Sunday, 13 September 2026

Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress would need to approve Trump's promise to send $5,000 'dividend' checks to American adults if Republicans win the midterms, appearing to walk back Trump's claims that he could deliver the checks unilaterally.

Trump told reporters during his Ireland visit that he would 'love to see' a united Ireland, breaking with longstanding U.S. presidential convention of neutrality on the issue and drawing backlash from British and unionist politicians.

Trump announced the removal of all tariffs on Irish whiskey during his visit to his Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland, presenting the decision as a gesture of appreciation for Irish hospitality.

Trump told Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to stop attacking Russian diesel refineries, claiming Ukraine's strikes are causing global fuel shortages. The dispute reflects Trump's pressure on Ukraine to limit military operations against Russia.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's plan to cut FEMA staffing by 50% was unlawful, finding that the cuts would hinder the agency's ability to respond to disasters.

Trump dismissed calls from leading AI researchers and companies to slow down AI development, arguing the U.S. must maintain its competitive edge over China. His resistance contrasts with public warnings from Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and other AI leaders about safety risks.

Shane Lowry won the Irish Open for the second time at Trump's Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland, with Trump presenting the trophy to the winner before an enthusiastic crowd.

Trump demanded that the Smithsonian Institution replace a modernist sculpture outside the National Museum of American History with a 30-foot George Washington statue, giving the institution days to make the change.

Republicans, including House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, are investigating what they describe as the 'criminal birth tourism industry,' citing national security and fraud concerns amid Trump's broader immigration enforcement campaign.

Democrats are laying groundwork for far-reaching investigations into the Trump administration if they win the House in the midterms, signaling plans to scrutinize various Trump policies and potential misconduct.