Monday, 17 August 2026

President Trump threatened to 'bomb the shit out of' Oman if it 'gets in the way' of a potential deal over control of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as negotiations with Iran stall following the expiration of a June ceasefire memorandum of understanding.

Trump ordered the U.S. military to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his 'very good relationship' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticism of South Korea's refusal to support the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The move prompted bipartisan alarm that it undermines regional security and allows North Korea to assist Russia in Ukraine.

The Supreme Court declined for a second time President Trump's bid to overturn the $5 million judgment in the E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse and defamation case, leaving intact the jury verdict that Trump sexually abused and defamed the writer.

The US-Iran ceasefire memorandum of understanding expired on August 17, with Trump saying Iran would not make the deal he believes is necessary as both sides remain far apart on nuclear and other issues. Trump demanded Iran 'put up the white flag of surrender' while Iran signaled readiness for 'US ground operations.'

Trump adviser Jared Kushner met with Hamas leaders in Egypt and then traveled to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu to revive Trump's stalled Gaza peace plan. Kushner urged Netanyahu to take 'small steps' to test whether Hamas is genuinely committed to disarming, but Netanyahu insisted Israel will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms.

A senior-level white house security breach occurred when British Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged text messages with someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, via AI-generated deepfake technology. The FBI has warned of 'malicious actors' misusing AI to impersonate senior government officials.

Trump's approval rating fell to 33%, the lowest of his presidency, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released August 17. The decline is driven by concerns over the US war with Iran, elevated energy prices, and general dissatisfaction with the administration's priorities as midterms approach.

The Trump administration temporarily paused border wall construction in Big Bend National Park in Texas while U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott conducts an 'on-the-ground evaluation.' The project has faced bipartisan opposition over environmental damage to the pristine national park.

Kindergarten vaccine exemptions in the U.S. hit a new record during the 2025-2026 school year, with exemptions rising to 4.2% across all states and reaching 41 states and DC. The increase follows Trump's executive order calling to scale back childhood shots and his appointment of vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. as health secretary.

A federal appeals court rejected Trump's strategy of using interim prosecutor appointments to avoid Senate confirmation, marking the second federal appellate decision to challenge the administration's custom of leaving interim prosecutors in place to lead U.S. attorney's offices.

A federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot scrap the FBI's planned move of its headquarters from Washington DC to Greenbelt, Maryland. The ruling is expected to continue a lengthy legal fight over the FBI's future headquarters location.