President Donald Trump is facing two main challenges: questions about affordability in the US and pressure to release more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump's approach in his second term is under scrutiny as he works to maintain support ahead of the midterm elections, despite recent Democratic wins and pressure from within his party.
Key Facts
President Trump is dealing with concerns about the cost of living in the US.
There is growing pressure within the Republican Party to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump has shown strong control over Washington politics through assertive actions.
Inflation is reportedly lower now than it was under President Joe Biden's term.
By law, President Trump cannot run for a third term, making him a "lame duck" president.
Some Republicans believe that supporting the release of Epstein's files is necessary to avoid future criticism.
Trump has recently shifted his stance on the Epstein document release and now supports it.
The upcoming midterm elections are crucial, as they will determine which party controls Congress.
Many people in the U.S. are having trouble paying their utility bills, which are the bills for services like electricity and heating. The amount of money owed on these bills went up by nearly 10% between spring 2024 and spring 2025. This situation poses challenges for President Trump, who is focused on economic growth and is addressing related concerns in public speeches.
Key Facts
Past due utility bills increased by 9.7% annually between April-June 2024 and 2025.
Monthly energy bills rose by 12% during the same period.
Nearly 6 million households face severe utility debt that may soon be reported to collection agencies.
President Trump is facing political pressure due to rising living costs.
AI data centers, which use a lot of electricity, could further increase utility bills.
The Trump administration argues that utility prices are state-level issues, not a federal responsibility.
Gasoline accounts for 3% of the consumer price index, slightly less than electricity and natural gas.
The Utility debt issue overlaps with President Trump's push for more affordable living expenses.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani from New York City is planning to meet with President Donald Trump. Their meeting will focus on the city's affordability issues and SNAP benefits. Mamdani’s team has reached out to the White House to arrange this discussion.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the mayor-elect of New York City.
Mamdani plans to meet with President Trump.
The main topics of their meeting will be the affordability crisis in New York City and SNAP benefits.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, providing food-purchasing assistance for low-income people.
President Trump expressed interest in working things out for New York City.
The meeting arrangement was mentioned in a news report by Henry Rosoff of PIX11 News.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is reportedly preparing for a possible 2028 presidential run. Recent polls show Cruz trailing behind other Republican figures like Vice President JD Vance and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in terms of support for the Republican nomination.
Key Facts
Ted Cruz is considering a run for the presidency in 2028.
Cruz previously finished second to President Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primary.
Cruz's current poll numbers are low, with around 4% support.
Vice President JD Vance leads recent polls with support over 40%.
Polls also show Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis ahead of Cruz.
The surveys involved different sample sizes and carried margins of error between 2.8 and 4 percentage points.
David Richardson resigned as the acting head of FEMA after facing public criticism and internal issues. His departure comes as plans were in place to remove him and after being reportedly unavailable during significant events like the Texas flooding. Richardson had led FEMA for about six months and had withdrawn from daily operations recently.
Key Facts
David Richardson resigned as the acting head of FEMA.
He submitted his two-week notice to the Department of Homeland Security.
Richardson faced public controversy and internal frustration while in the role.
He was reportedly inaccessible during the Texas flooding in July.
Internal plans were underway to remove him from his position.
Richardson led FEMA for about six months.
Reports suggest he expected not to remain in the job beyond Thanksgiving.
The U.S. transportation department has removed the emergency restriction on flights, allowing normal air travel to resume for Thanksgiving. This decision came after enough air traffic controllers returned to work following the government shutdown that caused many to miss work due to unpaid labor.
Key Facts
The U.S. transportation department lifted flight restrictions in time for Thanksgiving travel.
Restrictions were initially set during a government shutdown due to absent air traffic controllers.
Air traffic controllers had to work without pay during the shutdown, leading to high absenteeism.
The shutdown was the longest in U.S. history, lasting 43 days.
The FAA had required airlines to reduce flights to prevent safety issues.
Over 6 million people in the U.S. are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday.
With controllers back at work, normal flight operations have resumed.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced efforts to hire more controllers and improve the air traffic control system.
President Donald Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have experienced a rift over issues like the release of Epstein-related documents and certain foreign policy decisions since Trump's return to the presidency. Greene, initially a strong supporter, has disagreed with Trump on topics such as military actions and U.S. support for Israel while continuing to call for the release of Epstein files. Despite their disagreements, Greene publicly maintains her support for Trump.
Key Facts
President Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene have disagreed over the Epstein files and foreign policy.
The Epstein files refer to documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking before his death in 2019.
Greene was a strong supporter of Trump during his 2024 campaign and his subsequent presidency.
Their first major disagreement was over U.S. foreign policy, particularly a potential conflict with Iran.
