Donald Trump News Live: Pro-Ukraine Republican Rep. Joe Wilson aligns with Trump on 'crazy' Putin, demands immediate sanctions and arms for Ukraine

U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina known for his strong support for Ukraine, has recently echoed President Donald Trump's characterization of Russian President Vladimir Putin as "crazy," Fox News said in a report. Despite this point of rhetorical agreement with Trump, Rep. Wilson urged a robust and immediate response to Russia's ongoing aggression, specifically calling for the imposition of "Secondary sanctions & arms support NOW" for Ukraine. This call for urgent action, including sanctions targeting third parties doing business with Russia and faster delivery of military aid, comes amidst continued debate within the Republican party regarding foreign policy and the extent of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

North Korea has strongly condemned President Donald Trump's plan for a "Golden Dome" missile-defense system, a shield intended to counter threats from adversaries, including Pyongyang, as per a report in Bloomberg. The North Korean government characterized the proposed system as a dangerous escalation, warning that it risks provoking a "space nuclear war." This criticism underscores the persistent tensions and diplomatic stalemate surrounding North Korea's weapons development programs, despite past engagement efforts.

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to divert billions in federal grant money away from Harvard University and allocate those funds to US trade schools, Bloomberg News said in a report. This move signifies an escalation in his administration's ongoing clash with the elite university. The threat aligns with past criticisms from Trump regarding the large endowments of wealthy universities and his administration's consistent promotion of vocational and technical education as alternatives to traditional four-year degrees.

President Donald Trump and members of Congress are proposing a significant initiative to revitalize the US shipbuilding industry through a combination of government subsidies and penalties targeting Chinese-built vessels, as per a report in The New York Times. This ambitious plan, aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing and countering China's dominance in the sector, is anticipated to require substantial financial investment, running into billions of dollars, and a lengthy implementation period spanning many years. Key challenges include the current high cost of US-built ships compared to foreign competitors, the long lead times inherent in shipbuilding, and the need to rebuild a diminished industrial ecosystem, including skilled labor and supply chains. The proposal aligns with broader efforts to enhance national security and supply chain resilience but faces scrutiny over its economic feasibility and potential for international trade disputes.

A top United Nations official has expressed concern that reductions in U.S. funding to the UN, under President Donald Trump, may significantly hamper ongoing efforts to reunify Libya, as per a report in Bloomberg. This warning comes as the nation grapples with soaring tensions fueled by deadly clashes and protests, particularly in its capital, undermining the fragile peace process.

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to divert billions of dollars in grant money away from Harvard University, proposing that these funds be redirected to trade schools throughout the United States, as per a report in Bloomberg. This statement escalates an ongoing conflict between Trump and the elite academic institution.

Dutch pension fund PME, with $65 billion in assets, has issued a warning to US money managers, expressing concerns that the American investment industry is succumbing to pressure from the current Trump administration to abandon fundamental principles of stewardship, Bloomberg says in a report. This pressure is understood to relate to the administration's stance on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, which PME views as integral to long-term value. The warning from PME, a major European pension fund, highlights a potential conflict for US fund managers navigating domestic political pressures under President Donald Trump and the expectations of international clients who prioritize active ownership and ESG considerations.

President Donald Trump, who last month directed his attorney general to investigate the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue for allegedly facilitating illegal contributions from foreigners and fraudsters, now faces reports that his own campaign has similar online fundraising vulnerabilities, according to a report in AP. Trump's initial directive highlighted concerns about "schemes" and "dummy accounts" used to funnel illicit money to political causes, specifically targeting ActBlue, which itself acknowledged receiving over 200 potentially illicit contributions last year. This development suggests that the challenges of verifying online donor identities and preventing questionable contributions may be systemic across online political fundraising.

