United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump is expected to revisit his long-standing claims about the 2020 presidential election during a primetime address from the White House on Thursday, despite years of official findings that the election was secure, legitimate and free of widespread fraud. Following Trump's 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden, officials appointed by Trump to lead the Justice Department, intelligence agencies and cybersecurity bodies consistently concluded that there was no evidence of major fraud or foreign interference that could have changed the election outcome. Since returning to office for a second term, Trump has sought to challenge those conclusions. He has appointed senior officials who support his claims that the 2020 election was stolen and has made clear that he expects his administration to align with that position. The issue has become a key loyalty test for many of Trump's nominees. During his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee for national intelligence director, avoided directly saying Biden won the election. "He had the most electoral votes," Clayton said. "He was declared the winner." When Democratic Senator Mark Kelly pressed him on whether the person with the most electoral votes is the winner, Clayton declined to answer directly. Trump has repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories alleging that an international network manipulated US voting machines in 2020, claims that have been rejected by courts and election officials and have triggered several high-profile defamation lawsuits. Ahead of Thursday's address, Trump promised to reveal "really big news," saying that "without free and fair elections, you don't have a country." Election experts, however, fear the speech could revive false claims that have already been extensively investigated. "There have been more than six years of consistent findings from intelligence agencies and election experts showing there was no foreign interference in the 2020 election and that US voting systems were secure," said Victoria Bassetti of States United, a nonpartisan organisation that supports state election officials. She said any new claims without evidence would contradict years of documented findings. Years of reviews found no widespread fraud Numerous court rulings, audits, recounts and investigations — including several conducted by Republican officials — found no evidence of widespread fraud or significant problems with the 2020 election. Trump and his allies lost dozens of legal challenges seeking to overturn the election results, including cases heard by judges appointed by Trump himself. Former Attorney General William Barr, who served under Trump, said there was no evidence of significant election fraud, a conclusion that drew Trump's criticism. Chris Krebs, the former head of the federal cybersecurity agency responsible for protecting election infrastructure, also declared the 2020 election secure and said there was no evidence of vote tampering. Trump dismissed Krebs shortly afterward and later ordered an investigation into him after returning to office in 2025. An intelligence assessment completed on Jan. 7, 2021, during Trump's final days of his first term, also found no evidence that foreign actors altered vote totals or election equipment. In addition, Trump signed a federal review document last year stating that there was no evidence any foreign government had altered vote counting or the outcome of any US election. Fresh federal review underway After returning to office, Trump ordered a new federal review of the 2020 election. Federal investigators have seized voting records from Fulton County, Georgia, and Maricopa County, Arizona — two key counties that featured prominently in post-election conspiracy theories. Trump appointed attorney Kurt Olsen to lead the investigation. Olsen has been associated with election fraud claims and was previously sanctioned by the Arizona Supreme Court for making false statements in a lawsuit challenging the 2022 Arizona governor's race. David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer who now heads the Center for Election Integrity & Research, criticised the renewed investigation. "He has committed untold taxpayer resources," Becker said. "They've found nothing." According to Becker, search warrant documents filed in the Fulton County investigation repeated conspiracy theories that had already been disproved, while the FBI reassigned hundreds of analysts to review the material. Conspiracy theories fuel costly lawsuits Despite repeated official findings, supporters of election conspiracy theories continue to claim that Trump will eventually present conclusive evidence of widespread fraud. One widely circulated theory alleges that Venezuela and other countries manipulated US voting machines to prevent Trump's victory. Those allegations have led to major defamation lawsuits against media organisations and individuals. Fox News agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a lawsuit over broadcasting false claims about voting machines after the 2020 election. Newsmax and One America News have also reached settlements with voting technology companies over similar allegations. Separately, a Denver jury found Mike Lindell, a leading promoter of election conspiracy theories whom Trump recently endorsed for governor of Minnesota, liable for defaming an employee of a voting machine company by calling him a traitor. Becker said the pattern over the past six years has remained consistent: broad public allegations have repeatedly failed when tested in court because they lacked supporting evidence. "If someone's alleging a crime that occurred six years ago, we shouldn't simply respond to the claims," Becker said. "We should require evidence that proves them."

The man suspected of opening fire at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been identified by US media as Cole Tomas Allen. The 31-year-old is reported to be from Torrance, located in the southwestern outskirts of Los Angeles. Allen previously worked as a tutor in Torrance after completing his studies at the California Institute of Technology, reports BBC. Police said he was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the event was being held, and was carrying several weapons, including firearms and knives. Following the incident, Allen was taken to hospital for treatment and is expected to face formal charges on Monday, as the investigation continues.

