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Trump delivers first rally-style speech since election win as he threatens to retake Panama Canal: Live

The president-elect addressed a Phoenix crowd on Sunday

Rhian Lubin,Mike Bedigan,Kelly Rissman
Sunday 22 December 2024 21:21 GMT
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Congress Narrowly Averts Government Shutdown — And Rejects Trump’s Debt Ceiling Commands

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Donald Trump gave his first rally-style speech since his election victory in Phoenix on Sunday.

At the event — AmericaFest 2024 — he discussed immigration, defended some of his most controversial cabinet picks, and laid out his plans for when he takes office on January 20, which he referred to as “liberation day.”

Trump also repeated his threats of retaking the Panama Canal.

“We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he said.

On Truth Social Saturday, Trump accused Panama of charging American vessels “exorbitant prices” to use the vital waterway that acts as a shortcut linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S.,” Trump vented.

“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” he stridently added, referring to a 1977 treaty.

The 78-year-old Republican also echoed his plans to impose tariffs against the European Union, Canada and Mexico. He said he wouldn’t let the E.U. turn the U.S. into a “dumping ground.”

Trump taps a producer behind his hit TV show to serve as his special envoy to the UK

Donald Trump has named the producer behind The Apprentice as his special envoy to the UK.

The president-elect said Mark Burnett would bring “a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition” to the role.

British producer Mr Burnett helped build Mr Trump’s profile but distanced himself from the tycoon during the 2016 presidential contest.

Announcing the envoy role, Mr Trump said: “It is my great honor to appoint Mark Burnett as the special envoy to the United Kingdom.

Read the full story.

Donald Trump picks Apprentice producer to be special envoy to UK

US president-elect Donald Trump said Mark Burnett ‘will work to enhance diplomatic relations’

Kelly Rissman22 December 2024 16:00

ICYMI: Congress Narrowly Averts Government Shutdown — And Rejects Trump’s Debt Ceiling Commands

Congress Narrowly Averts Government Shutdown — And Rejects Trump’s Debt Ceiling Commands
Kelly Rissman22 December 2024 15:30

Some Republicans are calling on Elon Musk to be the next House Speaker

Republicans are calling for Elon Musk to be the new speaker of the House amid contentious negotiations over a spending deal to avoid a government shutdown.

“The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress . . . Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk,” Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wrote on X on Thursday. “Think about it . . . nothing’s impossible (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka ‘uniparty,’ lose their ever-lovin’ minds).”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia also piped in on X: “DOGE can only truly be accomplished by reigning in Congress to enact real government efficiency. The establishment needs to be shattered just like it was yesterday. This could be the way.”

Josh Marcus has the full story.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rand Paul back Elon Musk as House speaker

Republicans line up behind Musk as Democrats hammer GOP for unelected ‘President Musk’

Kelly Rissman22 December 2024 15:00

Trump threatens to retake Panama Canal in Truth Social post

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to retake the Panama Canal in a lengthy post on Truth Social.

Trump accused Panama of “ripping off” American vessels by charging “exorbitant prices” to use the vital waterway that acts as a shortcut linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Without it, ships would be forced to sail a much farther distance around South America’s rocky Cape Horn.

Trump was referring to the 1977 treaty over the canal’s status, which transferred control of the canal from the U.S. to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

Read more

Trump threatens to retake Panama Canal in Truth Social post

Trump accused Panama of charging American vessels ‘exorbitant prices’ to use the vital waterway

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 14:30

Team Trump slaps back at claims Elon Musk is running the show

President-elect Donald Trump’s team has snapped back at claims that Elon Musk is running the show after the billionaire played a significant role in tanking a spending bill that would have averted a government shutdown.

Musk helped topple House Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposed bipartisan congressional spending bill by slamming it early Wednesday, which was followed later by a joint statement from Trump and JD Vance warning Republicans not to support it.

