Live Trump

• JD Vance stated that the U.S. is entering a "new phase" of economic pressure against Iran, while Iran dismissed Donald Trump's threat of an "economic D-Day" as a repetition of failed policies. • In a separate diplomatic development, Canada and six European nations condemned a contentious Israeli settlement project located near Jerusalem. • The international community warns that this specific settlement expansion could effectively split the occupied West Bank in two, further destabilizing the region.

• Former President Donald Trump appeared on a radio show hosted by Michael D. Cohen, his former personal lawyer who previously pleaded guilty to federal crimes and implicated Trump. • Trump asserted that the U.S. effectively controls Venezuela's government and predicted that Cuba would be the next leftist Latin American government to fall. • Cuba is currently facing its worst energy crisis in history, characterized by nationwide blackouts and a lack of cooking gas, following an oil blockade imposed by Trump in February.

• The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade and financial dealings with Iran following reports of an Iranian missile attack targeting UAE ships. • This escalation occurs as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens an "economic campaign" against Iran to increase pressure on the regime. • Iran has dismissed Trump's economic threats as a "diversion" intended to distract from the United States' own internal domestic problems.

• Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. • In Alaska, Senate candidate Mary Peltola launched her first general election TV ad, positioning herself as a leader willing to challenge her own party to prioritize Alaskan resource development. • Florida's gubernatorial race saw primary victories for candidates Byron Donalds and David Jolly.

• President Trump has nominated Heidi Overton, a known opponent of abortion, to serve as the chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). • Democrats have criticized the appointment, labeling Overton a "sycophant" after she appeared alongside Trump during an August 10, 2026, event where he made false claims regarding vaccines. • The nomination comes as the FDA faces significant instability, characterized by widespread job cuts and recent disease outbreaks during Trump's second term.

• Iran's foreign minister stated that Tehran is not interested in a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a comprehensive deal to fully end the war. • This stance follows comments from Donald Trump, who downplayed hopes for a deal by noting that there is currently no dialogue occurring. • Meanwhile, Canada's secretary of state for international development, Randeep Sarai, visited Lebanon to announce new humanitarian aid for the crisis-hit nation.

• Media advocacy groups, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, have defended ABC for resisting pressure from the Trump administration and warned that Brendan Carr may weaponize the FCC against disliked outlets. • Separately, right-wing host Steve Bannon urged President Trump on his "War Room" podcast to issue an emergency declaration to seize control of the November 2026 elections. • Bannon specifically proposed deploying ICE agents to polling places, claiming the administration is already laying the groundwork for such a move.