INTERNACIONAL
How Donald Trump tried to court the Atlantic – and why the liberal magazine landed an interview
Hell hath frozen over: At the White House the other day, Donald Trump «was launching a charm offensive, directed mainly at Goldberg,» as in Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief. «There was none of the name-calling or hostility he regularly levels at our magazine.»
That’s according to Atlantic reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, who wrote the magazine’s cover story, which was posted yesterday.
For all the insights gleaned from the interview, nothing is more fascinating than how it came about.
They called the president on his cell phone. (Wha? Who do I have to court to get that? The reporters ain’t saying.)
Trump says he did the initial phone interview to see if the liberal magazine could be fair.
PRESIDENT TRUMP TELLS THE ATLANTIC HE RUNS THE COUNTRY ‘AND THE WORLD’
So I’m here to pronounce that the entire, seemingly endless piece is fair. The president hasn’t taken a shot at it on Truth Social, at least so far.
He has, however, ripped new polls from the «Failing New York Times» and «ABC/Washington Post» as «FAKE POLLS FROM FAKE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS,» saying they should be «investigated for ELECTION FRAUD, and add in the Fox News Pollster while you’re at it.» His lowest approval rating, in the Post-ABC survey, was 39 percent.
Meanwhile, we may now look back on Trump’s 2024 victory as inevitable, but after Jan. 6 it was anything but. On the cell call, «The president seemed exhilarated by everything he had managed to do in the first two months of his second term.»
President Trump recently gave an interview to The Atlantic. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
And then came the transaction: «As ever, Trump was on the hunt for a deal. If he liked the story we wrote, he said, he might even speak with us again.»
Goldberg describes the session: «What I found in this particular meeting was a Trump who was low-key, attentive, and eager to convince us that he is good at his job and good for the country. It isn’t easy to escape the tractor beam of his charisma, but somehow we managed, and we asked him what needed to be asked.
«But squaring Trump the Charmer with the Orcish Trump we more frequently see is difficult…Trump posted on the social-media platform he owns that Ashley is a ‘Radical Left Lunatic’ (she is not) and that Michael ‘has never written a fair story about me, only negative, and virtually always LIES’ (also false). It is our task at the Atlantic not to be bullied by these sorts of attacks.»
STATE OF WAR: HOW TRUMP IS FIGHTING A 9-FRONT BATTLE
The most interesting Trump sound bite is his comparison of the two terms:
«The first time, I had two things to do—run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys. And the second time, I run the country and the world.»
Parker and Scherer did many other interviews, such as with Steve Bannon. «Our reality is that we won,» and he cited the conspiracy theory that the FBI had incited the crowd on Jan. 6. The reporters said that was simply untrue.
«Now, here’s the interesting thing,» Bannon said. «Who’s won that argument? I think we have…
«This time it’s ‘Hey, f**k you, Greenland’s ours…When you’ve come back from such long odds, you clearly feel, ‘I can do anything.’ »
What about the four criminal investigations, including the conviction on the weakest one – Alvin Bragg’s hush money case? Trump says his numbers kept going up.
INTERVIEWING DONALD TRUMP: A LAST-MINUTE BLITZ AND NEW CLOSING MESSAGE
«Shockingly, yes,» Trump said. «Normally, it would knock you out. You wouldn’t even live for the next day. You know, you’d announce your resignation, and you’d go back and ‘fight for your name,’ like everybody says—you know, ‘fight for your name, go back to your family.’ …Yeah, it made me stronger, made me a lot stronger.»
He also said in the phone interview: «I got indicted five different times by five different scumbags, and they’re all looking for jobs now, so it’s one of those things. Who would have thought, right? It’s been pretty amazing.»
After the 2016 election, Trump told oil executives at Mar-a-Lago:
If I’m not president, you’re f***ed. Look at your profit-and-loss statements. You realize what would have happened to you if she was president? What’s wrong with you?») She was Kamala Harris, of course.
Referring to the criminal cases against him – including the charges brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump said «it made [him] stronger.» (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office via AP / Trump-Vance Transition Team)
One turning point: When he went to East Palestine, Ohio after the derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals, while Joe Biden didn’t do squat.
On the Kennedy Center: «I didn’t really get to go the first time, because I was always getting impeached or some bulls**t, and I could never enjoy a show.» So he fired the Democrats and made himself chairman.
All right, enough quotes. Wait, one more that captures the tone of the piece:
«I got 38 percent of the male Black vote. Nobody knew that was possible. That’s a lot. I got 56 percent of Hispanics. How about that one? Every county along the Texas border is Hispanic. I won every one of them.» Though every single number he cited was wrong, the general thrust of his observation was correct.»
