Wednesday, October 29, 2025

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UK Dismisses Recently Appointed Ambassador, Lord Mandelson, Over Epstein Links.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Peter Mandelson was dismissed as the UK’s ambassador to the United States following further revelations of his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, 7 months into his tenure.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Peter Mandelson, Jeffrey Epstein, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the UK Foreign Office.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Mandelson’s dismissal was announced on Thursday, with events unfolding in the US and the UK.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal.” – Peter Mandelson, in Epstein’s birthday book.

🎯IMPACT: The scandal has intensified scrutiny on Starmer’s judgment and raised questions about Mandelson’s past actions and associations.

IN FULL

Lord Peter Mandelson–once dubbed the ‘Prince of Darkness’ by the British press–was removed as Britain’s ambassador to the United States on Thursday after more of his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, caused further political turmoil for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The dismissal followed the release of a “birthday book” by U.S. lawmakers, in which Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal.”

The National Pulse had previously reported on Mandelson’s links to Epstein, with Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam appearing on the Charlie Kirk Show in January to make the case against Mandelson.

“[T]he idea that Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister, would shove somebody like Lord Mandelson into the embassy in D.C. and expect him to be taken seriously is a great affront to President Trump, it’s a great affront to the American public and what they voted for,” Kassam told the late Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday in one of the most heinous acts of political violence in American history.

“It shows a deep disconnect of Britain with America right now, and I’m frankly embarrassed about it and apologetic, actually, to all of you about that.”

Despite defending Mandelson earlier in the week, Starmer faced mounting pressure after Bloomberg published emails showing Mandelson’s continued support for Epstein even after his 2008 conviction. In the emails, Mandelson expressed frustration over Epstein’s legal troubles and offered advice based on Sun Tzu’s “Art of War.”

The UK Foreign Office stated that the emails revealed “the depth and extent” of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, which had not been fully disclosed at the time of his appointment. Mandelson’s ties to Epstein became harder to ignore after the release of Epstein’s 50th birthday book, which included a handwritten note from Mandelson describing their friendship and time spent together.

In a statement to The Sun, Mandelson admitted he found the note “very embarrassing” and acknowledged that more incriminating exchanges could surface. He claimed his support for Epstein occurred before the 2008 conviction and expressed regret for believing Epstein’s assurances about his legal troubles. His interview with veteran reporter Harry Cole, who recently launched his “Saves the West” show in Washington, D.C., appears to have been his final undoing.

The Foreign Office emphasized that Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s initial conviction was wrongful was a “new revelation” and cited the need to respect Epstein’s victims as a reason for the immediate withdrawal of Mandelson’s ambassadorship.

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Jack Smith Targeted Over 430 GOP Leaders in FBI ‘Fishing Expedition,’ Sen. Grassley Reveals.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files revealing that over 430 Republican groups and individuals were targeted by subpoenas in the Arctic Frost probe.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Grassley, special counsel Jack Smith, and other GOP senators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 29, 2025; Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was a fishing expedition.” – Sen. Grassley

🎯IMPACT: The probe has drawn criticism for targeting Republican entities and individuals, raising further questions as to the extent of the former Biden government’s lawfare campaign against President Donald J. Trump and his allies.

IN FULL

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced on Wednesday the release of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files showing that special counsel Jack Smith issued 197 subpoenas targeting Republican groups and individuals as part of the Arctic Frost probe. Grassley described the investigation as a “fishing expedition” aimed at improperly scrutinizing the Republican political apparatus.

“I’ve obtained through legally protected whistleblower disclosures,” Grassley stated during a press conference with other Republican senators. “197 subpoenas were issued by Jack Smith and his team. These subpoenas were issued to 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions.”

Grassley further noted that the subpoenas sought records and communications involving over 430 individuals and organizations, including prominent conservative entities such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). The investigation also involved a subpoena related to communications with media companies like CBS, Fox News, Newsmax, and Sinclair.

“Arctic Frost was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors could improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. Some subpoenas to individuals and businesses sought statistical data and analysis relating to donors and fundraising efforts,” Grassley said, emphasizing the broad scope of the investigation. He added: “Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was a fishing expedition.”

The Arctic Frost probe ultimately resulted in a four-count indictment against President Donald J. Trump concerning efforts to contest the 2020 election. Grassley previously revealed that the investigation also targeted phone metadata from at least nine Republican lawmakers.

