Thursday, 30 April 2026

Trump withdrew the nomination of Casey Means for U.S. Surgeon General and instead nominated Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor. Means' nomination had stalled in part over her views on vaccines.

A federal appeals court refused to hear Trump's appeal of the $83 million E. Jean Carroll defamation case, nearly 18 months after Trump appealed following the 2024 election win. The decision upholds the earlier judgment against Trump.

Trump signed a bipartisan bill ending the longest-ever shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security by funding much of DHS, though immigration enforcement was excluded. The Republican-controlled House approved the measure.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to severely weaken the Voting Rights Act, gutting key protections against racial discrimination in voting and giving lawmakers permission to draw districts that weaken minority voter influence. Several states began moving to redraw electoral maps following the decision.

Trump administration reinstated the 'gun show loophole,' with the Department of Justice announcing changes that allow people to buy guns at shows without background checks amid a broader rollback of firearms restrictions.

U.S. economic growth rebounded to 2% in the first quarter, driven by AI investment and government spending, while consumer spending slowed amid the Iran war and oil shock fuels inflation concerns.

Oil prices topped $126 a barrel—the highest level since 2022—after Trump warned that a U.S. naval blockade of Iran could last 'months,' as Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. Markets reacted to the possibility of prolonged economic disruption.

Trump attacked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, telling him to 'fix his broken country,' a day after suggesting a possible reduction in U.S. troops in Germany. Trump criticized Merz over Ukraine, immigration, and what he called 'interfering' in Iran conflict.

Trump announced he would lift tariffs on Scotch whisky following King Charles III's visit to the United States. Trump said the decision was made 'in honor of the king and queen,' and industry officials called the deal a 'significant boost.'

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump after allegedly storming the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. He was ordered to remain in custody.