What we're expecting
• President Donald Trump is expected to use primetime speech tonight to address foreign efforts to influence US elections, the latest in what election observers have warned is a campaign to sow mistrust and try to undercut his 2020 loss. He also may discuss Iran and the economy, the White House said.
• Trump for years has spread falsehoods about the the 2020 election, and the address sets up another high-profile opportunity from him to make unsubstantiated claims about the results. Watch CNN Explains’ episode about voter fraud and the safeguards that effectively prevent — and catch — it.
• Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator, who is under investigation for potential insider trading, has been put on administrative leave “without pay.”
Intel agencies carefully documented 2020 foreign influence efforts in Trump’s first term
American spy and security agencies spent years preparing to defend the 2020 election through intelligence collection and early public warnings about foreign meddling, though some of those warnings have since been removed from government websites.
The 2020 election turned out to be the type of active foreign influence environment that US intelligence officials had come to expect after Russia showed how hackers and trolls could be used to sow discord in the 2016 election.
The upshot: “We have no indications that any foreign actor attempted to alter any technical aspect of the voting process in the 2020 US elections, including voter registration, casting ballots, vote tabulation, or reporting results,” the US intelligence community said in its post-2020 election assessment of foreign influence, a report that in 2018 President Donald Trump himself ordered be created.
Russia and Iran tried to undermine public confidence in the 2020 election, US intelligence agencies assessed. China considered trying to influence the outcome of the election but chose not to out of fear of upsetting US-China relations, according to the assessment.
The US intelligence community distinguishes between foreign interference efforts, or those aimed at disrupting the casting and counting of ballots, and foreign influence efforts aimed at shaping voters’ perceptions. Influence operations are things like social media disinformation campaigns or the use of intelligence agents to push a government’s point of view in the American press. Interference operations can be physical or cyber attacks on election infrastructure. The 2020 election saw foreign influence, not interference, operations, according to the intelligence assessment.
White House coordinating to trace origins of parasitic diarrhea outbreak
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that the administration is working with state and local officials to boost detection of cyclosporiasis cases and trace the origins of the growing outbreak.
“The White House is closely monitoring the situation, has a handle on the situation,” she said during a press briefing. “We’re committed to providing the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and (Food and Drug Administration) the resources that they need.”
Leavitt also urged Americans to follow CDC guidance on properly washing and cooking raw ingredients amid the outbreak, which had increased to more than 1,600 confirmed cases and more than 5,100 additional cases under investigation as of earlier this week. People with cyclosporiasis may have symptoms, including watery diarrhea, cramping and bloating, for weeks.
She rejected suggestions that the lengthy leadership vacancies atop the CDC and FDA had slowed the government’s response, insisting that the health agencies have had all the resources needed to publicly distribute information on the parasite’s spread.
White House declines to say whether charges will accompany Trump's primetime address
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to say if there would be any accompanying charges with President Donald Trump’s Thursday night primetime address.
Asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins why no one has been charged if there is evidence of election fraud or interference revealed in tonight’s speech, Leavitt emphasized that Trump “hasn’t revealed” the evidence yet.
“He hasn’t declassified the documents yet, and you will see what he says tonight, and then we’ll move forward appropriately,” Leavitt said, adding:
“I don’t speak on the behalf of the Justice Department.”
Leavitt was generally tight-lipped about the upcoming primetime speech during her first press briefing back from maternity leave, but previewed that the “findings” will “shock” those who tune in.
CNN reported earlier that Trump intends to reveal what he will claim is new information related to foreign efforts to influence US elections, including from China. He is also expected to discuss purported vulnerabilities in election infrastructure, including voting machines.
CNN’s Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
Trump may discuss Iran and economy in his primetime speech
President Donald Trump may discuss Iran and the economy at the start of his primetime address Thursday, the White House says, after discussing the idea with members of his team.
“He sometimes is thinking about these things up until he walks out. But we have had conversations about him addressing a range of topics, and that could very well be possible tonight,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House.
The bulk of Trump’s address will be on election security issues, despite concerns from some of Trump’s allies that the topic veers from what most Americans are concerned about.
Leavitt suggested Trump’s focus on elections was not a matter of ignoring other issues.
“It’s not a matter of importance. It’s just a matter of timing,” she said. “The president will be making a very important announcement with respect to the integrity of our elections. However, it is also very possible at the top of the speech, he will mention the current situation with Iran and also the economy as well.”
Teleprompter operator under investigation is on unpaid leave, White House says
President Donald Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez, who’s under investigation for potential insider trading, has been put on administrative leave “without pay” and “will now no longer be working at the White House,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.
“Obviously, I’m aware of the report, the president is too. I spoke with him about it,” Leavitt said during Thursday’s press briefing. “He believes it’s deeply unfortunate, and frankly, a disgrace.”
CNN reported earlier Thursday that Perez made trades on the prediction site Kalshi that were flagged for possible insider activity.
