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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
More Iran nuclear talks scheduled for next weekend
The United States and Iran have agreed to hold more negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. During talks this weekend, U-S Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s foreign minister “briefly spoke” face to face — the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. The White House described the discussions as “very positive and constructive,” and said “the sides agreed to meet again next Saturday.” President Trump has threatened military action against Iran if a nuclear deal isn’t reached.
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White House calls Iran talks “positive and constructive”
The White House says the first round of nuclear talks with Iran were “very positive and constructive.” This weekend’s talks lasted more than two hours and the two sides agreed to meet again next Saturday. In a statement, the White House described the direct communication with Iran’s foreign minister as “a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.” Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told the Iranians that President Trump wants to resolve the two nations’ differences “through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible.”
Listen DownloadElectronics to be exempt from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Trump open to returning mistakenly deported Maryland man
President Trump is open to bringing back a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. A federal judge told a government lawyer it was “extremely troubling” that he had no information about the whereabouts of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. A day earlier, the Supreme Court said the administration must facilitate the man’s return to the U-S. And President Trump indicated to reporters on Air Force One he would do that if that’s what the justices want. On Monday, the president will host El Salvador’s president at the White House.
Listen DownloadAhead of talks, Trump says Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon
President Trump says preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon (is/was) the goal of Saturday’s diplomatic talks with Iranian officials. When it comes to Iran, the president says the goal is simple: “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” The president says he prefers a diplomatic solution, even as he warns that Iran will face “great danger” if talks don’t go well.
Listen DownloadTrump says he did “well” in his annual physical exam
President Trump is feeling upbeat after completing his annual physical exam. Following several hours of tests at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the president told reporters about Air Force One, “I think I did well.” The 78-year-old president also said he underwent a cognitive exam. Over the years, Donald Trump has released few details about his health. He said a report from White House doctors should be released this weekend.
Listen DownloadTrump says tariffs will be “beautiful” after “transition cost”
President Trump is upbeat about the U-S economy despite falling stock prices and consumer confidence. The president continues to preach patience when it comes to his tariffs policy. Trump acknowledged “there will be a transition cost” as the tariffs take hold. He said he’s “very happy with the way the country’s running” even though stock prices have swung wildly this week and surveys show a drop in consumer confidence.
Listen DownloadTrump to get first physical exam of his second term
President Trump is getting his annual physical exam. It’s the president’s first physical exam of his second term, and it will be conducted at Walter Reed National Medical Center. Earlier this week, he wrote online that he has “never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done.” In November 2023, the Trump campaign issued a doctor’s statement saying Trump’s “overall health [was] excellent.” At age 78, Donald Trump is the oldest person sworn in as president.
Listen DownloadTreasury Secretary says market volatility “nothing unusual”
President Trump’s treasury secretary says there’s “nothing unusual” about recent stock market volatility.
Commenting on Thursday’s market drop after Wednesday’s rally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to project confidence about the wild swings on Wall Street. He said “the up 2, down 1 is not a bad ratio.” Bessent predicted there would be “great certainty” after 90 days of negotiating trade deals and the president declared the country is in “good shape.”
Some tariffs are on hold, but trade war is far from over
Some of President Trump’s tariffs have been paused, but the trade war is far from over. The president’s 90-day delay for newly announced reciprocal tariffs led to a huge market rally and some collective relief on Wednesday. But America’s trading partners still face a 10 percent universal tariff. Plus, the 25 percent steel, aluminum, and foreign car tariffs are still in effect, as is the 25 percent tax on certain Canadian and Mexican imports. And don’t forget China, which is dealing with a 145 percent tariff on its goods.
Listen DownloadStocks skyrocket after Trump pauses most tariffs
The stock market responded positively to President Trump’s decision to pause tariffs on most nations. Hours after sweeping reciprocal tariffs went into effect, the president announced a 90 day pause for countries that did not retaliate. But he raised the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 percent. Investors cheered the news, pushing stocks sharply higher. The Dow gained nearly 8 percent. The S&P 500 was up almost 10 percent. And the Nasdaq rose by more than 12 percent.
