Catégorie oBox : OBOXMA
As the United States and the Trump administration enter the third week of a government shutdown, the president has approved a $20 billion bailout for Argentina, a country battling soaring inflation and a collapsing currency.
The move is reverberating through Washington — and unsettling many within his MAGA base.
«We’re going to help them. I don’t think they need a bailout.»
The plan, built around a U.S.-backed currency swap and direct financial support, represents one of the most controversial and far-reaching American interventions in Latin America in decades.
The White House calls it a «stabilization measure to protect regional markets», while critics argue it’s a risky move that contradicts Trump’s «America First» message.
Asked about the plan during a press briefing at the White House in late September, President Trump downplayed the term “bailout,” insisting that the move was meant to stabilize Argentina’s economy, saying, «We’re going to help them. I don’t think they need a bailout.»
«What are we doing? We’re buying out Argentina? Like, huh?»
«America First»: revolt brews inside Trump’s own movement
The backlash from Trump’s own party was swift. Republican lawmakers and MAGA-aligned figures accused the administration of betraying its «America First» principles by sending billions abroad while U.S. farmers struggle under new tariffs.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley questioned, «Why would the U.S. help bail out Argentina while they take American soybean producers’ biggest market?»
Speaking to reporters in the Capitol hallway after the bailout was announced, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed disbelief, saying, «What are we doing? We’re buying out Argentina? Like, huh?»
Anger is particularly strong among soybean growers, who fear the bailout will strengthen Argentina, a direct competitor in exports to China.
Some in Trump’s circle defend the move as a way to counter Beijing’s influence and expand U.S. business access in Argentina. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins faced criticism after leaked messages showed her privately warning about the bailout’s impact on crop prices, even as she publicly endorsed it.
Make Argentina great again
During their October 14 meeting at the White House, Donald Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for Argentina’s economy, saying «We’re going to help them», while President Javier Milei praised the $20 billion aid package as «fantastic» and both leaders pledged closer trade and economic cooperation.
Javier Milei has been president of Argentina since December 2023. Nicknamed «El Loco» and often called «the Trump of the Pampas», he has openly aligned himself with Trump’s style and rhetoric.
During his campaign, he echoed Trump’s slogan, declaring: «We will make Argentina great again.»
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Donald Trump lashed out at Time Magazine, accusing it of having «disappeared» his hair in what he called the worst photo of him «of all time».
«They “disappeared” my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one.»
Donald Trump opens his post by claiming that Time wrote «a relatively good story» about him, but appears visibly shocked by the magazine’s choice of cover photo: «Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,» Trump says.
«They “disappeared” my hair,» accuses Trump, describing the state of his hair in the photo, while he was on a special trip to the Middle East to sign a peace agreement he concluded and which has entered its first phase, the exchange of all prisoners between Israel and Gaza.
«Really weird!»
Donald Trump
Trump accuses Time Magazine of having altered the photo, taken with a bright light source behind him, revealing his thinning hair, and of having added «something» above his head: «They “disappeared” my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one.»
Trump adds that he has never liked photos taken from low angles, calling this one «a super bad picture» that «deserves to be called out».
In his Truth Social post, Trump also reacts with disbelief, writing «Really weird!» and asking, «What are they doing, and why?»
A 20-point peace plan
In the TIME Magazine article, Trump’s role in the peace plan is described as a «signature achievement of Trump’s second term» and featured under the headline «His Triumph».
Donald Trump, unveiled a 20-point peace plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages, and a reciprocal exchange of Palestinian prisoners. It also includes a partial Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of an international force to secure Gaza, which would be temporarily governed by Palestinian technocrats backed by foreign mediators.
On October 8, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the deal, including the ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Days later, a «Peace Declaration» was endorsed at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Trump hailed the agreement as «historic progress», saying it marked «real peace — not fake diplomacy».
A peace deal signed under international spotlight
Several world leaders were present in Egypt for the signing of the peace plan by Trump, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The truce is mostly holding, though doubts remain over its durability. Critics note that the plan omits any mention of a Palestinian state and leaves Gaza’s future governance unclear.
