President Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday in Scotland, where the two leaders focused on the humanitarian crisis and mass starvation occurring in Gaza.
The Gaza crisis is one of the stories dominating talk in Washington, and Trump in his remarks signaled a gap between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he said the starvation was something that couldn’t be faked.
Elsewhere, fallout from Trump’s trade deal with the European Union continued to be felt on both sides of the Atlantic, while conversations about the Jeffrey Epstein controversy that has nagged at Trump continued to generate headlines.
Lawyers for Trump are also seeking to get an expedited deposition from Rupert Murdoch related to the president’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal.
Trump also said he would announce a truncated deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal in its war with Ukraine, threatening to impose secondary sanctions on Moscow if that didn’t come through.
Catch up:
- Senate GOP quietly urges House to shift approach on shutdown talk
- Republicans stop short of endorsing Trump’s call to arrest Obama officials
Follow along here all day for updates on these stories and more.
Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus requests meeting with Trump on immigration, debt
The Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of House lawmakers that frequently works across the aisle, is requesting a meeting with President Trump to discuss immigration, permitting reform and the national debt.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chairs of the caucus, sent a letter to Trump on Monday, focusing on the trio issues after the faction earlier this year set up working groups to address those and more. Almost 50 lawmakers signed the request.
“As the Co-Chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, we lead a bipartisan group of nearly 50 Members of the House of Representatives focused on finding common ground on the key issues facing our nation,” the pair wrote. “We meet regularly to discuss opportunities for bipartisan compromise and to develop legislation that both parties can agree on and vote for.”
“In that spirit, we are writing to request a meeting with you to discuss three issues where we see both the opportunity and the need for comprehensive bipartisan solutions: immigration, permitting reform, and the national debt,” they added.
Second whistleblower backs allegations Bove was ‘undermining rule of law’
A second whistleblower has stepped forward with allegations that Trump Justice Department official Emil Bove worked to defy court orders.
Bove, the No. 3 official at DOJ, has been nominated for a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and is awaiting a final vote in the Senate.
He’s also been accused by DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni of suggesting the department’s attorneys may need to tell the courts “f—k you” and defy any orders blocking the use of the Alien Enemies Act to send migrants to a prison in El Salvador.
A second whistleblower has now stepped forward to back Reuveni’s claims, saying Bove and other senior DOJ officials were “actively and deliberately undermining the rule of law.”
“Our client, whose identity we are protecting, has provided substantive, internal DOJ documents to the Inspector General, supporting former senior DOJ attorney-turned whistleblower Erez Reuveni’s allegations,” Whistleblower Aid, the group representing the second whistleblower, said in a press release.
“Reuveni’s whistleblower complaint exposes ‘high-level governmental personnel [at the DOJ who] knowingly and willfully defied court orders, directed their subordinate attorneys to make misrepresentations to courts, and engaged in a scheme to withhold relevant information from the court to advance the Administration’s priority of deporting noncitizens.’”
Democrats blast Lutnick for reversal on China, semiconductors
A group of congressional Democrats blasted the Trump administration’s decision to allow advanced computer chips made by Nvidia to be sold in China, in a set of letters sent to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
In a letter to Lutnick on Sunday, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said the administration was using export controls on semiconductors and advanced computer parts as a “bargaining chip,” a move they contended “risks eroding the credibility of our export controls regime, blurs the line between economic and security priorities, and sends a dangerous signal that critical guardrails are up for negotiation.”
The White House announced in May that it would restrict sales to China of Nvidia’s H20 chip, widely used on AI models. But in mid-July, it changed course, with Lutnick telling CNBC the reversal was linked to a trade deal involving rare earth magnets.
Durbin demands recordings of Ghislaine Maxwell-Department of Justice talks
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin (Ill.) is demanding that the Justice Department turn over all recordings, transcripts and notes from its interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, the partner of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
Durbin is raising the alarm over Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s interview with Maxwell, calling it “highly unusual, if not unprecedented, for the deputy attorney general” to conduct such an interview instead of line prosecutors who are familiar with the details of the case and who “can more readily determine if the witness is lying.”
“In light of troves of corroborating evidence collected through multiple investigations, a federal jury conviction, and Ms. Maxwell’s history and willingness to lie under oath, as it relates to her dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, why would DOJ depart from long-standing precedent and now seek her cooperation?” Durbin asked in the letter, which was also signed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), the top Democrat on Judiciary’s Federal Courts Subcommittee.
