Donald Trump's week has been marked by a series of bizarre events, from apparent dozing in the Oval Office to a largely unsuccessful trip to China. Here is a summary of the most notable occurrences that you might have missed.
Trump's China Visit Falls Flat
Trump spent a third of the week flying to and from China, a third in the country, and the rest reportedly nodding off at his desk. The trip aimed to establish a Board of Trade to address differences, but beyond a single deal for 200 Boeing aeroplanes, little was achieved. Trump claimed "great, great deals" but could not name others, and tariffs were not discussed. He hinted at possible changes to the $11 billion arms deal with Taiwan but gave no clear commitments.
Tech CEOs Accompany Trump
Trump flew to Beijing with a planeload of tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, and Kelly Ortberg. Despite hopes for progress, the summit yielded only vague promises of a "constructive China-U.S. relationship."
Marco Rubio's Loophole
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, under sanctions barring him from China, was allowed entry after China changed the spelling of his name using a different Chinese character, effectively bypassing the ban.
Oval Office Dozing
On Monday, Trump appeared close to losing consciousness during an event on America's "fertility crisis." This is not the first time he has seemed somnambulant; in January, he explained that he closes his eyes during boring parts of his "cycle."
Late-Night Truth Social Posts
Trump has been staying up late posting on Truth Social, often into the early hours. Posts included AI-generated content attacking opponents, such as an image of a drone striking Iranian boats and a cartoon of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker eating junk food. The posting paused during his China visit, likely because Truth Social is banned there.
IRS Lawsuit and Potential Slush Fund
Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax returns, a move critics call absurd. The judge has questioned whether both sides are truly opposed. Reports suggest the Justice Department is considering a settlement that could create a $1.7 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, including January 6 rioters, controlled by a Trump-appointed commission with no disclosure requirements. This has been compared to a slush fund, even more brazen than Watergate.
Kash Patel's Controversies
FBI Director Kash Patel faced multiple scandals this week. During a Senate hearing, he lashed out at Senator Chris Van Hollen over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, falsely accusing him of drinking margaritas with a gang member. Additionally, emails revealed Patel enjoyed a "VIP snorkel" around the USS Arizona, a sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor that is a military cemetery and off-limits to such activities.
Other Incidents
Fox News received a $40 parking ticket in Beijing after their driver parked illegally for two minutes, caught by surveillance cameras. Trump also lashed out at a BBC reporter on Air Force One, calling the New York Times "treasonous."
