Matzav

In a meticulous display of hiddur mitzvah, the Rebbe of Rachmastrivka was seen donning two different shtreimels during the Erev Pesach matzah baking after chatzos hayom on Erev Shabbos.

As the Rebbe entered the matzah bakery to personally participate in the baking of matzos, he wore an older shtreimel for the physical labor of kneading and rolling. Then, the Rebbe stood near the oven and recited Hallel with great dveikus. Before doing so, however, he changed into a different shtreimel.

The reason? Out of an abundance of caution, the Rebbe was concerned that tiny crumbs of flour or dough—potentially turning into chametz—might have remained on the original shtreimel worn during the baking. To avoid any halachic issue during the recitation of Hallel, he switched to a second, clean shtreimel.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Maldivian Parliament has officially passed legislation that bars Israeli citizens from entering the country.

Shortly after the vote, President Mohamed Muizzu signed the bill into law, signaling his administration’s support for the move.

“The ratification reflects the Government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Muizzu claimed in a statement.

The language of the bill makes clear that “until the inhumane actions carried out by Israel against Palestinian civilians since October 7, 2023 come to an end, the Maldives will ban the entry of those carrying Israeli passports.”

Alongside the new travel restriction, Muizzu had previously declared that the Maldives would designate a special representative to assist the “Palestinians.”

{Matzav.com}

Tens of thousands of Yidden attended a mass Birkas Kohanim this morning at the Kosel. The large Birkas Kohanim is held every Chol Hamoed and draws tremendous crowds.

The entire Old City of Yerushalayim was closed to vehicles as thousands streamed by foot and via bus to the Kosel. Some had davened Shacharis elsewhere, while others took part at minyanim at the Kosel. All joined together for the central Birkas Kohanim,with the Kosel chazzan calling out the bracha over a microphone. Hundreds of kohanim gathered at the front of the minyan, right by the Kosel, to bentch their fellow Yidden.

After davening, many in the crowd went to greet Rav Shmuel Rabinovitch, rov of the Kosel, and the chief rabbis to receive their bracha and wish them chag sameiach.

The biannual event was first started by Rav Menachem Mendel Gefner zt”l.

This was the 55th year since the first public Birkas Kohanim took place on Pesach at the Kosel.

WATCH:

An alarming incident unfolded Tuesday morning at the residence of MK Yinon Azoulay, when an envelope containing an unknown white substance was delivered to his home.

Authorities quickly mobilized to the scene in Ashdod, including emergency medical teams, fire crews, and security personnel, once the powder inside the envelope was discovered.

“I received an envelope in the mail, which immediately seemed to me to be suspicious,” Azoulay said.

“Forensic investigators and firefighters arrived and began investigating. They had everyone leave the house, everyone is fine, thank G-d.”

This episode follows a disturbing pattern, as multiple coalition Knesset members have recently reported receiving similar suspicious packages. Law enforcement is currently investigating whether these cases are tied to the so-called “Israeli Revengers” group, known for previous threatening activity.

{Matzav.com / Photo: Arutz Sheva}

New York Attorney General Letitia James is in the early stages of examining whether confidential information was improperly used for financial gain following President Trump’s recent announcement to delay certain tariffs for 90 days.

James’ office confirmed to The Post on Tuesday that while the matter is being looked into, it hasn’t yet escalated to a formal investigation.

At this point, it’s not clear if the inquiry targets particular companies or individuals, according to the initial report from CNN.

Just before trading began on April 9—while investor anxiety over possible tariffs was sending markets into a steep decline—Trump posted a message on Truth Social encouraging investors, saying it was a “GREAT TIME TO BUY.”

Later that same day, Trump revealed that the rollout of the individualized reciprocal tariff structure would be delayed, although the standing 10% duty on most imported goods would still apply.

The news triggered a major rally on Wall Street. The Dow soared 7.9%, the S&P 500 jumped 9.5%, and the Nasdaq saw an increase of 12.2%.

However, Trump made it clear that the delay wouldn’t apply to China. He imposed a steep 125% tariff on Chinese products, effectively raising the total import duty on many items from China to 145%. Still, there was a temporary reduction in tariffs for Chinese electronic goods while the administration reviewed the broader supply chain.

