Donald Trump

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue comedian Trevor Noah following a joke he made at the Grammy Awards that referenced Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian, hosted the music awards ceremony. During his presentation, he made a remark while introducing the Song of the Year category. He said: “Song of the Year – that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

Trump reacted strongly to the comment and said he would take legal steps against the comedian. Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president stated that he would be “sending my lawyers to sue”.

In a series of posts, Trump accused Noah of spreading false information. He wrote: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!”

Trump went further to deny any connection to Epstein’s private island. He added: “I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.”

He also criticised the comedian directly, saying: “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.” Trump concluded his response with the words: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”

Trump has acknowledged that he knew Epstein in the past but insists that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. He has said their relationship ended around 2004. Authorities have stated that there is no evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes. The U.S. Justice Department has described allegations against him as unfounded and false. Trump has not been accused of any crime by Epstein’s victims, and there are no claims that he ever visited Epstein’s island.

In 2020, a spokesperson for former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Clinton had “never been” to Epstein’s private island, Little St James. Clinton has also not been accused of wrongdoing.

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death came more than a decade after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein bought his private island in 1998, and several survivors later accused him of trafficking and abusing them there.

Trump has pursued legal cases against several media organisations in recent years. These include actions involving the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. In December, he filed a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit in a Florida court, accusing the BBC of defamation and of breaching trade practices laws over the editing of a Panorama programme.

Trevor Noah previously hosted The Daily Show on Comedy Central in the United States for seven years and remains one of the most prominent comedians on the global stage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a temporary halt to regular updates on its official X account, citing a lapse in government appropriations.

The Mission, however, assured the public that passport and visa services would continue, subject to prevailing circumstances.

The disclosure was made on Saturday through a post on the Mission’s verified X handle, @USinNigeria. It stated that routine updates would stop until full operations resume, except where urgent safety and security information becomes necessary.

“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the post read.

Despite the funding challenge, the Mission said scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US embassies and consulates abroad would remain available as conditions allow.

“At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the Mission stated.

It added that further public communication would be limited until full operations return, aside from messages related to urgent safety or security concerns.

The Mission also advised individuals who require updates on services and operational status to consult the official US travel website for accurate information.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Newly unclassified documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein reveal that the FBI interviewed a whistleblower regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving Donald Trump. The files contain notes from a whistleblower hotline that mention Trump several times, though officials emphasized that inclusion in these records does not establish proof of criminal activity.

While the FBI dismissed several tips as lacking credibility, one specific entry detailed a serious accusation involving a minor. According to the document:

“[redacted] reported an unidentified female friend who was forced to perform oral sex on President Trump approximately 25 years ago in NJ [New Jersey]. The friend told Alexis that she was approximately 13-14 years old when this occurred and that the friend allegedly bit President Trump while performing oral sex. The friend was allegedly hit in the face after she laughed about biting President Trump. The friend said she was also abused by Epstein.”



Records indicate that federal agents viewed this specific tip with enough seriousness to escalate it. Notes attached to the entry state:

“Spoke with caller who identified [redacted] as friend. Lead was sent to Washington Office to conduct interview.”



It remains unclear if that interview was ever finalized.

Department of Justice response

The Department of Justice issued a firm rebuttal regarding the contents of the public release. In an official statement, the department warned that the cache includes unverified information:

“This production may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included in the production that is responsive to the Act. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”


Massive document release under Transparency Act

This disclosure is part of a broader effort under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This law mandates the government to open investigative records concerning the late financier and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the release of more than 3 million pages, along with thousands of images and videos.

During a news conference, Blanche addressed the intense public interest in the files and the potential for further speculation. He noted:

“Today’s release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance with the act.”


He further acknowledged that the volume of information might still leave some questions unanswered for the public:

“There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by review of these documents.”

