Trump says he’ll ban CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House
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Trump said other outlets could follow, but didn’t offer specifics.
What to know today
- WHITE HOUSE BAN: President Donald Trump said Friday that he had banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over what he called their “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS.” Trump also warned “other outlets” would “follow” but did not specify which.
- SHAPIRO ON AI: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, said in an interview with NBC News that the federal government should quickly pass regulations to rein in the AI industry, but he opposed calls to pause development on advanced models until such regulations are enacted.
- AI 'KILL SWITCH': Another potential Democratic presidential contender, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, signed an executive order to accelerate AI regulation in the state, which could include mandating a “kill switch” to shut down AI models in certain emergency situations.
- GREENLAND DEAL: President Donald Trump announced a new deal with Denmark today that grants the United States “permanent control over security” in Greenland.
Trump administration starts building border wall in Texas’ Big Bend region
COMSTOCK, Texas — The Trump administration has started building the border wall through a west Texas section of the Big Bend region, marking the first major construction in an area of the U.S.-Mexico border where the administration’s plans have met with heavy opposition.
Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images file
The start of construction marks an important milestone in the administration’s $46 billion plan to line the border with walls, barriers, roads and technology as it seeks to make good on a key campaign promise by President Donald Trump to finish the wall. And it comes as Customs and Border Protection says it has doubled the pace at which it is building the wall across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump signs Russia, Iran sanctions bill named after Lindsey Graham into law
Trump signed a bill into law today, named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, that will allow him to impose additional sanctions on Russia and Iran.
Samuel Corum / Bloomberg via Getty Images
The major legislation, named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, "authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran," according to the White House.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, was an outspoken supporter of the cause prior to his sudden death in July.
The bill was passed by the House on Wednesday after being approved by the Senate last month. It targets Russia's energy sector, taking aim at its largest buyers of oil and gas to clear a pathway for Trump to impose tariffs on goods from those countries.
Sen. Mark Kelly says Trump has "has no idea what he's talking about" on AI
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., railed against President Donald Trump's approach to AI this afternoon and said the technology requires meaningful guardrails.
Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file
"He clearly has no idea what he’s talking about," Kelly told NBC News on the sidelines of the Atlantic Festival in downtown New York City. "I wish he would educate himself on this," he said.
On Monday, President Trump labelled worries about risks from AI as a "hoax" and a political operation meant to detract from America's innovation and economic progress. Kelly dismissed Trump's statement as a sign of Trump's disconnect with AI reality.
"Donald Trump is also the guy that said this will be fine because we will have a little gear," Kelly said. "What the f--- does that mean?"
Kelly said that AI will be a pivotal political issue in future elections. Hours earlier, Kelly said he was still considering a run for president in 2028.
Kelly has proposed a range of legislation related to AI, most recently the Senior Chatbot Protection Act in July designed to protect senior citizens from fraud and scams involving AI. None of Kelly's major legislative efforts on AI have been enacted.
Kelly acknowledged that AI is a complex technology that urgently needs guardrails, but he said the systems' technical complexity and Congress' lumbering speed mean it will take some time before AI laws become reality.
"We've got to figure out what to do, and we've got to move faster than we’ve moved in the past," he said.
Gas prices approach highest level this year with just weeks to go before midterms
U.S. gas prices approached their highest level of the year today, after the national average rose another 3 cents overnight.
Scott Olson / Getty Images
The nationwide average price is currently $4.46 per gallon. Today’s price sits just 10 cents below the highest level hit earlier this year, on May 21, when the national average was $4.56 per gallon.
Gas prices are also once again within striking distance of their all-time highest level of $5.01, which was hit in June 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Already, at least six states have average gas prices above $5. California has the highest in the nation, at $6.11 per gallon. A handful of other states, such as Michigan, Utah, and Illinois were on the cusp of hitting $5 Friday.
Gas prices overall have risen 50% nationwide since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
Trump’s $5,000 checks promise has GOP allies baffled and voters skeptical
Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images
Five days after President Donald Trump promised $5,000 checks to all American adults if Republicans win the midterm election, the chairman of the Senate committee overseeing the policy had no comment.
In fact, he said he didn’t even know what Trump was proposing.
“You’re going to say: Would I support it? And I’m going to say: Well, what is it?” Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, a Trump ally, told reporters on Tuesday.
