Latest news with #MakeAmericaGreatAgain
The Star
32 minutes ago
- Business
- The Star
Trump versus the gavel: Tariffs temporarily reinstated
US President Donald Trump. — Reuters THE courts have become the main nemesis to President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again reset plan. The move by the US Court of International Trade this week to block Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, marks the latest tussle between the president and the judicial branch of government.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump sends Musk out of White House with gold key as they talk Diddy pardon, Macron slap and Tesla chief's black eye
After spending 130 days working to dismantle entire federal government agencies, firing tens of thousands of civil servants and sparking dozens of lawsuits over potential misuse of Americans' personal data, the world's wealthiest man was rewarded with a gold-plated skeleton key that can be purchased for nearly $8,000 on eBay. Seated at the iconic desk hewed from timbers harvested from H.M.S. Resolute, President Donald Trump praised Elon Musk for his four months of work leading the 'Department of Government Efficiency,' a role from which Musk is required to depart due to his now-former status as a Special Government Employee, which had let him work for free without complying with any financial disclosure rules but only for 130 days per year. He called the Tesla and SpaceX CEO 'one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced' and hailed him for having led what Trump called 'the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.' 'Elon gave an incredible service. There's nobody like him, and he had to go through the slings and the arrows, which is a shame, because he's an incredible patriot. The good news is that 90% of the country knows that, and they appreciate it, and they really appreciate what he did,' he said. Trump then presented Musk with a trinket that dated back to the 47th president's prior term as the 45th President of the United States: A 'Key to the White House.' It was an oversize, gold-plated key in a wooden presentation box, with an engraving of the Executive Mansion on the inside of the lid. Musk was not by any means the first person to be gifted with this Trumpian trinket. In his 2022 memoir Breaking History, Trump's son-in-law and ex-senior adviser Jared Kushner recounted how he'd 'whipped out' the same gift for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a September 2020 meeting in the Oval Office. At the time, Trump called it a 'a special token of affection, given by myself and the First Lady to the Prime Minister and the First Lady of Israel.' 'And it's a key — we call it a key to the White House. And it's a key to our country and to our hearts,' he said as he handed it over to Netanyahu. Kushner wrote that Trump had told Netanyahu that the key he gifted him was 'the first key I'm giving to anyone' and claimed that it would grant the Israeli leader entry to the White House 'even when I'm not president anymore.' As he handed Musk the same tchotchke nearly five years later, Trump said it was 'a little special something' that he gives to 'very special people' as 'a presentation from our country.' It's not known how many of the souvenirs have been given out by Trump, but a search by The Independent revealed that identical items have been listed on eBay, with two current listings showing prices of $7,250 and $7,950. The auction site RR Auction also shows another of them having sold for $3,670. Musk, who wore a black 'Make America Great Again' cap, a black suit and a t-shirt with the words 'The Dogefather' on it and appeared to look around the Oval Office aimlessly as Trump spoke, accepted the box from the president as he told reporters that his time in the administration 'necessarily had to end' and had been 'a limited time.' But somewhat paradoxically, he said the DOGE team he put in place 'will only grow stronger over time' and compared DOGE to 'sort of Buddhism.' 'It's like a way of life. So it is permeating throughout the government, and I'm confident that over time, we will see a trillion dollars of savings and reduction in a trillion dollars of waste,' he said. He added that he will 'continue to be visiting' Washington 'as a friend and adviser' to Trump and stressed that he looked forward to being back in the Oval Office as he praised the president for his redecorating efforts, which have seen the iconic space take on a distinctively gilded look through copious amounts of gold leaf on the walls and ceiling. Musk also sported a noticeable black eye during the press conference, and when a reporter asked him what had happened to him, he blamed his young son, X Æ A-12, who goes by 'Little X.' 'I was horsing around with Little X, and I said 'go ahead, punch me in the face. And he did,' he said. But the centibillionaire's face wasn't the only one that was discussed during the hour-long session. After he and Musk spoke, Trump took questions on multiple topics, including one about a recent incident involving French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during which the French First Lady appeared to strike her husband as they were exiting an aircraft earlier this week. Asked whether he had any advice for his French counterpart, Trump — who has been married three times and divorced twice — replied: 'Make sure the door remains closed.' He added that he'd spoken with Macron recently and said the French first couple was 'fine.' 