President Donald Trump insulted another female reporter Monday during a roundtable for a farm aid package, calling her “the most obnoxious” and “a terrible” reporter after she pointed out that the president contradicted his previous statement.
While taking questions from the media, ABC News reporter Rachel Scott asked the president about releasing footage from a recent boat strike – which Trump said, last week, he would have “no problem” releasing.
However, the president reversed his position Monday, claiming he “never said that” and telling Scott she is “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place.”
“Let me just tell you, you are an obnoxious – actually a terrible reporter,” Trump said after she asked the question a second time.
It’s the president’s latest attack aimed at women reporters.
Moments later, the president railed against Democrats for making it difficult to get U.S. Attorneys appointed after his pick to lead New Jersey, Alina Habba, his former personal lawyer, resigned.
A federal appeals court determined Habba was acting unlawfully in her position, leading to her removal.
Trump latest news: Key points
- Trump to offer $12 billion taxpayer bailout for farmers harmed by his tariff policies
- Alina Habba, Trump’s former lawyer, leaves position as US attorney
- Trump insults reporter, claims he never said he would support releasing boat strike video
- Conservative Supreme Court justices appear amicable to Trump firing heads of independent agencies
- Pete Hegseth repeatedly warned of Trump giving illegal military orders in 2016
China's economic success comes as exports rebound from Trump's tariffs, prompting criticism from France
Monday 8 December 2025 10:50 , Owen Scott
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs revealed that the country’s trading performance in November had added $112 billion to its trading surplus. That is the third-largest increase ever recorded by China.
Despite shipments to the United States plummeting in November, sales to the European Union and Africa surged. That allowed China to offset the balance, hindering the effectiveness of Trump’s strategy.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the EU may be forced to take “strong measures” to address the trade imbalance.
“I’m trying to explain to the Chinese that their trade surplus isn’t sustainable because they’re killing their own clients, notably by importing hardly anything from us any more,” Macron told Les Echos newspaper.
Trump lauds tariff policy despite China recording historic trade surplus
Monday 8 December 2025 10:55 , Owen ScottDonald Trump has claimed that his tariff policy has led to a “DECISIVE NATIONAL SECURITY RESULT,” despite China recording a $1 trillion trade surplus.
His rambling Truth Social post was uploaded yesterday evening, hours before the news of China’s historic economic success broke.
“While the United States has other methods of charging TARIFFS against foreign countries, many of whom have, for YEARS, TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF OUR NATION, the current method of Tariffing before the United States Supreme Court is far more DIRECT, LESS CUMBERSOME, and MUCH FASTER, all ingredients necessary for A STRONG AND DECISIVE NATIONAL SECURITY RESULT. SPEED, POWER, AND CERTAINTY ARE, AT ALL TIMES, IMPORTANT FACTORS IN GETTING THE JOB DONE IN A LASTING AND VICTORIOUS MANNER,” Trump wrote.
Tensions between China and the U.S. have worsened due to Trump's national security strategy
Monday 8 December 2025 11:12 , Owen Scott
Tensions between the United States and China were strained even further when the U.S. unveiled its controversial national security strategy.
In the 33-page document, Washington outlined that it does not “support any unilateral change” in the Taiwan Strait and that it maintains its "declaratory policy in Taiwan.”
In other words, the U.S. has said that the security of Taiwan remains vital for trade to continue to flow in the region.
Meanwhile, China, which has long coveted the island, warned against “external interference” from the U.S after launching a huge wave of naval vessels into East Asian waters last week.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, told Reuters that the U.S. should “handle the Taiwan question with the utmost prudence, and stop indulging and supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces in seeking independence by force or resisting reunification by force.”
MTG says that Republicans are "making fun" of Trump behind his back, as his support dwindles
Monday 8 December 2025 11:21 , Owen Scott
Former Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that support for the president continues to fracture in the Republican Party.
Speaking on 60 Minutes, Taylor Greene said that many Republicans only switched to supporting Trump when he won the primary in 2024.
“I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him, to when he won the primary in 2024, they all started — excuse my language, Lesley — kissing his a** and decided to put on a MAGA hat for the first time,” she said.
Taylor Green also alleged that Republicans are “terrified to step out of line” publicly, though, because they could “get a nasty Truth Social post on them.”
The representative for Georgia was one of the most vocal critics of Trump’s botched handling of the Epstein files.
She was branded “Marjorie ‘traitor’ Greene” by Trump for urging him to release the files and claimed that she received death threats from his supporters.
Watch: MTG speaks out against Trump on 60 Minutes
Monday 8 December 2025 11:25 , Owen ScottMarjorie Taylor Greene tore into Trump on 60 Minutes, in yet another bombshell interview following her dramatic fallout with the commander-in-chief.
Wearing a jumper with an American flag on the front, Greene claimed that her fellow Republicans are scared of the GOP leader but that support for him was continuing to fray.
