What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

All eyes remain fixed on November, with progress on domestic and geopolitical files at a standstill until the political winds clear.

Unless there is a dramatic turn in the coming weeks, it appears that the prospects for GOP-led legislation will come to an end.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Midterm Convention Begins | The Dallas GOP confab has much less fanfare with the MAGA coalition fractured, and is a top-down affair from the White House.

• 25^th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks | Washington, D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania will host major commemorative events colored by today’s political context.

• Courts and White House Spar on Voting | The Supreme Court continues to be brought into adjudicating the procedures around mail-in ballots ahead of the midterms.

• Iran Escalation Returns | Another round of tit-for-tat strikes may signal wider escalation across the Middle East between the U.S., Iran and other countries.

• Lutnick Heads to Mexico | The Commerce Secretary is headed to Mexico to advance trade talks, as negotiations with Canada stall.

You may have missed

• Army Secretary Departs | Dan Driscoll left in another high-profile resignation from the Pentagon, raising questions about force readiness.

• White House Envoys Conclude Trip | Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian and Russian leadership to try to jump-start peace talks.

• Huckabee Enters the Fray in Israel | The U.S. Ambassador to Israel traveled to the West Bank to look into claims of harassment of Palestinian Americans by settlers.

• AfD Wins in Germany | The right-wing party won regional elections and may form a state-level government.

• Stopgap Funding Bill Signed | The president signed budget legislation that will keep the government funded through mid-December.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• New York Times | “Kennedy Promised Children’s Health Reforms.”

• Wall Street Journal | “Lewandowski’s Power Moves at DHS.”

• BBC News | “Lake Ontario/Lake America.”

“There is likely to be a nationwide initiative to promote voting transparency and drive new requirements for voter identification. The federal government has oversight over certain aspects of voting, even though each state determines its procedures... This issue may become a point of contention ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.”

- p. 89 “Principles and Policies” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

A sense of unease has descended on the GOP, the online right, and the White House as it appears that the generational coalition that achieved victory in 2024 has permanently fractured.

Look for a last-minute Hail Mary campaign, including shock policy announcements, that will leave no stone unturned ahead of the midterms.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Major GOP Convention Planned | Next week, the Republicans will hold an unorthodox midterm convention in Dallas to rally their base.

• No Surprises Expected in Massachusetts Primary | Tuesday will see a Democratic Senate race, which incumbent Ed Markey is expected to win.

• Vance to Headline Michigan Rally | The vice president will travel to Sterling Heights with a pivotal Senate race and Canada as a backdrop.

• Bessent Heads to G20 Ministerial | The treasury secretary is presiding over a G20 finance ministerial as the United States seeks to increase economic pressure on Iran.

• Jobs Report to Pace Economic Narrative | This week’s employment figures could become a dominant theme for the month’s economic messaging.

You may have missed

• MAGA Provocateur Milo Deported | Long-time political agitator, Milo Yiannopoulos, was sent back to the United Kingdom after being detained for an expired visa, to the delight of critics like Laura Loomer.

• Canada and America Trade Barbs | Ontario’s premier launched a verbal tirade after President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, now reflected on Google Maps.

• U.S. Makes Play for Venezuela Oil | The White House announced that a deal had been struck with Caracas, making the U.S. the primary beneficiary of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

• Neocon Columnist Meets President | Following a meeting with the president, Marc Thiessen called out colleagues at the Washington Post for endangering national security.

• Jackson Hole Foreshadows Hike | At the annual finance meeting, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh indicated that interest rate hikes could be possible if inflation continues.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• NBC News | Settlers Attack NBC News Team

• PBS | Interview with Marjorie Taylor Greene

• X | Palmer Luckey v. Paul Graham

“Milo—The flamboyant conservative influencer from the United Kingdom re- emerged on X during the presidential election in 2024. He often gets into unique gossip fights with influential right- wing figures. He has managed crisis communications for Kanye West, also known as Ye.”

