Zohran Mamdani became New York City's mayor after using social media to reach young voters. He must now keep these supporters engaged as he works with President Trump. His social media approach helped him gain popularity, especially among voters under 30.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Mamdani used social media to connect with young voters and promote his policies.
About 75% of voters under 30 in New York City supported Mamdani.
Experts note Mamdani's ability to mix lightheartedness with serious topics on social media.
President Trump and Mamdani had an unexpectedly cordial meeting in November.
During his campaign, President Trump portrayed Mamdani as an extremist.
Mamdani's relationship with President Trump could impact his ability to achieve his goals as mayor.
President Donald Trump discussed his health and a recent CT scan in an interview. He explained that he had the scan as a preventive measure and not because of any specific health issues. The White House clarified that his health screenings showed no abnormalities.
Key Facts
President Trump had a CT scan in October at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The scan was part of a preventive screening for men of his age.
Trump's doctor confirmed the results were normal with no health issues found.
Trump originally mentioned having an MRI but later clarified it was a CT scan.
The president had swelling in his ankles due to chronic venous insufficiency.
Trump takes aspirin daily, which he says helps prevent heart issues.
He expressed some regret about the scan due to public speculation about his health.
The White House stated there is nothing to hide regarding Trump's health.
ACA tax credits expired, which affects millions of Americans' health insurance costs. Congress plans to vote on extending these subsidies, although chances of passage are uncertain.
Key Facts
ACA tax credits that help people afford health insurance expired at the end of the year.
Approximately 22 million people may face higher insurance premiums or lose coverage due to the expiration.
The House plans to vote on a bill to extend the tax credits for three years, with mixed support from Republicans.
The Senate previously rejected a bill to extend these tax credits.
Betting markets indicate low odds for the credits' extension by various deadlines in early 2026.
A KFF poll found 84% of ACA enrollees support extending the tax credits.
The extension of ACA tax credits remains a significant political issue for the new year.
In a discussion with Al Jazeera, Nayna Gupta talks about the operations of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the issues related to its authority in the U.S. She explains how ICE affects both undocumented immigrants and American citizens.
Key Facts
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency involved in immigration enforcement.
The agency focuses on identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Legal questions exist about how much power ICE has under U.S. law.
ICE's activities can impact both undocumented immigrants and U.S. residents.
The American Immigration Council is an organization that studies immigration policies and their effects.
Nayna Gupta is the Policy Director at the American Immigration Council.
The interview was conducted by Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle.
The U.S. Supreme Court will address key cases in 2026 linked to President Trump's policies. These include decisions on birthright citizenship, tariff-related national emergencies, bans on conversion therapy, and trans athletes' participation in women's sports. Each case could have significant effects on current laws and societal norms.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is set to decide on President Trump's orders, including ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
The birthright citizenship case challenges the 14th Amendment, which has guaranteed citizenship for those born in the U.S. for over a century.
Another case involves Trump's declaration of a national emergency to impose tariffs on foreign goods without Congress's approval.
If the tariff decision goes against Trump, it could lead to refunds of over $100 billion and limit his economic actions.
The court will also decide on the legality of banning LGBTQ+ conversion therapy for minors, a practice widely regarded as harmful.
A decision on trans athletes in women's sports is also on the Supreme Court's docket, with cases from Idaho and West Virginia being key examples.
Trump has been vocal about these cases, urging the Supreme Court to favor his policies.
President Donald Trump has delayed the scheduled increases in tariffs on imported furniture and cabinets for one year. This decision comes amid concerns about rising costs and economic uncertainty due to frequent changes in trade policy. The current tariffs will remain, and the planned increases will not be implemented until at least January 2027.
Key Facts
President Trump postponed tariff increases on imported furniture and cabinets by one year.
The delay involves tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities.
Initially, tariffs were set to increase on January 1, 2026.
The decision was made under a proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Existing tariffs remain at 25%, with planned increases to 30% and 50% now pushed to 2027.
The delay responds to concerns about cost increases and economic uncertainty.
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing Trump's authority to enact broad tariff measures.
Businesses are struggling with the rapid change in tariff policies, affecting planning and costs.
President Donald Trump faces declining support in several areas as 2026 begins, shown by negative polling results. These polls indicate challenges regarding his approval among working and middle-class Americans, his economic performance, and foreign policy decisions.
Key Facts
A YouGov/Economist poll found President Trump’s approval rating among Americans earning $50,000 or less fell to 31%.
His net approval rating in this income group is -34, the lowest since he took office again.
