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    Report: Trump Demanding ‘Explicit Public Apology’ From Zelenskyy Before Proceeding With Ukraine Deal

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    By President Of Ukraine - https://www.flickr.com/photos/165930373@N06/54169325552/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156221279

    President Trump has some demands…

    According to Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy, Trump is seeking public contrition from Zelensky following the chaotic Oval Office meeting between the two leaders on Friday.

    “I have been told by a senior official here that nothing’s going to happen with this minerals deal until Zelensky goes in front of cameras and makes an explicit public apology for the way that he behaved himself, behaved in the Oval Office with that meeting,” Doocy said during Monday’s edition of the Faulkner Focus.

    The president’s public comments on Truth Social, Monday, seem to track with Fox’s reporting — as he blasted Zelensky for saying that the end of the war with Russia is “very, very far away.”

    “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote.

    Zelensky has signaled he believes he’s still on solid footing with the U.S. and Trump.

    In public comments earlier Monday, he declared his belief that the minerals deal can proceed without any strings attached.

    “We are not making any steps back,” Zelensky said. “This is our policy to be consistent regardless of what happened before. We are constructive if we agree that it will be signed from our side, we are ready to sign. I honestly think the United States will be ready as well. Yeah, maybe they need time to analyze some things.”

    On Monday, President Trump was asked if the deal was dead, to which he replied, “I don’t think so.”

    “It’s a great deal for us, because you know Biden very, very foolishly, stupidly, frankly, gave $300 billion…to a country to fight and to try and do things. And you know what happened? We get nothing.”

    Asked what Zelensky needed to do to restart negotiations, Trump said the Ukrainian leader needed to express more gratitude for U.S. assistance.

    “I just think he should be more appreciative, because this country has stuck with them through thick and thin,” Trump said. “We’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us because as you know that’s right there.”

    On Friday, President Trump called off negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the conflict in Ukraine after a tense Oval Office meeting in which the two leaders sparred over U.S. support for Kyiv.

    “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting. 

    “It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump continued. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

    Trump Ends Talks With Zelenskyy, Cancels Joint Press Conference

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54325633746/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159707159

    It’s over…

    President Trump has called off negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the conflict in Ukraine after a tense Oval Office meeting in which the two leaders sparred over U.S. support for Kyiv.

    “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting. 

    “It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump continued. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

    Shortly after Trump’s post on Truth Social, Zelensky’s motorcade pulled up to the White House, signaling negotiations had ended.

    The two leaders had been scheduled to hold a joint press conference and sign a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals supply later in the day. The press conference has been canceled, and the minerals deal was not signed.

    Trump’s post followed a stunning exchange in the Oval Office in which the president and Vice President Vance teed off on Zelensky, accusing him of being ungrateful for U.S. support and of having little leverage in talks.

    Watch:

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted publicly for the first time since his Oval Office blowup with President Donald Trump on Friday with a social media post thanking the United States.

    “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “Thank you @POTUS. Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

    Tensions Boil Over In White House Meeting With Ukrainian President

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    By President Of Ukraine - https://www.flickr.com/photos/165930373@N06/54169325552/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156221279

    President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparred during their meeting at the White House.

    Zelenskyy visited the White House on Friday to sign a deal regarding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy told Trump and Vance that Vladimir Putin has violated agreements with his country in the past and occupied parts of Ukraine during Trump’s first term.

    Vance responded by telling Zelenskyy, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the oval office and try to litigate this in front of them American media.” The vice president then accused his government of forcing civilians to the frontlines due to a low amount of manpower.

    “Have you’ve ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?” Zelenskyy shot back. 

    “I’ve actually watched and seen the stories and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour,” Vance continued. “Mr. President. Do you disagree that you’ve had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to trying to prevent the destruction of your country?” 

    Zelenskyy continued that under war, “everybody has problems, even you” and that the U.S. would feel the war “in the future.”

    “You don’t know that,” Trump responded as Zelenskyy said “God bless you” to Trump.

    “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” Trump continued. 

    “You are in no position to dictate that, remember that,” Trump said, as Zelenskyy defended that he was simply answering Vance’s questions. 

    “I feel we’re going to feel very good, very strong,” Trump said. “You’re right now not in a very good position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.” 

    “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Trump continued, as Zelesnkyy said, “I’m not playing cards.”

    “Yeah you’re playing cards,” Trump said. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country.”

