President Donald Trump threatened to cut ‘Democrat programs’ amid the ongoing government shutdown on Thursday.
Trump, who has blamed Democratic lawmakers for the shutdown, told his Cabinet that the administration is looking to cut “very popular Democrat programs that aren’t popular with Republicans.” Trump didn’t specify which programs his administration plans to cut.
“They wanted to do this, so we'll get a little taste of their own medicine,” Trump said Thursday.
There’s no deal in sight to end the shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a spending bill for the seventh time on Thursday.
Trump’s Cabinet meeting came hours after he announced that the first phase of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan, which will involve the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some parts of Gaza. The president said he expects to leave for the Middle East on Sunday, and that the hostages will likely be released on “Monday or Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, tensions are rising as the Trump administration deploys the National Guard to Illinois. Protesters lined the streets of Chicago on Wednesday as Texas National Guard troops arrived. An Oregon judge has also temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland.
Key Points
- President Donald Trump says Gaza hostages will be released early next week
- Protesters take to the streets of Chicago as National Guard troops are deployed
- Trump tries to stir up conflict between Democrats amid government shutdown
- Letitia James indicted for fraud after Trump demanded case against her
In pictures: Trump's Cabinet meeting
01:30 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump hosted a Cabinet meeting Thursday, just hours after he announced the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel says he would ‘love’ to have Trump on his show
01:00 , Katie HawkinsonLate-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel said he would “love” to have President Donald Trump on his show.
Watch his remarks below:
Democrat warns ‘damage’ by Bondi at the DOJ will ‘take decades’ to recover from
00:30 , Ariana BaioDemocrats say that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s massive overhaul of the Justice Department “will take decades to recover from,” in the wake of a contentious Senate hearing with Bondi this week.
Keep reading:
Democrat warns ‘damage’ by Bondi at the DOJ will ‘take decades’ to recover from
Trump points to ‘rich countries’ who ‘love people’ when asked about Gaza security guarantees
00:00 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump has said that “rich countries” that “love people” will be instrumental in enacting Gaza’s security guarantees.
Watch the full clip below:
Trump points to ‘rich countries’ when asked about Gaza security guarantees
Dominion, the voting firm baselessly attacked by Trump after 2020 election, sold to ex-Republican election official
23:30 , Justin BaragonaDominion Voting Systems, the voting software firm that found itself at the center of baseless election fraud claims by Donald Trump and his allies following Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, has been bought by a company run by a former Republican election official.
Read more:
Dominion, the voting firm falsely attacked by Trump, sold to ex-GOP election official
Letitia James responds to fraud indictment
23:00 , Katie HawkinsonNew York Attorney General Letitia James has responded after a grand jury indicted her for fraud.
“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” James said. “He is forcing federal law enforcement agencies to do his bidding, all because I did my job as the New York State Attorney General.”
“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she added. “The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order and have drawn sharp criticism from members of both parties.”
Alex Woodward has more on the indictment:
Letitia James indicted for fraud after Trump demanded case against enemies
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff join Netanyahu's Cabinet meeting
22:30 , Katie HawkinsonU.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The pair traveled to the region after Trump announced the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaker of the Knesset invites Trump to give speech
22:04 , Katie HawkinsonThe Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, has invited President Donald Trump to address Israel’s parliament.
His invitation comes after Trump announced the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
“The people of Israel regard you as the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history. It is therefore my profound honor and privilege to officially invite you to deliver a formal address to the nation before the Knesset,” Ohana wrote in a letter he posted on X.
Trump and White House used footage from Florida to show ‘chaos’ in Chicago, report claims
21:50 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump and the White House apparently shared footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Florida taken months ago — while claiming the “chaos” was taking place in Chicago, according to a report.
Keep reading:
Trump and White House used footage from Florida to show ‘chaos’ in Chicago: Report
Breaking: Letitia James indicted for fraud after Trump demanded case against New York attorney general
21:22 , Katie HawkinsonA grand jury has voted to indict New York’s Democratic Attorney General Letitia James after Donald Trump demanded federal prosecutors criminally charge his longtime foe as part of a retribution campaign against his perceived political enemies.
Alex Woodward has the details:
Grand jury considers criminal charges against Letitia James after Trump’s demands
Rep. Nadler calls RFK Jr.'s remarks on circumcision 'antisemitic'
21:20 , Katie HawkinsonRepresentative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, denounced Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that children who are circumcised have “double the rate of autism.”
