President Trump Participates in NATO Family Photograph at Netherlands Royal Palace


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance

President Donald Trump was greeted warmly by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima the current monarchs of the Netherlands, during his arrival to the NATO summit.  Queen Maxima appears to have taken a page from the wardrobe of First Lady Melania Trump. After all the formal introductions, a family photo of the NATO group was held.  WATCH: 

.

Credit Where Due – Majority Leader John Thune Eyes Friday for Senate BBB Votes to Begin


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance 

Cautious optimism is warranted, however it looks like Senate Majority Leader John Thune is pushing hard to hit the deadlines set by President Trump for passage of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) reconciliation package.

Speaking today right before a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Thune noted he is optimistic the Senate can finalize their negotiations on the BBB over the next two days, setting up the Senate to hold their first cloture votes on Friday and a vote-a-rama through the weekend.

President Trump is still assisting Leader Thune with phone calls to Senate republicans between foreign policy engagements.  Trump is only staying in the Netherlands for 24 hours so he can quickly get back to DC to assist in any arm-twisting needed by Thune or Johnson.

According to Politico, House Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned House representatives to stay in town this weekend and be prepared to reconcile both bills and vote on the package as soon as it exits the Senate.   As many of you are aware, this is a critical legislative package containing a large amount of President Trump’s America First policy priorities.

As things stand right now, it looks like Thune is going to try and get the package into voting position on Friday, with immediate votes to take place.  We are critical of Thune when warranted, but should also appreciate the work of the Majority Leader when he is structurally supportive of the MAGA agenda.

(Via Axios) – Senate Majority Leader John Thune expects to start voting Friday on President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” he told Axios in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

Why it matters: This would have them voting into the weekend, and it would upend the House’s recess next week. But Thune (R-S.D.) is confident Congress will meet its self-imposed July 4 deadline to get a bill on Trump’s desk.

Thune said Friday was looking more likely for an initial vote than Thursday, setting up the potential for a weekend slog.

“I think we get on it, and then we will plow through, and we’ll get into vote-a-rama and grind it out until — until whenever,” the leader said. “It’s just the nature of the beast at the end.”

Johnson told House Republicans “not to leave town” this weekend in case the Senate gets a bill passed, Politico reported Tuesday. (read more)

We anticipate that once the BBB is completed, obviously there will be a celebration – a news cycle for the White House and legislative leadership to promote & celebrate, and then President Trump will likely shift straight into the details of the trade agreements being constructed in the background by Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Bessent and USTR Jamieson Greer.

As the trade aspect is underway from the oval office, expect Secretary Rubio and Steve Witkoff to be reengaged with Ukraine-Russia.  By mid July we should see multiple announcements of trade agreements, while simultaneously the foreign policy focus of Rubio and Witkoff should start to materialize into substantive change.

NATO Nervously Awaits Godzilla Trump’s Arrival, Pre-Stage Agreement for Big Spending Increase


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance

The NATO summit begins officially tonight in the Hague, Netherlands.  However, most of the NATO members arrived early so their collective assembly could strategize a defense against the arrival of Godzilla Trump.

Unfortunately, Godzilla Trump began his journey to the EU today by using a very emphatic F-bomb directed at Iran and Israel.  Netanyahu promptly apologized, reversed his antagonistic enterprise and ducked for cover.  A grouchy Godzilla is not what the EU leaders want to be facing.  Grimaces abound.

To appease the painfully, brutally and uncomfortably honest President Trump the EU have agreed among themselves to increase their defense spending quickly, to the very Trumpian 5% of GDP with 3.5% spent on direct military arms.

GERMANY – […] “We will decide to invest significantly more in our security,” Merz told the Bundestag ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague. “Not to do the United States a favor — but because Russia actively threatens the freedom of the entire Euro-Atlantic area.”

A day before the speech, Berlin confirmed it would raise military spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2029 — Germany’s most ambitious rearmament effort since the end of the Cold War. (more)

Great Britain – LONDON — Keir Starmer has confirmed the U.K. will hit NATO’s target of spending 5 percent of GDP on defense by 2035 as he prepares to meet other western leaders in The Hague. The British prime minister hailed the move as “an opportunity to deepen our commitment to NATO and drive greater investment in the nation’s wider security.”

Making the pledge alongside the publication of a new national security strategy, Starmer specified the U.K. was on course to reach 4.1 percent of GDP on defense by 2027. (read more)

Godzilla Trump did not discuss his planned bombing of the Iranian nuclear sites in advance of his strikes and the EU is not quite sure what to do or say about that.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to be in attendance at the NATO conference, despite Ukraine not being a NATO member.

(Via Fox) – […] The President’s time at the summit will be brief, spending approximately 24 hours on the ground. His meetings “will focus on issues of shared concern and reaffirm the United States strong ties with our allies and partners,” according to an administration official.

But they come after Trump can boast of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. 

“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

Rutte has suggested NATO would stand behind the U.S. after Iran launched a counterstrike on its air base in Qatar, following American attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites.

“My biggest fear would be for Iran to own and be able to use a nuclear weapon,” Rutte told reporters ahead of the summit. (more)

President Trump Impromptu Presser Aboard Air Force One – Audio Only


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance 

President Donald Trump gives brief remarks to the media aboard Air Force One (audio only for first minute).  The first segment of the questions and answers deals with President Trump talking to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel agreeing not to strike, to turn around and return their planes home.

President Trump reaffirmed that he does not want to see regime change in Iran and that things can be settled without conflict if all parties engage with honesty and integrity.  The conversation then moves to the NATO summit which begins later tonight.  WATCH (Video starts at 1:40)

.

