It’s Tuesday. There’s lots happening today, so let’s get into it!
In today’s issue:
- Canada’s new leader meets with Trump
- Trump declares two new national holidays
- Bessent, Noem testify
- Trump’s $1K self-deportation offer
🍁️ IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Wanna join, eh?:
Canada’s brand new prime minister, Mark Carney, is meeting with President Trump at the White House after his come-from-behind victory last week.
Right before Carney’s arrival, Trump bashed Canada: “I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH — Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We don’t need their Cars, we don’t need their Energy, we don’t need their Lumber, we don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain. They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!”
The backdrop: Trump has pushed the idea that Canada could become the U.S.’s 51st state. Canadians don’t seem interested, though.
^ Carney just told Trump that Canada is “not for sale,” though Trump left the door open.
The tension: Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been high since Trump slapped tariffs on goods from the U.S.’s northern neighbor. Carney had a surprise victory last week, centering his campaign on fierce resistance to Trump’s policies.
Could Trump and Carney make a deal?: Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, told Fox Business Network that he is skeptical of cutting a trade deal with the Canadian government.
From Lutnick: “They have their socialist regime, and it’s basically feeding off of America, I mean, the president calls it out all the time. Why do we make cars in Canada? Why do we do our films in Canada?” Lutnick said. “Come on. So, I think … it’s going to be a fascinating meeting, I’m glad I’m going to be there listening, but it’s going to be a fascinating meeting tomorrow. I just don’t see how it works out so perfect.”
📝 Three things to know for today’s meeting
➤ TWO NEW NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:
Trump declared Nov. 11 and May. 8 as national holidays to commemorate victories in World War I and World War II, respectively.
Keep in mind that Nov. 11 is already commemorated as Veterans Day, but the White House clarified it will be an additional proclamation for that day.
Paying cold, hard cash:
The Trump administration announced that it will begin paying immigrants $1,000 to self-deport using a government app.
The Trump administration’s reasoning: It could save the U.S. money. Right now, it costs an average of more than $17,000 to arrest and deport a migrant.
How it would work: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says immigrants will be paid once it has been confirmed through the government app that they have returned to their home country. The funds would help offset the costs of travel. Read more on what we know
➤ MORE IMMIGRATION HEADLINES TODAY:
The Hill: Trump administration ordered to admit thousands of refugees
The Hill: Courts rejects Trump administration request to revoke some migrants’ protected status
That doll quote is still ringing in people’s ears:
President Trump and his economic team have said for weeks that the economy pain of the tariffs would be temporary — the stock market’s bumps would level out. But The Hill’s Alex Gangitano reports that the Trump team is now changing its tune.
On the campaign trail: Trump argued he would make America “wealthy” again. He routinely bashed former President Biden’s handling of the U.S. economy, resulting in inflation and rising prices.
But in the White House: Trump now acknowledges that prices may rise, and Americans might need to accept economic sacrifices for the sake of his trade war. He argues this is what his supporters signed up for.
This quote is getting a lot of attention: “I’m just saying they don’t need to have 30 dolls. They can have three. They don’t need to have 250 pencils. They can have five,” Trump said in an NBC News interview over the weekend, acknowledging that consumer prices could increase.
Gangitano’s reporting is worth reading: ‘Trump changes his tune on the economy’
➤ KEEP IN MIND:
Republicans are growing very uneasy after Trump’s comments about the tariffs potentially being permanent — and that it would be “OK” even if the U.S. experienced a short-term recession. Read more on what Republicans are saying, via The Hill’s Al Weaver
➤ MORE READS:
The New York Times: G.O.P. Targets a Medicaid Loophole Used by 49 States to Grab Federal Money
The Washington Post: As RFK Jr. pledges food victories, he faces the realities of governing
The Wall Street Journal: ‘I Don’t Know Where You Are’: the Race to Fix Air-Traffic Control
The Atlantic: Elon Musk’s Most Alarming Power Grab
CNN: Trump’s order to reopen Alcatraz is the perfect metaphor for his second term
⏱️ON CAPITOL HILL
Bessent and Noem, you’re up:
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are both testifying before House committees today.
Highlights from Bessent’s testimony:
- More trade deals?: Bessent told lawmakers that Trump could announce trade deals as soon as this week.
- A possible change to nickels: Bessent said the Trump administration is considering changing the materials used to produce nickels. “With the nickel and the dime, the nickel costs more than a nickel to produce, but we are looking at changes in the materials that would reduce the cost to or below a nickel,” he said. “And then, I believe the dime is profitable.”
Highlights from Noem’s testimony:
- On deportations: Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) asked Noem whether the U.S. government has authority to deport American citizens. Noem said no. The exchange was pretty heated. 📹Watch
➤ LAUNCHING TODAY:
The Hill’s Emily Brooks is writing a new weekly newsletter, tracking the influences and debates steering politics on the right. Click here to sign up and get it in your inbox!
COMING UP
The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)
12:15 p.m.: Trump has lunch with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
1:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆Today’s agenda
2 p.m.: Two Senate votes. Another vote is expected at 5:15 p.m.📆Today’s agenda
2 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce briefs reporters. 💻Livestream
3:30 p.m.: Trump participates in a FIFA World Cup task force meeting. 💻Livestream
5 p.m.: Trump swears in the assistant to the president, senior adviser and special envoy.
🐝 INTERNET BUZZ
🍊 Celebrate: Today is National Crepe Suzette Day.
👔 Who wore it best?: Here are some of the best looks from the red carpet of Monday’s Met Gala. The theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
👑 Love watching these kids be kids: There’s a clip going around of Prince Louis making fun of Prince George during an event. 📹 Watch
👋 AND FINALLY…
To leave you on a happy note, watch what may quite literally be the hardest test of patience that I’ve ever seen.
