Chris Megerian, Author at The Rapid City Post

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.