Blanche also defended the integrity of the process, asserting that the department did not show favoritism toward any public figures mentioned in the files. He stated:

“We did not protect President Trump. We didn’t protect — or not protect — anybody.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has dismissed claims that he fell asleep during a cabinet meeting, saying he only closed his eyes because the session was dull.

The 79-year-old leader faced renewed scrutiny over his health after video footage from a December cabinet meeting appeared to show him dozing off. The incident sparked online debate, especially because such meetings are often broadcast live and tend to last for hours.

Cabinet meetings under Mr Trump are known for their length. One session in August reportedly ran for more than three hours. The meeting held on Thursday, however, ended after one hour and 20 minutes.

During the gathering, Mr Trump departed from the usual practice where cabinet members take turns praising the president and outlining progress in their ministries. After delivering an opening speech that lasted about 25 minutes, he limited the number of officials allowed to speak.

“We are going to ask a couple of people to say a few words, and we’re not going to go through the whole table,” he said.

He referred to criticism from a previous press conference, stating: “Because the last time we had a press conference, it lasted for three hours, and some people said ‘he closed his eyes.’”

Mr Trump then explained his action, saying: “Look, it got pretty boring. I love these people, but there’s a lot of people.” He added: “But I didn’t sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell out of here.”

The president has repeatedly rejected suggestions that his age affects his performance. In an interview with New York Magazine published on Monday, he again defended his health, blaming what he described as “boring as hell” cabinet meetings for appearing sleepy.

In the interview, Mr Trump said he is in “perfect health” and feels “the same as [he] did 40 years ago”. A senior staff member quoted in the report claimed that the president’s decision to stop dyeing his hair was his “only concession to age”.

Attention also turned to those who were not invited to speak during Thursday’s meeting. Mr Trump did not call on Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, despite her presence in the room.

Ms Noem is facing heavy criticism over the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers following recent deadly incidents in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed during a protest on Saturday. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, was killed on January 7 during a confrontation with officers carrying out immigration raids.

Amid rising tension, Mr Trump has reshuffled his immigration leadership. He sidelined Ms Noem and dismissed Gregory Bovino, the head of border control.

Other senior officials also did not speak during the session, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, although the president praised both men.

In a move that surprised reporters, Mr Trump declined to take questions at the end of the meeting. As a result, he avoided direct queries about his confidence in Ms Noem and the ongoing controversy surrounding immigration enforcement.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rap star Nicki Minaj has openly explained why she considers herself a steadfast supporter of United States President Donald Trump, a stance that has drawn both attention and controversy.

Minaj made the declaration on Wednesday during an event promoting “Trump Accounts,” a federal initiative intended to provide trust funds for children. During her remarks, she described her admiration for the American leader in strong terms.

“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” the 43‑year‑old musician said. “And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”

Minaj also addressed the criticism aimed at the president, saying she would oppose what she interprets as mistreatment by his critics. “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and, you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work, OK? He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen,” she added.

Her remarks followed an appearance on stage with Trump, where she stepped forward to express her backing for the president’s policies and the new trust account programme.

Minaj’s support for Trump, which she reiterated despite public disagreement from fans and observers, has reignited debate about her political alignment and public image.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

More than half of Europeans now regard US President Donald Trump as an “enemy” of Europe, a new opinion poll has shown.

The survey, published on January 23, was conducted across seven European Union countries. It revealed that 51 percent of respondents hold a negative view of Trump’s relationship with the continent. By contrast, only eight percent described him as a “friend” of Europe.

The findings indicate a steady rise in distrust toward the US president since September last year. Public confidence has weakened over time, reflecting growing unease about his policies and rhetoric toward Europe.

According to TRT World, respondents in Denmark emerged as some of the most critical in the poll. This followed repeated statements by Trump in which he threatened to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

The poll highlights widening scepticism across Europe about the US president’s intentions and his approach to transatlantic relations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump held a lengthy Oval Office meeting on Monday evening with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid rising criticism of his administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents.

According to two people briefed on the discussion, the president met with Noem and her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, for nearly two hours. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. The session followed a request from Noem to see the president, the sources said.

