Friday, 24 July 2026

Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs of 10-12.5% on more than 60 countries, citing forced labor violations as justification after the Supreme Court struck down his previous emergency tariffs. Small businesses sued immediately, and experts noted the new tariffs would generate only $105 billion annually—replacing about 60% of the revenue lost from the invalidated levies.

Trump threatened the European Union with 'substantial' tariffs over fines imposed on U.S. tech companies, claiming Brussels was 'robbing' American companies and taxpayers. Google faced a €890 million fine from EU regulators, and Trump said fines should be 'entirely reversed,' announcing a formal investigation into EU trade practices.

Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel amid escalating U.S.-Iran military conflict, with the U.S. carrying out its 13th consecutive night of strikes. Gasoline prices jumped to $4.11 per gallon, driving cost-of-living concerns that polls show are severely damaging Republican midterm prospects.

The U.S. and Iran continued intense military exchanges, with U.S. forces conducting 13 nights of strikes against Iranian targets while Revolutionary Guards launched drone attacks on American bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Trump met with top advisers to weigh potential major escalation, though he also indicated diplomatic talks were ongoing through envoys.

The Trump administration admitted in court filings that it canceled 624 green energy grants worth more than $7.5 billion to Democratic states 'based solely' on their political affiliation, withholding funds from states that did not support Trump's re-election. Twenty-five Democratic attorneys general sued the administration for politicizing federal disaster aid.

Trump issued an executive order directing the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to install disclaimers outside the building warning visitors that exhibits do not reflect his perspective on American history. The order cited a disputed White House report alleging 'extreme political activism' in the museum.

The U.S. surpassed 2025's record number of measles infections with 2,318 cases reported, marking the worst year for measles since 1991. The outbreak has been driven by declining vaccination rates and the Trump administration's weakening of vaccine recommendations under Health Secretary RFK Jr.

Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which had been rescheduled after an April shooting disrupted the original event. He delivered a rambling speech that praised some journalists, insulted others, and made jokes about public figures' weight and intellect. The dinner featured enhanced security measures.

Trump switched planes in Turkey earlier in July after a threat from Iran proxy forces was detected, flying out on a Qatar-gifted jet without advanced defenses before returning on an older Air Force One. The incident raised security questions about Trump's use of the foreign-donated aircraft.

Multiple ICE arrests continued across the U.S., including the detention of Ukrainian woman Iryna Gorb at San Francisco Airport, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant of Jamaican origin in Nashville, and a British-born man with U.S. citizen children during a green card interview. A Georgetown scholar detained for pro-Palestinian speech won his appeal and was released on bail.