Saturday, July 12, 2025

Unconfirmed Report Claims Trump is Set to Dismiss National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

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What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is set to replace Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor, according to journalist Mark Halperin, who cited three sources.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Mike Waltz, journalist Mark Halperin, and Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg are central figures. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is also indirectly involved.

📍 Where & When: The information was reported on May 1, 2025, and relates to events primarily occurring at the White House and involving communications about military actions in Yemen.

💬 Key Quote: “[T]here’s lots of levels of unhappiness, and it’s less about Signalgate than it is about… a general belief that it’s not being run efficiently in an organized way.” — Mark Halperin.

⚠️ Impact: Waltz’s reputation within the administration has suffered, and his handling of the ‘Signalgate’ controversy resulted in significant negative media coverage.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is reportedly planning to appoint a new National Security Advisor to replace Mike Waltz. Journalist Mark Halperin made the claim, relying on information from three informed sources. The White House National Security Council has not responded to inquiries regarding the matter.

Waltz, currently serving as the National Security Advisor, did not signal any impending changes to his position during an appearance on Fox and Friends on Thursday morning. His tenure has been marked by challenges, particularly surrounding a controversy known as ‘Signalgate.’

The incident involved Waltz inadvertently including Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, in a classified Signal chat discussing military operations against the Houthis in Yemen with high-ranking officials. Goldberg subsequently released the full content of these messages, leading to multiple weeks of critical media coverage and casting a shadow over Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s leadership.

Despite the pressures, President Trump initially opted not to dismiss Waltz, partly to avoid providing a perceived victory to Goldberg. However, Waltz’s attempt to justify the error during a Fox News interview is said to have further impaired his standing within the White House.

Halperin notes that “[T]here’s lots of levels of unhappiness” with Waltz, and that his supposedly impending dismissal is “less about Signalgate than it is about… a general belief that it’s not being run efficiently in an organized way.”

He adds that the dismissal could happen as soon as today or this weekend, but will likely be “soon”—although he concedes that President Trump could ultimately decide not to dismiss Waltz at all.

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Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Musk Admits DOGE ‘Not as Effective as I’d Like.’

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What Happened: Elon Musk described his first 100 days leading the Department of Government Efficiency as “intense,” noting progress but expressing frustration over challenges due to entrenched interests.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, Steve Davis, Antonio Gracias, Anthony Armstrong, President Donald Trump.

📍 Where & When: White House, Washington, D.C., Roosevelt Room, April 30, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Musk stated, “I think we’ve been effective, not as effective as I’d like.”

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s administration claims $160 billion saved in taxpayer money. He acknowledged difficulties in reaching the $1 trillion savings goal, citing government inertia as a major obstacle.

IN FULL:

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk, reflecting on his first 100 days in the role, has described them as “very, very intense.” During a meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Musk and top DOGE officials Steve Davis, Antonio Gracias, and Anthony Armstrong reviewed their initial progress in Washington. Musk said that despite saving taxpayers a claimed $160 billion—far below his earlier ambitions—entrenched interests hindered the department’s effectiveness.

“I think we’ve been effective, not as effective as I’d like, I think we could be more effective, but we made progress,” Musk said. The South Africa-born tech mogul initially claimed a potential $2 trillion saving, later revising expectations to $1 trillion.

Acknowledging his difficulty in reaching even the revised goal, Musk criticized the federal budgeting system, likening reform efforts to altering the path of a fleet of supertankers. He claims savings currently average $1.6 billion per day, blaming Congress and the Cabinet for the lack of further progress, saying it comes down to “how much pain is the Cabinet and Congress willing to take.”

Musk shared insights into his Washington routine, revealing occasional stays in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom and working seven days a week at times. However, he plans to reduce his on-site presence amid damage to his Tesla business. “DOGE is a way of life… like Buddhism… you wouldn’t ask the question, ‘Who would lead Buddhism?'” he said, downplaying the significance of his potential departure.

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Hakeem Jeffries Declines to Back Democrats Visiting El Salvador to Support Deported Illegals.

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What Happened: Reports suggest that Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries showed little support for Democrats who have traveled to El Salvador advocating for deported illegal immigrants.

