politics

Donald Trump has demanded that the Panama Canal be given back to the US if Panama did not manage the waterway in a fashion that was acceptable to him – and he accused the central American country of charging excessive rates for use of the ocean-connecting ship passage.

“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform late Saturday, a little more than a month before the start of his second US presidency. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop….”

Summary

House Speaker Mike Johnson angered both his Republican caucus and Donald Trump by negotiating a bipartisan budget deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown.

Trump, feeling “blindsided” and “furious,” reportedly encouraged Elon Musk to attack House leadership on X, leading to over 100 posts that derailed the deal temporarily.

While the budget ultimately passed with Democratic support, far-right Republicans were left fuming.

The incident highlights tensions within GOP leadership and Trump’s use of Musk to wield influence over congressional negotiations.

Summary

Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, has withdrawn her name from consideration for Florida’s Senate seat, previously held by Marco Rubio.

Rubio, nominated for secretary of state, will have his replacement chosen by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

A prominent surrogate during Donald Trump’s campaign, Lara’s withdrawal follows speculation about her continued political ambitions.

More than 100 days have passed since Israeli forces killed 26-year-old Turkish-American Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi as she protested illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. And still, no one has been held to account.

Despite pleas from her family and lawmakers, the Biden administration has not opened an independent investigation into her killing. Instead, it has said it’s awaiting the final results of Israel's probe, and reiterated this week that it’s up to the Justice Department to determine whether to launch an investigation into Ayşenur’s killing.

Summary

A Senate report revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted over $4.75 million in luxury travel and gifts from wealthy benefactors, including unreported trips in 2021.

These gifts, described as unparalleled in modern U.S. history, have intensified calls for a binding Supreme Court ethics code.

Critics argue the court’s self-regulated 2023 code lacks enforcement.

Republicans dismissed the investigation as partisan, while Democrats demand stricter oversight.

It's a bit dated since it was written in the wake of Kerry's defeat rather than Harris's, but that aside, it's discouragingly (or cynically amusingly) relevant, and could just as easily have been written today.

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Summary

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown with a last-minute funding bill, though chaos looms under Donald Trump.

Trump and Elon Musk's influence added instability, with Republicans rejecting a debt ceiling extension tied to billionaire tax breaks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced backlash after reneging on bipartisan agreements, killing provisions like pediatric cancer research and prescription drug cost reductions.

Trump’s contradictory social media posts further fueled GOP infighting.

The episode is framed as a preview of tumultuous governance, offering Democrats a chance to emphasize Trump’s unpredictability and potential for disruption.

Summary

Elon Musk’s aggressive role in pressuring House Republicans to alter a bipartisan spending deal, nearly causing a government shutdown, signals the influence he could wield under Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Trump views Musk as a "useful activist" and an effective tool for pressuring Congress while deflecting criticism.

Unlike past advisers like Steve Bannon, Musk’s wealth and status give him a unique position in Trump’s orbit.

However, many Republicans are frustrated with Musk’s unelected influence, amplified by his massive financial backing of Trump’s campaign and threats of primary challenges.