Here are today's featured stories, posted by DU members and curated by the Administrators. More news items can be found in our Latest Breaking News forum, and for all the most up-to-the-minute stories that are being talked about by DU members, visit the Latest Discussions page.
August 25, 2025
Trump and RFK Jr. to Ban COVID-19 Vaccine 'Within Months'
(Daily Beast) The Trump administration will move to pull the COVID vaccine off the U.S. market “within months,” one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s closest associates has told the Daily Beast. Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist who has repeatedly claimed in the face of scientific consensus that the vaccines are more dangerous than the virus, told the Daily Beast that Kennedy’s stance is shared by “influential” members of President Donald Trump’s family. Like Kennedy himself, no Trumps hold any scientific qualifications. Malhotra is a leading adviser to the controversial lobby group Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Action, which is seen as an external arm of Kennedy’s agenda as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary.
Go to discussionJim Jordan says we should all believe Trump's friend the convicted child sex trafficker
(Rolling Stone) Rep. Jim Jordan, the congressman accused of covering up a university doctor’s sexual misconduct against Ohio State wrestlers while Jordan was an assistant coach, said he believes convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell‘s recent testimony where she denied Trump and Epstein were “close.” “This confirms what we all knew,” Jordan said Saturday of Maxwell’s interview that Trump and his allies hope will exonerate him in the public eye. “We knew President Trump didn’t do anything wrong here. He said that repeatedly. This transcript is the whole transcript and it confirms that. So I think there’s nothing there, it seems, based on what we got from the interview of Ms. Maxwell.”
Go to discussionTrump has no basis to deploy troops to Chicago, Democratic leader Jeffries says
(Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump does not have the authority to deploy troops to Chicago, Democratic House of Representatives Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday as the Pentagon carried out initial planning for a possible deployment. Trump, a Republican, has said he would probably expand his crime crackdown to Chicago, intervening in another city governed by Democrats. And on Sunday he suggested the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore in Maryland.
Go to discussionConservatives rage against Trump admin buying Intel
(Mediaite) President Donald Trump announced that the federal government had officially purchased 10% of Intel on Friday evening, and many conservatives are none too pleased about it. “It is my Great Honor to report that the United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future. I negotiated this Deal with Lip-Bu Tan, the Highly Respected Chief Executive Officer of the Company,” wrote Trump on Truth Social. The reaction from the Right was largely negative.
Go to discussionNew poll shows more Americans 'strongly disapprove' of Trump's second term
(USA Today) Twice as many Americans say they strongly disapprove of President Donald Trump's second term than those who strongly approve, according to a new poll. In a survey from YouGov and The Economist, conducted Aug. 15-18, two-thirds of respondents said they have strong feelings about Trump — and, increasingly, most of them are negative. The poll found 47% said they strongly disapprove of the second-term president, compared to 23% who say they strongly approve.
Go to discussionTrump, 79, Soothes Bruised Hand With Surprise Golf Outing
(Daily Beast) President Donald Trump was spotted flashing a bruised thumbs-up in a photo snapped at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Trump, 79, popped up at his private club on Saturday in a surprise outing that was not included on his official schedule, Meidas News reported. In a photo with several supporters shared on X, Trump can be seen giving a thumbs up with a dash of what appeared ot be poorly blended makeup.
Go to discussionTrump says he could 'rethink' Baltimore bridge funds after fight with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
(USA Today) President Donald Trump threatened to "rethink" funds the federal government sent Baltimore to repair a massive bridge that collapsed last year, making the comments after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told him to visit the city or "keep our name out of your mouth." "I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision???" Trump wrote at the end of a post on Truth Social calling Baltimore "out of control" and "crime ridden." He also threatened to send the military into the city to "clean up" crime – like his ongoing deployment of National Guard troops to Washington.
Go to discussionKilmar Abrego Garcia taken into ICE custody at appointment
(NBC News) Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who reunited with his family last week after 160 days apart following his mistaken deportation to El Salvador, was taken into ICE custody Monday after an immigration check-in, his attorney said. The check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Baltimore was part of the conditions of his Friday release from federal custody on parole.
Go to discussionAs measles surged in Texas, Trump administration's actions hampered CDC's response
(CBS News) As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administration's actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agency's most critical function — emergency response — when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows. The outbreak soon became the worst the United States has endured in over three decades.
Go to discussionTrump launches new crypto venture, takes profit early, leaving supporters broke
(Cryptopolitan) Donald Trump, from inside the White House, has pushed a new crypto investment. This time, it’s dressed up as a “crypto treasury” firm. But just like the last two times, his base is paying the price. The setup is simple: Trump cashes out early. Everyone else eats the loss. According to The Wall Street Journal, the strategy looks eerily familiar to anyone who’s watched his past financial ventures blow up in supporters’ faces.
Go to discussion