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Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Complains About 'Stolen' Hypersonic Rockets During West Point Address
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 took a swipe at Russia and former President Barack Obama during his speech at West Point's commencement ceremony on Saturday and claimed that the United States had invented the hypersonic missile and that it had been "stolen" by adversaries. Why It Matters Hypersonic weapons, which reach top speeds multiple times of the speed of sound, have proven to be a pacing challenge for the U.S. as China demonstrated the capability to develop and utilize such weapons in recent years. A test in 2022 by Beijing caught U.S. military command by surprise, according to reports by the Financial Times. Military command had for years suggested that the U.S. needed to invest not only in hypersonic weapons but also hypersonic defenses. They routinely cite China as a pacing challenge, which means that the U.S. has a gap with Beijing, but that gap is rapidly closing. In November 2024, Russia demonstrated the capabilities of its own hypersonic missile with an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, going on television shortly afterwards to boast about the weapons capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Oreshnik missile hit Mach 10 and that it is immune to any missile defense system. What To Know Trump gave the commencement address at the 2025 West Point graduation ceremony in New York, with the bulk of his address focusing on the U.S. Army and the academy's many achievements. One notable claim Trump made during his speech focused on hypersonic weapons, which he mentioned in relation to a project completed by eight West Point cadets in which they designed and launched a hypersonic rocket to an altitude of just under 150 kilometers (roughly 93 miles). "Eight cadets here today took on the challenge of designing their own hypersonic rocket," Trump said. "Oh, we can use you building them right now. You know, we had ours stolen. We are the designer of it. We had it stolen during the Obama administration. They saw—you know who stole it? The Russians stole it. Something bad happened." The president added: "But we're now, we're the designer of it. We're now building them, and lots of them, and earlier this year, they launched it into space, setting a world record for amateur rocketry. Can't get you in there fast enough." The cadets participated in the SPEAR program which started in 2018 and is "one of the most ambitious undergraduate rocketry programs in the nation," according to West Point. The academy describes the problem as an initiative that provides cadets with "real-world experience in high-tech combat environments," aiming to "foster understanding of the Department of Defense's capabilities." Russia has demonstrated the use of a hypersonic weapon, but the Pentagon determined the Oreshnik missile was an experimental type of ballistic missile based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In January, just days after taking office for his second term, Trump accused Russia of stealing the designs for their rockets from the U.S., telling Fox News host Sean Hannity that "some bad person gave them the designs." "Russia stole the design, they got it from us," Trump said, but he said the U.S. is developing "super hypersonic is even a step better." The president offered no evidence to back up this claim. Graduating cadet Chris Verdugo speaks as President Donald Trump reacts during the 2025 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at West Point, New York, on May 24. Graduating cadet Chris Verdugo speaks as President Donald Trump reacts during the 2025 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at West Point, New York, on May 24. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images Praise for the Army: 'I Rebuilt It' Trump discussed his efforts to remake and improve upon the military, citing his increased budget of about $1 trillion, and talking about how he "rebuilt" the Army. "Every cadet on the field before me should savor this morning, because this is a day that you will never, ever forget in a few moments, you will become graduates of the most elite and storied military academy in human history, and you will become officers in the greatest and most powerful Army the world has ever known. And I know because I rebuilt that Army, and I rebuilt the military," Trump said. "And we rebuilt it like nobody has ever rebuilt it before, in my first term," he added. According to the Trump White House Archives, which detail aspects of his first term, Trump revitalized the defense industrial base, secured pay increases for troops, and created the Space Force, expanding the military's scope and operations. This included $2.2 trillion in spending over his first four years, with $738 billion spent in 2020; modernizing the nuclear and missile defenses; and upgrading cyber defenses by elevating Cyber Command to a major warfighting command. According to Newsweek reporting at the time, however, the military received pay increases every year, ranging from 1 to 2.9 percent, with the last year missing a pay increase occurring in 1983 because a change of date for when that would occur. A report from Politico in 2020 credited Trump with overseeing "historic increases in defense budgets," installing a number of defense industry insiders to top Pentagon positions and making a major push to sell more American weapons overseas, including more than $55.6 billion in foreign weapon sales in 2018, an increase of $20 billion over his first year in office. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Gang boss Mr Flashy trying to clear name over €954 vino heist at celeb chef's eatery over ‘bad for credibility' fear
