US deploying more defensive capabilities to Middle East, defense secretary says
Hegseth did not disclose what military capabilities he sent to the region. But Reuters was the first to report earlier on Monday a deployment of a large number of U.S. military refueling aircraft and the movement of an aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
"Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region," Hegseth said in a post on social media platform X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
White House orders a review of exhibits at Smithsonian museums ahead of nation's 250th birthday
The White House is ordering a wide-ranging review of the Smithsonian museums and exhibitions ahead of the country's 250th birthday with a goal of aligning the institution's content with President Donald Trump 's interpretation of American history. In a letter sent Tuesday to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, the White House laid out in detail the steps it expects the organization to take as part of the announced review. The examination will look at all public-facing content, such as social media, exhibition text and educational materials, to 'assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals,' according to the letter. 'This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,' the letter said. The Smithsonian said it remained committed to 'scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history." 'We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,' it said in a statement. The review, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, is the latest attempt by the president to bring the country's cultural institutions in line with his vision. In March, Trump signed an executive order titled 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' which accused the Smithsonian of coming under the influence of a 'divisive, race-centered ideology' and called upon it to 'remove improper ideology' from the institution's museums. In February, Trump removed the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees, replaced them with his supporters and named himself chairman. He vowed to end events featuring performers in drag, indicating he would take on a larger role in dictating the institution's programming schedule. The review of the Smithsonian will initially focus on eight museums — the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. The letter said additional museums would be reviewed in subsequent phases. Civil rights leaders have criticized the administration's particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture as efforts to minimize Black Americans' contributions to the country and to recast the obstacles they faced throughout history. The Smithsonian has repeatedly denied allegations that it has changed or removed exhibit details in response to pressure from the administration. Recently, the institution removed references to Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit on the American presidency. A spokesman for the museum said the references, which were added in 2021, were intended to be a temporary measure and said a future exhibit would include details on all presidential impeachments. The review ordered by the White House directs the museums to submit materials from exhibits and drafts for upcoming events within 30 days. Within 120 days, the letter said, museums will be expected to take corrective action, 'replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions."
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
The Trump family has raked in an astonishing $3.4 billion over his two presidencies, new report claims
President Donald Trump and his family may have made billions off his two presidencies, a new report claims. The New Yorker reports that Trump and his family have pocketed an estimated $3.4 billion thanks to his two terms as president. Its tally includes profits from cryptocurrencies, the president's MAGA-branded merchandise and his Mar-a-Lago estate. The outlet estimated that, thanks to Trump's two presidencies, the family has made $2.37 billion from cryptocurrency; $339.6 million from financial ventures; $270.8 million from hospitality; $116 million from media; and $277.7 million across other sources, including his private jet, legal fees and merchandise. In response to this report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Independent: ' The claims that this President has profited from his time in office are absolutely absurd — in comparison to what he could have made if he didn't have to deal with the fake news and corrupt political opponents, the President has lost hundreds of millions of dollars to serve this country.' 'The American people love him precisely because he is a successful businessman, not in spite of it,' Leavitt added. 'The Trump Family is highly respected for always conducting their dealings by the book, unlike past presidents, such as the Biden Crime Family. President Trump has always practiced integrity and transparency, which is why he is and has been forthcoming in sharing his financial disclosures.' Much of the Trump family's estimated earnings have come from various cryptocurrency ventures, The New Yorker reports. This includes an estimated $385 million in profit from the coins $TRUMP and $MELANIA, which he launched just before Trump took office in January, according to the outlet. The Independent has reached out to the Trump Organization and Trump Media for comment. While the president has embraced cryptocurrency, so have his allies. About one in five of Trump's high-level cabinet picks hold significant assets in cryptocurrency, according to a July analysis by The Washington Post. At the time, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said these figures reflected the success Trump's picks had in the private sector and insisted there were no conflicts of interest. In addition to his cryptocurrency ventures, The New Yorker estimates Trump has made an estimated $27.7 million from his Trump Store merchandise. The outlet noted that Trump is the first Presidential candidate to run a private online store, which competes with his campaign to sell MAGA merchandise. The New Yorker's total included an estimated $1.3 million from Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bibles and $2.8 million from Trump-branded watches. These figures were previously reported in Trump's 2024 financial disclosure report, which was released in June. Trump reported more than $600 million in income on the form, according to Reuters. The New Yorker estimates Trump's presidencies have also generated an extra $125 million in profit from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. This estimated extra profit came, in part, from Trump's own campaign events at the club, as well as events held by other GOP candidates, organizations and high-profile figures, the outlet reports. In its estimate, The New Yorker also included an estimated $100 million from supporters' contributions that Trump reportedly used to pay for legal fees. While a political campaign fund can't be used for a candidate's personal legal battles, a loophole allowed him to convert campaign funds into political action committees, which are subject to looser restrictions, the outlet claimed. This cash funded his defense across several cases, including Trump's historic hush money trial last year, according to the report. In that case, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a payoff to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the conviction.