Listen DownloadTrump pauses most tariffs for 90 days, but raises tax on China
President Trump has paused his tariffs on most nations while jacking up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 percent. The president explained that more than 75 countries have contacted the U-S government for trade talks since the announcement of reciprocal tariffs. He also said he was monitoring the bond market and thought people were getting a bit “yippy,” afraid. The president’s pause on some tariffs sent stocks sharply higher. e by more than 12 percent.
Listen DownloadTrump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs go into effect
President Trump’s global reciprocal tariffs are now in effect. The president defends his newly launched trade war, claiming the tariffs are bringing two-billion dollars into the U-S every day, and dozens of nations want to negotiate. Even though some economists have warned of higher prices, the president slapped another 50 percent tariff on Chinese goods —. raising the combined total to 104 percent against China.
Listen DownloadWhite House says “boys will be boys” as advisers feud
The White House isn’t too worried about a public spat over tariffs between two of President Trump’s advisers. Trump adviser Elon Musk called the president’s trade adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro had criticized the Tesla CEO for opposing tariffs. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shrugged off the trash talk, saying “boys will be boys.” Both men work for a president who’s known for trading insults.
Listen DownloadJudge orders White House to restore AP’s full press access
A federal judge has ordered the White House to restore The Associated Press’ full access to cover presidential events. The judge ruled that it’s unconstitutional for the White House to block AP journalists from the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other presidential events over an editorial policy. The Trump-appointed judge cited the First Amendment, saying journalists cannot be barred “because of their viewpoints.” The White House limited AP’s access after its decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The judge’s ruling won’t go into effect until Sunday to give the Trump administration time to appeal.
Listen DownloadTrump willing to negotiate trade deals after announcing tariffs
The Trump administration says several dozen countries have lined up to negotiate trade deals with the United States. After first saying there would be no negotiations to reduce the Trump tariffs, the White House now says the president’s willing to talk. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says as many as 70 nations want to negotiate with the U-S following last week’s unveiling of reciprocal tariffs.
Listen DownloadWhite House welcomes Supreme Court ruling on deportations
The White House is cheering the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Alien Enemies Act. Justices this week ruled that the Trump administration can invoke a 1798 wartime law to deport Venezuelans. While it’s a legal victory for the president, the Supreme Court said migrants must get a court hearing before they are taken from the United States.
Listen DownloadSupreme Court halts reinstatement of fired federal workers
The Supreme Court says the Trump administration does not need to rehire thousands of fired federal workers. The emergency ruling puts on hold a lower court order that required six federal agencies to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who were let go in mass firings. According to the Supreme Court, the government employee unions didn’t have legal standing to sue. It’s a temporary victory for the Trump administration because there’s a second lower court order that reverses the layoffs. And for now, that injunction protecting many jobs is still in effect.
Listen DownloadTrump notches two Supreme Court wins on deportations
Supreme Court allows use Alien Enemies Act for deportations
Trump not looking to pause tariffs, but open to negotiations
President Trump has no plans to pause his newly announced tariffs, but he’s open to negotiations. The president said he was not looking at a pause on tariffs, which have sent global stock markets sharply lower. But he said would talk to China, Japan and other countries about the import duties. The president has threatened to add another 50 percent tariff on Chinese imports unless Beijing withdraws its threat to add a 34 percent tariff on its goods.
Listen DownloadU.S. is holding direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program
The United States is holding direct talks with Iran about its nuclear program. Insisting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, the president said the U-S is pursuing a diplomatic settlement with Iranian officials with a high-level meeting on Saturday. During an Oval Office meeting with the visiting Israeli prime minister, the president also warned that Iran would be in “great danger” if talks are unsuccessful.
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