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Ground Stop at Newark Airport as Shutdown Causes Air Traffic Control Staffing Crisis.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Staffing shortages at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control centers led to a temporary ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air passengers, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday afternoon, Newark Liberty International Airport, with potential impacts at other major airports.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have more people calling in sick, more people not showing up for work,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

🎯IMPACT: Over 2,700 flight delays were reported by 4 PM EDT, contributing to a week of significant travel disruptions.

IN FULL

On Wednesday, staffing shortages at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control centers led to a temporary ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA issued an advisory at 3:30 PM EDT highlighting staffing triggers at three control facilities, including the Philadelphia TRACON Area C, the New York ARTCC Area D, and the Indianapolis ARTCC Area 5.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation, stating that the increasing number of staffing triggers is a “sign that the controllers are wearing thin” amid the Senate Democrats’ government shutdown. He noted a rise in absences, with more personnel calling in sick or not showing up for work. Saturday marked the highest number of staffing triggers since the shutdown began, with 22 air traffic control facilities affected.

The ground stop at Newark was issued shortly after 3 PM EDT, with potential ground stops or delays flagged for New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport after 4 PM EDT, and at Dallas and Washington’s Reagan National until 10 PM EDT. As of 4 PM EDT, FlightAware reported over 2,700 flight delays, adding to the 21,000 flights delayed earlier in the week.

The current staffing issues are reminiscent of the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019, where missing the first paycheck led to increased absences among air traffic controllers. This week, controllers received their first “zero paychecks,” exacerbating the situation as some seek temporary second jobs. Congressional Republicans have tried to pass funding bills multiple times, but the Senate Democrats have consistently blocked them.

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CBS News Axes Additional Anchors Following Morning Show Cancellation.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: CBS News has fired two anchors, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, following the cancellation of CBS Saturday Morning.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Anchors Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, and Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at CBS News, part of Paramount Global.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s an enormously difficult day for the network,” said Bari Weiss during a morning editorial call.

🎯IMPACT: The firings are part of larger layoffs at Paramount Global, which plans to cut over 2,000 staff across the organization.

IN FULL

CBS News terminated Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, the anchors of CBS Saturday Morning, after the program was canceled. According to sources, this decision also led to the dismissal of most of the production team.

The cancellation of CBS Saturday Morning comes amid a broader restructuring at CBS News under new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. Reports indicate that this is part of significant layoffs at CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, following its acquisition by billionaire David Ellison earlier this year.

Ellison announced plans to cut more than 2,000 jobs across the organization in a note to staff on Wednesday. During a morning editorial call, Weiss acknowledged the challenges, describing it as an “enormously difficult day” for the network.

The changes are not limited to CBS Saturday Morning. CBS Evening News anchor John Dickerson also announced his departure after 16 years with the network, effective at the end of December. Additionally, streaming editions of CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings have been discontinued.

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Trump Draws Down U.S. Troop Numbers on Ukrainian Border.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The United States has informed NATO allies it will reduce its troop presence in Europe, particularly along the eastern border with Ukraine, to focus on other global security priorities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. government, NATO allies, and Romania’s defense ministry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on October 29; impacts NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in Romania.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our strategic partnership is solid, predictable, and reliable,” said Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu.

🎯IMPACT: About 1,000 U.S. troops will remain in Romania.

IN FULL

The United States has informed its NATO allies that it will scale back troop rotations in Europe, including the withdrawal of a brigade that has operated across several NATO countries, such as Romania. Romania’s defense ministry confirmed the decision on Wednesday, saying it reflects Washington’s growing focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

Romania’s Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu stressed that the move does not weaken ties between the two countries. “Our strategic partnership is solid, predictable, and reliable,” Moșteanu said during a press briefing. He added that allied troop numbers in Romania will remain above the levels seen before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to the ministry, about 1,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in Romania, compared to roughly 1,700 earlier this year.

A NATO official, speaking anonymously, said the change should not be seen as a sign of reduced commitment. “Adjustments to U.S. force posture are not unusual,” the official said, noting that the American military presence in Europe remains higher than in previous years. The official added that NATO and U.S. authorities are working closely to maintain strong deterrence and defense capabilities across the region. Romania’s defense ministry also emphasized that NATO’s bolstered presence on the Eastern Flank has enabled Washington to recalibrate its regional deployments without weakening collective security.