Critics on the left, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have voiced concern that those close to the administration may have profited by acting on prior knowledge of the tariff delay.

“It’s entirely appropriate to have an investigation to make sure that Donald Trump, Donald Trump’s family, Donald Trump’s inner circle, didn’t get advance information and trade on that information,” Warren said in an interview with CNN.

Under the authority granted by New York’s Martin Act of 1921, James has sweeping powers to investigate allegations of securities fraud.

This potential review marks another chapter in the ongoing battles between James and Trump.

In late 2023, she filed a broad civil lawsuit accusing the Trump Organization of manipulating property values—overstating them to secure favorable business deals, and undervaluing them for tax benefits.

Then, in February of last year, a state judge ruled that Trump must pay $354.8 million in penalties, plus accruing interest.

That ruling is currently under appeal.

Trump responded to James’ legal action by accusing her of racial bias, labeling her pursuit as a “witch hunt,” and charging that the lawsuit was driven by partisan motives.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from shutting down a program introduced under Biden that offered temporary legal entry and work permits to migrants from four nations.

The initiative, established by then-President Joe Biden, enabled over 500,000 individuals from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba to enter the U.S. under humanitarian parole, according to the Miami Herald.

On Monday, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts ruled that those admitted under the program could remain in the country as they pursue legal immigration status.

The decision prevents Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from ending the parole designations for these migrants, a move the administration had scheduled for April 24.

“While [Trump administration officials] are correct that the Secretary’s discretion in this area is broad, their conclusion that the Secretary’s actions are wholly shielded from judicial review is incorrect,” wrote Talwani in her 41-page decision filed in federal court in Boston.

Talwani acknowledged that her ability to intervene in DHS policy is restricted, but emphasized that she has grounds to halt the revocation of parole in this case because “it revokes, without case-by-case review, previously granted parole and work authorizations for individuals currently in the United States.”

The administration had announced plans late last month to phase out the policy, which allowed eligible migrants—if they passed background checks and secured a sponsor—to travel to the U.S. and gain quick work approval, according to The New York Times.

Those who were admitted could stay for a period of up to two years, with an option for extension.

This ruling affects an estimated 532,000 people who have arrived from the designated countries since October 2022.

In the court filing, Talwani noted that the change would place these migrants in a difficult position, as they would “be forced to choose between two injurious options: continue following the law and leave the country on their own, or await removal proceedings,” the Times reported.

Talwani had already indicated last Thursday that she planned to halt the DHS’s decision to terminate the legal protections for the 532,000 migrants who entered under the program.

The Department of Homeland Security had previously stated in a Federal Register announcement that the temporary status for these individuals would lapse on April 24. That notice aligned with President Donald Trump’s broader push to curtail legal protections for those in the U.S. without permanent status.

{Matzav.com}

A high-ranking Chinese official issued a fierce rebuke on Tuesday, accusing President Trump of launching a reckless and humiliating trade offensive that he predicted would soon boomerang and bring misery to Americans.

Xia Baolong, who holds authority over Hong Kong and Macao affairs, harshly condemned Trump’s recent imposition of a steep 145% tariff on goods from those territories, labeling it “brutally unreasonable.”

“The US isn’t after our tariffs but our very survival,” Xia declared during a nationally televised address. “The US has repeatedly contained and suppressed Hong Kong … and this will eventually backfire on itself.”

He went on to say, “Let those peasants in the United States wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.”

Xia argued that the Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong, are no strangers to foreign pressure, and he warned that such hostile measures would fail to yield results.

“The Chinese people do not cause trouble, nor are they afraid of trouble. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China,” he said.

His fiery comments followed China’s retaliatory move last week to increase tariffs on American imports to 125%, a direct response to Trump’s announcement of the 145% duty on Chinese products.

Tensions have been escalating for weeks. Earlier this month, Vice President JD Vance made headlines for remarks that further strained relations when he stated that America is reliant on “Chinese peasants to buy things those Chinese peasants manufacture.”

The comment provoked immediate condemnation from Chinese officials. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian blasted the vice president’s statement, calling it both uninformed and insulting.

“It is surprising and sad to hear such ignorant and impolite words from this vice president,” Lin said at the time.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the disagreements in the ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a hostage release arrangement remain “significant.”