Democratic PAC launches fund going after Texas GOP for redistricting
A House Democratic super PAC is looking to raise tens of millions of dollars to challenge Texas Republicans next year as the GOP looks to redraw congressional maps in the state in a bid to offset losses in the 2026 midterms.
House Majority PAC announced on Monday that it’s creating a Lone Star Fund that is vying to “raise upwards of $20 million” to target gerrymandered GOP House districts if Texas Republicans redraw their lines.
Project 2025 author challenging Graham in SC: Report
Paul Dans, a principal author of the Heritage Foundation-led Project 2025, is challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for his seat in the U.S. Senate, according to The Associated Press.
Dans told the news service that “more work” is required beyond the slashing of federal programs and workers outlined in Project 2025.
“What we’ve done with Project 2025 is really change the game in terms of closing the door on the progressive era,” Dans said. “If you look at where the chokepoint is, it’s the United States Senate. That’s the headwaters of the swamp.”
Trump seeks expedited deposition from Rupert Murdoch in WSJ suit
President Trump’s lawyers want to depose Rupert Murdoch, and quickly.
The president’s legal team in a new court filing on Monday said they wish to speak with the conservative media mogul as part of its evidence gathering efforts in connection with Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal.
Read the full story here.
Former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker passes on another campaign
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is passing on a 2026 gubernatorial campaign after speculation that he could make a run for his old job.
“I’m not going to be a candidate for governor in 2026,” Walker said in a video posted to X on Sunday, thanking supporters who encouraged him to run again.
After Democrat Gov. Tony Evers announced last week that he would not seek reelection, the Republican had then shared a series of recent posts that appeared to tease a potential run, including wishlists of action items he thinks the Badger State’s next leader should tackle and a message about his tenure as the 45th governor.
He had also posted an image of a “Make America Great Again” hat that appeared to emphasize President Trump’s roles as the 45th and 47th commander-in-chief, prompting questions about whether Walker would try to return as Wisconsin’s 47th governor.
Judge orders Medicaid funding temporarily restored to all Planned Parenthood affiliates
A federal judge in Boston on Monday blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding to all Planned Parenthood affiliates as part of the GOP’s new tax cut and health law.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani expands on a decision last week, when she issued a preliminary injunction restoring Medicaid funding for only 10 Planned Parenthood affiliates.
“Patients are likely to suffer adverse health consequences where care is disrupted or unavailable,” Talwani wrote in her Monday order. “In particular, restricting Members’ ability to provide healthcare services threatens an increase in unintended pregnancies and attendant complications because of reduced access to effective contraceptives, and an increase in undiagnosed and untreated STIs.”
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which advocates for abortion rights and does not provide medical care, sued on behalf of all of its 47 regional affiliates, along with its Utah and Massachusetts chapters.
Elon Musk says new Samsung plant will make Tesla AI chips
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said a new Samsung plant in Texas will be devoted to making the next generation of semiconductors for the electric vehicle (EV) company as it pushes the needle on artificial intelligence (AI).
In a Sunday post on X, the social media platform he purchased in 2022, Musk said Samsung’s new factory will be “dedicated” to making Tesla’s AI6 chip. Musk said he will also be a presence at the factory to “assist” Samsung “in maximizing manufacturing efficiency.”
“This is a critical point, as I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress. And the fab is conveniently located not far from my house,” Musk wrote.
US-EU trade deal: What to know
President Trump and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled a trade deal over the weekend, with tariffs set at 15 percent for European goods.
The European Union is also set to buy $750 billion in American energy in the deal, Trump announced, and agreed to invest an additional $600 billion in the U.S.
Trump had previously threatened to impose 30-percent tariffs on the EU, which would have started in early August.
“I think it’s the biggest deal ever made,” Trump said.
Vance hits vulnerable Ohio Democrats during stop in Canton
Vice President Vance slammed Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) during a stop in her district on Monday touting President Trump’s legislative agenda.
“You know who we do not have in the house right now? We do not have Congresswoman Emilia Sykes,” Vance said, speaking in Canton, Ohio.
“You know why she’s not here today? Because she’s not celebrating no taxes on tips. She’s not celebrating no taxes on overtime. She’s not celebrating the highest take-home pay in years because she fought us every step of the way on the big, beautiful bill,” he continued.
