Trump vows nobody getting ‘off the hook’ for ‘unfair’ trade balances, says there was no tariff ‘exception’
President Donald Trump vowed on Sunday that nobody was getting “off the hook” for unfair trade balances and tariff barriers, which other countries have used against the U.S. The Trump administration announced Friday that it was exempting imported smartphones, laptops and other electronics from reciprocal tariffs, but the president wanted to clear a few things up. “There was no Tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday,” Trump said in a post on X on Sunday. “These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket.’ The Fake News knows this, but refuses to report it. We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations. “What has been exposed is that we need to make products in the United States, and that we will not be held hostage by other Countries, especially hostile trading Nations like China, which will do everything within its power to disrespect the American People,” he continued. “We also cannot let them continue to abuse us on Trade, like they have for decades, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!” TRUMP’S TARIFF BLITZ NOW EXEMPTING ELECTRICAL GOODS LIKE PHONES, LAPTOPS Trump closed out his post by saying the Golden Age of America will mean “more and better paying jobs” as well as making products in the U.S. and treating other countries as they have treated America. “The bottom line is that our Country will be bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” he said. “We will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Customs and Border Protection issued new guidance on reciprocal tariff negotiations late Friday, noting the exemption of those goods from Trump’s April 2 executive order that declared a national emergency due to non-reciprocal trade practices and structural imbalances in the global trading system. Subsequent executive orders ramped up tariffs on China to 125%. ‘DEAL-MAKER-IN-CHIEF’: BEHIND THE SCENES OF TRUMP’S TARIFF PAUSE, WHERE HE HAS FINAL SAY OVER NEGOTIATIONS The updated guidance, which cites a presidential memorandum issued Friday, excluded the products from Trump’s 125% China tariff and his baseline 10% global tariff on some countries. They apply to goods that left a warehouse as of April 5. The new move will likely ease the blow for consumers while giving a boost to electronics giants such as Apple, Samsung and Dell. A White House official confirmed to Fox News that the exemptions were put in place. CHINA REFUSES TO BACK DOWN ON TARIFFS AFTER TRUMP THREATENED TOUGHER MEASURES Products included in the exemption are things like hard drives, computer processors, solar cells, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, flat-panel TV displays and memory chips. But in light of the easing of tariffs on electronics, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday the exemption would be temporary. “They’re exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they’re included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two,” Lutnick told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. Lutnick’s comments Sunday made clear that more changes were on the horizon. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Saturday night that he would get into more specifics on exemptions on Monday. “We’ve been making a lot of money,” he said. “It’s been the other way around. Other countries, in particular China, was making a lot of money.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS In a statement issued Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not specifically address the exemptions but indicated the administration still plans to push for tech companies to move manufacturing to the U.S. She said the administration has secured U.S. investments from tech companies, including Apple, TSMC and Nvidia, that are “hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the United States as soon as possible.” Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan, Brie Stimson and Sarah Tobianski, as well as the Associated Press, contributed to this report.