According to the report, Hamas has revised its previous position and is now signaling readiness to release nine hostages instead of just one, marking a notable shift in its approach.

Israeli officials credit the shift to the pressure exerted by the IDF’s military campaign, which has resulted in Israeli forces taking control of roughly 30 to 40 percent of Gaza.

Speaking with The Post, an Israeli source summed up the current state of the negotiations: “Despite some progress, it is currently very difficult to move forward with a deal.

“Hamas is expected to respond again in the coming days, but if they remain firm on the issue of guarantees, it’s hard to see the agreement happening.”

The major stumbling block in the talks is Hamas’s demand for firm international assurances that the war will be brought to a close as part of any agreement.

The terror group is requesting commitments from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar that Israel will agree to end the fighting. Israel has so far refused to provide such assurances.

Al Jazeera reported Monday that Egypt told Hamas an end to the war would require the group’s disarmament—an idea that a senior Hamas figure rejected outright. That report also indicated that the proposed terms include a 45-day pause in hostilities.

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with the family of hostage Eitan Mor, during which he said that Israel is pushing for the release of 10 hostages in any potential deal.

{Matzav.com Israel}

According to a report published by military correspondent Yoav Ziton in Ynet, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir recently urged members of Israel’s national security cabinet to abandon what he described as unrealistic expectations regarding the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Zamir reportedly told the ministers they needed to “give up on some of their fantasies” about the Gaza war, citing a shortage of available ground troops, according to Ziton’s report.

He is also said to have remarked that, even in the current military campaign targeting Hamas, the cabinet would have to rely entirely on the Israel Defense Forces, without the support of any parallel diplomatic initiative.

In response to the article, a cabinet official told The Jerusalem Post that the report was “complete fake,” and a second source labeled the claims as “reckless,” denying the comments were made.

Contradicting them, however, a third individual familiar with the discussion insisted that Zamir had indeed made those remarks, stating they were “100%” said during the meeting.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit addressed the article earlier on Monday, stating, “We will not comment on what was said in closed discussions. The IDF is preparing for a wide range of developments in the war, including the mobilization of reservists to expand operations in the Gaza Strip. We will not elaborate on these plans for obvious reasons.”

Later that evening, the IDF issued a further statement, clarifying: “The report that was allegedly published regarding the chief of staff’s position before the political echelon pertains to what was said in a closed and operational discussion. It has been distorted, and it does not reflect the reality of the matter.”

The same cabinet member quoted earlier backed the IDF’s rebuttal.

Despite this, Ziton maintained that the military’s denial stemmed from political interference rather than factual inaccuracy.

Members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee reacted to the original report, tying the military’s personnel challenges to the government’s failure to draft more soldiers from the chareidi community.

Committee Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein of Likud said, “If Hamas was the IDF’s only mission, the army is certainly strong and capable enough to handle Hamas.”

“However, Hamas is not the central threat to the State of Israel at present, and it is certainly not the only threat.”

He went on to say, “Israel needs a larger army to stand against and defeat all of its enemies. Reservists require a stronger army to meet their goals – both in the military and as citizens.

“As I have said in the past and say now, the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews is not a matter of wishful thinking but a necessity. This is not hatred of the ultra-Orthodox but love for the state and the land of our forefathers.

“With God’s help, I will not rest until I bring forth a proper, real, and effective draft law,” he declared.

MK Moshe Tur-Paz of Yesh Atid, another committee member, echoed the concerns, saying, “Zamir quickly discovered what every reservist who has experienced a year and a half of combat and hundreds of days in the reserves already knows: The reservists are collapsing.

“Prolonged attacks on those who voice this distress will not make it disappear. Without the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews, there cannot be a strong Israel in the long run. Our security is in immediate danger,” said Tur-Paz.

MK Sharon Nir of Yisrael Beytenu, who also sits in the cabinet, said bluntly, “The government must mandate the enlistment of everyone into the IDF at the age of 18 – no tricks, quotas, or targets. The draft-dodging law must be immediately removed from the agenda!”

{Matzav.com Israel}

CNN host Kaitlan Collins responded forcefully Monday evening after President Trump publicly criticized her following a contentious Oval Office exchange regarding the deportation of a man to El Salvador.

On her primetime program, Collins accused the president of walking back earlier commitments to honor a Supreme Court decision that required his administration to reverse the deportation.

