Donald Trump raised eyebrows on Saturday after he appeared to reference the dictatorial Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in an online post.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” the president wrote on Truth Social, a quote which is often attributed to the European conquerer. It comes after several of Trump’s early executive orders and budget-slashing with Elon Musk's new 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.
Elsewhere, the Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges without explanation, according to a union official.
On Friday, 13 judges who had yet to be sworn in and five assistant chief immigration judges were dismissed without notice, according to Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers. Two other judges were fired under similar circumstances in the last week.
As well as shrinking the size of the government, the firings appear to be in furtherance of Trump’s other priority of mass deportations.
Key points
- Trump references dictatorial Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in an online post
- MAGA influencer claims she had a son with Musk 5 months ago
- Top Trump aides to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine talks next week
- Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges without explanation
- Staff overseeing U.S. nuclear stockpile fired unknowingly, reports
ICYMI: MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair claims she had son with Elon Musk five months ago
14:30
,
Rhian Lubin
A right-wing influencer claims she is the mother of billionaire Elon Musk’s 13th child, according to a post she made on X.
Ashley St. Clair, a 26-year-old MAGA writer, wrote in a post on X on Friday night that she and Musk share a five-month-old child.
“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father,” she wrote. “I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause."
St. Clair did not detail which media organization was seeking information about her and her child. News organizations typically will request comment from subjects prior to a story's publication, which may explain how St. Clair learned that a story about her alleged child with the world’s wealthiest man was in the works.
“I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy, and refrain from invasive reporting," St. Clair added.
St. Clair has not provided evidence that the child she shares with Musk exists. The Independent has requested comment from Musk.
Brian Glicklich, St. Clair’s representative, shared a statement on Saturday night in a post on X that claimed his client and Musk “have been privately working towards the creation of an agreement about raising their child for some time.”
Trump aides and Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia next week for Ukraine talks - report
14:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Trump administration aides are due to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia next week to begin discussions to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, according to reports.
Three top foreign policy aides will travel to Riyadh next week following President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, according to the New York Times.
Secretary of state Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are the three Trump officials who will attend, according to the Times, citing a person familiar with the plans.
But when asked whether Ukrainian officials would be present, the source did not say, “a sign” that the nation would probably not take part in next week’s talks, according to the Times.
Trump previously said that Ukraine would be part of the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine must be involved in the talks about its fate.
European allies are meanwhile set to attend a crisis summit after the U.S. effectively barred them from peace talks with the Russian leader.
Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine revealed that Europe would be consulted but ultimately excluded from the peace talks.
Asked if they would be present, Keith Kellogg said he was from “the school of realism, and that is not going to happen.”
Trump administration axes over 400 jobs from DHS as purge continues
13:30
,
Rhian Lubin
The Trump administration has axed 405 staffers at the Department of Homeland Security as it continues to ruthlessly gut the federal government.
Most of the cuts were made at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which Trump and Elon Musk have both railed against, resulting in 200 people losing their jobs.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cut 130 jobs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made cuts of 50, and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate lost 10.
A DHS spokesperson told The Hill that the cuts were made “to eliminate egregious waste and incompetence that has been happening for decades at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
DOGE impersonators storm San Francisco city hall demanding sensitive documents
13:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Deputies in San Francisco are looking for three men claiming to be from DOGE who walked into the city's government center and demanded municipal records.
On Friday, three men claiming to represent Elon Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not an official federal department — walked into San Francisco City Hall to demand sensitive government records related to "alleged wasteful government spending and fraud," according to CBS News. The men were wearing DOGE shirts and Donald Trump MAGA hats.
The city employees refused to help them and called law enforcement. The three men fled the scene before the sheriff's deputies arrived.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Trump Media lost more than $400m in 2024
12:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of the president’s social media platform Truth Social, reportedly lost more than $400 million in 2024.
The company also reported a 12 percent decline in annual revenue to $3.6 million, which it blamed on an unnamed advertising partner according to the the latest earnings report, which was filed on Friday.
As well as the president’s online soapbox, TMTG, whose mission is “to end Big Tech’s assault on free speech,” also owns streaming platform Truth+ and plans to launch Truth.Fi, “a financial services and FinTech brand incorporating America First investment vehicles.”
Mike Bedigan reports.