Among middle-class earners, Trump's approval dropped from -10 to -17 since October 2025.
A GQR poll found that 43% of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 election now believe the economy is struggling.
A Quinnipiac survey showed widespread opposition to U.S. military action in Venezuela, contradicting the White House's stance.
Gallup reported a decrease in voters seeing Trump as a "strong and decisive leader" from 59% in 2017 to 48% in 2025.
The number of federal employees has decreased by 271,000 since the start of 2025, mainly due to initiatives by President Trump to reduce government size. This effort included a program allowing voluntary resignations, though some employees felt pressured to leave. The government is now looking to rehire some workers for critical roles.
Key Facts
There are 271,000 fewer federal employees since early 2025, a 9% drop.
President Trump's administration aimed to reduce the federal workforce size.
A program called "deferred resignation" let employees leave while still getting paychecks temporarily.
Most employees left voluntarily, though only 25,000 were officially terminated.
The Trump administration later attempted to rehire some employees for essential tasks like managing nuclear weapons and taxes.
Scott Kupor, head of the Office of Personnel Management, discussed workforce changes on a podcast.
An OPM spokesperson stated the resignation program was completely voluntary.
Some employees resigned due to policy disagreements or fear of job loss.
YouTuber Nick Shirley released a video alleging fraud at taxpayer-funded day care centers in Minnesota, but he denied working with state lawmakers to uncover the fraud. Minnesota officials are investigating claims of fraud in the state, and there are ongoing efforts to address these issues.
Key Facts
Nick Shirley released a video about possible fraud at Minnesota day care centers, viewed over 130 million times.
Shirley claims he did not work with Minnesota lawmakers, despite statements from some officials.
Allegations of fraud in Minnesota began with a welfare fraud case in 2022, costing taxpayers about $250 million.
So far, 57 people have been convicted, and 78 charged in fraud-related cases.
FBI and the Department of Justice are increasing efforts to investigate fraud in the state.
Minnesota's Department of Children, Youth, and Families is checking the day care centers mentioned in Shirley's video.
President Donald Trump stated he intends to fully investigate the fraud allegations in Minnesota.
Zohran Mamdani is being publicly sworn in as the new mayor of New York City at a ceremony outside City Hall. The event includes a block party and remarks from prominent politicians, with Mamdani having been privately sworn in at midnight using a Quran. The public ceremony and festivities are expected to draw thousands of attendees and emphasize the diversity of the city.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani becomes the new mayor of New York City.
He had a private swearing-in at midnight and a public ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. outside City Hall.
Senator Bernie Sanders will lead the ceremonial oath, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will give a speech.
The event includes a block party on Broadway, with about 40,000 people expected.
Mamdani is the first NYC mayor to use a Quran for the oath, underlining his cultural and religious heritage.
The ceremony marks a significant moment for the visibility of Muslim communities in NYC politics.
The inauguration will be broadcast live, providing updates before and during the event.
Vice President J.D. Vance is a leading contender to become the Republican presidential nominee for 2028, based on current odds from prediction markets. He has significant support in early polls, including major backing from influential conservative groups. However, other candidates, such as Marco Rubio, could still challenge him in the race for the GOP nomination.
Key Facts
Prediction markets give J.D. Vance a 48% chance of becoming the 2028 GOP presidential nominee.
Marco Rubio, his nearest rival, has a 12% chance, with no other candidates above 5%.
Vance has strong support from Turning Point USA, a conservative group with a large Gen Z following.
In an early New Hampshire primary poll, Vance received 51% of the votes, leading his closest competitors.
Vance is the first non-sitting president to get 50% or higher in early New Hampshire polls since 1980.
Analysts see winning New Hampshire as crucial for securing the GOP nomination.
Marco Rubio has stated he would likely support Vance if he runs for president.
Historically, no Republican vice president has secured the nomination in the 21st century, with George H. W. Bush being the last successful in earlier years.
Florida will implement four new laws in 2026 focused on animal welfare, health care, and consumer protections. These laws include rules about pet insurance, an animal cruelty offenders registry, state employee health benefits, and changes to tax and benefits administration.
Key Facts
Florida will introduce four new laws affecting areas like animal welfare and health care in 2026.
Pet insurance companies need to clearly explain claims processes and can't require wellness program participation for coverage.
A public database of animal cruelty offenders will be established under "Dexter's Law."
State employees in Florida will have coverage for breast exams without out-of-pocket costs.
Administrative changes will be made to state tax processes for better efficiency and transparency.
