SHOCKING Updates from President Trump at Mar-a-Lago Press Briefing

By Alex Assoune Feb 19, 2025

On February 18, 2025, President Donald Trump held a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, addressing a range of domestic and international issues. The event was marked by significant policy announcements, controversial statements on foreign affairs, and executive actions reflecting the administration's current priorities.

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico

A notable highlight of the briefing was President Trump's defense of his executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." This decision has led to tensions between the White House and the Associated Press (AP), as the news organization continues to use the traditional name in its reporting. In response, the administration has restricted AP's access to high-profile events, including barring its reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One. President Trump stated, "We're going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it's the Gulf of America."

apnews.com

The AP has framed this dispute as a First Amendment issue, emphasizing the importance of editorial independence. AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton remarked, "This is about the government telling the public and press what words to use and retaliating if they do not follow government orders."

apnews.com

Criticism of Ukraine and President Zelensky

In the realm of foreign policy, President Trump offered sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He suggested that Ukraine should have made territorial concessions to Russia to prevent the ongoing conflict, stating, "You should have ended it three years ago. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

news.com.au

Furthermore, President Trump inaccurately claimed that President Zelensky's approval rating had plummeted to 4%, a figure not supported by current data. He also proposed that Ukraine hold new elections as part of a ceasefire agreement, a suggestion that has raised concerns about potential Russian influence in Ukrainian politics.

thetimes.co.uk

U.S.-Russia Relations and Exclusion of Ukraine from Peace Talks

The briefing coincided with ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine and European allies were notably excluded. President Trump dismissed concerns about Ukraine's absence, asserting that the country had ample opportunity to negotiate peace over the past three years. He remarked, "A half-baked negotiator could have settled this years ago without the loss of much land, very little land, without the loss of any lives."

theguardian.com

This approach has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials and European leaders, who emphasize the importance of including Ukraine in discussions directly affecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated, "No decisions should be made about Ukraine without Ukraine."

thetimes.co.uk

Executive Orders and Domestic Policy Initiatives

During the briefing, President Trump signed several executive orders, including one aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The order directs policy recommendations to reduce out-of-pocket costs and expand access to IVF services. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced, "The order directs policy recommendations to protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments."

theguardian.com

Additionally, President Trump signed a memorandum requiring federal agencies to report instances of waste, fraud, and abuse, as well as details of programs that have been eliminated. This move is part of the administration's broader effort to promote governmental transparency and efficiency.

theguardian.com

Tariffs and Trade Policies

On the economic front, President Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on foreign automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. He indicated that the official announcement would likely occur on April 2, stating, "It'll be in the neighborhood of 25 ... ."

theguardian.com

These proposed tariffs are part of the administration's strategy to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances. However, critics argue that such measures could lead to increased consumer prices and potential trade wars with affected countries.

Collaboration with Elon Musk and Government Efficiency

The briefing also touched upon President Trump's collaboration with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has been appointed as a senior advisor overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite controversies surrounding Musk's role and authority, President Trump praised him as a patriot, stating, "Elon is, to me ... . You can call him an employee, ... ."

theguardian.com

Musk's involvement has led to significant layoffs across various federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Park Service, as part of efforts to streamline government operations. These actions have sparked debates about the impact on public services and the ethical implications of such widespread workforce reductions.

Conclusion

President Trump's press briefing at Mar-a-Lago underscored the administration's assertive stance on both domestic and international issues. From redefining geographical nomenclature and challenging media practices to reshaping foreign policy dynamics and implementing significant economic measures, the briefing highlighted a series of bold initiatives. As these policies unfold, they are poised to have profound implications for the United States' global relationships, domestic governance, and the everyday lives of its citizens.

War dieser Artikel hilfreich für Sie? Bitte teilen Sie uns in den Kommentaren unten mit, was Ihnen gefallen oder nicht gefallen hat.

About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

Wogegen Wir Kämpfen

Weltweit-Konzerne produzieren in den ärmsten Ländern im Übermaß billige Produkte.
Fabriken mit Sweatshop-ähnlichen Bedingungen, die die Arbeiter unterbezahlt.
Medienkonglomerate, die unethische, nicht nachhaltige Produkte bewerben.
Schlechte Akteure fördern durch unbewusstes Verhalten den übermäßigen Konsum.
- - - -
Zum Glück haben wir unsere Unterstützer, darunter auch Sie.
Panaprium wird von Lesern wie Ihnen finanziert, die sich unserer Mission anschließen möchten, die Welt völlig umweltfreundlich zu gestalten.

Wenn Sie können, unterstützen Sie uns bitte monatlich. Die Einrichtung dauert weniger als eine Minute und Sie werden jeden Monat einen großen Beitrag leisten. Danke schön.