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3 hours ago

Greenland slams ‘highly aggressive’ visits by Usha Vance and Mike Waltz after Trump’s takeover threats: Live

Tensions between Greenland and the U.S. are high following President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory

Ariana Baio
in New York
,Rhian Lubin
Monday 24 March 2025 04:05 GMT
30Comments
Donald Trump suggests sending more US troops to Greenland as he seeks annexation

Greenland's prime minister has slammed the Trump administration’s “highly aggressive” move to deploy a delegation of senior officials to the territory this week.

Tensions between Greenland and the U.S. are high following President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory.

Relations worsened this weekend after it was reported that Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz and the energy secretary Chris Wright will visit Greenland, in addition to Second Lady Usha Vance arriving later in the week.

Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday questioning why Waltz was visiting.

“We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife,” Egede said, according to Greenland’s Sermitsiaq newspaper. “What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.”

“He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit,” Egede added.

Vance's visit was announced by the White House Sunday and said she would be accompanied by a United States delegation.

3 hours ago

AOC says 86,000 people came to see her and Sen. Bernie Sanders campaign

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said 86,000 people turned out to see her campaign alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The pair have been at rallies in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada this weekend.

Rhian Lubin24 March 2025 04:05
4 hours ago

Questions swirl after Trump says he didn’t sign Aliens Enemies Act

President Donald Trump confused reporters after claiming he “didn’t sign” the presidential proclamation that invoked the controversial Alien and Enemies Act in order to quickly deport migrants the administration says are part of a Venezuelan gang.

When asked by a reporter about signing the proclamation “in the dark” – rather than at the Oval Office desk or in a public capacity as the president has done with other executive actions – the president denied signing it at all.

“I don’t know when it was signed because I didn’t sign it,” the president said. “Other people handled it. But Marco Rubio’s done a great job. And he wanted them out, and we go along with that. We want to get criminals out of our country.”

Despite his claim, the president’s digital signature does appear on the version of the proclamation available on the Federal Register website.

The White House later clarified that the president was referring to the original Alien Enemies Act, passed by Congress in 1798 and did sign the recent proclamation that invokes the highly controversial set of laws.

“President Trump was obviously referring to the original Aliens Enemies Act that was signed back in 1798,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Ariana Baio24 March 2025 03:00
5 hours ago

IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency

The IRS is bracing for a $500 billion drop in revenue as an increasing number of taxpayers could skip submitting their filings in the wake of Department of Government Efficiency layoffs, according to a report.

IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency.

Read more below.

IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts

Individuals were ‘wagering that auditors will not examine their accounts’ amid DOGE’s plans to downsize the IRS by nearly 20 percent ahead of tax filing season
Rhian Lubin24 March 2025 02:00
5 hours ago

Trump’s special envoy praises ‘super smart’ Putin ahead of Ukraine ceasefire talks

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as “super smart”, as talks over a ceasefire in Ukraine get underway in Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of Sunday’s discussions in Riyadh, Mr Witkoff – a former real estate mogul tasked by Mr Trump with leading negotiations on Ukraine’s future – met with Mr Putin in Moscow for a second time on Thursday for talks on ending the war.

Speaking to far-right commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview broadcast on Friday, Mr Witkoff said he “liked” the Russian president, who he described as “gracious”. He added: “I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. He’s super smart.”

Andy Gregory reports.

Trump’s special envoy praises ‘super smart’ Putin ahead of Ukraine ceasefire talks

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claims questions over whether Ukraine can cede four regions to Russia is ‘elephant in the room’ in peace talks
Andy Gregory24 March 2025 01:30
5 hours ago

Vanessa Trump goes public with Tiger Woods

In other news...

Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump has gone public with Tiger Woods.

Woods shared a loved-up Instagram post which Vanessa Trump shared on her stories.

“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together,” Woods said.

One photo shows Woods and Vanessa Trump posing together, another with them lying in a hammock with her arm draped across his chest as he gazes skyward.

“At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts,” the post added.

Vanessa Trump was married to Donald Trump Jr and they have five children.

Ivanka Trump gave the relationship her blessing, commenting on the post: “So happy for you both!”

Read the full story.

Tiger Woods goes public with Vanessa Trump in loved-up Instagram post

Tiger Woods posted a photo of his relationship with the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump
Rhian Lubin24 March 2025 01:15
6 hours ago

Watch: What Trump has previously said on Greenland

Donald Trump suggests sending more US troops to Greenland as he seeks annexation
Trump says he will get Greenland 'one way or another'
Rhian Lubin24 March 2025 01:00
6 hours ago

Trump wants green card applicants already legally in the US to hand over social media profiles

The Trump administration’s proposal to vet social media profiles of green card applicants already legally in the U.S. has been condemned in initial public feedback as an attack on free speech.

Visa applicants living abroad already have to share their social media handles with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, but the proposal under President Donald Trump would expand the policy to those already legally in the country who are applying for permanent residency or seeking asylum.

USCIS said the vetting of social media accounts is necessary for “the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening.”

Rhian Lubin reports.

Trump wants green card applicants legally in US to hand over social media profiles

USCIS said the vetting of social media accounts is necessary for “the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening.” Critics say it crushes free speech
Rhian Lubin24 March 2025 00:30
7 hours ago

Several Trump officials due to travel to Greenland this week as territory holds local elections

Several Trump officials are due to travel to Greenland this week as the territory holds local elections.

In addition to the Second Lady Usha Vance, it is the reported visit of Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, that has ruffled Greenland’s feathers.

The Financial Times reports that the army and energy secretaries are also scheduled to travel to Greenland in what is billed as a “private visit.”

The White House announced Vance’s trip Sunday.

It comes on the eve of local elections and weeks after Greenland held a parliamentary vote.

Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the visit could not be “seen independently from the public statements” made by Trump about annexing the territory.

“In the Kingdom [of Denmark], we want to co-operate with the Americans. But it must and should be a co-operation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples. This is something we are looking at seriously,” she said, according to the FT.

Rhian Lubin23 March 2025 23:57
7 hours ago

NEW: Greenland PM furious at visits by US officials after Trump threatens takeover

Greenland has accused the Trump administration of being “highly aggressive” by sending a delegation of senior officials to the territory this week.

President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz is visiting Greenland early this week with the U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright, according to reports, in addition to a separate trip by Second Lady Usha Vance on Thursday.

Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday furiously questioning why Waltz was visiting.

Read the full story below.

Greenland slams ‘highly aggressive’ visits by Usha Vance and Trump nat sec advisor

Greenland’s prime minister hit out at the visits planned this week for Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz and Second Lady Usha Vance
Rhian Lubin23 March 2025 23:45
7 hours ago

White House seeking corporate sponsor for annual Easter Egg Roll - report

The White House is reportedly planning to offer corporate sponsorships for its annual Easter Egg Roll in April, breaking decades of tradition that keep public office and private profits separate.

In a nine-page document, obtained by CNN, the White House and Harbinger, an event production company based in D.C., are offering sponsorships ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 with opportunities for branding and marketing for the annual event.

Prospective sponsors also have the chance to have their logos featured on event signage, “naming rights for key areas or elements,” custom-branded baskets, branded snacks or beverages, mentions in social media posts and press releases and can access an “invite-only brunch” hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, according to CNN.

Ariana Baio reports.

White House reportedly seeking corporate sponsor for annual Easter Egg Roll

Annual White House Easter Egg Roll is typically privately funded with thousands of eggs being provided by the American Egg Board
Ariana Baio23 March 2025 23:25

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