Tariffs, eggs and high prices
Hello! It’s Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at Paste BN. News has been swirling around so fast these days that I’ve fallen behind on the new season of "The White Lotus" already.
Amid growing pessimism about the economy, Trump makes his case to Congress
For many Americans the struggle of everyday costs of living – like mortgages, rents and grocery prices (I’m looking at you, eggs) – drove them to the polls to support President Donald Trump. But as Trump is set to give his first joint address to Congress on Tuesday night, he’s facing growing skepticism by the American public about his ability to bring down the cost of living, a key campaign promise. More than half of Americans (57%) said they believe grocery prices will increase over the next six months, while only 17% believe they will decrease, a new Marist University/NPR poll found. Read more.
- Follow here for live updates ahead of and during Trump’s address
- What will Trump say in address to Congress? The topics (and tone) you can expect.
- How to watch Trump's address to Congress
Adding to the economic anxieties: Trump’s new 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, in addition to an additional 10% tariff to China, that went into effect on Tuesday.
China, Mexico and Canada have also said they will each hit the U.S. with their own retaliatory tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there will be an immediate 25% tariffs on $20.7 billion worth of U.S. imports, which could target American beer, wine, bourbon, home appliances, and Florida orange juice. China immediately countered the U.S. duties with 10% to 15% tariffs on some U.S. agricultural product imports. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she plans to announce Mexico's retaliatory tariffs and other measures against the U.S. on Sunday. Read more.
- What Trump's tariffs mean for prices at the pump
- Home prices are about to feel the wrath of Trump's tariffs
A politics pit stop
- Docs reveal damaging discrimination in National Guard even as 'woke' military under attack
- Trump administration gave schools DEI ultimatum – then walked it back
- Trump pick Linda McMahon confirmed by Senate to lead Education Deptartment
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would 'consider' 2028 presidential run
- Hegseth renames Fort Benning. Not for Confederate namesake, he says.
What are Democrats doing for Trump’s address?
President Trump’s mass layoffs of federal workers will also be looming over his address – with several fired faces expected to be in the crowd on Tuesday night. Several Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Tina Smith, D-M.N. and Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., have said they plan to invite federal workers who were fired under the mass layoffs. Some of the workers include Alissa Ellman, an Army veteran with a rare cancer related to her military service who worked for the Veterans Affairs agency in Buffalo, New York, and Voyageurs National Park ranger Kate Severson, who worked for the National Park Service for more than a decade. Read more.
- Democrats contend with 'MAGA pep rally'
- Not planning to watch Trump's speech? These activists have a 24-hour alternative
- Dozens of Democrats urge Trump to fire Musk
Ukraine ready to work with US after White House blow out
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it is "time to make things right" with President Donald Trump and his administration following a shouting match at the White House on Friday that led to Trump saying the U.S. would pause military assistance to Ukraine on Monday. Zelenskyy said he is willing to work on a peace deal with the United States and expressed gratitude for the United States’ prior support to the country. Read more.
Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.