MTG says death threats against her were 'directly fueled by President Trump'
Monday 8 December 2025 11:32 , Owen ScottMarjorie Taylor Greene told Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes that death threats against her increased after Trump issued a vicious Truth Social post about her.
In the post, the president branded her as “Marjorie ‘traitor’ Greene” for breaking with him over the Epstein files.
“After President Trump called me a traitor, I got a pipe bomb threat on my house,” she told Stahl. “And then I got several direct death threats on my son.”
“The subject line for the direct death threats against my son was his words – Marjorie Traitor Greene,” she added. “Those are death threats directly fueled by President Trump.”
Fury in Japan grows over Trump's silence on China row
Monday 8 December 2025 11:40 , Owen Scott
Anger has continued to build in the Japanese government over Trump’s silence on the growing feud between China and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Takaichi said that an invasion of Taiwan by China posed an “existential threat” which could force Japan to launch military action against Beijing’s government.
China has threatened retaliatory economic actions and even had warplanes lock their radars on Japanese fighter jets south-east of Okinawa on Saturday, according to Takaichi.
Trump’s administration has been silent on the worsening situation, despite George Glass, ambassador to Japan, previously saying that the U.S. president and his administration “have her back,” meaning Takaichi.
According to the Financial Times, Shigeo Yamada, Japan’s ambassador in Washington, has expressed his government’s frustrations to the Trump administration and urged them to ramp up support for his country.
Trump considering ditching Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, reports say
Monday 8 December 2025 11:49 , Owen ScottPresident Donald Trump is reportedly considering moving on from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a staff shakeup that could come in time for the New Year, according to a report.
Two former DHS officials who served under both Trump and former President Joe Biden told The Bulwark that Trump is considering moving on from Noem, with the change potentially coming “really soon.”
A third official cautioned that the current situation is “fluid,” meaning Trump may still let the ex-South Dakota governor lead new enforcement operations planned for January and February, according to the report.
Isabel Keane has the full story...
Trump weighs in on Netflix buying Warner Bros
Monday 8 December 2025 11:59 , Owen ScottDonald Trump suggested that Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros “could be a problem,” during an event on Sunday.
The president also claimed that Netflix already has a “big market share.”
Although it requires government approval to seal the deal, Netflix is poised to acquire the historic production company for $83 billion.
If the streaming giant is successful, it will be given access to HBO franchises, including Sex and the City and The White Lotus, as well as blockbusters, including Harry Potter.
Watch: Trump appears to fall asleep at own cabinet meeting
Monday 8 December 2025 12:01 , Owen ScottDonald Trump appeared to be unable to keep his eyes open at his own cabinet meeting.
The president gently nodded and shut his eyes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the room.
Concerns over Trump’s health and age have swirled in recent months, with the president being spotted with bruised hands smeared with makeup.
He also confirmed that he underwent an MRI scan for cardiovascular and abdomen checks. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, described this as “standard” and claimed that the president “remains in excellent overall health.”
Russia describes Trump's security strategy as 'consistent with our vision'
Monday 8 December 2025 12:17 , Owen Scott
Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, has cheered Donald Trump’s security strategy as being “consistent” with Russia’s vision.
The Trump administration unveiled its National Security Strategy last week, which was filled with excoriating words for Europe.
In the guideline, the U.S. warned that Europe faces “civilizational erasure,” and claimed that the continent needed to “ reestablish strategic stabilitywith Russia.”
Peskov said that the report was welcome news in Russia.
"The adjustments we are seeing, I would say, are largely consistent with our vision, and perhaps we can hope that this could be a modest guarantee that we will be able to constructively continue our joint work on finding a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, at the very least," Peskov said, according to local reports.
Watch: Pastor says Barron Trump is 'very close' to publicly declaring Christian faith
Monday 8 December 2025 12:30 , Owen ScottPastor Stuart Knechtle has claimed that he spoke with Barron Trump late into the night and that the president’s son is “very close” to declaring his Christian faith.
Speaking onThe George Janko Show, Knechtle said that he persuaded Barron by regailing him with stories about a missionary’s work in Africa. Knechtle claimed that this missionary had a divine revelation while conducting his work.
"He's very close to putting his faith in Christ, very close," he said, meaning Barron.
"He was like, ‘Oh, that's a very, very interesting point,’” Knechtle added. “And you have eyewitness testimony.”
Trump once bragged that China would be in "serious trouble" without the US
Monday 8 December 2025 12:46 , Owen Scott
In 2016, Trump bragged to CNBC that “without us, China would be in serious trouble.”
During his first administration, he banned the sale of advanced chip technologies to China and blacklisted Chinese tech firms.
Now, China controls 61 percent of the world’s rare earth minerals and 90 percent of the processing tools needed to refine them.