Israel’s attack on al-Alhi Hospital in Gaza City draws global condemnation
A predawn Israeli strike on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, the last major hospital providing critical healthcare in northern Gaza, has sparked condemnation in Palestine and across the world as Israel continues to attack healthcare facilities. Israel on Sunday claimed it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the hospital, without providing evidence, while Hamas denied the allegations. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs al-Ahli Hospital, condemned the attack, saying it occurred on “Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year.” It said the twin strikes demolished the hospital’s two-storey genetic laboratory and damaged the pharmacy and the emergency department buildings. The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, which is affiliated with the Anglican Church, said the attack constituted “a grave violation of religious sanctity and fundamental principles of international humanitarian law”. The head of the committee, Ramzi Khoury, asserted that the attack was a direct affront to Palestinian Christians and the global Christian community. Advertisement Britain’s Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said in a statement on Sunday: “The Anglican-run Ahli Hospital in Gaza is a place of healing and care for Palestinians living through unimaginable suffering. In unbearable conditions, its heroic doctors and nurses have cared for civilians who have endured 18 months of devastating violence”. “For the only Christian hospital in Gaza to be attacked on Palm Sunday is especially appalling. I share in the grief of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Jerusalem,” he said. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the bombing forced the evacuation of patients and staff. “We call on international institutions and relevant authorities to protect the health sector in accordance with international laws and agreements,” it said in a statement. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said the “heinous aggression” was “part of a systematic series of attacks targeting hospitals, schools, shelters and tents for the displaced in Gaza, within the context of a systematic war of extermination that violates all humanitarian and moral standards”. PIJ blamed Israel for sowing panic among patients and staff by issuing a warning shortly before the strike. “The international silence on Gaza is forcing it to become a graveyard for law and humanity,” it added. A gurney lies amid the debris in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the al-Ahli Hospital [AFP] International condemnation: ‘Attacks on health care must stop’ Hospitals have special protection under international law. Israel has besieged and raided them nevertheless, some several times, and struck multiple ones while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters. Last month, Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest hospital in southern Gaza, killing two people and causing a large fire. Advertisement Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the hospital was out of service and a child had died as a result of the disruption of care. The hospital was also forced to move 50 patients to other health centres, but 40 critical patients could not be moved, Tedros added. “Attacks on health care must stop,” the WHO chief wrote on X. “Once again we repeat: patients, health workers and hospitals must be protected. The aid blockade must be lifted. Ceasefire.” Al-Ahli hospital in #Gaza is out of service following this morning’s evacuation order and attack – @WHO has received an update from the hospital’s director. A child died due to disruption of care. The emergency room, laboratory, emergency room X-ray machines and the pharmacy… — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 13, 2025 British Foreign Minister David Lammy said Israel’s bombing of medical facilities had “comprehensively degraded access to healthcare” in the enclave. “Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy not more bloodshed is how we will achieve a lasting peace,” Lammy wrote on X. Qatar said the attack on the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza was a “horrific massacre and a heinous crime against civilians” that constituted a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The Foreign Ministry warned about the expansion of the cycle of violence across the region and said the international community must assume its responsibilities in protecting civilians. Advertisement Jordan also condemned the attack as well as Israel’s systematic targeting of civilians in Gaza and the destruction of vital facilities that provide essential services to its population. Egypt, too, issued a statement, calling the attack a grave violation of international humanitarian law and international norms and appealing for the international community’s intervention in halting the attacks. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock questioned the modalities of the strike but stopped short of condemning the attack. “The cruel Hamas terror must be combated. But international humanitarian law applies, with a special obligation to protect civilian areas. How can a hospital be evacuated in less than 20 minutes?” she asked in a post on X. Adblock test (Why?)