- p. 152 “People and Positions” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

The future of the GOP beyond Trump looks closer at hand as the administration struggles to regain momentum.

Even if deals can be reached with Iran, Canada and China, they have already caused significant damage to the domestic and foreign policy agendas.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Iran Sanctions Heading into Overdrive | Secretary Bessent announced new measures targeting countries that engage in trade with Iran.

• South Carolina Primaries on Tuesday | All eyes are on the Republican Primary for Senate as the late Lindsey Graham’s sister looks to be his successor.

• Data Centers Challenge Looms Large | Private memos from the Republican Party have laid out that campaigns need to change course in Ohio and elsewhere.

• Preparation Underway for Xi Visit | New tariffs on China could be announced as the two presidents prepare for their September 24 meeting.

• Supreme Court Paves Way for Voting Change | The highest court allowed the administration to begin changes in how mail-in ballots can be delivered, before the case is fully adjudicated.

You may have missed

• Canada Deal Falls Apart | Despite initial optimism, the Canadian PM announced that he could not accept the deal on the table

• Argentina Cattle Receives Support | The president announced on Truth Social that the U.S. would waive tariffs on beef imports to support lower prices.

• Israel Targets Syria | Airstrikes were conducted on a military base in Syria ostensibly to counter Turkish influence.

• Florida Election Results Surprise | Favored candidate Alexander Vindman lost his Democratic primary for the Senate to a DSA candidate.

• Military Drill with South Korea Canceled | Several reasons were offered for the cancellation of regular military exercises with the U.S. ally.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• White House | VP Vance Remarks in Ohio

• New York Post | “Trump Takes Lap at Freedom 250 Grand Prix.”

• CBS | “Cuban Immigrant Speaks Out”

“With so many personalities in the current White House, Vance may be crowded out by others... he is a critical part of the administration and should not be underestimated or forgotten amidst all the noise.”

- p. 98 “People and Positions” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

The administration is seeing a transition of key officials, which is likely to accelerate in the coming months.

There is a feeling that Washington is gradually moving on from the president as the epicenter of politics.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Kushner Leads Middle East Agenda | The president’s son-in-law is back at the forefront, meeting with the leader of Hamas and Israel’s PM this week.

• Iran War Could See Aggressive Turn | Both the United States and Iran have expressed that they will not wait indefinitely for a resolution at the negotiating table.

• Key Administration Officials Depart | White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt and the VP’s National Security Advisor Andy Baker are exiting, as another cabinet official may soon follow.

• Supreme Court to Review Ballroom | The construction plans will be reviewed by the highest court to find a way forward.

• Canada-US Talks at a Critical Point | Both sides are far apart, and a deal must be reached to avoid massive new tariffs.

You may have missed

• President Indicates Thaw with North Korea | Washington has said it would reduce military exercises with South Korea and pursue détente with Pyongyang.

• Navy Under Scrutiny After Leaks | Numerous stories have emerged about deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Lincoln amidst an unprecedented deployment.

• Vaccine Announcement Causes Controversy | The new vaccine schedule announced by the administration last week is raising eyebrows in Washington.

• Ohio Rally Falls Flat | The Patriot Games were held without much national fanfare as the president attended the finale.

• Meta in the Crosshairs | A new multi-state lawsuit against Meta has reached federal court and will likely spark debate in Congress in the fall.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• X | Loomer: “We are kind of doomed”

• YouTube | Rally with Jon Ossoff

• GEOPOLITICO | “Surviving in a World of Hard Power.”

“Jared Kushner— The president’s son- in- law married Ivanka Trump in 2009, and they have three children together. After playing a lead role in Middle East policy during Donald Trump’s first term, he has stepped back to devote his time to growing business interests. Notably, Saudi Arabia has given his fund, Affinity Partners, deep financial backing.”

- p. 95 “People and Positions” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

A deep malaise has set in for the MAGA base as grassroots Democrats gain momentum in successive primaries as the president continues to back the establishment GOP on the other side.