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Air Traffic Controllers May See Pay Raises As Trump Admin. Seeks To Boost Enrollment

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    Image via Pixabay

    The Trump administration is taking serious steps to boost recruitment numbers for air traffic controllers, including a 30% pay hike.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement during a press conference at the air traffic controller’s academy in Oklahoma on Thursday. He argued that the pay structure and the technology air traffic controllers are forced to use are outdated.

    “Currently, students are paid $17.61 an hour. By the way, you might be able to go to Walgreens and make that, right? So we’re going to bump it up to $22.84 an hour,” Duffy said. 

    “And again, I think making sure people have a wage that can allow them to live while they’re going through school. But the real incentive is, again, three years out of this academy, and you’re certified, on average, $160,000 a year. So you can be 24 years old, 23 years old, making a great salary, as an air traffic controller.”

    Duffy noted that the pay increase plan will require Congress to approve “billions” in additional funding for the DOT.

    Elon Musk also sent out a request for retired air traffic controllers to return to work.

    The announcement comes after a string of air travel disasters in recent weeks, though few of them were blamed on air traffic control.

    In late January, an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet collided over the Potomac River, killing all 67 people on board.

    A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Toronto‘s Pearson International Airport experienced a severe incident upon landing last Monday. The aircraft overturned on the runway, resulting in injuries to eight individuals, one critically.

    Most recently, a Southwest airliner narrowly avoided a collision with a Flexjet business jet on a runway in Chicago. The Southwest plane was coming in for landing as the Flexjet, allegedly ignoring instructions from air traffic control, crossed the landing strip.

    Pilots in the Southwest plane were able to take off again quickly enough to avoid a collision.

    Trump Accepts Invitation From King Charles For Second UK State Visit

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    President Donald Trump takes questions after signing Executive Orders, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    President Donald Trump accepted an invitation on Thursday from King Charles III for a second state visit to the United Kingdom.

    The invite came in a letter presented to Trump by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is meeting with Trump at the White House regarding ending the war in Ukraine.

    Watch:

    “This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” Starmer said as he was sitting next to Trump in the Oval Office. 

    “I think that just symbolizes the strength of the relationship between us. This is a very special letter. I think the last state visit was a tremendous success,” he continued. “His majesty the king wants to make this even better than that.” 

    “What I haven’t got yet is your answer,” Starmer then said, drawing laughs. 

    “The answer is yes, on behalf our wonderful First Lady Melania and myself, the answer is yes and we look forward to being there and honoring the king and honoring really your country,” Trump responded. “Your country is a fantastic country.

    Starmer said he would “happily” take Trump’s acceptance of the invite to King Charles III.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Byron Donalds Launches Campaign For Florida Governor

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    Byron Donalds via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The race is on!

    On Tuesday evening, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds signaled he plans to campaign to become the next Florida governor days after President Trump suggested that he run.

    The next Florida gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026.

    Speaking to host Sean Hannity, Donalds said he came to the decision to run “after a lot of prayer [and] a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends.”

    “Sean, we have a wonderful state,” Donalds said. “I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. And over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career. … I was able to serve four years in a state legislature, four years in Congress.

    “And I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future.”

    The Florida Republican said he is the only candidate in the race so far and commended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his service to the state.

    “We have a great governor. Ron DeSantis has done a tremendous job for our state,” Donalds said. “But now the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country. And so that’s going to be the mission at hand. And I’m excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.”

    Donalds was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who recently wrote that his fellow Sunshine State resident “would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida.”

    “I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” a Trump social media post said. 

    “[S]hould he decide to run, [Donalds] will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    DeSantis, however, has not signaled support for Donalds. On Monday, DeSantis told reporters he wants Florida congressmen to be “focused on enacting [Trump’s] agenda.”

    DeSantis’ comments came amid rumors that his wife, Casey, might run for governor. The Florida governor dodged a reporter’s question about his wife’s plans at a press conference Monday.

    “People ask me all the time about our wonderful first lady, who has done a fantastic job as first lady of Florida,” DeSantis responded. “I will tell you this. You’re talking about somebody like her. I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She would do better than me.” 

    Ukraine Reportedly Strikes Minerals Deal with US, Zelensky To Visit White House For Signing

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    By President Of Ukraine from Україна - Joint Statement of the fourth Ukraine - Nordic Summit in Reykjavik., CC0, curid=156221560

    Ukraine has reportedly agreed to a minerals development deal with the United States, paving the way for joint resource exploration, including oil and gas. The agreement comes after Washington dropped demands for a claim to $500 billion in potential revenue from Ukraine’s natural resources.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to the White House for the official signing.

