Axios PM

July 31, 2025
Happy Friday Jr. Today's newsletter, edited by Natalie Daher, is 488 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for copy editing.
1 big thing: πͺ Youth fitness test is back
ππ½ββοΈThe Presidential Fitness Test is coming back to public schools after it was phased out more than a decade ago, the White House announced today.
- The test β featuring challenges like a 1-mile run, pull-ups and the sit-and-reach β was once a rite of passage for America's youth, Axios' April Rubin writes.
- It was also a source of anxiety and shame for more than a few kids, who ended up feeling like they weren't strong enough for the president's purposes.
Flashback: President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the test in 1956 to assess cardiovascular fitness, upper body and core strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility.
- The test was launched out of panic over American children being less fit than Europeans, Vox reported.
π« President Obama replaced the test after the 2012-13 school year and instituted the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, putting more emphasis on students' health rather than performance.
- During a late-afternoon ceremony at the White House, President Trump is expected to sign an order restoring the test.
2. ποΈ Trump to build White House ballroom

The White House announced that a ballroom construction project will begin in September.
- "It is expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump's term," the announcement says.
π°Trump "and other patriot donors" are committing approximately $200 million to the project.
- The Secret Service will also "provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications," per the release.

Between the lines: The White House Ballroom's "theme and architectural heritage" will be almost identical to that of the main building.
- It will be "substantially separated" from the main building and sit "where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits."

3. Catch me up

- π Former VP Kamala Harris will release a presidential campaign memoir, "107 Days," detailing her historic run, on Sept. 23. Harris will appear tonight on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Go deeper ... Watch her announcement video.
- π President Trump is expected to approve a new Gaza humanitarian aid plan tomorrow after his envoy Steve Witkoff visits the enclave and briefs him about the situation. Go deeper.
- π¦ Goldman Sachs tapped Michael Thompson, a veteran GOP operative, to lead the firm's efforts on public policy and regulatory affairs. He replaces longtime chief global lobbyist Michael Paese, who'll become a senior adviser at the firm. Go deeper.
4. β 1 coffee thing: Where oat is GOAT

New Mexico, Maine and Oregon had the highest shares of coffee orders with oat milk in May, Alex Fitzpatrick writes from new Square data.
- π ββοΈ Coffee drinkers in Wyoming, Mississippi and Louisiana are holding off.
That's based on over 5 million coffee orders at restaurants using Square, and reflects oat milk's share of all orders with any kind of milk.
- π The average added cost of oat milk fell from 67Β’ in January to 65Β’ in June.
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