Trump Advised Zelensky to Take the Fight to Russia, Senior Ukrainian Official Says
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday offered a different account of the call between the two leaders on July 4. Asked about it, Leavitt said Trump 'was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing.' She said he was 'working tirelessly' to stop the war.
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Newsweek
a few seconds ago
- Newsweek
Trump's Tariffs Are Killing Affordable Cars in US: Study
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's new tariffs on vehicles and auto parts have contributed to a slowdown in affordable car availability in the United States, according to a study by The findings suggested that the 25 percent auto tariffs imposed in April, alongside the 50 percent metals tariffs targeting the European Union (EU), Mexico, and Canada, have affected new and used car prices, impacting average Americans seeking budget vehicles. Why It Matters The rise in car prices and tightening supply of affordable models present challenges for millions of Americans facing high transportation and insurance costs. Industry analysts, dealership owners, and consumer advocates have warned that tariffs would make new and used vehicles less accessible, further straining surging auto repair bills and insurance premiums. The Trump administration imposed a sweeping 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles and car parts in April. The president also hiked the 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum up to 50 percent last month. However, an earlier executive order prevents tariff "stacking" on auto parts for two years, with firms assembling the vehicles in the U.S. allowed small reimbursements. What To Know reported that cars priced under $30,000—long a staple for cost-conscious buyers—had inventory growth of just 3.9 percent year-over-year during the first half of 2025. The vast majority, 92 percent, of sub-$30,000 models in the U.S. are imports meaning they are especially susceptible to Trump's tariffs. The new study also found imported models dominated the more affordable new car market, with only the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla being produced domestically for under $30,000—and some trims of those were still imported. Price increases for new cars have been relatively modest, at $97 on average, since the tariffs were announced. However, sharp rises were seen for certain models, especially those from the United Kingdom, which were over $10,000 more expensive, and the EU at about $2,500 more. Many experts believe that most of the auto sales this year have been of inventory that was imported before the duties, meaning their prices would be unaffected. Consultants at AlixPartners has projected that tariffs would ultimately add nearly $2,000 per vehicle and reduce total U.S. car sales by approximately 1 million over three years. Trump's tariffs on metals such as steel and aluminum continued to raise production costs for automakers, compounding pressure on entry-level vehicle affordability. While the average American spends approximately $45,000-$48,000 on a new car, according to J.D. Power and Anderson Economic Group, cars at the lower range are essential for millions of Americans who cannot afford higher purchase prices, or the many budget-focused consumers who prefer a more affordable deal. Hondas are seen at a dealership in Bedford, Ohio, on July 8. Hondas are seen at a dealership in Bedford, Ohio, on July 8. Sue Ogrocki/AP Who People Are Saying said in its July report: "The pace of sales and inventory movement will depend on the scope of tariffs, with automakers likely to adjust production to align with a smaller, more price-sensitive buyer pool." Mark Wakefield, global auto market lead for AlixPartners, told reporters in an online briefing last month, "These tariffs bring a big wall of cost..."Consumers [will be] taking the majority of the hit." President Trump said in April as he unveiled his 25 percent auto tariffs: "You're going to see prices go down." Chris Harto, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, told Inside EVs: "It does not appear like any of the policies will result in people paying less to buy and own vehicles in 2028 or 2029 than they do today." Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at auto-buying resource Edmunds, told Associated Press even repairs could become more expensive due to tariffs: "If you are bringing your car to get repaired, chances are, it's going to have a part that comes from another country. That price that you pay is likely going to be directly affected by the increase [from these tariffs]." What Happens Next? Analysts agreed that most of the early 2025 car sales involved vehicles imported before tariffs took effect, delaying the full impact on prices. However, as pre-tariff inventory dwindles in the second half of the year, both new and used car prices are expected to rise.
a few seconds ago
Trump calls those who want Epstein files released 'troublemakers'
Although President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to request the release of more details in the probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he claimed Saturday that the move may do little to quell the outspoken criticism of his administration's handling of the case. The president reiterated on social media that he asked the DOJ "to release all Grand Jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to Court Approval." Trump, however, lashed out against the loud voices who have called for transparency since the Justice Department and FBI issued their July 6 memo regarding their decision not to release any further files from federal investigations into the late financier. "Even if the Court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more," Trump said in his post. Trump has downplayed the concerns from several people, including prominent Republicans and conservative pundits, that the government hasn't done enough to get to the truth behind the sex trafficking charges issued against the financier six years ago. The Justice Department and FBI confirmed Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail on Aug. 10, 2019. Trump once had a friendly relationship with Epstein, socializing in New York and Palm Beach. When Epstein was arrested in 2019, Trump said they'd had a falling out and hadn't spoken in 15 years The president has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein case despite his name appearing several times on Epstein's private jet flight logs. The DOJ said in its Friday filing that its request for grand jury testimony follows "extensive public interest." The filing said the DOJ plans to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York "to make appropriate redactions of victim-related information and other personal identifying information prior to releasing the transcripts." "Transparency in this process will not be at the expense of our obligation under the law to protect victims," the filing added. The filing, which was only signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, requested the court "conclude that the Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell cases qualify as a matter of public interest, release the associated grand jury transcripts, and lift any preexisting protective orders." Maxwell, an associate of Epstein, was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. A former federal prosecutor told ABC News that the Justice Department's request might not give any new details. The transcript likely mentions a small fraction of the overall testimony and evidence gathered by the DOJ against the disgraced financier, former assistant United States attorney Sarah Krissoff told ABC News. While the president's pledge to unseal the transcripts has been heralded by his supporters as evidence of his commitment to transparency, Krissoff cautioned that grand jury testimony generally does not shed much light compared to the case file or evidence presented at trial. "The grand jury testimony is going to be very limited compared to the entire case file," she said. "It's just going to be a real, high-level review – a highlight reel – of what the prosecutors think is important in the case file, which could be hundreds of thousands, if not millions of documents." Krissoff spent more than a decade as a prosecutor with the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which brought criminal cases against both Epstein and Maxwell. Krissoff, now a partner at Cozen O'Connor, did not directly work on either case. She said that SDNY prosecutors generally do not present firsthand witnesses to the grand jury, instead opting to use federal agents who can summarize evidence and the testimony of others. "The standard practice, particularly in the SDNY, is to keep the grand jury presentation as slim as possible," Krissoff said. "The goal of the prosecutor is essentially to put in as little evidence as they need in order to get that indictment." Considering the evidence made public through civil lawsuits and the criminal trial of Maxwell, Krissoff argued that the transcripts are unlikely to change the public understanding of the case. "I understand that the president wants to appease some folks by disclosing the grand jury testimony, but I just don't see that as really shedding a light on much here," she said.
Bloomberg
a few seconds ago
- Bloomberg
Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Proposed Meeting With Russia Next Week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country had proposed holding a meeting with Russia next week, more than a month after the previous round of direct talks. Rustem Umerov, who was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defense Council on Friday, made the proposal to the Russian side, the Ukrainian leader said in his daily address to the nation.
