As Trump struggles to defend Qatar’s luxury jet ‘gift,’ Republicans are divided

Trump wasn't looking to divide his own party again, but his plan to accept a superluxury jumbo jet from his friends in Qatar has split Republicans.
Trump Mideast
Trump Mideast
23h ago

Monday’s Mini-Report, 5.12.25

Today’s edition of quick hits.
Scott Bessent
Scott Bessent

Pressed on corruption allegations against Trump, Karoline Leavitt offers pitiful defense

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against questions about the president’s grifts. It was a predictable failure.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House

Trump reportedly frustrated by his inability to make good on foreign policy promises

The president wanted to resolve crises in Ukraine and Gaza quickly once in office. I’m surprised by the degree to which he’s surprised.
Donald Trump stands outside behind a shrub as a marine in the background salutes him
Donald Trump stands outside behind a shrub as a marine in the background salutes him

In meetings with Putin, Trump’s envoy relied on the Kremlin’s interpreter

Steve Witkoff’s reliance on a Kremlin interpreter for his meetings with Russia’s Vladimir Putin was emblematic of a larger problem.
Steve Witkoff
Steve Witkoff

Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 5.12.25: Marjorie Taylor Greene to skip Georgia's Senate race

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Marjorie Taylor Greene

Why did Trump fire the head of the U.S. Copyright Office?

The day after firing the Librarian of Congress, the president also fired the nation’s top copyright official. It's worth considering why.
Shira Perlmutter, head of the U.S. Copyright Office, speaks at a House hearing in 2023.
Shira Perlmutter, head of the U.S. Copyright Office, speaks at a House hearing in 2023.

More MaddowBlog

1d ago

Trump reportedly shrugs off intelligence briefings he needs, but doesn’t want

In his first term, the president blew off intelligence briefings that he needed to govern. The problem is even worse in his second term.
President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office
President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office
1d ago

The more Trump talks about Russian sanctions, the less Russia seems to care

For the fourth time in four months, Trump threatened Russia with sanctions. In each instance, Putin shrugged — and Trump failed to follow through.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
1d ago

Congressional Republicans hedge as the White House targets habeas corpus

Any chance GOP lawmakers would stick up for the rule of law as the White House considers suspending habeas corpus? Evidently not.
Stephen Miller Joins White House Press Briefing
Stephen Miller Joins White House Press Briefing
1d ago

Trump scrambles to defend luxury jet from Qatar he’ll use as Air Force One

The president tried to defend an apparent plan in which he’d get to use a luxury jet from the government of Qatar. It didn’t go well.
Donald Trump exiting Air Force One
Donald Trump exiting Air Force One
4d ago

Why did Trump fire Carla Hayden, the celebrated Librarian of Congress?

There was no good reason for the president to fire Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. So why in the world did Trump do this?
Carla Hayden smiling
Carla Hayden smiling
4d ago

Friday’s Mini-Report, 5.9.25

Today’s edition of quick hits.
Rumeysa Ozturk sits for a photo Rumeysa Öztürk
Rumeysa Ozturk sits for a photo Rumeysa Öztürk
4d ago

White House’s Stephen Miller: ‘We are actively looking at’ suspending habeas corpus

Miller claimed the U.S. can suspend the right to challenge the legality of a person’s detention “in time of invasion.”
Stephen Miller speaks with reporters.
Stephen Miller speaks with reporters.

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