All signs point to the November midterms as a deep political inflection point that will lead to a freewheeling dynamic the day after for both the left and right.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Trump Likely to Attend Patriot Games | The president is due to travel to Ohio for the finale of the Patriot Games that are marking America’s 250^th anniversary without fanfare.

• AI Framework Facing Scrutiny | The White House has unveiled its plans to regulate frontier models in private, prompting criticism from both corporate players and the wider public.

• Fraud Ledger in Focus for VP | JD Vance is making fraud the central focus of his political agenda and is growing the profile of investigations ahead of the midterms.

• New Russia Sanctions in Play | The Senate passed a bill to enhance economic restrictions on Russia, which will now go to the House for approval.

• Iran War Simmers on Backburner | The conflict continues to wreak economic havoc and could restart in full in the future, with no comprehensive deal imminent.

You may have missed

• Michigan Senate Race Heats Up | With the conclusion of the primaries, the race heats up between Rogers and El Sayed.

• Blanche Confirmed as AG | The personal lawyer of the president is now the Attorney General of the United States.

• Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Deal | The Israeli Prime Minister has formally indicated he will not accept the already agreed-upon terms of disarmament with Hamas.

• New White House Counsel Named | Will Scharf is the new top lawyer at the White House.

• Colombia Gets Billion-Dollar Deal | The right-leaning government in Colombia has been rewarded with a financial lifeline by the Trump administration.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• TCN | Tucker Interview with Hunter Biden

• Fox News | “JD Vance gives update on Iran.”

• FB | “Zuckerberg: The Future is for Everyone.”

“The Trump administration has signaled that it wants to be a leader in AI. It sees AI as a national security asset, similar to energy and critical minerals. The Trump administration also sees AI as part of a modernized American economy in the years to come. The one guiding objective is to ensure American AI dominance.”

- p. 84 “Principles & Policies” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

The battle for the future of the GOP is bubbling to the surface, and with the Iran War continuing to draw the president’s attention, his grip on the party is loosening.

Establishment senators are coalescing on one side, and on the other, ‘podcaster populists’ led by Tucker Carlson are developing a new consensus.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Iran War on Repeat | In an expected pattern, the president followed up his bellicose rhetoric with an entreaty for continued negotiations with Iran this week.

• Michigan Primary Takes Center Stage | The Democratic Senate race spotlights the party’s position on Gaza on Tuesday.

• Blanche Nomination Picking up Momentum | With a deal on the IRS relief fund for the president and family, two holdout senators said they would support the acting AG’s confirmation.

• Congress Attempts Funding Workaround | The Senate passed a potential funding bill to keep the government open through the end of the year.

• Farm Bill Gaining Supporters | The comprehensive agriculture legislation is drawing industry groups to Washington to shape the final text.

You may have missed

• Hamas Agrees to Disarmament Terms | The militant group agreed to give up its arms in Gaza in a phased plan, although Israel has expressed skepticism.

• Trump Social API Raises Alarms | An application-layer service to provide faster access to the president’s posts is seen as enabling insider trading.

• FIFA Privatization Plans Shelved | The FIFA president’s plan to create a fund benefitting from the World Cup, led in part by Jared Kushner, has been canceled following massive opposition.

• Lincoln Memorial Charges Withdrawn | US Attorney Pirro asked to dismiss the case against an individual accused of vandalizing the reflecting pool.

• Bessent Backs the Yen | The Treasury Secretary prominently indicated that the United States will buy the Japanese currency.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• France24 | “40,000 migrants swim from Morocco into Spain”

• CNN | Dana Bash Interview with RJK Jr

• X | Post from MTJ

“Since 2026 is an election year, there is a narrow window to demonstrate progress. While the executive branch can drive the agenda, meaningful changes require alignment with Congress, and this is likely to be a continuing challenge.”

