
Trump suggests DOGE look at Musk's firms to save money
Trump's comments come after billionaire Elon Musk renewed his criticism on Monday of Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it after campaigning on limiting government spending.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In response to Trump's post, Musk, in his own social media platform X, said: "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the legislation, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday as the Senate took up the package, calling it "utterly insane and destructive" in a post on social media platform X.
On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill "should hang their heads in shame!"
"And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Musk said.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill's massive spending indicated "that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!"
"Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," he wrote.
Musk's criticism of the bill has caused a rift in his relationship with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $US300 million ($A457 million) on Trump's re-election campaign and led the administration's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting initiative.
Musk, the world's richest man, has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE.
It remains unclear how much sway Musk has over Congress or what effect his opinions might have on the bill's passage.
But Republicans have expressed concern that his on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
The rift has also led to volatility for Tesla, with shares of the company seeing wild price swings that erased about $US150 billion of its market value, though it has since recovered.
US President Donald Trump has suggested his efficiency department should take a look at the subsidies that Tesla CEO Elon Musk's companies have received in order to save the federal government "BIG" money.
Trump's comments come after billionaire Elon Musk renewed his criticism on Monday of Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it after campaigning on limiting government spending.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In response to Trump's post, Musk, in his own social media platform X, said: "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the legislation, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday as the Senate took up the package, calling it "utterly insane and destructive" in a post on social media platform X.
On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill "should hang their heads in shame!"
"And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Musk said.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill's massive spending indicated "that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!"
"Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," he wrote.
Musk's criticism of the bill has caused a rift in his relationship with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $US300 million ($A457 million) on Trump's re-election campaign and led the administration's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting initiative.
Musk, the world's richest man, has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE.
It remains unclear how much sway Musk has over Congress or what effect his opinions might have on the bill's passage.
But Republicans have expressed concern that his on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
The rift has also led to volatility for Tesla, with shares of the company seeing wild price swings that erased about $US150 billion of its market value, though it has since recovered.
US President Donald Trump has suggested his efficiency department should take a look at the subsidies that Tesla CEO Elon Musk's companies have received in order to save the federal government "BIG" money.
Trump's comments come after billionaire Elon Musk renewed his criticism on Monday of Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it after campaigning on limiting government spending.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In response to Trump's post, Musk, in his own social media platform X, said: "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the legislation, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday as the Senate took up the package, calling it "utterly insane and destructive" in a post on social media platform X.
On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill "should hang their heads in shame!"
"And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Musk said.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill's massive spending indicated "that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!"
"Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," he wrote.
Musk's criticism of the bill has caused a rift in his relationship with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $US300 million ($A457 million) on Trump's re-election campaign and led the administration's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting initiative.
Musk, the world's richest man, has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE.
It remains unclear how much sway Musk has over Congress or what effect his opinions might have on the bill's passage.
But Republicans have expressed concern that his on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
The rift has also led to volatility for Tesla, with shares of the company seeing wild price swings that erased about $US150 billion of its market value, though it has since recovered.
US President Donald Trump has suggested his efficiency department should take a look at the subsidies that Tesla CEO Elon Musk's companies have received in order to save the federal government "BIG" money.
Trump's comments come after billionaire Elon Musk renewed his criticism on Monday of Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it after campaigning on limiting government spending.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In response to Trump's post, Musk, in his own social media platform X, said: "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the legislation, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday as the Senate took up the package, calling it "utterly insane and destructive" in a post on social media platform X.
On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill "should hang their heads in shame!"
"And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Musk said.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill's massive spending indicated "that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!"
"Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," he wrote.
Musk's criticism of the bill has caused a rift in his relationship with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $US300 million ($A457 million) on Trump's re-election campaign and led the administration's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting initiative.
Musk, the world's richest man, has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE.
It remains unclear how much sway Musk has over Congress or what effect his opinions might have on the bill's passage.
