President Donald Trump responded to three emails referencing him, sent by Jeffrey Epstein, which the House Oversight Committee released. The emails discuss Trump's connections to Epstein and mention past interactions. Trump criticized Democrats over the timing of the email release, suggesting it was a distraction from other issues.
Key Facts
Three emails involving Jeffrey Epstein and mentioning President Trump were released by the House Oversight Committee.
The emails include communications between Epstein, Steve Bannon, and Larry Summers.
Epstein referred to Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked” in one email.
Epstein claimed Trump asked him to resign his Mar-a-Lago club membership.
Another email suggested Trump knew about Epstein's misconduct.
President Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the email release a "hoax" and a distraction by Democrats.
Trump accused Democrats of causing financial harm to the country.
Elaine Luria, a Democrat from Virginia and former U.S. Representative, announced her plans to run again for Congress after helping investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol incident. She aims to challenge Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, who defeated her previously, in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Luria, who is also a military veteran, wants to improve economic opportunities and holds firm on her decision to investigate President Trump’s actions during the Capitol riots.
Key Facts
Elaine Luria is a Democrat and former U.S. Representative from Virginia.
She helped investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol incident after Trump’s first term.
Luria is running for Congress again in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
The district is racially diverse and has a significant military population.
She was defeated in 2022 by Republican Jennifer Kiggans, also a military veteran.
Luria emphasizes improving economic opportunities and accountability for the Jan. 6 incident.
Her run reflects a larger effort among Democrats to influence the 2026 midterm elections.
President Donald Trump claims that prices are decreasing under his leadership, but reports show that many Americans feel financial pressure. Despite Trump's statements about low grocery and energy prices, data suggests prices are still rising, with many people finding it hard to keep up with the cost of living.
Key Facts
President Trump says grocery prices are down, but many Americans feel costs are rising.
The Department of Labor reported a 3.0% rise in the annual inflation rate as of September 2025.
Over half of surveyed U.S. adults believe the economy is worsening under Trump's leadership.
A poll found that 95% of Americans think their pay isn't keeping up with living costs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a 3.0% rise in food prices in 2025.
Energy costs increased by 2.8% over the past year, according to government reports.
Gas prices decreased slightly from when Trump took office but remain above $3 per gallon.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that significant steps will soon be taken to lower the prices of coffee and certain fruits. These measures aim to help with the rising costs of groceries.
Key Facts
Scott Bessent is the Treasury Secretary.
Bessent said actions are coming soon to reduce grocery prices.
Coffee and some fruits will specifically see price reductions.
The Trump administration is addressing rising grocery costs.
The U.S. does not grow coffee and certain fruits.
Bessent made these comments in a Fox News interview.
This is a developing news story, with more details to come.
The U.S. Supreme Court is involved in a decision about funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a government shutdown. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with a decision to extend a temporary stop of a ruling that required the government to fully fund SNAP benefits. About 40 million Americans rely on SNAP, and the debates center around how to distribute limited funds during the ongoing government shutdown.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court needs to decide on the government funding for SNAP during a government shutdown.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with a decision to extend a temporary hold on court orders for SNAP funding.
The Trump administration stopped SNAP funding in October because of the government shutdown.
Approximately 1 in 8 Americans, or about 40 million people, use SNAP benefits.
The government argued that full funding under current circumstances requires using emergency funds set aside for other purposes.
An appeals court ordered SNAP funding to resume, but the Supreme Court issued a temporary hold on this ruling.
The Solicitor General stated that using the required $4 billion for SNAP would disrupt other funding priorities during the shutdown.
Attorneys for SNAP beneficiaries argue that the lack of funds causes serious harm to millions who need the assistance to buy food.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia is ending the production of the penny following an order by President Donald Trump. The decision comes as the cost of producing a penny has increased to nearly 4 cents. The change is expected to save the Treasury $56 million annually.
Key Facts
The last penny will be minted at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump ordered the discontinuation of the penny due to its high production cost.
It costs the U.S. nearly 4 cents to produce a single penny.
The penny has been in production since 1793, almost immediately after the Coinage Act was passed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Treasurer Brandon Beach will attend the final production run.
The Treasury expects to save $56 million each year by stopping penny production.
The penny has historical significance, documenting over 200 years of U.S. society.
Retailers have had concerns about how to handle transactions without pennies, sometimes resorting to creative solutions.
Texas officials arrested Antonio De Jesus Moreno Escobar, an illegal immigrant, for using a teenage boy’s identity to secure jobs, which resulted in the boy losing his Medicaid benefits. Escobar used fake documents to work in Houston over three years and faces charges related to identity fraud.
Key Facts
Antonio De Jesus Moreno Escobar allegedly stole a teenage boy's identity to work in Houston for three years.