Large crowds rallied across the United States and parts of Europe on Saturday under the banner of “No Kings,” protesting the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration. Minnesota emerged as the focal point of the demonstrations, where thousands gathered at the State Capitol in St. Paul. The flagship rally featured musician Bruce Springsteen, who performed and addressed the crowd, praising public resistance to increased immigration enforcement. Springsteen performed a song inspired by the fatal shootings of two individuals by federal agents and said the response from Minnesotans had given hope to others across the country. Protests were reported in all 50 states, from major cities like New York to smaller towns in Idaho. Organisers said more than 3,100 events were registered nationwide, with millions expected to participate. Most demonstrations remained peaceful, although clashes were reported in Los Angeles, where police used tear gas after protesters allegedly threw objects near a federal detention centre. Some arrests were also made. Participants voiced a wide range of concerns, including the Iran conflict, immigration crackdowns, and civil rights issues. In Washington, demonstrators marched near the Lincoln Memorial chanting slogans and holding placards critical of the administration. Republican officials dismissed the protests, with a White House spokesperson claiming they lacked broad public support. Rallies were also held internationally, including in London, Rome and Paris, where hundreds gathered at the Bastille. Organisers said similar events took place in more than a dozen countries. Speakers at the Minnesota rally included public figures, activists and politicians, all urging continued resistance and civic engagement. Organisers said the movement is drawing increasing participation beyond major urban centres, reflecting wider national momentum.

Melania Trump drew attention at a recent education and technology summit in Washington, but this time she shared the spotlight with a humanoid robot. On Wednesday, the former first lady attended the final day of a global summit held in the White House East Room, organized under her “Fostering the Future Together” initiative. The event brought together international representatives to explore how education, innovation, and technologies like artificial intelligence can help empower children. Melania Trump entered the venue walking alongside the robot, both moving slowly down a red carpet. Just before entering the East Room, she paused while the robot continued forward, circling a table of panelists before stopping at the center of the room. After briefly scanning the audience, the robot introduced itself as “Figure 03,” a humanoid created in the United States. It expressed gratitude for being invited and highlighted its role in supporting efforts to advance children’s education through technology. The robot also greeted attendees in multiple languages before exiting the room the same way it had entered. Melania Trump later thanked the robot, joking that it was her first American-made humanoid guest at the White House. The robot, developed by California-based Figure AI, was unveiled in October 2025 as a third-generation model designed to assist with everyday household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and dishwashing. Figure AI’s CEO, Brett Adcock, said he was proud to see the robot become the first of its kind to appear at the White House. The company is among several competitors—including Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and firms in China working to develop advanced human-like robots capable of performing practical tasks.

The Pokémon Company International has criticised the White House for using its imagery, including the popular character Pikachu, in a political meme posted online with the slogan “Make America Great Again”. The company said it had no involvement in the creation or distribution of the meme and had not given permission to use its intellectual property. Pokémon spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev said,“We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property.”  She added that the company’s mission is to bring people together and that it is not linked to any political viewpoint or agenda. This is not the first time the company has objected to the Trump administration’s use of its content. In September, Pokémon also criticised a video that used its theme song and the slogan “Gotta catch ’em all” while showing arrests made by US border patrol and immigration agents as part of the administration’s deportation campaign. The latest meme appears to use an image from the recently released game Pokopia for Nintendo. The slogan was written in a font similar to the game’s style, with a small version of Pikachu appearing behind the letter “e” in the word “make”. When asked about the criticism, the White House referred the BBC to a post on X by spokesman Kaelan Dorr.In the post, Dorr shared a 10-year-old Wall Street Journal article about former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who once referenced the mobile game Pokémon Go during the 2016 election campaign, saying she was trying to get supporters to “have Pokémon go to the polls”. “Hey Mr Pikachu, big fan. Question for you – why no response to articles like this?” Dorr wrote on X, suggesting the company might have a political bias. The Pokémon Company did not say whether it plans to take legal action over the use of its content. During Donald Trump’s second term, the White House has frequently used popular internet memes on official social media accounts to promote its policies. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson earlier defended the approach, saying the administration was using engaging posts and memes to communicate the president’s agenda. Recently, the White House also posted a video combining images from the war with Iran and scenes from the video game series Call of Duty. Several artists and public figures have criticised the administration for using their content without permission. Comedian and podcaster Theo Von last year objected after the Department of Homeland Security used a clip of him in a video highlighting deportation numbers. Von responded on X saying he did not approve the use of the clip and asked the agency to remove it. Source: BBC  