'They're two really good people. I know him very well, and I don't know what that was all about, but I know him very well, and they're fine,' he said. The hour-long back-and-forth with reporters marked the formal end of Musk's time in government, during which his DOGE organization was often at odds with members of Trump's cabinet and the wealthy GOP donor found himself on the outs with Trump after he donated millions and made personal appearances on behalf of a Wisconsin judicial candidate who lost badly despite his efforts. Musk also appeared to break with Trump over the president's 'Big Beautiful Bill' spending package, which doesn't lock in any of the slashing and burning the billionaire and his DOGE team have done during his time in government. His stated goal as the (apparently informal) head of DOGE was to slash government spending and save American taxpayers money. Before the inauguration, he claimed he could cut $1 trillion from the federal budget before September 30 by ending "waste, fraud, and abuse" — already a downgrade from his $2 trillion promise on the campaign trail. He further claimed that 'most of the work' required to make this happen would be done within 130 days. As of May 26, DOGE's online "wall of receipts" touts estimated savings of $175bn since the start of Trump's term, or $1,086.96 per taxpayer. The problem is that this figure may simply be nonsense. But Trump wasn't asked about Musk's comments about his spending package as he sent off his erstwhile ally with the ersatz gold key. He did, however, weigh in on the trial of hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, a former contestant on the president's reality television show, who is now in the dock on sex trafficking charges. Asked whether he'd consider a pardon for the disgraced musician, who he'd once called 'a good friend,' Trump demurred by saying he hadn't been watching the trial 'too closely' while leaving the door open by promising to 'look at what's happening.' 'I haven't seen him. I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, he sort of that relationship busted up, from what I read,' Trump said. 'I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' Io Dodds contributed reporting from San Francisco
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Trump burger' gets scathing reviews from food critics: 'Consistent in blandness'
A new Trump Burger restaurant that opened in Houston, Texas, this month has been panned by food critics, one reviewer describing its burgers as "consistent in blandness." A restaurant chain inspired by President Donald Trump has gained attention online, with some customers praising its offerings. The pro-Donald Trump chain has been praised by some customers online, one saying it had "amazing food," another that its burgers were "really really good", reports Newsweek. Trump remains a central figure among Republican voters, with 50% identifying with his 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement, according to a recent YouGov/The Economist poll. Discontent among conservatives with mainstream brands has also led to the rise of politically themed products like 'Ultra Right' beer, created in response to Bud Light's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. ALSO READ: One dead, several injured as severe weather hits Washington County, Kentucky Trump Burger restaurant On May 9, Trump Burger opened a new location in Houston, joining other branches in Bellville, Flatonia, and Kemah. Founded by Lebanese immigrant Roland Beainy, the chain is heavily branded with Trump imagery, including cutouts, photos, and campaign materials throughout the restaurants. Live Events The menu features items like the 8oz Trump Cheeseburger and the 16oz Trump Tower, both served with fries, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and the chain's signature 'Trump Sauce.' There's also a satirical 'Biden Burger' listed, described as a 1oz patty with 'not fresh' lettuce and 'old buns,' priced at $50.99 and humorously marked 'not available for cheating reasons.' ALSO READ: Will you get a refund for Trump tariffs after federal court's ruling? Check details What do the critics say? In a May 9 review for the Houston Chronicle, Yi-Chin Lee critiqued the food after visiting the Houston and Kemah locations. Lee described the burgers as 'consistently bland,' comparing them to something 'a cargo-short-wearing dad might serve while cosplaying a Food Network grill master once a year.' He noted a lack of grill flavor, juiciness, or melted cheese. Regarding the sides, Lee commented that while fries arrived hot and crispy on the outside, they were often soggy inside or overly salted. He reported seeing frozen fries taken from a brown bag and said the onion rings lacked texture and sweetness. However, he gave a more favorable review of the First Lady Chicken Sandwich—a nod to Melania Trump—praising its nicely grilled chicken breast and cheese. Another review, published May 15 by Eater Houston, echoed similar sentiments. Writer Brittany Britto Garley found the burgers thick but flavorless, topped with 'waxy cheese.' While the meals were affordable, she noted better options exist at similar prices elsewhere. Describing her experience, Garley said one location had an uncomfortable atmosphere: 'The vibe wasn't festive—it was stiff, uncertain, and uncomfortable, particularly for me, a woman of color. The other diners avoided eye contact.' ALSO READ: Elon Musk exits White House, 'poaches' top Trump aide Stephen Miller's wife Katie for private sector role Customer reactions Despite mixed professional reviews, the Bellville branch enjoys a strong 4.4-star rating on Google, based on over 1,500 reviews. One satisfied customer, Dave Fredrick, awarded five stars, saying, 'Amazing food. 10/10 will eat here again… Close to the best mushroom and Swiss I've had in a long time!' Another reviewer, Maureen Guzman, also gave five stars, writing, 'Small town patriotic vibes at Trump Cafe! Burgers were really really good!' Other feedback was more tempered. Victoria Ramos gave three stars, describing the restaurant as a 'novelty' and saying she wasn't eager to return but might try again someday. In a January 2024 review for UponArriving, Daniel Gillaspia remarked that while the vegetables were fresh, the burger patty reminded him of 'cafeteria-style patties—not terrible, just not amazing.' He did, however, praise the fries for their crispy texture and called the overall experience 'decent.' Trump Burger's future growth may hinge not just on customer appetite but on how closely its brand remains tied to Trump's political trajectory. Whether it expands further—or flames out—remains to be seen.
