After President Donald Trump announced the U.S seized a tanker — the "largest tanker ever seized" — off the coast of Venezuela, his administration released a video of the operation.
American service members could be seen propelling from a helicopter as it landed on the tanker.
“For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X alongside the video.
The operation comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The Trump administration has bolstered its forces in the region with more than 15,000 troops and a dozen ships in the Caribbean, according to The New York Times.
“As you probably know, we’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela,” the president said at a roundtable Wednesday.
"Other things are happening,” the president added.
When asked what would happen to the oil from the tanker, Trump said, "We keep it.”
Since September, the U.S. has launched over a dozen strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing over 80 people, whom Trump administration officials have labeled “narcoterrorists.”
Trump mocks Hillary Clinton at JD Vance’s holiday reception
The Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper pepper-sprayed by ICE agents while filming documentary
ICE agents pepper spray crowd amid Trump’s Somalian crackdown
Democratic Senator fears Trump is ‘sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela’ to take its oil
Trump blasts European nations as weak and decaying in tirade against US allies
Trump News Latest: Key Points
- Trump slams New York Times after op-ed questions his 'vigor'
- President dismisses ‘affordability hoax’ at Pennsylvania rally intended to offer reassurances on economy
- Trump serves up vicious anti-immigrant rhetoric and jokes about deadly boat strikes
- Donald Trump suffers another defeat as Miami elects first Democrat mayor in 30 years
- Pam Bondi shares video footage of U.S. seizing oil tanker off Venezuela's coast
In pictures: U.S. seizes oil tanker off Venezuela's coast
23:14 , Rachel Dobkin
Trump asked what happens to oil from the seized tanker: 'We keep it'
22:50 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump revealed Wednesday that the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, which he called the “largest tanker ever seized.”
When asked what would happen to the oil from the tanker, Trump said, “We keep it, I guess.”
"We keep it, I guess," Trump says when asked what happens to the oil from the tanker the US just seized off the coast of Venezuela.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 10, 2025
Pam Bondi shares video footage of U.S. seizing oil tanker off Venezuela's coast
22:19 , Rachel DobkinAttorney General Pam Bondi has shared video footage of the U.S. seizing an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast.
“For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations,” Bondi explained in an X post.
Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025
Trump attacks CNN after raging against The New York Times
22:10 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump attacked CNN during a public roundtable Wednesday, calling it an “arm of the Democrat Party,” after raging against The New York Times Tuesday over its coverage.
"I think the people that have run CNN for...a long period are a disgrace,” Trump said Wednesday.
His disdain for traditional media is well recorded, including in several lawsuits he has filed.
On Tuesday, Trump accused NYT of “seditious, perhaps even treasonous” behavior after they came out with reporting scrutinizing his health.
In response, the NYT told The Independent: “Americans deserve in-depth reporting and regular updates about the health of the leaders they elect. Mr. Trump welcomed our reporting on the age and fitness of his predecessors; we're applying the same journalistic scrutiny to his vitality.
“Our reporting is heavily sourced, based on interviews with people close to the president and with medical experts. We won’t be deterred by false and inflammatory language that distorts the role of a free press."
The Independent has reached out to CNN for comment.
Read more about Trump’s rebuke of the NYT here:
Trump calls it ‘treasonous’ for New York Times to report on concerns over his health
Watch: Trump accuses CNN of being 'arm of the Democrat Party'
21:50 , Rachel DobkinQ: Has Hegseth told you why he hasn't released the video of the second strike?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
TRUMP: He hasn't told me. I thought that issue was dead. I'm surprised you're bringing it up. Are you with CNN?
Q: I am with CNN
TRUMP: You work for the Democrats pic.twitter.com/VV3qe3F2EF
Trump takes aim at CNN during roundtable, calling leaders a 'disgrace'
21:30 , Kelly RissmanWhen a reporter asked whether Defense Secretary Hegseth had explained why he hasn't yet released the footage of the double-tap strike, Trump insisted the journalist must be with CNN.
“No, he hasn’t told me,” Trump began. “I thought that issue was dead. I'm surprised you're bringing it up. You must be CNN. Are you CNN?”