👥 Who’s Involved: House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representatives Robert Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, President Donald J. Trump, and deported illegals such as accused MS-13 gangster and wife-beater Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

📍 Where & When: The reported events and discussions have taken place in the United States, with trips organized to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.

💬 Key Quote: Jeffries stated, “Our reaction [to the trips] is that Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president in modern American history,” deflecting from addressing the actions of his fellow Democrats directly.

⚠️ Impact: The disagreement exemplifies the ongoing internal conflicts within the Democratic Party.

IN FULL:

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is reportedly advising restraint to Democrats traveling to El Salvador to advocate for deported illegal aliens. Reports suggest Jeffries seemed to sidestep support for Democrats who have embarked on missions to the country.

When probed about fellow party members’ travels and their objectives, Jeffries veered the discussion towards President Donald J. Trump‘s approval ratings. Jeffries has reportedly cautioned against escalating actions with respect to the deportations to El Salvador. This comes after visits to the country involving figures like Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representatives Robert Garcia, among others.

There appears to be some division within the Democratic Party over this approach. While leaders like Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer maintain a more reserved stance, others within the party are pushing for proactive measures on behalf of deported migrants.

A spokesman for Jeffries refuted claims that his office actively discourages the trips. They asserted that the minority leader will persist in advocating for those like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported illegal linked to MS-13 who was once arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and accused of violent abuse by his wife. The Democrats insist he is a “Maryland man” deported unlawfully.

The situation highlights the ongoing strife within the Democratic Party. Others, such as Democratic National Committee vice chair and anti-gun rights activist David Hogg, are pushing to purge candidates who are not deemed woke or progressive enough.

Hogg’s statements have drawn ire from Democrat stalwarts like James Carville, who referred to Hogg as a “contemptible little twerp.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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France Accuses Russia of Ongoing Cyberattacks.

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What Happened: France’s foreign ministry accused Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency of carrying out cyber attacks on several entities.

👥 Who’s Involved: The accusations were directed at GRU unit APT28, reportedly operating out of Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

📍 Where & When: The alleged attacks targeted France, originating from Russia, with instances highlighted since 2015.

💬 Key Quote: “These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” France’s foreign ministry complained.

⚠️ Impact: Cyber attacks on government ministries, defense firms, and other sectors increased by 15 percent from 2023 to 2024, tallying approximately 4,000 incidents attributed to Russian actors.

IN FULL:

France has formally accused Russia’s GRU military intelligence unit of executing a series of cyber attacks targeting French entities. This announcement, made on April 29 by France’s foreign ministry, highlights alleged assaults against government ministries, defense companies, and think tanks.

“These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” France’s foreign ministry complained.

The unit implicated, APT28, is noted for having operations based out of Rostov-on-Don, Russia. This claim marks the first time France publicly ascribed responsibility for certain cyber attacks to Russia.

Records indicate that APT28’s operations in France began as early as 2015. A significant incident cited was the cyber disruption of the TV5 Monde channel. Islamic State operatives initially claimed the attack.

The Russian cyber unit was also linked to incidents during the 2017 French presidential election. These were allegedly aimed at undermining President Emmanuel Macron through the dissemination of leaked and manipulated documents.

The French National Cybersecurity Agency, ANSSI, documented APT28’s alleged efforts to extract strategic intelligence spanning sectors across Europe and North America. Statistics claim that approximately 4,000 cyber attacks were linked to Russian actors in 2024, a 15 percent rise from the previous year.

The accusations from France follow similar allegations of Russia planting incendiary devices on aircraft flying over Europe last year. Germany and Britain reported finding such devices in warehouses belonging to a global courier company.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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Zelensky Threatens Russian WW2 Victory Parade Which China’s Xi Will Attend.

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What Happened: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made veiled threats to attack Russia’s Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, despite the fact foreign leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.

👥 Who’s Involved: Volodymyr Zelensky, pro-Ukraine social media figures, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.

📍 Where & When: Zelensky posted a video on social media on April 30.

💬 Key Quote: “Right now, they are worried about whether they can hold their military parade—and rightly so,” said President Zelensky.

⚠️ Impact: An attack on a parade attended by Putin, civilians, including elderly veterans, and Xi Jinping could provoke a massive response from Russia and draw China into the conflict, undermining President Trump’s attempts to secure a peace deal.