The reporters chronicled how things have gone south for the president, especially on tariffs and the economy, and how he pressured Hill Republicans into backing his nominees with primary threats.
SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE’S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF ON THE DAY’S HOTTEST STORIES
After the March phone interview, the reporters tried Trump’s cellphone again. Just got voice mail. But at 1:38 am, he tried them back. No message.
Trump believes he can win over even his worst enemies. In 2015 or 2016, I watched him make a beeline in the New York green room for Karl Rove, who was very rough on him. At worst, he thinks, he can neutralize the person. Or soften him or her up for the next time. He enjoys the challenge.
The mainstream media almost uniformly can’t stand Donald Trump. He does invite some of his own negative headlines, while providing unprecedented access, but much of the press is back in Resistance mode.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Still, the Atlantic’s original pitch is undeniable, that he’s «The Most Consequential President of the 21st Century.»
Media Buzz,Donald Trump,Media
INTERNACIONAL
Pentagon cites ‘meritocracy’ as reported officer promotion removals draw Democratic criticism
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
War Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly removed multiple officers from a military promotion list — a decision that diverges from standard practice and is now under review at the White House, a U.S. official told Fox News Digital.
The list included candidates for dozens of senior roles, but four were removed after they had been approved by a promotions board.
The U.S. official said the officers were not under investigation and were not facing misconduct allegations, and that no formal explanation for the decision was provided to military leadership.
PETE HEGSETH TOUTS HIGHER PHYSICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY, SAYS ‘SO BE IT’ IF IT EXCLUDES WOMEN
Fox News Digital has learned that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll initially declined to remove the officers from the promotion list before Hegseth ultimately intervened to strike their names. The disagreement caught the attention of the White House, an official said, which reviews the revised promotion list before it is sent to the Senate.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth removed multiple officers from a military promotion list, a decision that diverges from standard practice and is now under review at the White House, a U.S. official told Fox News Digital. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Initial New York Times reporting and congressional criticism have focused in part on claims that some of the officers removed were women and minorities, prompting military officials to question whether they were singled out on account of race or gender — an assertion Pentagon officials have strongly disputed.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in response: «This story, like many others at the failing New York Times is full of fake news from anonymous sources who have no idea what they’re talking about and are far removed from actual decision-makers within the Pentagon.»
«Under Secretary Hegseth, military promotions are given to those who have earned them,» he went on. «Meritocracy, which reigns in this department, is apolitical and unbiased.»
Pentagon chief of staff Ricky Buria added: «This is completely false. Whoever placed this made up story is clearly trying to sow division among our ranks and within the department and the administration. It’s not going to work, and it never will work when this department is led by clear-eyed, mission driven leaders unfazed by Washington gossip.»
The Pentagon has not publicly detailed the specific rationale behind the reported removals.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll initially declined to remove the officers from the promotion list, before Hegseth ultimately intervened to strike their names, sources told Fox News Digital. (Cheriss May/Getty Images )
The reported move has drawn scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where senior military promotions require Senate confirmation. Individual lawmakers can delay or block nominations through procedural holds.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that if the reports are accurate, removing officers after a promotion board already has selected them based on merit and performance would be «outrageous» and potentially unlawful.
Military promotions to senior ranks typically are vetted through formal boards and approved as a group, with limited intervention at the individual level.
According to multiple reports, one of the officers removed from the list served in a logistics role during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, while another had previously authored academic work examining why Black service members are more likely to serve in support roles.
The U.S. official said those explanations had not been formally communicated as justification for the decision.
The White House reviews promotion lists before they are sent to the Senate. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press )
PETE HEGSETH SLASHES MILITARY ‘FAITH CODES’ FROM OVER 200 TO 31 IN PENTAGON CHAPLAIN CORPS OVERHAUL\
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said: «Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have launched an unprecedented politicization of the military promotion process, most recently, reportedly blocking promotions for Black and female officers,» Wyden said.
Wyden on Wednesday placed holds on the promotions of Marine Lt. Col. Vincent Noble, Col. Thomas Siverts and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas MacNeil, citing past wartime controversies and concerns about judgment.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The White House could not immediately be reached for comment.
conflicts defense, pete hegseth, army, donald trump, white house
INTERNACIONAL
Estados Unidos dijo que la reapertura de su embajada en Caracas es solo el primer paso del plan de Trump
La encargada de negocios de Estados Unidos en Venezuela, Laura Dogu, afirmó este lunes tras la reapertura de la embajada estadounidense en Caracas que el proceso bilateral “apenas está comenzando y falta mucho por hacer”.
