Pete Hegseth:

The policy we have on Taiwan is the same as it was at the beginning of this administration.

The only change you might see is how we talk about the entirety of it.

Trump bought up to $50,000 worth of stock in TKO Group Holdings, UFC’s parent company, shortly before heavily promoting a UFC event at the White House.

Source: HuffPost

Trump was fined $200 for failing to disclose stock trades worth tens of millions of dollars within the required 45-day reporting deadline.

Source: WaPo

Crimea has a real fuel shortage — long lines, rationing (20L/day cap).

Cause: Ukrainian drone strikes on supply convoys + earlier hits on fuel depots.

Russian officials blame “logistics,” not the drones.

Kanye West opens YE TOUR 2026 tonight at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, his first European show in 11 years.

The stadium has been reconfigured with standing areas and his signature in-the-round globe stage, with organizers targeting 100K–120K attendees, potentially a record for a single ticketed concert.

Why Istanbul?

It’s the only European city that would have him.

The tour lost dates across the continent over his antisemitism controversy: UK visa denied, Marseille postponed indefinitely, Poland’s Chorzów show canceled under government pressure, and Switzerland similarly blocked.

Tickets are sold out.

Trump privately questions whether JD Vance has what it takes to become the Republican Party's standard-bearer after him.

He frequently asks aides and allies for their opinions on Vance's potential, treating the issue as unresolved rather than assuming Vance is the obvious successor.

Source: NYT

JD Vance initially opposed military action against Iran, reflecting his long-standing skepticism of U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts.

After Trump decided to proceed, however, Vance publicly defended the decision and aligned himself with the administration's position, despite his earlier reservations.

Source: NYT

Trump has repeatedly needled JD Vance on both substantive and personal matters.

He has brought up Vance's initial opposition to military action against Iran, questioned the success of a Vance-led diplomatic mission to Pakistan, criticized the number of vacations he takes, and joked about his tendency to interrupt conversations.

Trump has also repeatedly referenced a moment when Vance fumbled Ohio State's national championship trophy during a White House event.

Source: NYT

JD Vance frequently scrolls on his phone during meetings and is known for engaging directly with critics on social media.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has encouraged him to reduce his online activity, arguing that public social media feuds are beneath the office of the vice president.

Source: NYT

Marco Rubio:

Ambassador Tom Barrack has been and remains a central interlocutor on Syria, and key trusted hand on Iraq.

He will continue to play a vital role, not only as our Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye, but also as we advance the President's strategic cooperation with the government in Syria and begin our work with the new government in Iraq.

He is an indispensable member of the President's team, carries my full confidence, and operates with the full backing of the State Department. The American people are well served by his continued willingness to lead this work.

Trump:

Trump:

I understand Artists are getting “the yips” having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate “Artists,” and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!

Two years ago, the United States was DEAD. Now we have the “HOTTEST” Country anywhere in the World. I don’t want so-called “Artists” that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy. I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN.

So, by copy of this TRUTH, I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location. Only Great Patriots invited — It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Trump is posting.

Polish President Nawrocki:

Unfortunately, President Zelensky has demonstrated that Ukraine, in terms of the mentality of glorifying bandits and murderers from the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, is not ready to be part of the European family.

There is no place in the European family for bandits and murderers who killed women and children, who murdered Poles.

Such bandits cannot be glorified, and the UPA cannot be glorified.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) reported that Türkiye supported Syria’s January offensive against the YPG/SDF and continued providing training and advisory support to Syrian forces.

Türkiye also maintained close counterterrorism cooperation with Damascus.

A Guardian investigation reports that AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a little-known company with ties to people close to Trump, is close to securing more than $1 billion in energy contracts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project includes a major gas pipeline intended to reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas.

Critics note that AAFS has no proven track record managing projects of this scale and was selected without a competitive tender process.

The company's representatives include Trump-linked lawyer Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn, brother of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Source: The Guardian