Those minerals are used in everything from defense technology, mobile phones and advanced medical equipment.
Trump told 60 Minutes that the U.S. would no longer be dependent on Chinese rare earth minerals in a year and a half but it is unknown how he plans to achieve this.
However, the United States’ current dependency on China’s minerals means that the US does not have as many cards to play against China as it once did.
During negotiations earlier this year, China was able to force Trump to lower tariffs and offer the country direct channels with tech firm Nvidia.
Trump, though, seemed optimistic.
When asked to give the trip a score out of 10, the U.S. president told reporters that he would rank the trip as a “12.”
Trump no longer disputing criticisms of Hegseth, report says
Monday 8 December 2025 12:55 , Owen ScottPresident Donald Trump is starting to grow weary of the ongoing controversies plaguing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a new report.
While the president has stood by Hegseth in public, he has shown less enthusiasm behind closed doors, The Atlantic reported on Friday.
Several unnamed sources familiar with White House discussions spoke to the publication, with one describing it as a “rough week for Pete.”
Brendan Rascius has the full story...
Trump no longer pushing back when insiders say Hegseth is not up for the job: report
Watch: Trump claims that people were coming into America from the 'fourth world'
Monday 8 December 2025 13:17 , Owen ScottDonald Trump has claimed that immigrants from the “fourth world” were coming into America, before he took office.
However, scholars have not normally defined any country as being “fourth world.”
Even the use of “third world” has become increasingly outdated, with economists generally using the term Economically Less Developed Countries.
Experts say the US-China trade truce will hold...for now
Monday 8 December 2025 13:25 , Owen ScottThe truce in China and the United States’ trade war should hold into next year, according to experts.
Economists told The Telegraph that exports remain a key driver in the economies of both countries, so it makes sense for each nation to continue trading as normal for now.
“We believe exports will remain a key driver for growth next year,” an analyst at Citi told the publication. “In our base case, the US-China trade truce will likely be sustained through 2026 despite being fragile.”
Duncan Wrigley from Pantheon Macroeconomics added that Chinese economic growth could continue, even if the EU clamps down on imports.
Much of that growth will be driven by exports to Africa.
“November’s data suggest this approach remains viable, despite US tariffs, with shipments to non-US markets rising 12.1pc,” Wrigely told The Telegraph. “That said, some developed markets are likely to take protectionist measures, as President Macron said with respect to the EU.”
“Exports to the Global South should remain resilient, though growth rates to markets like Africa may slow given the meteoric rises this year,” he added.
Trump's top pick to lead the federal reserve could send inflation skyrocketing
Monday 8 December 2025 13:45 , Owen ScottExperts have warned that Donald Trump’s top-pick to lead the Federal Reserve could send inflation soaring.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, is expected to take over from the incumbent Jerome Powell, whom Trump has repeatedly clashed with.
However, economist Justin Wolfers has warned the president against appointing a loyalist to the role.
“We’ve seen it happen in other countries like Turkey—you appoint a loyalist, the loyalist puts in place policies that reflect the president’s idiosyncratic, utterly bizarre, dreamtime views about how the economy works,” Wolfers told MS NOW. “And what happened in Turkey was inflation rose to 80 percent.”
Pete Hegseth repeatedly warned of Trump giving illegal military orders in 2016
Monday 8 December 2025 13:46 , Owen Scott
Pete Hegseth repeatedly warned of Trump giving illegal military orders in 2016, in resurfaced interview clips, which come as the Secretary of Defense becomes increasingly mired in controversy over his alleged “double-tap” strike.
“You’re not just gonna follow that order if it’s unlawful,” Hegseth said on Fox and Friends in March 2016, referring to army officials.
“The military’s not gonna follow illegal orders,” he said on an appearance on Fox Business during the same month.
At the time, Trump claimed that military lawyers and officials should ignore the rules of war to meet their goals.
The news comes after Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered officers to “kill everybody” on board an alleged Venezuelan drug boat.
A strike was launched at the vessel shortly before the survivors were bombed in a second attack.
Now, the secretary of defense is facing increased pressure with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul demanding that Hegseth testify under oath about the strike.
Trump floats a name change for the Kennedy Center
Monday 8 December 2025 14:02 , Owen ScottDonald Trump joked about renaming the Kennedy Center after himself as he compered the performing arts venue’s annual awards evening on Sunday.
“This place is hot,” the president said during his remarks at the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors, as he admired the building’s latest makeover, carried out to his own specifications. “The Trump-Kennedy Center. I mean, the Kennedy Center. I’m sorry. This is terribly embarrassing.”
Joe Sommerlad has the full story...
Trump jokes about renaming Kennedy Center after himself at honors show
Colin Allred drops out of Senate race to make room for possible Jasmine Crockett run
Monday 8 December 2025 14:06 , Owen ScottFormer representative Colin Allred has announced that he will not be running for the Texas Senate to avoid a “bruising” primary.