The reporter confirmed she was with CNN, adding that lawmakers are still discussing the controversial strike on the Hill. She said mostly Democrats were talking about it.
"You mean the people that you work for? The Democrats...You're basically an arm of the Democrat party,” Trump said to the reporter.
Earlier at the roundtable, Trump said: "I think the people that have run CNN for...a long period are a disgrace.”
He suggested the media company should be sold “because I think the people running CNN right now are either corrupt or incompetent.”
Trump clarifies his 'affordability hoax' remarks at the Pennsylvania rally
21:17 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump clarified his comments from the rally last night, in which he labeled Americans’ cost-of-living concerns a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats.
Asked about what he meant during his remarks at the rally, Trump said Wednesday: “The word they use is a ‘hoax’ because they’re the ones who caused the problem.”
“They’re the ones who gave the high prices,” Trump added, saying they shouldn’t be using the word “affordability.”
Trump defends Cabinet members amid allegations that he's weighing their exits
21:13 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump rejected various media reports claiming that he’s planning on letting several Cabinet members go at the year’s end.
“I think my Cabinet is fantastic,” he said, denying reports claiming that he’s unhappy with certain Cabinet members, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
'I want to win:' Trump says winning the midterms is 'important'
21:00 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump said he’s not worried about recent Democratic victories — but admitted that the party in control tends to lose the midterms.
“For whatever reason, and nobody’s been able to give me an answer, when you win the presidency, you seem to lose the midterms,” he said.
"I don't know why. Usually I can figure it out,” he added.
“It doesn’t matter how well they’re doing...Even if the president is doing well, they seem to not do well in the midterms,” Trump continued. “I want to win. Winning the midterms is important.”
Trump says Zelensky must be 'realistic'
20:55 , Kelly RissmanUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “has to be realistic” and said he “wondered how long it’s going to be until they have an election...the people are demanding that a settlement be made.”
“They want to see it ended,” he said. “When do they have an election in Ukraine? Are they going to have an election? Or are they just going to keep it going like this?”
“It’s time to get this war settled...but it takes two to tango,” the president said.
Trump says injured National Guard member is 'making progress'
20:51 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump said the West Virginia National Guard member who was shot in Washington, D.C. last month is “making progress.”
The president said Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe — one of the two National Guard members shot — stood up but didn’t say anything.
“They were both so badly hurt, we never thought that one could survive,” Trump said.
West Virginia Gov. Craig Caplan said at a press conference last week that Wolfe remained in “serious condition.”
“We did have some positive news that we were told that Andrew was asked if he could hear. The nurse who asked the question [asked him] to give a thumbs up and he did respond. And we were told that he also wiggled his toes,” Caplan said.
Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, the other West Virginia Guard member shot in the attack, died from her injuries.
In photos: Trump participates in roundtable
20:45 , Kelly Rissman
Trump slams Kamala Harris in rambling remarks about the economy
20:37 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump touted “growth without inflation,” predicting the U.S. could do “much better than traditional numbers,” he said.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said America needs to “build here” and predicted under Trump, America will see the “greatest GDP growth” the country has ever seen.
“In the old days, when you announced really good results in this country, the stock market went up. And we’re going back to that,” Trump said. “We’re gonna go back to the old days.”
“You’re gonna see great results over the next couple years,” the president said.
”If you had Kamala, you’d have a country right now that would be in ruins. Things would be in a state like nobody’s ever seen before. Worse than anything you’ve ever imagined. Worse than 1929, in my opinion,” Trump said.
He then emphasized that his administration is driving down prices “very rapidly.”
Trump holds a roundtable
20:14 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump is hosting a roundtable.
You can watch live here.
U.S. seized 'large' tanker off coast of Venezuela
20:10 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump said the U.S. seized a tanker — the "largest tanker ever seized" — off the coast of Venezuela.
The president made the comment at a roundtable Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. had seized a “sanctioned” oil tanker docked in the country.
ICYMI: Starmer responds to Trump attack on Europe
19:50 , Kelly RissmanTrump team is already floating names for Noem’s replacement as frustration with her job performance boils over: report
19:30 , Kelly RissmanThe Trump administration is floating possible replacements for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, despite insistence from the White House that she’s not going anywhere, according to a report.