Vance went on to say he would not criticize Sykes for disagreeing with Republicans but questioned why she did not work with Republicans on the legislation.
Trump spoke to Thailand, Cambodia leaders after ceasefire
President Trump on Monday said that he spoke to the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia after the two nations agreed to a ceasefire ending five days of fighting in the region.
“Just spoke to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand and Prime Minister of Cambodia. I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE. Congratulations to all!” Trump said on Truth Social.
Read the full story here.
GOP bill seeks to rename Kennedy Center for Trump
A House Republican’s bill would strip former President John F. Kennedy’s name from the Washington institution created in the 35th commander in chief’s honor and instead have it known as the “Trump Center for the Performing Arts.”
The bill, recently introduced by Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.), aims to “designate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the ‘Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.’”
Read the full story here.
Sharpton on Trump claim he was paid to endorse Harris: ‘Absolutely not’
The Rev. Al Sharpton early Monday pushed back on President Trump’s claim that he was paid to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential bid, saying he neither received money from the campaign nor formally endorsed the Democratic ticket.
“Absolutely not,” Sharpton said in an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” when asked if he was paid to endorse Harris.
Controversial Trump official appointed US Institute of Peace chief
A senior State Department official with a history of incendiary comments and who was fired as a speechwriter during President Trump’s first term has been appointed as acting leader of the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Darren Beattie, the senior official in public diplomacy, was appointed acting head of the USIP, an independent, nonprofit think tank funded by Congress to promote peace and prevent and end conflicts across the globe.
Beattie’s appointment by the nonprofit’s board appears to be the Trump administration’s latest step in an effort to bring the USIP fully under the executive branch and the administration’s goal to shut down the agency. Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) put the USIP in its crosshairs for termination, prompting a tense standoff occurred at the USIP’s headquarters, where police were called.
Gallego headed to New Hampshire amid 2028 speculation
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is traveling to New Hampshire next month, ramping up speculation about potential presidential ambitions ahead of 2028.
Gallego is heading to the Granite State to participate in a “Politics & Eggs” event, hosted by the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, on Aug. 22.
Rep. Ralph Norman launches bid for South Carolina governor
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) on Sunday announced he’s launching a bid to succeed term-limited South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R), making him the latest Republican to throw his hat in the mix.
“I’ve seen way too many corrupt politicians in Columbia, South Carolina, looking out for themselves and not for you. And in Washington, I’ve seen career politicians who care more about their next election than they do securing our future generations,” Norman told supporters in Rock Hill, S.C.
“We do not need more career politician folks or lawyers running government,” he continued. “We need business leaders, people who have signed the front of a paycheck and people who have signed the back of a paycheck, folks who have built something, taken risk, made money, yes, and lost money.”
Norman joins several other prominent Republicans in launching a bid for South Carolina governor. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell have also announced campaigns to succeed McMaster.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is expected to make a decision on whether to run for governor soon.
Mark Kelly on possible White House bid: ‘I’m not going to give you a yes or no answer’
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) declined to say whether he plans to run for president in 2028, stressing instead that he’s focused on addressing voters’ concerns about the Democratic Party.
Trump says he turned down offer to go to Epstein’s island
Trump said he turned down an offer to go to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, calling out others he said the press should be focused on.
“I never went to the island and [former president] Bill Clinton went there supposedly 28 times. I never went to the island but [former Treasury Secretary] Larry Summers, I hear, went there, he was the head of Harvard. And many other people that are very big people, nobody ever talks about them. I never had the privilege of going to his island and I did turn him down. But a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments I turned it down, I didn’t want to do to his island.”
The president was asked why he had thrown Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago resort and he said he didn’t want to “waste your time” by explaining it.
“For years I wouldn’t talk to Jeffrey Epstein… because he did something that was inappropriate. He hired help,” he added.
“He stole people that worked for me, I said don’t even do that again. He did it again and I threw him out of the place,” Trump said.
Trump: ‘I don’t do drawings of women’
Trump pushed back on reports that he had a closer than previously known relationship with disgraced financier and sex predator Jeffrey Epstein.
“I don’t do drawings of women,” Trump said, addressing a Wall Street Journal report that he sent Epstein a letter for his 50th birthday that included a message inside the outline of a naked woman.
“And also, Epstein was also a very controversial guy. I was at a very high position, you know, pretty much all my life…who would do a controversial drawing?” Trump added. “Now with that being said they say there were many letters done by many people.”