Trump says Donald Trump Jr. paid back the Putin-linked Russian oligarch who hosted his wedding celebration
Trump told reporters this afternoon that his son, Donald Trump Jr., paid back the Russian oligarch who hosted his lavish post-wedding celebration in May.
Umar Kremlev with President Putin in Moscow in April. Getty Images file
Asked in the Oval Office today whether it was appropriate for his son to accept the gift from Umar Kremlev, who has ties to Russian President Vladmir Putin, Trump said "it's totally allowed, and a lot of people have parties."
"But as I understand it, he paid him back. He didn’t want to have that, so I hear he paid him back," Trump said, adding that his son told him “a while ago” that he’d paid Kremlev back.
"A person that he knows, pretty, I guess, a friend of his, gave him a wedding party. That’s very common," Trump said. "I’ve given wedding parties to numerous people. They get married. I give them a party. I give them parties at beautiful places like Mar-a-Lago and others."
A person familiar with the matter told NBC News that the president’s son repaid the cost of the wedding after-party gift, confirming the president’s statement today.
Brendan Moran / Sportsfile via Getty Images
Trump's comments today follow a statement earlier this week in which he said he had “no idea who Umar is, never heard of him.”
Bettina Trump wrote in a post on Instagram earlier this week that "our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding."
She and Trump Jr. were married in West Palm Beach, Florida, in May before celebrating on a Caribbean island shortly after.
Judge isn’t swayed by government’s claims that plans for an ‘anti-weaponization fund’ are dead
A federal judge who blocked the creation of a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” for compensating President Donald Trump’s political allies wasn’t swayed by a government attorney’s assurances today that the administration has abandoned the concept.
Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal order terminating the fund after negotiating for weeks with two Republican senators who wanted to see the promise in writing before they endorsed his nomination. Aaron Schwartz / Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia didn’t rule from the bench on the government’s request for her to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the fund’s formation and operation. But the judge rejected the notion that the case’s claims are moot because the Trump administration says the fund is dead and won’t go forward.
“The issues that underlie this case are still alive and kicking, in my view,” Brinkema said.
The fund for compensating Trump’s political allies encountered a fierce bipartisan backlash and threatened to derail Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation. On Aug. 2, Blanche issued a formal order terminating the fund after negotiating for weeks with two Republican senators who wanted to see the promise in writing before they endorsed his nomination.
Trump announces agreement with Denmark to secure ‘permanent’ control over Greenland’s security
President Donald Trump announced a new deal with Denmark today that grants the United States “permanent control over security” in Greenland.
Nuuk, Greenland Juliette Pavy / Bloomberg via Getty Images file
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns,” the president said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump said the agreement comes at “NO COST” to the U.S. and that it is an “Infinite Life’ Agreement, there is no end!”
The deal includes barring any U.S. adversary from ever being able to have a base or military presence in Greenland, or “make sensitive investments” there without written approval from the U.S., Trump said.
Trump says Americans would prefer preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon to cheaper gas
Vahid Salemi / AP
In the Oval Office this afternoon, President Trump said he believes that if the public were to vote between preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon or having lower gas prices, they would choose the former.
While answering questions from reporters, Trump touted the economy and low unemployment rates, before saying “... Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. Now for that, people are going to have to pay some extra gas.”
He continued: “I think most people, if they had to vote on lower gas prices or letting Iran have a nuclear weapon, I’d be willing to vote that it would be a massive landslide. People don’t want to have Iran have a nuclear weapon…”
Trump then said that the war with Iran will end soon and “when it ends, your gas prices are going to drop to a level that they were before, maybe even lower.”
U.S. gas prices reached almost their highest level of the year today, at $4.46 per gallon, nearing the year’s record of $4.56 per gallon in May.
Trump says he deserves to have his name on the Kennedy Center because he 'saved' it
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office this afternoon that he is committed to getting his name on the Kennedy Center because "the Trump administration deserves the recognition."
"It’s been a dump for years. It’s lost money for years. I can turn it around, fix it, but the question is, somebody’s going to have to subsidize that for years to come, because palaces of the arts lose tremendous amounts of money," Trump said of the theater. "I don’t mind doing the job, but if I do the job, I think the Trump administration, including Bobby, but the Trump administration should be recognized."