President Donald Trump recently stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “is doing his Country no favors” with his rhetoric and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “gone absolutely CRAZY,” needlessly killing people and risking Russia's downfall if he takes all of Ukraine, as per a report in The Guardian. These comments, posted on Truth Social and reiterated to reporters, followed Zelenskyy's criticism of US silence after Russia launched its largest air raid in three years, killing at least 12 people. Trump indicated he is considering more sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg condemned the attacks without naming Russia, and European leaders like Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul and EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for further sanctions and pressure on Moscow. The events occurred as Ukraine and Russia completed a major prisoner exchange and the Netherlands prepared to send its final promised F-16 jet to Ukraine.

Mass federal staffing cuts attributed to President Donald Trump's administration are significantly disrupting wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, as per a report in The Guardian. This impact is exemplified by the experience of Tess McGinley, an AmeriCorps team leader, whose team was abruptly dismissed on April 13th while assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Los Angeles. McGinley's team, responsible for reviewing wildfire survivors' cases for housing assistance, had processed over 4,000 cases and was actively calling survivors before their sudden termination left affected individuals unable to reach them for help. The article's description indicates these federal cuts have also impacted staffing at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

President Donald Trump granted clemency on Monday to former Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who served for a decade in Culpeper County, Virginia, before losing his 2023 reelection bid amid unspecified charges, according to a report in The Hill. Trump asserted that Jenkins was targeted by a "weaponized" Justice Department during the previous Biden administration.

President Donald Trump has announced a pardon for a former Virginia sheriff, who had been convicted on federal bribery charges, as per a report in CNN. The conviction involved the former elected law enforcement official accepting inappropriate benefits in exchange for official acts, constituting a crime against public trust. This presidential pardon is applicable as the conviction was for federal, not state, offenses.

Sweden-based Volvo announced on Monday its plan to eliminate 3,000 positions, citing ongoing disruptions in the auto market due to President Donald Trump's tariffs, as per a report in The Hill. The company stated this decision is part of its "cost and cash action plan" aimed at strengthening its position as the industry confronts "considerable challenges."

President Donald Trump, in a recent social media post, expressed a desire to redirect $3 billion in research grant funding, which he indicated his administration has frozen or withdrawn, towards trade schools, The New York Times said in a report. The post, which mentioned Harvard in connection with the funds, did not provide specific details on how this redirection would be implemented or the precise origins of the $3 billion figure beyond the administration's actions. This suggestion aligns with a broader emphasis from Trump and some Republican figures on prioritizing vocational training.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has publicly called on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia, as per a report in The Hill. In a Monday post on the social platform X, Grassley stated he has "had enough of Vladimir Putin killing innocent people" and urged Trump to "Take action AT LEAST SANCTIONS." The report notes that the longtime senator's appeal occurs as Trump has recently increased his criticism, though the specific subject of this criticism is not detailed in the provided article description.

The Kremlin labeled President Donald Trump 'emotional' after he declared Vladimir Putin, leader of Russia, 'absolutely crazy' following recent massive aerial attacks on Ukraine, according to a report in BBC. Trump's strong statement was a direct reaction to a series of large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes that targeted Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, marking some of the most significant assaults in the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 (past event).

King Charles III of the United Kingdom is currently visiting Canada and is expected to affirm the country's sovereignty, Al Jazeera says in a report. The visit takes place against a backdrop of diplomatic tension with the United States, fueled by recent comments from President Donald Trump suggesting Canada could become the '51st state'.

President Donald Trump used his Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to criticize the record of the previous Biden administration, asserting that he is now "fixing" the country after what he described as "a long and hard four years," as per a report in The Hill. During his speech, after paying tribute to the first casualties of the American Revolution, Trump focused on the perceived shortcomings of the prior leadership and its handling of national affairs.

President Donald Trump honored fallen service members during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, calling them “great, great warriors" and “America's best and bravest,” according to a report in AP. Trump stated, “We just revere their incredible legacy," and added, “We salute them in their eternal and everlasting glory. And we continue our relentless pursuit of America’s destiny as we make our nation stronger, prouder, freer, and greater than ever before.”

