Key Events (10)
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University. Trump announced he would award Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom and ordered flags flown at half-mast, calling him a "Great American Patriot." Kirk, 31, was a Trump ally and executive director of Turning Point USA.
President Trump blamed the "radical left" for Charlie Kirk's death during an Oval Office address, though the shooter's identity and motive remained unknown. Trump did not mention recent attacks on Democrats such as the killing of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman or the attack on Paul Pelosi.
A trial began for Ryan Routh, the defendant accused of attempting to assassinate Trump. Routh, representing himself, forfeited his opening statement after the judge ruled his remarks lacked relevance.
President Trump honored 9/11 victims at the Pentagon memorial on the 24th anniversary of the attacks. Vice President Vance also mourned Charlie Kirk during commemorations.
U.S. inflation rose to 2.9% over the past year in August, with increases attributed partly to firms passing on Trump tariff costs to consumers. Wall Street remained optimistic that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates.
A federal judge declined to issue a preliminary injunction blocking Trump's administration from cutting more than $1 billion in National Science Foundation grants, rejecting a lawsuit brought by scientists seeking to halt the purge of over 1,600 grants.
President Trump approved millions of dollars in federal storm recovery funds, providing relief for communities affected by recent hurricanes and severe weather.
Trump announced he will visit the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth during an upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom. The visit is expected amid tensions between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over ambassador Peter Mandelson's undisclosed ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
President Trump attempted to reshape the Federal Reserve, taking steps both forward and backward in his efforts to influence the central bank's leadership and policies.
Far-right commentators and media figures called for "vengeance and retribution" following Charlie Kirk's death, with rhetoric escalating even before the shooter's identity or motive became known. Some outlets described the incident as a "war" requiring retaliation.