She aired segments of the Oval Office confrontation, including moments when Trump dismissed her questions and had top officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller justify the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was sent to an El Salvador prison.

“In the Oval Office today, the president seemed to backtrack what he said about the Supreme Court and instead leaned on some of his top aides to make the case,” Collins told viewers during her show, The Source.

The Trump administration has alleged that Abrego Garcia is linked to the notorious MS-13 gang. However, his relatives dispute those accusations, and legal records confirm he has not been charged with any crimes either in the United States or in El Salvador.

Government lawyers have admitted that his removal was improper, noting that a 2019 ruling by an immigration judge had blocked his deportation. The Supreme Court recently ruled that the administration must “facilitate” bringing him back to the U.S.

“The administration has made clear they do not intend to seek this man’s return despite a Supreme Court ruling in recent days that the White House must ‘facilitate’ it, and despite the comment from President Trump just a few days ago,” Collins reported before playing footage of Trump aboard Air Force One.

Speaking from the aircraft, Trump had said: “If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I would respect the Supreme Court.”

During Monday’s Oval Office meeting, Collins pressed the president directly, asking if he would comply with the high court’s ruling and make efforts to return Abrego Garcia to the United States.

“How long do we have to answer this question? Why don’t you just say, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that we’re keeping criminals out of our country’? Why can’t you just say that? Why do you go over and over — and that’s why nobody watches you anymore. You have no credibility,” Trump replied sharply.

Trump went on to call Collins a “low-rated” anchor and shifted the conversation to Bondi, who reiterated the administration’s stance.

He then invited Miller to weigh in and once more lashed out at CNN.

“Can you just also respond to that question because you know it’s asked by CNN and they always ask it with a slant because they’re totally slanted because they don’t know what’s happening,” Trump told Miller.

“That’s why nobody’s watching them,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Trump has clashed with Collins. Just last month, he abruptly ended a press conference by cutting her off and saying, “Excuse me, I didn’t pick you.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, characterized his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “compelling,” asserting that Putin appeared willing to pursue a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Witkoff held a private session with Putin in St. Petersburg last Friday, as part of Trump’s renewed diplomatic push to bring an end to the war that has raged for three years.

“I think we might be on the verge of something that would be very, very important for the world at large,” Witkoff told Fox News host Sean Hannity during a Monday interview. “It took a while for us to get to this place.”

Following what he described as five intense hours of dialogue, Witkoff said he could see a real opportunity for peace taking shape.

“This peace deal is about these so-called five territories, but there’s so much more to it,” he explained.

He also highlighted that beyond the territorial questions, there’s room to strengthen U.S.-Russia relations through mutually beneficial economic ventures that could help stabilize the region. “A possibility to reshape the Russian-United States relationship through some very compelling commercial opportunities that I think give real stability to the region too,” he said.

This development followed Trump’s comments on Monday, where he assigned blame for the conflict to the current White House, calling the invasion “Biden’s war,” and implying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities.

“The War between Russia and Ukraine is Biden’s war, not mine. I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“President Putin, and everyone else, respected your President! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR, BUT AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO STOP.”

In Moscow, Kremlin officials described the recent dialogue with Witkoff as constructive, though they clarified that the possibility of a summit between Trump and Putin had not been meaningfully addressed.

When asked whether a meeting between Trump and Putin was becoming more likely, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state-run television that both countries were “walking along this path together very patiently,” but emphasized that reviving diplomatic relations would require considerable effort and caution.

He noted that organizing such a meeting “requires more work, requires more time.”

The revelations about the Putin-Witkoff talks came just after Zelensky made a direct appeal to Trump during an interview on “60 Minutes,” inviting him to visit Ukraine and witness the impact of the war firsthand.

“We want you to come,” Zelensky said.

“You think you understand what’s going on here. Okay, we respect your position. You understand. But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.”

“Come, look, and then let’s — let’s move with a plan how to finish the war,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

A Palestinian student enrolled at Columbia University who was taken into custody by ICE in Vermont had previously taken a lead role in aggressive anti-Israel demonstrations and allegedly used inflammatory language to threaten Jewish students, according to officials at the State Department who spoke with The New York Post.