The trades were on “mention markets,” where users can bet on the words and phrases that public figures, including Trump, will say at speeches and events.
The White House was not aware that Perez was placing bets on the president’s remarks for months, according to Leavitt. And she said she was not aware of any other White House staffers using their access to sensitive information to make a profit on prediction markets.
“Not to my knowledge, not that I’ve been made aware of. And as you saw, I think this played out exactly how it should,” Leavitt said.
“Kalshi notified the (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) of suspicious activity, they investigated that, identified the individual, and he will now no longer be working at the White House. So, I think that answers all the questions on this matter.”
Trump's election findings will "shock" listeners, White House says
The “findings” President Donald Trump reveals in a primetime speech Thursday will “shock” listeners, the White House press secretary said, suggesting the president has located and is preparing to reveal new information about the security of US elections.
“It will shock you if you have an honest eye listening to the president tonight, and everything he is saying will be backed by facts and by evidence that will be provided this evening,” Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House.
CNN reported earlier that Trump intends to reveal what he will claim is new information related to foreign efforts to influence US elections, including from China. He is also expected to discuss purported vulnerabilities in election infrastructure, including voting machines.
Whether the findings relate to the 2020 election Trump lost, or are about other contests, isn’t clear. Trump’s own appointees in 2020 found that presidential election was free of major fraud or foreign interference.
Leavitt downplayed the idea Trump was consumed by his loss in 2020, and said the American public would be “relieved to hear what they are hearing from the president of the United States and his commitment to transparency and the focus on the integrity of our elections tonight.”
“I think all Republicans and Democrats should recognize this should be a nonpartisan issue. If we don’t have safe and secure elections in our country, we cannot have a country,” she said.
Trump to attend FIFA World Cup final
President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, the White House announced Thursday, capping a weekend of events tied to the tournament.
The president will first travel to New York City on Friday to attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower before attending the championship match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
“On Friday, the president will travel to travel to New York City to attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower, followed by his attendance on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup between Spain and Argentina,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during her first briefing since returning from maternity leave.
“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” she added.
Argentina advanced to its second consecutive World Cup final after scoring two late goals to defeat England 2-1. Spain secured its place in the title match with a 2-0 victory over France, setting up Sunday’s final.
Trump has drawn attention throughout the tournament for his involvement in World Cup storylines, such as when he said he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a decision to issue a red card and one-game suspension to US striker Folarin Balogun.
6.5 million kids signed up for Trump Accounts, White House says
The White House announced Thursday that 6.5 million American children have been signed up for Trump Accounts, citing the Council of Economic Advisers.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she signed up her two children while she was on maternity leave, while briefing reporters at the White House.
The accounts, which are a new federal savings and investment vehicle for eligible chidlren, went live on July 4. They are like traditional IRAs in that money in the accounts will grow tax deferred. But the rules for Trump Accounts differ during the so-called “growth period” – which encompasses the first 18 years of a child’s life.
The account belongs to the child, but the parent, legal guardian or other authorized adult who opened it will serve as custodian until the child is 18.
Money withdrawn from the account before the child reaches age 59-1/2 may be subject both to income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal tax.
But the 10% penalty won’t apply if the money is used for qualified expenses, including: higher education costs, purchase of a first-time home (up to $10,000), birth or adoption costs (up to $5,000 per child), emergency expense (up to $1,000 a year) and some medical expenses.
CNN’s Jeanne Sahadi contributed to this report.
Trump will give an election speech tonight — but advisers debate what should be in it
President Donald Trump is expected to use his primetime address Thursday to press what he will frame as new information on foreign efforts to influence US elections — the latest in what election observers have warned is a campaign to sow mistrust and try to undercut his 2020 loss.
The substance of Trump’s speech has been closely held, and advisers have intensely debated what should be included, according to people familiar with the plans.
Alongside Trump’s speech, the White House has been weighing whether to release a cache of documents related to, among other topics, China and its role in US elections, the people said.
A major effort has been underway inside the administration in recent weeks to locate intelligence information that could support Trump’s claims of widespread election fraud and interference. A task force, under the direction of conservative writer John Solomon, has been working to identify documents to be declassified and made public, the people familiar with the matter said.
Not all administration officials are on board with the effort, however. Some worry declassifying wide swaths of information could provide a muddled picture of American voting security and undermine confidence in elections. And others fear the information could risk jeopardizing intelligence collection methods.
Watch CNN Explains’ episode about voter fraud and the the safeguards that effectively prevent — and catch — it.
Trump and El Salvador president conclude meeting on immigration, security and the economy
President Donald Trump’s Thursday meeting with El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele has concluded, according to a White House official.
Ahead of the 11 a.m. meeting, the official said that “President Trump and President Bukele will discuss their shared efforts to combat illegal immigration, foster economic growth, and ensure regional security.”
Thursday’s visit marks Bukele’s second time in the Oval Office. The first, in April 2025, occurred against the backdrop of the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to an El Salvador prison.
