China Warns Trump's Golden Dome Risks Turning Space Into 'Battlefield
By Hannah Parry
President Donald Trump is hosting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday morning.
It is expected to be a tense meeting after Trump, and several of his senior officials, have accused Ramaphosa's government of allowing a "genocide" of the country's white farmers. Trump even recently welcomed dozens of white "refugees" from South Africa, despite clamping down on refugees and migrants from other nations.
Ramaphosa has strongly denied the allegations and asked for the meeting with Trump to try and recover South Africa's dire relationship with the United States.
What To Know
Ramaphosa has said he hopes to correct Trump's damaging claims, which include that South Africa's Black-led government enforced anti-white policies, and seized land from white farmers.
South-African born Elon Musk, a vocal critic of his native country, is expected to join the U.S. delegation at the meeting.
Musk has claimed on numerous occasions, without evidence, that the Black-led government of South Africa is "openly pushing for genocide of white people."
Also joining the U.S. delegation for the meeting is Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to an advisory from Ramaphosa's government.
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
Now
12:00 PM EDT
Secret Service member collapses outside White House
A member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division has collapsed outside the White House.
The man, who was holding a flag as the White House awaited the arrival of South Africa's Ramaphosa, dropped the flag and collapsed on the grass by the entrance of the president's residence.
Fellow officials were seen rushing to attend him, and open up his jacket, before they assisted him up and away from the entrance.
1 min ago
11:46 AM EDT
Speaker Johnson wanted a Wednesday House vote on the budget bill, that's looking unlikely
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a last-minute rebellion from GOP members that threatens to throw his plans for a Wednesday night vote into disarray.
Republicans worked through the night to advance the bill after the White House offered a late night proposal featuring a deal that would boost the cap on state and local tax deductions, or SALT, to $40,000, a sticking point for blue-state Republicans.
However, the deal, and the slow process on other issues, has upset hardliners.
"I think actually we're further away from a deal because that SALT cap increase, I think, upset a lot of conservatives," Rep. Andy Harris said Wednesday.
Another Freedom Caucus member called today's deadline "arbitrary" and said, "If today comes and goes, it doesn't mean that this possibility to make sure that taxes stay low and that we fix America's healthcare system and fix America's energy system, it doesn't mean that prospect is off the table, it just means that might not happens today."
Now
11:35 AM EDT
'There's a long way to go' on Trump's bill says Rep. Chip Roy
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, has resumed his role as leader of the GOP rebels as he warned there's still "a long way to go" before Trump's budget bill can be passed.
"The president yesterday laid out some real clear terms, we're working to achieve those" he said.
"There's a long way to go, I want to be very clear," he added. "We've got to deliver on what we're talking about or we're not going to be able to get the bill done and that's what we're trying to achieve."
Now
11:23 AM EDT
Freedom Caucus chair says Trump's bill won't pass today
Rep. Andy Harris, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, has predicted that President Trump's budget proposal does not have the support to pass through the House today.
Harris said that progress had been made on the bill since House Republicans worked through the night to advance the legislation and there's "a path forward that we can see."
"But again the leadership will have to figure out what the timeframe of this is," he told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday.
"I think this package is enroute to get passed, I don't think it can get done today."
Now
11:08 AM EDT
Trump administration seeks Supreme Court shield for DOGE
The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a legal battle over whether the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) must comply with public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), like other federal agencies.
The administration contends that DOGE, as a "presidential advisory body" located within the White House, is exempt from FOIA's transparency requirements. The appeal comes in response to a lower court ruling that authorized the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) to depose DOGE staff and probe the entity's role in federal decision-making.
In a 38-page emergency appeal, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that forcing DOGE to comply with FOIA and submit to discovery would breach the separation of powers and undermine the administration's ability to receive candid internal advice.
Now
10:56 AM EDT
Lawmakers pay tribute to Rep. Gerry Connolly
Lawmakers are paying tribute to Rep. Gerry Connolly who died, aged 75, after a battle with cancer.
The congressman's family said in a Wednesday statement that he had passed away "peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family."
Connolly had served in Congress since 2009, representing northern Virginia, including Fairfax County.
