Trump admin updates: Trump says tariff letters to be sent to 'various countries' on Monday

He added that BRICS-aligned nations will face an additional 10% tariff.

Last Updated: July 6, 2025, 11:42 PM EDT

After days of Republican drama, the House on Thursday passed President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cut and spending bill.

Trump helped Speaker Mike Johnson pressure GOP holdouts into flipping their no votes to allow the measure to go forward in time to meet the president's self-imposed July Fourth deadline.

Jul 06, 2025, 7:06 PM EDT

Trump says it's 'ridiculous' for Musk to start political party

President Donald Trump said Elon Musk "can have fun with it" when asked about the billionaire's announcement that he will start a new political party, but called it "ridiculous" and said it will create more confusion for voters.

“I think it's ridiculous to start a third party,” Trump said.

“I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. It really seems to have been developed for two parties. Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous," the president said.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Hannah Demissie

Jul 06, 2025, 3:10 PM EDT

Bessent shades Musk over his new political party

Following Elon Musk's announcement that he plans to create a third political party called the "America Party" in response to Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shaded the billionaire and former head of DOGE about his efforts.

Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent speaks to members of the press, after meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol in Washington, June 27, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

"Look, the principles of DOGE were very popular. I think if you would look at the polling, Elon was not, so I believe that the boards of directors at his various companies wanted him to come back and run those companies, which he is better at than anyone," Bessent said on CNN. "So, I imagine that those board of directors did not like this announcement yesterday, and will be encouraging him to focus on his business activities, not his political activities."

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie

Jul 06, 2025, 12:03 PM EDT

Trump signs disaster declaration after Texas flood

Trump posted on his social media platform that he signed major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas, on Sunday.

The declaration is "to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need," the post said, in part.

Officials comb through the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, July 5, 2025, in Hunt, Texas.
Julio Cortez/AP

"These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders," Trump wrote.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie

Jul 04, 2025, 10:52 AM EDT

Zelenskyy says he spoke with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that he and President Trump spoke by phone, writing on X that it was "very important and fruitful."

Zelenskyy said they discussed the Russian attacks overnight and that they agreed to work together to "strengthen protection of our skies."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on at Marselisborg Castle during the official opening of Denmarks EU presidency in Aarhus, Denmark, on July 3, 2025.
Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix via AFP via Getty Images

The call came days after the Trump administration paused weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said they also had a detailed discussion about potential joint defense industry projects with the U.S.

It suggests Ukraine is perhaps proposing to work with the U.S. to manufacture the weapons it needs, given Trump's reluctance to keep donating them.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell

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