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 next month will bring a dizzying pace of campaign rallies, interspersed with geopolitical negotiations to lock in deals ahead of a potential shift in domestic winds in the US.
What comes next is an open question, and the midterm elections will alter every aspect of engagement in Washington, from lobbying to congressional investigations.
Coming up this week
President Makes Huge Steel Announcement | The White House is set to announce the largest-ever steel plant in America in Iowa, valued at $15 billion.
Lebanese PM Meets Rubio | As talks stall, PM Salam holds talks in Washington to try to find a path forward.
Trump and Vance Set for Rallies | With the GOP’s chances waning in November, the president and vice president are headed to Alabama, Florida, Iowa, and beyond this week.
Iran Negotiations Continuing | In the background, negotiations are continuing, with mediators expected to meet this week.
Movie Industry Getting Bipartisan Boost | Following the president’s vocal support for Hollywood, senators from both sides of the aisle are working on legislation.
You may have missed
Xi Makes Landmark Visit | Xi Jinping concluded a state visit to the US without a major announcement, but it had many photogenic moments.
Trump Dines with Dario | The president had dinner with Anthropic’s CEO Sunday night to see if they could move past their differences.
Deputy Director of FBI Departs | Andrew Bailey announced he was stepping down in the latest of high-profile officials to leave at the midway point.
North Korea File Escalates | South Korea upbraided Ukraine for disclosing that North Korean PoWs were transferred to Seoul, which could inflame tensions on the Peninsula.
Supreme Court Sides with White House | In a new ruling, the court authorized the administration to vet voting rolls against existing lists.
Readings & Viewings
Snapshots from around the media from the past week.
New York Times | “Interview with Mark Carney.”
The Independent | “Google Earth exposes devastation in Gaza.”
The Correspondent | “Inside Alina Habba’s wedding.”
“Alina Habba | Counselor— Habba was in a role as a communications surrogate but has since been appointed as an interim U.S. attorney. In 2019, she became acquainted with Trump at his golf club in Bedminster and has served as his lawyer in civil cases.”
- p. 98 “People and Positions” | Trump 2.5: A Primer (2025)