The Weekly Primer is a ‘pop-up’ newsletter that highlights the latest developments from the Trump White House with a view into the deeper agenda underway.
What’s ahead on the Trump 2.5 Agenda?
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 to be seen.
Given the speed of the news cycle, other issues will quickly rise to the forefront, but look for the White House to convene its core supporters for a rallying moment.
Coming up this week
Decision on Iran War Looms | As negotiations falter, the escalation path appears back on the table, with more American military assets expected to move to the Middle East this week.
Royal Visit to the White House | King Charles and Queen Camilla will have a full itinerary for their visit to Washington, D.C., early this week, including a state dinner, despite the recent security incident.
MAHA Outreach Picking Up | With the midterms on the horizon, the White House and Congress are looking for ways to reach out to the MAHA movement.
White House to Push Ballroom Plans | In light of the shooting, an effort is already underway to fast-track construction of the new Ballroom for future events.
Fed Nomination Inches Along | A key GOP senator revealed he will now back Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve after Jerome Powell’s term expires.
You may have missed
Assassination Attempt at Press Dinner | A suspect was detained after storming the entrance to the main hall where the president was presiding over the WHCA dinner.
Labor Secretary Resigns | Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the third cabinet member to be forced out as her deputy, Kevin Sonderling, takes over the department for now.
President Hosts Lebanon Talks | President Trump hosted the negotiators from Lebanon and Israel in the Oval Office as part of the push to separate the peace talks from the Iran War.
Soldier Charged in Betting Case | A special forces officer is accused of placing bets on the January capture of Venezuelan leader Maduro.
Virginia Passes Redistricting in Vote | A referendum passed in the state to change the structure of congressional districts that could have wide-ranging political repercussions in favor of the Democratic Party.
Readings & Viewings
Snapshots from around the media from the past week.
60 Minutes | Interview with President Trump After Shooting
New York Post | Manifesto of Cole Ryan
GEOPOLITICO | The Pakistan Gambit
“On July 13, at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a lone gunman took aim at Donald Trump while he was on stage...In the immediate aftermath, Trump stood up defiantly and yelled to the crowd, “Fight, fight, fight!”
Immediately after that assassination attempt, there was a change in the mood of latent supporters who had stood on the sidelines. That same day, Elon Musk endorsed Donald Trump for president. Mark Zuckerberg praised Trump’s response to the attempt, calling him a “badass.” This also led to a conversation between Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or RFK Jr., who was by then an independent candidate in the presidential race, and Trump. Emboldened by these events, Trump selected then- Senator JD Vance as his running mate over other names, doubling down on the MAGA movement within the Republican Party.”
- p. 42 “The Man, the Myth, and MAGA” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)