“There’s two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism,” Kennedy said today. “It's highly likely because they're given Tylenol.”
Nadler shared a clip of the Cabinet meeting on X and called Kennedy’s claim “antisemitic.”
“This is an antisemitic remark,” Nadler wrote. “I call on all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to clearly denounce it.”
Medical experts have also pushed back on the Trump administration’s claim that there’s a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism.
Trump expects to leave for Middle East on Sunday
21:10 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump said he plans to depart for the Middle East “sometime Sunday” to mark the first phase of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
Trump said earlier he expects the hostages held in Gaza will be released on “Monday or Tuesday.”
Stubb congratulates Trump on deal with Israel and Hamas
21:02 , Katie HawkinsonFinnish President Alexander Stubb congratulated President Donald Trump on the first phase of the Israel-Hamas peace deal.
“I think it’s a historic deal,” Stubb said. “I went through the 20 points. It's almost like the best of record.”
“This is what diplomacy is at its best, and I think it’s a potentially huge deal,” he later added. “So congratulations.”
Only 4% of Americans think Trump claims about Tylenol and autism are ‘definitely true’
21:00 , Katie HawkinsonA new poll shows the majority of Americans do not trust the Trump administration’s recent claim, disputed by numerous experts as unproven, that taking Tylenol during pregnancy is linked to autism.
Josh Marcus has the details:
Only 4% of Americans think Trump claims about Tylenol and autism ‘definitely true’
No deal in sight to end government shutdown
20:40 , Katie HawkinsonThe Senate failed to pass a spending bill to reopen the government for the seventh time today.
As the government shutdown stretches on for a ninth day, there’s still no funding deal in sight.
The Independent’s Washington Bureau Chief Eric Garcia has the latest on what this shutdown could mean for Democrats:
Schumer hopes to make the shutdown a 2026 issue. Good luck with that, Chuck!
No rubber bullets, no body slamming and no attacking journalists: Judge lays down rules for Trump’s federal agents in Chicago
20:23 , Alex WoodwardFederal agents are temporarily blocked from firing rubber bullets, tear gas and other chemical munitions at protesters and journalists in Chicago following a lawsuit from press associations and faith leaders accusing Donald Trump’s administration of “a pattern of extreme brutality.”
Keep reading:
Judge blocks feds from using riot weapons against protesters and press in Chicago
What will Trump and Stubb discuss?
20:11 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are holding a bilateral meeting in the White House today.
They’re expected to discuss a deal for the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase icebreaker ships from Finnish companies.
“I will sign a memorandum of understanding on icebreaker cooperation with @POTUS,” Stubb wrote on X. “The memorandum lays the foundation for commercial agreements between the U.S. Coast Guard and Finnish companies.”
Finnish President arrives at White House
20:06 , Katie HawkinsonFinnish President Alexander Stubb has arrived at the White House.
President Donald Trump greeted Stubb outside the White House on Thursday afternoon, just a few hours after his Cabinet meeting ended.
Transportation Secretary threatens to fire ‘problem children’ air traffic controllers who call out sick
19:50 , Josh Marcus“Problem children” air traffic controllers who call in sick during the government shutdown could be fired, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Thursday.
“I think what’s happening here, 90 percent of the controllers, they show up, they come to work, but 10 percent of them are lashing out,” Duffy told Fox Business on Thursday.
“It’s a small fraction of people who don’t come to work that can create this massive disruption and that’s what you’re seeing rippling through our skies today,” he added.
Read more:
Transportation Secretary threatens to fire ‘problem children’ air traffic controllers
Watch: JD Vance makes tasteless Schumer joke during Gaza peace victory lap
19:40 , Katie Hawkinson‘Who?’ Trump stumbles after being asked about the suspension of Habeas Corpus during Antifa roundtable
19:20 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump appeared confused when asked if he was considering suspending habeas corpus – a Constitutional right that allows people to challenge unlawful detention – responding, “Suspending who?”
Keep reading:
Trump stumbles after being asked about suspending Habeas Corpus at Antifa roundtable
Watch: How world leaders have responded to Trump's Gaza ceasefire agreement
19:00 , Katie HawkinsonFull story: Trump plans visit to Middle East to mark first phrase of ceasefire deal
18:40 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump said he’s planning a trip to the Middle East to mark the first phase of the Israel-Hamas peace deal.
