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?
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 the UFC match at the White House on the weekend.
Overall, there is a feeling of drift in Washington, within the GOP and broadly across the country, as legislation, large projects, and geopolitical deals stall.
Coming up this week
Trump to Attend Knicks Game | The president is expected to attend Game 3 Monday at Madison Square Garden at the same time as Mayor Mamdani.
LA Mayoral Race Narrows Without Pratt | The upstart candidate lost steam as mail-in ballots were counted, and it is expected the incumbent mayor will face off against another Democrat.
President Xi in North Korea | The Chinese president made his first trip to North Korea in 7 years.
AI Meeting in Washington | After a back-and-forth on an executive order and rising public sentiment against data centers, the White House is expected to convene senior AI company officials for a major meeting.
UFC Exhibition Goes Live | A purpose-built arena on the White House lawn will be the venue for a major exhibition to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
You may have missed
Venezuela Leader Makes Trip Abroad | Acting President Delcy Rodriguez traveled to India and Turkey in her first major trip since the coup.
Senator Lee Lambasts Pentagon | The Utah Senator objected to the classification of Mormonism outside of Christianity in a Department of War document.
Israel and Iran Trade Blows | Iran and Israel directly engaged in missile attacks in each other’s territory after a dispute over attacks in Lebanon, with the US trying to stay above the fray.
Pulte Tapped as New DNI | The lead housing official in the administration has been chosen to be the acting head of intelligence in a controversial move across political lines.
Ukraine Drones Travel Deep into Russia | Several drones hit St Petersburg during the annual economic forum, where President Putin also spoke.
Readings & Viewings
Snapshots from around the media from the past week.
Meet the Press | President Walks out of Interview
X | Hunter Biden Goes Wild Online
Politico | “This World Leader Took on Trump Over Iran — and It’s Paying Off”
“President Trump considers engagement with all [media] a plus in that it brings attention, even with networks that have often slanted coverage against him, although that has not stopped him from suing those same networks.”
- p. 129 “People and Positions” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)