IN FULL:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a thinly veiled threat against Russia’s upcoming Victory Day parade, set for May 9. Zelensky stated that Russia was worried about attacks on the event, and was right to be. Set to be attended by thousands of Russian civilians, including elderly Second World War veterans, and world leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping, the May 9 Victory Parade celebrates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies in the Second World War.

In a video published on April 30, Zelensky stated, “Right now, they are worried about whether they can hold their military parade—and rightly so. But what they should be worried about is that this war is still ongoing.” Some have pointed out that a large contingent of military personnel and equipment will take part in the parade, with pro-Ukrainian social media accounts calling for outright missile or drone strikes on a “legitimate military target.”

Caolan Robertson, a pro-Ukrainian media figure who has worked for the far-left Byline Times, stated, “Putin is terrified of Ukraine hitting his victory parade in Moscow. As he should be. Hundreds of tanks and missiles on display? That’s a great legitimate military target. I hope it gets wiped out.”

Robertson has travelled extensively to Ukraine and was in Syria shortly after the fall of Bashar Assad, posing with jihadists wearing Islamic State flags, something he seemed oblivious to at the time.

It is unclear how Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has called for a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, would react to an attack on the parade. Notably, China may regard such an attack as an act of war if it endangers Xi’s life.

President Donald J. Trump, who has accused Zelensky of trying to sabotage the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, could also react highly negatively to such actions.

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Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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Trump Gives ANOTHER Interview to Fake News Media, Expresses Surprise at Dishonesty.

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What Happened: During an interview marking his 100th day in office, President Donald J. Trump expressed frustration and criticized ABC News anchor Terry Moran for his questions, particularly regarding an MS-13 tattoo on a deported illegal immigrant, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump and ABC News anchor Terry Moran were the primary figures in the interview.

📍 Where & When: The interview took place in the Oval Office and was aired on April 29 as an hour-long special by ABC News under the title “President Trump: The First 100 Days: The Interview.”

💬 Key Quote: President Trump stated, “Why don’t you just say, ‘Yes, he does,’ and, you know, go on to something else,” during the tattoo debate with Moran.

⚠️ Impact: This interview highlighted ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration, underscoring issues of media trust and factual disputes in political reporting.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump slammed ABC News and its senior national correspondent, Terry Moran, arguing the corporate media network was spreading “fake news” regarding tattoos found on the hand of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran illegal immigrant alleged to be a member of the violent MS-13 gang who was recently deported to his home country. In a tense exchange, Moran insisted that an image showing the tattoos in question had actually been photoshopped, and photographs of Abrego Garcia in El Salvador did not show “M-S-1-3” tattooed across his knuckles.

An image posted to social media by President Trump had the text added above existing tattoos on the El Salvadoran national’s knuckles to denote what the inked symbols stood for. Abrego Garcia has a marijuana leaf, a smiley face with “x” over the eyes, a cross, and a skull tattooed across his knuckles, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and law enforcement officials contend are code representing M-S-1-3, the gang’s name.

“That was Photoshop? Terry, you can’t do that—he had—hey, they’re giving you the big break of a lifetime. You know, you’re doing the interview. I picked you because—frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s OK,” Trump said, responding to Moran’s assertion that the image of the tattoos had been doctored. The America First leader insisted, “He had MS-13 tattooed,” before Moran cut him off, asking that they move on to another subject.

“Terry. Do you want me to show the picture?” President Trump fired back, with Moran responding: “I saw the picture. We’ll—we’ll—we’ll agree to disagree.” After Trump continued to push back, the ABC News correspondent finally relented, conceding, “Fair enough, he did have tattoos that can be interpreted that way. I’m not an expert on them.”

Unsatisfied, President Trump continued to push Moran to acknowledge that the symbols tattooed on Abrego Garcia’s hand stood for MS-13. “Why don’t you just say, ‘Yes, he does,’ and, you know, go on to something else,” he told Moran, with the ABC News journalist responding: “It’s contested.”

As the interview progressed, Moran attempted to take several digs at the President, asking him: “I’m gonna ask—if I may, do you think the reputation of the United States has gone down under your presidency?” Exasperated, Trump replied: “I—no, I think it’s gone way up, and I think we’re a respected country again. We were laughed at all over the world. We had a president who couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk down a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk across a stage without falling. We had a president that was grossly incompetent. You knew it, I knew it, and everybody knew it. But you guys didn’t want to write it because you’re fake news.”

