APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Trump 2nd term live updates: Dan Bongino named as deputy FBI director
He hosts the popular right-wing and pro-Trump podcast "The Dan Bongino Show."
President Donald Trump's administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government and crackdown on immigration -- and is being met with dozens of legal challenges.
On the foreign policy front, Trump's press secretary said the White House believes it can reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine this week even as Trump attacks Ukraine's president and blames it for starting the war, which even some in his own party are calling him out over.
Meanwhile, heads of federal government agencies were telling employees not to reply to an email from Elon Musk, Trump's ally who he picked to cut government waste, which asked for them to list their accomplishments for the week or face termination.
Latest headlines:
- Murkowski to Musk: Treat federal workers with ‘dignity and respect’
- Largest federal worker union calls OPM email ‘unlawful’
- US attorney for DC encourages workers to reply to OPM email
- Air traffic controllers also got ‘What did you get done’ emails
- Witkoff heads to Mideast to negotiate next phase of ceasefire
Trump again calls Zelenskyy a dictator over no elections in Ukraine
Trump doubled down on his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, implying that he is to blame for the war with Russia.
“He dictated without election. Zelenskyy better move faster or he’s not going to have a country. Got to move, got to move faster. That war’s going in the wrong direction,” Trump said.
“I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job. His country is shattered,” Trump said.
Trump again lashes out on Zelenskyy
Trump continued his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, repeating on Wednesday during the Future Investment Institute in Miami that “Zelenskyy better move faster or he’s not going to have a country.”
The president continued to repeat the assertion that his administration will end the war in Ukraine.
Trump again touts false claims about condoms to Gaza for condoms, millions of dead Americans receiving Social Security benefits
Trump once again pushed the false claims that $100 million was being sent to Gaza and Hamas to buy condoms, to which Elon Musk nodded along.
During his news conference with Trump last week, Musk backtracked on the claim that $50 million was spent by the federal government for condoms, telling reporters that “some of the things I say may be incorrect and should be corrected.”
On Wednesday evening, Trump also repeated the false claim that millions of dead Americans were receiving Social Security benefits.
Trump floats possibility of giving 20% of DOGE savings to Americans
Addressing the Future Investment Institute Wednesday in Miami, Trump floated the possibility of sending Americans money that DOGE accumulates in savings.
“There's even under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% goes to paying down debt because the numbers are incredible, Elon,” he said, praising the billionaire who was in the audience.
“So many billions and billions, hundreds of billions. And we're thinking about 20% back to the American citizens and 20% down to pay back and pay down debt.”
Musk promised Tuesday that he would "check with the president" about a suggestion on his X platform about a "DOGE Dividend."