The boy lost his Medicaid benefits because income was fraudulently reported using his name.
Escobar was arrested on a state felony charge of using false identification.
He used a fake Social Security number, green card, and state ID, bought for $120.
Texas is actively working to crack down on illegal immigration and related crimes.
Escobar was held on a $100,000 bond in the Williamson County Jail.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the negative impact of such identity theft cases on state resources and individuals.
Democrat Adelita Grijalva is sworn in as a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives after winning a special election in Arizona seven weeks ago. Her swearing-in marks the start of her term, following a delay due to a government shutdown. Grijalva plans to support a petition to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein once sworn in.
Key Facts
Adelita Grijalva is the newest member of the U.S. House, representing Arizona after a special election.
Her swearing-in was delayed until the House reconvened after a government shutdown.
Grijalva fills the seat previously held by her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March.
She will add her signature to a petition for the release of documents on Jeffrey Epstein's case.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is supported by Democrats and some Republican lawmakers.
Grijalva is Arizona's first Latina congresswoman and previously served on Tucson’s school board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
Her focus is on environmental justice, tribal sovereignty, and public education.
A new poll indicates that Democrat Graham Platner is trailing behind Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Senate race in Maine. Platner's campaign has been affected by old controversies and polls show Collins with a significant lead over him.
Key Facts
Graham Platner, a Democrat, is running against Senator Susan Collins in Maine.
A recent poll shows Collins leading Platner by nine points overall.
When voters were informed about Platner's past controversies, Collins' lead increased to 19 points.
The poll surveyed 700 likely voters with a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points.
Although most voters prefer Democrats on a general ballot, 54% disapprove of Collins' job performance.
Platner's controversies include old Reddit posts and a tattoo with controversial imagery.
Platner is also facing Democratic Governor Janet Mills in the primary.
Collins has historically won in challenging political environments.
Many Americans have not received their SNAP food benefits due to a federal government shutdown. The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to intervene in the issue, while the House of Representatives might send legislation to President Trump to end the shutdown and restore full SNAP payments soon. Some states have managed to give full or partial benefits, but distribution varies widely.
Key Facts
SNAP benefits help about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.
The shutdown has stopped SNAP payments in some places.
The U.S. Supreme Court did not require full SNAP payments to resume.
The House may pass legislation soon to end the shutdown and restore benefits.
Benefit distribution differs by state; some states gave full or partial payments.
19 states and D.C. managed to give full benefits to some people recently.
States like Illinois and Texas have given partial payments.
About 42 million people rely on SNAP, getting roughly $190 per person monthly.
An AP-NORC poll shows that approval of President Donald Trump's management of the government has dropped. Only 33% of U.S. adults say they approve, which is lower than earlier this year.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating for managing the government is now at 33%.
This rating has dropped from 43% in a poll from March.
Much of the decline in approval comes from Republicans.
The poll was conducted after Democrats had recent wins in elections.
The survey took place before Congress acted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
A bill has been passed by the Senate to fund the government and end a shutdown. The bill contains a section that allows senators to sue if their phone data is accessed without notice. Some House Republicans and Democrats criticized this measure, calling it self-serving.
Key Facts
The Senate passed a bill to restore government funding and end the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
The bill includes a provision letting senators sue if their phone data is accessed without notification.
This measure responds to claims that the DOJ Special Counsel accessed senators’ data during an investigation into President Trump's actions after the 2020 election.
Critics say the measure could allow senators to sue for up to $500,000 if their data was accessed improperly.
Some House Republicans and Democrats want this measure removed, saying it is self-serving.
House Representative Austin Scott expressed concerns about the measure but noted changes could delay reopening the government.
Several Republican senators could potentially sue, including Lindsey Graham and Ron Johnson.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats will seek to remove the measure from the bill.
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is running for a Congressional seat in New York's 12th District. This continues the Kennedy family's long history of involvement in American politics. Schlossberg has been vocal on social issues and plans to address multiple challenges facing the U.S. in his campaign.
Key Facts
Jack Schlossberg is 32 years old and is the only grandson of John F. Kennedy.
He is running for the U.S. House in New York's 12th Congressional District.
Jerry Nadler, the district's current representative, is retiring and not seeking re-election.
Schlossberg is a Harvard graduate and has an active presence on social media.
He has spoken out about issues facing the U.S. and has criticized the Trump administration.
The Kennedy family is known for its long history in American politics, with many members having held public office.
Schlossberg's candidacy highlights ongoing discussions about political dynasties in the U.S.
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, plans to run for a U.S. House seat in New York. He aims to take over the seat that will be vacated by longtime representative Jerry Nadler.
Key Facts
Jack Schlossberg is the grandson of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
He announced his run for a U.S. House seat in New York.
The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, who will not run for reelection.