The decision comes as NATO faces growing pressure to increase defense spending among its members. Under pressure from President Donald J. Trump, alliance members have agreed to move beyond the long-standing goal of spending two percent of GDP on defense. Earlier this year, several allies pledged to aim for a combined defense and security expenditure of around five percent of GDP by 2035, with at least 3.5 percent dedicated to core defense budgets.

The United Kingdom has already announced plans to allocate three percent of GDP to defense by 2034, responding to calls for greater burden-sharing. Italy, however, remains hesitant about meeting even the original two percent benchmark, citing domestic economic challenges. Trump’s renewed focus on equitable defense spending has prompted several allies to reevaluate their commitments, while NATO leaders insist the alliance’s unity remains strong despite the policy shifts.

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Trump Has REDUCED Food Stamp Dependence by 600,000.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced that over 600,000 Americans have stopped claiming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits since he took office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the announcement during the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In nine months, we’ve lifted over 600,000 Americans off food stamps.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: While the exact cause of the drop in SNAP reliance isn’t entirely clear, declining inflation and increasing domestic industrial investment are two likely factors impacting the decline.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced that the number of Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has dropped by more than 600,000 since he took office. The revelation was made during his address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Wednesday.

During his remarks, Trump stated, “In nine months, we’ve lifted over 600,000 Americans off food stamps.” According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, between January and May 2025, the number of SNAP recipients dropped by 645,315, from 42,380,525 to 41,735,210. Notably, the number of SNAP recipients has been gradually decreasing since October 2024. USDA data shows a reduction of 1,515,619 recipients between October 2024 and May 2025.

While the exact cause of the drop in SNAP reliance isn’t entirely clear, declining inflation and increasing domestic industrial investment are two likely factors impacting the decline. Since taking office in January, President Trump has secured billions in new corporate investment in American manufacturing to revive domestic production and support well-paying blue-collar jobs.

The USDA recently confirmed that food assistance, issued to just under 42 million low- and no-income Americans, will not be distributed on time in November due to the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on October 1 when Senate Democrats blocked a continuing resolution (CR) temporarily extending appropriations, has caused nonessential federal services to cease, including programs like SNAP that depend on federal funding.

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The Fed Cuts Interest Rates Again.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) moved to cut interest rates on Wednesday by 25 basis points (bps), marking the second rate cut of 2025.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Federal Reserve, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, President Donald J. Trump, and the U.S. economy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

🎯IMPACT: While economists largely forecasted the rate cut, the decision still triggered a degree of market volatility, though this is fairly common in the wake of a reduction in rates.

IN FULL

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) moved to cut interest rates on Wednesday by 25 basis points (bps), marking the second rate cut of 2025. While economists largely forecasted the rate cut, the decision still triggered a degree of market volatility, with stocks experiencing a minor sell-off on the news.

This marks the second rate cut since the central bank initially moved to slash borrowing costs in September. President Donald J. Trump has campaigned for the Federal Reserve to reduce rates for months, warning that not doing so risked stalling out the economy.

In August, during the Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole summit, the central bank’s chairman, Jerome Powell, signalled that the FOMC would likely move to cut rates at its September meeting. At Jackson Hole, Powell indicated data showing a weakening labor market likely necessitated a reduction in interest rates. “[W]ith policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance,” Powell said.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) benchmark revision, released in September, revised downward the total number of jobs created between April 2024 and March 2025 by a shocking 911,000. This revision, accounting mostly for the final year of the former Biden government, means the monthly job growth number for much of 2024 stood at only 71,000 per month, instead of the initially reported average of 147,000 per month.

Additionally, the August jobs report suggests the U.S. economy could be slowing, with only 22,000 jobs added for the month—placing further pressure on the Federal Reserve to continue its rate cut cycle.

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Stefanik Could Become New York’s First GOP Governor in 20 Years, Poll Shows.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll from the Manhattan Institute shows Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) leading both Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Delgado (D-NY) in a hypothetical New York gubernatorial matchup.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elise Stefanik, Kathy Hochul, Anthony Delgado, and the Manhattan Institute.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll conducted October 22-26, 2025, surveying New York voters.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This marks the first time in decades that any potential Republican gubernatorial candidate is polling ahead of a Democrat incumbent Governor, even before any official announcement.” – Bernadette Breslin, spokesman for Elise Stefanik.