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘Trump Burger' Gets Scathing Reviews From Food Critics: ‘Bland'
A new Trump Burger restaurant that opened in Houston, Texas, this month has been panned by food critics, one reviewer describing its burgers as "consistent in blandness." The pro-Donald Trump chain has been praised by some customers online, one saying it had "amazing food," another that its burgers were "really really good." Newsweek contacted Trump Burger for comment on Friday outside of regular office hours via email. President Trump remains popular with Republican voters 50 percent of whom identify as part of his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement according to a recent YouGov/The Economist poll. Conservative dissatisfaction with mainstream brands has led to the launch of a series of partisan products including 'Ultra Right' beer, created in response to Bud Light's relationship with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. On May 9, Trump Burger opened a new outlet in Houston, adding to restaurants in Bellville, Flatonia and Kemah. The chain, founded by Lebanese immigrant Roland Beainy, is branded around Trump with its restaurants featuring pictures and cutouts of the president along with his campaign material. Its menu includes the 8oz Trump Cheeseburger and the 16oz Trump Tower, both with fries, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and Trump Sauce. A Biden Burger is also jokingly listed, which consists of "1 oz. beef, topped with tomato lettuce (not fresh) and our old buns." This satirical product is priced at $50.99 and marked as "not available for cheating reasons." On Thursday the Houston Chroniclepublished a review of Trump Burger from Yi-Chin Lee, based on visits to its Houston and Kemah restaurants. Lee said the chain's burgers were "consistent in blandness" describing one as "like one a cargo-short-wearing dad might serve when he's cosplaying a Food Network grill master once a year for a holiday picnic." He added: "It's missing the craggy edges which tells you the meat hasn't been on a hot grill for just enough time to develop that beefy flavor. There's no trace of char or smoke. Each bite doesn't leave you wanting more because there's no juiciness, and a slice of American cheese is barely melted." Referring to the fries, Lee said: "The regular and sweet potato fries arrived hot and crisp on the exterior, but they were either soggy inside or oversalted. I've watched the kitchen pull frozen fries from a brown bag, too. Onion rings also lacked that contrast between a well-fried exterior and tender sweetness of an allium." However he described the First Lady Chicken Sandwich, a tribute to Melania Trump, as "better than the burger, with a nicely grilled, not-too-dry chicken breast draped with two slices of American cheese." A review of the chain was also published on May 15 by Eater Houston, a food review website focused around the Texan city. Author Brittany Britto Garley, who visited multiple Trump Burger branches, concluded: "The chargrilled burger patties are thick but bland, topped with a waxy cheese that lacks any memorable flavor. The fries are crisp, and the meals affordable, clocking in at around the same price as you can get a burger and fries at another, arguably better, burger joint." Referring to the atmosphere at one outlet Garley said: "As I walked in on a recent Sunday, the tension, likely combined with our nervousness, felt palpable. Here, the vibe wasn't festive-it was stiff, uncertain, and uncomfortable, particularly for me, a woman of color. The other diners present avoided eye contact." However the Trump Burger branch in Bellville had a positive, 4.4 stars out of five, rating on Google reviews, based on 1,509 customer ratings. Dave Fredrick, a customer, gave five stars and wrote: "Amazing food. 10/10 will eat here again for absolute pleasure. My burger was made perfectly and so was my spouse['s] burger. I have to say it was close to being the best mushroom and Swiss I've had in a long time!!! Definitely recommend this place!!" Maureen Guzman also gave five stars adding: "Small town patriotic vibes at Trump Cafe! It didn't disappoint. Burgers were really really good! Will go back next time we are in Bellville." Victoria Ramos was more critical, only giving three stars out of five. She said: "My family and I visited around 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon and it was moderately busy. Definitely a novelty kind of establishment as I don't feel the need to return, but wouldn't object to another try at a later time." In a January 2024 article for review website UponArriving, former Trump Burger customer Daniel Gillaspia said: "The veggies on the burger appeared fresh, although the patty didn't quite match my personal taste. It had a reminiscent quality of those cafeteria-style