How the sick and injured fled as Israel bombed Gaza’s al-Ahli Hospital
Gaza City, Gaza – Yousef Abu Sakran was dozing next to his injured child and wife, Iman, in a tent ward at al-Ahli Arab Hospital when the sounds of people running and shouting woke him up. He stepped into the hospital courtyard well before dawn on Sunday to ask what was happening but found no clear answer, only vague news that the Israeli army had made calls to people living around the hospital, demanding the expulsion of everyone in the medical facility. The 29-year-old father reacted instantly. He scooped up his five-year-old son, Mohammad, and he and Iman ran towards the gate. Mohammad has severe injuries across his body, including third-degree burns on his back and legs, but Yousef had to keep running with him. “I was carrying my son, whose body was burned, and running while he screamed,” Yousef said. “His back was bleeding – his wounds were bleeding heavily – and he was screaming in agony. “[So many people’s] injuries reopened from the sudden movement. I saw the family of a girl with spinal injuries trying to pull her bed, but it was stuck in the debris. Advertisement “Just seconds after we left the hospital, it was struck by two missiles that shook the entire place. I told my wife: ‘Imagine if we had been a minute later. We’d be dead.’” A damaged gurney and rubble litter the area near the tent wards that al-Ahli had to set up to accommodate all its patients [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] Where to go with an injured boy? Yousef and his wife were in the street with everyone else from the hospital. “It was around 2am, and I had no idea where to take my injured son. He was in pain and bleeding. There were no clinics or hospitals, and the tent we live in is very far and completely unsuitable for his condition.” Mohammad had been injured in an Israeli air strike on a block of homes in Gaza’s Shujayea neighbourhood, which killed more than 20 people and wounded dozens. An hour after the hospital was bombed, Yousef and his wife decided there was nothing they could do other than take Mohammad back to al-Ahli. “The place was pitch-black, and it reeked of gunpowder and dust. I went to the surgery building at the far end of the hospital, where I found a nurse who took pity on Mohammad’s condition, treated his wounds and admitted him.” Bombing a hospital like this, Yousef said, is a stain on humanity’s conscience. “They bomb our homes over our heads and then bomb hospitals while patients and the wounded are inside. Where are we supposed to go? “Isn’t all this grief and suffering enough?” Dragging himself out of danger Suhaib Hamed, 20, was asleep in another tent ward, right next to the hospital’s emergency building, which was hit. Advertisement Hamed was injured when he went to fetch flour for his starving family on February 29, 2024 – a day known as the “Flour Massacre“, during which Israel killed 109 Palestinians and wounded dozens while they waited for food aid. He was shot in the leg by Israeli tanks, damaging his bones and tissue to the point that he needed metal implants and has been in the orthopaedic department since then. “My brother, who usually stays with me, wasn’t there. I don’t even know how I managed to stand on my injured leg, grab my crutches and flee,” Suhaib told Al Jazeera as he exited the surgery department after having the wounds to his leg cleaned and checked. “I forgot my pain because of what I saw around me. Everyone was screaming in terror and fear, just trying to survive. It felt like the Day of Judgement.” Suhaib also managed to get out of the hospital minutes before two Israeli missiles landed. “My leg couldn’t handle it any more, and my wound reopened and started bleeding again.” He couldn’t keep walking, so he stopped and called his brother, who came and supported him to their home in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, a half-hour’s walk for a healthy person on undamaged roads. Two members of al-Ahli Arab Hospital’s staff examine what’s left of its emergency department after Israel bombed it on April 13, 2025 [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] The pain in his leg kept Suhaib up, but he was also worried about the hospital being forced to close. “I’ve been staying in the hospital [for more than a year] because of my condition,” he said. Suhaib has a medical referral to travel outside Gaza for treatment but has been waiting to leave for a year. Advertisement “Isn’t the closure and banning of our travel enough? They even target the hospital that was still treating us with the little that’s available.” Making a catastrophic situation worse The Israeli strike on al-Ahli has exacerbated an already catastrophic situation for Gaza’s healthcare system, which has been collapsing as Israeli bombardments and a blockade on medicines, medical supplies and fuel continues. In the panic that ensued because Israel did not give hospital staff even the bare minimum of time to evacuate patients, a child died due to lack of oxygen, Fadel Naeem, director of al-Ahli, told Al Jazeera. Israel destroyed the vital emergency, radiology, laboratory and central pharmacy departments, the doctor continued. “We’ll need weeks or months to resume operations,” he noted. “This hospital is a hub for services and includes all essential facilities, including the only CT scan machine available. “The fate of patients and the wounded is now unknown. We’ll have to distribute them to other hospitals, but no hospital is equipped to provide full services.” Adblock test (Why?)
Will elections in Gabon lead to change?
