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Trump live updates: President says Elon Musk ‘off the rails' as tech boss hits back over Jeffrey Epstein
In a lengthy Truth Social tirade on Sunday, Trump said Musk has gone 'off the rails' in recent weeks and become a 'trainwreck', again claiming that his opposition to the president's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' – signed into law on Friday – stemmed from its elimination of incentives beneficial to electric vehicle manufacturer's like Musk's company Tesla.
'When Elon gave me his total and unquestioned endorsement, I asked him whether or not he knew that I was going to terminate the EV Mandate – It was in every speech I made,' Trump wrote.
'He said he had no problems with that – I was very surprised!'
Earlier in the day, the president had branded the world's richest man 'ridiculous' for threatening to found a new party to challenge Republicans and Democrats.
The billionaire has since retaliated by again taunting the president over his one-time friendship with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Elsewhere, Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday and has promised further announcements relating to his tariffs on goods imported from other countries.
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Sky News
16 minutes ago
- Sky News
Texas floods: At least 104 killed - as new images show scale of the destruction
At least 104 people have died in the flash floods that have left a trail of destruction across Texas. Kerr County Sheriff's Office said the number of bodies found in the area had risen from 75 to 84 - including 56 adults and 28 children. The have been seven fatalities in Travis County, six in Kendall County, four in Burnet County, two in Williamson County and one in Tom Green County. Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that "the situation on the ground remains dangerous" and that there "could be additional public safety threats with additional incoming heavy rain". The floods that first struck on Friday have wreaked havoc and left people in a state of grief - with 27 of the confirmed deaths having taken place at a girls' summer camp in Kerr County. Among those killed at Camp Mystic were Renee Smajstrla and Sarah Marsh, both eight, Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner, both nine, and the camp's director Richard Eastland. A photo has now emerged showing the inside of the camp on Saturday after the waters hit. At least 41 people are still missing in the state - including 10 girls from Camp Mystic. In her news conference, Ms Leavitt criticised people who have claimed the Trump administration's cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) have played a role in the worsening the disaster. It comes after Texas officials criticised the NWS by claiming it failed to warn the public about the impending danger. Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Department of Commerce's acting inspector general on Monday to probe whether staffing vacancies at the NWS's San Antonio office contributed to "delays, gaps, or diminished accuracy" in forecasting the flooding. The NWS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mr Schumer's letter, but earlier defended its forecasting and emergency management. Ms Leavitt has told reporters that claims Mr Trump was responsible for any issues related to the flash floods response were "depraved and despicable". "It is not [a political game], it is a national tragedy," she said. The press secretary also claimed, in relation to some NWS offices being reportedly understaffed, that one place actually had "too many people". "Any person who has deliberately lied about the facts around the catastrophic event, you should be deeply ashamed," she said. She also said that Mr Trump was going to visit Texas "later in the week". Previously, Mr Trump said it was likely he would visit on Friday. Texas Senator Ted Cruz spoke at a news conference and said: "Texas is grieving right now, the pain, the shock of what has transpired these last few days has broken the heart of our state. "Those numbers [the number of dead] are continuing to go up... that's every parent's nightmare, every mum and dad." He said he had picked up his own daughter from a camp in the area last week. Mr Cruz added: "You know what I'd do? What I did when this happened? Just go hug your kids. "Because I've got to tell you, I hugged my girls with tears in my eyes." 1:04 Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville in Kerr County, was asked whether evacuation warnings could have been issued earlier. He said: "It's very tough to make those calls because we also don't want to cry wolf. "You know, we want to make sure that we activated [it] at the right time." He added: "We had first responders getting swept away, responding to the first areas of rainfall. That's how quick it happened.
