President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet secretaries on Wednesday for their first meeting, with entrepreneur Elon Musk also in attendance, underscoring his significant influence within the administration. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the Cabinet members would provide updates on their progress during the meeting, set for 11 a.m. ET.
Meanwhile, House Republicans advanced a GOP budget blueprint, aligning with Trump’s vision of a transformative legislative package. The plan envisions $4.5 trillion in tax relief alongside $2 trillion in spending reductions, a move that has provoked opposition from Democrats and tension within Republican ranks.
Trump promoted a redevelopment proposal for the Gaza Strip in a video shared on Truth Social. This plan imagines Gaza’s coast as a lavish Riviera with casinos and resorts, yet it has faced criticism from Middle Eastern entities. The video, with its juxtaposition of destroyed neighborhoods and opulent visions, attempts to appeal to Palestinians, but the immediate reception remains unknown.
Further aiming to reshape federal dynamics, the Trump administration has issued a memo directing federal agencies to formalize plans for employee layoffs. This aligns with the administration’s goal to reduce what it deems an overgrown workforce, potentially resulting in significant changes to government operations.
In international affairs, the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned six firms in China and Hong Kong for their roles in procuring drone components for Iran. This action continues Trump’s strategy to curb Iran’s military enhancements and oil exports.
In media developments, Wired magazine’s coverage of Elon Musk’s role within the Trump administration has gained attention. The publication’s focus on technology-politics interplay has shed light on Musk’s efforts to reduce federal employment.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a bid to influence Trump concerning Ukraine, visited Washington with a promise to boost UK defense spending. This move is part of efforts to secure U.S. support amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.
Addressing domestic economic issues, the Trump administration announced a strategy to counteract rising egg prices, featuring investments in biosecurity, flu-affected farmer aid, and talks of importing millions of eggs from abroad to stabilize the market ahead of the Easter surge.
Three Cabinet nominees with histories opposing abortion—Dean John Sauer, Harmeet Dhillon, and Aaron Reitz—faced Senate hearings. If confirmed, they could impact reproductive health care access nationwide.
The involvement of Elon Musk underscores his significant role in administrative efforts to identify potential inefficiencies within federal agencies, according to press secretary Leavitt.
As foreign aid cuts take effect, nonprofit organizations have launched emergency fundraisers to help those affected by the freeze, seeking alternative funding to support international development objectives.
The Kennedy Center in Washington has seen substantial changes under Trump’s influence, including leadership changes and a reshaped board of trustees. This shift has led to artists reconsidering their engagement with the institution.
In legislative efforts, a Democratic bill seeks the reinstatement of veterans dismissed from federal positions under Trump. The bill, although unlikely to advance, showcases Democratic opposition to Trump’s workforce policies.
On a technical note, Apple is addressing a glitch in the iPhone dictation feature that errantly suggested the word “Trump” in place of other words. A corrective update is being deployed.
Trump has instructed the government to explore imposing tariffs on copper imports. This aligns with his trade strategy and is aimed at minimizing national security risks, countering China’s market influence, and revamping domestic industries.
Elon Musk’s directives to the federal workforce to justify their roles have stirred unrest, with forthcoming official policies possibly requiring detailed accounts of worker outputs.
The House GOP’s tight passage of Trump’s transformative budget resolution signals a key victory even amid encompassing opposition. The budget promises staggering tax relief and spending cuts.
Trump revealed a new “gold card” visa proposal, potentially offering a citizenship path for investors at a $5 million entry price, revising the existing EB-5 program to curb misuse and generate substantial immigration-related revenue.
