Weekly Primer | Oct. 20, 2025 | [Free Preview]
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?
With Washington in a standstill and calm holding in the Middle East for now, the president has turned his attention to Russia to China.
The next two weeks will see acceleration in Asia, including a trip next week as well as preparation for a summit with Putin.
Coming up this week
Trump Meets Australian PM | President Trump upbraided Australia’s ambassador, but otherwise, relations between the two countries are set to deepen.
Furloughs to Accelerate | With the government shutdown showing no signs of abating, furloughs are picking up pace, including at nuclear facilities.
Lavrov and Rubio Prep Summit | The envoys of both countries are having a series of discussions this week to prepare for an impending presidential summit.
Asia Trip Profile to Rise| The trip next week to Asia for the APEC summit will likely see a meeting between Xi and Trump, while potential engagement with North Korea’s leader also looms in the background.
Epstein Back in Spotlight | The release of a posthumous book by one of Epstein’s victims this week will usher in a series of headlines.
You may have missed
Trump Speaks to Putin, Zelensky | Trump had a phone call with the Russian leader and met later in the week with Zelensky, apparently softening support for Ukraine.
Colombia Tensions on High | After an attack on a contested vessel that included Colombian citizens, Trump attacked the country’s leader on social media.
George Santos Released from Prison | The former congressman had his sentence commuted by Trump after a sustained campaign.
Gaza Ceasefire Holds for Now | The so-called ‘peace deal’ is holding despite flare-ups and objections from both sides, as negotiations now move towards phase two.
Milei Visits White House | The Argentinian president visited Washington following the bailout of his country’s economy, pushed by Secretary Bessent.
Readings & Viewings
Snapshots from around the media from the past week.
60 Minutes | “Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s extended 60 Minutes interview”
The View | “Cheryl Hines Talks About RFK Jr.’s MAHA Movement”
Geopolitico | “It is the long peace that is urgently needed”
“Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump continues to believe in expanding the Abraham Accords. While a lasting solution to the conflict would add a legacy element, overall calm and normalization of Israel are in the foreground at the outset. Unless there is a dramatic change in the Palestinian political fabric, that is all that is possible.”
- p. 69 “Principles and Policies” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)