CAGED gang boss Glen 'Mr Flashy' Ward is trying to clear his name — over the theft of 18 bottles of wine from celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's restaurant. Ward — named in the Advertisement 6 Glen Ward was named in the High Court as the leader of the 'Gucci Gang' Credit: Paddy Cummins 6 The pair stole 18 bottles of wine from celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's restaurant Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 Eric O Driscoll and Glen Ward pictured at Blanchardstown District Court Credit: Paddy Cummins The siblings — who are currently serving sentences for discharging lethal AR-15 and Mach 10 firearms at a house party — received four-month suspended sentences for acting as 'lookouts' when €954 worth of vino was stolen from the At the time, Ward, 32, had been staying in different locations in the city centre after his Following their convictions in May 2023, the pair were ordered to pay compo to the We asked the popular restaurant if the gangster brothers had offered them any Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS One source said: 'Both brothers remain determined to appeal their convictions over the wine. 'They tried to paint themselves as major players in the world of organised 'The decision on their appeals over the Marco Pierre White case will be made in the coming weeks.' And, as the pair remain on 23-hour lock-up over possession of the lethal weapons, The Irish Sun on Sunday today reveals for the first time how Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive Just three months after the gun attack — which claimed the life of During one incident in which Bonney was stopped by Bonney — Just six years later, Whelan was murdered. The night before he was murdered, they also fired shots at the home of an innocent member of his family. Advertisement SECRET HIDEOUT And the Hutch associate also told of his belief that Ward's gang were close to one of the gunmen involved in the murder of At the time of Bonney's interaction with Gardai, he had a secret hideout in north Dublin and was also terrified of being killed by a cartel gunman. Gardai believe that Ward's gang were offering their services to the cartel to target Hutch gang associates based in the Finglas area. Another source added: 'Bonney was under a lot of pressure at the time and he was terrified of Ward's gang because of their connections. Advertisement 'He knew that Whelan was close to Ward and the cartel hitman so he tried to get his female associate to keep away from Whelan. 'Ward's gang were trying to make a name for themselves at the time and were associating themselves with the Kinahan associates in Finglas. 'But it wasn't long before the Kinahan organisation realised that Ward's gang were a liability and kept away from them.' HOTEL COMPLAINTS On another occasion in 2018, Ward also joked that he was in Dublin city centre to meet the Hutch clan when confronted by Gardai. Advertisement Gardai were called to a hotel at 6.25am after complaints were made against Ward and his five associates. When Gardai ordered him to leave the hotel, he replied: 'I'm only here to meet my buddies — the Hutches.' During the search of his room, Gardai recovered laughing gas, before Ward then boasted to them that he had two bodyguards following him at all times. He also denied that his dog had been kidnapped by a gang rival in Blanchardstown, adding: 'My dog isn't a French bulldog — it's a higher breed. Do you think I would let that go if my dog was kidnapped?' Advertisement FIVE-AND-A-HALF-YEAR SENTENCE Ward's sentence last week is the first time he has been caged for any incidents that are linked to serious and organised crime. Following Ward's five-and-a-half-year sentence last week, Det Supt Paul Murphy told how the brothers had a 'history of involvement in organised crime'. The senior officer said: 'An Garda Siochana acknowledges the convictions and sentences imposed by the Special Criminal Court on Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward. 'The commitment of Detectives at Finglas Garda Station to investigate these individuals with a history of involvement in organised crime in our capital city — and locally in their own community in Finglas — has ensured the conviction of both by the Special Criminal Court. Advertisement 'Criminals, like Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward act and believe they are above the law, inflicting significant harm and tragedy on families in the community where they live and operate their criminality from.' 6 The siblings are currently serving sentences for discharging lethal AR-15 and Mach 10 firearms at a house party Credit: Garda Press Office Handout 6 Following Ward's five-and-a-half-year sentence last week, Det Supt Paul Murphy told how the brothers had a 'history of involvement in organised crime' Credit: 6 Ward's sentence last week is the first time he has been caged for any incidents that are linked to serious and organised crime Credit: Garda Press Office Handout Advertisement