“Stop the steal of your tax dollars!” Musk wrote on his social media platform X that he threatened funded primary challenges against anyone who voted for the budget deal, a threat Trump later echoed in a post of his own.

The optics that Musk is pulling the strings have prompted Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, to hit back about who is really in charge.

Read more

Team Trump slaps back at claims Elon Musk is running the show

Democrats have mocked the tech billionaire’s big-foot influence with the incoming administration

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 13:30

Elon Musk sees massive spike on Polymarket to be the next House speaker

Billionaire Elon Musk saw a sharp 10 percent increase in his odds of being Speaker of the House on Polymarket, the crypto-based betting platform, after several lawmakers suggested him for the job.

Musk, who has quickly ascended as a close ally of Donald Trump, proved just how powerful political influence is this week when he managed to convince Republicans in Congress to oppose the bipartisan spending bill that finally passed on Friday.

Wielding his influence on the social media platform he owns, X, Musk sent out more than 150 posts urging Republicans to break from the bill backed by the current Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

Ariana Baio reports.

Elon Musk sees spike on Polymarket to be the next House speaker

Tesla billionaire has been suggested for the role by Senator Rand Paul among others

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 12:30

Speaker Johnson ‘faces challengers’ in new year

After the debacle in Congress this week, all eyes are now on Mike Johnson ahead of a vote in two weeks as to whether he should stay on as Speaker.

Earlier this week we reported he could be challenged for the speaker’s chair in the new year as Republican critics draw up a list of potential replacements.

Some rebels in his party are angry at his handling of the stop-gap bill to fund the federal government through March 14, dubbed a “dumpster fire” by some Republicans.

Read more below.

Johnson could be challenged for speaker role as alternatives ‘floated’

Some rebels in the GOP are angry at Johnson’s handling of the stop-gap bill to fund the federal government through March 14

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 11:30

ICYMI: Lara Trump abandons Senate bid

Lara Trump dropped out of the running for the Senate on Saturday evening, teasing a “big announcement” to come in January.

“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” Trump shared in a post on X.

“I do have a big announcement that I’m excited to share in January, so, stay tuned,” she added.

Catch up below

Lara Trump drops out of running for the Senate, teases ‘big announcement’

Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law was floated as a possible replacement for Marco Rubio, the president-elect’s choice for secretary of state

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 10:30

Congressman floats theory that Musk has promised Trump a ‘windfall’ if he does billionaire’s bidding

Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York suggested Thursday night that Elon Musk would provide President-elect Donald Trump with a “windfall” if the incoming commander-in-chief does the bidding of the X owner.

The Tesla CEO was successful in his efforts to take down a continuing resolution that was set to allow the government to remain funded through Christmas, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson back to the drawing board.

Musk tweeted against the bill Wednesday before Trump did the same, pushing for it to be voted down. Speaker Mike Johnson then withdrew the bill before introducing a shorter version Thursday which was rejected even as it was backed by both Musk and Trump.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Congressman floats theory that Musk has promised Trump a ‘windfall’

‘The political and legacy media puppets all got their new instructions yesterday and are now parroting the same message to drive a wedge between @realDonaldTrump and me,’ Musk says

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 09:30

Trump slams ‘rip off’ Panama Canal fees

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to retake the Panama Canal in a lengthy post on Truth Social.

Trump accused Panama of “ripping off” American vessels by charging “exorbitant prices” to use the vital waterway that acts as a shortcut linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Without it, ships would be forced to sail a much farther distance around South America’s rocky Cape Horn.

Trump was referring to the 1977 treaty over the canal’s status, which transferred control of the canal from the U.S. to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

It was hailed as one of President Jimmy Carter’s greatest accomplishments, but Trump slammed the 39th president for “foolishly giving it away for one dollar.”

Read more:

Trump threatens to retake Panama Canal in Truth Social post

Trump accused Panama of charging American vessels ‘exorbitant prices’ to use the vital waterway

Rhian Lubin22 December 2024 08:30

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