🎯IMPACT: The poll suggests Republicans could make the New York gubernatorial race competitive for the first time in decades, though forecasters still classify the race as Likely Democratic.

IN FULL

Republicans may have a rare opportunity to win the New York gubernatorial office, according to a new poll from the Manhattan Institute. The survey found Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) leading Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) by one point (43 percent to 42 percent) and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Delgado (D-NY) by six points (43 percent to 37 percent). The poll, which surveyed 600 New York City voters and 300 New York State voters from October 22 to October 26, 2025, had a margin of error of ±3.3 percentage points.

Stefanik, a northern New York congresswoman and prominent supporter of President Donald J. Trump, has not officially announced her candidacy but is seen as a strong contender for Republicans. Hochul, on the other hand, is seeking reelection after a narrower-than-expected victory in 2022. She is also facing a primary challenge from Delgado, though polling suggests she maintains an advantage among Democratic voters.

Other recent polls have shown varying results. A Siena College poll conducted in early September 2025 showed Hochul with a 25-point lead over Stefanik, while a GrayHouse poll found Hochul leading initially but Stefanik gaining ground after voters were presented with additional information about the candidates. Both polls suggest that the race could tighten as the election approaches.

Bernadette Breslin, a spokesman for Stefanik, highlighted the significance of the Manhattan Institute poll, stating, “This marks the first time in decades that any potential Republican gubernatorial candidate (and in this case, the likely nominee) is polling ahead of a Democrat incumbent Governor, even before any official announcement.” Breslin also criticized Hochul for her policies, calling her “the Worst Governor in America” and accusing her of putting New Yorkers last.

The increasingly likely election of socialist Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City could have a significant impact on the 2026 gubernatorial race. Hochul threw her support behind the far-left Mamdani in September, despite concerns among Democratic leaders over the mayoral candidate’s extreme policy proposals. The National Pulse previously reported that Mamdani has pushed plans for an additional $100 million in taxpayer funds to provide legal defense for illegal immigrants facing deportation, advocated for “the abolition of private property,” proposed socialist city-owned grocery stores, and detailed a controversial plan to “[s]hift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.”

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Mamdani’s Mother Bragged ‘He Is Not an American at All.’

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The mother of the Democrats’ socialist New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, stated in a 2013 interview that her son is “not an American at all,” using terminology criticized as derogatory toward Westerners.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, his mother Mira Nair, and attorney Mehek Cooke.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made in a 2013 Hindustan Times interview.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He is not an Uhmericcan (American) at all. He was born in Uganda, raised between India and America. He is at home in many places.” – Mira Nair

🎯IMPACT: Critics say the remarks are ungrateful and divisive, and raise questions about Mamdani’s identity and values. Notably, the Ugandan immigrant did not obtain U.S. citizenship until 2018.

IN FULL

In a 2013 interview with the Hindustan Times, filmmaker Mira Nair, mother of the Democrats’ socialist New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, described her son as “not an American at all.” Nair stated, “He is a total desi. Completely. We are not firangs at all. He is very much us. He is not an Uhmericcan (American) at all. He was born in Uganda, raised between India and America. He is at home in many places.”

The term “firang,” historically used in Hindi and Urdu to describe foreigners or Westerners, was criticized by attorney and GOP consultant Mehek Cooke. “It’s the word used back in India to mock outsiders, to say you don’t belong,” Cooke said in a recent interview. “Using it here about your own child raised in the United States carries the same tone as calling someone a derogatory word—or worse.”

Cooke added, “When Mamdani’s mother says her son was ‘never a firang and only desi,’ it’s a rejection of America. It’s ungrateful, disrespectful, and frankly repulsive to live in this country since age seven, receive every freedom, education, and opportunity America offers, and still deny being American.”

Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda and a U.S. resident since age seven, holds dual citizenship and only became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. Nair emphasized, “We only speak Hindustani at home,” and described her son as a “very chaalu fellow,” meaning savvy or street smart.

His father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, despises America, branding it “the genesis of… settler-colonialism,” and “the inspiration” for the Nazis.

“This isn’t just about identity, it’s about values,” Cooke said. “Rejecting the label of ‘American’ while living under the flag, enjoying the freedoms, and cashing in on the opportunities is a rejection of American values themselves: gratitude, unity, and pride in country.”

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Democrat Shutdown Will Effectively Shutter EPA Next Week.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the EPA may furlough up to 89 percent of its workforce if the government shutdown extends into November.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Senate Democrats, and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our preference would be for the shutdown to end,” Zeldin said, warning of further furloughs if the shutdown continues into November.