The Independent’s White House Correspondent Andrew Feinberg has the details:
Trump says he’ll visit Middle East ‘Monday or Tuesday’ timed to Gaza hostage release
RFK Jr. claims circumcised children have 'double the rate of autism'
18:26 , Katie HawkinsonHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed today that children who are circumcised are more likely to develop autism.
“There’s two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism,” he said. “It's highly likely because they're given Tylenol.”
Kennedy did not specify which studies he’s referring to.
Medical experts have pushed back on the Trump administration’s claims that pregnant women shouldn’t take Tylenol — also known as acetaminophen — because it is linked to autism in children.
RFK Jr. derailed Cabinet meeting with bizarre story about pregnant woman taking Tylenol
18:18 , Katie HawkinsonHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed he saw a video today of a pregnant woman “gobbling Tylenol.”
“She is saying ‘F Trump’ and gobbling Tylenol,” Kennedy claimed.
Kennedy and Trump both reiterated their claim that pregnant women shouldn’t take Tylenol because it causes autism in children today.
However, medical experts say decades of research have shown there’s no direct connection between autism and acetaminophen. Read more from Julia Musto and Eric Garcia:
Trump and RFK Jr claim Tylenol is linked to autism. Experts say that’s a lie
Hegseth says military saw 'record recruitment' under Trump
17:59 , Katie HawkinsonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed there was “record recruitment” in the U.S. military this year under President Donald Trump.
Trump noted said the military is now “brimming.”
“Now the soldiers are soldiers,” Trump said. “They come in now based on merit, not based on woke stuff that anybody can qualify.”
His comments echo Hegseth’s speech raging against “woke garbage” and “politically correct” military policies at a meeting with hundreds of admirals and generals last week.
Vance calls Schumer 'most famous Palestinian' hours after Israel-Hamas peace deal
17:56 , Katie HawkinsonVice President JD Vance called Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer “one of the most famous Palestinians in the world” at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The comment has raised eyebrows, given the Trump administration has just announced the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
“The one thing I would say is obviously the President United States, a New York real estate billionaire, one of the most famous New Yorkers in the world, has a lot of interaction with a lot of people who are very pro-Israel,” Vance said. “I think that was an important set of experiences and life, life experiences that he brought to the table. He also, of course, knew one of the most famous Palestinians in the world, Chuck Schumer.”
Trump made a similar remark about Schumer in March.
“Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned,” Trump said at the time. “He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore.”
Attorney General says 562 people arrested in Memphis
17:33 , Katie HawkinsonAttorney General Pam Bondi said 562 people have been arrested in Memphis since the administration’s “Memphis Safe Task Force” launched.
Officers have also seized 114 “illegal guns,” Bondi said at the Cabinet meeting.
“They were so happy to have us there,” Bondi told Trump. “We've been making arrests left and right.”
Trump tries to stir up conflict between Democrats amid government shutdown
17:28 , Andrew FeinbergPresident Donald Trump appears to be attempting to stir up conflict within House and Senate Democrats by claiming "a lot" of the rank-and-file are "calling us" to say they want to vote to reopen the government.
He's previously claimed there have been ongoing talks with Democrats, but no House or Senate members have said there has been any contact between them and the White House.
Trump is also again threatening to punish Democratic voters by using the ongoing government shutdown as a pretext to slash what he calls "Democrat programs."
"The shutdown has been pretty damaging, not yet, because it's early, but it gets a little bit worse as it goes along,” he said. “And we'll be making cuts that will be permanent, and we're only going to cut Democrat programs.”
“I hate to tell you, I guess that's makes sense, but we're only cutting Democrat programs, but we're going to start that, and we have Russell, we can talk to you about it if he wants to, but we're we'll be cutting some very popular Democrat programs that aren't popular with Republicans, frankly, because that's the way it works,” he added. “They wanted to do this, so we'll get little taste of their own medicine.”
Trump hits out at Nancy Pelosi amid government shutdown
17:25 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump hit out at Representative Nancy Pelosi as he spoke about the government shutdown and Democratic leadership at today’s Cabinet meeting.
Trump made the remark after he said that he doesn’t know “who the hell is leading the Democrats.”
“The only one, the challenger actually, was Nancy Pelosi, and Nancy — Nancy's not looking too good,” he said. “I don't know what happened to Nancy, but she's not looking great.”
Trump to visit Middle East amid hostage release
17:12 , Andrew FeinbergPresident Trump says he's "going to try and make a trip over" to the Middle East on "Monday or Tuesday" to mark the implementation of phase one of the peace plan his negotiators have been working on during talks in Egypt this week.