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
While giving the answer, the president pointed behind him to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of the center's namesake, former President John F. Kennedy.
"I think the Trump administration should be recognized as having saved the Kennedy Center," Trump said.
Trump was seen reading a sign that appeared to say "Kennedy Center Demolished" while onboard Air Force One on Wednesday night.
Trump urges Senate to end the filibuster, warns against court packing
President Trump once again called on Senate Republicans to get rid of the filibuster, warning that if they don't, Democrats will if they win the majority in November.
Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images
"If they ever got into power, they will terminate the filibuster," Trump said of Senate Democrats.
The president also said Democrats will "immediately" name D.C. and Puerto Rico as states, saying, "That gives them four more senators. That gives them lots of other things, like 12 congressmen." Trump also warned that the party would try to pack the court, telling reporters, "They want to have ideally 21 Supreme Court justices."
"They will have everything they ever dreamed of, and frankly, Republicans should terminate the filibuster because if you don’t do it, they’re going to do it, and you can’t let that happen," Trump said.
Trump's mention of packing the Supreme Court comes after all but one House Democrat voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would lock the amount of justices at nine.
The president has repeatedly urged Senate Republicans to kill the filibuster, particularly as he pressured Congress to pass the SAVE America Act.
Trump explains his rationale for banning certain news outlets from the White House: 'They're fake news'
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president explained his decision to ban Politico, CNN and MS NOW from the White House, a policy he announced minutes before addressing the press.
Asked directly about why he made this decision, Trump said, "Because they’re fake news, and you get so tired of reading and seeing fake news."
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
"Our country has to have honest news," the president added, comparing a free press to borders and voting. "You need borders, and you need fair, free voting. And you know what you need? You need a free press. You need a fair press and an honest press."
Trump said later that his decision wasn't due to any particular story the outlets produced, but rather, "It’s really just cumulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it."
When a second reporter asked Trump about how he reconciled the ban with the First Amendment, and whether he was trying to intimidate journalists, he responded: "I dislike dishonest press like you."
Trump says he’s banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House
President Donald Trump said today he has banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over what he called their “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS.”
'Pebble Beach' on the north side of the White House. Daniel Heuer / Getty Images
In a Truth Social post this afternoon, Trump said media outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States.”
White House TikTok post goes silent after scathing Zara Larsson critique
A White House TikTok video celebrating ICE-led deportations went silent today after singer Zara Larsson tore into the administration for using her song “Midnight Sun” in the post.
Didier Messens / Redferns via Getty Images
The Swedish artist took to TikTok, flashed an “L” sign with her thumb and index finger, and called the White House “losers” for borrowing a tune that celebrates the joy of Scandinavian nature to soundtrack a celebration of mass deportations.
FAA says in final determination that Trump's Triumphal Arch wouldn't harm aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement today that it has determined Trump's 250-foot Triumphal Arch planned in Northern Virginia near Arlington National Cemetery won't pose a risk to aircraft as there are several major airports nearby.
A replica of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned Triumphal Arch at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in June. Valerie Plesch / Bloomberg via Getty Images file
"FAA safety experts reviewed airspace, air traffic patterns and procedures around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as well as operations at nearby military/public-use airports," the FAA said.
It added, "The FAA’s determination includes conditions for the Arch to be appropriately marked with a non-standard eternal flame on top of the structure and floodlight projectors pointed towards the Arch to make it noticeable for pilots."
The agency had said preliminarily in June that the arch likely won't be a problem for aircraft as long as it included "red obstruction lights."
The arch has faced legal challenges though Interior Secretary Doug Burgum predicted in early September that they would soon break ground on excavation work.
GOP Sen. John Cornyn says 'if Republicans won't clean house, Democrats will'
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, responded to controversy around a Texas GOP candidate for statewide office with a post on X today saying that "if Republicans won't clean house, Democrats will."
Finn Gomez / Getty Images file
Cornyn was referring to Bo French, a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner. Yesterday Cornyn said he won't vote for French, telling the Washington Examiner, "He’s an embarrassment to the Republican Party, and he’s going to drag the whole ticket down because of his racist comments."
Asked if he plans to vote for French's Democratic challenger, state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, he said, “I may just leave it blank,” he said. Cornyn will be leaving Congress in early January after losing the GOP primary for Senate following Trump's endorsement of Republican Ken Paxton.