Fans in Montreal boo US anthem at 4 Nations Face-Off game
11:00
,
AP
Fans in Montreal loudly booed the U.S. national anthem prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the Americans and host Canada on Saturday night.
It’s the second time “The Star-Spangled Banner” drew that reaction in two games the United States has played at the NHL-run international tournament.
And it came after public address announcer Michel Lacroix asked the crowd, in French and English, “In the spirit of this great game that unites everyone that you kindly respect the anthems and the players that represent each country.”
audible boos for the US National Anthem in Montreal before the USA-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game pic.twitter.com/fowMNsTrWO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 16, 2025
Feature: Fearing Trump’s deportations will break up her family, one woman is sending herself back to Mexico
10:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Quebec Vasquez came to America when she was a kid. She built a life here and had a family.
Now, in response to the climate of fear caused by Donald Trump’s mass deportations, she has decided to return to the country of her birth, Richard Hall writes...
Cuts to federal agencies may soon affect every day Americans
09:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to slash thousands of jobs across agencies is already leaving large holes in the government, and may soon begin affecting everyday Americans,
Thousands of workers have been laid off from the Education Department, the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Veterans Affairs and multiple others.
At the U.S. Forest Service, where some 3,400 workers are slated to be cut, wildfire prevention will be curtailed even in the aftermath of devastating LA wildfires.
At Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the agency’s 2,800 probationary employees were cut while about 400 employees appear to have taken Trump’s “buy-out” offer.
Republican who salvaged Pete Hegseth is already ‘concerned’ with his comments on Ukraine
08:00
,
Rhian Lubin
The Republican senator who salvaged Pete Hegseth’s chances of becoming President Donald Trump’s defense secretary said he was “disturbed” by his comments about Ukraine this week.
Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker said Hegseth made “a rookie mistake” when he said that Ukraine should abandon hopes of a return to its pre-2014 borders while speaking to European defense ministers in Brussels.
During the first overseas trip in his official post, Hegseth also said Wednesday that Ukraine’s NATO membership was off the table.
The Mississippi senator told Politico that he was “puzzled” and “disturbed” by the comments.
Read the full story below.
Trump and Musk claim the media is trying to drive them apart in Fox News interview
07:00
,
Rhian Lubin
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk told Fox News host Sean Hannity that they believe media outlets are trying to drive a wedge between them.
Trump and the world’s richest man, who is spearheading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s sweeping layoffs across the federal workforce, sat down with Hannity last week in an interview that will air on the network Tuesday.
In a preview, Hannity tells them that the media — namely The New York Times, The Washington Post, and late-night variety shows, according to the Fox anchor — “want you two to start hating each other.”
Full story below.
New York governor under pressure to fire Eric Adams after ‘quid pro quo’ with Trump over criminal charges
06:30
,
Alex Woodward
Pressure is growing on New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office after an alleged “quid pro quo” with Donald Trump’s administration to drop charges against him in exchange for political allegiance.
From our team in New York:
Analysis: Trump is desperate to be a strong man – but other people are calling the shots
06:00
,
Mike Bedigan
The president has started his second-term with a blizzard of announcements, each one more controversial than the next, writes Jon Sopel.
Read more here:
Right-wing influencer's representative shares update about claims she had a son with Musk 5 months ago
05:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Ashley St. Clair, a right-wing influencer, claims she is the mother of billionaire Elon Musk’s 13th child, according to a post she made on X.
Brian Glicklich, St. Clair’s representative, shared a statement on Saturday night in a post on X that claimed his client and Musk “have been privately working towards the creation of an agreement about raising their child for some time.”
“It is disappointing that a tabloid reporter, who repeatedly ambushed Ashley and her family, made it impossible to complete that process confidentially,” Glicklich said.
“We are waiting for Elon to publicly acknowledge his parental role with Ashley, to end unwarranted speculation, and Ashley trusts that Elon intends to finish their agreement quickly, in the best interests of the wellbeing and security of the child they share,” he added.
Graig Graziosi and Rhian Lubin report.
Trump administration axes over 400 jobs from DHS
04:45
,
Rhian Lubin
The Trump administration has axed 405 staffers at the Department of Homeland Security as it continues to ruthlessly gut the federal government.
Most of the cuts were made at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which Trump and Elon Musk have both railed against, resulting in 200 people losing their jobs.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cut 130 jobs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made cuts of 50, and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate lost 10.