Chopper Presser – President Trump: “I’m Not Happy With Israel, I’m Not Happy At All”


June 24, 2025 | Sundance

It’s all right there for those who have eyes to see and do not pretend.

Chopper Pressers are the best pressers.  Departing the White House President Trump leads off his initial remarks by saying. … “And I’m talking directly to Israel right now”… “I’m not happy with Israel, I’m not happy at all.”  President Trump repeats.

President Trump is speaking about the increased fire the Israeli government conducted, as soon as the ceasefire was announced, and again talking about the ongoing retaliation fire that Israel is taking right now to a single Iran rocket that missed any Israeli target.  “Israel needs to calm down,” he continued.

Then, to drive home the point and express his frustration, President Trump says, “we basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, that they don’t know WHAT THE FUCK THEY’RE DOING! Do you understand that?” He then turns his back in disgust and walks away.  WATCH:

.

This week wasn’t just about stopping Iran. It was also about taking Israel’s “Iran has nukes!” card off the table.

Supreme Court (6-3 Decision) Lifts Injunction From Lower Court on Deportations – Judge Says Defy Supreme Court, Injunction Remains


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance

Activist U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy previously blocked President Trump from deporting criminal illegal aliens to non-originating countries, as many countries refused to take back their criminal aliens.  The administration appealed the injunction to the Supreme Court and the high court ruled in favor of the Trump administration and DHS [SCOTUS RULING HERE]

However, after the high court lifted the block, Judge Murphy doubled down on his injunction, saying the Supreme Court decision does not pertain to his order.

WASHINGTON DC – The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for the Trump administration to swiftly deport foreigners to countries where they have no previous ties.

The justices lifted an order from a federal judge in Boston who had placed restrictions on the deportations to those countries. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy had issued a nationwide injunction that required the administration to give immigrants “meaningful” advance notice and a chance to raise objections before they are sent to so-called third countries — nations not specified in their original deportation orders. But the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to put Murphy’s injunction on hold.(more)

In response to the Supreme Court overruling his decision, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy said late Monday that his injunction blocking the deportation of certain non-citizens to South Sudan and other third-party countries “remains in full force and effect.”

Israel Formally Accepts President Trump’s Ceasefire Against Iranian Hostilities


Posted originally on CTH on June 24, 2025 | Sundance

Israel has agreed to the terms and conditions established by President Donald Trump:

[SOURCE]

“Israel has eliminated an immediate dual existential threat, both in the nuclear domain and in the field of ballistic missiles. Additionally, the IDF achieved full air superiority over Tehran, dealt a severe blow to the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of key government targets in Iran,” the statement says. “Even in the past day, the IDF dealt major blows to regime targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminated hundreds of Basij operatives, the regime’s oppression apparatus, and assassinated another senior nuclear scientist,” it continues. “Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and for their role in removing the Iranian nuclear threat.”

JD Vance Discusses the “Complete and Total Ceasefire” to the 12-Day War


Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

Vice President JD Vance appears on Fox News with Bret Baier to discuss the ceasefire and peace plan between Iran and Israel.  Vice President Vance notes the entire Middle-East wanted to deal with the Iranian issue and were appreciative of President Donald Trump dealing with the issue.  WATCH:

.

President Trump Outwitted Benjamin Netanyahu – The “12 Day War” is Over!


Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

If you are confused about what happened in the past 96 hours, that’s understandable.

Cliff notes. The Occam’s Razor was always accurate. President Trump didn’t want to escalate with Iran. Netanyahu forced President Trump into a supportive box with attacks against Iran. President Trump responded with a public hug to Bibi and eventually a U.S. bombing of the Iran nuclear sites. Israel was big happy. However, Trump’s emissary Steve Witkoff never stopped communicating with Iran on peace approach, and negotiated/coordinated a face-saving Iranian retaliation via a happy to oblige Qatar.

Iran retaliated against the USA support for Israel with a pre-planned attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which was easily managed. Iran saves face against evil Trump. Meanwhile, loyal friend to Israel, Trump has facilitated the request of Bibi. Diplomacy now returns sans operational nuclear sites.  No regime change. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli lobbyist Mark Levin are furious.

All the pro-war Israel-First pundits who sold a narrative of Trump duping the Iranians were wrong.  Trump never wanted the conflict escalation, nor did Trump pre-plan with Netanyahu to pretend diplomacy.  Pure fantasy speculation. The prior diplomatic efforts between the USA and Iran were genuine from the Trump administration, despite the duplicity from the Iranian side.

In a weakened state the Iranian regime and the Israeli government are now directed to engage in “peace and harmony,” against the new backdrop of the nuclear sites out of commission. Trump’s out. We’re done.

Mark Levin (aka, Old Yeller) – “The Iranian Nazi regime is desperately trying to hold on to power with no effective options. Will the regime be provided an “off ramp” without surrendering unconditionally?  In other words, will the regime be given a lifeline, and survive to terrorize and murder, build more ballistic missiles, and develop nukes and intercontinental missiles in the future? That would be a disastrous outcome after all of this.”

There are no current nuclear sites.

President Trump says, “Go peacefully negotiate!” We support you both.

Peace, out!

PRESIDENT TRUMP – CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!

Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL.

On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR.” This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!

DONALD J. TRUMP,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (LINK)

President Trump Thanks Iran for Their Polite Retaliation and Tells Israel They Can Seek Peace Now


Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

President Trump has responded with a “thank you” to Iran for their forewarned retaliation; noting he will “enthusiastically encourage” Israel to seek peace now.  Via Truth Social:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was “set free,” because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” (source)

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “I’d like to thank the Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” (source)