According to New York Times, during the meeting, Trump did not indicate that the jobs of Noem or Lewandowski were in danger. Still, the talks highlighted growing concern within the White House over bipartisan criticism linked to the killing of Alex Pretti. Pretti was shot roughly 10 times by immigration agents on Saturday after he was reportedly filming them with his phone.

Noem has been the public face of the administration’s immigration crackdown. She has also drawn controversy for making false accusations about Pretti, including describing him as a “domestic terrorist.”

Several senior White House officials also attended the meeting. They included Susie Wiles, the chief of staff; Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary; and Steven Cheung, the communications director. Stephen Miller, a senior aide who oversees immigration strategy, was not present.

The meeting took place on the same day Trump announced that Tom Homan, his border czar, would be sent to oversee operations in Minneapolis. The decision was widely viewed as an effort to rely on an official associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s traditional focus on targeted arrests, rather than broad raids that have taken place in cities across the country.

At the same time, the administration was preparing to move Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official whose aggressive tactics have attracted sharp criticism, out of Minneapolis. Two officials familiar with the matter confirmed the plan, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The developments reflect a shift in approach as the administration faces mounting scrutiny over the use of force by federal immigration agents and its broader enforcement strategy.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said Washington has deployed what he described as “a big armada next to Iran” amid rising tensions, while insisting that Tehran’s leadership is still interested in reaching an agreement with the US.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Axios late on Monday, shortly after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln entered the US Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Middle East. The move marked a major escalation in the US military posture close to Iran.

Speaking on the deployment, Trump said: “We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela.”
He also emphasised that diplomacy remained possible. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

According to White House officials quoted by Axios, a military strike against Iran remains an option, although Trump has not taken a final decision. The officials added that the president is expected to hold further consultations this week and assess additional military choices.

Iranian authorities, on their part, have continued to warn of serious consequences if the US launches any attack. The warnings come amid ongoing arrests linked to deadly nationwide protests and a prolonged internet blackout across parts of the country, Aaljazeera reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also issued strong signals. In a report carried by Press TV, an unnamed IRGC official said the force is “closely monitoring” US and Israeli actions in the region. The official added that any belief that a strike on Iran would be quick and clean is based on an “incomplete understanding” of Iran’s capabilities. Last week, IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour said his forces were “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” and urged the US and Israel to “avoid any miscalculation.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has declared it would not remain neutral if Iran is attacked. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made the position clear during a televised address delivered via video link at a solidarity event.

Qassem said Hezbollah fully supports Iran and its leadership. He added that any threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be treated as a threat against Hezbollah itself, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV. Qassem also accused Washington of long-standing hostility towards Iran, saying the US had plotted against the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later pursued conflict through Iraq in the 1980s.

Regional reactions have also emerged. The United Arab Emirates announced that it would not allow its land, airspace or territorial waters to be used for any military operation against Iran. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said it would also refuse to provide logistical support for such an attack. The Gulf state maintains strong trade ties with Iran, despite regional rivalries and its 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel, which was brokered by the US.

In Tehran, tensions have spilled into public symbolism. Authorities unveiled a massive mural in Enghelab Square that shows a damaged US aircraft carrier with destroyed fighter jets and streams of blood. The caption on the artwork, written in both Farsi and English, reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” Enghelab Square often hosts state-organised gatherings, and officials regularly change its murals to reflect national events.

The developments underline the growing strain between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic signals continue alongside military deployments and stark warnings from Iran and its allies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has warned that his administration could impose tariffs on countries that refuse to support Washington’s claim to control Greenland, as a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers moved to ease rising tensions with Denmark and Greenland.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States must control Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, which is a NATO ally.

Earlier in the week, he said any outcome short of US control of the Arctic island would be “unacceptable”.

Speaking on Friday during a White House event focused on rural healthcare, Trump recalled how he previously threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceutical products.