Trump: ‘Inappropriate’ to talk about pardon for Maxwell now
The president said he wouldn’t be appropriate to talk about a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate who spoke with his Department of Justice last week.
“I’m allowed to give her a pardon,” Trump said.
“Nobody’s approached me with it, nobody’s asked me about it. It’s in the news, about that, that aspect of it. But right now it would be inappropriate to talk about it.”
Trump on Friday that he hadn’t thought about pardoning Maxwell and told reporters they should be focused on other Epstein associates and other topics.
Trump says he’s not interested in talks with Putin
The president said he’s no longer interested in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after reducing the timeline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
“I’m not so interested in talking anymore,” Trump said on if he would talk to the Russian leader.
He added, “He talks—we have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversations and then people die the following night.”
Trump earlier on Monday said he would move up the timeline to initiate sanctions against Moscow to “about 10 or 12 days from today,” adding “we just don’t see any progress being made.”
Rubio: Vance would be ‘great’ GOP nominee in 2028 ‘if he decides he wants to do that’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Vice President Vance would be a “great nominee” for the Republican Party in 2028, should he decide to run for the White House.
In an interview on Fox News’s “My View with Lara Trump,” Rubio sidestepped a question about his own presidential ambitions when asked by the president’s daughter-in-law whether his own sights are “set outside the State Department.”
“I think JD Vance would be a great nominee… if he decides he wants to do that,” Rubio said during the Saturday interview.
“I think he’s doing a great job as vice president. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it,” Rubio added.
Trump says he’s ‘not going to say anything bad’ about Powell
Trump on Monday said he wouldn’t say anything bad about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, backing off of his past criticism of the head of the central bank after he visited headquarters last week.
The president was asked if the visit to the Fed could have inspired an interest rate cut this week and he opted to talk about the work that has been done to his Turnberry property. When reporters asked again about if Powell should cut rates, the president responded, “I think he has to.”
“I’m not going to say anything bad. We’re doing so well even without the rate cut. With the rate cut it would be better, effects our housing a little bit,” Trump added.
He noted that Powell’s term is up next year.
“I’ll miss him greatly,” he said.
Massie: DOJ ‘hiding behind’ victim protection in Epstein controversy
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Sunday accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of “hiding behind” the argument of protecting victims as it faces calls to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer: Israel needs to be pressured to end ‘humanitarian catastrophe’
Starmer said on Monday that pressure needs to be put on Israel to end the situation in Gaza, calling the starvation on the ground “intolerable.”
“Humanitarian aid needs to get in at speed, at volume,” he said. “The trucks need to get in because that’s that only way you can get the volume in.”
“We need to galvanize other countries in support of getting that aid in and yes, that does involve putting pressure on Israel because it, absolutely, this is a humanitarian catastrophe now,” Starmer added.
The prime minister called the images of starving children “revolting.”
Trump on Gaza: ‘That’s real starvation’
Trump on Monday described the situation in Gaza as “real starvation” as he outlined plans to get food into the area.
“We’re going to be getting some good, strong food. We can save a lot of people,” Trump said. “Some of those kids – that’s real starvation. I see it. And you can’t fake that. So we’re going to be even more involved.”
Trump: US to assist with ‘food centers’ in Gaza
Trump said Monday the United States will work to set up food centers in Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
“We’re going to set up food centers.” Trump said alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“We’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people, and we’re going to supply funds…And other nations are joining us,” Trump continued.
“I know your nation’s joining us, and we have all of the European nations joining us, and others also called and they want to be helpful. So we’re going to set up food centers and where the people can walk in and no boundaries. We’re not going to have fences.”
Roy Cooper enters North Carolina Senate race in win for Democrats
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is entering the state’s Senate race, a recruitment win for Democrats who hope that the popular former governor will give them a strong chance in one of the most competitive races next year.
He announced his intention Monday morning in a social media post that leaned into attracting middle-class voters. “It wasn’t always this hard,” he said in the video launching his bid.
“I never really wanted to go to Washington. I just wanted to serve the people of North Carolina, right here, where I’ve lived all my life. But these are not ordinary times,” Cooper said.
Cooper’s decision comes after significant speculation that he would enter after eight years as governor in the battleground state. He’ll be trying to win the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R), who announced last month that he wouldn’t seek another term in office.