Trump announces 4 July rally in Washington to mark US 250th anniversary
Donald Trump has announced plans to hold a rally in Washington on 4 July to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The event will feature a speech, performances, flyovers, and fireworks.
“On July 4th, at The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, in beautiful and safe Washington D.C., we are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a ’TRIBUTE TO AMERICA.’ Starting at 7 P.M. EST, this HUGE Celebration will honor our Country’s People, Spirit, Strength, Resolve, and Triumphs,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
US and Iran have signed memorandum of understanding, US official says
The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at settling the nearly four-month war, according to senior US officials cited by . A signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to gradually increase.
The memorandum was signed by Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a US official confirmed.
At a briefing, the official stated that the signing ceremony will take place on Friday.
“You will see significant increase in traffic in the strait of Hormuz, actually starting already, and that will ramp up slowly over time,” the US official, speaking anonymously, said. “We probably won’t return to normal in two weeks, but we will see a significant increase in strait traffic.”
UFC boss Dana White says 'never again' to another White House fight night
UFC chief executive Dana White described the recent White House fight night as exceeding expectations in every measure of success but confirmed it will be a one-time event.
“It was an amazing, experience, this was a one of one,” he said. “It will never happen again.”
White noted that merchandise sales reached record levels and Paramount's viewership numbers were "monstrous." He expressed hope that the event fostered unity among Americans celebrating the nation's birthday.
“Hopefully tonight created some unity,” White said. “Even for the people that thought this was going to be some big political statement or something, this wasn’t. This was Americans, all Americans celebrating the birthday. For people who tuned in for the first time, because it was at the White House, hopefully they liked the sport. They liked some of the guy’s stories.”
Despite the event's success, White cited logistical challenges, weather concerns, and high costs—estimated at $60 million borne by UFC—as reasons why the Freedom 250 will remain unique.
“I can’t afford it,” White said. “I’ll never do the Sphere [in Las Vegas] again and we’ll never do this again.”
White mentioned discussions with Donald Trump about staging a fight for troops in 2027 but noted that coordinating with the military requires time.
“He wanted to do it this year,” White said. “And I said, sir, I need a year to recover financially.”
Trump aims to build on Iran deal momentum at G7 summit
Donald Trump is expected to discuss the de-mining of the Strait of Hormuz with G7 leaders following the announcement of the US-Iran agreement. Britain and France have expressed interest in assisting with the effort once hostilities pause.
Clearing mines is critical to restoring tanker traffic in the strategic waterway, which had halted during the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is prepared to deploy mine-clearing vessels rapidly and that a French aircraft carrier and strike group are already in the region, ready to assist within days of the agreement's signing, according to the Associated Press.
Macron hosts G7 summit amid uncertainty over Trump’s participation
Emmanuel Macron, hosting the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, has structured the agenda to accommodate Donald Trump, though it remains uncertain whether Trump will attend the full three days or disrupt proceedings.
Trump’s previous attendance at summits has been inconsistent, including early departure from the 2023 Canadian summit amid escalating conflicts.
Macron has postponed the summit’s start to allow Trump to celebrate his 80th birthday and is hosting a dinner at Versailles as an incentive for Trump to remain. French officials note mutual respect between the two leaders.
Reports from Washington suggest Trump may be in a confrontational mood, potentially criticizing fellow leaders for not supporting his earlier proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.
Trump is expected to urge swift action on the Franco-British naval taskforce and emphasize the urgency of de-mining the strait to alleviate the tanker backlog.
Other G7 leaders, opposed to the Iran war, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, face decisions on how to address the conflict’s impact on the global economy.
Trump also confronts challenges related to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Macron advocates for a greater European role in resolving these conflicts, highlighting Europe’s financial support for Ukraine.
France will press the US to resolve the Gaza impasse concerning Hamas disarmament. Trump plans meetings with leaders from Qatar, UAE, and Egypt to discuss the crisis and Iran’s fallout. No joint communique on the conflicts is expected; Macron will issue a summary instead.