A DHS spokesperson told The Hill that the cuts were made “to eliminate egregious waste and incompetence that has been happening for decades at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
DOGE’s next target: federal officials monitoring civil rights and discrimination, report says
04:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is expected to purge federal agencies that protect against workplace discrimination and civil rights abuses as Donald Trump’s administration guts roles across the government in a crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Since taking office, Trump put all federal DEI workers on leave. Now, DOGE will target federal workers who monitor civil rights and discrimination, according to documents obtained byThe Washington Post.
Jobs next on the chopping block are expected inside the Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides healthcare and other benefits to veterans, and the Office of Minority Health, which operates within the Department of Health and Human Services to address health disparities among minority communities.
Read the full story below.
Trump aides and Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia next week for Ukraine talks - report
04:30
,
Rhian Lubin
Trump administration aides are due to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia next week to begin discussions to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, according to reports.
Three top foreign policy aides will travel to Riyadh next week following President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, according to the New York Times.
Secretary of state Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are the three Trump officials who will attend, according to the Times, citing a person familiar with the plans.
But when asked whether Ukrainian officials would be present, the source did not say, “a sign” that the nation would probably not take part in next week’s talks, according to the Times.
Trump previously said that Ukraine would be part of the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine must be involved in the talks about its fate.
European allies are meanwhile set to attend a crisis summit after the U.S. effectively barred them from peace talks with the Russian leader.
Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine revealed that Europe would be consulted but ultimately excluded from the peace talks.
Asked if they would be present, Keith Kellogg said he was from “the school of realism, and that is not going to happen”.
Vivek Ramaswamy files paperwork for Ohio governor run
03:30
,
Rhian Lubin
Vivek Ramaswamy, the short-lived co-lead of DOGE, has kickstarted the process of running for governor of Ohio.
His campaign has registered for the name ‘Vivek Ramaswamy For Ohio,’ filings show.
Ramaswamy’s likely bid for governor comes after he backed away from co-chairing DOGE due to “deep philosophical differences” over how the advisory board should function.
Energy Department scrambles to rehire nuclear bomb experts fired in major DOGE screw up: Reports
03:00
,
Mike Bedigan
The National Nuclear Safety Administration was struggling Friday to rehire some of the nation’s top nuclear specialists after they were fired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in an apparent massive mistake, according to reports that triggered security fears.
Sources told CNN that DOGE staffers apparently did not realize that the agency oversees America’s nuclear weapons stockpile when the employees were fired Thursday. The terminations were quickly rescinded Friday, CNN reported.
Read more here:
Musk shares BTS photos from Hannity interview
02:30
,
Rhian Lubin
Elon Musk has shared behind the scenes photos from his sit-down interview with Trump.
The duo were interviewed by Fox News anchor Sean Hannity.
Deeply honored to support President @realDonaldTrump in this revolutionary administration.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 15, 2025
Interview with @SeanHannity airs on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/qC0QeWtrP8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 15, 2025
Next 'targets' of DOGE cuts revealed
02:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Documents obtained by the Washington Post have identified DOGE’s next targets.
The agency, headed by Elon Musk, aims to target staffers who are not in DEI roles and employees who work in offices established by law to ensure equal rights.
The Trump administration plans to cut staff from dozens of offices, including some that protect employees’ civil rights and others that investigate complaints of employment discrimination.
Among the groups targeted are a Veterans Affairs office that works to ensure all veterans receive equal access to care and an office within Health and Human Services that provides information about the health of minority populations, the Post reports.
Justice Department fires 20 immigration judges from backlogged courts amid major government cuts
01:30
,
Mike Bedigan
The Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges without explanation, a union official said Saturday amid sweeping moves to shrink the size of the federal government.
On Friday, 13 judges who had yet to be sworn in and five assistant chief immigration judges were dismissed without notice, said Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers.
Read more here:
Watch: Trump and Musk claim the media is trying to drive them apart in Fox News interview
01:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Trump suggests he’s above the law with ominous Napoleon quote
00:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump appeared to quote Napoleon Bonaparte by way of Rod Steiger on Saturday afternoon after his blitzkrieg of executive actions and threats to federal agencies under Elon Musk were challenged in courts across the country, raising alarms that his administration is preparing to shred court orders and ignite a constitutional crisis.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” the president wrote on Truth Social and X.