Reuters
18 minutes ago
- Reuters
Yen stumbles as Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Japan
SINGAPORE, July 8 (Reuters) - The yen fell broadly on Tuesday while the dollar held steady as U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea in the latest development of his chaotic trade war. Trump on Monday began telling trade partners – from powerhouse suppliers like Japan and South Korea to minor players – that sharply higher U.S. tariffs will start August 1. He later said that he was open to extensions if countries made proposals. The announcement rattled investor sentiment, sending the Japanese yen and South Korean won down roughly 1% overnight. Both currencies remained under pressure early on Tuesday, with the yen falling to a two-week low of 146.44 per dollar. The won rose 0.4% to 1370.20 per dollar. Investors entered the week with much confusion over Trump's tariff plans ahead of an initial July 9 deadline. While the new August 1 date offers a brief reprieve, the outlook remains uncertain and global economic concerns persist. "There is still a lot of uncertainty as to where tariff rates will eventually settle and which countries will get what rates, so uncertainty about the global economy is still high and that will keep investors on edge for the time being," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "This is just the start and we'll get more headlines out for sure over the coming days." Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that Japan would continue negotiations with the United States to seek a trade deal that benefits both countries. South Korea has said it plans to intensify trade talks with the U.S. and views Trump's plan for a 25% tariff from August 1 as effectively extending a grace period on implementing reciprocal tariffs. Other currencies meanwhile gained some ground on Tuesday, after sliding in the prior session when the dollar rebounded. The euro was up 0.27% to $1.1741 after having slid 0.67% on Monday, while sterling edged up 0.17% to $1.3626. The European Union will not receive a letter from the United States setting out higher tariffs, EU sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday, and is eyeing possible exemptions from the U.S. baseline levy of 10%. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was little changed at 97.40, holding on to most of its gains from Monday when it rose 0.5%. The Australian dollar last traded 0.32% higher at $0.6513, having tumbled 0.9% in the previous session as risk appetite soured. The New Zealand dollar advanced 0.22% to $0.6015, reversing some of Monday's 0.8% fall. The Reserve Bank of Australia announces its rate decision later on Tuesday, where expectations are for the central bank to deliver another rate cut owing to easing inflation and a slowing economy. "Given the ever-shifting balance of risks and the heightened uncertainty it creates for hiring and investment in the Australian economy, more RBA cuts are set to follow," said Carl Ang, fixed income research analyst at MFS Investment Management. "A 3.1% terminal rate by early 2026 remains the base case for this RBA cutting cycle."
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Trump and Netanyahu meet at White House amid indirect ceasefire talks
Update: Date: 2025-07-08T01:19:19.000Z Title: Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the White House for his scheduled talks with', 'Donald Trump', 'this evening. Content: Israeli leader met US secretary of state and Middle East envoy before arriving at White House Cecilia Nowell (now); Abené Clayton, Fran Lawther, Chris Stein, Lucy Campbell and Yohannes Lowe (earlier) Mon 7 Jul 2025 21.19 EDT First published on Mon 7 Jul 2025 04.50 EDT From 6.54pm EDT 18:54 Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the White House for his scheduled talks with Donald Trump this evening. The Israeli prime minister met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this afternoon, the Associated Press reports, citing the prime minister's office. The visit comes as indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza continued for a second day on Monday. Trump has increased pressure for a deal in Gaza in recent weeks and raised the possibility that a ceasefire could be declared in a matter of hours or days. Hamas demands an Israeli withdrawal, while Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarming. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu could give new urgency to the US ceasefire proposal, but whether it leads to a deal that ends the war is unclear. Updated at 6.57pm EDT 9.14pm EDT 21:14 A judge has ordered the Trump administration to continue disbursing Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, despite a provision in the president's recently signed tax and spending bill. US district judge Indira Talwani issued a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed earlier today by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The lawsuit argues that the ban on Medicaid funding, which targets Planned Parenthood for providing abortion care, will see increased rates of untreated sexually transmitted diseases and cancer, as well as unplanned pregnancies, nationwide. Updated at 9.19pm EDT 8.55pm EDT 20:55 The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer need to cut 80,000 jobs, as ordered by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, because it has already cut staff by 30,000 through retirements, buyouts and hiring freezes, the agency said today. In a news release, veterans affairs secretary Doug Collins said: 'Since March, we've been conducting a holistic review of the department centered on reducing bureaucracy and improving services to Veterans.' 'A department-wide RIF' or, reduction in force, 'is off the table, but that doesn't mean we're done improving VA. Our review has resulted in a host of new ideas for better serving Veterans that we will continue to pursue,' he added. 8.44pm EDT 20:44 Ahead of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrival in Washington DC today, demonstrators gathered outside of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to call for the release of the 7 October attack hostages and urge a ceasefire. Here are images from the rally: Updated at 8.55pm EDT 8.23pm EDT 20:23 Donald Trump said he lifted the United States's sanctions on Syria at the request of Middle Eastern leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister added that Syria's new leadership gives Israel a chance at a new relationship with Syria. 8.11pm EDT 20:11 Donald Trump says the United States will resume weapons shipments to Ukraine. 