President Donald Trump mistakenly claimed his father was born in Germany during a meeting with the German Chancellor. Mary Trump, his niece, corrected this claim on social media, noting that Fred Trump was actually born in New York City. This has drawn attention on social media, with many sharing the video of his comments.
Key Facts
President Trump said his father was born in Germany during a meeting with the German Chancellor.
Mary Trump, his niece, corrected him, saying Fred Trump was born in the Bronx, New York.
Fred Trump was born in 1905 and grew up in Queens, New York, not Germany.
The incorrect statement was widely shared on social media, with the video getting over 1.6 million views.
President Trump has incorrectly stated before that his father was from Germany.
The White House has not commented on Mary Trump's correction, but previously dismissed her critiques.
A significant winter storm is expected to bring up to 20 inches of snow to parts of the U.S. Southwest, particularly in Utah, later this week. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for several mountain areas, with a potential upgrade to a warning as the storm progresses. Heavy snow is likely to affect travel on mountain routes, and precautions are advised due to possible avalanche risk and traction requirements.
Key Facts
Up to 20 inches of snow is expected in parts of the U.S. Southwest, particularly Utah.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the Wasatch, Western Uinta, and Central Mountains.
Heavy snow could disrupt travel on mountain passes, with traction restrictions likely.
A lull in snow activity is expected Thursday afternoon before it resumes overnight into Friday.
Avalanche risk is a concern, though its severity is uncertain at this point.
Areas like the Upper Cottonwoods may receive the heaviest snowfall, with 6 to 14 inches expected in other areas.
A winter storm watch indicates significant snow is possible, but a winter storm warning means severe weather is imminent.
A new poll suggests that Democrats may have a chance to be more competitive against Republicans in Florida's 2026 governor and U.S. Senate races. While Republicans still hold an advantage, the survey shows that the gap between the parties is smaller than in past elections.
Key Facts
A poll by the University of North Florida shows Republicans with single-digit leads in Florida's 2026 governor and U.S. Senate races.
Florida has shifted significantly towards the Republican Party in recent years.
Democrats gained momentum from the November 2025 off-year elections and polls showing some vulnerability for Republicans and President Donald Trump.
Many Florida voters are unfamiliar with Democratic candidates like Alexander Vindman and Angie Nixon.
In a potential governor's race, Republican Byron Donalds leads Democrat David Jolly 42% to 36%, with 17% undecided.
Republican Ashley Moody is running for a full Senate term, previously appointed when Marco Rubio joined the Trump administration.
Moody leads Democratic candidates Vindman and Nixon by 45% to 38% and 46% to 38%, respectively.
A large number of undecided voters could impact the outcomes as candidates raise their profiles.
President Donald Trump is facing criticism from conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly over U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The White House is addressing these criticisms, and a Senate vote is expected on a resolution about President Trump's war powers. Some critics argue that Trump's decision was influenced by Israel, raising debates about U.S. military actions.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump has been criticized by some conservative media figures for U.S. military actions involving Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold a briefing to address these issues.
There is tension over the influence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Trump's decision to strike Iran.
Critics like Tucker Carlson claim the decision was driven by Israel's interests, not direct U.S. interests.
Senator Marco Rubio stated the operation was preemptive to avoid higher casualties from potential Iranian attacks.
The Senate is voting on a resolution regarding Trump's war powers after the U.S.-Israeli strikes.
President Trump maintains support among his base, despite the criticism from some media figures.
Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed frustration that U.S. military action seemed to prioritize Israel's interests.
A U.S. citizen, Willy Wender Aceituno, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming immigration agents forcibly removed him from his vehicle and injured him. The incident occurred during a federal operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is seeking $1.25 million in damages.
Key Facts
Willy Wender Aceituno, the plaintiff, is a U.S. citizen who was involved in a confrontation with immigration agents.
The incident happened on November 15, 2025, while he was picking up breakfast.
Aceituno recorded a video showing an agent breaking his truck window and removing him from the vehicle.
He claims that agents left him bleeding and in pain after the altercation.