If summit tensions escalate, the Évian golf course, closed for the event, may serve as a retreat for Trump, an avid golfer.
Trump arrives for G7 summit at tense moment for relations
Donald Trump arrived in Geneva ahead of the G7 summit, shortly after announcing a tentative peace agreement with Iran intended to end a conflict that has severely impacted the global economy and caused thousands of deaths.
From Geneva, Trump will proceed to Évian-les-Bains, France, where world leaders are convening. He is scheduled for a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and a working dinner with other leaders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also meet with G7 leaders, including Trump, though a one-on-one meeting with the US president has not been confirmed.
This summit occurs amid strained relations between Trump and many G7 leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who have criticized Trump's handling of the Iran conflict.
Trump’s relationship with Macron has deteriorated following previous remarks, and his rapport with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remains tense. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly the only G7 leader maintaining a warm relationship with Trump.
Trump left last year’s summit in Canada early as the Israeli-Iran conflict intensified and subsequently participated in military actions against Iranian nuclear sites.
JD Vance comments on US-Iran agreement and presidential prospects
JD Vance avoided specifying who would represent the US at the signing ceremony but indicated that Iran’s negotiating team would include Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and security officials.
In an interview, Vance acknowledged that many details remain to be negotiated but expressed confidence that the US holds a strong position.
“I think it’s a great day for the American people … our expectation is that the strait is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long term.
That’s the sort of thing that we’re going to figure out in these technical negotiations. There are a lot of very important details to figure out that we’re actually going to sit at the table and discuss together and figure out a path forward on these details.”
Vance noted that Iran has committed to destroying its stockpile of highly enriched material, but the process remains to be defined.
“And what we’ve said is, OK, let’s talk about how exactly we’re going to do that.
They want access to an unsanctioned economy. We’ve talked about, ‘OK, we’re open to that,’ but that would require a long-term commitment to the inspection and verification regime.
So, a lot of these details are going to be figured out during those 60-day talks.”
“We feel quite confident that we’re in a strong position,” Vance added.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham welcomed the deal but expressed skepticism due to the lack of detailed information.
“I am pleased to hear the memorandum of understanding with Iran to allow the Strait of Hormuz to open has been agreed to,” Graham wrote on X, but added: “I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming.
Under our law, any nuclear deal with Iran will be sent to Congress for review and a vote,” he continued. “I look forward to reviewing the final product and I believe it is imperative that the architect of the deal, Vice President [JD] Vance and his negotiating partners, be part of the process in presenting the final deal to Congress.
Congratulations to all in getting us to this point. Time will tell,” Graham added.
US and Iran reach framework peace deal to end war
A framework peace deal between the US and Iran has been announced by Donald Trump and senior Iranian officials, signaling a tentative end to the 15-week conflict and offering hope for regional and global economic relief.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that military operations on all fronts, including Israel’s war in Lebanon, would cease permanently from tonight.
The exact terms remain unclear, but Trump announced on Truth Social the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and removal of the US naval blockade.
“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote.
Trump clarified that reopening the strait depends on signing an initial memorandum of understanding on Friday, with Pakistan acting as mediator in Geneva.
Leaked drafts indicate a 60-day period of technical talks to address contentious issues such as Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed efforts to reach a broader agreement including sanctions relief.
The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily in Lebanon and Israel, since US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on 28 February. Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure.
Trump’s personal ambitions and White House UFC event
Unlike historical figures with grand geopolitical ambitions, Donald Trump’s aspirations are described as focused on personal recognition and indulgence in nostalgic entertainment.
He enjoys musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Bon Jovi and the Village People, and symbols of traditional masculinity such as large trucks and displays of physical strength.
On his 80th birthday, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the White House hosted a cage fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), marking the first professional sporting event held on the White House grounds.
The UFC is a mixed martial arts league combining kickboxing, wrestling, and boxing, catering to audiences seeking intense physical competition.
Trump threatens tariffs over French digital tax
Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on technology firms, according to the New York Post.
France implemented a 3% levy in 2019 on revenues earned by tech companies, including American firms such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google parent Alphabet.