The leader of a 2023 coup, Brice Oligui Nguema, wins in a landslide victory in Gabon. General Brice Oligui Nguema has just won Saturday’s election in Gabon, and will lead the country for the next seven years. Gabon is among seven west and central African countries where the military has seized power in recent years. When the army overthrew the president there in 2023, it ended 56 years of rule by the Bongo dynasty. The winner, Nguema, is the army general who led that military takeover. He now says he’ll bring democratic changes and reforms. But can he deliver on his promises? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests Jo Dioumy Moubassango – Member of Gabon’s Parliament and a former government official Victor Doke – Lecturer on international politics, peace and security at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre Abdullahi Boru Halakhe – Africa security and policy analyst Arnauld Engandji – Special adviser to the Gabonese president and his official spokesperson Adblock test (Why?)
Results of President Trump’s physical released, here’s what they say
President Donald Trump “remains in excellent health,” according to a release from the White House physician following the president’s annual physical. “President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function,” read the release by Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, the physician to the president. Trump underwent the physical on Friday morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the release noted, which included “diagnostic and laboratory testing” and “consultations with fourteen specialty consultants.” WARREN DEMANDS SEC INVESTIGATE TRUMP FOR INSIDER TRADING, ACCUSES HIM OF UNLEASHING ‘CHAOS’ WITH TARIFFS The release included Trump’s vital statistics, noting that the president is 75 inches tall, weighs 224 pounds, has a resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute, a blood pressure of 128/74 mmHg, a pulse oximetry of 99% on room air, and a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Trump’s physical examination raised no red flags or significant abnormalities, though the physician noted that the president has “scarring on the right ear from a gunshot wound.” DONALD TRUMP’S ALLIES, SUPPORTERS AND DONORS, LED BY ELON MUSK, PUSH TO END TARIFF WAR The president’s lab results also came back normal and Trump’s “lifelong abstinence from tobacco and alcohol” was noted in his medical history. Trump is currently on four medications, the release notes, including Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe for cholesterol control, aspirin for cardiac prevention, and Mometasone cream as needed for a skin condition. The release also credits Trump’s “active lifestyle” for contributing “significantly to his well-being.” “President Trump’s days include participation in multiple meetings, public appearances, press availability, and frequent victories in golf events,” the release reads. “President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander -in-Chief and Head of State.”
Video of Trump allegedly ‘snubbing’ actress Cheryl Hines spreads like wildfire but doesn’t show full picture
Videos of President Donald Trump appearing to snub actress Cheryl Hines, who is married to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., at a UFC match on Saturday evening are spreading like wildfire on social media, but don’t show the entire story. “This is clickbait. He went back to her,” former senior RFK Jr. advisor Link Lauren posted to X, showing a photo of Trump chatting with his HHS secretary and Cheryl Hines during the UFC match. Trump joined the UFC match in Miami on Saturday night alongside members of his Cabinet, and was seen shaking Kennedy’s hand after entering the arena to wild cheers, but appeared to ignore greeting Hines despite her reaching out for a handshake. Hines was seen pulling her hand away as Trump moved to greet other attendees. ‘CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM’ STAR CHERYL HINES ON CONFLICTS WITH HUSBAND ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: ‘AGREE TO DISAGREE’ Video of the exchange has racked up hundreds of thousands of views, while also generating headlines both in the U.S. and abroad speculating that the president “snubbed” Hines. “Cheryl Hines getting blown off for a handshake by President Trump is just missing the Curb theme music,” one user posted to X, referring to Hines starring on the hit show “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” “Curb theme music – Trump showing no love for Cheryl Hines,” another post on X reads. Hines’ publicist Ann Gurrola