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Caged thug Mr Flashy ‘always staying in safe houses' & dropped €20k bulletproofing gaff as new Gucci Gang details emerge
CAGED gangster Glen 'Mr Flashy' Ward spent €20,000 installing bullet proof windows and doors at his home in north Dublin. 4 Glen 'Mr Flashy' Ward spent €20,000 installing bullet proof windows and doors at his home in north Dublin Credit: IrishPhotoDesk 4 Ward received a jail sentence for firing an AR-15 rifle Credit: Garda Press Office Handout 4 An AR15 and Mach 10 used by the gang were found by Gardai in raids Credit: Garda Press Office Handout The reinforced windows and front door were installed at the property in Deanstown Green the day after the raid. Before they were installed, the ERU had to force their way into the property through a front window. Investigators from the But his days of forking out €20,000 for Read more in News Ward - named in the High Although Ward had given the address to Gardai as his family home, he never stayed at the property. One source said: 'The fact he was able to install reinforced windows and doors showed the cash he had at his disposal. 'His gang were earning a fortune from destroying communities like Finglas by flooding them with Most read in The Irish Sun 'Ward never stayed at the one property and was always staying in safe houses.' At the time of the raid, the hood had been staying in the Crumlin area, Pearse House in the capital and also Portarlington. GANG FEUDS He was constantly on the move after his gang were involved in two separate feuds. One was in Finglas with his old associates and the other was with a drug gang in Blanchardstown. Ward was also living in fear of being targeted by his old pals in the When he was feeling the heat, he often stayed in hotels in Dublin City Centre. 'A LOT OF ENEMIES' The source added: 'Ward had made a lot of enemies and after he lost his HQ in Finglas he was always staying in different places.' Ward was convicted of possessing the weapon after Gardai recovered a video from a phone showing Ward firing the gun and also encouraging his younger brother Eric O'Driscoll, 23, to discharge the firearm. Images and videos of the weapons - an AR15 and Mach 10 - used by the siblings were released by the Gardai after Monday's sentencing. O'Driscoll - classified by Gardai as a 'hot-head' with a 'propensity for violence' - received a five year sentence over his decision to use the firearm on the video. When released, Ward has undertaken not to associate with six associates - all from the Finglas area - whose names have been given to the court. 4 Ammo was also discovered by gardai during searches
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Mr Flashy mob reign of terror over as notorious Gucci Gang leader Glen Ward joins bro behind bars for party rifle stunt
THE reign of terror orchestrated by the mob run by Glen 'Mr Flashy' Ward is at an end after he was caged for five-and-a-half years yesterday. Ward — named in the High 6 Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward are now both behind bars Credit: IrishPhotoDesk 6 Images and videos of the weapons used by the gang were released by investigators Credit: Garda Press Office Handout 6 The guns were recovered from a back garden close to the gang's base Credit: Garda Press Office Handout Although the gangster has been a target for He was convicted of possessing the weapon after Gardai recovered a video from a phone showing Ward firing the gun and also encouraging his 23-year-old younger brother Eric O'Driscoll to discharge the firearm. Images and videos of the weapons — an AR-15 and Mach 10 — used by the siblings were released by the Gardai after yesterday's sentencing. O'Driscoll — classified by Gardai as a 'hot-head' with a 'propensity for violence' — also received a five-year sentence over his decision to use the firearm on the video. Read more in News One former investigator told us: 'Ward's gang caused untold mayhem to families across Finglas for many years. 'They were using the name of the Kinahan group to instil fear in the communities. 'There will be a sense of relief in Finglas and west 'Ward had been on the Garda radar for years and they kept the pressure on until he was caught. Most read in The Irish Sun 'Thankfully, their gang's ability to engage in serious and organised crime is now over.' The investigator added: 'Ward was very nice to Gardai when he was often stopped — but cops knew about the level of violence his gang were capable of. 