“And, by the way, ABC is one of the worst. I have to be honest with you,” Trump said as the interview concluded.

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Mark Zuckerberg Closes Schools Aimed at Minority Communities.

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What Happened: The Primary School, established by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, will permanently shut down at the end of the 2025–26 academic year, citing funding problems.

👥 Who’s Involved: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, The Primary School, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).

📍 Where & When: Schools located in East Palo Alto and the East Bay, to close by 2025–26.

💬 Key Quote: “After much deliberation, our schools in East Palo Alto and the East Bay will be closing at the end of the 2025–26 school year,” school officials announced.

⚠️ Impact: The closure affects families who relied on the school for education and support services. CZI will invest $50 million to assist communities in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and East Bay with transition aid.

IN FULL:

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan‘s educational initiative, The Primary School, is set to close by the end of the 2025–26 school year due to financial constraints. Launched in 2016, the private school aimed to provide tuition-free education and supportive services to “underserved” communities in Palo Alto and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

“After much deliberation, our schools in East Palo Alto and the East Bay will be closing at the end of the 2025–26 school year,” school officials said in a statement, adding: “This was a very difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring a thoughtful and supportive transition for students and families over the next year. To sustain The Primary School’s legacy, [the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative] will make a $50M investment over the next few years in the East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and East Bay communities.”

The anticipated closure will affect local California families who have depended on The Primary School for educational resources and social services, especially healthcare and community welfare. The school’s founding principle emphasized collaborative child-rearing, involving educational professionals and healthcare providers.

“Though The Primary School as it exists today will be coming to an end, we sincerely hope that what we have learned and shown to be possible will live on,” the closure announcement states, continuing: “We will entrust our partners in this work—both our direct collaborators and our compatriots across the education and health fields—to carry the torch for all families, but especially the most vulnerable. Our belief in our guiding principle has not wavered, and we know that it will take all of us to work toward a future where our children and families can grow, learn, and thrive no matter the circumstances.”

The closure of the Zuckerberg-funded school comes amidst a broader fight between the Trump administration and far-left activists in academia who have pushed radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and introduced sexually inappropriate content in the K-12 curriculum across the country. A number of academic institutions have ended their DEI programs, along with enacting policy changes barring biological males from competing in women’s sports, in order to comply with directives issued by President Donald J. Trump.

Earlier this year, Meta announced it would suspend its DEI programs.

Image by Anthony Quintano.

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Trans-Identifying Male Dominates U.S. Women’s Swim Nationals.

A biologically male swimmer identifying as female swept gold in five individual events at the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships.

The details: Ana Caldas, who has also competed under the names Hannah and Hugo Caldas, competed in the 45–49 women’s division and won every event he entered.

  • He won by margins as wide as four seconds—which is considered a blowout in elite short-distance swimming.

The rules: The U.S. Masters Swimming competition allows biological men to compete against women as long as they can show proof that they’ve received hormone therapy to reduce their testosterone levels.

Reality check: We know that there is no level of testosterone suppression that can undo the physical biological advantages that a man naturally has in sports — bone density, lung capacity, muscle fiber density, skeletal structure—especially for a man his age.

What Americans think: A poll from earlier this year found that 79 percent of Americans oppose letting biological men compete against women—including 67 percent of Democrats.

The last word goes to comedian Rob Schneider, who wrote on X: “Michael Jordan at 60 years old could suit up today and be the best ‘WOMAN’ in the [WNBA] and maybe THEN the stupid people in the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championship would SEE THEIR OWN INSANITY!”

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Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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A biologically male swimmer identifying as female swept gold in five individual events at the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships. show more

Marxist Turned Conservative Firebrand David Horowitz Passes Away at 86.

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What Happened: David Horowitz, a prominent conservative commentator, author, and activist, passed away at 86 on April 29, 2025, after a long battle with cancer, as announced by the David Horowitz Freedom Center.

👥 Who’s Involved: David Horowitz, the David Horowitz Freedom Center, his son Benjamin Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Announced via social media by the David Horowitz Freedom Center on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: The center stated, “On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center’s founder, David Horowitz.”