The United States is reviewing potential candidates who could lead Iran, the White House said, a day after President Donald Trump suggested Washington should be involved in selecting the country’s next leader. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that US intelligence agencies and government officials were assessing possible figures who could take leadership in Iran, reports Al Jazeera. “I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt said. Her remarks came after Trump stated that the United States should play a role in determining Iran’s future leadership following the recent escalation of conflict in the region. Leavitt also addressed Trump’s earlier statement that there would be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender.” She said the president meant that Iran would effectively reach a state of unconditional surrender once it no longer posed a threat to the United States and once the objectives of the US military operation, named “Operation Epic Fury,” were fully achieved. “When the president, as commander-in-chief of the US armed forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America and the goals of Operation Epic Fury have been fully realized, Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not,” Leavitt added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, where he is expected to push for expanding ongoing talks with Iran beyond its nuclear program. The meeting comes as Trump said he believes Tehran is willing to strike a deal. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal,” Trump told Fox Business Network on Tuesday. “I think they’d be foolish if they didn’t. We took out their nuclear power last time, and we’ll have to see if we take out more this time.” He added, “It’s got to be a good deal. No nuclear weapons, no missiles.” Netanyahu’s office said he wants any new agreement to also address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its backing of armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. “I will present to the president our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations  the essential principles which, in my opinion, are important not only to Israel, but to everyone around the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said before leaving Israel. The two sides recently held indirect talks in Oman and signaled cautious optimism. However, deep mistrust remains. Trump’s world order looms over Europe ahead of crucial Munich security summit Tensions are still high after last June’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran. A series of airstrikes, including U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, killed nearly 1,000 people in Iran and around 40 in Israel. Trump claimed at the time that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “obliterated,” though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Recent satellite images have shown renewed activity at some sites. Israel has long demanded that Iran stop enriching uranium, curb its missile program and cut ties with regional militant groups. Iran has rejected those demands, saying it would only accept limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from sanctions. The U.S. has strengthened its military presence in the region, deploying an aircraft carrier and other assets. Meanwhile, countries including Turkey and Qatar have urged restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize the Middle East. The Gaza conflict is also expected to be discussed during the talks, as Washington weighs its broader diplomatic efforts in the region.

President Donald Trump delivered a rare, nearly two-hour-long appearance at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, using the platform to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements, criticise the United Nations and double down on his push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a move that has drawn sharp resistance from America’s European allies. The extended briefing came on the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration and a day before he is scheduled to address global leaders, billionaires and policymakers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His trip comes at a time of rising tensions with NATO allies over his aggressive posture on Greenland and his threat to impose new retaliatory tariffs on several European countries. During the wide-ranging and often meandering session with reporters, Trump leafed through a thick packet of documents that he said listed hundreds of accomplishments from his first year back in office. He claimed his administration had achieved more than any previous government in a similar period and said it would take more than a week to read through the full list. At several points, Trump turned his focus to foreign policy, renewing his argument that the United States must take control of Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns about growing strategic competition in the Arctic. While he struck a slightly more conciliatory tone near the end of the briefing, saying Washington and NATO would “work something out,” he repeated his view that U.S. control of the territory is necessary. Trump also took aim at the United Nations, saying the global body has failed to live up to its potential and has been ineffective in resolving conflicts. He promoted his idea of a Trump-led “Board of Peace,” initially conceived as a small group of world leaders to oversee the Gaza ceasefire plan, but now envisioned as a broader body that could help mediate international disputes. “The United Nations just hasn’t been very helpful,” Trump said, adding that while he believes the organisation should continue, his proposed board could one day play a major role in peacemaking efforts. The president’s remarks come as European leaders have warned that his threats to impose new tariffs on countries backing Denmark over Greenland could trigger a major trade dispute and strain long-standing trans-Atlantic ties. France and several other EU members have already signalled they are prepared to respond if Washington moves ahead with punitive measures. Trump said his speech in Davos on Wednesday would focus on what he called the “tremendous success” of his administration and would recap progress made over the past year. The White House has previously said his address would centre on his affordability agenda, particularly housing, in an effort to convince Americans that his policies can ease cost-of-living pressures. Speaking to reporters, Trump said other countries needed to hear his views on energy and immigration and suggested that his leadership had brought stability in several conflict zones, a claim that has been disputed by critics and fact-checkers. The marathon briefing, marked by frequent digressions and a mix of domestic and foreign policy topics, underscored Trump’s combative style and his willingness to use high-profile appearances to press his most controversial priorities. With European leaders already gathered in Davos and Greenland expected to dominate the agenda, Trump’s appearance at the forum is likely to be closely watched for signs of whether he will seek to defuse tensions or continue his hardline approach.

