates: Trump, Macron talk Russia-Ukraine war; Musk email reply now voluntary

President Trump appeared alongside French President Emmanuel Macron for a press conference Monday afternoon at the White House, after meeting on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of ...
The Hill - 2d
What an AI-generated video of Gaza reveals about Trump tactics

US President Donald Trump sparked a social media frenzy when he posted a video of Gaza generated by artificial intelligence on his site Truth Social. Marianna Spring has been analysing the online ...
BBC News - 5h
5 takeaways from Musk's CPAC talk

Elon Musk served as one of the main attractions at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday evening with a late-scheduled appearance that saw him wield a chainsaw and discuss ...
The Hill - 5d
Five talking points from round three of Six Nations

Here's our round-up of the big talking points from the third round of fixtures in the 2025 tournament.
BBC News - 2d
Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Gunners lose their heads while Mohamed Salah outperforms Kevin De Bruyne in Liverpool’s triumph. Premier League top scorers | Latest table | Full fixtures Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah ...
The Guardian - 2d
Macron ‘turning point’ on Ukraine lacks Trump commitments

French president to be followed by British PM in seeking support for US ‘backstop’ in postwar Ukraine
Financial Times - 1d
Saints sticking with Carr as QB1, says GM Loomis

Saints GM Mickey Loomis indicated Wednesday that Derek Carr will be the team's starting quarterback in 2025, saying Carr is "a guy we can win with."
ESPN - 1h
OpenAI CFO talks possibility of going public, says Musk bid isn't a distraction

The interview with finance chief Sarah Friar comes during a pivotal time, with the startup reportedly in talks to close a $40 billion investment from SoftBank.
CNBC - 6d
Thursday Briefing: Trump and Zelensky Feud Over Peace Talks

Plus, Cambodia’s returned treasures.
The New York Times - Feb. 19
‘Interesting discussions’: Donald Trump and Tiger Woods hold talks on golf’s rift

Woods joins PGA delegation at White House on Thursday LIV representatives also present in Washington Donald Trump’s involvement in professional golf’s peace talks has ramped up, with Tiger Woods ...
The Guardian - 6d
‘Like a cruel auction’: what Ukrainians think of Trump’s peace talks with Putin

Ukrainians inside the country and abroad express their hopelessness, anger and defiance at negotiations between Washington and Moscow. Europe live – latest updates “I don’t think that this ...
The Guardian - 5d
U.S. envoy says talks with Ukraine are positive amid Trump criticism of Zelenskyy

Ukraine and European allies are being vigilant after a meeting between U.S. Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kellogg praised what he called a "positive" ...
CBS News - 5d
Trump says he's had 'good talks' with Putin but not Ukraine

President Donald Trump said he's had "good talks" with Russia's Vladimir Putin but not with Ukraine, and that he's "sick" of how Volodymyr Zelenskyy has handled the war.
ABC News - 4d
To make lasting changes, Trump should talk to these 6 Democrats

President Trump's willingness to work with Democrats on immigration policy could be a step towards permanent changes, but his window for cooperation may be closing as Republican leadership ices ...
The Hill - 4d
Keir Starmer lays down Ukraine peace demand ahead of Trump talks

Kyiv ‘must be at the heart of negotiations’ says PM as foreign secretary announces new Russia sanctions. Keir Starmer has raised the stakes before a crucial meeting in Washington with the US ...
The Guardian - 4d
Party of one: Donald Trump’s 75 minutes at CPAC talking about himself

Contemptuous and sure of himself, the US president boasted of his victories and taunted his enemies. God save the king. Drunk on power, Donald Trump spent Saturday afternoon before adoring fans, ...
The Guardian - 3d
I'll back Ukraine in talks with Trump, Starmer tells Zelensky

The prime minister called Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky for the second time in four days.
BBC News - 3d
Trump right to engage Putin on peace talks, says minister

Bridget Phillipson says the US thawing diplomatic ties with Putin "brought Russians to the table".
BBC News - 3d
Jeffries says Trump trying to 'disorient' with talk of third term, being king

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Sunday said President Trump is trying to “disorient” by talking about a third term and being a king. “Donald Trump made repeated comments this week ...
The Hill - 3d
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff on Israel-Hamas talks, meeting with Putin

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, described the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, his 3.5-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the ...
CBS News - 3d
Xi says China, Russia true friends as Trump pursues Putin talks

Chinese leader Xi Jinping says China and Russia are true friends after speaking on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi reportedly said history and reality show the two countries are ...
The Hill - 2d
McConnell suggests Trump has ‘gross misunderstanding’ of Ukraine talks

Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday suggested President Trump’s refusal to blame Russia as the sole aggressor who provoked the war in Ukraine “reflects a gross ...
The Hill - 2d
DeSantis Talks Up Wife as Potential Successor, Clashing With Trump

Far from tamping down chatter that Casey DeSantis could run for governor of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis praised her popularity and “intestinal fortitude.”
The New York Times - 2d
Macron suggests Ukraine truce could be weeks away after talks with Trump

During a visit to the White House, the French leader said any peace deal must "not be a surrender of Ukraine".
BBC News - 1d
How Can Europe Talk to Trump? Macron Tries Flattery, and Gentle Resistance.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, epitomized how the continent’s leaders are trying to navigate President Trump’s increasingly hostile administration.
The New York Times - 1d
Europe’s elite fears Trump, Musk and the truth

The EU's ruling class has become fanatical in its desire to censor.
The Hill - 5d
Trump suggests Musk needs to be 'more aggressive'

President Trump suggested in a new post that tech billionaire Elon Musk, one of his closest allies, needs to be “more aggressive" — presumably referring to his efforts to slash spending, downsize ...
The Hill - 4d
Trump defends Musk’s ‘genius’ email to federal workers

President Trump on Monday defended tech billionaire Elon Musk after pushback over his email demanding federal workers list five accomplishments from the past week and in doing so, raising the of ...
The Hill - 2d
Trump administration backtracks from latest Musk storm

The Trump administration on Monday appeared to be quickly retreating from Elon Musk's demand that all federal workers send an email by the end of the day highlighting their achievements or resign. ...
The Hill - 2d
Trump, Musk endorse Ramaswamy in Ohio governor's race

President Trump and his senior adviser Elon Musk have thrown their support behind former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial bid in Ohio. “VIVEK RAMASWAMY is running ...
The Hill - 1d
Musk joining Trump's first Cabinet meeting

President Trump's first Cabinet meeting for his second term in the White House will include Elon Musk, who does not hold a Cabinet-level position. CBS News' Weijia Jiang reports.
CBS News - 8h
Why is Musk going to Trump's Cabinet meeting?

President Trump is including Elon Musk in his first Cabinet meeting for his second term. This comes as more details emerge about cuts among federal agencies as part of Musk's Department of ...
CBS News - 7h
Trump, Musk comment at first Cabinet meeting

President Trump allowed Elon Musk to join his first Cabinet meeting where they commented on potential fraud among federal employees and the cuts at different agencies. Mr. Trump also took questions ...
CBS News - 5h
Trump, Musk suggest dead people are on federal payroll

President Trump and Elon Musk made comments about their initiative to understand if any people on the federal payroll should not be included. The comments came after Mr. Trump's first Cabinet ...
CBS News - 2h