Greene has criticized Trump's administration for its military actions against Iran and its support for Israel, which she called genocidal.
Greene signed a petition to release Epstein-related documents, fulfilling a campaign promise Trump made.
Despite disagreements, Greene continues to publicly support Trump and his presidency.
The Supreme Court will review a policy used to limit how many migrants can apply for asylum at U.S. border entry points. This policy, called metering, stops migrants from entering U.S. soil until there is enough processing space.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court agreed to review the legality of the metering policy.
The case involves the Trump administration's appeal against lower-court decisions that invalidated the policy.
Metering is a border practice that controls how many migrants can apply for asylum at a time.
The policy prevents migrants from stepping onto U.S. soil until space is available for processing.
Arguments in the case are expected in late winter or early spring.
The U.S. House of Representatives is getting ready to vote on a bill that would make the Justice Department release files on Jeffrey Epstein. This move comes after resistance from President Trump and some Republican leaders. New information from Epstein’s emails has sparked renewed interest in the investigation.
Key Facts
The House plans to vote on a bill related to Jeffrey Epstein's case files.
President Donald Trump and some Republican leaders tried to block this effort.
The Epstein investigation focuses on sex trafficking.
The House returned to Washington after a two-month break during a government shutdown.
New emails from Epstein have been released, adding fresh details to the case.
Some emails claim President Trump was at Epstein’s house with a sex trafficking victim.
Epstein was a financier who was under investigation for sex trafficking.
At President Donald Trump's inauguration, Barron Trump had a brief and polite exchange with former President Joe Biden. Online, people speculated about what Barron said, but Eric Trump clarified that Barron wished Biden "congratulations and best of luck." This interaction happened just before President Trump gave a speech criticizing Biden’s policies.
Key Facts
Barron Trump spoke to Joe Biden at President Trump's inauguration.
Eric Trump said Barron’s words to Biden were polite and respectful.
Rumors online speculated Barron’s words were critical or disrespectful.
The exchange took place before President Trump’s critical inaugural address.
Eric Trump praised Barron as polite and not confrontational.
The family describes Barron as smart and shy.
No response from Biden was noted about Eric Trump's comments.
British journalist Sami Hamdi claims he was held by U.S. immigration authorities for over two weeks due to his pro-Palestinian commentary. He alleges that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used immigration law loopholes to detain him. Hamdi shared his experience to highlight the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention.
Key Facts
Sami Hamdi is a British journalist detained by U.S. immigration officials for more than two weeks.
He was stopped at San Francisco International Airport on October 26 while on a speaking tour.
Hamdi claims his visa was revoked after right-wing activists called for it.
ICE agents detained Hamdi and took him to a facility in McFarland, California.
He was held in a small cell with 20 other men and reported bureaucratic delays in cases.
Hamdi returned to London after his release and shared his story to draw attention to Palestinian detainees in Israel.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations helped Hamdi with legal representation.
Indiana state Senator Greg Goode, who opposed President Trump's effort to redraw congressional districts, experienced a swatting incident. This happened after President Trump criticized him and another lawmaker for their stance.
Key Facts
An Indiana lawmaker named Greg Goode was involved in a swatting incident.
Swatting is when someone calls police with a fake emergency to send officers to someone's location.
This event occurred at Greg Goode's home in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Hours before the incident, President Trump criticized Goode for opposing his redistricting plan.
President Trump wants Republican-led states to redraw district boundaries to support Republicans in future elections.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the false emergency call at Goode’s home.
A federal judge criticized the Justice Department for making serious mistakes in the investigation that led to former FBI Director James Comey's indictment. The judge ordered prosecutors to share all grand jury materials with Comey's defense team.
Key Facts
A federal judge ruled that the Justice Department made serious errors in investigating James Comey.
The judge directed prosecutors to give all grand jury materials to Comey’s defense lawyers.
Mistakes include legal misstatements made to the grand jury.
There were issues with the use of potentially private communications in the investigation.
There were unexplained problems with the grand jury transcript.
The judge noted these issues could have affected the grand jury's integrity.
A new poll shows Republican Senator Susan Collins trailing a generic Democratic candidate by eight points in Maine's 2026 Senate race. Graham Platner, a military veteran and Democratic candidate, is currently leading among his party's contenders. The poll also highlights that federal health care premium tax credits could influence the race if Collins supports their extension.
Key Facts
Susan Collins, a Republican, is the current Senator from Maine.
A poll by Cygnal shows Collins trailing a generic Democrat by eight points, with 41% for Collins and 49% for a Democrat.
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate, is leading among declared Democratic candidates in recent polls.
