Tag: donald trump

Venezuela calls for ‘symbolic’ social media action after Trump posts altered map on Truth Social

Venezuela’s government on Jan 20 called on citizens to post its official map on social media as a “symbolic action” after US President Donald Trump posted an altered image showing US flags over Venezuela, as well as Canada and Greenland.

The image, posted on Mr Trump’s Truth Social just before 1am Eastern Time (2pm in Singapore), shows an altered version of an August 2025 photo of European leaders in the Oval Office with Mr Trump, with the original map replaced with one showing US flags over Venezuela and much of North America.

The photo includes images of Britain’s Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, France’s Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen – even as Mr Trump himself and other world leaders travelled to Davos for the World Economic Forum.

“In light of this situation, the Venezuelan State calls on all citizens to take symbolic action in unity, with the aim of defending territorial integrity and countering misinformation,” Venezuela’s government said in a statement.

It urged its population to post on social media its official map of Venezuela, which includes Esequibo – some two-thirds of neighbouring Guyana that is claimed by Venezuela, though this is not recognised by any major country or by the UN.

Keep reading

No White Men Need Apply

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to end federal spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Yet the government has continued to award contracts based on race and sex. Despite rampant fraud and multiple court rulings against the practice, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has used “disadvantage” essays from business owners to skirt the rules and continue discriminatory programs that dole out billions in government contracts.

For decades, the federal government has awarded certain special contracts exclusively to so-called disadvantaged businesses and women-owned small businesses. Until 2023, SBA presumed that racial minorities were “disadvantaged.” The resulting discrimination was absolute: according to an analysis conducted between 2020 and 2023, these programs made not a single award to white men.

Though the second Trump administration has taken steps to limit these contracts, the largest disadvantaged-business initiative—the SBA’s 8(a) program—is thriving. The program “is still one of the most lucrative and sought after” SBA certificates, one contracting lawyer said in November. In fact, fiscal year 2025 saw the largest 8(a) spending on record, totaling $26 billion.

President Trump signed an executive order forbidding federal DEI discrimination, and a federal district court struck down the SBA’s presumption that minorities are disadvantaged. How, then, has 8(a) survived?

Much as colleges have used personal essays to evade affirmative-action bans, the Small Business Administration has asked companies to submit “social disadvantage narratives” to qualify for the 8(a) program. These allow business owners to establish minority status through descriptions of racial taunts or alleged discrimination. Applicants might not check a racial box, but the implication is clear: no white men need apply.

The SBA’s “Guide for Demonstrating Social Disadvantage” reveals how the shell game works. The guide teaches applicants how to play the system, featuring examples of potential “disadvantage.” It gives minorities and women the magic words: “I believe my application [for a bank loan] was denied due to bias toward my race” and “I believe my request [to declare a business major] was denied based on sex bias.” Once the agency approves the application, the contracts can start flowing—no real evidence required.

Are these applicants always disadvantaged? No. Consider Earl Stafford Jr., a black contractor who wrote an essay to apply for the 8(a) program. The Washington Business Journal reported on Stafford’s “painstaking” ordeal of writing the essay, in which he described unspecified acts of discrimination that made him think that he did not have “what it took to be in business.” Yet his father, Earl Stafford Sr., founded a successful defense firm and started his own private foundation—hardly the background of a disadvantaged person.

As with any racialized initiative, the 8(a) program is ripe for fraud. White business owners can find a minority front man or a woman to head a nominally disadvantaged or woman-owned firm, which the white man continues to run behind the scenes. Another option is for minority-owned firms to receive the government contract but act as “pass through,” taking a cut off the top and paying another firm to do the contracted work. The Supreme Court ruled last year against a “disadvantaged” company that provided none of the required paint for a Philadelphia bridge and train station and passed the work to other firms.

Out-and-out dishonesty is also common. In 2023, Margarita Howard and her companies HX5 and HX5 Sierra were forced to pay the government almost $8 millionfor lying about Howard’s assets in order to participate in 8(a). At the time she claimed to be disadvantaged, Howard was living in a 14,000-square-foot waterside Florida mansion featured on HGTV’s Extreme Homes, the complaint against her alleges. Howard is still the CEO of HX5 (a “woman-owned small business”) and applies for federal money. The Trump administration awarded her company millions last year.

Keep reading

Trump Begins Quiet NATO Drawdown as Greenland Clash Exposes One-Sided Alliance

Amid sky high tensions with globalist Eurocrats over Greenland, the Trump administration has begun a quiet but consequential rollback of America’s military footprint inside NATO, signaling a broader rethinking of Washington’s long-standing role as Europe’s sole security guarantor.

The move comes amid rapidly escalating tensions with western EU ‘allies’ (i.e. liberal globalists who’ve attempted to sabotage Trump at every step of his presidency) over Greenland, defense spending, and what President Trump increasingly views as a one-sided alliance.