Alex Woodward has more:
Official White House social media account shares Trump's Napoleon quote
00:05
,
Rhian Lubin
The White House has shared the Napoleon Bonaparte quote President Donald Trump posted earlier today, accompanied by his mugshot.
The president earlier invoked a quote often attributed to Napoleon, who justified his despotic regime as the will of the people of France.
The quote from a president with his own imperial ambitions appeared to come from the 1970 film Waterloo, in which Rod Steiger’s Napoleon states that he “did not ‘usurp’ the crown.”
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 15, 2025
Ramaswamy to launch campaign for Ohio Governor later this month
Saturday 15 February 2025 23:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Vivek Ramaswamy will launch a campaign for Ohio governor in Cincinnati on February 24, a source close to the team told CNN.
Ramaswamy filed preliminary paperwork with the Ohio secretary of state’s office for a run for governor on Friday, naming a treasurer for a campaign committee.
According to CNN, the biotech entrepreneur, will make additional stops in Ohio for his announcement tour, including in the cities of New Albany, Toledo and Strongsville.
Sheryl Crow protests Elon Musk by selling Tesla and donating money to NPR
Saturday 15 February 2025 23:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Sheryl Crow has gotten rid of her Tesla in protest at the car company’s owner Elon Musk.
The 63 year-old Nashville-based musician referred to the controversial CEO and Trump advisor as “President Musk.”
She said she had also donated money to National Public Radio [NPR], which she described as being “under threat.”
Read more from Kevin EG Perry here:
Watch: Trump addresses federal workers who took buyout offer
Saturday 15 February 2025 22:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Trump Media lost more than $400m in 2024
Saturday 15 February 2025 22:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of the president’s social media platform Truth Social, reportedly lost more than $400 million in 2024.
The company also reported a 12 percent decline in annual revenue to $3.6 million, which it blamed on an unnamed advertising partner according to the the latest earnings report, which was filed on Friday.
Read the full story here:
DOGE impersonators storm San Francisco city hall demanding sensitive documents
Saturday 15 February 2025 21:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Deputies in San Francisco are looking for three men claiming to be from DOGE who walked into the city's government center and demanded municipal records.
On Friday, three men claiming to represent Elon Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not an official federal department — walked into San Francisco City Hall to demand sensitive government records related to "alleged wasteful government spending and fraud," according to CBS News.
The men were wearing DOGE shirts and Donald Trump MAGA hats.
Read more here:
Trump invokes Napoleon Bonaparte in Truth Social post
Saturday 15 February 2025 21:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump appeared to be making reference to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in a new Truth Social post.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” the president wrote on Saturday afternoon, a quote which is often attributed to the European conquerer.
It comes after several of Trump’s early executive orders and budget-slashing with Elon Musk's new Department of Government Efficiency have been called into court by a string of lawsuits.
MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair claims she had son with Elon Musk five months ago
Saturday 15 February 2025 20:30
,
Mike Bedigan
A conservative influencer claims she's the mother of Tesla/X/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s 13th child, according to a post she made on X.
Ashley St. Clair, a 31-year-old MAGA writer, wrote in a post on X on Friday night that she and Musk share a five-month-old child.
Graig Graziosi has more:
As Trump administration reforms the EPA, cleanups of America's most toxic sites are uncertain
Saturday 15 February 2025 20:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Watch: Trump confirms call with Starmer to plan 'friendly meeting'
Saturday 15 February 2025 19:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Next targets of DOGE cuts revealed
Saturday 15 February 2025 19:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Documents obtained by the Washington Post have identified DOGE’s next targets.
The agency, headed by Elon Musk, aims to target staffers who are not in DEI roles and employees who work in offices established by law to ensure equal rights.
The Trump administration plans to cut staff from dozens of offices, including some that protect employees’ civil rights and others that investigate complaints of employment discrimination.
Among the groups targeted are a Veterans Affairs office that works to ensure all veterans receive equal access to care and an office within Health and Human Services that provides information about the health of minority populations, the Post reports.
‘If they charge us, we charge them’: What is Trump’s goal with his trade war?
Saturday 15 February 2025 18:30
,
Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump has been long fixated on the idea that tariffs could solve the country’s budgetary