    Strategic Partnership and Economic Interests

    The deal follows President Donald Trump‘s remarks on Feb. 22, where he suggested the U.S. was close to finalizing a mineral revenue-sharing arrangement with Ukraine. Trump framed the agreement as a step toward resolving the ongoing conflict, a sentiment echoed by some policymakers in Washington. (The Financial Times previously reported that Ukraine had rejected an earlier version of the deal due to the lack of security guarantees.)

    Geopolitical Context

    The timing of Zelensky’s White House visit underscores Ukraine’s broader geopolitical challenges. The country continues to seek Western economic and military support while balancing its own national interests in the face of continued Russian aggression.

    The details of the final agreement remain undisclosed, but sources suggest that Kyiv negotiated for more favorable terms after previous concerns about sovereignty and financial control.

    As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the White House meeting, which could mark a decisive shift in the three-year-old Russo-Ukrainian War.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Ramaswamy Scores Huge Endorsements Immediately After Launching Gubernatorial Campaign

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is already the frontrunner for a consequential race…

    On Monday, the biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy officially kicked off his highly-anticipated run to be the next Governor of Ohio.

    Ramaswamy, who was floated early on as a potential running mate for Trump, promised to increase the Buckeye State’s pull factor for citizens across the nation and promote the president’s agenda if he is elected as governor.

    “President Trump is reviving our conviction in America,” Ramaswamy told listeners at a Monday launch event in Cincinnati. “We require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio, and that is why today I am honored to announce that I am running to be the next Governor of a great state at the heart of the greatest nation known to mankind,”

    “I will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where patriots across America actually flock to instead of Florida and Texas,” he continued. “I will lead Ohio to be the state of excellence in America.”

    Quickly after announcing his run for Governor, President Trump posted on Truth Social a message promising his “complete and total endorsement.”

    “VIVEK RAMASWAMY is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio. I know him well, competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL,” Trump wrote late Monday in a Truth Social post. “He’s Young, Strong, and Smart.”

    “Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country,” he said of the biotech entrepreneur. “He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”

    The world’s richest man Elon Musk, who has ascended to a visible role alongside White House staff, also wished the Ohio Republican luck after launching his political campaign. 

    “Good luck, you have my full endorsement,” the tech billionaire wrote Monday in a post on his social platform X, quoting Ramaswamy’s video announcing his next political venture. 

    Senate Confirms Kash Patel As FBI Director

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    1
    Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

    Kash Patel has been appointed to a 10-year term as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following the resignation of Christopher Wray.

    The U.S. Senate first voted on Thursday morning to invoke cloture, the last procedural step before the afternoon’s confirmation vote. Patel, 44, cleared the hurdle largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting his nomination and Democrats expressing significant concerns.

    A final roll call vote was conducted at 1:45 p.m., securing Patel’s nomination following a confirmation process marked by adversity.

    The vote comes amidst efforts by Trump-backed officials to reshape the FBI and Department of Justice to align more closely with the administration’s priorities.

    During his confirmation hearing, Patel pledged to depoliticize the FBI and restore accountability within the Bureau. However, Democrats continued to vigorously criticize his close ties to President Trump and questioned his qualifications and impartiality.

    Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) warned last week, “My prediction is if you vote for Kash Patel, more than any other confirmation vote you make, you will come to regret this one to your grave.” Other Democrats attacked Patel over his comments on the 2020 election, his defense of Jan. 6 defendants and concerns that he could lead a purge at the Bureau.

    Patel fired back at Democrats, accusing them of twisting his words and taking his comments out of context—including a list in his book where he identified government officials as part of the “deep state,” which they categorized as an “enemies list.”

    The Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately advanced Patel’s nomination last week in a 12-10 vote, strictly along party lines.

    During Thursday’s cloture vote, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) came out in opposition to Patel’s nomination.

    Maine’s senior senator voiced concerns over Patel’s ability to lead the FBI impartially.

    “While I strongly support efforts to ensure all federal employees perform their responsibilities ethically and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of director of the FBI,” Collins said, adding, “Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.”

    At the same time, news broke that longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell would not seek reelection. McConnell backed Patel, surprising some observers.

    As he begins his 10-year term, Patel faces major tasks ahead, having articulated a comprehensive agenda aimed at restructuring the FBI to enhance its efficiency and public trust.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Mitch McConnell Will Not Seek Senate Re-election

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4

    A stunning development…

    Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday will announce that he is not seeking reelection in 2026, bringing an end to the longest-serving Senate leader’s political career.

    “Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell will say, according to prepared remarks.

    “Every day in between I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business here. Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last.”

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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