Singer Taylor Swift recently appeared on The Tonight Show, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, where she finally revealed why she won’t be taking the stage at the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show.
Before Bad Bunny was announced as the show’s guest artist, there were rumors that Taylor Swift might be included. NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell reportedly extended an unofficial invitation to her earlier this summer, but to no avail.
The NFL’s Roger Goodell says Taylor Swift is indefinitely invited to headline the Super Bowl halftime show:
“We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent and obviously, she would be welcome at any time.”
(https://t.co/zuPH8tOkiQ) pic.twitter.com/ALugiIH95L
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 3, 2025
Her focus is elsewhere
Taylor Swift revealed that no official offer had been made to her for a possible participation in the Super Bowl half-time show. She also explained that she wanted to focus on the football season of her fiancé, Travis Kelce.
.@taylorswift13 addresses rumors that she turned down the Super Bowl Halftime Show 👀 #TaylorOnFallon #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/ZPFIpozZ1J
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 7, 2025
The famous request
The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver organized quite a surprise to ensure that his proposal to Taylor Swift was perfectly orchestrated.
She recounted how Travis Kelce’s proposal was both simple and deeply romantic. While recording his podcast with his brother, he discreetly transformed their garden for the occasion, closing the curtains so she couldn’t see. After the show, he asked her out for a glass of wine, an excuse to take her to a fairytale setting where he got down on one knee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-
She added that he had kept the ring for a long time and had himself participated in its design, a gesture she found incredibly touching.
.@taylorswift13 shares how @tkelce surprised her with the perfect engagement while they were recording @newheightshow! #TaylorOnFallon #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/OFks75iPsr
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 7, 2025
Words about Selena Gomez and Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift was among those present at Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco‘s wedding, and out of respect for her friend, she made no mention of her engagement or her ring.
.@taylorswift13 settles rumors about her engagement, @edsheeran, @selenagomez’s wedding, and more 👀 #TaylorOnFallon #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/xxhhTGRKbb
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 7, 2025
As for Ed Sheeran, another of her great friends, he learned of her engagement on social networks, as he doesn’t have a phone!
Taylor Swift when asked by Jimmy Fallon why she didn’t tell Ed Sheeran about her engagement:
“He doesn’t have a phone! […] You have to email him or FaceTime him, and he has to find an iPad and they have to give it to him like he’s a child. This is one of my absolute favorite… pic.twitter.com/C2IQEBZfWS
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) October 7, 2025
This was Taylor Swift’s seventh appearance on Jimmy Fallon‘s show, and she once again gave generously of her time and her person, to please her Swifties.
In a moment that either confirms President Donald Trump’s impressive tech skills or showcases his staff’s utter incompetence; a private message intended for Attorney General Pam Bondi was publicly posted to the President’s Truth Social account on September 20, 2025.
Trump believed he had sent Bondi the message directly, addressing it to ‘Pam,’ and was surprised to learn it was public.
The message, in which Trump pushes Bondi to seek legal action against his political rivals, re-entered the news cycle after multiple agencies, including NBC and the Wall Street Journal, reported that Trump had intended for the message to be private. The President was reportedly “surprised” when he found out the post was public hours later.
An undemocratic directive
Trump’s post certainly displays his incompetence, but it also displays the strategies he’s used since being elected. Trump’s message was long and referenced multiple talking points that have populated GOP politics since 2016.
[it’s the] same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.
Trump mentions by name three people he views as political opponents, clamouring that ‘something must be done’ about them.
Midway through the message, Trump mentions Erik Siebert (though not by name), claiming he had a ‘GREAT CASE’ to fire him.
He even lied to the media and said he quit, and that we had no case. No, I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers, and legal pundits, say so.
He finished the message by mentioning Lindsey Halligan, his newest nominee for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan has no experience in legal prosecution and acted as one of Trump’s personal attorneys in 2022. She was named a special assistant to the president and White House senior associate staff secretary in January 2025 and served in that role until her appointment in Virginia.
Keystone cops in the White House
The message confirmed what many have feared: that Donald Trump’s cabinet is defined by incompetence, punctuated and perpetrated by juvenile and vindictive ideologies being projected by the President.