Platner has faced criticism due to past social media activity and a controversial tattoo.
A public poll suggests Platner would win over Collins 44.8% to 40.9% in a direct contest.
Collins could gain support if she backs the extension of federal health care premium tax credits.
The Democratic primary in Maine is scheduled for June 9, 2026, and the general election will be on November 3, 2026.
The Cygnal poll surveyed 600 likely voters with a margin of error of +/-4%.
The number of international students at U.S. colleges stayed mostly the same this fall, despite concerns about visa issues under President Trump's administration. However, fewer new international students started their studies in the U.S. this year.
Key Facts
International student enrollment at U.S. colleges fell by 1% this fall compared to last year.
The Institute of International Education conducted the survey on which the report is based.
Many students remained in the U.S. after graduation for temporary work, which helped maintain overall numbers.
There was a 17% decrease in new international students coming to the U.S. for the first time.
The 17% drop is the largest since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concerns existed about a potential drop in foreign students due to visa policies under President Trump's administration.
Immigration agents detained a 21-year-old man named Alejandro Bahena in Georgia after a traffic stop revealed he was living in the United States without legal documents. Bahena, who moved to the U.S. as a baby and has lived here his whole life, was arrested for driving without a license and transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Key Facts
Alejandro Bahena was detained by ICE in Georgia after a traffic stop on November 10.
Police stopped Bahena due to expired vehicle insurance and arrested him for driving without a license.
Bahena admitted he did not have legal immigration documents and was placed in ICE custody.
Bahena has lived in the U.S. since infancy and attended local schools.
He has no criminal history and worked to support his family.
His partner, Desmaih Mock, is worried about Bahena's health and potential deportation.
Bahena reported poor conditions in the ICE facility, including limited water and harsh treatment.
Deportation could send Bahena to Mexico, a country he does not know.
The Supreme Court's conservative justices disagreed on whether to hear a case about the construction of a new prison in New Orleans. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch wanted to review the case, but the majority decided not to. The case involves legal arguments about federal law and whether a court-ordered prison construction is lawful.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court's majority chose not to hear the case about the new prison.
Justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch wanted the case to be reviewed.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson argues that the new prison construction violates federal law, specifically the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
Attorneys for the U.S. government oppose the petition, arguing the PLRA supports ongoing relief if necessary to address federal rights violations.
As of mid-2025, the prison's construction is about 68.60% complete.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision that denied stopping the prison's construction.
Justice Alito wrote that the lower courts wrongly assigned the burden of proof in the case.
There is a disagreement in the courts about which party should prove their case in such legal matters.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a U.S. Representative from Georgia, has seen her chances of becoming the Republican nominee for the 2028 presidential election nearly double on the betting platform Polymarket. Her probability increased from 2.3% to 4%, placing her ahead of several other potential candidates like Donald Trump Jr. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Despite the market prediction, Greene has denied any plans to run for president in 2028.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene's chances on Polymarket increased from 2.3% to 4% for the 2028 GOP nomination.
She has overtaken candidates like Donald Trump Jr. and Ron DeSantis on the platform.
Greene tied with President Trump at 4%, behind JD Vance who leads with a 56% chance.
Betting markets like Polymarket are based on probability, not personal preference.
Greene previously had a stable 2.7% chance for several months before the recent increase.
Greene has publicly denied plans to run for president in 2028.
Changes in the betting market can be influenced by factors such as name recognition and current events.
Betting markets fluctuate and often reflect speculation rather than definitive outcomes.
President Trump will speak to McDonald's franchisees about his plans to make things more affordable for Americans. He will highlight his policy ideas like tax cuts and criticize the current economic situation under the Biden administration. This is part of a broader strategy to address economic concerns before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump will share his affordability plans with McDonald's owners and suppliers.
His message focuses on reducing living costs and ending what he calls the "affordability crisis."
Trump’s proposals include tax cuts on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
The discussion is linked to Republican strategies for upcoming midterm elections.
Trump blames the economic situation on the Biden administration.
McDonald's is contributing to its new Extra Value Meals to help budget-conscious customers.
The summit includes speakers from both political parties, including governors and former mayors.
The Justice Department quietly replaced online copies of pardons initially showing identical signatures of President Trump. The identical signatures were confirmed by experts, but the department attributed the issue to a technical error and corrected it.
Key Facts
Identical signatures of President Trump appeared on several pardons dated November 7.
Forensic experts confirmed these signatures were the same.
The Justice Department stated the duplicate signatures were due to a technical error.
The agency corrected the signatures on the documents within hours.
The incident did not affect the validity of the pardons.
President Trump was previously critical of the use of an autopen, a device for signing documents electronically.