A group of federal employees has filed a legal complaint against a new Trump administration policy. This policy stops federal health insurance programs from covering gender-affirming healthcare.
Key Facts
A new policy from the Trump administration removes coverage for gender-affirming care.
This policy affects federal health insurance programs for federal workers and U.S. Postal Service employees.
The complaint against the policy was filed by the Human Rights Campaign.
The policy announcement came from the Office of Personnel Management in August.
Gender-affirming care includes medical interventions that modify a person’s sex traits.
President Donald Trump responded to claims that he fell asleep during White House events. He explained that photos of him with his eyes shut were taken while he was blinking, as he finds closing his eyes relaxing.
Key Facts
President Trump denied falling asleep at White House events.
He said people took photos of him during blinks, making it appear his eyes were closed.
Trump described closing his eyes as "very relaxing."
Trump is the oldest person to take office as U.S. President.
His age has led to some questions about his health.
This is a developing news story and may be updated with more information.
Zohran Mamdani will have a ceremonial event on New Year's Day to mark the beginning of his term as Mayor of New York City. He is the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born person to become mayor of the city.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new Mayor of New York City.
There will be a ceremonial swearing-in on New Year's Day.
The event includes a ceremony and a block party.
Mamdani took his official oath at midnight using a Quran.
He is the first mayor to use Islam's holy text for swearing in.
Mamdani is the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born Mayor of New York City.
The midnight oath took place in a former subway station under City Hall.
President Donald Trump has asked his staff to schedule fewer meetings for him. He says this change is not due to his age but to focus more on important matters. Trump, at 79 years old, remains active and contrasts his schedule with other leaders.
Key Facts
President Trump has requested fewer meetings on his schedule.
He states the change is to focus more on important topics.
Trump is 79 years old, the oldest person to take office as president.
Questions about his age and health have been raised.
Trump compares his busy schedule with other leaders like former President Joe Biden.
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the mayor of New York City. He used a historic Quran for his oath, making history as the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born mayor of the city. Mamdani highlighted his Muslim faith and engaged first-time South Asian and Muslim voters during his campaign.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City.
He is the first Muslim and first South Asian to hold the position.
Mamdani took his oath using a centuries-old Quran, marking a first for the city.
The ceremony took place at a subway station beneath City Hall.
Mamdani's election was supported by many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.
A pocket-sized Quran from the New York Public Library was used in the ceremony.
The Quran reflects the diversity and reach of Muslim residents in New York City.
President Donald Trump explained that the bruises and makeup on his hands are due to minor cuts and his use of aspirin, not a health crisis. He mentioned that aspirin makes him bruise easily, but he continues to take it for heart health. Trump also uses makeup to cover small cuts for appearances at public events.
Key Facts
President Trump has bruises on his hands, which he says are from minor cuts and aspirin use.
Trump takes a large dose of aspirin daily, which can cause bruising.
He’s taken aspirin for 25 years to maintain heart health.
Trump dismissed rumors of a health crisis related to his hand appearance.
At 79, Trump is the oldest person to start a U.S. presidency.
He maintains a busy schedule, though aides recommend he rest more.
Some photos have appeared to show him sleeping at events, which he claims are misleading.
The White House reported that Trump is in "exceptional health," based on a Mayo Clinic review.
Many Americans will face higher health insurance costs because extra financial help from the government ended. This change happened after Democrats shut down the government for 43 days over the issue, and despite moderate Republicans wanting a solution, President Trump backed down from his proposal after facing opposition.
Key Facts
Extra government help to make health insurance cheaper has ended.
This change affects people who enroll in the Affordable Care Act.
The end of these subsidies means higher insurance costs for many.
The issue caused a 43-day government shutdown led by Democrats.
Moderate Republicans wanted to find a solution to the problem.
President Trump suggested a plan but withdrew it after criticism.
Zohran Mamdani has started his term as the mayor of New York City and now manages the official NYC Mayor's account, @NYCMayor. Confusion arose because past social media posts from former Mayor Eric Adams are still visible on the account. This has caused misunderstandings due to the different political views of Mamdani and Adams.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City and runs the @NYCMayor account.
Previous posts from former mayor Eric Adams are still on the account, creating confusion.
Mamdani is the first Muslim, first of South Asian descent, first to be born in Africa, and the youngest mayor in generations at 34.
Mamdani had a strong victory in the mayoral election against Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo.
He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
President Donald Trump has called Mamdani a "communist lunatic."
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, and Mamdani said he would enforce them if needed.
A community note clarifies previous tweets were posted by Adams and not Mamdani.