Mohsen Mahdawi, originally from the West Bank, was reportedly detained by immigration enforcement agents during a citizenship application appointment earlier this week, his lawyer confirmed.

“Mahdawi, through his leadership and involvement in disruptive protests at Columbia University, has engaged in antisemitic conduct through leading pro-Palestinian protests and calling for Israel’s destruction,” a high-ranking State Department official stated.

According to that official, Mahdawi’s social media posts denouncing Israel provide only a partial picture of his actions and ideology.

“Mahdawi played an active role in fall 2024 student protests at Columbia University, instructing protesters to physically push a small group of pro-Israel students, events that university officials later acknowledged as threatening rhetoric and intimidation,” the source added.

The official further claimed that Mahdawi’s conduct included harsh anti-Jewish speech, such as labeling IDF soldiers as terrorists and using a megaphone to shout at Jewish individuals and Israel supporters.

Footage of Mahdawi captured during a campus demonstration showed him addressing a crowd in front of a banner reading “By any means necessary,” as aired in a December 2023 segment of CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

In that same interview, Mahdawi expressed sympathy for Hamas’ deadly October 7 assault on Israel, in which over 1,200 civilians were killed, and characterized Israel’s retaliatory actions as “a genocide.”

“I did not say that I justify what Hamas has done, I said I can empathize. To empathize is to understand the root cause and not look at any event or situation in a vacuum.”

Mahdawi served as co-president of Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), an organization that publicly praised the October 7 attacks, referring to them as “an unprecedented historic moment for the Palestinians in Gaza.”

Columbia University ultimately suspended the SJP chapter in November 2023, citing repeated violations of school protest regulations.

A recent lawsuit filed by families of individuals still held hostage by Hamas alleged that SJP was aware in advance of the terrorist group’s attack, accusing it of acting as “Hamas’ American propaganda arm.” The suit highlighted an Instagram post reading “we are back!!” that the group allegedly published moments before the massacre began.

On Monday, video shared online appeared to show Mahdawi being led away in handcuffs by federal agents and placed into a plain vehicle.

In comments to the Intercept, Mahdawi described his arrest as “kind of a death sentence.”

According to the outlet, Mahdawi, who had ties to Mahmoud Khalil—another Columbia student detained over anti-Israel activity—had been in hiding and had even requested assistance from the university in finding a safe place to stay amid fears he would be targeted by President Trump’s sweeping deportation efforts.

His attorney, Luna Droubi, condemned the arrest, telling the Intercept, “Mahdawi was unlawfully detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity.”

“He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released images show the dramatic arrest of a man accused of firebombing both a Tesla dealership and a Republican Party office in New Mexico, as FBI agents raided his home early Shabbos morning.

Jamison Wagner, age 40, was apprehended by members of an FBI counterterrorism unit, emerging from his residence wearing only shorts and no shirt.

Wagner, who was seen with lipstick during the arrest, is facing two federal charges of malicious damage or destruction of property. Each charge carries a potential 20-year prison sentence.

The charges stem from a February 9 attack on a Tesla showroom in Albuquerque, where Wagner allegedly set two cars on fire and defaced both vehicles and the building with swastikas and other graffiti.

Less than two months later, on March 30, he is said to have struck again, this time vandalizing the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters by damaging the front doors and spray-painting the phrase “ICE = KKK” on the structure.

Authorities say Wagner was tracked down through surveillance video, which helped them connect the attacks to a white 2015 Hyundai Accent that was captured on camera.

Inside Wagner’s home, agents reportedly uncovered a stencil with the same “ICE = KKK” phrase and found eight objects believed to be homemade incendiary devices.

“Following Attorney General [Pam] Bondi’s leadership, Director [Kash] Patel immediately took steps to have the FBI quickly locate and arrest domestic terrorists attacking Tesla facilities — and we’re glad to see the latest operation succeed not just in this effort, but also bring to justice the same alleged attacker of the New Mexico Republican Party from February,” FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson told The Post.

“Our FBI teams and law enforcement partners continue to do a tremendous job.”

The arrest is part of a broader effort by the FBI to confront a series of attacks on Tesla-related properties nationwide. These incidents have escalated in the wake of Democratic criticism of Elon Musk, a close ally of President Trump and the current head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

According to the Department of Justice, Wagner’s graffiti at the Tesla site included messages such as “Die Elon,” “Tesla Nazi Inc,” and “Die Tesla Nazi,” all of which appeared to directly target Musk.

Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel had previously declared their commitment to pursue Tesla-related attacks aggressively, branding the perpetrators as domestic terrorists. Patel recently launched a new FBI task force focused specifically on finding those responsible.

This specialized unit brings together FBI counterterrorism agents, analysts, and personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under the Treasury Department.

Speaking on Fox News with Jesse Watters, Bondi said Wagner would not be given a plea bargain. “These people thought they could get away with it. They can’t.”

“Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,” Bondi said in a DOJ statement. “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”

{Matzav.com}

A striking new painting of President Donald Trump has taken the place of Barack Obama’s portrait in the Grand Foyer of the White House, depicting the president bloodied but unbroken, fist raised high following the attempted assassination during a campaign rally last year in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Dan Scavino, the White House deputy chief of staff, shared a post on X Friday showing side-by-side images of the previous Obama portrait and the new painting of Trump in the same location beneath the Grand Staircase. That same day, the White House posted a video to its X account capturing visitors passing by the Trump painting where the Obama portrait had previously been displayed.

Obama’s portrait, painted by Robert McCurdy, features him in a black suit and gray tie against a stark white backdrop. Though no longer in its original spot, it remains prominently displayed just opposite the Grand Foyer, according to Harrison Fields, the White House’s principal deputy press secretary, who shared the update in a post on X.

According to a White House official speaking to Newsmax on Friday evening, the painting of Trump was created by Marc Lipp and was presented to the White House by Andrew Pollack, through the Blue Gallery in Delray Beach, Florida, which represents the artist.

Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was one of the 17 students killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is known for his advocacy work in school safety and is also an author, as noted by the New York Post.

Lipp’s dramatic painting draws inspiration from powerful photographs captured by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press and Doug Mills of the New York Times. These images show Trump with a bloodied ear, his fist clenched and raised in defiance, surrounded by Secret Service personnel and with the American flag visible behind him.

The painting was officially installed on Friday, the White House confirmed. Obama’s portrait has now been relocated to the spot where George W. Bush’s once hung. Bush’s portrait will be repositioned near that of his father, George H.W. Bush, and will still be visible on the State Floor.

CNN has reported that official portraits of Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are currently being prepared for inclusion in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The costs for the portraits are being covered by private contributions, including a $650,000 donation from the Save America PAC and an additional private gift that covers expenses like artist fees, transportation, framing, hanging, and any related events, according to spokesperson Concetta Duncan.

Additionally, the National Portrait Gallery already holds a 1989 photograph by Michael O’Brien of a smiling Trump dressed in a suit and playfully tossing a red apple.

{Matzav.com}

During a discussion in the Oval Office on Monday with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, President Donald Trump accused CNN of intentionally ignoring positive developments at the southern border, claiming the network refuses to cover the progress because “they hate our country.”

While speaking with Bukele, Trump shifted the conversation to highlight recent gains in border enforcement and increased enlistment in law enforcement and military sectors. Bukele praised Trump’s administration, saying, “Actually, what you’re doing with the border is remarkable. It has dropped, what, 95%? It’s incredible.”

Trump quickly corrected the number, stating, “As of this morning, 99%, 99.1% to be exact.”

Bukele questioned the lack of media coverage, asking, “Why are those numbers not in the media?”

Trump responded by blaming media bias, particularly pointing to CNN. “Well, they get out, but the fake news, you know, like CNN — CNN over here doesn’t want to put them out because they don’t like putting out good numbers … because I think they hate our country, actually,” he said.

Turning to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Trump asked her to weigh in on the situation. She praised the administration’s efforts, stating, “It’s just been absolutely phenomenal what a great leader can do. Clear direction. Our laws matter. We should only have people in our country that love us. And our Border Patrol and our ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers and law officers have done fantastic work. So we’re proud of them.”

Noem added, “Now, we just need to get the criminals and murderers and rapists and dangerous gang members and terrorist organizations out of our country.”

After the exchange, CNN’s Dana Bash issued a rebuttal on-air, addressing Trump’s comment. “I just want to say, for the record, since we heard President Trump say in the Oval Office that CNN hates our country, CNN does not hate our country,” she said.