Aceituno's lawsuit alleges violations of his constitutional rights and seeks $1.25 million in damages.
The lawsuit names federal agencies ICE and CBP as responsible for the actions.
The event took place during “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” a federal enforcement action targeting immigration violations in Charlotte.
Over 700 undocumented immigrants were arrested during this operation.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Congressman Tony Gonzales over allegations of sexual misconduct with a former aide. The investigation will look into claims that Gonzales gave special favors that may break House rules. Gonzales, facing accusations related to a former staffer's alleged affair and subsequent death, has stated he will not resign.
Key Facts
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Tony Gonzales, a Republican congressman from Texas.
The investigation involves allegations of sexual misconduct with a former aide and providing special favors.
Gonzales says the allegations do not present all of the facts and plans to stay in office.
Gonzales has a background as a U.S. Navy veteran with 20 years of service, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Text messages reportedly show a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, claiming an affair with Gonzales.
Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Gonzales is currently in a runoff election against Brandon Herrera, a gun-rights influencer.
A man in Michigan, Jake Lindemyer, said he was refused service at a Smoothie King because he wore a hoodie supporting President Donald Trump. The employees responsible were fired, and Smoothie King stated they are retraining employees to prevent discrimination. Lindemyer expressed regret over the employees losing their jobs and noted the incident's impact on his family.
Key Facts
Jake Lindemyer was refused service at a Smoothie King in Ann Arbor, Michigan, due to wearing a Trump hoodie.
The encounter was recorded by Lindemyer's wife and resulted in the two employees being fired.
Smoothie King issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to a discrimination-free environment and announced mandatory retraining for employees.
Lindemyer reported receiving social media threats, leading his family to file a police report.
Lindemyer expressed his belief that the incident reflects the tense political climate in the U.S.
The incident led to his children missing school, and his 18-year-old daughter received threats online.
Lindemyer and his wife expressed sadness over the event and emphasized the need for understanding different viewpoints.
James Talarico won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. He will run against political opposition to President Trump and aims to bring change and unity to voters.
Key Facts
James Talarico won the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.
He defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the primary election.
Talarico is a state lawmaker from Austin, Texas.
He did not mention President Trump during his victory celebration.
Talarico's campaign focuses on unity and changing politics.
His supporters held "Love thy Neighbor" signs during the celebration.
Talarico is now positioned to represent the Democrats against the Republican president.
Religious identification in the United States is declining, particularly in the Midwest, according to new data by Pew Research Center. Between 2020 and 2025, the percentage of adults identifying with a religion fell by about 6 percentage points in the Midwest, a region that traditionally has had high levels of religious affiliation.
Key Facts
From 2020 to 2025, the percentage of adults in the Midwest identifying with a religion dropped from 72% to 66%.
Historically, the Midwest has been one of the most religious parts of the U.S.
A longer-term trend shows that religious identification in the Midwest fell from 83% in 2007 to 69% in 2023-24.
Other U.S. regions showed smaller changes in religious affiliation between 2020 and 2025, except for a slight rise in the Northeast.
Pew’s data indicates a general decline in religious affiliation in the U.S. since the 1990s.
President Donald Trump expressed a desire to increase religious participation in the U.S.
Future surveys aim to determine if recent trends in religious identification will continue or change.
The majority of New York state voters support Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposal to increase income taxes for residents earning at least $1 million annually. A Siena College poll shows 54% approval for the tax increase, which aims to avoid a broader property tax hike. Mamdani needs approval from state officials to enact this plan.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants to raise income taxes on those earning $1 million or more in New York City.
A poll by Siena College found 54% of New York voters support this proposal, with 29% against it.
The strongest support comes from New York City residents and Democrats.
Republicans and a slight majority of independents in the state are against the plan.
Mamdani suggests this tax raise instead of increasing property taxes citywide.
The proposal needs the approval of the State Legislature and the Governor of New York.
Governor Kathy Hochul has previously expressed opposition to tax increases.