The former South Dakota governor has led President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda — a flashpoint of his second term — since January, and he has frequently showered her with praise. At a Cabinet meeting last week, Trump hailed Noem and other immigration officials: “What you're doing is amazing.”
Yet, inside the Trump administration, a list of names to replace Noem is being discussed, including Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin and Fox News contributor and former Utah Republican lawmaker Jason Chaffetz, an administration official and two close to the administration told Politico.
Read the full story.
Who could replace Kristi Noem? Trump team already floating some names
Watchdog group filed a complaint against Emil Bove after he showed up to Trump’s rally
19:11 , Kelly RissmanNonpartisan nonprofit Fix the Court filed a complaint against Emil Bove, a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, after he attended President Donald Trump’s rally Tuesday.
Bove, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, told MS NOW reporters Tuesday that was “just here as a citizen coming to watchthe President speak.”
“It should have been obvious to Judge Bove, either at the start of the rally or fairly close to it, that this was a highly charged, highly political event that no federal judge should have been within shouting distance of,” Gabe Roth, the group’s executive director, wrote in the complaint.
Roth accused Bove of violating the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, which states judges “should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities” and that judges “should refrain from political activity.”
Roth suggested Bove be “admonished for his behavior and should be subject to any other discipline under the Judicial Conductand Disability Act that the Chief Judge and the Judicial Council deem fit.”
Mark Kelly slams Trump over his 'unhinged' late-night Truth Social post
18:50 , Kelly RissmanArizona Senator Mark Kelly slammed Trump for his remarks calling the New York Times report “seditious.”
Kelly drew a comparison between the president’s Tuesday night Truth Social post and a post from weeks earlier, when Trump accused Kelly and several other lawmakers with military backgrounds — who posted a video telling troops they “can and must refuse illegal orders — of exhibiting “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The Democratic Senator wrote on X: “There's a lot you could say about this unhinged, late night rant from the President. But the most reckless part is how easily he throws around the word "seditious" whenever someone says something he doesn't like. It undermines our democracy and puts people in danger.”
There's a lot you could say about this unhinged, late night rant from the President. But the most reckless part is how easily he throws around the word "seditious" whenever someone says something he doesn't like. It undermines our democracy and puts people in danger. https://t.co/KlE5cKkYJg
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) December 10, 2025
WATCH: David Letterman Takes Swipe At Donald Trump During Jimmy Kimmel Appearance
18:30 , Kelly RissmanKerry Kennedy honors late father RFK with impassioned plea for US to ‘do better’
18:10 , Kelly RissmanKerry Kennedy continues to honor the legacy of her late father, Robert F. Kennedy, in numerous ways, including through the human rights organization that bears his name.
RFK, who served as the former attorney general, was assassinated while running for president in 1968. Kerry was just eight years old.
Now, as a human rights lawyer and activist who has publicly “disavowed and dissociated” from her brother, RFK Jr., following his support of Donald Trump, Kerry, 66, has made it her mission to keep fighting for the country her father loved.
Speaking to The Independent Tuesday evening at the RFK Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala held in New York City, Kerry shared the importance of the organization’s work as human rights continue to be stripped from people across the country.
“He said when he was running for president, he said, ‘Love, peace, and compassion towards those who suffer. That's what the United States should stand for, and that's what I'll do if I'm elected President of the United States,’” she said of her late father.
Caitlin Hornik has the exclusive.
Kerry Kennedy honors late father RFK with impassioned plea for US to ‘do better’
Johnson says he's 'delighted' that a Texas House Democrat launched her Senate bid
17:50 , Kelly RissmanHouse Speaker Mike Johnson started rubbing his hands mischievously when a reporter asked him about Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate bid.
"I am absolutely delighted that Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas. I think it's one of the greatest things to happen to the Republican Party in a long, long time. She is the face of the Democratic Party, she and [New York City Mayor-elect Zohran] Mamdani,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday.
“Good luck with that,” he added.
“I want her to have the largest, loudest microphone that she can every single day. We look forward to having that election down there,” he said. “We are going to elect another Republican Senator in Texas.”
“What Jasmine is trying to sell will not be purchased in the state of Texas,” the House Speaker predicted.
