Here's where things stand
• Iran: President Donald Trump acknowledged today he was facing a difficult choice in how to proceed with Iran after efforts at diplomacy have proved unsatisfactory. “We have a big decision to make,” he told a crowd in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was promoting his energy agenda.
• Mediator weighs in: Separately, the Omani foreign minister, who has served as key mediator in the US-Iran talks, told CBS that that Tehran agreed that it will no longer stockpile enriched uranium, meaning it would never have enough material to create a nuclear weapon, if it reaches a deal with the US.
• Cuba: Earlier today, Trump touched on another foreign policy issue, floating the prospect of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, saying the country’s government has been in talks with his administration.
Trump says he'll "probably" endorse in Texas Senate race but may wait until after primary
President Donald Trump said Friday he “probably will” endorse a Republican Senate candidate in Texas, but suggested he may wait until after the primary, rather than choosing among “three excellent people.”
“The problem I have — and it’s a problem that I have elsewhere too — you have people running that are all friends of mine. It’s a very difficult situation, just on a human basis,” Trump told CNN affiliate KIII 3News.
“You have three excellent people, so I probably will, maybe I’ll wait to see what happens in the primary before I do anything, because you still have a race against a Democrat,” Trump added.
Trump has so far declined to endorse one of the three contenders: incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt.
If no candidate clears the 50% benchmark on Tuesday, the race would head to a late May runoff between the top two finishers.
Trump acknowledges "big decision" looming on Iran
President Donald Trump acknowledged Friday he was facing a difficult choice in how to proceed with Iran after efforts at diplomacy have proved unsatisfactory.
Trump said the decision was “not easy,” and that Iran had long been engaged in malign behavior.
“We have a country that’s been, for 47 years, blowing people’s legs off, arms off,” he said.
“They want to make a deal, but got to make a deal that’s meaningful,” the president said. He said he’d consulted Texas’ two Republican senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, aboard Air Force One as he flew to the state.
“I said we got to make a deal that’s meaningful,” Trump said, adding: “I’d rather do it the peaceful way. But they’re very difficult people.”
Trump calls Tony Gonzales "a great congressman" despite allegations
President Donald Trump called Rep. Tony Gonzales “a great congressman” during remarks today in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Trump previously endorsed the embattled Republican who said this week he would not resign amid allegations that he had an affair with a senior staffer who later died by suicide. Trump has not retracted the endorsement since the allegations surfaced.
Trump praises Texas Senate candidates but doesn't endorse one
President Donald Trump skirted around the thorny issue of endorsing in the Texas Republican Senate race on Friday, instead telling a crowd in Corpus Christi — including the three candidates themselves — that it was going to be an “interesting race.”
Trump has declined to back any of the three contenders for the GOP nomination: incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and US Rep. Wesley Hunt.
All reshuffled their campaign schedules in the final stretch of the contest to attend Trump’s event.
But when Trump called out each of them from stage, he stopped short of saying which one he was supporting.
“We have a great attorney general, Ken Paxton,” he said.
“We have a great senator, John Cornyn,” he went on.
“They’re in a little race together,” he observed. “It’s going to be an interesting one, right?”
“They’re both great people, too. Thank you both very much. We appreciate it.”
Later in his speech, he called out Hunt.
“Doing a good job. Thank you,” Trump said.
Earlier, the president told reporters he’d “pretty much” decided to endorse, without saying who it was or when he would announce it.
Trump questions possibility of Supreme Court rehearing tariffs case
President Donald Trump questioned on Friday whether it would be possible for the Supreme Court, which ruled against his sweeping tariffs earlier this month, to rehear the case.
“It doesn’t make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved ‘windfall,’ the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling. Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump expressed concern that the court’s decision could allow for “Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to be returned to Countries and Companies that have been ‘ripping off’ the United States of America for many years, and now, according to this Decision, could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level.”
Despite the court’s 6-3 decision, Trump added: “I am sure that the Supreme Court did not have this in mind!”
Trump has repeatedly railed against the high court — including two conservative justices he appointed — for siding against his tariffs last week.
Though extraordinarily rare, especially in modern times, it’s possible for the Supreme Court to rehear a case. Petitions for rehearing must be filed within 25 days after the decision or judgment is entered.
Trump says he's "entitled" to third term as he kicks off Texas speech
President Donald Trump today again teased that he would be entitled to another term, because he believes he was cheated out of the 2020 election.
Trump made the remarks at a meandering speech at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas, wearing a “Gulf of America” hat and walking out on stage to his signature campaign song: “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.
The president also recapped his State of the Union speech and continued lobbing insults at Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar. And he shared a strange anecdote about a friend who said his marriage his improved because his 401K account is up, due to Trump administration polices.
Iran has agreed to "never" stockpile nuclear material, Omani foreign minister says
Iran has agreed that it will no longer stockpile enriched uranium, meaning it would never have enough material to create a nuclear weapon if it reaches a deal with the United States, the Omani Foreign Minister, who has served as key mediator in the US’ talks with Iran, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Friday.