told Fox Digital on Sunday that she did not attend the event and could not comment, but added that it appeared, based on reports, that Trump circled back to shake Hines’ hand and that videos of Trump appearing to snub Hines was likely “simply an oversight.” While an administration official added in comment to Fox Digital on Sunday that the president did not snub Hines. ACTRESS CHERYL HINES WON’T BE AT EVERY RFK JR. POLITICAL EVENT, SAYS SHE HAS HER ‘OWN CAREER’ Fox Digital obtained another photo showing Trump speaking with Hines and others ahead of the UFC fight on Saturday. X users have also shared footage and a screenshot showing Trump chatting with both Kennedy and Hines, indicating he circled back to talk to the couple. ‘WEST WING’ STAR MOCKS ACTRESS CHERYL HINES FOR STAYING ‘SILENT’ AFTER HUSBAND RFK JR. ENDORSES TRUMP “President Trump spoke with Cheryl Hines last night at UFC 314. There were some reports that Trump may have ‘snubbed’ Hines (wife of RFK Jr) at the event, but the footage below shows that was not the case,” one X user posted, accompanied by video footage of Trump speaking with Hines. “No, President Trump did not ‘snub’ RFK Jr’s wife, Cheryl Hines. He didn’t see her hand, and went back after he was done greeting Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, as seen in the picture below,” another X user posted. “Video goes viral with social media users claiming Trump ‘snubbed’ RFK Jr’s wife Cheryl Hines at the UFC 314. However, Trump appeared to not see her hand for the handshake and later went back to greet her and her husband,” another X user posted. The reports come after Hines previously criticized Trump and his rhetoric as “ridiculous and disrespectful,” but has joined a handful of Trump-related events at Mar-a-Lago and the White House since her husband endorsed Trump over the summer and ultimately became his HHS chief this year.
SCOOP: Arizona to begin removing as many as 50K noncitizens from voter rolls following lawsuit
EXCLUSIVE: All 15 Arizona counties have now begun the process of verifying and removing noncitizens from their voter rolls, including nearly 50,000 registrants who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship. “This settlement is a great result for all Arizonans,” America First Legal (AFL) senior counsel James Rogers told Fox News Digital after his organization’s successful lawsuit spearheaded the process in Arizona. AFL filed the lawsuit against the 15 Arizona counties last year on behalf of EZAZ.org, and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen, arguing that the counties had not been following a state law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in local and state elections and for the state to do monthly checks of the rolls for noncitizens. THOUSANDS LEAVE COUNTRY VOLUNTARILY AMID TRUMP SELF-DEPORT PUSH, DHS SAYS As a result of the lawsuit, the 15 counties have now begun working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship status of all registered voters in the state who failed to provide proof of citizenship. While a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prohibits states from imposing voter registration requirements beyond the federal requirement that registrants must check a box affirming their U.S. citizenship, Arizona residents are still required to provide proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. The Arizona law also requires that county recorders perform a monthly list maintenance to confirm the U.S. citizenship of so-called “federal-only voters,” a list of nearly 50,000 individuals who failed to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and were not allowed to vote in state or local elections. TRUMP ADMIN UNVEILS PLAN COSTING MIGRANTS MASSIVE FINE FOR EVERY DAY THEY DON’T SELF-DEPORT Registrants confirmed to be citizens are then moved to the regular list while those found to be noncitizens are required to have their registration canceled. But AFL argued in the lawsuit that county recorders had not been utilizing the resources available to them to help verify citizenship status, something the Arizona law requires them to do. As a result, all 15 counties have now sent requests to DHS in order to assist their efforts to clear the voter rolls of noncitizens. “This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls,” Rogers said. “It will also potentially enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship is confirmed, which would allow them to vote in state and local elections. AFL congratulates each of Arizona’s 15 county recorders for taking this bold and important step for election integrity in the state.”
