Trump's USA

US growth
Analysis: That he "loves inflation" is only Trump's second most tone-deaf statement

After counting the number of times Donald Trump claimed that a deal with Iran was imminent yesterday, CNN's Aron Blake is back with a new analysis of the president's statements. This time, he has ranked Trump's nine most tone-deaf statements about the war and the American economy.

"In recent months, Trump has responded to Americans' growing concerns not with empathy, but by pretending that their pain does not exist - or that it is actually good," Blake writes.

Tonight's statement, that Trump "loves inflation", comes in second place on the list. According to Blake, the most tone-deaf is still when the president said in May that he "does not think about the economic situation of Americans".

The BBC's Jeremy Bowen writes that what was launched as a quick war in Iran is about to develop into a permanent crisis for the region, and that there may no longer be any way for Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to paint the situation as a victory.

"Their judgment was wrong and they have lost control of the consequences". 

The name changes
Committee says yes to name change to Department of War

The US Senate Defense Committee voted this week to move forward with the bill to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, reports Politico.

- It is a childish move that unfortunately reflects the reality under a president who has abandoned meaningful diplomacy, says Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who voted no.

Many may already believe that the name change from the Department of Defense to the Department of War has taken place. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls himself Secretary of War and on the facade of the Pentagon there is a sign with the text "Department of War". But so far, it's just a name.

The department changed its name last year by presidential order, but a congressional decision is required for the name change to become official.

It could now be close, after the proposal moved forward. According to Politico, it could take effect before the end of the year.