.@SpeakerJohnson: "I am absolutely delighted that Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas. I think it's one of the greatest things to happen to the Republican Party in a long, long time. She is the face of the Democratic Party, she and Mamdani. Good luck with that." pic.twitter.com/A7KsoW5Esw
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 10, 2025
Democrats insist that cost-of-living concerns in the U.S. is not a ‘hoax’ after President Donald Trump declared at a campaign-style rally Tuesday that the party was perpetuating an affordability ‘hoax.’
“Everyone who actually buys their own groceries can tell you life is getting more expensive,” Washington Democratic Senator Patty Smith wrote in a social media post. “And not only are Republicans NOT doing ANYTHING to help—they're making things WORSE.”
Trump wants to say affordability is a hoax, but he's a clueless billionaire grifter.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) December 10, 2025
Everyone who actually buys their own groceries can tell you life is getting more expensive.
And not only are Republicans NOT doing ANYTHING to help—they're making things WORSE. pic.twitter.com/ayytBWelET
“Republicans are lying to you about the economy. They think the affordability crisis is a hoax. You deserve better,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remarked.
Republicans are lying to you about the economy.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) December 10, 2025
They think the affordability crisis is a hoax.
You deserve better.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear similarly said: “Affordability isn't a hoax when millions of Americans struggle to afford groceries, rent or health care. I will always listen to our families and work to make life better.”
Affordability isn't a hoax when millions of Americans struggle to afford groceries, rent or health care. I will always listen to our families and work to make life better.
— Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) December 10, 2025
Trump raises eyebrows with latest ‘creepy’ praise of Karoline Leavitt’s looks
17:10 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump raised eyebrows Tuesday with comments made about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s physical appearance.
At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, during a speech that was supposed to be about the economy, Trump gushed about Leavitt’s “beautiful face and those lips that don’t stop.”
“We even brought our superstar today, Karoline,” Trump said, drawing cheers from the crowd. “Isn’t she great? Is Karoline great? You know, when she goes on television, Fox, like, I mean, they dominate, they dominate when she gets up there with that beautiful face.”
Isabel Keane has the story.
Trump raises eyebrows with latest ‘creepy’ praise of Karoline Leavitt’s looks
Newsom rejoices after court blocks Trump from sending National Guard to LA
16:50 , Kelly RissmanCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the federal judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
The Wednesday order directed President Donald Trump to “return control of the California National Guard” to Newsom.
“Another W for democracy. Another L for the rule of Don,” the governor’s press office wrote on social media following the decision.
Laura Loomer predicts the midterm elections will be a ‘bloodbath’ for Republicans after Miami mayoral upset
16:30 , Kelly RissmanMAGA activist Laura Loomer predicted Republicans will take a shellacking in next year’s midterms following Miami’s mayoral election last night, which saw a Democrat claim victory for the first time in nearly 30 years.
“A bright red city in a bright red state just went blue tonight,” Loomer wrote on X on Tuesday night. “Midterms will be a bloodbath.”
She described Miami’s mayoral-elect, Eileen Higgins, as a socialist, adding, “President Trump’s Presidential library will now be constructed under the control of a rabidly anti-Trump Democrat who supports soft on crime policies.”
Brendan Rascius has the story.
Laura Loomer predicts the midterm ‘bloodbath’ for Republicans after Miami upset
WATCH: Trump criticizes Rep. Ilhan Omar and singles out Somalians at Pennsylvania rally
16:10 , Kelly RissmanTrump must 'return control' of California National Guard to Newsom, judge rules
15:50 , Kelly RissmanA federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction that blocks Trump from federalizing the California National Guard, calling the government’s argument to keep troops in the state as long as the president wants “shocking.”
In June, President Donald Trump federalized members of the California National Guard amid protests that broke out in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles. Two days later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth federalized 2,000 more members of the state’s National Guard.
Just before that federalization order was set to expire, the Trump administration federalized 300 California National Guard members through November. Additionally, in October, the administration sent 14 federalized California members to Illinois.
In an order Wednesday, the court said it agreed with Newsom that the “subsequent federalization orders are unjustified.”
At a hearing, the government “confirmed their position that, after an initial federalization, all extensions of federalization orders are utterly unreviewable, forever,” the judge wrote. “That is shocking.”
