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President Donald Trump sent shockwaves around the world by saying the U.S. would “take over” Gaza and “own” the territory during a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu that left even the Israeli Prime Minister surprised.
Trump added that Palestinians could be resettled away from their homes in the war-torn enclave and into “areas where the leaders currently say no,” leaving the land free to become “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
He added: “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East.”
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt have already rejected Trump’s proposal, while the Palestinian ambassador to the UN said, “Our homeland is our homeland.”
Gaza has suffered huge destruction in the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, with more than 47,000 people killed.
At today’s White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt wouldn’t rule out the use of U.S. troops in Gaza saying that the president had not committed to “boots on the ground.”
This afternoon, Trump will sign an executive order targeting transgender athletes and will meet with Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and Governor Gavin Newsom of California.
LONGER READ: Is Trump nuts? Or is he deploying the ‘madman theory’?
Is it really wise to simulate a wild persona with crazy ideas to get what you want? Guy Walters looks at what history tells us…
Is Trump nuts? Or is he deploying the ‘madman theory’?
The US president may be making a political move that can be traced back to the 16th century and has been emulated by everyone from Nixon to Putin. But, is it really wise to simulate a wild persona with crazy ideas to get what you want? Guy Walters looks at what history tells us…
Watch: Trump mocks Biden for signing with Hollywood talent agency
Trump mocks Biden for signing with Hollywood talent agency: ‘You got to be kidding’
Donald Trump reacted to learning that former President Joe Biden has decided to sign with a talent agency. Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 inside the Oval Office during which Fox News reporter, Peter Doocy, informed the President that Biden had signed on with Creative Arts Agency. A few weeks after leaving the White House Biden decided to resign with his former creative agency that helped him release his 2017 memoir, ‘Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose’. Donald Trump mockingly replied, “You got to be kidding,” and continued to say that Biden has “much bigger problems than that,” referring to the state he left the Presidential office at the end of his term.
Nancy Mace repeatedly shouts anti-trans slur in House hearing
A House hearing descended into chaos when MAGA firebrand Nancy Mace, a lawmaker from South Carolina, repeatedly shouted an anti-trans slur.
During a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mace listed off a slew of government expenditures, when Ranking Member Gerald Connolly took issue with her use of the word “t*****.’
Mace’s position on the LGBTQ+ community has radically shifted in recent years.
Here’s Katie Hawkinson’s report from Washington, D.C.
Trump revokes Esper’s security detail, report says
President Donald Trump has revoked federal security protection for former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.
Esper, who served during Trump’s first term in office, joins his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, his former national security adviser John Bolton and former Iran envoy Brian Hook in having his security detail withdrawn since Trump took office on January 20.
Mitch McConnell, 82, fell twice in Senate Chamber, report says
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell suffered two falls while near the Senate chamber on Wednesday, according to reports.
According to Punchbowl News, the Kentucky Republican, 82, fell down a small set of stairs on as he was exiting the chamber after a confirmation vote for Housing and Urban Development secretary nominee Scott Turner.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Report: Bondi gets to work with ‘Weaponization Working Group’ and ending freeze on federal executions
According to reporting by CBS News, newly sworn-in attorney general Pam Bondi will get straight to work today signing memoranda directing the Department of Justice to start a “Weaponization Working Group” that will review the prosecutions of Donald Trump in New York by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and state attorney general Letitia James, as well as special counsel Jack Smith in Florida and Washington, D.C.
Bondi will also end the moratorium on federal executions.
Full story: Trump dealt another blow after judge blocks birthright citizenship executive order
Maryland District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday after a group of 16 pregnant women sued the Trump administration in the hours after the president signed an order that seeks to deny citizenship to certain American-born children of immigrants.
Alex Woodward reports.
Amnesty International calls Trump statement on Gaza ‘inflammatory, outrageous and shameful’
Rights advocacy group Amnesty International said U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to move Palestinians from Gaza was “inflammatory, outrageous and shameful” and amounted to a “flagrant violation of international law.”
“Any plan to forcibly deport Palestinians outside the occupied territory against their will is a war crime,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard told Reuters.
Less than a quarter of Americans are happy with public education as Trump’s plans to overhaul system loom
Almost three-quarters of U.S. citizens say they are dissatisfied with the state of public education, according to a new poll.
Just 24 percent of respondents to Gallup’s latest Mood of the Nation survey expressed satisfaction with the nation’s schooling while 73 percent said they were dissatisfied, the lowest score since the research was first conducted in 2001.
Joe Sommerlad breaks down the numbers.
Trump press secretary appears to walk back president’s shocking comment on Gaza
Asked about how “owning Gaza” helps with the America First project, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to walk back Donald Trump’s comments about a U.S. takeover of the Palestinian territory.
She said at today’s press briefing: “The President has not committed to putting boots on the ground in Gaza. He has also said that the United States is not going to pay for the rebuilding of Gaza. His administration is going to work with our partners in the region to reconstruct this region.”
Leavitt added: “The president has been thinking about this for quite some time… He expects our partners in the region to accept Palestinian refugees temporarily… The president made this decision with a humanitarian heart.”
Source: independent.co.uk