patties-not terrible, just not the kind that leaves you with amazement. "On the flip side, the fries were a highlight, boasting a nice and crispy texture. All in all, I'd categorize the food as decent, falling in line with your typical burger joint fare." It remains to be seen whether Trump Burger will continue to expand and to what extent its fortune will be tied to the political trials and tribulations of its presidential namesake. Related Articles Soldier Pardoned by Trump Shares 'Plandemic' Conspiracy ImageGovernment Worker Angry With Trump Tried To Leak Classified Material: FBIDonald Trump Accuses China of Violating Deal After He Tried to Be NiceTrump Accuses China of Breaking Trade Deal, Markets React: Live Updates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican bill would name the DC Metro the ‘Trump Train,' as part of a ridiculous pattern
After Donald Trump lost his re-election bid in 2020 and exited the White House, his Republican allies on Capitol Hill continued to look for ways to venerate him. Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, for example, introduced legislation that would've renamed the immediate waters surrounding the United States, labeling them the 'Donald John Trump Exclusive Economic Zone.' Now that the president has returned to power, Steube is still thinking along similar lines, though as The Hill reported, the GOP congressman now has found something new he wants to rename. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced a bill Thursday to rename the Washington, D.C., subway system after President Trump and his MAGA slogan. The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known as WMATA, until it rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access, or WMAGA — a similar acronym to the Make America Great Again slogan — and renames the Metrorail the Trump Train. The legislation — which, incidentally, is quite real and not something I made up to make members of Congress appear foolish — has not yet picked up any co-sponsors, though if recent history is any guide, that will soon change. The proposal joins a growing list of related Republican measures that are currently pending on Capitol Hill: There's a bill that would create a $250 bill, and its Republican authors also want to feature Trump's face. (Existing federal law prohibits any living person from being depicted on U.S. currency, but the bill would create a one-time exception to the prohibition.) There's a similar bill that would put Trump's face on $100 bills, replacing Benjamin Franklin. There's a bill to make Trump's birthday a federal holiday. There's a bill to carve Trump's face into Mount Rushmore. There's a bill to rename Dulles Airport after Trump. What's more, this list doesn't include kindred efforts from the incumbent president's sycophantic allies, including measures to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize and to allow Trump to seek a third term. Rutgers University historian David Greenberg recently told Politico that there have been 'huge cults of personality' around former presidents, 'but even allowing for that on its own terms, [the spate of Trump-themed legislation is] pretty crazy.' The point isn't that any of these proposals are likely to pass. They're not. The point is that these measures are unlike anything in the American tradition, reinforcing a fundamentally unhealthy trend in Republican politics. As The New York Times recently summarized, 'A competition of sorts has broken out for whom the Republican base will see as the most pro-Trump member.' From the article: The rush of flattering legislation, some of which even the lawmakers concede is unlikely to pass, stands apart from merely carrying out Mr. Trump's agenda. ... 'It shows the power that Donald Trump has within the Republican Party these days, and that Republican members want to stay on his good side,' said Sean M. Theriault, government professor at the University of Texas at Austin. 'A lot of these people are in really safe districts, but they're also thinking about what their next step is. And so if they have designs on being in the Senate or running for governor or even a position in the administration, then there's no better way to get on his good side than to do these over-the-top moves toward him.' That was published before most of the aforementioned bills were introduced. I'm reminded anew of something Filipe Campante, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, said about these efforts: 'The reason why this is bad is the very fact that it's transparently ridiculous: It shows how this is becoming a Kim Jong-Un-style cult of personality, where the sycophants try to outdo one another in their groveling to get the attention of Dear Leader.' That competition, alas, is apparently intensifying. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on