According to a report from The Washington Post, which cites multiple officials, the Pentagon is preparing to eliminate roughly 200 American military positions embedded within NATO command and advisory bodies. These personnel cuts will affect several of the alliance’s most influential planning centers, including intelligence, special operations, and maritime command structures.

The reductions will be carried out primarily by declining to replace American officers as their assignments end, rather than through abrupt withdrawals. While modest in raw numbers, the cuts will significantly reduce America’s role inside NATO’s decision-making architecture.

Among the entities impacted are the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre in the United Kingdom, the Allied Special Operations Forces Command in Brussels, and STRIKFORNATO in Portugal, which coordinates maritime operations. In total, roughly half of the American personnel assigned to these bodies will be removed.

American force posture in Europe will technically remain near 80,000 troops, just above the threshold that would require congressional approval for deeper reductions.

The move, for the Trump administration, reflects a long-standing argument: Europe must take responsibility for its own defense, and if it doesn’t, it ought to stop lecturing America or acting like a global player.

Pentagon officials allegedly have privately told European diplomats that America expects Europe to assume the bulk of conventional defense capabilities—intelligence, missile defense, and logistics—by 2027, a timeline many European leaders admit is unrealistic.

The personnel cuts also align with a newly released American National Security Strategy (NSS) that prioritizes the Western Hemisphere over Europe. The document explicitly calls for reallocating American military resources closer to home, where border security, cartel violence, and hemispheric stability now dominate strategic thinking.

Keep reading

Prime Minister of Greenland Warns Population to Prepare for a Possible US Military Invasion

It’s expected that US President Donald J. Trump will meet with an array of European leaders tomorrow (21) in Davos, Switzerland, to address the most urgent geopolitical question of our times: the US’s move to take over the Arctic Island of Greenland.

Among the leaders expected to be present, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and her Greenlander counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is NOT waiting for any meeting to start preparing for the ‘worst’.

Nielsen has told the Arctic island’s population and its authorities to ‘start preparing for a possible military invasion’.

Bloomberg reported:

“’It’s not likely there will be a military conflict, but it can’t be ruled out’, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said at a press conference in capital Nuuk on Tuesday.”

Greenland will form a task force to deal with disruptions to daily life, the PM said.

The government will issue a recommendation to stock food for at least five days in people’s homes.

“Trump has said he needs to own Greenland for security reasons and had earlier on Tuesday posted an AI-generated image of himself planting a US flag on the island. Greenland, with a population of 57,000, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but has its own government overseeing most aspects of life bar defense and foreign policy. Denmark has in recent days deployed more troops in Greenland to boost Arctic defense.”

Keep reading

Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act in Minnesota

Governor Tim Walz threatened to command the state National Guard to attack federal agents. “We do not need any further help from the federal government. To Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, you’ve done enough. I’ve issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard,” Walz said in a press event. “We have soldiers in training and prepared to be deployed if necessary. I remind you, a warning order is a heads-up for folks,” Walz said. “Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight.” Now, Washington is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy US troops to Minnesota.

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, ” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

We live in a world where states are openly defying the federal government, toying with the idea of separatism, as politics have become too divided for the states to remain united. The 1807 Insurrection Act permits US presidents to unilaterally deploy federal military personnel within the US to restore law and order.

Keep reading

Danish Troops Arrive for Greenland’s Arctic Endurance

Denmark has deployed additional troops and military equipment to Greenland as President Donald Trump declined to rule out using force to seize control of the Arctic island.

Several aircraft carrying soldiers, including Denmark’s army chief, landed in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq late Monday, adding to the more than 200 troops already stationed in the autonomous territory, the Financial Times reported.

Trump has ratcheted up his rhetoric on annexing Greenland from Denmark’s home rule for U.S. and NATO security interests, vowing escalating tariffs on all trade with the eight NATO allies participating in the ongoing “Arctic Endurance” military exercises to defend against possible invasion.

Germany and France called for a firm European response, while EU officials prepared retaliatory trade measures, though they stopped short of deploying the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument in hopes of a diplomatic solution.

European leaders are seeking to defuse the crisis by offering a stronger NATO role in Arctic defense.

However, markets showed signs of strain as investors sold U.S. assets, the dollar weakened, and gold prices hit record highs.

Denmark said it remains open to discussions on expanding the U.S. military presence on Greenland, but it has balked at a sale to the U.S.

Trump remained steadfast in keeping open the option to take Greenland by force, despite Republican efforts to strip his “strength” leverage from his “peace through strength” foreign policy.

“No comment,” Trump told NBC News when asked about the option of taking Greenland by force during a brief phone interview Monday.

“Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them.

“That’s what Europe should focus on — not Greenland.”

Keep reading

Netanyahu Blasts Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Claims Composition of Gaza Executive Board “Runs Contrary” to Israeli Policy – Israel National Security Minister Calls for “Return to War with Enormous Force”

Israel may be displeased with President Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has surprisingly come out claiming that  the President’s Gaza Executive Board was “not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.”