Instead, Allred will be running to become the representative for Texas’s new 33rd congressional district.
“In the past few days, I’ve come to believe that a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers Paxton, Cornyn, or Hunt,” he wrote on X.
Democratic firebrand Jasmine Crockett is widely expected to run for the Texas Senate.
The incumbent John Cornyn is battling with other Republicans ahead of the primaries, as his hold on the seat looks increasingly uncertain.
He faces pressure Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Representative Wesley Hunt.
Nancy Sinatra takes fresh swipe at Trump
Monday 8 December 2025 14:20 , Owen ScottNancy Sinatra took the time to remind her followers Saturday that her father, Frank, “loathed” President Donald Trump.
Responding to a video purporting to show ICE officers harassing Latino construction workers, Nancy, 85, wrote on X: “This is not my father’s America. He would be devastated. Trump is so wrong in so many ways.”
When someone commented, “Your Dad would have loved Trump,” Nancy shot back, “Do some homework before you make a fool of yourself. My dad LOATHED Trump.”
Tom Murray has the full story...
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Frank Sinatra ‘loathed’ Trump, singer’s daughter Nancy tells MAGA supporter
Trump insults Marjorie Taylor Greene after ‘60 Minutes’ interview
Monday 8 December 2025 14:55 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump attacked his former ally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a long-winded Truth Social post Monday after Greene criticized the president’s polices on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
Defending himself against Greene, the president claimed she “went BAD” because “she was JILTED by the President of the United States.”
“Marjorie is not AMERICA FIRST or MAGA, because nobody could have changed her views so fast, and her new views are those of a very dumb person,” Trump wrote.
Among his insults, Trump called Greene a “Rotten Apple,” “Traitor,” and “low IQ.”
The president went on to demand that “60 Minutes” interviewer Lesley Stahl lied about the Hunter Biden laptop controversy
Supreme Court to hear arguments in blockbuster case that could extend Trump’s power further
Monday 8 December 2025 15:15 , Ariana BaioThis morning, the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a case between Trump and Rebecca Slaughter, the former head of the Federal Trade Commission, whom Trump fired earlier this year for not aligning with his agenda.
In what is set to be another major case for Trump’s authority, the justices will be deciding whether the president had the authority to fire Slaughter.
According to 90 years of precedent, the president is not allowed to fire the heads of independent agencies, such as the FTC, for any reason other than "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office."
But since taking back the White House, Trump has interpreted Supreme Court landmark rulings and Constitutional amendments as a light suggestion
The president and his allies are proponents of the “unitary executive theory” – the idea that the president has complete control over the entire executive branch.
Trump to offer $12 billion taxpayer bailout for farmers harmed by his tariff policies
Monday 8 December 2025 15:40 , Andrew FeinbergPresident Donald Trump will announce a $12 billion program that will see the Department of Agriculture dole out taxpayer funds to bail out American farmers who have been hit hard by low crop prices and decreased demand for their products as a result of the president’s tariff policies.
A White House official confirmed to The Independent that Trump would unveil the program on Monday during a roundtable event at the White House alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Read more from White House Correspondent Andrew Feinberg:
Trump to offer $12 billion taxpayer bailout for farmers harmed by his tariff policies
Mamdani reminds New Yorkers to know their rights when confronted by ICE
Monday 8 December 2025 16:05 , Ariana BaioGreene responds to Trump’s attacks: ‘I am America first’
Monday 8 December 2025 16:27 , Ariana BaioRepublican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene responded to Trump’s rant on Truth Social about her interview on “60 Minutes” by mocking the way the president speaks on social media and comparing how much money both have taken from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
On X, Greene posted two graphics, displaying how much they’ve taken from AIPAC, a powerful bipartisan lobbying group – seemingly to insinuate the president is more interested in foreign matters.
Greene’s displays $0.00 while Trump’s says $230,473,622.
“I AM AMERICA FIRST,” Green wrote.
The former Trump ally then mocked Trump’s sign-off on social media posts.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter. - MTG”
I AM AMERICA FIRST. 🇺🇸
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 8, 2025
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
-MTG https://t.co/6hqJbWxnNZ pic.twitter.com/JdhKIWFDCG
At the Supreme Court: Solicitor General brushes off concerns about Federal Reserve
Monday 8 December 2025 16:45 , Ariana BaioDuring Supreme Court oral arguments, justices grilled Solicitor General D. John Sauer about how a ruling in favor of the president could impact his authority over the Federal Reserve – an independent agency that Trump has expressed interest in having more influence over.
The court is currently hearing arguments in a case that will determine whether Trump has the authority to fire the head of independent agencies – something that defies a 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent.
While the case is about the Federal Trade Commission, justices expressed concern about how this ruling could impact other agencies.
