Trump shrugs off racist meme posting amid rare wave of GOP criticism

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has shrugged off a controversy surrounding a racist meme of the Obamas shared on his social media account, ignoring rare pushback from several Republican lawmakers.

One White House ally, granted anonymity to be candid, dubbed the posting of a meme depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as primates a “big unforced error.” A number of GOP members of Congress expressed shock at the post, continuing a recent trend of world leaders, corporate executives and even political allies speaking out against a president who returned to office with little resistance.

But Trump has refused to apologize and tried to explain the controversy away as an oversight, saying he and an unnamed staffer did not watch the entire video that his account posted late Thursday night on the president’s Truth Social platform. It remained on the site for 12 hours before the White House removed it around midday Friday, with an official saying it was “erroneously” posted.

On Air Force One later that night, Trump contradicted his staff, then blamed them, before shrugging the whole situation off and walking back to his cabin. Asked Friday night by reporters if he condemned the racist portions of the video depicting the Obamas, Trump said, “Of course, I do.”

—CQ-Roll Call

Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Canada from opening

LANSING, Mich. — President Donald Trump threatened Monday evening to prevent the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor from opening until Canada treats the United States with, what he described as, "fairness and respect."

The Republican president issued the statement about the $5.7 billion Canadian-financed project, which has been under construction since 2018, on the social media platform Truth Social. The bridge project was once touted by Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder as an enduring symbol of two nations' partnership.

However, in the new post, Trump complained that Ontario won't allow U.S. alcoholic products on its shelves, that Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, was attempting to work with China and about Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy products.

"I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve," Trump wrote. "We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY."

—The Detroit News

Savannah Guthrie posts new video in ‘desperation’ for mother’s safe return

Savannah Guthrie recorded a desperate plea for help in finding her 84-year-old mother in this “hour of desperation.” The NBC host’s message was posted on Instagram as a 5 p.m. deadline from possible kidnappers approached Monday afternoon.

“Hi there everybody, I wanted to come on and just share a few thoughts as we enter into another week of this nightmare,” her message begins.

She also thanks supporters for their thoughts and prayers and calls for people everywhere — not just near her mother’s home in Tucson — to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

“We believe our mom is still out there, we need your help,” she says. “Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock trying to bring her home, trying to find her. She was taken and we don’t know where. And we need your help.”

—New York Daily News

US pledges $9 billion to help Armenia shift from Russian energy

U.S. Vice President JD Vance signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Armenia on Monday, pledging as much as $9 billion in potential investment as the South Caucasus country seeks to reduce its long-standing reliance on Russia for energy.

The accord, known as a Section 123 agreement, establishes the legal framework for U.S. companies to export nuclear technology, fuel and services to Armenia. It opens the door for American firms to compete for a deal to replace the Soviet-era Metsamor nuclear power plant, which currently supplies about 40% of the country’s electricity, with small modular reactors.

“It’ll pave the way for American and Armenian companies to strike deals on civil nuclear projects. That means up to $5 billion in initial U.S. exports, plus an additional $4 billion in long-term support through fuel and maintenance contracts,” Vance said at a briefing in Yerevan.

“This is a classic win-win for both Armenia and the United States of America. It means stronger energy security for my own country, stronger energy security for Armenia, and it’s also going to create a lot of new jobs.”

—Bloomberg News