- p. 7 “Up Front” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

As political leaders gather in Washington this week for Senator Lindsay Graham’s funeral, President Trump will need to decide if his legacy is a renewal of the old GOP or a revival of the populist platform he campaigned on.

The Iran War continues to cast a long shadow over both the domestic and foreign policy agendas of the White House, with nearly every issue filtered through that prism.

Trump 2.5

Coming up this week

• Graham Memorial Service to Draw Dignataries | The president will make special remarks as a range of foreign leaders descend on the nation’s capital for the funeral of the late senator.

• Iran War in Lull as Netanyahu Visits Washington | All eyes are on the Israeli Prime Minister’s attempt to shape the contours of the conflict and stalled negotiations.

• Saudi Nuclear Agreement Remains Uncertain | The deal has raised controversy on the Hill as lawmakers express guarded criticism of the yet-to-be-finalized terms.

• Key Federal Nominations In Queue | Jay Clayton is expected to be confirmed as intelligence director, as Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general faces additional scrutiny.

• AI Policy in Seminal Moment | The White House had set an August 1 deadline to create a new framework to manage key AI models, leading to a frenetic week of top technology leaders lobbying officials.

You may have missed

• White House Resets Tariffs Baseline | New tariffs were announced for Canada as well as 60 trading partners, under a new long-term framework for the measures.

• President Trump Launches Election Integrity Push | In a major speech, the president outlined attempts by China to interfere in the 2020 U.S. elections.

• Chinese Official Attends Pentagon Meeting | Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby hosted a high-level Chinese delegation at the Pentagon ahead of a trip later this year by President Xi.

• Lebanese President Makes Landmark Visit | President Aoun cemented ties with the United States in the context of his country’s negotiations with Israel facilitated by the Trump administration.

• Medicaid Fraud Claims Lead to Funding Block | The federal government is withholding $1 billion in payments to California and Minnesota in a move being labeled partisan politics.

Readings & Viewings

Snapshots from around the media from the past week.

• “The Reading Room” | Rand Paul Releases Fauci Diary

• Laura Loomer | Interview with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

• FIFA | World Cup Final Highlights

“The Trump administration will endeavor to minimize and contain Chinese influence in geostrategic regions like the Gulf, African countries with critical supply chains, and Greenland, where there are critical supply chains for tomorrow.”

- p. 63 “Principles & Policies” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)

What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

The euphoria from the July 4 weekend was short-lived as the Iran ceasefire is all but gone, shifting geopolitics back into the spotlight.

The administration is …

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

With America basking in a celebratory glow amid the 250^th anniversary and the World Cup festivities, the White House has had a brief reprieve that may continue i…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

America’s 250^th anniversary was meant to be a crowning moment for the president, but his coalition is fractured, domestic progress has been intermittent, and geo…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

The president will look to generate momentum for the domestic agenda over the summer while raising the temperature in Congress, as seen with the delayed DNI appo…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

A provisional deal with Iran has bought the administration time to celebrate the World Cup and America’s 250^th without the shadow of war hanging overhead

The seco…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

While turmoil in the Middle East continues in the background, the president is immersed in spectacle this week, first at the Knicks game on Monday and then at th…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

There is a lack of excitement on both sides of the aisle for America’s 250^th anniversary, showing overall fatigue with the Trump administration.

While still pushi…

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What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?

As the administration inches towards the summer, it’s slowly advancing elements of its agenda while trying to move the Iran War to the back burner.

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Without clear resolution across nearly every foreign policy file that has been opened, notably Iran, the White House will remain rudderless.

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There are six months to the pivotal midterms, and the White House is picking up the pace on all fronts.

Geopolitics continues to be in focus with the Iran War sho…

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The third attempt on the president’s life should have a galvanizing effect at a critical time, although whether it can re-consolidate his fractured base remains …

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With the stock market at record highs and the president facing limited pushback within the GOP on foreign policy, the White House may be more emboldened.

Expect …

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