Sunday, 18 January 2026

Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries over the Greenland dispute, triggering emergency EU meetings and strong condemnation from NATO allies including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK. European leaders warned of a "dangerous downward spiral" and called the tariff threats counterproductive to alliance unity.

Trump encouraged Rep. Julia Letlow to challenge Sen. Bill Cassidy in a Republican primary race, marking an effort to remove a senator who voted to convict him in his second impeachment trial. Republican senators including Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski criticized Trump's Greenland ambitions as potentially damaging to the economy and NATO.

Democrat Senator Elissa Slotkin, under investigation over a Pentagon video, accused Trump of using an "authoritarian" and "well-worn playbook" to intimidate critics and silence debate. The attack raises concerns about presidential intimidation of political opponents.

The White House press secretary warned CBS that the administration would "sue your ass off" if the network edited Trump's interview without broadcasting it in full. The threat raised concerns about press freedom and governmental intimidation of media outlets.

Global stock markets braced for volatility following Trump's tariff announcements, with precious metals forecast to spike higher after the threat to impose 25% levies on European NATO allies. Economic analysts warned that the uncertainty from tariff threats is worse than the tariffs themselves.

A CBS News poll found that Americans increasingly want Trump to focus more on controlling inflation after one year in office. The poll reflects public concern about economic priorities and rising prices.

The FBI under Director Kash Patel is systematically reviewing its records to discredit Trump opponents, according to reporting, with Republican lawmakers like Senator Charles Grassley serving as a clearinghouse for leaks and whistleblower information. The practice raises concerns about the politicization of the bureau.

FIFA officials have expressed growing embarrassment over the awarding of a peace prize to President Trump, with concerns rising among mid-level and senior officials within the organization. The recognition has drawn criticism as inappropriate.

Trump's lawyer Robert Garson told the Telegraph that the U.S. is reportedly considering granting asylum to Jewish people from the United Kingdom over concerns about antisemitism. The proposal raised questions about interference in allied nations' internal affairs.

The Pentagon issued prepare-to-deploy orders for 1,500 troops amid potential Minnesota deployment, though it remains unclear if units will actually be sent. The readiness order relates to ongoing tensions surrounding an ICE killing.