But Republicans have expressed concern that his on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
The rift has also led to volatility for Tesla, with shares of the company seeing wild price swings that erased about $US150 billion of its market value, though it has since recovered.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Tesla posts best Australian sales in 12 months
Tesla had a solid month for deliveries last month. According to figures shared with the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla delivered 4589 vehicles in Australia in June, marking its biggest month for new-vehicle registrations so far this year. However, Tesla deliveries were down 2.0 per cent compared with June 2024. Tesla not only delivered more vehicles than in May 2025 – when 3897 reached customers, up 9.25 per cent year-on-year – it also posted its biggest month of deliveries since June 2024, when 4683 Teslas found new homes. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But the brand's deliveries from January to June were still down 38.8 per cent on the same period last year, to 14,146 units. Sagging Model 3 sales are dragging down Tesla, despite the mid-size electric sedan (pictured above) receiving an extensive update early in 2024. Deliveries of the Model 3 were down 36.3 per cent on June 2024 to 1132 units, and down 64.9 per cent year-to-date to 3715 units. In contrast, the recently updated Model Y mid-size electric SUV (pictured below) is helping propel the brand. Its sales were up 19 per cent year-on-year to 3457 units, though year-to-date sales are down 16.7 per cent to 10,431 units. The Model Y's year-on-year bounce in June wasn't as large as the one it enjoyed in May, when deliveries soared by 122.5 per cent. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is responsible for the Australian auto industry's monthly VFACTS sales report. June sales results are set to be published tomorrow, when we'll be able to see how close rival brands like BYD have gotten to Tesla. Some challenger brands like Xpeng, however, don't yet report to VFACTS or the EV Council. Apart from Tesla, Polestar is the only other brand to report its sales to the EV Council, and its June deliveries were down 4.8 per cent year-on-year to 339 units. The Geely-owned brand, however, is up 23.6 per cent year-to-date to 1173 units, thanks to the arrival of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 (pictured above) electric SUVs, helping to offset sagging sales for the Polestar 2 fastback. Despite its recent sales slump, the Tesla Model Y will likely maintain its stranglehold on the title of Australia's top-selling EV – an impressive feat given its ever-growing contingent of rivals. Here's a breakdown of Tesla's monthly sales volumes so far this year. MORE: Is Tesla's sales slump in Australia over? Content originally sourced from: Tesla had a solid month for deliveries last month. According to figures shared with the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla delivered 4589 vehicles in Australia in June, marking its biggest month for new-vehicle registrations so far this year. However, Tesla deliveries were down 2.0 per cent compared with June 2024. Tesla not only delivered more vehicles than in May 2025 – when 3897 reached customers, up 9.25 per cent year-on-year – it also posted its biggest month of deliveries since June 2024, when 4683 Teslas found new homes. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But the brand's deliveries from January to June were still down 38.8 per cent on the same period last year, to 14,146 units. Sagging Model 3 sales are dragging down Tesla, despite the mid-size electric sedan (pictured above) receiving an extensive update early in 2024. Deliveries of the Model 3 were down 36.3 per cent on June 2024 to 1132 units, and down 64.9 per cent year-to-date to 3715 units. In contrast, the recently updated Model Y mid-size electric SUV (pictured below) is helping propel the brand. Its sales were up 19 per cent year-on-year to 3457 units, though year-to-date sales are down 16.7 per cent to 10,431 units. The Model Y's year-on-year bounce in June wasn't as large as the one it enjoyed in May, when deliveries soared by 122.5 per cent. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is responsible for the Australian auto industry's monthly VFACTS sales report. June sales results are set to be published tomorrow, when we'll be able to see how close rival brands like BYD have gotten to Tesla. Some challenger brands like Xpeng, however, don't yet report to VFACTS or the EV Council. Apart from Tesla, Polestar is the only other brand to report its sales to the EV Council, and its June deliveries were down 4.8 per cent year-on-year to 339 units. The Geely-owned brand, however, is up 23.6 per cent year-to-date to 1173 units, thanks to the arrival of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 (pictured above) electric SUVs, helping to offset sagging sales for the Polestar 2 fastback. Despite its recent sales slump, the Tesla Model Y will likely maintain its stranglehold on the title of Australia's top-selling EV – an impressive feat given its ever-growing contingent of rivals. Here's a breakdown of Tesla's monthly sales volumes so far this year. MORE: Is Tesla's sales slump in Australia over? Content originally sourced from: Tesla had a solid month for deliveries last month. According to figures shared with the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla delivered 4589 vehicles in Australia in June, marking its biggest month for new-vehicle registrations so far this year. However, Tesla deliveries were down 2.0 per cent compared with June 2024. Tesla not only delivered more vehicles than in May 2025 – when 3897 reached customers, up 9.25 per cent year-on-year – it also posted its biggest month of deliveries since June 2024, when 4683 Teslas found new homes. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But the brand's deliveries from January to June were still down 38.8 per cent on the same period last year, to 14,146 units. Sagging Model 3 sales are dragging down Tesla, despite the mid-size electric sedan (pictured above) receiving an extensive update early in 2024. Deliveries of the Model 3 were down 36.3 per cent on June 2024 to 1132 units, and down 64.9 per cent year-to-date to 3715 units. In contrast, the recently updated Model Y mid-size electric SUV (pictured below) is helping propel the brand. Its sales were up 19 per cent year-on-year to 3457 units, though year-to-date sales are down 16.7 per cent to 10,431 units. The Model Y's year-on-year bounce in June wasn't as large as the one it enjoyed in May, when deliveries soared by 122.5 per cent. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is responsible for the Australian auto industry's monthly VFACTS sales report. June sales results are set to be published tomorrow, when we'll be able to see how close rival brands like BYD have gotten to Tesla. Some challenger brands like Xpeng, however, don't yet report to VFACTS or the EV Council. Apart from Tesla, Polestar is the only other brand to report its sales to the EV Council, and its June deliveries were down 4.8 per cent year-on-year to 339 units. The Geely-owned brand, however, is up 23.6 per cent year-to-date to 1173 units, thanks to the arrival of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 (pictured above) electric SUVs, helping to offset sagging sales for the Polestar 2 fastback. Despite its recent sales slump, the Tesla Model Y will likely maintain its stranglehold on the title of Australia's top-selling EV – an impressive feat given its ever-growing contingent of rivals. Here's a breakdown of Tesla's monthly sales volumes so far this year. MORE: Is Tesla's sales slump in Australia over? Content originally sourced from: Tesla had a solid month for deliveries last month. According to figures shared with the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla delivered 4589 vehicles in Australia in June, marking its biggest month for new-vehicle registrations so far this year. However, Tesla deliveries were down 2.0 per cent compared with June 2024. Tesla not only delivered more vehicles than in May 2025 – when 3897 reached customers, up 9.25 per cent year-on-year – it also posted its biggest month of deliveries since June 2024, when 4683 Teslas found new homes. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But the brand's deliveries from January to June were still down 38.8 per cent on the same period last year, to 14,146 units. Sagging Model 3 sales are dragging down Tesla, despite the mid-size electric sedan (pictured above) receiving an extensive update early in 2024. Deliveries of the Model 3 were down 36.3 per cent on June 2024 to 1132 units, and down 64.9 per cent year-to-date to 3715 units. In contrast, the recently updated Model Y mid-size electric SUV (pictured below) is helping propel the brand. Its sales were up 19 per cent year-on-year to 3457 units, though year-to-date sales are down 16.7 per cent to 10,431 units. The Model Y's year-on-year bounce in June wasn't as large as the one it enjoyed in May, when deliveries soared by 122.5 per cent. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is responsible for the Australian auto industry's monthly VFACTS sales report. June sales results are set to be published tomorrow, when we'll be able to see how close rival brands like BYD have gotten to Tesla. Some challenger brands like Xpeng, however, don't yet report to VFACTS or the EV Council. Apart from Tesla, Polestar is the only other brand to report its sales to the EV Council, and its June deliveries were down 4.8 per cent year-on-year to 339 units. The Geely-owned brand, however, is up 23.6 per cent year-to-date to 1173 units, thanks to the arrival of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 (pictured above) electric SUVs, helping to offset sagging sales for the Polestar 2 fastback. Despite its recent sales slump, the Tesla Model Y will likely maintain its stranglehold on the title of Australia's top-selling EV – an impressive feat given its ever-growing contingent of rivals. Here's a breakdown of Tesla's monthly sales volumes so far this year. MORE: Is Tesla's sales slump in Australia over? Content originally sourced from:


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Hamas ready for ceasefire but it must end war in Gaza
Hamas suggests it's open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but is stopping short of accepting a US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza. Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has increased pressure on Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war. Trump said the 60 days would be used to work towards ending the war, something Israel says it will not accept until Hamas is defeated. He said a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas's response, which emphasised its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could become an actual pause in fighting. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement". Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war". A Hamas delegation is expected to meet Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks have faltered repeatedly over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, fewer than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel says it will agree to end the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do. An Israeli official said the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks on an end to the war, but Israel was not committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said. It was not clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to comment publicly on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters. On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War". "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he said. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would include the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace. Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the Palestinian territory in ruins and has sparked a humanitarian crisis, pushing hundreds of thousands of people towards hunger. Hamas suggests it's open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but is stopping short of accepting a US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza. Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has increased pressure on Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war. Trump said the 60 days would be used to work towards ending the war, something Israel says it will not accept until Hamas is defeated. He said a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas's response, which emphasised its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could become an actual pause in fighting. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement". Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war". A Hamas delegation is expected to meet Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks have faltered repeatedly over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, fewer than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel says it will agree to end the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do. An Israeli official said the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks on an end to the war, but Israel was not committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said. It was not clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to comment publicly on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters. On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War". "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he said. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would include the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace. Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the Palestinian territory in ruins and has sparked a humanitarian crisis, pushing hundreds of thousands of people towards hunger. Hamas suggests it's open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but is stopping short of accepting a US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza. Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has increased pressure on Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war. Trump said the 60 days would be used to work towards ending the war, something Israel says it will not accept until Hamas is defeated. He said a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas's response, which emphasised its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could become an actual pause in fighting. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement". Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war". A Hamas delegation is expected to meet Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks have faltered repeatedly over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, fewer than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel says it will agree to end the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do. An Israeli official said the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks on an end to the war, but Israel was not committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said. It was not clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to comment publicly on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters. On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War". "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he said. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would include the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace. Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the Palestinian territory in ruins and has sparked a humanitarian crisis, pushing hundreds of thousands of people towards hunger. Hamas suggests it's open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but is stopping short of accepting a US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza. Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has increased pressure on Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war. Trump said the 60 days would be used to work towards ending the war, something Israel says it will not accept until Hamas is defeated. He said a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas's response, which emphasised its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could become an actual pause in fighting. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement". Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war". A Hamas delegation is expected to meet Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks have faltered repeatedly over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, fewer than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel says it will agree to end the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do. An Israeli official said the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks on an end to the war, but Israel was not committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said. It was not clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to comment publicly on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters. On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War". "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he said. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would include the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace. Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the Palestinian territory in ruins and has sparked a humanitarian crisis, pushing hundreds of thousands of people towards hunger.

Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
‘Trigger warning': CNN delivers ‘sobering news' about Trump's historic approval
Sky News host Rita Panahi discusses how Donald Trump became the 'most popular president' with Republicans ever – five months into his presidency. 'CNN had some sobering news for their ever-diminishing audience,' Ms Panahi said. 'This needed a trigger warning for the lefty snowflakes because there is no way you can spin this data – it is historic.'