'They have to be able to defend themselves. They're getting hit very hard now,' he said. The president did not add any additional details. Last wee, the Pentagon halted shipments of US Patriot air defence systems and other precision weapons to Ukraine after concern that US stockpiles were running too low. 8.09pm EDT 20:09 Trump and Netanyahu are answering questions about Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. In response to a question about Mamdani, who has said he would enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest order if Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited New York city, Netanyahu said 'I'm not concerned about that'. Trump, who has threatened to deport Mamdani, who is a US citizen, said 'I'll get him out.' Later Trump called Mamdani a 'communist and said 'he's said some really bad things about Jewish people.' 7.58pm EDT 19:58 Donald Trump passed on a question about a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asking Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to answer instead. 'I think Palestinians should have all of the power to govern themselves, but none of the power to threaten us,' he said. Updated at 8.02pm EDT 7.54pm EDT 19:54 Trump says Iran has approached the White House for talks following the United State's strike on the country's nuclear facilities. He also compared the US's strikes to the country's decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. 'I don't want to say what it reminded me of but if you go back a long time ago, it reminded people of a certain other event. And Harry Truman's picture is now in the lobby, in a nice location, not in the lobby where it should have been, but that stopped a lot of fighting, and this stopped a lot of fighting,' he said. 'I hope we're not going to have to' strike Iran again, he added. Updated at 7.54pm EDT 7.51pm EDT 19:51 Donald Trump says Russia's war in Ukraine is a 'horrible thing' and that he's 'not happy' with Russian president Vladimir Putin. He added that it doesn't matter that it's not Americans who are being killed. 'I'm disappointed frankly that President Putin hasn't stopped,' he said. 7.48pm EDT 19:48 In response to a question about the future of Gaza, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'It's called free choice: if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.' 7.45pm EDT 19:45 Also at the Trump-Netanyahu dinner, Trump confirmed his plans to visit victims of the floods in Texas on Friday. 7.45pm EDT 19:45 Speaking at his dinner with Donald Trump, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has sent a letter to the Nobel committee nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Updated at 8.53pm EDT 7.36pm EDT 19:36 Demonstrators gathered in Washington DC today to protest the arrival of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently meeting with Donald Trump for talks many hope will lead to a ceasefire agreement in Israel's war with Gaza. Here are a few images from the scenes outside the White House and Blair House, where Netanyahu met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff earlier. 7.17pm EDT 19:17 Donald Trump signed two other executive orders today, amid his tariff announcements. One directs his administration to 'strictly enforce the termination of the clean electricity production and investment tax credits', Biden-era subsidies for wind and solar projects. The other extends a federal hiring freeze through October 15. That order, which states 'no Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created,' does not apply to military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, public safety or the Executive Office of the President. 6.54pm EDT 18:54 Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the White House for his scheduled talks with Donald Trump this evening. The Israeli prime minister met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this afternoon, the Associated Press reports, citing the prime minister's office. The visit comes as indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza continued for a second day on Monday. Trump has increased pressure for a deal in Gaza in recent weeks and raised the possibility that a ceasefire could be declared in a matter of hours or days. Hamas demands an Israeli withdrawal, while Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarming. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu could give new urgency to the US ceasefire proposal, but whether it leads to a deal that ends the war is unclear. Updated at 6.57pm EDT 6.03pm EDT 18:03 Donald Trump has set new 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on a dozen other countries, including Bangladesh and South Africa. The announcement was made via a post on Truth social that included letters sent to the nations' leaders. He also signed an executive order on Monday extending a 90-day pause for a slate of so-called 'reciprocal' tariffs first introduced in April – in effect pushing back the deadline of trade talks back to 1 August. Read the details of Trump's most recent moves here. Updated at 6.26pm EDT 5.43pm EDT 17:43 The Trump administration will deport Kilmar Ábrego García if he is released from custody, a Justice Department attorney said in court this morning, according to the New York Times. The Maryland father, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March, is currently detained on smuggling charges the Trump administration filed after he was returned to the United States. Ábrego García's lawyers have asked the Federal District Court hearing the smuggling case to keep him in custody so that the federal government does not deport Ábrego García before the criminal case is concluded. Updated at 5.43pm EDT 5.35pm EDT 17:35 California has rejected the Trump administration's guidelines on transgender athletes, education secretary Linda McMahon said in a social media post. Since taking office in January, Donald Trump has directed his Education Department to enforce Title IX, a civil rights law preventing sex discrimination, to prevent transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity. In June, the Education Department found that California had violated civil rights law by allowing transgender girls to compete on girls sports teams. In her post, McMahon included email screenshots showing that the California Department of Education and Interscholastic Federation had opted not to comply with the Trump administration proposal, which would have required the state to apologize to athletes who had lost competitions to trans athletes. In a screenshot of an email, California Education Department general counsel Len Garfinkel wrote that the state 'respectfully disagrees' with the Trump Administration's analysis.