"We're going to try and get over there, and we're working on the timing, the exact timing. We’re going to go to Egypt, where we'll have a signing, an additional sign, and we've already had a signing representing me, but we're going to have an official signing," he says.
White House admits Trump’s message to Bondi to prosecute enemies was supposed to be a DM: report
17:10 , Katie HawkinsonAdministration officials have confirmed that President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his perceived political enemies without “delay” was intended to be a private message.
Trump’s message to Bondi to prosecute enemies was supposed to be a DM
Trump says hostages will be released on Monday or Tuesday as Cabinet meeting begins
17:09 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump kicked off his Cabinet meeting with remarks about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
“I think it's going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace, peace in the Middle East,” he said. “We secured the release of all of the remaining hostages, and they should be released on Monday or Tuesday.”
Trump noted that he’s planning to visit the region.
Steve Witkoff lands in Israel
17:00 , Katie HawkinsonThe White House’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, told NBC News he has landed in Israel.
Witkoff arrived just hours after the first phase of the Israel-Hamas peace deal was announced.
Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo earlier today.
Cabinet meeting delayed
16:44 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump’s Cabinet meeting, which was set to start at 11 a.m., has not started.
The meeting comes after Trump announced the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Andrew Feinberg has the details on the deal:
Trump claims Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza peace plan
Jesse Watters admits that Trump is a ‘Fox News producer’ during segment on Antifa roundtable
16:28 , Justin BaragonaJesse Watters said the quiet part out loud Wednesday when he thanked Donald Trump for serving as a “Fox News producer” due to the president convening an “Antifa violence roundtable” that featured a slew of far-right influencers and “independent journalists.”
“The mainstream media has probably never heard of any of these people, and this is why this is such great programming,” Watters gleefully exclaimed during Wednesday’s broadcast of The Five.
Keep reading:
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Jesse Watters admits Trump is a ‘Fox News producer’ during Antifa roundtable segment
Can Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize – and who nominated him?
16:09 , Katie HawkinsonCan President Donald Trump win a Nobel Peace Prize?
Maira Butt answers your questions about the prestigious award:
Can Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize – and who nominated him?
Watch live: Trump holds cabinet meeting after Israel-Hamas agree on Gaza plan phase one
15:55 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump is set to hold a Cabinet meeting at 11 a.m.
Watch below:
Watch live: Trump holds cabinet meeting after Israel-Hamas agree on Gaza plan
Gavin Newsom targets ‘Dozy Don’ as president appears to fall asleep during Antifa roundtable
15:44 , Katie HawkinsonCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom labeled President Donald Trump “Dozy Don,” sharing a brief clip of the commander-in-chief appearing to close his eyes during a White House Antifa roundtable on Wednesday.
Newsom has made headlines in recent weeks for trolling Republicans online and imitating Trump’s writing style on social media.
Read more about Newsom’s latest jab:
Gavin Newsom targets ‘Dozy Don’ after Trump’s drowsy White House appearance
What's on Trump's agenda today?
15:30 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump will host a Cabinet meeting at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
He’s then expected to meet with the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, shortly after 3 p.m.
Eric Trump leads MAGA calls for president to win Nobel Peace Prize after ‘historic’ Gaza peace deal
15:15 , Katie HawkinsonEric Trump has led the calls for his father, President Donald Trump, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after overseeing a “historic” peace deal for Gaza agreed between Israel and Hamas.
Read more from Joe Sommerlad:
Eric Trump leads MAGA calls for president to win Nobel Peace Prize
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Egypt's president
15:00 , Katie HawkinsonThe White House’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
The pair came from Sharm el Sheikh, where the first phase of the ceasefire deal was arranged, according to the AP.
Protesters take to the streets of Chicago as National Guard troops are deployed in Trump’s crime crackdown
14:45 , Katie HawkinsonHundreds of demonstrators lined Chicago’s streets on Wednesday to protest President Donald Trump's decision to send Texas National Guard troops into the city.
This comes after an Oregon judge temporarily blocked Trump from similarly deploying National Guard troops in Portland.
Graig Graziosi has more:
Chicago protesters take to the streets as Texas National Guard arrives
President Donald Trump to hold Cabinet meeting today
14:29 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump will hold a Cabinet meeting at 11 a.m. today.
This comes hours after he announced the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
Read his full announcement below:
