Chris Megerian, Author at The Rapid City Post

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to welcome the 2025 LSU and LSU-Shreveport national champion baseball teams in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump is going to Asia — what happens next is anyone’s guess

October 20, 2025

President Donald Trump is preparing for a significant trip to Asia, aiming to address international trade tensions. The journey includes a potential meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which could impact the global economy. Trump’s strategy has been unpredictable, with mixed results in various global conflicts. The White House has not disclosed his full schedule, but he plans to visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The meeting with Xi remains unconfirmed, and trade tensions are high. Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal with China, but uncertainties persist about his approach and the outcomes of his meetings.

President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, look on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump sees peace — and personal vindication — within reach in Gaza

October 9, 2025

President Donald Trump is celebrating a breakthrough in the two-year conflict in the Middle East, calling it something people said could never be done. Trump helped forged a ceasefire and hostage release deal that could end the bloodshed that began two years ago with Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. However, big challenges remain, and the ceasefire is not guaranteed to be a turning point for the region. Trump plans to solidify the deal with a trip to the Middle East over the weekend, including stops in Israel and Egypt.

President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at the White House, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump will speak at a hastily-called meeting of top military leaders, AP source says

September 28, 2025

President Donald Trump will be speaking at a hastily-called meeting of top military leaders. That word comes from a person with knowledge of Trump’s plans. Hundreds of generals and admirals — senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers — have been summoned for the gathering Tuesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, with little notice by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The person was not authorized to discuss the president’s plans before a public announcement about his attendance and spoke on condition of anonymity.

President of Colombia Gustavo Petro Urrego addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

US revokes visa for Colombia’s president after he urges American soldiers to disobey Trump

September 27, 2025

Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department saying it was revoking the visa of Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro’s visa. The decision comes after Petro participated in a New York protest Friday during the U.N. General Assembly. He urged American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders. The State Department says his actions were “reckless and incendiary.” Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday and dismissed the punishment. He says he’s also a European citizen and doesn’t need a visa to travel to the U.S. There have been repeated clashes between Petro, a leftist and former rebel leader, and Trump’s Republican administration.

FILE - Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the keynote speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

Kamala Harris says she ‘had a certain responsibility’ to argue against Biden running again

September 22, 2025

Kamala Harris has expressed regret for not voicing concerns about President Joe Biden running for a second term when many Americans felt he was too old. Speaking to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday, Harris said she had a responsibility to speak up. Her comments expand on her book “107 Days,” where she reflects on replacing Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. Harris ultimately lost to Donald Trump. In the book, she questions whether allowing Biden to make the decision himself was grace or recklessness. Harris admitted she worried her advice might seem self-serving, given her past competition with Biden.

Oracle will manage TikTok’s algorithm for US users under Trump administration deal

September 22, 2025

A senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration says Oracle will receive a copy of TikTok’s algorithm to operate for U.S. users. The decision addresses U.S. national security concerns over the China-based social media platform. The algorithm recommends videos and has been a key issue in negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The Trump administration official insisted on anonymity Monday and said the plan aims to prevent potential manipulation of addictive content. Full details on investors haven’t been released. But private equity firm Silver Lake is confirmed as part of the investment group. Then-President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell its assets to an American company.

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris attends a Department of Defense Commander in Chief farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Jan. 16, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Harris stops biting her tongue in ‘107 Days,’ her book about last year’s campaign against Trump

September 18, 2025

Kamala Harris shares her candid reflections in her new book, “107 Days,” about her 2024 presidential campaign against Donald Trump. She describes the shock of losing and the emotional aftermath. The book, set for release Tuesday, reveals her frustrations and mistakes during the campaign. Harris discusses Joe Biden’s challenges, including his age and campaign struggles. She also shares her own missteps, like a damaging appearance on “The View.” After earning a reputation as guarded and circumspect, the book is rawer than a typical political memoir.

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

‘Never seen anything like it’ — what Trump’s favorite phrase says about his presidency

September 7, 2025

President Donald Trump often uses hyperbole to describe his achievements and challenges. He claims the U.S. is building a missile defense system “the likes of which nobody’s ever seen before” and that his tariffs generate unprecedented revenue. Trump frequently uses phrases like “never seen anything like it” to emphasize his points. This reflects his worldview, where everything is extreme, with him as the hero. According to a Roll Call database, Trump has used this phrase 194 times this year. His advisers also mimic this style, often attributing extraordinary successes to his leadership.

FILE - Former President Joe Biden speaks during the National Bar Association's 100th Annual Awards Gala in Chicago, July 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Joe Biden undergoes surgery to remove skin cancer on forehead

September 4, 2025

Joe Biden recently underwent surgery to remove skin cancer lesions. A spokesperson for the former president on Thursday confirmed the procedure after Inside Edition published a video showing Biden with a fresh scar on his forehead. Biden received Mohs surgery, which removes skin until no cancer remains. Two years ago, while in office, he had a basal cell carcinoma lesion removed from his chest. In May, Biden’s office announced he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The Biden family has faced cancer repeatedly, including the loss of his son Beau to a brain tumor.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event about the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump addresses health rumors after days without public events

September 2, 2025

President Donald Trump is dismissing rumors about his health after speculation on social media because of a lack of public events over the last week. Trump was asked tongue-in-cheek about it Tuesday by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, who wanted to know, “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?” Trump attributed the rumors to “fake news” and said he was “very active.” The 79-year-old president has been seen with bruising on his hand and swelling around his ankles. The White House says he has chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults, and bruising from frequent handshaking and aspirin use.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump ‘caught off guard’ by recent Israeli strikes, White House says

July 21, 2025

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by recent Israeli military operations. An Israeli strike last week hit a Catholic church in Gaza, and Israel has also bombarded Syria during sectarian violence there. Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have “a good working relationship” but that Trump called him to “rectify those situations.” The president has been pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and trying to support the new Syrian government as the country emerges from years of civil war.

Trump hosts Persian Gulf leaders at White House as new violence raises questions about peace efforts

July 16, 2025

President Donald Trump has hosted Bahrain’s crown prince and Qatar’s prime minister at the White House. The meetings focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with the Persian Gulf region. Bahrain highlighted $17 billion in U.S. investments, including deals in aviation and technology. Meanwhile, violence between Israel and Syria escalated on Wednesday, with Israeli strikes in Damascus following clashes in southern Syria. A ceasefire was announced but remains uncertain. Despite ongoing conflicts, Trump emphasized the economic potential of Gulf partnerships over resolving regional tensions.

Trump heads to Fort Bragg while facing criticism for deploying military at Los Angeles protests

June 9, 2025

President Donald Trump plans to speak at Fort Bragg to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. His trip to the North Carolina base comes as he faces criticism over deploying the National Guard and now U.S. Marines in an attempt to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will also be at Tuesday’s event, along with service members, veterans and their families. Trump has promoted the Army’s anniversary as a reason to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday.

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds its breath

June 5, 2025

Insiders have speculated about a potential falling-out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk for months. It never seemed to happen — until Thursday. The world’s most powerful man and its wealthiest began attacking each other in a spectacle that left Washington breathless. The feud began with Musk’s criticism of Trump’s legislative agenda, which would increase the deficit while eliminating tax incentives that have helped his electric automaker Tesla. Trump responded by threatening to cut government subsidies and contracts for Musk’s companies, and things only escalated from there.

FILE — Former Rep. Michael Grimm arrives to his polling site in the Staten Island borough of New York, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Trump pardons former NY Rep. Michael Grimm after tax fraud conviction

May 28, 2025

President Donald Trump has pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction. The pardon was disclosed Wednesday by a White House official who requested anonymity before an official announcement. Grimm, a former Marine and FBI agent, pleaded guilty in late 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He resigned from Congress the following year and served eight months in prison. Grimm tried to reenter politics in 2018 but lost a primary for his old district.

Chris Megerian.