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Trump shares Christmas message as Denmark responds to Greenland threats by boosting defense: Live

Danish defense minister says country will spend $1.5 billion to ensire ‘stronger presence’ in Arctic

Oliver O'Connell,Gustaf Kilander
Thursday 26 December 2024 02:55 GMT
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Congress Narrowly Averts Government Shutdown — And Rejects Trump’s Debt Ceiling Commands

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Donald Trump has posted his traditional rambling Christmas message calling out various foes, taunting adversaries, reiterating his desire for U.S. territorial expansionism — retaking the Panama Canal, incorporating Canada into the union, and buying Greenland.

A Danish official said an announcement that the country is boosting defense spending for Greenland, was an “irony of fate.”

Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defense minister, told the paper Jyllands-Posten Tuesday that the country plans to spend a “double-digit billion amount” in krone — about $1.5 billion — to make sure they have a “stronger presence” in the Arctic.

Trump said the “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for the U.S., which operates a base in the territory’s northwest.

After seemingly joking about Canada becoming the “51st” state, the incoming president fired off ominous messages alleging the Panama Canal and Greenland pose serious economic and national security threats to the United States and might be targeted for some kind of annexation or purchase.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is reeling after an ethics committee report into former congressman Matt Gaetz “determined there is substantial evidence” that he paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex and used illicit drugs while he was a member of Congress.

GOP senator mocked for claiming Trump has brought Christmas ‘back in America’

GOP senator Tommy Tuberville has been mocked for claiming that Donald Trump brought Christmas “back in America.”

The Trump loyalist posted the festive message on social media platform X on Christmas Eve.

Rhian Lubin reports.

GOP senator rinsed for claiming Trump has brought Christmas ‘back in America’

People were quick to confirm that they have, indeed, celebrated Christmas during the period when Trump was not president

Oliver O'Connell26 December 2024 02:30

Trump trolls Canada in Christmas message by claiming ex-hockey star Wayne Gretzky should be PM – or governor

President-elect Donald Trump mocked Canada in his annual Christmas message by suggesting that the Trump-supporting ex-hockey star Wayne Gretzky be a candidate for prime minister “or governor.”

“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in Ice Hockey circles,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Christmas Day. “I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada - You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’”

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump trolls Canada in Christmas message by claiming Wayne Gretzky should be next PM

President-elect says hockey great ‘had no interest, but I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement’

Oliver O'Connell26 December 2024 01:30

Biden marks Hanukkah

Oliver O'Connell26 December 2024 00:49

Trump’s net worth rose by billions this year despite legal challenges and wild stock market. Here’s what it is now.

The president-elect began the year with a net worth of about $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. That was a decrease from his previous term in the White House when it reached $4 billion. His net worth was not as volatile before he became the owner of a publicly traded company, the outlet noted.

Read more:

Trump’s net worth rose by billions despite legal challenges and wild stock market

President-elect’s net worth, tied to the value of TMTG shares, fluctuated heavily during 2024

Oliver O'Connell26 December 2024 00:30

Trump aims dig at Obama in bizarre hour-long Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree

Donald Trump made a dig at former president Barack Obama as he went on a Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree.

The president-elect toned down his festive message this year, simply posting, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!” on Truth Social on Wednesday morning.

Soon after though, Trump reeled off 34 posts on his social media platform within a one-hour period, including a meme mocking Obama.

The meme featured a photo of the president-elect smirking at Obama during his 2017 inauguration, along with the caption: “When you see the guy who said ‘you’ll never be president’ at your inauguration.”

Read more:

Trump aims dig at Obama in bizarre hour-long Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree

Trump reeled off 34 posts on his social media platform within a one-hour period

Rhian Lubin25 December 2024 23:45

Canal threats, money-laundering claims and a hotel battle: Trump’s long, weird history with Panama

Donald Trump rattled North American diplomatic relations over the weekend with a threat to retake the Panama Canal, two and a half decades after the US transferred control of the vital global trade route to Panama.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, the president-elect accused the country of “ripping off” the US.

“Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way,” Trump wrote. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US.”

Read more:

Canal threats and a hotel battle: Trump’s long, weird history with Panama

Major Trump project in Panama City brought lawsuits, shoving matches and money-laundering allegations before Trump lost it in hostile takeover

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 23:00

Trump tweets himself as dancing Santa

Oliver O'Connell25 December 2024 22:53

Watch: Merry Christmas from Nancy Pelosi

Oliver O'Connell25 December 2024 22:45

Biden slams Russia’s ‘outrageous’ Christmas Day attack on Ukraine

The White House has released the following statement from President Joe Biden regarding Russia’s overnight aerial attacks against Ukraine:

In the early hours of Christmas, Russia launched waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure. The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid. Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia’s aggression. In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.

Oliver O'Connell25 December 2024 22:31

‘It never left’: GOP senator mocked for claiming Trump has brought Christmas ‘back in America’

GOP senator Tommy Tuberville has been mocked for claiming that Donald Trump has brought Christmas “back in America.”

The Trump loyalist posted the festive message on social media platform X on Christmas Eve.

“Thanks to President Trump, Christmas is back in America,” Tuberville said. But the former football coach was widely mocked in the responses.

“When idiots say stupid things,” Democratic Party strategist Chris D. Jackson responded.

“Someone has been [at] the eggnog,” one person jibed.

Read more:

GOP senator rinsed for claiming Trump has brought Christmas ‘back in America’

People were quick to confirm that they have, indeed, celebrated Christmas during the period when Trump was not president

Rhian Lubin25 December 2024 22:15

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