APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump defends tariffs, declines to comment on Ukraine aid
Trump said tariffs will be the "greatest thing we've ever done as a country."
President Donald Trump is defending his decision to pause some tariffs to Canada and Mexico for another month -- a notable reversal after imposing historic levies on the key U.S. trading partners earlier this week, causing markets to tumble.
On Friday, Trump signed more executive orders at the White House before he convened a first-ever cryptocurrency summit with industry leaders.
Latest headlines:
Trump claims in all caps that there is no bad blood between Rubio, Musk
Trump took to his social media platform Saturday evening to say that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk have a "great relationship."
The all caps post came after reports of a blow out between the billionaire and Musk during a Cabinet meeting this week
"ELON AND MARCO HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. ANY STATEMENT OTHER THAN THAT IS FAKE NEWS!!! DJT."
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
Trump pushes Republicans to pass short-term funding bill
Trump urged congressional Republicans on Saturday to support and vote for the short-term government funding bill released earlier by House GOP leaders.
"All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week. Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s 'financial house' in order," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump said Republicans must "remain united," adding that Democrats will "do anything they can to shut down our Government, and we can’t let that happen."
-ABC News' Lauren Peller
Trump to limit eligibility to Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday limiting who is eligible to benefit from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the White House said, with a focus of barring those who work for nonprofit organizations engaging in "lawbreaking activities."
"A lot of these people work for NGO organizations, for nonprofit organizations, that engage in illegal or what we would consider to be improper activities," White House staff secretary Will Scharf said. "For example, illegal immigration or foreign terrorist organizations or otherwise lawbreaking activities."
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, signed into law in 2007 by then-President George W. Bush, forgives the remaining balance for eligible borrowers after 10 years of payments while working full time in the federal, state or local government, including the military, or for a nonprofit.
-ABC News' Fritz Farrow
Trump names Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham, Maria Bartiromo to Kennedy Center board
President Donald Trump on Friday night announced he was naming Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo to the Kennedy Center board, a month after he terminated its chair and several members.
"I am thrilled to announce that Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo will be joining our Kennedy Center Board - This completes our selection," Trump wrote on his social media platform. “We look forward to restoring the Center to Greatness, and ushering in America’s Golden Age. Together, we will Make the Arts Great Again!”
Several performers have stepped down from the board, like Shonda Rhimes, or canceled their scheduled appearances at the center, citing Trump's takeover. The producer of Broadway hit "Hamilton" announced on Wednesday the play's 2026 run at the Kennedy Center was canceled.