Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Donald Trump drove a lap around the Daytona International Speedway track in an armored presidential limousine on Sunday.
The president arrived for world-famous Daytona 500 race just before the green flag before returning to his Mar-a-Lago compound. In 2020, he acted as grand marshal, waving the flag to start the race.
His stunt follows his shocking reference to a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, claiming that “he who saves his Country does not violate any Law” — a message that was also shared by the White house, supporting his apparent belief that the president of the United States is incapable of breaking any law.
Several of Trump’s early executive orders and budget-slashing attempts with Elon Musk‘s so-called Department of Government Efficiency have been called into court by a string of lawsuits.
The pair are reportedly planning to accelerate their purge of America’s federal bureaucracy, with thousands of federal works laid off in the past week, including more than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration – which oversees the U.S. nuclear weapon stockpile.
After an appeals court blocked Trump from firing a government watchdog, the administration appealed to the Supreme Court on Sunday, setting up a key test of Trump’s expansive view of his authority.
Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump pushes direct talks with Russia on war’s end
President Donald Trump’s approach to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine has reportedly left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried they are being largely sidelined by the new U.S. administration as Washington and Moscow plan direct negotiations.
With the three-year war grinding on, Trump is sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and special envoy Steve Witkoff to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian counterparts, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the upcoming diplomatic efforts and spoke on condition of anonymity.
It is unclear to what extent Ukrainian or European officials will be represented in discussions expected to take place in Riyadh in the coming days. The official said the United States sees negotiations as early-stage and fluid, and who ultimately ends up at the table could change.
In an exchange with reporters Sunday, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will be involved” in the negotiations. Trump offered no further explanation.
The Associated Press17 February 2025 02:00
Musk’s DOGE seeking access to IRS system with Americans’ sensitive tax and financial information
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is reportedly trying to gain access to Internal Revenue Service systems that contain guarded tax and financial information for every taxypayer, business and nonprofit in the US, according to the Washington Post, citing sources familiar with DOGE’s actions.
The IRS is reportedly considering issuing a memorandum of understanding that would allow DOGE officials access after facing pressure from Trump’s White House.
Graig Graziosi17 February 2025 01:39
Ukraine’s Zelensky says he trusts Donald Trump but wants to meet as US pushes peace talks with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky detailed his recent phone call with President Donald Trump and his take on a possible peace agreement with Russia during an interview Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.
A trio of Trump advisers — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff — are set to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia next week to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Ukrainian officials have not yet confirmed whether they will be represented at the meeting.
Mike Bedigan17 February 2025 01:30
Schools serving military service members’ kids are pulling books on civil rights history after Trump’s DEI threats
The federal education system that supports Defense Department schools around the world has ordered schools under its purview to remove books from their libraries that deal with any topic relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, following Donald Trump’s executive order.
The missive from the Department of Defense Education Activity was issued on February 6, forcing schools — like an elementary institution at the U.S. Army’s Fort Campbell in Kentucky — to round up books that don’t align with the Trump administration’s ideological views.
The order demands that employees at 161 elementary and high schools around the world “ensure compliance with executive orders and recent DoDEA guidance.”
Graig Graziosi17 February 2025 01:25
If Donald Trump doesn’t see JD Vance as his 2028 successor, who could be?
JD Vance may be the vice president — but that doesn’t mean he’ll be head of the Republican ticket in 2028.
Who could the president be eyeing to be the MAGA standard-bearer in the next election cycle? John Bowden mulls it over:
Mike Bedigan17 February 2025 00:30
Watch: Trump says he ‘doesn’t mind’ E.U. banning food imports from U.S.
Mike Bedigan17 February 2025 00:00
Trump aide Stephen Miller suggests replacing AP’s seat in White House briefings
White House aide Stephen Miller has suggested that any number of “media outlets” could take over the Associated Press’s position within the White House press corp, including unnamed “extraordinary independent” press groups.
Miller made the comment on Saturday following backlash to Donald Trump’s administration barring AP reporters from presidential events over the agency’s refusal to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” in its coverage.
Read the full story here:
Mike Bedigan16 February 2025 23:30
MAGA influencer who claims she birthed Elon Musk’s 13th child says she was told to keep the birth ‘a secret forever’
MAGA influencer Ashley St Clair, who claims to have given birth to Elon Musk’s 13th child, says she was asked to keep her baby a “secret forever.”
The 26-year-old says that the billionaire, who she described as “down to earth” and “funny” had asked her to keep his name off the birth certificate in order to protect his privacy, she revealed in an interview.
The pair allegedly met after Musk, 53, “slid into her DMs” on X.
Mike Bedigan16 February 2025 23:00
Trump takes taxpayer-funded Daytona 500 joyride at rained-out race as he guts federal workforce
Donald Trump swept into Daytona, Florida for the Daytona 500 on Sunday while the arrival of a rainstorm — combined with the president’s own pre-race stunt — threatened to delay the race for hours.
Sunday afternoon storms forced race officials to stop NASCAR’s biggest event on the 11th lap. Initial reports indicated that the race could be held up until around 7 p.m. EST.
Mike Bedigan16 February 2025 22:30
Read More: Trump attends Daytona 500 as gutting of federal agencies continues: Live updates