'LAVISH LIFESTYLES' 'They earned the nickname 'Gucci Gang' because they were using the illegal proceeds of crime to fund their lavish lifestyles.' Feuding between rival criminal gangs led to a number of murders including those of gang members Zach Parker and Sean Little. The pair were also pals with Kinahan cartel hitmen Caolan Smyth, who was jailed over a failed hit on Hutch associate James Gately and Mohammed Smew, who was part of a hit team tasked with killing At the time they were feuding with former pals in 2019 and again in 2022, they were also recruiting kids as young as 13 years old to move WEAPONS FOUND The guns shown on the videos were recovered from a back garden close to the gang's base — later seized by Dublin City Council — in Finglas in February 2022. Over 300 rounds of ammunition were also recovered by cops. And between 2021 and 2022, Gardai recovered over €1m in drugs linked to the gang and €85,000 in cash in a series of raids. During the hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the weapon used was 'powerful' and 'capable of causing serious injury or death'. Investigators were only made aware of the siblings' access to the firearms when they examined a mobile phone in June 2022. PHONE EVIDENCE On that occasion, the phone was taken after Ward and his brother survived a murder bid when shots were fired at a taxi they were travelling in. The video showed Ward firing the AR-15 in the sky with a number of his associates looking on. It then showed O'Driscoll firing three shots into the air. Although officers recovered two firearms from the gang's arms stash, we can reveal they are still searching for another AR-15. In passing sentence, Ms Judge Greally said that there is a 'certain unreality' to the suggestion that Ward had only a fleeting involvement with the firearm. PLEA ACCEPTED However, she accepted that there was a 'dearth of evidence of his relationship to the firearm', and his plea was accepted based on what can be seen in the video clip. Since Ward's arrest, the court heard how he and his brother have been in a 23-hour lock-up due to threats against them. 'There will be a sense of relief in Finglas and west Dublin that the leader of this gang and his brother are now behind bars." Former investigator And when released, Ward has undertaken not to associate with six associates — all from the Finglas area — whose names have been given to the court. Ms Justice Greally sentenced Ward to six years and three months but suspended the final nine months. He must also keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months after his release, or he could serve the suspended portion of the sentence. 'HISTORY OF ORGANISED CRIME' Det Supt Paul Murphy told how the pair had a 'history of involvement in organised crime'. The senior officer said: 'An Garda Siochana acknowledges the convictions and sentences imposed by the Special Criminal Court on Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward. 'The commitment of detectives at Finglas Garda Station to investigate these individuals with a history of involvement in organised crime in our capital city, and locally in their own community in Finglas, has ensured the conviction of both by the Special Criminal Court. 'Criminals, like Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward, act and believe that they are above the law, inflicting significant harm and tragedy on families in the community in which they live, but also operate their criminality from.' 'YOU'RE DISPOSABLE' He continued: 'My message to young people in our communities is there is nothing positive these criminals can offer you and their actions are motivated by greed and are only self-serving. You are disposable to them. 'These convictions and sentences are a clear message to any person who involves themselves in any way with organised crime or criminal activity that An Garda Síochána will investigate these matters and they will be brought to justice before the courts. 'I would like to reassure the public in the greater Finglas area, An Garda Siochana does not tolerate organised criminal behaviour. 'Finally, my message to any person who uses illegal drugs is that, although you might consider yourself removed from organised crime, every time you buy or consume illegal drugs you are directly supporting criminals such as Glen Ward and Eric O'Driscoll and the misery that they have inflicted on their communities.' GANG'S REIGN OF TERROR And as Ward starts the first day of his sentence, we reveal new details of his gang's reign of terror between 2019 and 2022. As the mob flexed its muscles in the drugs trade in north Dublin, they embarked on a campaign of intimidation against anyone who opposed them. This included arson attacks, shooting, pipe bombings and assaults. On one occasion, they kidnapped a young man and threatened to kill him over a drug debt. 'Criminals, like Eric O'Driscoll and Glen Ward, act and believe that they are above the law, inflicting significant harm and tragedy on families in the community in which they live, but also operate their criminality from.' Det Supt Paul Murphy But the victim refused to make a complaint to Gardai over fears his family would be killed. On another occasion, they also placed a gun in the mouth of a young girl who owed a debt. 6 Gardai recovered a video from a phone showing Ward firing a gun Credit: IrishPhotoDesk 6 Over 300 rounds of ammunition were also recovered by cops Credit: Garda Press Office Handout 6 Between 2021 and 2022, Gardai recovered over €1m in drugs linked to the gang Credit: Garda Press Office Handout