Such an agreement to eliminate its stockpile would mark a significant concession and a change from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, from which US President Donald Trump withdrew in his first term.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said that “in his view,” there had been agreement on the stockpile matter, as well as “full and comprehensive verification” by the UN’s nuclear watchdog. It is unclear if the Trump administration shares that view.
Asked about the comments, the White House deferred to Trump’s comments today. CNN has reached out to the State Department.
“So explain that,” CBS’ Margaret Brennan said. “So the enriched material, things that could be used as nuclear fuel for a bomb, you’re saying Iran would not keep on their own soil?”
“They would give it up,” Albusaidi said, adding that Iran “will not be able to actually accumulate that material that will enable them to create a bomb.”
The current stockpiles in Iran now, he said, would be “blended to the lowest level possible … and converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible.”
Albusaidi added that “if there is a deal, an agreed deal, there will be full access” to Iranian nuclear sites for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors. He also expressed confidence “that even United States inspectors will have access at some point in the process” if a deal is reached.
Earlier on Friday, Albusaidi met with Vice President JD Vance to discuss the latest on the negotiations.
Albusaidi’s comments come just hours after Trump told the press he was “not happy” with the state of the negotiations, as Iran is “not willing to give us what we have to have.” Trump has insisted that Iran stop its uranium enrichment so it could never develop a nuclear weapon. Albusaidi said Friday he didn’t know what Trump meant when he said there was not enough being done.
Asked Friday if he believes the agreement is enough to convince the US not to carry out military strikes in Iran, Albusaidi said, “I hope so.”
Trump again says he's pessimistic about state of talks with Iran
President Donald Trump said Friday he was “not happy” with the trajectory of his administration’s talks with Iran, warning again that he would not agree to a deal that allows any nuclear enrichment.
“They should make a deal, but they don’t want to quite go far enough,” he said. “They don’t want to say the key words: ‘We’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.’”
Trump declined to say if he’d made a decision on striking Iran. But offered a gloomy assessment of the ongoing negotiations, lamenting that Iranian officials “just can’t quite get there.”
Pressed on whether an attack on Iran would drive up oil prices, Trump insisted he wasn’t concerned with the potential economic fallout, saying he was worried only with “people’s lives.”
“I’m concerned about long-term health for this country,” he said.
Democrats have received White House counteroffer and "are reviewing it closely"
Top congressional Democrats have received the White House counteroffer amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown and “are reviewing it closely.”
Spokespeople for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a joint statement, “We have received the White House’s counteroffer and are reviewing it closely. Democrats remain committed to keep fighting for real reforms to rein in ICE and stop the violence.”
White House sends latest counteroffer to Democrats to end partial government shutdown
The White House sent its latest counteroffer to Democrats to end the partial government shutdown on Thursday, according to a White House official.
“Yesterday, the White House has made another serious counteroffer. Democrats need to make a move to end the shutdown before more Americans are harmed by a lack of funding for critical services like disaster relief,” the official said in a statement to CNN.
The partial shutdown, which impacts the Department of Homeland Security, has been ongoing for two weeks. Democrats have made demands to overhaul Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol operations, following the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis.
While DHS can operate without immediate government funding, paychecks for TSA workers are now being impacted.
Embattled GOP Rep. Gonzales is attending Trump event in Texas
Embattled Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales is attending President Donald Trump’s event at the Port of Corpus Christi on Friday.
Gonzales, who has been accused of having an affair with a senior staffer who later died by suicide, was seen arriving to the event ahead of Trump’s arrival.
Gonzales told CNN this week he would not resign and he declined to answer repeated questions about whether the allegations are true.
Trump has endorsed Gonzales in his reelection bid. The White House hasn’t said whether that endorsement stands in light of the allegations. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not called on the Texas congressman to resign, telling reporters: “There’s a primary there in less than a week, these things will play out.”
Trump expresses frustration with US-Iran talks. Here’s what you should know
President Donald Trump said today that he’s “not happy” with the way Iran is negotiating, a day after US and Iranian officials held another round of talks in Geneva.
Here’s what you should know about the US-Iran talks:
- More talks on the way: While Trump told reporters today that he’s unsatisfied “with the fact that they are not willing to give us what we have to have,” he said additional discussions will take place. “I’m not thrilled with that, we’ll see what happens, we’re talking later. We’ll have some additional talks today,” he said before heading to Texas.
- No final military decision: The president said that “we haven’t made a final decision” when it comes to potential military action, while reiterating that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Pressed on whether potential US strikes could spiral into a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, the president said there’s some risk.
- VP weighs in: Vice President JD Vance dismissed that possibility yesterday. “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” Vance told The Washington Post.
- Yesterday’s talks: The countries concluded their third round of talks without a major breakthrough. The US insisted on limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment and maintaining long-term verification of its nuclear program. While Iran affirmed it will never have nuclear weapons, it insisted that its uranium enrichment continue under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight. Tehran also presented detailed proposals to address US concerns about its nuclear activities. An Iranian source said the key to an agreement lies in lifting all US sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions.