⚠️ Impact: Horowitz’s death marks the loss of a prominent conservative voice whose advocacy for freedom and support for President Trump influenced generations, leaving a lasting impact on American political discourse.

IN FULL:

David Horowitz passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 86, after a prolonged battle with cancer. The David Horowitz Freedom Center, the think tank he established, shared the news on social media, stating, “On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center’s founder, David Horowitz.” His death closes a chapter for a man whose journey from Marxism to conservative activism shaped decades of political dialogue in America.

Born in Queens, New York, Horowitz earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and a Master’s from the University of California, Berkeley. Initially a Marxist, he later became a staunch defender of conservative values, authoring numerous books and founding the David Horowitz Freedom Center to oppose radical leftist and Islamic extremist ideologies. His son, Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, posted an obituary on social media reflecting on his father’s career and his endorsement of President Donald J. Trump.

The obituary recounted a poignant moment from last year when Benjamin met President Trump and mentioned his father: “President Trump’s face immediately lit up and he insisted that Benjamin get David on the phone immediately.” Despite being hospitalized and frail, Horowitz was “delighted to speak with the President,” showcasing his enduring belief in the America First agenda.

Horowitz leaves behind his fourth wife, April Mullvain, sons Benjamin and Jonathan, and daughter Anne. His other daughter, Sarah Rose, passed away in 2008. The obituary states, “In the end, David helped countless people and expended every fiber of his being pushing society towards freedom. He may not have saved the world, but he most certainly made it a better place—especially for us. He was our super hero and we will love him forever.”

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Image by Mark Taylor.

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Trump Chief of Staff Gives Rare Interview Signaling Frustration With Ukraine, Russia.

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What Happened: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles evaluated President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days in office, highlighting various achievements and acknowledging areas needing improvement. Wiles specifically expressed frustration with Russian and Ukrainian resistance to peace talks, stating, “If peace is not achieved, it will be because it can’t be achieved. It just cannot.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Susie Wiles, President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and members of Trump’s administration.

📍 Where & When: The White House in Washington, D.C., during an interview with the New York Post on Tuesday, April 29.

💬 Key Quote: Wiles stated, “The president has devoted 100 days and his very top people to Russia and Ukraine, and if peace is not achieved, it will be because it can’t be achieved. It just cannot.”

⚠️ Impact: Wiles outlined ongoing initiatives and future goals for Trump’s administration, including potential trade deals, legislative objectives, and the prospects of the U.S. government’s ongoing mediation of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

IN FULL:

Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, says President Donald J. Trump‘s first 100 days in office have been notably productive. Speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, Wiles noted the America First leader has signed 142 executive orders since January 20 and mentioned the administration’s focus on trade agreements and curbing illegal immigration.

However, the first-ever female White House Chief of Staff did express consternation regarding the lack of progress in reaching a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting peace may not be achievable in the time frame President Trump wants. “The President has devoted 100 days and his very top people to Russia and Ukraine, and if peace is not achieved, it will be because it can’t be achieved. It just cannot,” Wiles said. She continued: “I don’t know whether that will be the case or not. I mean, it may well be that we can make some headway in the next couple of weeks, but nobody would have tried it but Donald Trump.”

“Nobody would have gotten these people to the table but Donald Trump. And if they want to continue to kill people, while it’s abhorrent, you know, he can’t stop that,” she added.

Despite the setbacks in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Wiles still praised the administration’s productivity and credited President Trump’s decisive actions for the speed at which the White House agenda has been implemented. However, Wiles did acknowledge that the Trump White House has faced more resistance than anticipated in rolling back the expanded federal government left by former President Joe Biden.

“Where I would say there was not just sort of great, amazing success is perhaps our underestimation of the size and scope of the government that Joe Biden left us,” Wiles acknowledged, adding: “The economy, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the budget, the taxes writ large, which I consider to be different than the budget, the sort of institutional resistance to even recognizing that we’ve been ripped off by foreign nations that require us to do tariffs.”

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that President Trump is “increasingly growing frustrated” with the Russian and Ukrainian governments’ resistance to peace talks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told The National Pulse that Trump is increasingly concerned about “the amount of time” the administration is spending on Ukraine, implicitly at the cost of domestic priorities including federal government reforms, economic revival, and mass deportations.

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