Dogu puntualizó que la reactivación de la sede diplomática es solo el primer paso de una hoja de ruta definida por la administración Trump, que contempla tres fases para la reconstrucción política, económica e institucional de Venezuela.
“La reapertura es solo el inicio, falta mucho por hacer mientras seguimos ejecutando el plan de tres fases de la Administración Trump”, remarcó Dogu en un mensaje publicado en redes sociales.
La diplomática detalló que el trabajo inmediato se centrará en fortalecer la relación con empresarios, actores políticos y la sociedad civil venezolana.
Entre las prioridades, la embajada buscará crear puentes entre compañías de ambos países y establecer canales formales de diálogo con todos los sectores políticos y organizaciones independientes.
La estrategia delineada por la administración Trump establece una primera fase enfocada en la estabilización económica, con énfasis en la recuperación del sector petrolero y la generación de condiciones para el retorno de inversores extranjeros.
La segunda etapa prevé el ingreso de capital internacional y la reactivación productiva en sectores clave, mientras que la tercera fase plantea una transición política destinada a consolidar un gobierno estable y democrático.
Dogu subrayó que la implementación de este programa “demanda tiempo, cooperación y el compromiso de todas las partes” y que los desafíos estructurales del país solo podrán superarse con un trabajo coordinado y gradual.
La embajada, además, prevé abrir oportunidades laborales y está acondicionando sus instalaciones para, en una etapa posterior, ofrecer servicios consulares de forma plena.
El equipo diplomático estadounidense indicó que la sede funcionará como canal de reconstrucción de la confianza bilateral y como plataforma para promover nuevas oportunidades de diálogo. Funcionarios norteamericanos recalcaron que la interlocución política y social abarcará a sectores oficialistas, de la oposición y de la sociedad civil.
De forma paralela, la embajada venezolana en Washington fue entregada a una delegación oficial enviada por Caracas, en el marco del restablecimiento de relaciones.
El viceministro Oliver Blanco informó sobre reuniones con funcionarios estadounidenses orientadas a “explorar oportunidades de fortalecimiento” en el vínculo bilateral.
Tras el cambio de régimen en Caracas, con la salida del narcodictador Nicolás Maduro y la asunción de Delcy Rodríguez como jefa del chavismo, Estados Unidos comenzó a levantar de manera gradual sanciones sobre el sector petrolero venezolano.
El Departamento del Tesoro autorizó transacciones para facilitar la reapertura de la embajada venezolana en Washington y el acceso a recursos financieros, impulsando la reactivación económica.
En el Congreso, el secretario de Estado Marco Rubio explicó que las tres fases del plan pueden solaparse, y que la prioridad es construir las bases de una transición política que garantice estabilidad y democracia.
“La reanudación de las operaciones en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en Caracas es un hito clave en la implementación del plan de tres fases del presidente para Venezuela y fortalecerá nuestra capacidad de interactuar directamente con el gobierno interino venezolano, la sociedad civil y el sector privado”, expresó el Departamento de Estado en un comunicado.
La administración estadounidense mantiene la vigilancia sobre los ingresos de la venta de petróleo venezolano, asegurando que los fondos sean utilizados para la reconstrucción institucional. Además, Washington sostiene una flotilla en el Caribe para combatir el tráfico ilícito y reforzar la seguridad regional.
El proceso de restablecimiento diplomático ocurre en medio de reformas políticas en Caracas, la liberación de presos políticos y cambios en el sector energético. Laura Dogu reiteró que “falta mucho por hacer” e invitó a todos los sectores venezolanos a sumarse a un esfuerzo conjunto para consolidar una transición ordenada y sostenible.
(Con información de EFE)
Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,South America / Central America
Noelia Castillo Ramos dies by euthanasia after legal fight
Noelia Castillo Ramos, 25, died Thursday after receiving euthanasia in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, following a legal battle of more than a year. Supporters gather outside Sant Camil hospital, where flowers were left. (EFE via Reuters Connect.)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Spain is grappling with the death of a 25-year-old woman from Barcelona who was euthanized following a series of tragic events despite multiple legal challenges from her father.
Noelia Castillo Ramos’ case galvanized international attention after her father, Gerónimo Castillo, mounted a legal battle against the authorization of various Spanish courts for his daughter to receive euthanasia in 2023. Aided by Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers), a conservative Catholic organization, Mr. Castillo exhausted all appeals to the Spanish courts.
The father argued that his daughter wasn’t fully psychologically able to make a decision regarding euthanasia and that she needed better medical and psychiatric care. His legal battle was ultimately shut down by the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, on March 10.