However, when confronted with the question Monday, Sauer continuously brushed aside concerns about the matter, claiming it was not the issue before the court.
Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh voiced concern that a ruling in this case could “undermine” the independence of the Fed.
Roughly two dozen other agencies would be directly impacted by a ruling that allows Trump to fire the head of the agency, Sauer said.
The Trump administration is also seeking to allow the president to fire a Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, in a separate case.
Hegseth warned about Trump issuing illegal military orders as a Fox contributor in 2016
Monday 8 December 2025 17:00 , Alex WoodwardAs a Fox News personality, Pete Hegseth repeatedly stressed that U.S. service members were duty-bound to resist unlawful orders from a potential President Donald Trump.
Now serving as Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Hegseth is railing against Democratic members of Congress and threatening to haul at least one sitting senator into military tribunals for delivering a similar message.
Read more here:
Hegseth warned of Trump issuing illegal military orders as a Fox contributor in 2016
At the Supreme Court: Sotomayor warns ruling would ‘destroy’ the structure of government
Monday 8 December 2025 17:33 , Ariana BaioLiberal justices expressed deep concern with a ruling in favor of Trump that would allow the president to fire the heads of independent agencies – particularly about the long-term impact of the ruling.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer attempted to brush off concerns that a ruling for Trump would impact other major independent agencies, such as the Federal Reserve.
Clearly frustrated, Justice Sonia Sotomayor grilled Sauer, “You’re asking us to destroy the structure of government and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent.”
Conservative justices appear amicable to Trump firing heads of independent agencies
Monday 8 December 2025 17:45 , Ariana BaioA majority of the conservative justices on the Supreme Court voiced tempered support for the idea that the president should have the authority to fire the heads of independent agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, during oral arguments Monday.
Chief Justice John Roberts argued that the FTC has amassed enormous power over the decades that requires some sort of reining in.
Justice Samuel Alito attempted to quell fears about the long-term impact of a ruling in favor of Trump by inviting the solicitor general to “address” concerns that “the entire structure of the government would fall.”
“The sky will not fall,” Sauer responded.
Justice Neil Gorsuch openly admitted he has long desired for the court to reconsider the 90-year-old precedent set in Humphrey's Executor v. United States.
“I’ll put my cards on the table,” Gorsuch began before claiming the case was “poorly reasoned.”
Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew released from ICE detention
Monday 8 December 2025 18:00 , Alex WoodwardAn immigration judge has ordered the release of the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew after she was arrested by immigration agents last month and threatened with removal from the country.
Bruna Ferreira, who is originally from Brazil, was driving to pick up her 11-year-old son from school when she was suddenly surrounded by federal officers. Since then, the 33-year-old Brazilian mother has been detained inside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana.
An immigration judge ordered her release Monday on a $1,500 bond while she continues a legal battle against Donald Trump’s administration, which has labeled her a “criminal illegal alien.”
The story of Ferreira’s November 12 arrest and detention is deeply familiar to hundreds of immigrant families embroiled in similar legal battles and deportation threats, while the revelation of her ties to Leavitt, whose brother is the father of Ferreira’s child, has brought the family into unprecedented legal territory.
MAGA foe Jasmine Crockett expected to jump into Texas Senate race as Allred drops out
Monday 8 December 2025 18:30 , John BowdenTexas Rep. Jasmine Crockett was expected to announce on Monday that she would join the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in the Lone Star State — the same day one of her would-be opponents decided to exit the race.
Collin Allred, Crockett’s colleague in the House, withdrew his bid for the seat early Monday morning, hours after news of Crockett’s plans were made public in Texas media outlets. Also running for the position is James Talarico, a Texas state senator.
Crockett’s national profile and popularity with the party’s younger members give her a clear edge in the race, but Talarico has worked to build his own brand among Democrats in Washington and elsewhere outside of Texas.
The state became the first battleground in a newly ignited war over mid-decade redistricting efforts by both parties to secure stronger House majorities next year.
Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner is investor in Paramount’s hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros
Monday 8 December 2025 18:45 , Justin BaragonaThe private equity firm that’s headed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is part of the group that’s joining Paramount’s hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery, regulatory filings revealed on Monday.
Read more from Justin Baragona:
Jared Kushner is investor in Paramount’s hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros
Watch Live: Trump announces $12 billion taxpayer bailout for farmers at roundtable
Monday 8 December 2025 19:10 , Independent VideoAlina Habba, Trump’s former lawyer, leaves position as US attorney
Monday 8 December 2025 19:15 , Ariana BaioAlina Habba, the president’s former personal lawyer who was selected to lead the District of New Jersey, announced Monday she would leave her position after months of battling lawsuits declaring her to be unlawfully serving in her seat.
