Donald Trump matters a lot to Mzansi and the rest of the world right now. Trump is changing the way America works — and how the world’s most powerful country deals with the rest of the world.
Looking for earlier updates? Read the original Trump Watch archive here.
Trump praises Nicki Minaj’s figure at rally
Donald Trump praised rapper Nicki Minaj’s appearance during a campaign rally in Michigan.
Trump told the crowd to look at Minaj before saying she had a “beautiful a**”.
He then said he hoped Minaj was not offended and added that he and his supporters loved her.
Minaj later spoke at the rally and praised Trump’s economic record.
The event was held as Republicans campaign ahead of the US midterm elections on 3 November.
Earlier that day, White House communications director Steven Cheung shared a video of himself speaking to Minaj.
He joked that she could become the new White House press secretary.
Minaj responded to the post with an American flag and sweating emoji.
Image source: File
Trump wanted to rename the Atlantic Ocean
US President Donald Trump says he has decided not to rename the Atlantic Ocean after speaking to Google boss Sundar Pichai.
Trump said he called Pichai and asked whether Google Maps could handle a new name for the Atlantic.
According to Trump, Pichai told him not to ask Google to do it because the ocean borders many countries.
Google has not confirmed that the call happened.
Trump has previously changed the US names of the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario.
He said Google Maps had worked with those earlier changes.
Trump said he would probably leave the Atlantic Ocean alone after the call.
But he also suggested that the Pacific Ocean could one day be renamed the American Ocean.
Image source: @WhiteHouse
Ramaphosa warns South Africa could lose US trade deal
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa must prepare in case Donald Trump’s government removes the country from a major US trade programme.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, allows South African goods to enter the US without some import taxes.
South Africa has benefited from the programme for years.
But relations between South Africa and the US have become worse under Trump.
Trump has accused South Africa of targeting white people. The South African government says this is false.
Some US officials have suggested that South Africa should be removed from AGOA.
Ramaphosa said losing the trade benefits could have a serious effect on jobs.
He said South Africa was looking for other markets and pointed to a new deal allowing some South African goods to enter China without tariffs.
Image source: File
Zelenskyy says Trump has betrayed Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by Donald Trump after Ukraine lost some access to the Starlink satellite system.
The system is important for Ukrainian troops and drones fighting Russia.
Ukraine says Starlink suddenly stopped working properly on equipment travelling faster than 100mph.
Zelenskyy said the change had already affected military missions and could lead to more deaths.
Elon Musk said he did not make the decision. He said the military version of the system is controlled by the US government.
Zelenskyy also accused Trump of taking Russia’s side after the US agreed to buy diesel from Moscow.
Trump has been pushing Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil sites because he says the attacks are helping push up fuel prices.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was losing an important partner as Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian energy sites.
Image source: File
Musk spends R6 billion to help Trump’s Republicans
Elon Musk has spent about R6-billion helping Republicans ahead of the US midterm elections.
Reports say Musk has spent about R4.6-billion since July alone.
This includes about R2.6-billion for a political group supporting Republican candidates for the US Senate.
Musk is a close ally of Donald Trump and worked as a special adviser to the White House last year.
His political group, America PAC, confirmed the spending and said the money was needed to help Republicans keep control of Congress.
Republicans currently control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The spending comes as Republicans face concerns about Trump’s popularity and the rising cost of living.
Americans will vote in the midterm elections on 3 November. The results will decide which party controls Congress.
Image source: @WhiteHouse
Trump says Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop energy attacks
US President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy sites.
Trump said the agreement started immediately, but he gave no details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was surprised by the announcement. He later said Ukraine would support the plan if Russia did the same.
Zelensky then accused Russia of attacking Ukrainian energy sites after Trump announced the agreement.
Trump has been pushing Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil sites.
He wants Russia to release more diesel to the US and world markets as part of a new deal.
The deal has been criticised by Zelensky and some politicians in the US and Europe, who say it gives Russia too much.
Russia has not yet said whether it agreed to Trump’s energy ceasefire.
Image source: @WhiteHouse