The judge directed the defendants to “return control of the California National Guard” to Newsom.
Judge grants DOJ's request to unseal grand jury transcripts in Epstein case
15:30 , Kelly RissmanThe federal judge overseeing the 2019 case against Jeffrey Epstein granted the Justice Department’s request to unseal records after President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
U.S. District Judge Richard Berman granted the request Wednesday.
The judge also insisted that the victims’ names be redacted and their privacy protected.
The Justice Department must release all of the Epstein Files by December 19, one month after Trump signed the act into law.
'What dictators do': Senate Democrat slams Trump's attack against the New York Times
15:10 , Kelly RissmanA top Democrat lambasted the president’s description of the New York Times as “seditious” after the newspaper published an op-ed questioning his health.
“Donald Trump called the New York Times ‘seditious, perhaps even treasonous.’ Just like he called our servicemembers seditious for a video about refusing illegal orders. Is this Russia or the United States of America?” Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said.
“This is what dictators do.”
Donald Trump called the New York Times “seditious, perhaps even treasonous”.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) December 10, 2025
Just like he called our servicemembers seditious for a video about refusing illegal orders.
Is this Russia or the United States of America?
This is what dictators do.
Democrats and Republicans react to Trump's first stop in his 'Affordability Tour'
14:50 , Kelly RissmanPennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro railed against President Donald Trump’s Tuesday speech in the governor’s home state.
“Donald Trump just finished an hours long rally telling Pennsylvanians not to believe what they can see with their own two eyes - the skyrocketing cost of living and rising prices at the grocery store,” the governor wrote. “Pennsylvanians aren’t buying the BS he’s selling.”
Donald Trump just finished an hours long rally telling Pennsylvanians not to believe what they can see with their own two eyes - the skyrocketing cost of living and rising prices at the grocery store.
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) December 10, 2025
Pennsylvanians aren’t buying the BS he’s selling.
Former GOP strategist Mike Murphy also criticized Trump’s performance.
“Meandering, more confusion and mental weakness than usual. Even a bit shall we say, low-energy. Weaker optics too. He’s clearing fading,” Murphy wrote on X.
A few hours after we discussed on @HacksOnTap why Trump has cut back rallies so much, it was pretty evident at his event today in PA just why. Meandering, more confusion and mental weakness than usual. Even a bit shall we say, low-energy. Weaker optics too. He’s clearing fading.
— Mike Murphy (@murphymike) December 10, 2025
WATCH: Trump accuses Democrats of ‘affordability hoax’
14:30 , Kelly RissmanElon Musk concedes that DOGE was only ‘somewhat successful’ in interview with Stephen Miller’s wife
14:10 , Kelly RissmanBillionaire Elon Musk concedes that if he could do it again, he would not run the Department of Government Efficiency.
Speaking to Katie Miller, a former advisor to Musk when he was running DOGE, Musk explained how challenging it was to run the department, which was shut down in November.
Asked by Miller, who has now joined Musk in the private sector, whether he would start the department again if he had another chance, the owner of Tesla and X said it was unlikely.
Read the full story.
ICYMI: Trump slams New York Times after op-ed questions his 'vigor'
13:50 , Kelly RissmanPresident Donald Trump raged that it was “treasonous” to suggest that his health was declining after a New York Times opinion article questioned his “vigor.”
In an op-ed Monday, writer Frank Bruni penned: “His approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor.”
Trump raged about the piece in a 9 p.m. Truth Social post
“There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best,” he wrote.
He then bragged about going out of his way “to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations” — which have resulted in “PERFECT Marks.”
The president boasted about “acing” the exams before taking aim at the newspaper.
“After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean ‘THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,’” he fumed.
He then called the paper’s reporters “true Enemies of the People,” adding: “we should do something about it.”
“The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful ‘source’ of information,” he concluded.
Michigan Democrat pushes to impeach RFK Jr.
13:35 , Kelly RissmanMichigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“RFK Jr. has got to go. Today I introduced articles of impeachment to remove him from office. RFK Jr. has turned his back on science, on public health and on the American people,” she said in a video message posted to X Wednesday.
The HHS Secretary is “the biggest self-created threat to our health and safety,” Stevens said.
