President Donald Trump announced he will speak with foreign leaders on the war in Ukraine next week after representatives from Ukraine and Russia went to Turkey for discussions on Friday.
The conversation follows the president’s first foreign trip of his second administration, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates throughout the week.
The White House released a video of President Donald Trump speaking with American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander after he was released earlier this week after being held captive by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. In the video, Edan sits next to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s voice is heard on a speakerphone.
“I am very nervous talking to you, Edan, because you’re a much bigger celebrity than I am,” Trump started the phone conversation to reaction from the room.
“Edan is the hottest celebrity in the world right now, but that’s no way to become a celebrity, right? We’ll do it a different way,” he continued. “We’re very honored. Wow, it’s crazy.”
Edan responded, “You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life.”
Trump appeared fascinated in learning more about what Alexander had endured under captivity.
“How was it? Are you free to talk a little bit?” Trump asked, at which point Alexander instructed him that they were recording the conversation.
The president noted how Alexander’s family became strong advocates for their son’s release and regularly communicated with the president.
“You’re an American, and we love you, and we’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit. She was putting a lot of pressure on me,” Trump closed.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he has a phone call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at 10 a.m.
“THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE ‘BLOODBATH’ THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE,” he wrote in all-caps.
Trump said he will talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders afterward.S
President Donald Trump weighed in on Friday on Truth Social to help House Speaker Mike Johnson in the budget negotiations, calling on his party to unite behind the proposed legislation.
The president had a direct message to hardliners who have threatened to tank the bill as they call for larger spending cuts, writing, “We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”
Consumer confidence dipped again, down almost 30% since January. But this survey was conducted between April 22 and May 13, closing two days after President Donald Trump announced a significant reduction in tariffs on imports from China.
Stocks, which are having a good week following that tariff pause announcement, are not reacting much to this news right now.