Bernie Sanders takes Coachella stage to rail against Trump, ‘billionaire class’ at high-dollar music festival
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took the Coachella stage on Saturday to deride President Donald Trump and “billionaires” to the crowd of luxury music festival-goers. Sanders, a self-described Democratic socialist, introduced the performance of Clairo, praising the 26-year-old artist, whose real name is Claire Cottrill, for her political activism. He was joined by Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., who the 83-year-old Sanders noted is the youngest member of Congress, and “in my view, one of the best members.” “This country faces some very difficult challenges and the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation. Now you can turn away and you can ignore what goes on but if you do that, you do it at your own peril. We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice,” Sanders told the crowd. TRUMP CHAMPIONS JESUS’ ‘MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION’ IN PALM SUNDAY MESSAGE VOWING TO ‘DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH’ “Now we got a President of the United States…” Sanders continued, as the crowd booed. “I Agee,” Sanders said of their opposition to President Donald Trump. “He thinks that climate change is a hoax. He is dangerously wrong,” Sanders said. “You and I are going to have to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and tell them to stop destroying this planet.” “All over this country, not in California, not in Vermont where I’m from, but in Florida where Maxwell is from, many other states, politicians are trying to take away a woman’s right to control her own body,” Sanders went on. “We need you to stand up and fight for women’s rights. We have an economy today that is working very well for the billionaire class but not for working families. We need you to help us to create an economy that works well for everybody, not just the 1%. We have a healthcare system that is broken. We are the only major country not to guarantee healthcare to all people. We need you to stand up to the insurance companies and the drug companies and understand that healthcare is a human right.” Sanders said he was there to support Clairo because the artists has used her “prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza, where thousands – thousands of women and children are being killed.” The former Democratic presidential primary candidate’s remarks against “billionaires” were condemned by critics online who noted tickets to watch Clairo’s set started at around $600. GRETCHEN WHITMER RIBBED ONLINE FOR SEEMING TO HIDE FACE IN OVAL OFFICE Coachella attendees typically shell out thousands of dollars to camp in the desert for the weekend in Indio, Calif. “Bernie Sanders making a surprise appearance at Coachella to sermonize on the evils of wealth in front of a crowd of people who paid at least $600 per ticket to be there is peak 21st century Democratic Party,” one X user wrote. Sanders posted on X about introducing Clairo, saying, “These are tough times. The younger generation has to help lead in the fight to combat climate change, protect women’s rights, and build an economy that works for all, not just the few.” “Do you know the avg ticket price to attend this event bro?” Ryan Fournier, National Chairman for Students For Trump, responded. “Bernie, America doesn’t want your socialism. We’ve made that clear for decades now,” another user wrote. “Just retire already. Go enjoy your mansions and private flights.” Sanders traveled to the music festival after appearing with fellow progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for their “Fighting Oligarchy” event in Los Angeles. Both Sanders and AOC condemned “billionaires” and the Trump administration, namely criticizing the president’s relationship with top Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) adviser Elon Musk.
Warren demands SEC investigate Trump for insider trading, accuses him of unleashing ‘chaos’ with tariffs
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren defended her calls for the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate President Donald Trump over accusations of market manipulation and insider trading, saying such an investigation is “entirely appropriate.” “That’s what investigations are for. And it’s entirely appropriate to have an investigation to make sure that Donald Trump, Donald Trump’s family, Donald Trump’s inner circle didn’t get advance information and trade on that information,” Warren told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday during an appearance on “State of the Union.” Warren, alongside a handful of other Senate Democrats such as Oregon’s Ron Wyden and New York’s Chuck Schumer, wrote a letter to the SEC chief on Friday calling for an investigation into alleged market manipulation following Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement and subsequent 90-day pause to the customized tariffs he leveled on foreign nations. “We urge the SEC to investigate whether the tariff announcements, which caused the market crash and subsequent partial recovery, enriched administration insiders and friends at the expense of the American public and whether any insiders, including the President’s family, had prior knowledge of the tariff pause that they abused to make stock trades ahead of the President’s announcement,” the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins on Friday. WH SLAMS DEMS’ ‘PARTISAN GAMES’ AFTER TRUMP-FOE SCHIFF CALLS FOR INSIDER TRADING