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U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is the latest foreign leader to visit Donald at the White House, following in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week.
While peace in Ukraine was top of the agenda, the president also signaled there may be good news for Britain regarding a trade deal and accepted a historic second invitation for a state visit to the U.K. from King Charles III.
The two leaders lauded the “unique friendship” their countries enjoy, a commitment to peace in Ukraine, a rebalancing of the transatlantic alliance, and enhanced cooperation through trade and technology.
Earlier in the day, Trump reiterated that his planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada will take effect on March 4 as scheduled, due to the continued influx of drugs into the U.S. from those countries.
The president also said that China will incur an extra 10 percent charge on that day, doubling current tariffs, according to a post on Truth Social.
On Wednesday, Trump held his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, with Elon Musk in attendance. He explained the workings of DOGE and admitted to mistakes, including accidentally axing an Ebola prevention program.
Starmer plays royal Trump card to win Chagos deal and no trade tariffs in critical White House summit
David Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, reports from the Oval Office of the White House:
Sir Keir Starmer delivered a diplomatic success on Thursday as he appeared to charm Donald Trump into co-operation on major issues during his visit to the White House.
Even before formal talks had begun, the prime minister appeared to have secured a number of concessions on issues including trade and Ukraine.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 06:30
Watch: Trump shuts down Independent reporter
Trump shuts down Independent reporter pressing Starmer on annexing Canada
Donald Trump cut off The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg as he pressed Sir Keir Starmer about the US president’s desire to make Canada the 51st state. Speaking at the leaders’ joint press conference on Thursday, 27 February, the UK prime minister was asked about what he thinks of the Republican’s move to annex the country. The White House later accused Mr Feinberg of “trying to goad the leaders into division” in a statement on X stating that Mr Trump was not cutting off Mr Starmer speaking.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 05:30
Lutnick claims 250K are already waiting for gold cards — but there is nowhere to sign-up
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick defended President Donald Trump’s proposed “gold card” visa program, touting that there were already “250,000 waiting in line” for the visa pathway that the gold card program could soon replace.
Just one day after announcing the proposed gold card program, Lutnick told Fox News host Bret Baier that if the “250,000” people were “willing to pay the $5 million” that the gold card requires, it would amount to “over $1 trillion dollars” in stimulating the U.S. economy and paying down the national debt.
But it’s unclear where Lutnick is obtaining the “250,000” number.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 04:30
When ‘Mr Charisma’ met ‘Mr Logic’: body language expert’s verdict on the Trump-Starmer meeting
When Keir Starmer met Donald Trump in the White House for Thursday’s high-stakes meeting over the future of US-UK relations, the messaging each projected wasn’t confined to words alone.
From the power of the handshakes, to their tender gestures during the televised Oval Office chat, and the way each stood apart during the later White House press conference, the pair could not be more “mismatched”, according to body language expert Caroline Goyder.
“Trump is the silverback, totally relaxed, totally grounded, you know, on his home turf. And the difference, it couldn’t be starker,” Ms Goyder told ITV on Thursday night after viewing footage of the US and UK leaders as they prepared to discuss advances in security and trade.
Kelly Rissman28 February 2025 04:00
Joy Behar walks back Elon Musk comments on ‘The View’ after saying he was ‘pro-apartheid’
Joy Behar has retracted her bold proclamation that the South African-born Elon Musk was “pro-apartheid” after she said she received flack for her comment.
Inga Parkel has the story.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 03:30
Watch in full: Starmer and Trump’s joint press conference after crunch Ukraine talks
Watch Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump’s joint press conference after their crunch talks on Ukraine and defense on Thursday, 27 February.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 02:30
Musk urges retired air traffic controllers to come back
Elon Musk has urged retired air traffic controllers to return to work after the string of deadly aviation disasters that have plagued the U.S. this year.
“There is a shortage of top-notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so,” Donald Trump’s DOGE boss wrote.
A few hours later, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted a recruiting flyer on the social media platform for entry-level air traffic controllers announcing the opening of applications now through March 17.
Michelle Del Rey has the story.
Kelly Rissman28 February 2025 02:25
Tesla stock sinks by 26% in wake of Elon Musk’s ‘Nazi’ salute
Ariana Baio has the story.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 01:30
Trump’s biggest MAGA fans seen holding ‘Phase 1’ of the Epstein files — but not all is as it seems…
A group of high-profile conservative political commentators and online personalities emerged from the White House on Thursday, holding binders labeled “The Epstein Files” after Attorney General Pam Bondi promised she would release them publicly as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to make the government more “transparent.”
The group of MAGA figures posed for photos outside of the West Wing, smiling, while holding up large white binders that claimed to contain “declassified” information related to Epstein – who spent decades sexually abusing dozens of children.
However, it is unclear what the contents of the binder are or if they were at any point classified, as Ariana Baio reports.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 01:00
Keir Starmer’s wins and losses during White House meeting
Sir Keir and Donald Trump met in the White House for the first time since last month’s inauguration with an agenda that included issues from securing lasting peace in Ukraine to tariffs and a potential US-UK trade deal.
Oliver O’Connell28 February 2025 00:30
Read More: Trump live: President talks tariffs, Ukraine war, state visit with UK PM Keir Starmer