In a letter posted on X, Habba said she would “step down” from her role, despite never having served lawfully, to “protect the stability and integrity” of the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Habba was selected to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney in New Jersey in March, but after the end of her 120-day term, the state’s federal judges attempted to replace her with their own nominee. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi intervened to keep Habba in the acting role for an additional 210 days.
Ultimately, a federal appeals court ruled Habba was not serving in the position lawfully.
Habba said she would serve as the senior advisor to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
— Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) December 8, 2025
Congress may withhold Pentagon’s funding if they doesn’t release boat strike videos
Monday 8 December 2025 19:30 , Ariana BaioMembers of Congress are warning the Pentagon that they could withhold up to 75 percent of its annual funding if it doesn’t provide the House and Senate Armed Services Committees with “unedited video of the strikes conducted against terrorist organizations in the area of responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command.”
The warning, tucked into the proposed National Defense Authorization Act, comes as the Pentagon is facing increasing pressure to reveal more information about the lethal boat strike operations.
Although Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has released edited videos of the strikes publicly, members of Congress have asked for more transparency.
Trump has supported the idea of releasing the videos, but Hegseth has not committed to that yet.
Leaders on the Armed Services Committees have already seen some of the videos, including a “double tap” strike conducted on a boat with survivors in September.
Trump says tariff revenue will be directed to farmers
Monday 8 December 2025 19:48 , Ariana BaioDuring a roundtable discussion Monday afternoon, Trump announced he would use tariff revenue to provide relief for farmers who have been struggling to make profits over the last year.
Despite Trump’s tariffs being a contributing factor to farmers’ economic struggle, the president boasted the tariffs were helping the administration provide aid to farmers.
Farmers lobby Trump during roundtable
Monday 8 December 2025 20:14 , Ariana BaioA group of farmers, brought to the White House for a roundtable on a farm aid bill, is lobbying Trump to look into individual countries, such as India, for not purchasing enough U.S. products.
One farmer encouraged the president to support the sale of ethanol for E15, a gasoline blend, insinuating that more farmers would support Trump if he did.
Trump insults reporter, claims he never said he would support releasing boat strike video
Monday 8 December 2025 20:25 , Ariana BaioWhen asked about his previous comment agreeing to release the video of the administration’s boat strike, Trump insulted an ABC News reporter and claimed he “never said that.”
During an Oval Office presser earlier this month, the president said he would have “no problem” releasing the full video of the September strikes that killed two survivors.
“I don’t know what they have, but whatever they have, we’d certainly release, no problem,” Trump said earlier this month.
But Monday, the president lashed out at a reporter, claiming, "I never said that, you said that.”
When the reporter tried to correct him, he called her “obnoxious.”
Watch: President Xi questions validity of a "Trump statement" during South Korea meeting
Monday 8 December 2025 20:46 , Independent VideoJudge orders whistleblower testimony in migrant flight contempt case
Monday 8 December 2025 21:05 , Alex WoodwardDistrict Judge James Boasberg is leaving Kristi Noem off the hook, for now, after she told his court that she made the decision to ignore his court orders that blocked Venezuelan immigrants from going to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
Her declaration “does not provide enough information for the Court to determine whether her decision was a willful violation of the Court’s Order,” so the judge “cannot at this juncture find probable cause that her actions constituted criminal contempt,” he wrote in an order on Monday.
The judge now wants testimony from a whistleblower as well as the top federal prosecutor on major immigration cases.
He is calling on Erez Reuveni — who blew the whistle on DOJ’s defiance after his was fired earlier this year — and DOJ lawyer Drew Ensign to testify later this month.
Duffy and Kennedy pitch ideas to make travel healthier
Monday 8 December 2025 21:22 , Ariana BaioTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said they’re teaming up to make travel healthier and easier for families this holiday season.
Duffy implored people to act with kindness when at the airport and give families traveling with children “a little bit of grace” – especially when dealing with upset children.
He added that the Transportation Department would be offering grants to airports that want to add family-oriented infrastructure, such as play areas for children, extra nursing pods or a “workout area” for people to use before getting on a plane.
Kennedy said he wants airports to offer healthier food options, such as vending machines that offer healthy food.
At the end of the press conference, Duffy and Kennedy did pull-ups on a bar – demonstrating how a “workout area” could be added to an airport.
Pull-up competition between Secretaries Kennedy and Duffy. pic.twitter.com/V2QpqDgvLo
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 8, 2025
Watch: Farmer says his kids want Trump instead of Santa Claus this Christmas
Monday 8 December 2025 21:47 , Independent VideoDonald Trump’s former personal attorney, Alina Habba, will “step down” from her role as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey after several judges determined she was unlawfully serving as the state’s top federal prosecutor.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Alina Habba ‘resigns’ as New Jersey’s top prosecutor after judges gave her the boot
Resignation of Habba ends 'troubling chapter,' NJ Dems say
Monday 8 December 2025 22:18 , Josh Marcus
New Jersey Democrats celebrated the resignation of former Trump lawyer Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney for the state, describing the moment as the end of a concerning chapter in New Jersey politics.
