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?
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.
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 250th 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)