Schlossberg is a member of the Democratic Party.
He has a strong presence on social media where he discusses national issues.
The current district includes Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and midtown.
Jerry Nadler has served 17 terms in Congress.
Schlossberg's campaign is set to officially begin on a Wednesday following the announcement.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Republicans and independents has dropped during the ongoing government shutdown. The AP-NORC poll shows a decline in support due to disruptions caused by the shutdown, such as delayed paychecks and strained services. Despite this, his overall approval rating remains stable.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating for managing the government is now 33%, down from 43% in March.
Republican support for Trump has fallen from 81% to 68%.
Support among independents has decreased from 38% to 25%.
The government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, causing disruptions like delayed federal worker pay.
Both parties are seen as responsible, but Trump, as president, is viewed as bearing more responsibility.
Despite the drop in certain areas, Trump’s overall approval rating remains around 36%.
Public concern has grown over the government's ability to provide essential services during the shutdown.
The White House cited DoorDash data to claim progress in reducing inflation, facing criticism for using non-traditional economic sources. DoorDash reported a drop in grocery prices and steady prices for essentials over the past year. Experts argue such data is not a substitute for official government statistics.
Key Facts
The White House used DoorDash data to highlight economic progress, claiming inflation is under control.
DoorDash reported that grocery prices for breakfast items dropped 14% in six months.
Prices of essentials, like toilet paper and shampoo, reportedly remained stable, decreasing by an average of 2 cents.
DoorDash data focuses on local trends from hundreds of millions of transactions.
Experts caution against replacing government metrics like the Consumer Price Index with private-sector data.
Inflation in September stood at 3%, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Inflation peaked at 9.1% during Joe Biden’s presidency, but has since decreased.
Private-sector data can show trends but may not reflect the whole economic picture, experts say.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to its lowest point in his second term, according to a new poll. The decline comes amid an ongoing government shutdown that has disrupted public services and affected many Americans.
Key Facts
President Trump’s net approval rating is currently at -10 points, with 44% approval and 54% disapproval.
Recent polls, including from Morning Consult and RMG Research, indicate a consistent decline in his approval ratings since the shutdown began.
The government shutdown started on October 1 and has led to furloughs, canceled flights, and public service disruptions.
63% of voters are aware of the shutdown's impact, as per the Morning Consult poll.
Trump's approval on policy issues, such as the economy and health care, has reached new lows during his second term.
The shutdown has sparked disputes over food assistance and health care subsidies. About 42 million could lose food aid as funding issues persist.
Emergency funds were used to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but benefits were reduced.
Legal battles are ongoing regarding cuts to food assistance, and discussions continue on extending health care subsidies.
In December 2025, Social Security payments for millions of Americans will be distributed on specific dates based on birthdays or special payment schedules. The Social Security Administration has outlined a payment calendar to avoid processing all payments at once. There will also be a cost-of-living adjustment effective December 2025 for some recipients.
Key Facts
Over 70 million Americans receive Social Security payments each month.
Payment dates depend on the recipient's birth date or benefit type.
December 2025 payment schedule includes dates on December 1, 3, 10, 17, and 24.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive a January 2026 payment on December 31, 2025.
SSI is for seniors with limited income, and people with disabilities or blindness.
A cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8% will increase payments, starting December 2025 for SSI and January 2026 for other beneficiaries.
This adjustment means about $56 more per month for an average retiree receiving Social Security.
Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein mention President Donald Trump, suggesting Trump spent time with an alleged victim and had knowledge of Epstein's activities. The emails were made public by the House Oversight Committee. President Trump has denied knowing about Epstein's crimes and stated he ended their friendship years ago.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier involved in sex trafficking, wrote emails mentioning President Trump.
The emails say Trump spent time at Epstein's house with a person referred to as a victim.
President Trump has denied any involvement or knowledge of Epstein's illegal activities.
The House Oversight Committee released these emails as part of a set of 23,000 documents.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, accused Democrats of leaking emails to create a negative story about Trump.
Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim, stated that Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the trafficking scheme.
The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a budget plan to end the longest government shutdown in American history, which started on October 1. The proposed budget would temporarily fund federal agencies for two months. President Donald Trump has signaled his support for the bill.
Key Facts
The government shutdown began on October 1 and has lasted 43 days.
A million federal workers are currently not receiving pay, and food assistance programs are on hold.
The Senate already approved the budget plan, which funds federal agencies until December.
President Trump has indicated he will sign the budget into law if approved by the House.
The plan faces opposition from House Democrats who want extended health insurance subsidies included.
Unpaid air traffic controllers have called in sick, causing flight cancellations.
The House has a narrow Republican majority, making the vote outcome uncertain.
The House is scheduled to debate and vote on the budget plan later on Wednesday.