“I cannot and I will not stand by while one man dismantles decades of medical progress. Enough is enough.”
🚨 Today, I formally introduced articles of impeachment against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) December 10, 2025
RFK Jr. has turned his back on science and the safety of the American people. Michiganders cannot take another day of his chaos. pic.twitter.com/FKQLuqjXkz
Congressional Democrats celebrate after Eileen Higgins clinches Miami mayoral race
13:20 , Kelly RissmanSeveral prominent Democratic members of Congress rejoiced after Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayor’s race Tuesday, becoming the first in their party elected to the post in three decades.
“No Democrat has been elected Mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years. Until tonight. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trump’s candidate! We are coming for the three South Florida Republicans next,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote in an X post.
No Democrat has been elected Mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) December 10, 2025
Until tonight.
Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trump’s candidate!
We are coming for the three South Florida Republicans next.
“Congratulations to Eileen Higgins on being elected the first Democrat to be mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years!! Americans are speaking out in election after election…when will Republicans start to listen?” Senator Amy Klobuchar said.
Congratulations to Eileen Higgins on being elected the first Democrat to be mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years!! Americans are speaking out in election after election…when will Republicans start to listen? https://t.co/nxNtMxvCS4
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 10, 2025
“Congratulations to Eileen Higgins for flipping the mayor’s seat in Miami! She will be the first woman in the city’s history and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years. We are soooo going to flip the House next year,” California Congressman Ted Lieu predicted.
Congratulations to Eileen Higgins for flipping the mayor’s seat in Miami! She will be the first woman in the city’s history and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 10, 2025
We are soooo going to flip the House next year. https://t.co/mUoRLRYdjS
Watch: Sir Keir Starmer responds to Trump’s attack on ‘weak’ Europe
13:05 , Joe SommerladThe British prime minister had this to say in response to the president’s broadside against his European allies and their “decaying” countries in an interview with Politico published yesterday.
Senator fears Trump is ‘sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela’
12:45 , Joe SommerladDemocrat Chris Coons warned yesterday that the president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will drag the U.S. into an unpopular war with Venezuela for the purpose of stealing its vast oil and rare-earth mineral resources.
Graig Graziosi has more.
Democratic Senator fears Trump is ‘sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela’
Analysis: It’s the ‘A+++++’ economy, stupid. Trump embarks on the same don’t-believe-your-lying-eyes trap that doomed Biden
12:25 , Joe SommerladThe president’s tour to boost voter impressions of their own dire economic conditions resembles a similar, and disastrous, effort by Joe Biden to do the same, writes Andrew Feinberg.
It’s the ‘A+++++’ economy, stupid. Trump embarks on same path that doomed Biden
Mace says report of her airport rant is ‘political hit job’
12:05 , Joe SommerladAnother disaffected member of MAGA, South Caroline Rep. Nancy Mace, was also on CNN yesterday and attempting to reframe the narrative about her recent bust-up with airport security in conversation with Kaitlan Collins.
Mace: I back the blue…
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025
Collins: The police quote you in this report as you calling them effing idiots and effing incompetent, while stating that you're an effing representative and telling a TSA supervisor: I'm sick of your shit. I'm tired of having to wait. I should not have… pic.twitter.com/qYm2yk5hxm
Mace: I use vulgar language frequently. I mean, the president does… the idea that I would call somebody an idiot, I have never done that in my life. And to me it was an incredible hit job.
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025
Collins: And who do you think was doing the hit job?
Mace: Oh, it was the attorney… pic.twitter.com/wtcNEt41nT
Graig Graziosi has more.
Republican Nancy Mace says report of her airport rant is ‘political hit job’
Watch: Marjorie Taylor Greene calls Trump ‘toxic’
11:45 , Joe SommerladThe retiring Georgia congresswoman continued her revenge tour of “mainstream media” outlets Tuesday, following up her 60 Minutes interview with an appearance on CNN in which she called the president “toxic,” said he expressed no sympathy when her son received a death threat and said she never gets invited on Fox News anymore.
Ilhan Omar calls Trump a ‘national embarrassment’ after president’s ‘bigoted’ rant about ‘hellhole’ countries
11:25 , Joe SommerladThe Minnesota Democratic has fired back at the president over his comments about her at his “affordability” event in Pennsylvania last night.