"Even as he battled a difficult cancer diagnosis, Ranking Member Connolly continued to push back against the unprecedented attacks on the federal workers in his district and across the country," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement on X.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said he was "heartbroken by the passing of my friend and colleague" in a post on X.
"Over the years, Gerry and I developed a strong friendship through our service together as members of the U.S. delegation to [NATO's Parliamentary Assembly]," Turner wrote.
Virginia's Republican governor Glenn Youngkin also offered his condolences, on X: "His decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virginia." He did not say what steps would be taken to fill the House seat.
My statement on the passing of the Honorable Gerry Connolly. pic.twitter.com/iAQ2gIIvLA
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 21, 2025
1 min ago
10:40 AM EDT
South Sudan police spokesperson says US deportees have arrived in country
Major General James Monday Enoka told The Associated Press on Wednesday that South Sudan has not received any U.S. deportees.
Enoka added that if they do receive any migrants, they will be "redeported to their correct country" if they are not South Sudanese.
His comments come after court filings from immigration attorneys in the U.S. suggested that the Trump administration had begun deporting individuals from Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan.
The White House have yet to comment on the reported removals.
Now
10:27 AM EDT
What South Africa's president has said about Trump ahead of meeting
As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet Donald Trump at the White House, but his previous comments about the U.S. president might come back to haunt him.
A historic video of Ramaphosa launching an attack on Trump resurfaced earlier this year after Trump said he will cut all funding to South Africa and open an investigation into the country's new land expropriation law.
In Ramaphosa's fiery 2018 speech during Trump's first term, he said, "I don't know what Donald Trump has to do with South African land, because he's never been here. And he must keep his America, we will keep our South Africa.
"South Africa is our land, South Africa belongs to all the people who live here in South Africa. It does not belong to Donald Trump. He can keep his America."
Ramaphosa added: "When we were facing apartheid, when we were facing oppression, he was not here. He did not fight side by side with us and we were able, on our own, yes with support of progressive forces in the world, to resolve the apartheid question.
"As far as I recall, Donald Trump was not around the negotiating table when we negotiated the end of apartheid.
"So stick around in the White House, we will do our business here and we will find solutions for our problem. So stay out of our issues and we will not get involved in your issues in America, you will have your own problems, leave us alone."
🇿🇦South African President Cyril Ramaphosa:
“I don’t know what Donald Trump has to do with South African land. South Africa does not belong to Donald Trump. He must leave us alone. Stay out of our issues”
This what happens when you try to hold lsraeI accountable for its actions pic.twitter.com/cqizPZSEdm
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) February 3, 2025
Now
10:06 AM EDT
More details released on Trump's huge birthday military parade
Further details have emerged on President Donald Trump's huge military parade next month, which is being held on his 79th birthday.
The parade will be held in the evening, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET, on Saturday, June 14.
It will run along Washington D.C.'s Constitution Avenue, between 15th and 23rd Streets, with a planned fireworks display and daylong festival on the National Mall.
Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech during the event, which will also celebrate the U.S. Army from the Revolutionary War to modern times.
09:48 AM EDT
South-African born Musk to join Trump meeting with Ramaphosa
Elon Musk will join the White House meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Donald Trump.
Musk, who was born and raised in South Africa, has been a vocal critic of the country.
He has claimed on numerous occasions, without evidence, that the Black-led government of South Africa is "openly pushing for genocide of white people."
Also joining the U.S. delegation for the meeting is Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to an advisory from Ramaphosa's government.
09:41 AM EDT
'That calling is there': Don Jr. teases potential presidential run
Donald Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr. has suggested that he could one day run for president.
"Maybe one day," Trump Jr. said at the Qatar Economic Forum on Wednesday when asked if he'd considered a potential presidential run.
"You know, that calling is there. I'll always be very active in terms of being a vocal proponent of these things. I think my father has truly changed the Republican Party," he added.
Trump Jr. was then asked if he would be ready to "pick up the reins" after his father leaves office.
"Here we go. Well ... oh boy," he responded to gentle applause. "It's an honor to be asked and an honor to see that some people are OK with it."