Bash continued, “I’ve been here for 32 years, and I see a rhetorical device in him trying to say such a thing. That said, I want to focus on the news that we heard.”

{Matzav.com}

China has reportedly instructed its airlines to suspend any purchases of jets from the American aerospace company Boeing. This move appears to be a direct response to President Trump’s implementation of steep tariffs—reaching up to 145%—on Chinese imports.

According to Bloomberg News, which cited individuals with knowledge of the matter, the Chinese government has also advised domestic airlines to refrain from acquiring any aviation components or services from U.S.-based suppliers.

This directive follows Beijing’s own decision over the weekend to slap a 125% tariff on American goods, a measure that would effectively double the price of aircraft and parts produced in the United States, Bloomberg reported.

The announcement led to a 3% drop in Boeing’s shares during early trading on Tuesday. The development is a significant setback for the company, which has long seen China as a critical market for future growth, even as European competitor Airbus holds the majority share there.

In light of the situation, Bloomberg reports that Chinese officials are now evaluating options to support local airlines that operate Boeing aircraft and are now facing increased costs for upkeep and servicing.

Tensions between the two economic powerhouses have also spilled into other sectors. Earlier this month, China halted exports of rare earth elements and magnets that are essential for manufacturing a broad range of high-tech American products, from smartphones to military aircraft.

As of April 3, China stopped outbound shipments of seven heavy rare earth elements and magnets that are almost exclusively processed within the country.

These materials are largely sourced and refined in China, which accounts for about 90% of the global supply. Their importance spans multiple critical industries, including electric vehicles, aviation, technology, and national defense.

“These materials are in everything,” explained Drew Horn, who served as the Trump administration’s lead official on strategic minerals and supply chains. Speaking to the New York Post on Monday, Horn added, “China has essentially created an all-powerful monopoly with them.”

While the export restrictions are officially global, the United States is especially reliant on access to elements such as dysprosium and yttrium, which are integral to advanced industrial production.

Horn emphasized that China possesses the strategic power “to basically cut us off and cut the world off, which essentially cuts us off through all sorts of different means.”

He cautioned that protective measures are needed to shield U.S. businesses and consumers from the ripple effects of Chinese economic retaliation. Horn pointed to Boeing as a case in point, warning that any countermeasures from Beijing “would basically be to go through the entire Boeing supply chain, throughout their entire ecosystem, and basically cut them off.”

{Matzav.com}

White House physician Sean Barbabella cited President Trump’s consistent success on the golf course as a sign of his “excellent health” and “robust” neurological fitness, according to a memo summarizing the president’s latest physical exam.

The statement, issued by the White House on Sunday, described the 78-year-old president as being in top form, with only minimal health issues mentioned. Barbabella emphasized Trump’s strong medical condition.

“President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State,” the memo stated.

Barbabella also highlighted Trump’s daily routine, crediting his energetic schedule as a key contributor to his continued vitality. “His active lifestyle continues to contribute significantly to his well-being,” he wrote. “President Trump’s days include participation in multiple meetings, public appearances, press availability, and frequent victories in golf events.”

After undergoing his physical at Walter Reed last Friday, Trump told reporters that he had aced a cognitive exam and took the opportunity to mock Joe Biden. According to Barbabella, Trump received a perfect score of 30 out of 30.

“I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart,” Trump told reporters after the exam. “I took a cognitive test. I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”

He continued to promote his mental sharpness, referencing the test he took. “I think it’s a pretty well-known test. I’ve taken the test four times. I’ve got nothing wrong,” Trump said. “That’s what the American people want. Biden refused to take it. Kamala refused to take it.”

The physician’s report listed Trump’s height at 75 inches and his weight at 224 pounds, indicating that he has shed pounds since his presidency began. For comparison, in 2019, he was listed as weighing 243 pounds.

Though the updated weight still places Trump in the overweight category by body mass index standards, it falls short of the obesity threshold.

Other health indicators appeared within reasonable ranges. His blood pressure was recorded at 128/74 — slightly above normal but not categorized as hypertension, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association.

His resting heart rate was 62 beats per minute, which falls within the AHA’s normal range.

The memo also disclosed that Trump is taking rosuvastatin and ezetimibe to manage cholesterol levels, with a total cholesterol reading of 140 mg/dL — a level Barbabella described as “optimal.”

