Tuesday, 8 September 2026

Trump approval rating hits record low in new polling ahead of November midterms, with the Focaldata/Financial Times poll showing his disapproval at unprecedented levels driven by concerns over tariffs, the Iran war, and cost of living.

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announces he will step down by year-end following escalating pressure from the Trump administration over how the institution portrays American history and concerns about 'improper ideology' in its museums.

Canada's retaliatory tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of U.S. goods take effect, matching Trump's 50% tariff rate as the US-Canada trade war escalates with neither side returning to negotiations.

Trump escalates trade war with Canada by moving to ban imports of some automobiles, dairy products, and alcohol, invoking 1930 law to implement import restrictions beyond tariffs.

Trump shares misleading video appearing to show King Charles III shrugging and walking away from a man who fainted during a royal visit, manipulating the footage to present a false narrative.

Iceland summons U.S. ambassador after Trump posts map depicting the country covered in U.S. flag colors and labeled as part of the 'United States of America,' along with Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Caribbean territories.

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to revive controversial citizenship database system that voting rights organizations argue could be weaponized to purge eligible voters from rolls ahead of midterms.

Trump and Putin hold 'frank' phone call as U.S. special envoys have traveled to Russia and Ukraine to discuss 'a proposal to end the war,' with reports indicating Russia agreed not to bomb Ukraine's capital during envoy visits.

U.S. strikes Iranian tankers in response to attempted missile attacks on Navy warship as Iran escalates military pressure, with oil prices approaching $100 per barrel amid intensifying Iran conflict.

Lindsay Clancy's attorney publicly appeals to Trump for pardon after state murder trial ends in mistrial, though Trump lacks authority to pardon state charges. The lawyer states intent to seek agreement with prosecutors.

Trump posts memes during Labor Day weekend envisioning renaming New Mexico to 'New America,' prompting mockery and criticism from state leadership who note the state has retained its name since before the U.S. was founded.

Trump falsely claimed at a White House event honoring 9/11 first responders that two firefighters carried him from Ground Zero shortly after the attacks, fearing a nearby building was about to collapse. No evidence exists that Trump assisted in the recovery effort. He had previously been fact-checked over inflated Ground Zero claims in 2019. Trump later walked back the timeline on Truth Social, saying he was not there on the day of the collapse "but shortly thereafter." Critics called the story "totally made up."