09:28 AM EDT
WATCH: US test fires nuclear-capable missile
09:21 AM EDT
Donald Trump's approval rating underwater on nearly all key issues
President Donald Trump speaks in Oval Office
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon/AP
President Donald Trump's approval rating is in the negative on almost every issue, according to a new poll.
A Marquette Law School poll, conducted between May 5-15 among 1,004 adults, shows that Trump is underwater on every issue other than border security, where his net approval rating stands at +12 points, with 56 percent approving and 44 percent disapproving.
Immigration ranks second in approval, with Americans evenly split 50-50, resulting in a net approval of zero.
Other areas where he's in the negative include foreign policy (-14), the economy (-16), and the Russia-Ukraine conflict (-20).
Trump fares far worse on economic issues that hit voters' wallets. His handling of tariffs draws a net disapproval of -26, while his response to inflation and the cost of living ranks lowest, with a net approval of -32. The poll had a margin of error of +/-3.6 percentage points.
Read in full from Martha McHardy on Newsweek.
09:17 AM EDT
Kremlin dismisses Golden Dome as 'sovereign matter' for US
The Kremlin said suggested it was not concerned over President Trump's plans for a Golden Dome anti-missile system, calling it a "sovereign matter for the United States."
"If the United States believes that there is a missile threat, then of course it will develop a missile defense system," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Reuters on Wednesday.
09:05 AM EDT
Trump admin has deported migrants to war-ton South Sudan: Legal filings
The Trump administration has begun deporting individuals from Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan, despite a federal court order restricting such transfers, according to court filings from immigration attorneys.
Because certain countries refuse to accept deportees from the United States, the Trump administration has pursued controversial third-country agreements to house migrants elsewhere, including arrangements with Panama. In the past, Venezuelans have been sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador under an obscure 18th-century wartime law that is still being contested in U.S. courts.
The White House have yet to comment on the reported removals. Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) via email on Tuesday for comment.
U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy has ordered a show cause hearing Wednesday related to the group's temporary restraining order (TRO) against the deportations, the National Immigration Litigation Alliance (NILA) told Newsweek via email.
In addition, the NILA will seek the return of a plaintiff in a separate Wednesday hearing.
08:56 AM EDT
OPINION: Are US-Iran nuclear talks at a dead-end?
How close is the United States and Iran to striking a new nuclear deal? According to President Donald Trump, the two nations are nearing the final stretch. During his four-day trip to the Middle East last week, Trump made it seem like an agreement was already being initialed. "Iran has sort of agreed to the terms," he said in Qatar. "They're not going to make, I call it, in a friendly way, nuclear dust. We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran."
As he often does, Trump was embellishing reality. The negotiations between Washington and Tehran only started on April 12, so to think the two are near the end-game of finalizing a highly-technical nuclear accord is very difficult to imagine. It took the Obama administration and Iran about three years to negotiate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a process that had its fair share of stumbling points along the way. From the looks of it, the Trump administration's own talks with the Iranians have only touched the surface; the first four rounds didn't get into the nitty-gritty details, which is likely one reason why U.S. and Iranian officials were relatively upbeat.
Read in full from Daniel R. DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities thinktank, on Newsweek.
08:54 AM EDT
Trump to host South Africa's president after claims he allowed white farmer 'genocide'
President Donald Trump is set to host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday.
It is expected to be a tense meeting after Trump has accused Ramaphosa's government of allowing a "genocide" of the country's white farmers.
Trump even recently welcomed dozens of white "refugees" from South Africa, even as he clamps down on refugees and migrants from other nations.
Ramaphosa has strongly denied the allegations and asked for the meeting with Trump to try and recover South Africa's relationship with the United States.
He told reporters he hopes to correct Trump's damaging claims, which include that Ramaphosa's Black-led government enforced anti-white policies, and seized land from white farmers.
08:36 AM EDT
WATCH: Trumps Canada wants to be part of America's Golden Dome
08:29 AM EDT
US launches nuclear-capable missile in arms race with Russia and China
The United States has conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test of the year, launching an unarmed but nuclear-capable missile from California toward the Pacific.
"This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st century threats and reassuring our allies," said the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command.
The Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said.
Read in full from Ryan Chan on Newsweek.
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