Owen Scott has her response here.
Ilhan Omar blasts Trump for ranting about ‘s***hole countries’
ICE agents pepper spray crowd in Minneapolis amid Trump’s Somali community crackdown
11:05 , Joe SommerladFederal agents used pepper spray to push through an angry crowd that blocked their vehicles as they checked identifications in a heavily Somali neighbourhood of Minneapolis Tuesday, amid the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown targeting the community.
Here’s more.
ICE agents pepper spray crowd amid Trump’s Somalian crackdown
Watch: Trump mocks Hillary Clinton at JD Vance’s holiday reception
10:45 , Joe SommerladThe president also rehashed an old grievance at the vice president’s Christmas bash yesterday.
Trump accuses New York Times of ‘sedition’ for reporting on his health
10:25 , Joe SommerladThe president took to Truth Social last night to attack The New York Times for reporting negatively about his health, suggesting the newspaper’s coverage was “seditious, perhaps even treasonous.”
Opinion writer Frank Bruni had scrutinized the 79-year-old’s health in an article published Monday, writing: “His approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor.”
“Americans are once again on a kind of presidential fitness watch, reading the tea leaves of bruises, blotches, gaffes,” Bruni added.
Trump reacted angrily, insisting: “There has never been a president that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best.”
As always, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick off the mark in responding:
oops 🤭 https://t.co/MpInMe7tpU
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 10, 2025
Rachel Dobkin reports.
Trump rages against The New York Times after op-ed questions his health
Trump serves up vicious anti-immigrant rhetoric and jokes about deadly boat strikes
10:10 , Joe SommerladHere are a few more choice clips from the president’s address yesterday, which found him launching into a shocking slur against Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, denying ever using the phrase “s***hole countries” when there is some evidence to suggest that he did, and making a bad taste joke about his administration’s missile strikes on alleged drug boats off Central America, which have so far killed at least 87 people.
Trump: "Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch ... we ought to get her the hell out ... she's here illegally."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!" pic.twitter.com/Otk0o5PAWE
Reminder that Trump denied calling nations with lots of Black and brown people "shit holes," but now he admits it. So he lied. https://t.co/UOgaFtUgzt pic.twitter.com/0Wb9U5lBka
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
At his event in PA, Trump admits he said something he tried to deny back in 2018 about “shithole countries.” I pressed him on whether he just wanted immigrants from predominantly white or Caucasian countries and he ordered me “out” of the Oval Office. Back then he said publicly… https://t.co/U1HArFIGgC
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) December 10, 2025
Trump: "The problem is nobody wants to go fishing anymore. They don't want to get in boats. They don't want anything to do with boats. I think we've destroyed the boat market. Other than that it's been very effective." pic.twitter.com/1A7nMKgRyn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
He also boasted about the achievements of his first 10 months back in the White House, declaring that “they” are saying he is a better commander-in-chief than Abraham Lincoln and that he is particularly popular with Black Americans, providing no basis for his claims in either instance.
Trump: "Already they are saying better than Lincoln, better than Washington, better than everybody. The best 10 months ever in the history of the presidency." pic.twitter.com/cvTOd0i5NM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Trump: "Let me tell you -- Black people love Trump. I got the biggest vote. I got the biggest vote with Black people. They know a scam better than anybody!" pic.twitter.com/79oF0G6af1
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Among Trump’s stranger rhetorical flourishes was this advice to the public that they can do just as well with fewer pencils and this item of praise for his White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt:
Trump: "You can give up certain products. You could give up pencils. Because under the China policy, every child can get 37 pencils. They only need 1 or 2. They don't need that many. You always need steel. You don't need 37 dolls for your daughter. 2 or 3 is nice. So we're doing… pic.twitter.com/aHYTqkg5jy
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Trump: Isn't she great? Is Karoline great? She gets up there with that beautiful face and those lips that don't stop, ba ba ba like a little machine gun. pic.twitter.com/Ocupqef0ZB
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025
He also marked off a check list of greatest hits, from attacks on “Sleepy” Joe Biden (a week after he appeared to doze off in his own cabinet meeting) to anti-trans provocation and the “war on Christmas,” a conservative bugbear making its annual December appearance right on time, just like Michael Buble or “Fairytale of New York.”
