Trump to visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center this week
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump's US$100 million bond purchases while in office spark conflict-of-interest concerns
President Donald Trump has bought hundreds of bonds since he returned to office, including those sold by US companies affected by the sweeping changes to federal policies he's championed. The 690 transactions, the first of which was made the day after his inauguration, total at least US$103.7 million, according to a document released by the White House on Tuesday that disclosed the billionaire's investing activity this year through early August. In addition to municipal bonds issued by local governments, school boards, airport authorities and gas districts, Trump bought corporate debt in tranches of at least US$500,000 each from Qualcomm, Home Depot and T-Mobile on February 10. He also bought at least US$250,000 of debt from Facebook owner Meta Platforms later that month. The report, which all federal elected officials and appointees who trade must submit, does not provide exact amounts or prices, since only broad ranges of transactions involving stocks, bonds, commodity futures and other securities are required. Trump reported no sales. The investments provide another example of how the president, whose net worth is pegged at US$6.4 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, continues to pursue wealth accumulation while in office. Unlike his predecessors, Trump did not divest or move his assets into a blind trust with an independent overseer. His sprawling business empire is managed by two of his sons and operates in several areas that intersect with presidential policy. His annual disclosure form filed in June showed his income from various sources still ultimately accrues to the president – something that has opened him to accusations of conflicts of interest.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
A new European security landscape is emerging after Alaska summit
The Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was a test balloon for Trump to find out, as he said, what Putin had in mind. The subsequent meeting in the White House between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders was another test balloon – for Europe – to find out what Trump had in mind. Both were useful yet not really productive. Advertisement To start with, Putin has emerged as a clear winner. The red-carpet welcome on American soil with a historical connection with Russia could not have been more gratifying. If well begun is half done, Putin has capitalised on the occasion by springing an invitation on Trump to travel to Moscow for the next talk. If successful, Russia's isolation in the West would be gradually lifted. Even better if Trump wants to talk about anything else that could help to turn the West-sanctioned country into a normal one. And Putin most certainly knows how to flatter. As he said: 'Today, when President Trump [said] that if he was the president back then, there would be no war. And I'm quite sure that it would indeed be so.' How can Trump not nod to this? It is easy to understand why the war, which has gone on for 3½ years, shows no sign of ending soon. What one cannot achieve on the battlefield can hardly be gained at the negotiation table. It is also easy to understand why Russia wants to talk about a peace agreement rather than a ceasefire. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump slams Smithsonian for focusing on ‘how bad slavery was', threatens funding
US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday he will pressure the Smithsonian Institution – a premier museum, education and research complex for US history and culture – to accept his demands, just like he did with colleges and universities by threatening to cut federal funding. In a social media post, Trump complained about what he called excessive focus on 'how bad Slavery was.' 'I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made,' Trump said on social media. The Smithsonian, which was established in 1846 and includes 21 museums and galleries and the National Zoo, had no immediate comment. Most of its museums are in Washington. The White House said last week it will lead an internal review of some Smithsonian museums after Trump earlier this year accused it of spreading 'anti-American ideology' and raised alarm among civil rights advocates. The exterior of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington. Photo: Reuters When asked if Trump would threaten funding cuts to the Smithsonian based on the findings, a White House official said, 'President Trump will explore all options and avenues to get the Woke out of the Smithsonian and hold them accountable.'