🎯IMPACT: The government shutdown has stalled EPA projects like the Brownfields Program and delayed federal rule proposals.

IN FULL

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it will furlough an estimated 89 percent of its 12,000 employees next week if Senate Democrats continue to block government funding. According to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, around 4,000 employees have already been furloughed. However, officials have managed to prevent a larger lapse in staffing due to “multi-year funding” but warned that these efforts are delaying key projects, including the Brownfields Program, which focuses on cleaning up land contaminated by pollutants.

“We have a whole bunch of pots of carryover funding and as that carryover funding runs out, more of the total lapse plan ends up taking effect,” Zeldin explained, continuing: “Our preference would be for the shutdown to end.” He added that if the shutdown continues into the first or second week of November, the agency would have no choice but to implement a third phase of staffing cuts.

Senate Democrats blocked a vote to reopen the government for the 13th time on Tuesday, prolonging the federal shutdown, which has been ongoing for nearly one month since funding lapsed. Zeldin criticized Democrats for catering to a “far-left activist base” and resisting efforts to resolve the shutdown. “Democrats were desperately searching for some kind of … context or narrative to try to explain why they were fighting just to fight,” he said.

Zeldin also highlighted the EPA’s ongoing reorganization efforts, which aim to reduce its workforce to approximately 12,500 employees by the end of the year. He noted that the shutdown has not derailed the agency’s regulatory agenda but has delayed proposed rules from entering public comment periods. “The only impact of the shutdown that I could think of is any proposed rule that can’t start a public comment period during a shutdown,” he said.

The shutdown has also led to the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in climate-focused federal funding, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Zeldin emphasized that his agency had already cut more than $29 billion from what he described as a climate “slush fund” benefiting Biden-aligned organizations and solar-related grants before the shutdown began.

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Trump Secures Multi-Billion Dollar Deals in South Korea Visit.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump concluded his Asia tour by securing billions in investments and export deals, focusing on American jobs, energy dominance, technology leadership, and maritime partnerships.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, South Korean leaders, and major corporations, including Boeing, GE Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, Amazon, and HD Hyundai.

📍WHEN & WHERE: During President Trump’s State Visit to the Republic of Korea on October 28 and 29, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The agreements are expected to support hundreds of thousands of American jobs, bolster energy and technology leadership, and modernize U.S. infrastructure and shipbuilding industries.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has wrapped up his Asia tour with a State Visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), securing several billion-dollar deals aimed at supporting American jobs and promoting U.S. leadership in technology and maritime partnerships. A critical summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping—taking place later today—will cap off the trip before Trump returns to Washington, D.C.

Among the deals secured by the America First leader is a commitment from Korean Air to purchase 103 new Boeing aircraft worth $36.2 billion, supporting up to 135,000 American jobs. Additionally, Korean Air will acquire GE Aerospace engines in a separate $13.7 billion deal.

The ROK Air Force selected L3Harris Technologies for a $2.3 billion Airborne Warning and Control aircraft project, which will support over 6,000 U.S. jobs. ReElement Technologies and POSCO International will launch a U.S.-based rare earth refining and magnet production complex.

In the energy sector, the Korea Gas Corporation signed agreements to purchase 3.3 million tons per year of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) through long-term contracts. Centrus Energy Corp, KHNP, and POSCO International will expand uranium enrichment in Ohio, creating 3,000 jobs. LS Group pledged $3 billion for U.S. power-grid infrastructure, including a $681 million manufacturing facility in Virginia.

The United States and the ROK also signed a Technology Prosperity Deal to enhance bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), 6G, biotech, and quantum innovation. During President Trump’s tenure, Amazon announced a $5 billion investment in the ROK’s cloud infrastructure, complementing its $40 billion investments across Asia-Pacific economies. NASA’s Artemis II mission will deploy a Korean satellite to measure space radiation, furthering U.S.-ROK collaboration in space exploration.

In maritime partnerships, HD Hyundai and Cerberus Capital Management will invest $5 billion to modernize U.S. shipyards. Samsung Heavy Industries and Vigor Marine Group will collaborate on naval vessel maintenance and automation, while Hanwha Ocean plans to strengthen Pennsylvania’s Philly Shipyard with a $5 billion infrastructure investment.

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