President Donald Trump signed his new package of tax breaks and spending cuts into law on Friday during a Fourth of July picnic at the White House, marking a major legislative victory he hopes will define his second-term legacy. The multitrillion-dollar legislation, which extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and imposes significant reductions to social programs, was signed in front of Republican lawmakers, Cabinet members, and supporters on the White House driveway. House Speaker Mike Johnson presented Trump with the gavel used during the bill’s final passage, which Trump banged down after signing the measure. The president had set the national holiday as his deadline for Congress to deliver the bill, which passed with near-unanimous Republican support. Fighter jets and stealth bombers flew overhead as part of the Independence Day celebrations. “America's winning, winning, winning like never before,” Trump told the crowd, referring to last month's bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear program. “Promises made, promises kept, and we've kept them.” The South Lawn was decorated in red, white, and blue, with music from the US Marine Band and pop hits from Chaka Khan and Huey Lewis adding Trump’s signature style to the festivities. Trump spoke for 22 minutes before signing the bill, highlighting what he described as a string of recent victories, including the Iran campaign and favorable US Supreme Court rulings. Later, Trump and First Lady Melania appeared on the Truman Balcony to watch fireworks, waving to the crowd as chants of “USA, USA” echoed across the lawn. They danced to “Y.M.C.A.” before departing for New Jersey. The legislation fulfills several of Trump’s key campaign pledges, including eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security income. Trump called it his “highest-profile win yet” and said, “Our country is going to be a rocket ship, economically.” However, the bill has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, labor leaders, and advocacy groups, who argue it benefits the wealthy at the expense of working families. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement, “Today, Donald Trump signed into law the worst job-killing bill in American history. It will rip health care from 17 million workers to pay for massive tax giveaways to the wealthy and big corporations, amounting to the country’s largest money grab from the working class to the ultra-rich.” Trump demands Fed's Chair Powell 'resign immediately' The legislation slashes Medicaid and food stamps by $1.2 trillion and significantly increases immigration enforcement. The Congressional Budget Office projects that nearly 12 million more people will lose health insurance under the new law and estimates it will add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. The bill passed the House on Thursday with only two Republican defections and no Democratic support. In the Senate, it cleared by a single vote, with North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis announcing he would not seek re-election after opposing the bill. Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. The package reverses major policies from the Obama and Biden administrations, including the rollback of Medicaid expansion and the elimination of tax credits for renewable energy initiatives. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin described the bill as “devastating,” saying it “sealed the fate of the Republican Party, cementing them as the party for billionaires and special interests — not working families.” He predicted the GOP would lose its congressional majority, calling the bill “a full betrayal of the American people.” Trump, however, defended the legislation, saying Democrats oppose it because of their “hatred” for him or the country. “Their standard line is to say Republican legislation is dangerous or everybody's going to die,” Trump said. “We can't let them get away with it. It's actually just the opposite, everybody's going to live.” Trump warned supporters to dismiss Democratic criticism, saying, “If you see anything negative put out by Democrats, it's all a con job.” The bill is expected to be a major issue in next year’s midterm elections, with Democrats planning rallies, voter drives, and other campaigns to highlight the cuts to social programs. Although Trump claimed the package is “very popular,” recent polling suggests mixed public opinion. A Washington Post/Ipsos poll found support for elements like eliminating taxes on tips and increasing the child tax credit, but majorities opposed cutting food assistance and spending $45 billion on migrant detention centers.  Additionally, around 60% of respondents called the projected $3 trillion increase to the national debt “unacceptable.”

Donald Trump, widely recognized as one of the world’s most powerful and well-known figures, leads the United States—the largest economy and most formidable military force on the globe. Yet during his recent trip to the Middle East, the American president appeared somewhat envious of the luxury enjoyed by his Arab counterparts. He marveled at the Qatari palace’s marble, calling it “perfecto” and remarking that it was “very hard to buy.” He also praised the striking modern architecture in Saudi Arabia, describing the skyline as filled with “gleaming marvels.” In contrast, he expressed dissatisfaction with Air Force One, calling it “much smaller” and “much less impressive” than the planes used by Gulf leaders. During the flight, Trump noted that the Gulf nations all fly “brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was traveling in a nearly 40-year-old version. His eagerness for a newer aircraft is so strong that he has reportedly considered accepting a 747 donated by Qatar—despite the potential issues. Such a move raises concerns about the plane’s security features, the high cost of retrofitting it for presidential use, and the possibility of violating the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments. Trump has not cited any urgent national security reason for bypassing the new Air Force One jets currently under development by Boeing. British banking analyst jailed in Saudi Arabia for 10 years over 'unknown tweet' It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts. “The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”   There have been other lavish touches on the trip, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar. “We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.” He continued to praise Qatar at a state dinner, where he mused that there “wasn’t a tree out of place” in the landscaping. Trump was astounded by the accommodations in Lusail, a new city outside of Doha that was built from the ground up. “This is not your normal house. This is a palace,” he said after signing the guest book. Nothing was said about the migrant workers who raced to develop the country’s infrastructure for the World Cup tournament three years ago, or Qatar’s lack of political freedom, which makes possible such elaborate central planning. The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility. But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles. After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite its grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited, and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.   Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill. “I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently. Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events. Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room. One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests. “You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24-karat gold — that always helps too.”