INVESTIGATION OVER TARIFFS The White House slammed calls for investigations into market manipulation last week in comments provided to Fox Digital that accused Democrats of playing “partisan games.” NANCY GOT ‘FILTHY RICH,’ BUT NOW DEMS WANT TO LOOK AT STOCK MANIPULATION?: JESSE WATTERS “It is the responsibility of the President of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fearmongering. Democrats railed against China’s cheating for decades, and now they’re playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trump’s decisive action yesterday to finally corner China,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in comment to Fox Digital when asked about Democrats claiming Trump manipulated the market. When asked on Sunday if Warren had actually seen evidence of alleged insider trading, she responded: “Well, there are people who have looked at what happened to purchases and to calls just before he made that announcement that caused the stock market to skyrocket.” She continued on Sunday that members of Congress should also be subject to a rule barring them from trading individual stocks. “This is how the stock market works in order to make sure on a consistent basis that nobody’s trading on inside information. And, by the way, Jake, the same thing should apply to Congress. And that is, we should have a rule that no one in Congress can… trade in any individual stocks, no senator, no representative. I have had that bill for a long time. It’s got a lot of support,” she told Tapper. DONALD TRUMP’S ALLIES, SUPPORTERS AND DONORS, LED BY ELON MUSK, PUSH TO END TARIFF WAR Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., wrote a letter on Thursday to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, as well as Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, also calling for an investigation into potential insider trading. Trump, ahead of pausing the reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday of last week, posted to Truth Social, “BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well. The USA will be bigger and better than ever before!” and “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.” The president had previously said he would not pause tariffs but was open to negotiating with other nations. Trump paused only the higher, customized tariffs he placed on nations that historically installed trade barriers on U.S. goods, with nations across the world instead facing a lower 10% tariff on goods, as the Trump administration and world leaders hash out negotiations for the reciprocal tariffs. China, however, was not part of the tariff pause and was instead hit with a higher 125% tariff after retaliating with its own additional tariffs against the U.S. Warren continued in her remarks that tariffs can “be an important tool in the toolbox when used in targeted ways,” but accused Trump of spreading “chaos” through the implementations of his tariff plans. “Right now, what we have got is chaos and corruption. Donald Trump has imposed a tariff on everyone everywhere, on all products. That’s the 10% tariff. Of course, it was much higher earlier in the week, and now in this trade war with China that basically tries to shut down all trade,” she said.
Navarro brushes off feud with Elon Musk: ‘Boys will be boys’
White House trade advisor Peter Navarro brushed off concerns about a feud between him and billionaire Elon Musk, arguing the two administration advisors had a “great” relationship. “First of all, Elon and I are great. It’s not an issue,” Navarro said during an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday. The comments come after Navarro and Musk got tangled in a public war of words last week after Navarro said in an interview that Musk’s Tesla is more of a “car assembler” than “car manufacturer” that relies on parts from other countries. MUSK SPARS WITH WHITE HOUSE TRADE ADVISOR PETER NAVARRO: ‘DUMBER THAN A SACK OF BRICKS’ “We all understand in the White House (and the American people understand) that Elon’s a car manufacturer. But he’s not a car manufacturer – He’s a car assembler,” Navarro said on CNBC. “In many cases, if you go to his Texas plant, a good part of the engines that he gets (which in the EV case are the batteries) come from Japan and come from China. The electronics come from Taiwan.” The point seemingly didn’t sit well with Musk, who took to X to defend his auto company. “Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false,” Musk said. “Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks,” Musk added in a subsequent post. HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT TRUMP’S TARIFF PLAN: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DUTIES But Navarro downplayed the public war of words Sunday, praising Musk’s contributions to the Trump administration. “Everything’s fine with Elon,” Navarro said. “And look, Elon is doing a very good job with his team, with waste, fraud and abuse. That’s a tremendous contribution to America. And no man doing that kind of thing should be subject to having his cars firebombed by crazies.” The White House has also downplayed concerns between them, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt arguing the feud shows that President Donald Trump is willing to hear vastly different views at the highest level. “These are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and tariffs. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue,” she said during a press briefing last week. “You guys should all be very grateful that we have the most transparent administration in history.”