Reached for comment, Cornyn's office pointed to his remarks to the Examiner.
Longtime GOP consultant Karl Rove said earlier this week that he will vote for Rosenthal over French, according to The Texas Tribune.
French has been widely condemned over the last week for posting a photo from the University of Texas football game against Ohio State last year showing UT students of South Asian descent. “The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined," he said about the image.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs executive order speeding up regulation of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today an executive order to increase oversight of AI development in his state.
In a statement, the Democrat said, "We’re not waiting to act — we’re going to speed up our work on substantial and responsible AI oversight before it’s too late. We’re going to do this thoughtfully but with urgent velocity; the stakes are too high to wait or delay action."
The executive order establishes a framework for the state government to create a guide for regulating AI companies in the next two months, which could include mandating a "kill switch" to shut down AI models in certain emergency situations.
It comes as the leaders of the nation's biggest AI labs have raised concerns about the pace of AI development in recent weeks.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu via Getty Images file
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro also raised concerns about the pace of AI progress and called out federal lawmakers who have not yet acted on the issue.
In Virginia, Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger also signed an AI-related executive order today, focused on regulating the sprawling data centers built in her state that support the computing power needed by AI companies.
“Virginia’s Data Center Accountability Framework is about delivering a better deal for Virginians and holding data center companies, developers, and operators accountable. The Framework is a thorough plan to end data center secrecy, protect our environment, lower energy costs for families, bolster our clean energy economy, and make sure Virginia workers have the protections and assurances they deserve," Spanberger said in a statement.
‘Seismic shift’: Todd Blanche’s political appearances shatter another DOJ norm
Last month, politicos at the Iowa State Fair saw an unusual sight: Attorney General Todd Blanche.
A few days earlier, he spoke at a rally at the Nassau County Police Academy, praising the Republican nominee for New York governor. He then addressed the GOP’s midterm election convention to tout the administration’s law-and-order record and Trump for “making America safe again.” And Wednesday, Blanche was at a campaign rally with Trump in Gastonia, North Carolina.
NBC News
South Korean president rules out military involvement in Middle East conflict
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said today that he would not deploy military assets to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into conflict, but that Seoul was reviewing whether to play a greater role in safeguarding navigation in the region.
South Korea has maintained a naval presence off the coast of Somalia in an anti-piracy mission, while resisting calls from Trump to play a more active military role in supporting Washington over the war in Iran.
SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg via Getty Images
Trump ordered to give notice before any demolition at Kennedy Center
A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to give at least 30 days’ notice before making any changes to existing renovation plans for the Kennedy Center, including any demolition of the center’s main building. It comes as the president was spotted Wednesday looking at a poster on Air Force One that appeared to say “Kennedy Center Demolished.” NBC’s Yamiche Alcindor reports for "Today."
Trump administration grants visas to top Iranian leaders to attend U.N. General Assembly
The Trump administration will allow an Iranian delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly next week, albeit with some restrictions, a State Department spokesperson said.
The decision to grant Iranian top officials visas to travel to New York City for the annual meeting of global leaders comes seven months into the U.S. war with Iran.
Iranians rally by the hundreds of thousands in biggest show of defiance since war began
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied today in a government-organized show of defiance after months of war, pledging their readiness to take up arms in the biggest such demonstration since the United States and Israel attacked in February.
Iran’s government has sought to rally the people and stress national unity, even as the economy worsens under a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and new U.S. sanctions meant to increase Tehran’s economic pain.
Vahid Salemi / AP
Postal Service chief says work stopped on computer system key to Trump effort to limit mail voting
The top official at the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that the agency has stopped work on developing a controversial computer system that was central to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting after the Supreme Court rejected his executive order this week.
“There’s an injunction, so we’re not doing anything,” Postmaster General David Steiner told The Associated Press in an interview.
Josh Shapiro urges swift AI rules, says relying on tech companies is ‘flat-out wrong
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sought to plant his flag in the intensifying debate over AI safety, pushing for the federal government to quickly pass regulations to rein in the industry but opposing calls to pause development on advanced models until such regulations are enacted.
“I think you have to listen to the people who are building these systems and in some cases have lost control of the systems that they’re building, and they are sounding the alarm,” Shapiro said in an interview with NBC News. “They’re calling for regulation, and that’s exactly what we need.”