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
US Vice President meets The Apprentice's Tom Skinner for ‘BBQ & a few beers' as Vance ‘set for breakfast with Farage'
US Vice-President JD Vance has met The Apprentice's Tom Skinner for a barbecue and some beers ahead of his breakfast with Nigel Farage. President Donald Trump's deputy had spent the weekend with his friend and foreign secretary David Lammy at Chevening in Kent before enjoying the party with Skinner on Monday. 4 4 4 The pair have bonded in recent weeks over social media, culminating in the "invitation" to the event with the vice-president. Writing on social media this evening, Skinner said: "When the Vice President of the USA invites ya for a BBQ an beers, you say yes. "Unreal night with JD and his friends n family. He was a proper gent. "Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about mate. Bosh." Pictures from the night show the pair smiling and showing thumbs up, with Skinner dressed in a shirt and tie while Vance opted for a more casual short-sleeve shirt. This comes ahead of a meeting between the US vice-president and Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage tomorrow. The pair will have breakfast in the Cotswolds as Vance enjoys both business and pleasure during his UK summer holiday. Already, Vance has held meetings with a number of other political figures during his trip, including Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick. He had tried to set up a meeting with his friend Kemi Badenoch but their schedules were not compatible. Vance has shown an increasing interest in Reform UK, with it being reported in July he had asked Peter Mandelson about the party, noticing that "they're doing very well". Other attendees at Monday's barbecue were Cambridge academic James Orr and Tory MP Danny Kruger. Describing the image of Vance and Skinner at the event, the former Apprentice star said: "Here is a pic of Me and Vice President towards the end of the night after a few beers. "I'm overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don't risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. "Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh." Skinner has found himself catapulted to fame over recent years, following his appearance on The Apprentice in 2019. More recently, his posts on social media have struck a chord among many, with some urging him to run for political office. His meeting with one of the most powerful political figures globally could be a natural stepping stone towards that. VANCE HOLIDAYING ACROSS UK JD Vance 's trip to the UK has seen him travelling through the Cotswolds and southern England with his family. The vice-president, his wife Usha, and children Ewan, 8, Vivek, 5, and Mirabel, 3, were seen travelling together in an extensive motorcade. Some locals were left disgruntled, however, as he visited a posh farm shop in the area - leading to a number of road closures and security checkpoints manned by police with sniffer dogs. His 18-strong motorcade caused disruption around Chipping Norton as the VP visited the Daylesford Organic farm shop. Several large black SUVs carrying people believed to be Secret Service agents were seen parked on the driveway. It came after a meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House in Kent on Friday. The pair are understood to have forged an unlikely friendship, even spending time with each other's families outside of business meetings. During their meeting, the VP urged Britain to avoid the "very dark path" of silencing free speech. He warned that the West has grown "a little too comfortable with censoring" during his press conference with the foreign secretary. He said: "I think the entire collective West, the transatlantic relationship, our Nato allies, certainly the United States under the Biden administration, got a little too comfortable with censoring rather than engaging with a diverse array of opinions." Mr Vance has previously slammed Britain for enforcing some of the toughest restrictions on free speech globally. In February, during a televised meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the Vice President flagged that "infringements on free speech" are now impacting not only Brits but also American tech firms, "and by extension American citizens". Vance's latest tirade comes after the UK launched a divisive new Online Safety Act which targets children's social media usage.