- What’s next: Washington and Tehran have identified the main elements of a potential agreement and will move discussions to the technical level, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. US and Iranian technical teams will meet in Vienna at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency next week.
President Donald Trump said he is “not exactly happy” with the way talks between the US and Iran have been going, but said there will be additional discussions.
Trump says he’s not considering national emergency around midterm elections
President Donald Trump said Friday he is not considering declaring a national emergency tied to the midterm elections, telling reporters he hasn’t heard about the idea.
When pressed on reports about a proposed executive order that would do that, Trump said, “Who told you that?” adding, “No, I’ve never heard about that.”
His comments came after The Washington Post reported on a 17-page draft executive order circulating among Trump allies that proposes the use of emergency powers to expand presidential authority over voting.
Trump has repeatedly called for Congress to pass stricter voter ID measures and ban mail-in ballots, including during his State of the Union address earlier this week.
Kennedy Center Honors to include Trump's name, institution says
The Kennedy Center’s annual awards show will be called the “Trump Kennedy Center Honors,” the performing arts institution confirmed to CNN today.
The change reflects the center’s renaming to include Trump’s name.
The center shared with CNN its president Richard Grenell’s interview with local DC radio station WTOP, in which he said that the awards show will be hosted at a different venue when the Kennedy Center closes in July for a two-year renovation.
“The location is yet to be determined,” Grenell told WTOP. “We’re already looking for different places. It will probably just be in a smaller venue.”
Trump says Lutnick would testify to Congress on Epstein ties
President Donald Trump told reporters today that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would testify to Congress about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
“Howard would go in and say whatever he has to say,” Trump told CNN’s Kristen Holmes. “He’s a very innocent guy, he’s doing a good job.”
An email exchange, released as part of the Epstein files, between the disgraced financier and Lutnick shows that the Commerce secretary communicated with Epstein more than a decade after he claimed he cut off all contact with the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing and has publicly said he “did not have any relationship” with Epstein.
Trump has remained a strong supporter of Lutnick, who is perhaps one of the few Cabinet secretaries who Trump considers a personal friend.
Trump floats potential "friendly takeover" of Cuba
President Donald Trump on Friday floated the prospect of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, saying the country’s government has been in talks with his administration.
“We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba after many, many years,” he told reporters at the White House. “They’re in big trouble and we could very well do something good, I think, very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba that live here.”
Trump did not specify what such a “takeover” would look like or offer a timetable for any potential action against the country. The president’s remarks came days after Cuban soldiers opened fire on a boat that it claimed was trying to infiltrate the island, killing four, including a US citizen.
Trump officials are still investigating the incident, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio called “highly unusual” and not part of any official operation.
Trump and his aides have criticized the Cuban government in the past, seeking to put increasing pressure on its leadership in the weeks since the US forced leadership change in Venezuela.
“They’re in a big deal of trouble, they have no money, they have no anything right now,” Trump said. “But they’re talking with us.”
Trump signals frustration with Iran negotiations
President Donald Trump said Friday he’s “not happy” with the way Iran is negotiating, but said there will be additional discussions and that he hasn’t made a final decision about potential military action.
“I’m not happy with the fact that they are not willing to give us what we have to have,” Trump told reporters while leaving the White House for a trip to Texas. “I’m not thrilled with that, we’ll see what happens, we’re talking later. We’ll have some additional talks today.”
Trump added that “we haven’t made a final decision,” while reiterating that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. “We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating, and again, they cannot have nuclear weapons.”
Pressed on whether potential US strikes could spiral into a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, the president said there’s some risk.
“I guess you could say there’s always a risk. You know, when there’s war, there’s a risk in anything, both good and bad,” Trump said.
CNN has reached out to the White House about the talks Trump mentioned. CNN previously reported that the Omani foreign minister is meeting with Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Friday to discuss efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, according to two sources familiar with the plans.
Trump's visiting Texas, where the Senate primaries are testing both parties
President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Corpus Christi, Texas, today to speak about his energy agenda, a visit that comes just days before the state’s Senate primaries next week.
The elections serve as an early gauge of where the energy is in both parties, especially after a Democratic win in the red state earlier this month sparked a wave of warnings from Republicans on Capitol Hill. Early voting data ahead of Tuesday’s primaries suggest a sharp rise in Democratic turnout in Texas, where no Democrat has won statewide since 1994.
With early voting now underway, the results of the primaries stand to shape how Democrats and Republicans view the potential competitiveness of the general election contest in Texas as the GOP seeks to maintain control of its 53-seat majority in the chamber.
Republicans are engaged in a three-way battle between an incumbent senator fighting for political survival, a state attorney general who’s defied odds amid a series of scandals, and a lesser-known US congressman pushing for generational change. Looming over the GOP face-off is Trump, who has refrained from offering an endorsement of four-term Sen. John Cornyn despite pleas from senior leaders in his party.
Meanwhile, the Democratic contest features two rising stars in Texas politics – both showcasing vast digital reach but offering differing theories on how the party can win in the deeply conservative state.
Read more about the significance of Texas’ primaries here.