As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump announced that the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by himself, has been formed as the Trump Administration enters Phase Two of the  20-point Gaza Peace Plan announced last September.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and Trump adviser Robert Gabriel were announced as members of the “founding Executive Board” on Friday.

Additionally, the White House announced that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and senior Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi would serve on the Gaza Executive Board to support the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and “support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza,” sparking rebuke from Netanyahu.

Per the New York Post:

President Trump’s Gaza governance plan sparked backlash in Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the makeup of the body, which includes Turkey and Qatar, contradicts Israeli policy — even as reports from said the lineup had, in fact, been approved.

Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Saturday saying that the premier instructed his top diplomat to raise the government’s concerns with the Trump administration on the newly created “Board of Peace” set to run the Gaza Strip, according to Ynet.

“The announcement by the US administration regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy,” Netanyahu’s office said in the statement, adding that the prime minister had ordered Sa’ar to raise Israel’s objections directly with Rubio.

The dispute centers on the inclusion of senior reps from Turkey and Qatar — two countries Israel accuses of backing Hamas.

However, reports claim that Netanyahu was only posturing “for appearances” as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calls for a “return to war with enormous force,” and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims that the body is made up of “states that breathed life into Hamas.”

Keep reading

Defense Ministry halts US takeover bid for Iron Dome software developer

The Defense Ministry is delaying approval of a planned takeover of Amprest Systems, a company that develops command-and-control software for the Iron Dome air defense system, amid concerns over foreign control of sensitive defense technology, according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal would give U.S.-listed holding company Ondas Holdings control of Amprest, whose software plays a central role in Iron Dome and other air defense systems. Ondas is seeking to buy out Amprest’s shareholders for about $100 million, valuing the company at more than $200 million. If completed, the transaction would leave Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the developer and manufacturer of Iron Dome, as a minority shareholder.

Amprest’s largest shareholder today is Rafael. The remaining shares are held by Amprest founder and CEO Natan Barak, the OurCrowd investment platform and other investors.

The transaction is being reviewed by the Defense Ministry’s Department for Security of the Defense Establishment, known by its Hebrew acronym Malmab, headed by Yuval Shimoni. Officials involved in the review have raised concerns about a foreign company gaining control of Amprest given its classified activities tied to Iron Dome and other air defense programs.

People close to the deal said the prolonged review has delayed the transaction for several months, with no clear timeline or outcome. The holdup has underscored tensions inside the Defense Ministry between efforts to attract foreign investment into defense technology and strict security oversight that can slow or block such deals.

Amprest was founded about 25 years ago by Barak, a retired Navy officer with the rank of colonel. Its profile rose roughly 15 years ago after its command-and-control software was integrated into Iron Dome. In 2012, Amprest received the Israel Defense Prize for its role in developing the air defense system.

Keep reading

National Guard Troops Mobilized in Minneapolis as Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act

National Guard troops have been spotted rolling through Minneapolis in Humvees as the chaos and rioting continue over ICE raids. 

President Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the insurrection act, stating on Thursday, “If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.”

Trump also previously said he plans to send National Guard troops back into California, Chicago, and Portland, and to invoke the Insurrection Act if necessary.

While departing the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters that he is ready to use the Insurrection Act if necessary, calling it a “very powerful” tool.

However, he said, “I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it.”

Keep reading

Companies see boost from Trump admin after adding Don Jr. to their board

Two companies which added Donald Trump Jr. to their board or advisory board subsequently received benefits from his father’s administration, and a third company that added him to their board may stand to benefit from a new Trump healthcare program. These three companies–Unusual Machines, Credova and BlinkRx–each added Trump’s eldest son to their boards after the 2024 presidential election, part of a flurry of new positions for the president’s eldest sons.

Don Jr. and Eric Trump have joined a total of ten companies’ boards since the 2024 election. The sudden burst of business opportunities is conspicuous, given that, prior to their father’s victory, there was no evidence that they had been such highly sought-after business leaders, outside the constellation of Trump family companies. Those positions, and the appearance they give the companies of an edge with the Trump administration, represent potential conflicts of interest that risk corrupting important functions of the executive branch, in favor of further enriching the Trump family. 

Just weeks after the 2024 election, drone maker Unusual Machines announced that Don Jr. joined its newly-created advisory board, immediately causing shares to soar. As compensation for his role on the advisory board, Don Jr. was given 200,000 shares of Unusual Machines stock. 

Don Jr.’s advisory agreement appears to have expired automatically after one year, but not before the company established itself as a supplier for the U.S. Army. In October 2025, Unusual Machines announced an order from the Army for 3,500 drone motors and other components, reportedly the company’s largest government order to date. The announcement also stated that the Army has plans to order 20,000 more components from Unusual Machines in 2026. 

In describing Don Jr.’s role with Unusual Machines, CEO Allan Evans said, “[j]ust lending some of that association has created more credibility to rise above the noise. It’d almost be like Oprah joining the WeightWatchers board, right? What does Oprah need to do? Not a lot.”

Keep reading