Donald Trump
Background
AI-generatedDonald Trump is an American businessman and politician who serves as the 47th President of the United States.
Role
Donald Trump is the President of the United States, having begun a second, non-consecutive term in January 2025 after previously serving as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021. As head of state and commander-in-chief, he directs U.S. foreign policy and military operations, including current actions in the Middle East.
Background
Trump built his career as a real estate developer and businessman in New York before expanding into hospitality, entertainment, and branding ventures, including hosting a reality television show. He entered politics and won the presidency in 2016, then lost re-election in 2020 before winning a second term in the 2024 election. His prior term and subsequent political activity were marked by significant controversy, legal proceedings, and polarized public reaction.
Why they are in the news
In mid-2026, Trump is prominent in coverage of an escalating U.S. military confrontation with Iran, including sustained American airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and a naval blockade of Iranian ports that has led to clashes over merchant shipping. As president, he is the central figure overseeing and publicly defending this expanding campaign, which continues alongside separate international crises such as the war in Ukraine.
Background context generated by AI from public knowledge and recent Apprise coverage. Facts may lag current events — see the stories below for the latest.
In the news
▶ 54sLatest Russian and Ukrainian attacks kill a total of 15 people, officials say
Ukrainian forces attacked holiday camps in the partly Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region, killing 12 people, including four children
▶ 52sUS military says it fired on another merchant vessel trying to breach its blockade of Iranian ports
The U.S. military says it has fired on a merchant vessel attempting to breach its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran targeted American strongholds around the Persian Gulf
▶ 53sUS military launches new strikes on Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes
The U.S. military has announced it conducted a 13th night of strikes against Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes
▶ 53sUS military completes 11th night of strikes on Iran as attacks overshadow diplomacy
The U.S. military says it completed the 11th night of strikes on Iran as attacks across the Middle East overshadowed diplomatic efforts to salvage an interim ceasefire deal that has collapsed
▶ 57sThe Tate brothers fight extradition to the UK where they face rape and sex trafficking charges
A lawyer says social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate will fight extradition to the United Kingdom
▶ 49sUS and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast
The United States and Iran have exchanged strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensifies
▶ 1:01US hits more bridges in Iran in an expansion of its airstrike campaign
The United States is expanding its airstrike campaign against Iran by increasingly hitting bridges
▶ 50sUS airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run the blockade
The United States has intensified its strikes targeting Iran, hitting targets further north
▶ 50sICE officer who fatally shot driver in Maine was 'fearing for public safety,' agency says
Sen. Angus King says the motorist killed by ICE officers in a Maine shooting was not the target of the warrant the officers were executing
▶ 52sNew York won't build big data centers for a year as it weighs energy and climate risks
New York is blocking new large data centers that fuel artificial intelligence for up to a year to protect the environment and energy grid
▶ 43sSen. Lindsey Graham likely died after aorta tear, medical examiner says
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has died after a brief illness
▶ 43sUS and Iran exchange intensifying fire across Mideast, threatening ceasefire deal
The United States has launched new airstrikes against Iran, and Tehran responded by targeting Gulf countries
▶ 46sNew attacks raise questions about what comes next in the Iran war
President Donald Trump says he believes the ceasefire with Iran is over
▶ 47sUS launches new airstrikes on Iran, with Tehran firing back at 3 Gulf Arab states
The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by hitting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war
▶ 55sThe Latest: US says it's carrying out more strikes after Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. has carried out another round of strikes on Iran hours after President Donald Trump said that recent Iranian attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the ceasefire
▶ 49sOil prices rise, and stocks drop worldwide after Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'over'
Oil prices rose, and stock markets dropped in shaky trading worldwide after President Donald Trump raised doubts about the temporary truce in the war with Iran
▶ 53sTrump says US will give Ukraine license to produce Patriot defense systems
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced at a NATO summit in Turkey that the U.S. will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems
▶ 1:00US launches new strikes on Iran, revokes oil sales permit after 3 ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military has attacked Iran after it said Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz
▶ 50sThe Latest: Video shows Tyler Robinson before and after killing Charlie Kirk, investigators say
The weeklong preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has entered its second day
▶ 49sFormer officer describes finding a 'sniper pad' on nearby rooftop after Charlie Kirk assassination
A former campus police officer says he found an apparent “sniper pad” on a gravel rooftop near where Charlie Kirk was assassinated
▶ 52sIntegrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension
With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday
▶ 1:06Khamenei's other sons appear at his funeral in Iran as new supreme leader remains in hiding
Iran’s top officials and brothers of the country’s new supreme leader have emerged into public view to attend the funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signaling confidence in their safety as Iran pushes back on U.S. demands in negotiations to permanently end the war
▶ 50sTrump mixes patriotism with partisanship as he celebrates America's 'joyous' 250th anniversary
President Donald Trump has mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.”
▶ 51s1 killed in attack on Crimea as Putin and Zelenskyy hold separate Trump calls
A Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea has killed one person, according to Moscow-installed officials