A Social Security expert has raised concerns that President Donald Trump's tax policies might harm Social Security. President Trump plans to end federal taxes on Social Security, which might increase short-term benefits but could lead to long-term financial problems for the program. Over 70 million Americans depend on Social Security, and the fund might deplete by 2032.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested ending federal taxes on Social Security to increase short-term benefits.
The Social Security fund is projected to become insolvent in the early 2030s.
Over 70 million Americans, including retirees, survivors, and disabled people, rely on Social Security.
Martha Shedden, a Social Security expert, warns that ending these taxes could lead to benefit cuts.
The ratio of workers supporting each beneficiary is shrinking, now at about two or three workers per beneficiary.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) might only be able to pay about 80% of promised benefits by 2032 if the fund depletes.
Ending Social Security taxes would remove about $50 billion annually from replenishing the fund.
Financial experts emphasize the need for new strategies to maintain Social Security's solvency.
The U.S. government is offering cash prizes up to $200,000 for ideas to stop invasive aquatic species that cost over $1 billion annually. The competition, "Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge", seeks methods to prevent these species from spreading through boats without harming the environment.
Key Facts
The initiative targets aquatic invasive species using watercraft as a transport method.
Quagga, zebra, and golden mussels are specifically mentioned as harmful species.
These mussels cause damage by clogging infrastructure like pipes and pumps.
The Bureau of Reclamation is organizing this challenge.
The competition includes multiple phases with various cash prizes.
The first phase awards up to six participants $25,000 each.
Prototype development will occur in the final phase, with prizes of up to $125,000.
The competition welcomes ideas from any industry or technical field.
In the Texas primary elections, several candidates emerged as winners or losers in their bids for Congress and state positions. Democratic and Republican candidates competed to secure spots for the upcoming midterm elections in November. Key figures like James Talarico and Governor Greg Abbott had significant wins, while others such as Jasmine Crockett and Dan Crenshaw faced setbacks.
Key Facts
James Talarico won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Texas, defeating Jasmine Crockett.
Steve Toth defeated incumbent Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary, highlighting a shift within the Texas GOP.
Greg Abbott won the Republican primary for governor as he aims for a fourth term.
Candidates endorsed by President Trump performed well, showing his continued influence within the Republican Party.
Jasmine Crockett lost the Democratic primary despite substantial campaign funding and support from Kamala Harris.
Dan Crenshaw lost his seat to Steve Toth, despite having a strong national profile.
Ken Paxton and John Cornyn will face a runoff election on May 26, as neither secured a majority in the Republican primary.
Texas Republicans are preparing for a competitive Senate election in 2026. James Talarico is the Democratic nominee, while Republicans John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are heading to a runoff election to decide their nominee. Polls show mixed results on who might win, with Paxton slightly ahead in the runoff but the general election remains uncertain.
Key Facts
James Talarico is the Democratic nominee for the 2026 Texas Senate election.
Republicans John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will face each other in a runoff since neither got over 50% of the vote.
Ken Paxton is leading in early polls for the Republican runoff.
Polls show differing results for the general election, with Cornyn generally performing better against Talarico than Paxton.
Some Republicans worry Paxton might be a weaker candidate in the general election.
Texas is a traditionally Republican state, but Democrats see a chance to win the Senate seat.
The results of the Republican runoff could impact the competitiveness of the November election.
Several polls have been conducted, showing varying levels of support for the candidates.
In the Texas primary elections, one Republican House member lost his seat, and several others will enter runoff elections. Both Republican and Democratic incumbents are facing challenges, often due to changes in district boundaries and shifts in party dynamics. The elections reflect broader trends of dissatisfaction among party members and voters.
Key Facts
One Republican House member lost outright, and four others are heading into runoff elections.
Thirty House Democrats have primary challengers who raised significant campaign funds.
Texas state Rep. Steve Toth won against Rep. Dan Crenshaw in Texas' 2nd district.
Redistricting in Texas led to incumbents like Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee battling for the same seat.
Rep. Tony Gonzales faces a runoff with Brandon Herrera and is under a House Ethics investigation.
Rep. Julie Johnson is competing against Colin Allred in a runoff for Texas' 33rd district.