While the 2025 meeting was open press, today’s was closed and remained private.
Bukele also appeared alongside Trump and other leaders at “The Shield of Americas Summit” at Trump National Doral Club in Florida in March.
"Sour grapes election denialism": Ossoff excoriates Trump ahead of primetime speech
Democratic Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff excoriated Donald Trump today ahead of the president’s primetime address, when he is expected to discuss new findings about the security of American elections.
The focus on elections is raising fresh questions about whether Trump will use the speech to again dispute the results of the 2020 election.
“Here’s what’s going to happen tonight: the world’s most famous sore loser will deliver a prime-time presidential sour grapes address to pursue his six-year-old grievances about the 2020 election, while his war in the Middle East spirals out of control and the cost of living continues to rise for Americans across the country,” Ossoff said on Thursday.
Ossoff said he expected Trump to “reheat” debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election results, including those in Georgia.
“It’s Donald Trump who tried to defraud Georgia voters in that election — Donald Trump who tried to commit election fraud when he called Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and it was caught on tape,” Ossoff said.
Asked by CNN’s Manu Raju if Trump’s rhetoric could be advantageous for Ossoff’s campaign, Ossoff said it should be denounced regardless and accused the president of “sour grapes election denialism.”
“It is misconduct, presidential misconduct, to abuse the bully pulpit and to abuse intelligence authorities and declassification authorities, if indeed that’s what he’ll do tonight in order to pursue his sour grapes election denialism, trying to overturn an election that he lost six years ago, and I think that every elected leader in the country, Democrat or Republican, has an obligation to denounce this,” he told Raju.
What's on Trump's schedule today
President Donald Trump is expected to give a primetime speech tonight, in which he says he will discuss new findings about the security of American elections, among other topics. But before that, Trump is scheduled to have several meetings and events at the White House.
Here’s a look at what Trump has been up to today and what’s on tap for the rest of the afternoon, according to the White House schedule:
- 8 a.m. ET: The president was slated to have executive time at the White House.
- 9:30 a.m. ET: Trump was scheduled to meet with Sen. Darlene Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. She was sworn into the Senate earlier this week to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term after his sudden death over the weekend.
- 11 a.m. ET: Trump was expected to meet with El Salvador president Nayib Bukele.
- 2 p.m. ET: The president is set to participate in a policy meeting. Details about the meeting were not immediately released.
- 5 p.m. ET: Trump is expected to have a signing time session. It’s unclear what the president will sign.
- 9 p.m. ET: Trump gives a primetime speech from the East Room.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is also scheduled to hold an on-camera briefing at 1 p.m. ET.
A Senate Democrat shares what he's most concerned about ahead of Trump's speech
President Donald Trump plans to use part of his upcoming primetime speech to discuss new findings about the security of American elections, among other topics.
Speaking to CNN’s Elex Michaelson, Sen. Alex Padilla, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, says that while he “doesn’t know exactly” what the president is going to say in his speech, “I can assure you it’s going to be full of lies and conspiracy theories.”
Tune in to his full comments below:
Trump's speech tonight is the latest example of his election integrity fixation
Primetime presidential addresses are a rarity and usually reserved for major updates intended to reach a wide audience. Still, President Donald Trump is set to deliver an address tonight on new findings about the security of American elections.
White House officials typically ask broadcast networks to preempt their usual programming, but it wasn’t clear whether such a request had been made for Trump’s speech this week.
Election integrity has been a fixation of Trump’s for years. He has long insisted that irregularities marred the 2020 election, which Joe Biden won. And he’s repeatedly excoriated Congress for not passing his elections overhaul bill, which has stalled in the Senate, even refusing to sign a bipartisan measure to bring down the cost of housing as he pressured lawmakers to clear the elections legislation.
Even before Trump had delivered the speech, some Democrats sounded the alarm that he might try to undermine faith in elections. Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff accused the president of “reheating debunked conspiracy theories and launching bizarre new lies because he fears losing these midterm elections.”
The upcoming speech is just the latest example of his election obsession.
Trump is set to discuss election security during tonight’s address
President Donald Trump plans to use part of his primetime speech tonight to discuss new findings about the security of American elections, among other topics — setting up yet another high-profile opportunity for the president to dispute the results of the 2020 election he lost.
Speaking in the Oval Office two days before the planned address, Trump affirmed the speech would focus on elections and a “couple of other things.”
Two sources said Trump is expected to focus on voting machine security and alleged efforts by foreign nations to influence elections.
“It’s really, really big news, and our country has to shape up,” Trump said during a meeting with Iraq’s prime minister.
Trump announced tonight’s speech on social media Monday, but did not specify a topic. He said it would begin at 9 p.m. ET.
In interviews since then, he has been coy about what, specifically, he planned to discuss. “It’s just going to be a speech, like a lot of my speeches,” he told radio host Hugh Hewitt shortly after the initial announcement.
