Key Events (10)
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.8% in April 2026 year-over-year, the highest jump since 2023, driven primarily by elevated energy costs related to the ongoing Iran war. The Labor Department reported this represents a sharp increase in inflation affecting American households.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned on May 12 after weeks of pressure from the Trump administration. The departure followed disagreements over the FDA's decision to approve fruit-flavored vapes, which Makary opposed. Kyle Diamantas, a top FDA official, will serve as acting FDA commissioner.
Trump defended the size and cost of White House ballroom renovations on May 12, claiming he had doubled its size, before calling a reporter who questioned the project's scope "dumb." A Congressional Budget Office analysis released the same day estimated Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' space-based missile defense program could cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years.
Trump is traveling to China to meet with Xi Jinping amid reduced expectations for the summit due to the Iran war's shadow. Tech CEOs including Tim Cook and Elon Musk are accompanying the U.S. president on the trip to Beijing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also accompanying Trump to provide military advice.
Conservative figures Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Ingraham expressed alarm over reports that Trump is considering a $1 trillion investment deal allowing China to invest in the United States. The proposed agreement has raised concerns among some Republican allies.
Trump said during remarks on Iran war negotiations that he is not thinking about Americans' financial situation "even a little bit," drawing criticism as inflation spiked to 3.8%. The president's comments appeared to dismiss economic concerns as a factor in his approach to the conflict.
Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth warned that the U.S. might restart military strikes against Iran as ceasefire negotiations remain at an impasse. Both sides are holding to positions their opponents describe as unacceptable, while economic pain from the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues.
Trump posted more than 50 times on social media within three hours late on May 12, attacking former President Obama, the New York Times, and the Supreme Court during the ongoing Iran war. The late-night social media spree reflected escalating criticism across multiple targets.
The Trump administration has announced the appointment of David Venturella, a longtime ICE official, to lead the immigration agency. The move aligns with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's strategy to keep the department low-profile and out of public headlines.
South Carolina Republicans defied Trump's demands to redraw the congressional redistricting map, with Republican leadership acknowledging the "likely consequences" of resisting the president's directives. The state party proceeded with its own plan rather than acceding to Trump's redistricting demands.