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 Angle – First Israel, then America go to the polls in what will be a consequential political week, as the rest of the world takes a deep breath.
November 4 will mark a new landscape in Washington, regardless of the midterm outcome, as all eyes turn to the 2028 presidential race.
Coming up this week
The Last Week of Campaigning Gets Underway | The president and vice president are expected to leave no stone unturned, with over a dozen rallies planned between them.
Israel’s Elections Cast Shadow on America | Tuesday’s polls in Israel will determine the fate of its prime minister as well as the potential path for continued war in the Middle East.
Countries Attempt to Avoid Iran Escalation | Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan travelled to Iran to try to negotiate a détente independent of the United States.
Rubio Set to Host G20 Foreign Ministers | The secretary of state will host the official meeting in Atlanta at the end of the week.
Federal Reserve to Decide on Rates | A mid-week meeting to determine a potential rate hike will have significant economic consequences and could shape momentum ahead of the midterms.
You may have missed
Lula Surprises in Rare Win for Left | Long-time politician and incumbent president Lula da Silva was reelected, stemming a wave of right-wing victories across Latin America.
Rubio Issues New Warning to Cuba | In a cryptic tweet referencing the CIA, Rubio forewarned of impending action in the country.
Serbia Elections Lead to Pro-EU Result | President Vucic was defeated in his attempt to maintain power as a new political era begins in Belgrade.
Calley Means Resigns | A key leader of the MAHA movement resigned from the administration in another blow to the broad-based 2024 coalition.
UAE Forwards Surprise Nomination | Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s former ambassador to the UN, was nominated for Secretary-General, shaking up a moribund race.
Readings & Viewings
Snapshots from around the media from the past week.
CNN | Vivek Ramaswamy Campaign Ad
MSNOW | Interview with Ilhan Omar
YouTube | Barack Obama Rallies in Michigan
“Politically, the Trump administration sees a limited window to achieve its aims. The early cliff is the 2026 midterms. In addition, the Republican primary will begin the following year, 2027, and will also capture political oxygen. With only this term to achieve his aims, Trump has to build and capture momentum before he begins to lose political ground.”
- p. 75 “Principles and Policies” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)