Trump reportedly asked French President Emmanuel Macron to eliminate the tax.
“If they do, I have no choice but to charge a 100% tariff on all champagnes and all wines coming out of France,” Trump said.
“All [Macron] has to do is get rid of the sales tax, and he wouldn’t have that kind of pressure.”
Macron is scheduled to host Trump before the G7 summit at Evian on Lake Geneva.
Hunter Biden’s evolving public image
Hunter Biden has transformed from a political liability to a galvanizing figure within the Democratic party, gaining attention on social media as a mental health advocate and critic of Republicans.
His candid posts, including humorous and serious messages about addiction recovery, have earned him a following and calls for a possible 2028 presidential run.
His responses to online trolling have often been perceived as honest and relatable.
For example, in reply to a user named Ashley (@TeamTrump47), who initially criticized him, Biden responded with empathy, leading to a conciliatory exchange.
Biden has amassed over 780,000 followers on X, drawing attention from Donald Trump, who recently commented on Biden’s potential in a hypothetical 2028 primary.
Vance says he will discuss 2028 presidential run after midterms
JD Vance stated he will discuss a possible 2028 US presidential run with his wife after the 2026 midterm elections.
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Vance spoke about his memoir, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, which details his conversion to Catholicism.
“Usha and I will absolutely sit down and talk about what comes next for our family,” said Vance. “People sort of assume that I’m sitting around, figuring out, whether I’m gonna run for president … the way that I make decisions is that I try not to make them until I absolutely must.”
He expressed confidence that Trump would support his decision.
“I have no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do,” said Vance.
Vance noted that he does not initiate discussions about his political future with Trump but that the president often brings up the topic.
“I never bring it up. But sure, the president brings it up a lot, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. You know, the president’s a political animal. He loves this stuff. He’s very fascinated by it.”
Trump's UFC fights at White House marred by misogynistic smear aimed at Michelle Obama
Donald Trump’s UFC fights held on the White House lawn were overshadowed by a misogynistic comment targeting former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Under a large steel canopy known as the Claw, Trump celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary and his 80th birthday by hosting the first professional sporting event in White House history.
Several victorious fighters greeted Trump post-bout, including American Bo Nickal, who climbed over the cage fence to shake Trump’s hand after a knockout victory.
Heavyweight Josh Hokit gave a post-fight interview that included praise for Trump and religious remarks, but also propagated the false conspiracy theory that “Michelle Obama is a man,” which drew mixed reactions from the crowd.
Political taunts also surfaced during the fight between former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi, with chants of “U-S-A!” and “Canada is the 51st state!” reflecting nationalist sentiments.
Protesters gathered outside the Ellipse, the park south of the White House, expressing opposition to the event.
“This reeks of corruption – way too much corruption,” said Susan Douglas, organizer with Third Act Virginia, a progressive pro-democracy group. “Let’s face it,” she added. “It’s for Trump’s birthday and has nothing to do with the founding of our country.”
The UFC announced it would pay fighter bonuses in cryptocurrency issued by Trump family business World Liberty Financial.
Trump arrives in Evian-les-Bains for G7 summit amid global tensions
Donald Trump arrived in Evian-les-Bains on Monday afternoon for talks with G7 leaders, some of whom have criticized his management of the 15-week conflict that has driven global energy prices higher.
World leaders gathered with renewed impetus following Trump’s announcement of an agreement he says will end the war against Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed an agreement for an immediate end to the US-Iran war, including Lebanon, with a peace deal to be signed on Friday.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the agreement, stating both sides would declare “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts.”
Trump reportedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that ending Russia’s war in Ukraine is critical and that he is prepared to assist, according to Russia’s TASS news agency. During a phone call, Trump also informed Putin about the nearing US-Iran peace deal amid ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
JD Vance discusses presidential prospects and US-Iran peace deal
JD Vance reiterated that he will discuss a potential 2028 presidential run with his wife after the 2026 midterms.
He provided insight into his decision-making process during an interview where he also discussed his memoir and conversion to Catholicism.
