From courtroom setbacks to globe-trotting deals (and a few social media posts in between), President Trump managed to make a lot of headlines over the last seven days.. And no, you’re not imagining things — that really was a reality show pitch at the Department of Homeland Security.
In any case, it was another whirlwind week in Trumpworld, where executive orders, lawsuits, and foreign policy shakeups collided at breakneck speed.
As his second term enters full throttle, Trump continues to blur the lines between governance, showmanship, and disruption. Here’s a slide-by-slide look at the biggest Trump-related headlines from the past week — the policies, controversies, and wildcards that shaped and continue to shape the national, and often international, conversation.
Trump’s Middle East Tour Secures Trillion-Dollar Deals
During his first major international trip of his second term, President Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The tour resulted in significant economic agreements, including a $1.4 trillion investment from the UAE into the U.S. AI sector over the next decade.
SCOTUS Blocks Trump’s Use of Wartime Deportations
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s attempt to use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations of suspected Venezuelan gang members without due process. The Court emphasized the need for advance notice and the opportunity for detainees to challenge their deportations in court.
Lights, Camera, Tariffs
President Trump proposed imposing a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films to bolster the U.S. film industry, arguing that this was necessary to save Hollywood which he claimed in a social media post on Truth Social was “dying a very fast death.” The measure, advocated by his advisor Jon Voight, has raised concerns about potential conflicts with international trade agreements and the impact on digital streaming services. Also, it’s entirely unclear what tariffs of this nature would look like, which largely explains the pushback and confusion.
Small Business Owner Sues Trump Over Tariffs
Speaking of Trump’s tariffs…Emily Ley, a small-business owner from Pensacola, Florida, is suing President Trump over tariffs that she argues threaten her company, Simplified. The recent escalation in tariffs has disrupted her operations, leading to layoffs and business cutbacks. Ley contends that Trump bypassed Congressional authority by using emergency powers to impose the tariffs. Does she have a case?
DHS Considers Reality Show—’The Americans’— for Immigrant Citizenship
A proposal submitted to the Department of Homeland Security suggests a reality TV show where immigrants compete in challenges across the U.S. for a chance at citizenship. While DHS is reportedly considering the idea, they have neither accepted nor rejected the proposal. While doing the media rounds, the show producer emphasized that the show isn’t meant to be “hunger games.”