“Today’s resignation of Alina Habba from her role as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey brings to a close a troubling chapter and confirms what we have warned from the start,” U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim wrote in a statement.
Habba was originally the state’s acting U.S. Attorney, and the Justice Department then promoted her to stay in the role despite her 120-day term running out.
“Habba’s installation through an irregular and unlawful process undermined the credibility of the office and eroded the public’s trust in the state’s chief federal prosecutor,” the Democrats’ statement added. “The courts’ rulings only confirmed our longstanding concerns—that this appointment was driven by political loyalty, not qualifications or respect for the rule of law.”
The pair called on the administration to put forward a “qualified nominee” with “unquestioned integrity” to replace Habba.
Jimmy Kimmel renews for another year at ABC, despite spat with MAGA over Charlie Kirk and editorial independence concerns
Monday 8 December 2025 22:35 , Josh MarcusJimmy Kimmel has struck a deal with Disney to extend his late-night show for another year.
Three months after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended in September, the comedian’s contract will now take the show through May 2027.
Kimmel’s current deal with Disney, the owner of ABC, was set to end in May 2026.
The new extension comes after months of worries about the future of late-night television. Kimmel was yanked off the air “indefinitely” following comments he made on the show about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Carsen Holaday and Inga Parkel report.
Trump says U.S. to approve sale of higher-end AI chips to China, while taking 25 percent cut
Monday 8 December 2025 22:55 , Josh MarcusThe U.S. will allow Nvidia to sell its higher-end H200 chips to “approved” customers in China, President Trump announced on Truth Social on Monday, the latest twist in a multi-month saga over how much of the key AI technology the U.S. rival will be able to access.
The president said in his post that U.S. will take a 25 percent cut of sales and Chinese President Xi Jinping responded “positively” to the decision.
Previously, the White House and Nvidia agreed to a deal to sell a lower-end chip in China, with the U.S. taking a smaller percentage, though that idea was later scuttled by China in trade negotiations.
Trump approves sale of more advanced Nvidia computer chips used in AI to China
DC police chief steps down after Trump's National Guard crackdown in the capital
Monday 8 December 2025 23:16 , Josh MarcusPamela Smith, Washington, D.C.’s police chief, is stepping down, she announced on Monday, following a tenure marked by the Trump administration’s highly charged decision to send the National Guard into the streets of the nation’s capital in a law-and-order crackdown.
“This role has been both challenging and rewarding,” Smith said in a statement. “I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved together, and I thank the residents of this city for their trust and partnership. While my aspiration has always been to see zero percent crime, we are not there yet.”
Last month, an assailant shot a pair of Guard troops out on patrol in Washington, killing one and injuring another.
Dramatic moment National Guard trade gunfire with DC shooting suspect caught on video
The clock is ticking for Trump on healthcare plans ahead of the midterms
Monday 8 December 2025 23:38 , Josh MarcusThe Republican party still hasn’t coalesced around a plan to address rising healthcare prices, even as a set of Obamacare tax breaks are set to expire at the end of the year.
The GOP remains divided, with some backing President Trump’s favored idea, sending money directly to Americans to use in buying their own healthcare, while others have suggested extending a scaled-back version of the ACA benefits.
Republican Senators Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Susan Collins of Maine introduced legislation to that effect this week, complete with a conspicuously familiar name: the CARE Act.
“This bill would help prevent unaffordable increases in health insurance premium costs for many families by extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits for two years and putting a reasonable income cap on these subsidies to ensure they are going to the individuals who need them,” Collins said in a statement.
The timing could not be worse for Republicans.
Without the subsidies, prices will spike for millions of Americans, right as we head into the 2026 midterm campaign season.
Elizabeth Warren slams Trump, CEO over 'backroom' China chips deal
Monday 8 December 2025 23:50 , Josh MarcusSen. Elizabeth Warren tore into the Trump administration on Monday, after the president said the U.S. would approve the sale of high-end Nvidia AI chips to China.
“After his backroom meeting with Donald Trump and his company’s donation to the Trump ballroom, CEO Jensen Huang got his wish to sell the most powerful AI chip we’ve ever sold to China,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement. “This risks turbocharging China’s bid for technological and military dominance and undermining U.S. economic and national security. Congress must act swiftly. It should pass bipartisan legislation that reins in this Administration, and it should require Mr. Huang to testify publicly and under oath.”
Catch up on our reporting for the full context.
Trump approves sale of more advanced Nvidia computer chips used in AI to China
How Nvidia's chips became central to the U.S.-China trade war
Trump's decision to pause wind projects illegal: judge
00:06 , Josh MarcusA federal judge on Monday found that the Trump administration’s decision to stop approving wind power projects in federal waters was “arbitrary and capricious,” violating federal law and lacking a clear explanation.