Some races highlight challenges around age and political ideology within the Democratic Party.
Mid-decade redistricting is forcing some incumbents to compete for the same seats in various states.
Prediction markets give Democrats a nearly 40% chance of winning a Texas Senate seat after state Representative James Talarico won the Democratic primary to run against a Republican candidate. This race is significant as Texas has not elected a Democratic Senator since 1988. Talarico will face the Republican nominee after a runoff to determine who will oppose the Democratic candidate.
Key Facts
James Talarico won the Democratic primary for a Texas Senate seat with about 53% of the vote.
Talarico's opponent in the primary, Jasmine Crockett, received 46% of the votes.
Democrats have a 40% chance of winning the Texas Senate seat, according to prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi.
Texas last elected a Democratic Senator in 1988.
Talarico's campaign focused on economic issues and appealed to a broad range of voters.
He raised over $21 million for his campaign, with $2.5 million coming in shortly after a nationally publicized event.
Texas has backed the Republican presidential nominee in every election since 1980.
The general election for the Senate seat will take place in November.
A recall has been issued for Yoyo Gummy candies due to the presence of a synthetic dye not approved for use in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as Class II, indicating potential temporary health issues from consumption. No illnesses have been reported so far.
Key Facts
SB Food LLC issued a recall for Yoyo Gummy candies on October 21, 2025.
The candies contain Carmoisine, a synthetic dye not approved in the U.S.
The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning it could cause temporary health issues.
Affected products are Yoyo Gummy Assorted, Tropical, and Grape Plus flavors.
The contaminated candies were distributed in 15 U.S. states.
No illnesses related to these candies have been reported as of February 25.
The recall is still ongoing, and consumers are advised not to consume the products.
Republican lawmakers have put forward a bill to stop federal income taxes on Olympic and Paralympic medal winnings for U.S. athletes. The TEAM USA Act aims to remove tax requirements regardless of an athlete's income, which would change the current situation where only those earning less than $1 million get tax benefits. The bill is in the early stages of the legislative process.
Key Facts
The bill is called the TEAM USA Act and was introduced by Republican Representatives Mike Kelly and Michelle Fischbach.
Current law allows medalists to avoid federal taxes on medal winnings only if their annual income is $1 million or less.
The new legislation would remove this income cap, so all medalists could benefit from the tax exemption.
The bill covers all Olympic and Paralympic medal winnings, including gold, silver, and bronze medals.
If passed, the changes would be retroactive from January 1, 2026.
The bill is currently under review by the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax laws.
Additional Republican lawmakers, including Pete Stauber, Claudia Tenney, Tony Wied, and Jeff Hurd, support the bill.
Florida is considering a law, House Bill 191, that would change the rules for people to get unemployment benefits. The bill proposes new requirements for job searching and reporting, without increasing the amount or duration of benefits. Supporters say it aims to reduce fraud, while critics argue it could make it harder for people who need these benefits.
Key Facts
Florida lawmakers are discussing House Bill 191 to change how unemployment benefits are accessed.
The bill requires people to contact five employers weekly and keep records, or three in smaller counties.
Missing three job interviews without notice could lead to losing benefits.
People must accept their old jobs back if called or they might lose benefits; this has sparked debate.
The legislation wants to increase checks to ensure claimants are genuinely eligible for benefits.
Florida currently offers unemployment benefits for up to 12 weeks, with a maximum of $275 per week.
Only 8% of unemployed people in Florida receive benefits, the lowest rate in the country.
Critics are concerned the bill doesn't consider issues like child care costs or transportation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended her department's immigration actions in front of a Senate committee. She faced questions about criticizing two protesters killed in Minneapolis by federal officers and defended her management of immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Homeland Security Secretary.
She testified before a Senate committee about immigration enforcement.
Noem was questioned about remarks related to two protesters killed by federal officers in Minneapolis.
The incident has led to criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policy.
Local officials and videos disputed some of Noem's comments on the protesters.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized Noem's handling of immigration and emergency responses.
Noem defended her agency's actions and blamed activists for some conflicts with officers.