President Donald Trump issued a Memorial Day message on May 26, 2025, extending wishes to everyone but also specifically targeting individuals he described as 'scum' who are allegedly spreading 'radical left' views and seeking to 'DESTROY' the United States, Fox News said in a report. This statement from Trump, the current U.S. President, was delivered on a day typically reserved for honoring fallen military personnel and characterized political opponents in harsh terms.

A 38-year-old advocate in Karnataka has reportedly lost lakhs of rupees after being deceived by cybercriminals who employed an AI-generated video of President Donald Trump, according to a report in NDTV. Police stated on Monday that the victim was lured into investing in a fraudulent "Trump Hotel rentals scheme" with the promise of high returns, based on the convincing deepfake video featuring the US President.

New tariffs enacted by current President Donald Trump have triggered global trade wars, creating significant uncertainty for businesses and households, as per a report in AP. This policy is reminiscent of actions from his first term (2017-2021), during which he imposed substantial tariffs, notably on Chinese goods—prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing—and also utilized tariff threats to compel Canada and Mexico into renegotiating trade terms. His predecessor, Joe Biden, largely continued the existing tariff structures upon taking office.

Thousands of scientists in the U.S. have reportedly lost their jobs or research grants as a consequence of federal funding cuts attributed to the Trump administration, AP said in a report. This situation has prompted foreign governments and universities to initiate efforts to attract these displaced researchers, with Canada launching its 'Canada Leads' program in April 2025 for biomedical researchers and Aix-Marseille University in France starting its 'Safe Place for Science' program in March 2025 for U.S.-based scientists who feel their positions are threatened.

President Donald Trump is set to deliver remarks at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2025, to commemorate Memorial Day, according to a report in AP. His participation will include the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and a speech at the cemetery’s amphitheater, typically a somber occasion for U.S. presidents. However, Trump began the day with a contrasting tone, issuing an all-caps social media message in which he ranted at former President Joe Biden.

Wine producers in both France and the United States are currently voicing unhappiness with the impact of trade actions enacted by US President Donald Trump, as per a report in BBC. These measures, notably tariffs on European wines which the article links to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling concerning EU subsidies to Airbus from October 2019 (a past event), continue to create difficulties for the wine industry in both regions. The ongoing tariffs are described as part of broader trade tensions and have resulted in negative consequences for US importers, consumers, and European winemakers.

On Memorial Day, President Donald Trump posted a message on Truth Social extending wishes to Americans, including those he termed "scum" for allegedly "trying to destroy our country" over the past four years, as per a report in The Hill. In his message, Trump also criticized the former Biden administration's approach to the southern border and expressed disapproval of judges who had previously ruled against his interests.

President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on May 24, 2025, designating May 2025 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, as per a report in the Trump Official Website. This annual observance is a routine presidential function with historical roots, encouraging Americans of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Such presidential proclamations are typically symbolic, aiming to acknowledge national values and activities.

President Donald Trump issued an official message on May 25, 2025, to commemorate National Missing Children’s Day, according to a report in Trump Official Website. This annual observance, established in 1983, aims to raise public awareness about the issue of missing children, support affected families, and recognize the efforts of those involved in recovery and protection.

President Donald Trump issued a "Prayer for Peace" proclamation for Memorial Day on May 24, 2025, a presidential action detailed on the Trump Official Website, as per a report in Trump Official Website. This symbolic gesture occurs amidst ongoing global conflicts and domestic political divisions, with experts noting it as a standard presidential act for a day of remembrance that also aligns with an emphasis on traditional values and appeals to religious conservative constituencies. While its direct impact on foreign policy is considered minimal by analysts, the proclamation carries political implications, likely resonating positively with supporters of faith in public life but potentially prompting debate among secularists and political opponents over its sincerity and the separation of church and state.