GRIEVING PARENTS DEMAND CHANGES AFTER 26-YEAR-OLD SON EUTHANIZED UNDER CONTROVERSIAL LAW
Noelia Castillo Ramos is featured in Spain’s El País newspaper following her euthanasia last Thursday. (APTV)
The case of Castillo Ramos is just the latest in euthanasia deaths across Europe, but the Barcelona woman’s choice to die has inflamed passions across the country.
Castillo Ramos’ parents divorced when she was 13 and spent almost four years in public tutelage centers when she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) — a serious psychiatric condition often leading to severe depression, suicide ideation and a tendency to addiction.
By her own account, in an interview she gave before dying to Spanish TV channel Antena 3 she tried to commit suicide at least twice despite being under intensive psychiatric care. In her first suicide attempt, she took several pills and ingested a toxic automotive liquid, but was saved by her mother, who took her to the hospital for a gastric-intestinal cleansing procedure.
Things got worse for her when she left the home and ended up being sexually assaulted multiple times when she was about 20. First, she was sexually abused by a former boyfriend after taking sleeping pills. Soon after, two men attempted to rape her while in a nightclub, leaving her deeply scarred, and as reports indicate, this led her to a care home for worsening psychiatric symptoms.
Several people pray at the entrance of the Sant Camil hospital, on 26 March 2026 in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The magistrate of the 20th Preliminary Section of the Barcelona Court of First Instance has denied for the third time the adoption of the precautionary measures requested by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers, which asked to suspend the application of euthanasia to Noelia Castillo Ramos from Barcelona. Castillo Ramos died on Thursday. ( Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images)
POPE LEO XIV SAYS HE’S ‘VERY DISAPPOINTED’ AFTER ILLINOIS APPROVES ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW
There, she was gang-raped by three men. With her mental state deteriorating, she attempted suicide by jumping out of the fifth floor of a building.
Multiple reports and social media posts originally indicated that the three rapists who assaulted her were immigrant minors under the care of the state – something the Barcelona-based newspaper El Periódico says is false.
Many Spaniards have reacted angrily the court’s authorization for her to receive euthanasia, accusing the leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of not providing the girl with adequate medical care, opening up the country to mass migration, lack of policing and ultimately handing down euthanasia as a solution to her case.
Several people pray at the entrance of the Sant Camil hospital, on 26 March, 2026 in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The magistrate of the 20th Preliminary Section of the Barcelona Court of First Instance has denied for the third time the adoption of the precautionary measures requested by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers, which asked to suspend the application of euthanasia to the young woman from Barcelona scheduled for this Thursday afternoon. (Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
After her interview on Spanish TV, several anonymous donors and public figures, including pianist James Rhodes, offered to fund her treatment and to provide her and her family with material assistance if she decided against having the procedure.
The Catalan High Court of Justice confirmed to Fox News Digital that all legal and medical requirements, including a favorable opinion by the Catalan Commission of Guarantee and Evaluation (CGEC), had been met and that there was nothing preventing the young woman from receiving the requested euthanasia.
Noelia died at 6 p.m. local time on Thursday at Hospital Sant Pere de Ribes in Barcelona. She is the youngest person ever to be euthanized in Spain under the country’s assisted dying law passed in 2021.
spain, the european union, mental health
La Argentina se prepara para una llueiva de miles de millones de dólares extra por Vaca Muerta
Defensa de la propiedad privada: el Gobierno envió al Senado un proyecto que establece el juicio sumarísimo para los desalojos por usurpaciones
Escándalo total: Gastón Trezeguet destrozó a Tamara Paganini por su regreso a GH y habló de “doble moral”
Kicillof asistirá a la vigilia por Malvinas en Tierra del Fuego y suma críticas a Milei
Pentagon cites ‘meritocracy’ as reported officer promotion removals draw Democratic criticism
La Justicia argentina procesa a la Asociación de Fútbol Argentino (AFA) y su presidente, Claudio Tapia
Máximo Kirchner salió al cruce de Milei y Macri tras el fallo por YPF a favor de la Argentina
Ian Lucas contó que Maxi López le advirtió sobre su romance con Evangelina Anderson: “No seas bol…”
La secretaria del piloto denunció que el amigo de Adorni la hostiga y la justicia dispuso medidas
¡DERIVA ECONÓMICA Y SOBERBIA POLÍTICA! El abismo entre el «relato oficial» y la realidad de una clase media que no aguanta más
POLITICA2 días agoMáximo Kirchner salió al cruce de Milei y Macri tras el fallo por YPF a favor de la Argentina
- POLITICA2 días ago
La secretaria del piloto denunció que el amigo de Adorni la hostiga y la justicia dispuso medidas
- POLITICA2 días ago
El Gobierno cambia su propuesta de reforma: endurece penas para delitos comunes, pero no para los casos de corrupción