“I may do that for Greenland too,” Trump said. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” he said.

Trump has described Greenland as vital to US security due to its strategic position in the Arctic and its large mineral reserves. He has also refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory. This marks the first time he has openly linked tariffs to efforts to press US claims over Greenland.

Earlier in the week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland held talks in Washington with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

While the discussions failed to bridge major differences, both sides agreed to establish a working group, although Denmark and the White House later offered sharply different accounts of its purpose.

European leaders have maintained that decisions concerning Greenland rest solely with Denmark and the territory itself. Denmark also announced this week that it was strengthening its military presence in Greenland in coordination with allies.

On Friday, a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers travelled to Copenhagen, where they met Danish and Greenlandic leaders in a bid to reduce tensions sparked by Trump’s remarks. The delegation sought to reassure officials that Congress views Greenland as an ally rather than property.

The 11-member group, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and members of both Danish and Greenlandic parliaments.

“There’s a lot of rhetoric, but there’s not a ‍lot of reality in the current discussion in Washington,” Coons told reporters after the meetings, adding that the lawmakers planned to “lower the temperature” once they returned home.

Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to Greenland said he remained optimistic about reaching an agreement. Jeff Landry announced plans to visit the Danish territory in March and suggested negotiations could yield results.

“I do believe that there’s a deal that should ‍and ⁠will be made once this plays out,” Landry said during a Friday interview with Fox News.

“The president is ‌serious. I think he’s laid ‌the markers down. He’s ⁠told Denmark what he’s looking for, and now it’s a matter ‌of having Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio and Vice President JD ‍Vance make a deal.”

As diplomatic efforts continue, European countries have already deployed small numbers of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request, underscoring growing concern over the dispute and its implications for NATO unity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has warned he may deploy the military to Minnesota under the Insurrection Act as tensions rise over an intensified immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.

The threat follows days of clashes between local residents and federal officers after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Good in her car eight days ago.

Protests over the killing have spread to multiple cities, Reuters reports.

Trump’s warning came shortly after another shooting in Minneapolis. Authorities said an immigration officer wounded a Venezuelan man in the leg after he fled when agents tried to stop his vehicle.

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,” Trump wrote on social media.

The president, a Republican, has repeatedly criticised Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and referred to Somali-origin residents in the state as “garbage” who should be “thrown out” of the country.

Nearly 3,000 federal officers have been deployed to Minneapolis. Armed personnel wearing military-style camouflage and masks have patrolled the streets while residents protested loudly and angrily.

On Wednesday night, crowds gathered near the area where the Venezuelan man was shot. Some shouted in protest, prompting federal officers to fire tear gas and use flash-bang grenades.

After most residents left, a small group vandalised a car believed to belong to federal officers, spray-painting: “Hang Kristi Noem,” a reference to the Homeland Security secretary.

Since the enforcement surge began, federal agents have arrested both immigrants and protesters. In some cases, officers smashed windows and removed people from vehicles. They have also faced criticism for demanding identification from Black and Latino U.S. citizens.

Both the Trump administration and Minnesota officials have blamed each other for fueling anger and violence.One widely reported incident involved U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman, who was detained near the site of Good’s killing.

She told Reuters, “They dragged me from my car and bound me like an animal, even after I told them that I was disabled.”

Rahman added that she repeatedly requested medical attention while in ICE custody but was taken to a detention centre instead. She said she later lost consciousness in a cell and was transported to a hospital.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said an “agitator” ignored an officer’s orders to move her vehicle away from an enforcement action and was arrested for obstruction.

The wounded Venezuelan man, identified by DHS as Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, entered the U.S. in 2022 under former President Joe Biden’s humanitarian parole programme.

The Trump administration has since revoked parole granted to Venezuelans and others admitted under the programme.According to DHS, officers attempted to stop Sosa-Celis in his vehicle.

He fled, crashed into a parked car, and ran on foot. During a struggle, two other Venezuelan men allegedly attacked an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.