“The sole factor they considered in deciding to stop issuing permits was the president’s direction to do so,” a Massachusetts judge wrote of the agencies named in the case.
Here’s more background on the president’s anti-renewables agenda.
Trump admin cancels $679 million for offshore wind projects as attacks on reeling industry continue
Next New Jersey governor rips 'completely unqualified' Alina Habba
00:19 , Josh MarcusNew Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill joined the chorus of Democrats condemning Alina Habba, after the Trump ally stepped down as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey today, following another court ruling affirming her appointment was unlawful.
“Alina Habba was completely unqualified to lead the U.S Attorneys’ Office for the District of New Jersey, where I once served,” Sherill, a former prosecutor, wrote on X. “She explicitly politicized the office, weaponized it against the president’s perceived political opponents, and unlawfully stayed in this role until she was finally removed by the courts.”
Here’s Alex Woodward’s full report on Habba stepping down, and how it connects to a string of judicial disputes involving the Trump administration.
Alina Habba ‘resigns’ as New Jersey’s top prosecutor after judges gave her the boot
Trump kicks decision on releasing Caribbean strike video to Hegseth
00:49 , Josh MarcusAs pressure mounts for the Trump administration to release the full video of a Sept. 2 “double-tap” strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean that may have constituted a war crime, the president has backtracked on a commitment to release the footage and left the decision to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Trump, who previously said he would “certainly release” footage of the attack, now says the defense official has the final call.
“Whatever Pete Hegseth wants to do is OK with me,” Trump said Monday at the White House.
Here’s more context on the narco-boat scandal, which has raised concerns the military attacked helpless survivors of an initial strike.
Admiral said double-tap boat strike survivors had no way to call for help: report
Admiral reveals people killed in boat strike were on list of military targets: report
Hegseth warned of Trump issuing illegal military orders as a Fox contributor in 2016
Did the Trump administration torture imprisoned migrants to get them to self-deport?
01:10 , Josh MarcusCuban immigrants detained inside a military compound in Texas were severely beaten by guards before they tried to illegally coerce them into crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a complaint to Immigration and Customs Enforcement filed by civil rights groups.
Four Cuban immigrants inside a makeshift facility at Fort Bliss were among dozens of immigrants loaded into buses and pressured by masked federal agents to cross the border or risk being deported to Africa or a brutal prison in El Salvador – or face the prospect of indefinite detention at the military base, the letter says.
The filing from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups is based on interviews with 45 detainees at the facility, a sprawling $1.2 billion project that Donald Trump’s administration has designed to hold 5,000 people to support his mass deportation agenda.
A series of sworn testimonials describes the facility’s deteriorating conditions and routine beatings that have left several people hospitalized, including detainees whose testicles were “firmly crushed” by guards.
Alex Woodward has the story.
ICE threatened to dump Cuban immigrants in Mexico after Fort Bliss ‘torture’: letter
Trump threatens Mexico with 5 percent tariff over water issues
01:30 , Josh Marcus
Another day, another Trump tariff threat.
The president threatened Mexico on Monday with a 5 percent tariff, alleging the U.S. neighbor was failing to comply with the terms of a 1944 water treaty and owes the U.S. 800,000 acre-feet of water.
“The U.S needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after,” Trump wrote. “As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water. That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY.”
Judge declines to release MAGA clerk behind bars for 2020 scheme
01:45 , Josh MarcusA federal judge on Monday rejected an appeal from former Colorado clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year state conviction for participating in a plot to overturn the 2020 election.
Peters, who helped election deniers breach a secure voting system, had filed a habeas petition, arguing her trial had constitutional issues.
The judge found those issues were still pending in state court and declined to release the former official.
Here’s more on Peters and the MAGA effort to set her free.
Lawyer wants Trump to send in the 101st Airborne to free election-denier Tina Peters
Trumps celebrate Christmas amid political chaos
01:56 , Josh MarcusA key Trump ally may have just been forced to step down as prosecutor in New Jersey, millions of Americans are facing a spike in healthcare costs, and the administration is under pressure to disclose more about its Caribbean boat strikes, but that didn’t stop President and First Lady Trump from taking in the Christmas fun.
The president made a surprise appearance at a White House Christmas party, while the first lady flew on a military jet with Santa.
The @FLOTUS got Santa to ditch his sleigh for a V-22 Osprey for a trip to Quantico for @ToysForTots_USA pic.twitter.com/MEMRZeDKtS
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) December 8, 2025
President Trump surprised White House staff at their Christmas party ❤️🇺🇸
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) December 8, 2025
“Many of you have been with me from the beginning. We love you all!” pic.twitter.com/0e8tIPPyzL