Trump was surprised to learn he had actually posted the message to his Truth Social account, the president reacted by saying ‘Oh,’ and then tried to shrug it off
For those used to watching political fiction like ‘Veep’ and ‘The West Wing’, and ‘House of Cards’ this report shows us a fun house mirror of American politics; one where politicians in charge are no longer scrambling to manipulate their constituents, but instead feel so powerful that they can ‘shrug off’ a blunder that would be embarrassing to a high-schooler, much less the leader of the ‘free world’. The only difference between this and your favourite piece of fiction? This incompetence carries real-world consequences.
Once upon a time, the President was concerned about his image. Of course, that was when America was led by someone who understood how mirrors work. Now, the Trump administration seemingly thinks it can do no wrong; shamelessly lying to the press, lying on social media, and lying in its own reports. Additionally, the Trump administration is actively working to silence institutional media through discreditation, perpetuating a river of disinformation that American voters are wading through.
The result is an ecosystem where voters are left gasping for both air and information, being misled by a government that only seeks to benefit itself.
Donald Trump just threw a grenade into the room where trade talks were happening with China.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would be imposing a 100% tariff on China, “over and above any Tariff they are currently paying.” The tariff will go into effect on November 1 and will target rare-earth exports from China.
This affects ALL Countries, without exception, and was obviously a plan devised by them years ago,
Trump claimed in a Truth Social post on Friday that China had “taken an extraordinarily aggressive position on Trade in sending an extremely hostile letter to the World, stating that they were going to, effective November 1st, 2025, impose large-scale Export Controls on virtually every product they make, and some not even made by them.”
It is absolutely unheard of in International Trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other Nations.
Trump said he would impose this new tariff on or before November 1, “depending on any further actions or changes taken by China.”
Rare earth exports
On Thursday, Beijing expanded its restrictions on rare earth exports, expanding the list of minerals under control and extending controls targeting the overseas use of its technologies. The change to the limits reportedly affects the U.S. acutely, as China has increased the regulations on the use of its products for military purposes.
Trump called the move a disgrace, claiming that “[this] is absolutely unheard of in International Trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other Nations.”
Beijing is seeking to boost its leverage in trade talks, on the cusp of a meeting between Xi Jinping and Trump at the APEC summit in South Korea later this month. Administration officials see the move as an apparent effort from Beijing to secure leverage before the meeting.
Strong-arming a chaos agent
Trump attempted to take leverage back, posting on Truth Social, “I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so,” The comment sparked panic across both countries, and Trump was prodded later that day whether the meeting was really cancelled, in which he backpedaled with impressive speed.
I haven’t cancelled, but I don’t know that we’re going to have it. But I’m going to be there regardless, so I would assume we might have it.
The White House viewed China’s increased restrictions as an escalation of the trade war, which required a measured response. Trump also criticized China for choosing Thursday for their announcement.
The Chinese letters were especially inappropriate in that this was the Day that, after three thousand years of bedlam and fighting, there is PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST,
Sweating bullets in the President’s Palace
Trump’s comments, and the administration response outline that there is clearly anxiety tied to China’s hold over a market the U.S. sees as critical to its military. Chinese technology and rare earth companies are heavily involved in U.S. national defence strategies, with CNN reporting that top Trump officials have had “rounds and rounds of phone calls” with Chinese tech companies and that the message has been delivered “loud and clear.”
The administration is now focused on ending its reliance on Chinese rare earth materials. The U.S. Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) signed a $ 400 million partnership with MP Materials Corp in July 2025, the only American-based producer of rare earth magnets and materials.
Trump’s comments also triggered a ‘mini-crash’ of the tech-reliant Nasdaq, with the index falling 3.56 percent. The Dow and S&P also both slid, but not as dramatically as the Nasdaq.
Trump started the trade war with China in February 2018, with tariffs on solar panels and washing machines. Trump continued to impose tariffs throughout his first term. The trade war cooled during the Biden administration, but came to a head in January 2024 after Trump was elected again. Right now, 66 percent of Chinese imports into the United States face a tariff, and 63 percent of US imports face a tariff in China.
