Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States is “winning so big” against Iran and that Iranian officials are negotiating — but are too afraid to publicly admit it.
Speaking to supporters at a GOP event, Trump described the Iranian leadership as hesitant to engage, saying they fear repercussions from both their own people and the U.S. “There’s never been a head of a country that wanted that job less than being the head of Iran,” Trump said.
He added that the U.S. is closely listening to Iranian communications and negotiating through intermediaries, emphasizing that the Trump administration is achieving results in the Middle East while keeping national security a top priority.
Donald Trump is projecting confidence as Republicans head into the upcoming midterm elections, predicting the party will expand its majorities in Congress.
Speaking at a GOP fundraising event, Trump highlighted strong momentum within the party and defended his foreign policy, describing recent action against Iran as necessary for national security.
Trump acknowledged short-term economic pressures, including fluctuations in gas prices, but said the country is positioned for long-term success and growth under his leadership.
Mikie Sherrill has signed legislation limiting the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers, including federal ICE agents.
The new law also requires officers to present identification before making arrests, aiming to increase transparency and strengthen public trust.
New Jersey becomes the second state this year to enact such restrictions, following a similar measure signed by Bob Ferguson earlier in March.
The legislation comes amid ongoing tensions with the Department of Homeland Security and the Donald Trump administration over immigration enforcement and federal authority within the state.
Supporters say the law will protect residents’ rights and increase accountability, while federal officials have previously criticized such measures as potentially dangerous.
The Justice Department has reportedly reached a settlement of approximately $1.2 million with Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump.
Flynn had previously pleaded guilty to lying about phone conversations with a top Russian diplomat during Trump’s first term, though he was later pardoned.
The settlement resolves a 2023 lawsuit in which Flynn alleged malicious prosecution, seeking at least $50 million. The resolution represents a significant reversal in the Justice Department’s position on the case.
No further details on the settlement amount were disclosed in court filings, but sources familiar with the matter confirmed the total at roughly $1.2 million.
Iran says it is reviewing a proposal from the United States that could potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — but insists no direct negotiations are taking place.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Wednesday there has been no formal dialogue with Washington, despite messages being exchanged through intermediary countries.
“No negotiations have taken place so far,” Araqchi said. “Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries… is not called negotiation or dialogue.”
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Donald Trump has proposed a sweeping plan that includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, limiting missile development, and cutting support to regional allies.
Regional officials say Iran has its own conditions — including that Lebanon be part of any ceasefire agreement involving the U.S. and Israel.
The White House has not confirmed details of the proposal but warned that further military action remains possible if Iran does not agree to terms.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and stop threatening the U.S. and its allies, adding that any continued violence would be the result of Iran refusing to make a deal.
Despite Iran’s public stance, Trump said negotiations are effectively underway.
“They are negotiating… and they want to make a deal so badly,” Trump said, suggesting Iranian leaders may be hesitant to say so publicly.
For now, both sides appear to be holding firm — exchanging messages indirectly while leaving the door open to a potential agreement.
President Donald Trump will hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that the country has been "defeated militarily," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
"President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again," Leavitt told reporters in a press briefing.
"If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before," she said.
As the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran entered its fourth week, there have been efforts by multiple countries such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt to mediate.
Iran is still reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war, despite an initial response that was negative, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, indicating that Tehran had so far stopped short of rejecting it outright.
Talks with Iran were still under way, Leavitt said. "Talks continue. They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be," she added.
Citing unnamed sources, media outlets on Tuesday reported that Washington sent Tehran a 15-point plan on ending the war. Leavitt said on Wednesday that elements of the reports were not fully accurate, but she did not provide specifics.
"The White House never confirmed that full plan. There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual, so I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the president here at the podium," Leavitt said.
Global equity markets regained some ground while oil prices dipped on Wednesday after the reports about the plan, with investors hoping for an end to a war that has disrupted global energy supplies and raised inflation concerns.
As communities across Hawaii dig out from destruction caused by the worst flooding to hit the state in over 20 years, nonprofits, mutual aid networks and foundations are collecting donations to support households, farmers and animals affected across the state.
Two Kona low winter storm systems roughly a week apart unleashed deluges over soil too soaked to absorb more rainwater, damaging farmers' crops, hundreds of homes, several schools and one hospital.
Damages from both storms could exceed $1 billion, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who has asked President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration to channel federal resources to the recovery effort.
“These storms have impacted every county in our state and stretched our emergency response capabilities,” Green said in a statement. “This request is about getting our communities the support they need to recover quickly and safely.”
Meanwhile, neighbors and aid groups are rallying to help affected households secure temporary housing, replace food, receive medical care and muck out debris-laden homes.
“So many families have been displaced, homes have been damaged, and communities are facing immediate needs,” said Hawaiian Council CEO Kuhio Lewis. "The path to recovery begins now -- it cannot wait.”
Here are some of the groups accepting financial support to help those impacted.
Families and individuals
Lahui Foundation is accepting donations for its mutual aid work distributing supplies and financial aid to Oahu's North Shore families. The group is also organizing volunteers to help residents clean out homes and neighborhoods. North Shore-born musician Jack Johnson pointed those eager to help to the Lahui Foundation in an Instagram post.
Aloha United Way on Oahu has activated its Community Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families, and support nonprofit organizations working on the front lines. Maui United Way is helping communities on Maui and the smaller neighbor island of Molokai. Hawaii Island United Way is collecting donations to help households impacted on Big Island, and asks supporters to make a note in their donation that they want to support flood relief.
The Hawaiian Council, a nonprofit dedicated to Native Hawaiian advancement, launched the Kako’o Oahu initiative to help residents with housing stability services, financial assistance, and other future needs. The council is matching up to $200,000 in donations.
The Hawaii Community Foundation has activated its Stronger Hawaii Fund to deploy resources across the state for response, recovery and future resilience.
Maui Rapid Response is using funds to deliver mutual aid to underserved communities on Maui and Molokai, including people who are homeless and areas that were temporarily cut off by flooding.
Melania Trump often commands the attention of any room she enters, but on Wednesday, she shared the spotlight with a robot. The humanoid robot Figure 03 accompanied the first lady on Wednesday as she arrived at the White House East Room for the second day of a summit she had convened with counterparts from around the world through her Fostering the Future Together global initiative. They have been discussing ways to empower children through education, innovation and the use of technology, including artificial intelligence. The robot thanked Melania Trump for the invitation to the White House.
The White House says President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing for a rescheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15. Trump had been scheduled to travel to China this month but previously announced he was delaying the trip so he could be in Washington to help steward the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. The Republican president announced a rescheduled trip even though the war in Iran continues and the U.S. is pressing Tehran to accept a ceasefire proposal. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the president plans to host Xi for a White House visit later this year.
The White House says President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing for a rescheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15. Trump had been scheduled to travel to China this month but previously announced he was delaying the trip so he could be in Washington to help steward the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. The Republican president announced a rescheduled trip even though the war in Iran continues and the U.S. is pressing Tehran to accept a ceasefire proposal. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the president plans to host Xi for a White House visit later this year.
Most Americans do not support the ongoing war against Iran. A new AP-NORC poll shows that a majority of Americans surveyed believe the military action against Iran has gone too far. 90% of Democrats feel that way, as do about 60% of independents. Republicans are more divided. The polling data show that many Americans are worried about affording gasoline. Keeping the price at the pump down is the rare goal that unites both major political parties.
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