Trump to POLITICO: Zelenskyy 'doesn't have anything until I approve it' … “He doesn't have anything until I approve it,” Trump said.  “So we'll see what he's got.”  —  Still, Trump believed he could have a productive meeting this weekend.  —  “I think it's going to go good with him.

Trump's Claims About Nigeria Strike Belie a Complex Situation on the Ground  —  President Trump said the targets of airstrikes in Nigeria were Islamic State terrorists responsible for killing Christians, but experts question his framing.  —  After the U.S. military launched airstrikes …

Trump tells The Post he's not ready to embrace Somaliland independence — unlike pal Netanyahu  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump told The Post that he won't quickly follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recognizing the independence of Somaliland — saying he has to “study” …

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building  —  The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician's sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue after the White House announced …

Karoline Leavitt is expecting a baby girl in May 2026, says motherhood is ‘closest thing to Heaven on Earth’  —  EXCLUSIVE: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expecting a baby girl, Fox News Digital has learned.  —  Leavitt and her husband Nick are expecting their second bundle of joy to be born in May 2026.

A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving  —  It's uncertain whether the proposal will reach the statewide ballot in November, but some billionaires like Peter Thiel and Larry Page may be unwilling to take the risk.  —  Billionaires including Peter Thiel …

So long, American exceptionalism  —  For the first time, investors are talking about ‘US risk’  —  Make no mistake, global markets really did change in 2025.  American exceptionalism may never be the same again.  —  You have to poke around to see this clearly.

Trump calls for release of any Epstein files naming Democrats: “Embarrass them”  —  As prosecutors contend with a massive trove of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump suggested Friday the Justice Department is spending too much time on the issue …

LA Mayor Karen Bass calls it ‘sad’ that Hispanics are joining Border Patrol - suggests they're desperate for money  —  Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass expressed disappointment and concern Friday with Hispanics joining Border Patrol - arguing they're only doing it for the paycheck.

Embattled top Hegseth aide wins promotion … Buria updated his LinkedIn profile on Friday to note the change to chief of staff from “senior adviser.”  —  The retired Marine has clashed repeatedly with other Pentagon Trump appointees.  He recently tried unsuccessfully to oust fellow Hegseth …

Trump Invited White South Africans to America.  One Ended Up in Detention.  —  An Afrikaner flew to the United States expecting protection.  Instead, he has spent months locked up in Georgia alongside hundreds of other immigrants.  —  Benjamin Schoonwinkel took President Trump at his word.

Trump Hires Beauty Salon Owner to Decide Who to Ban From U.S.  —  EYEBROW RAISING  —  The official has a ‘fun and cheeky’ mini-chain offering blowouts in Texas.  —  Donald Trump has installed an attorney and part-time beauty salon owner to decide which foreigners are allowed to enter the U.S.

The Buzz Out There About The UnPopulist and LibCon  —  We are proud of our accomplishments and grateful for the love and encouragement from across the political spectrum—but we need your support … What pundits are saying about The UnPopulist:  —  Radley Balko, investigative journalist and author of The Watch newsletter:

The judiciary's Christmas gift to Trump  —  With two adverse rulings, this year the courts gave Trump a stocking of humility  —  And so this is the Christmas season.  I hope you have fun.  —  Donald Trump is on the back nine.  The festivities have begun.  —  He made calls to Santa and service men all right.

US voters linking climate crisis to rising bills despite Trump's ‘green scam’ claims  —  New polling shows 65% of registered US voters believe global heating is affecting cost of living  —  Most Americans now connect the worsening climate crisis with their cost of living pressures …

Teacher ‘likened to terrorist’ after showing Trump videos to students  —  Safeguarding officials seek Prevent referral after films of US president shown to A-level pupils  —  A teacher in an English school was accused of posing a risk to children and referred to the Government's counter-terrorism programme …

Patel Says FBI Headquarters to ‘Permanently Close’ With Move  —  FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency's historic-but-aging headquarters in Washington would be “shut down permanently” as he shifts personnel into the building once occupied by the now-defunct US Agency for International Development.

I Was the President's Pardon Attorney.  He's Making a Mockery of the Pardon Process.  —  President Trump took pardon abuse to a new level this year with a string of dubious clemencies that together present a unique case study in how this unfettered executive power can be used to degrade, corrupt and politicize the justice system.