All articles tagged with #whitehouse
Former President Donald Trump shared AI-generated imagery depicting a proposed 'DronePort' atop a new White House ballroom, highlighting a drone-delivery infrastructure idea and prompting mixed reactions.
President Donald Trump urged cancelation of the Freedom 250 festival after several artists pulled out over the event’s ties to the White House, and he floated replacing it with a Make America Great Again rally; remaining performers include Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, and portions of Milli Vanilli, while others criticized the event’s perceived political involvement.
Trump’s physician released a memo saying the president remains in excellent health with only mild lower-leg swelling and benign hand bruising, and is fully fit to carry out all duties; it notes normal cardiac and neurological exams and provides preventive guidance on diet, aspirin, exercise and weight loss following his Walter Reed visit.
Three Democratic state attorneys general said their deputies were blocked from a White House–hosted fraud roundtable led by JD Vance after they declined a last-minute invitation, prompting a call for nonpartisan action on fraud. The AGs cited that the invite arrived with less than one business day’s notice and no agenda, and they joined a letter with 24 states saying they remain committed to fighting fraud in partnership with the federal government. Vance claimed some Democratic offices were present, while Democrats argued that fraud-fighting should not be politicized and highlighted their own Medicaid-fraud prosecutions as evidence of bipartisanship. Wisconsin’s AG also criticized the administration’s approach to messaging on fraud.
A suspect opened fire at a Secret Service security checkpoint near the White House; Secret Service officers returned fire, killing the suspect who later died at a hospital. A bystander was wounded; no Secret Service personnel were injured, and President Trump was at the White House and unharmed. The White House lockdown was lifted and FBI help is on scene as investigators verify details.
President Donald Trump abruptly postponed his planned AI executive order after David Sacks pressed concerns that a government-mandated review could slow innovation and jeopardize the U.S. lead in AI; the measure would have established a voluntary federal review for frontier models, sparking mixed industry reactions and last-minute attendance issues from major tech CEOs.
The House passed the White House–backed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by 396-13 to expand housing supply and curb large investors’ purchase of single-family homes; the measure now goes to the Senate, where negotiators will reconcile differences, with investor provisions and divestiture language at issue.
President Donald Trump and several White House aides are scheduled to attend a Washington, D.C., prayer gathering, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on faith-forward events.
UFC is staging Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14 to mark 250 years of U.S. independence. About 4,300 spectators will watch from the South Lawn and 85,000 free tickets will be available for the public from Ellipse Park, with a small number of 'high roller' packages reportedly costing around $1.5 million. The card features a unification lightweight bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, with Pereira vs Gane for the interim heavyweight title. President Trump met the fighters in the Oval Office as commemorative belts were unveiled. The event would be the first pro sports event on White House grounds, and UFC says it will spend about $60 million, describing the tickets as a 'partner investment' deck to attract influential attendees.
After a weekend security incident at the White House, Trump’s allies in Congress pushed to finish the stalled White House ballroom, proposing bills that could authorize up to $400 million, but a clear path remains blocked by a Senate filibuster, GOP divisions over how to proceed, and Democratic opposition to funding the project. Some lawmakers eye the budget reconciliation route, while others warn it could complicate other priorities, leaving the ballroom plan without a straightforward route to Trump’s desk.
A rift in Congress over reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tightens, with House GOP hard-liners blaming the White House for a slow-rolled push to secure a clean 18-month extension amid looming deadline. The White House and GOP leadership want a quick extension without reforms, citing national-security needs, while conservatives demand changes and even other concessions (like digital currency restrictions). Speaker Mike Johnson delaying a vote as negotiations continue, and Democrats express skepticism about a fast track, leaving Senate action uncertain as Monday’s expiration approaches.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the White House’s proposed $400 million, 90,000-square-foot East Wing ballroom, delaying construction and barring further action until Congress authorizes its completion; the injunction, sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argues the President lacks statutory authority for the project, and it takes effect in 14 days to allow for an appeal.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted the White House after it promoted OnlyFarms.gov—a parody linked to the OnlyFans brand—arguing taxpayers’ dollars are funding a ‘porn site’ parody and urging deletion of the post; the promotion drew conservative backlash amid ongoing farmer cost pressures from tariffs and energy costs during the Trump administration.
A marble Columbus statue, a replica of one toppled in Baltimore in 2020, was installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House, loaned by the Italian American Organizations United. The move signals the Trump administration's effort to honor Columbus amid ongoing debates over his legacy and Indigenous Peoples Day, which Biden has designated but Trump disputes.
At a Washington, DC hearing, Judge Richard Leon criticized Donald Trump’s plan to convert the White House East Wing into a $400 million ballroom and signaled he may halt the project after a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation argues it lacks proper authorization and reviews. White House lawyers contend no outside approval is needed and some funding is private, while federal review bodies have delayed votes pending public input. Leon, who has previously ruled against the preservationists, called the administration’s arguments 'brazen' and said a ruling is expected by the end of March, underscoring ongoing questions about presidential alterations to the historic residence.