In a rare move by a GOP politician, Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene went on CNN on Thursday, October 9. This is another move from Greene that seemingly distances her from Donald Trump and his politics. Republican politicians have been nearly universally loyal to Fox News since Trump’s election in 2023. Simply Greene’s respectful appearance on the show would spark comments.
We [congress] already have a low enough job approval rating; this shutdown is just going to drive everyone’s approval rating [down].
Greene joined Wolf Blitzer and Pam Brown on CNN live on Thursday, where she was tasked with answering questions about the government shutdown, the Epstein files, and reports that her relationship with Donald Trump is damaged.
The call is coming from inside the House
Rep. Greene was first asked about the government shutdown.
I’m actually putting the blame on the Speaker, and leader Thune in the Senate.
She then went on to say that the shutdown is bad for everybody.
“We [congress] already have a low enough job approval rating; this shutdown is just going to drive everyone’s approval rating [down].”
Her response clearly surprised Blitzer and Brown, as they prodded her to continue, with Brown asking almost incredulously, “So you’re putting the blame on the leadership of your party,” to which Greene answered emphatically, “Absolutely! We control the House.”
Distancing herself from Trump?
This is not the first time Rep. Greene has spoken outside of party lines. MTG also recently told CNN that Trump is being given poor advice and that he may be straying from some of the MAGA values that she campaigned on alongside Trump in 2016.
I don’t think he’s always getting the best advice [from his staff].
Rep. Greene also criticized some of her own caucus, citing that some Republicans just “Threw on the MAGA hat a year ago,” and that she has been supporting Trump “from the start.”
Just recently, a report came out where Donald Trump allegedly asked two senior Republicans, “What’s going on with Marjorie,” fueling the fire regarding their fractured relationship.
To her credit, Rep. Greene has stayed staunchly in support of President Trump. On her appearance on CNN on Thursday, she stated, “I absolutely support the president, I campaigned for him for years.”
Even then, she felt the need to clarify with, “but I’m also an action person, and I want my party to solve problems.”
Rep. Greene’s interview will certainly do little to dispel the rumours of the rift between Trump and Greene. It also seems to insinuate that Greene may be playing her own game, with her own motivations.
Does separating herself from Trump make her more attractive to the disillusioned centrists? Only time will tell. According to CNN, only 27 percent of Georgia residents view Rep. Greene favourably, and 43 percent of constituents see her unfavourably, making her one of the most polarizing members of the GOP.
Turning Point USA announced on Thursday, October 9, that it would be running “counterprogramming” after Conservatives get riled up about the selection of Bad Bunny.
No “woke” garbage. Just TRUTH. Just FREEDOM. Just AMERICA.
What we know
Turning Point USA announced on its social media Thursday morning that it would be hosting an “All-American Halftime Show” to run parallel to the NFL’s halftime show. The announcement does not outline what artists and performers will be present, but teases that “performers and event details coming soon.”
The post linked to a website tailor-made for the event. The site boasts that the event will celebrate “Faith, Family, Freedom, and… Football.” The site also features a form to receive information about the event. The form asks fans what genres they would like to see, with a wide variety of genres, including an option for “Anything in English.”
The website also offers the option for fans to donate to the cause, claiming “This is the line in the sand. No retreat. No apologies. Not one inch more. No “woke” garbage. Just TRUTH. Just FREEDOM. Just AMERICA.”
Bad Bunny sparking controversy
The NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, a Spanish-speaking artist from Puerto Rico, has sparked anger amongst the MAGA crowd. What most of that group struggles to understand is that, being from Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny is an American citizen.
Surprisingly, considering the narrative being pushed, Bad Bunny has also been public about his faith. His foray into musical artistry started in the church, where he claimed he realized he was “the best in the choir, and worked the hardest.”
His mother is also a devout Catholic, and although Bad Bunny has admitted that he no longer attends church regularly, he told Vanity Fair in a 2023 interview that “God is everywhere.”
The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 8, 2026.
Bad Bunny has already performed in a Super Bowl; he shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020. The NFL has featured 11 artists from Latin America in the Super Bowl since 1995 (including Bad Bunny). This is the first time that nationwide controversy has resulted from the decision.