Barbabella further listed several medical conditions Trump has, all of which are reportedly under control. “His medical history is notable for well-controlled hypercholesterolemia, seasonal allergies, a history of COVID-19 infection, well-managed rosacea, actinic keratosis, benign nevi, diverticulosis and a benign colon polyp,” he wrote.

Since launching his presidential bid in 2016, Trump has consistently released favorable health evaluations from his physicians.

Earlier this year, Trump appointed Barbabella as his official physician. Barbabella is a decorated veteran who served in Afghanistan and was awarded a Purple Heart after sustaining serious injuries from an improvised explosive device during his first deployment.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump put to rest any speculation about possible exemptions from his latest round of tariffs on Chinese-made electronics, confirming that iPhones and similar devices will not be spared.

“NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook,’” Trump declared on Truth Social Sunday. “There was no Tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket.’” He added, “We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations.”

On Friday, a rule was issued that seemed to exclude many consumer electronics from Trump’s aggressive “reciprocal” tariffs targeting Chinese imports, prompting confusion about whether Apple and other tech giants had been granted a reprieve.

The rule raised eyebrows because Apple and similar companies had been bracing for levies of up to 145% under Trump’s new trade framework. With more than 80% of Apple’s products assembled in China, according to Evercore ISI, the announcement seemed like a major break. Apple CEO Tim Cook has worked closely with Trump throughout the tariff standoff.

Some analysts had predicted even before the latest developments that iPhones could climb in price to $2,300 if tariffs were fully imposed.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attempted to clarify the administration’s position during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, stating that electronics from China will still be taxed under a different classification.

“So what he’s doing is he’s saying they’re exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they’re included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two. So these are coming soon,” Lutnick said.

He added, “All those products are going to come under semiconductors, and they’re going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get restored.”

Last week, just before the reciprocal tariff structure was set to go into effect, Trump surprised markets by pausing the rollout for 90 days to give his administration more time to renegotiate trade deals. He admitted the decision was in part due to market volatility, saying that some people were “getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.”

Despite the delay, the 10% baseline tariff remains intact across most imports, and China still faces a 125% penalty under the broader plan. Additionally, the 20% fentanyl-related tariff announced earlier this year remains in place, bringing the total effective rate on many Chinese goods to as high as 145%.

China is currently the United States’ third-largest trade partner. Trump emphasized the need for self-sufficiency in manufacturing, particularly in strategic industries.

“What has been exposed is that we need to make products in the United States, and that we will not be held hostage by other Countries, especially hostile trading Nations like China, which will do everything within its power to disrespect the American People,” he stated.

Trump’s earlier fentanyl-linked tariffs still apply to a wide range of electronics, including those coming from China. Lutnick stressed the importance of rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity. “We need to have semiconductors, we need to have chips, and we need to have flat panels — we need to have these things made in America. We can’t be reliant on Southeast Asia for all of the things that operate for us,” he said.

Lutnick also said the administration is considering tariff-based strategies to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States. “We can’t be beholden and rely upon foreign countries for fundamental things that we need,” he explained. “So this is not like a permanent sort of exemption. He’s just clarifying that these are not available to be negotiated away by countries. These are things that are national security that we need to be made in America.”

Before Trump issued the delay in customized tariffs last Wednesday, administration officials had made clear that the president had no intention of offering carve-outs and that the aggressive protectionist approach was not a bluff.

Peter Navarro, senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, reiterated on Sunday that Trump remains firm on this front. “The policy is no exemptions, no exclusions,” he said, despite the seeming relief for the electronics sector.

Navarro noted that the structure of the semiconductor market complicates enforcement. “The problem, interestingly for chips, because this is very complex stuff, is that we don’t buy a lot of chips, like in bags. We buy them in products. So what Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick is doing as we speak is an investigation of the chip supply chain,” Navarro said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

It is still unknown what rate Trump intends to set for the upcoming semiconductor-specific tariffs.

Former President Joe Biden attempted to boost domestic chip production with the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which provided financial incentives to semiconductor manufacturers. Trump, however, has repeatedly criticized the legislation, arguing that tariffs are a more effective method to bring manufacturing back to American soil.

{Matzav.com}

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