Trump polls his audience as to whether they prefer "Sleepy Joe" or "Crooked Joe" and then says, "he's a sleepy son of a bitch" pic.twitter.com/FaFZcIpMmQ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Trump: I have stopped men from playing in women’s sports. They’d say this guy is crazy. Women—men don’t play in women’s sports pic.twitter.com/DKmMnBHCeW
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025
Trump: "Now everybody is saying 'Merry Christmas' again" pic.twitter.com/9GAmcouOav
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Trump dismisses ‘affordability hoax’ at Pennsylvania rally intended to offer reassurances on economy
09:55 , Joe SommerladThe president spent Tuesday far away from Florida on the first leg of an “Affordability Tour” in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, a rally-style event intended to reassure Americans about the state of the economy, in which he instead called their cost of living concerns a “hoax” put about by Democrats, something he also said about Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation in 2018 and, more recently, the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Trump: "I can't say 'affordability hoax' because I agree, the prices were too high. But they use the word 'affordability' and that's their only word ... our prices are coming down" pic.twitter.com/uqxm8vJJ5w
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
Trump: "Prices are coming down. It's a hoax." pic.twitter.com/lM9bjgTxex
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025
His comments were immediately attacked by, among many others, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on MS NOW.
Beshear: If Donald Trump wants to say that affordability is a hoax, if he wants to say that the economy is perfect, I hope he goes to every battleground state, every major campaign that we've got a gubernatorial contest in next year. And he brings that big tariff board because… pic.twitter.com/RYexv3gHAJ
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025
Here’s Andrew Feinberg’s report on the president’s remarks.
Trump accuses Democrats of ‘affordability hoax’ in return to campaign-style rallies
Jubilant Democrats react to Miami election win: ‘The blue wave is coming!’
09:40 , Joe SommerladHere’s just some of the reaction to Mayor-elect Higgins’s victory overnight.
With her runoff victory tonight, Eileen Higgins will be Miami's next mayor—the first woman in the city’s history and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years elected to the office.
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) December 10, 2025
Congrats, Mayor-elect! pic.twitter.com/lSyZ087Xvc
No Democrat has been elected Mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) December 10, 2025
Until tonight.
Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trump’s candidate!
We are coming for the three South Florida Republicans next.
The Democrat in Miami just defeated the Republican ICE cheerleader for mayor. Turns out even in Florida, people are tired of cruelty masquerading as leadership. Republicans had held this seat for the last three decades. Let that…sink in. pic.twitter.com/XDrGFWdGLs
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) December 10, 2025
Florida just flashed a warning sign for the GOP.
— Jennifer Jenkins (@Jenkins4Florida) December 10, 2025
Eileen Higgins just flipped Miami blue, becoming the city’s first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
If you weren’t paying attention before, you should now: Florida is officially back in play.
The Blue Wave is coming! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/87nBGe740r
A huge congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins! For the first time in decades, a Democrat has won in Miami.
— David Jolly (@davidjollyfl) December 10, 2025
Change is here and there’s a brighter future waiting for Florida! Join us next November to keep the momentum up! pic.twitter.com/3ymVLgAKJK
Donald Trump suffers another defeat as Miami elects first Democrat mayor in 30 years
09:25 , Joe SommerladPresident Donald Trump has suffered another election blow, this time in his own backyard of Florida after Miami elected Democrat Eileen Higgins to be its new mayor, ending a three decade losing streak for her party in the city.
Higgins, 61, will become the first woman to lead Miami, a Hispanic-majority city that was swayed by her attacks on the president’s crackdown on undocumented migrants and mass deportation push, issues that threaten family members of many residents originating from Central America.
Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3IjN3QBjdV
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) December 10, 2025
Despite the race officially being nonpartisan, she campaigned openly as a proud Democrat, ultimately defeating Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who has since called Higgins to offer his congratulations.
Here’s more on the latest ill omen for Republicans ahead of next year’s midterms.
Democrat wins Miami mayor’s race for first time in nearly 30 years
Good morning
09:05 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Donald Trump administration as the president suffers another election defeat and raises eyebrows with his latest rally remarks.
