Axios

President-elect Trump announced on Friday that he is appointing Morgan Ortagus, who served as State Department spokesperson in his first term, as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace.

The intrigue: The appointment came with a rebuke. Trump noted that Ortagus came highly recommended but had criticized him in the past. "Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson," Trump wrote.

Japan's Nippon Steel on Friday indicated that it will sue the U.S. government after President Biden blocked its purchase of U.S. Steel on national security grounds.

The big picture: Biden blocked the deal, but defending that decision will fall to President-elect Trump, who also opposed the transaction.

President-elect Trump could help end Russia's war in Ukraine if he leverages his "unpredictability," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a new interview.

Why it matters: Trump vowed on the campaign trail to swiftly bring an end to the nearly three-year long war — a task he said he is uniquely qualified to accomplish because of his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Biden on Friday is expected to block Japan's Nippon Steel from acquiring U.S. Steel, citing national security concerns, the White House announced Friday.

Why it matters: U.S. Steel's shares were down as much as 9% in pre-market trading Friday on the news. The company has warned that a deal failure would cause it to close some operations in Pennsylvania, where it employs around 4,000 people.

If Donald Trump succeeds in significantly reducing the U.S. trade deficit with China, he'll do so against the force of history — and of market expectations.

Why it matters: By placing the trade deficit with China at the top of the list of things he wants to slash, Trump is facing off against trillions of dollars' worth of deeply entrenched global trade patterns.

Elon Musk hijacked British politics this week with a stream of at least 60 X posts since Tuesday attacking Prime Minister Keir Starmer, defending an anti-Islam campaigner and endorsing the far-right Reform Party.

Why it matters: The right-hand man to America's next president has gone after the leaders of several of its closest allies in recent months. But his fight with the British government is turning into the nastiest yet.

The Danish-Swedish farmdog, a friendly people-loving breed originally known as the Danish pinscher, is the newest addition to the American Kennel Club's lineup, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

The big picture: This "compact working dog" is a "very versatile" animal that loves families and being given "a challenge and having a job to do," per a statement from the club's executive secretary Gina DiNardo.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan presented President Biden with options for a potential U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities if the Iranians move towards a nuclear weapon before Jan. 20, in a meeting several weeks ago that remained secret until now, three sources with knowledge of the issue tell Axios.

Why it matters: A U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear program during the lame duck period would be an enormous gamble from a president who promised he would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, but who would also risk handing a fresh conflict over to his successor. Biden did not green light a strike during the meeting and has not done so since, the sources said.

Nick Clegg, Meta's longtime policy chief, said on Thursday he is leaving his post and will be replaced by deputy Joel Kaplan, a prominent figure in Republican circles.

Why it matters: The move comes shortly after CEO Mark Zuckerberg dined with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-lago and as Republicans will soon control all three branches of federal government. Meta also recently donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration.

President Biden is on the clock, needing to decide by Tuesday whether or not to stop Nippon Steel from buying U.S. Steel.

Why it matters: This could have ramifications for economic relations between the two longtime allies, including how U.S. acquirers are received in Japan.

Volocopter, a German air taxi maker that raised over $600 million, has filed for insolvency.

The big picture: eVTOL developers don't burn fuel, but they do burn tons of cash.

Simone Biles, who Sports Illustrated just named the 2024 Sportsperson of the Year, tells Axios that she sees her fellow honorees as people who "transcend sports" and help build communities.

Why it matters: Biles, a "global icon," has been "fearless in speaking out about issues that transcend the sports world," SI Editor-in-Chief Steve Cannella said in a statement.

Catch up quick: The 27-year old gymnast mounted a comeback at last summer's Paris Olympics after the "twisties" caused her to withdraw early from the 2020 games.

• She won three gold medals and one silver, and became the oldest woman to win an all-around Olympic gold in gymnastics since the 1950s.

Between the lines: Off the mat, Biles has become a mental health advocate.

• She spoke candidly about her personal struggles in SI's feature story (written by Stephanie Apstein), and in her Netflix documentary, "Simone Biles Rising."

What they're saying: In a new interview, the 11-time Olympic medalist tells Axios how she feels about the SI honor, why she's so outspoken about her journey and what she's looking forward to this year.

How does it feel to be named SI's Sportsperson of the Year?

• "To see some of the people that have graced the covers over the past 70 years is truly iconic, not just for what they've done to transcend sports, but what they've done for their communities. To be a part of that is such an honor."
• "And I think it's so nice to put gymnastics on the map, because that's what we need. Our sport is so unique and beautiful and I think people need to see that."

You've been so vocal in your career, on behalf of yourself and teammates. Where does your outspokenness come from?

• "If you were to ask my parents, I think it came from whenever I was younger, I was just always very loud. I kind of knew what I wanted, and I would tell you."
• "I wouldn't say I was a class clown, but I was always very energetic and fun to be around. I just knew how to apply that to a team aspect, where it could elevate all of us."

You were also candid about your struggles and journey to recovery in the SI article as well your documentary — why is that?

• "Any of my friends will tell you I am a very real, honest, open and raw person. I want that to translate into anything I do throughout life. I think people need to see me as a person, because at the end of the day, not a lot of people can relate to being an elite athlete."
• "If I can try to be open and honest with my career, my journey, whatever I'm going through, then that's what I'm going to do."

What are you most proud of?

• "Being able to compete on a world stage again and to just go out there with my girls and win team gold."
• "But I'm more proud of the work that we put in behind the scenes — a lot of us put mental and physical work in so that we could each be the best versions of ourselves."

What is the significance of being one of Black women's many success stories at the Olympics?

• "This is what we dreamt of when we were little. Now we're pushing our sports in a positive way and we can shape younger generations and we can instill confidence and belief."

What are you focused on accomplishing in 2025?

• "I'm going to try to be more focused on spending quality time with family and friends."

What we're watching: SI's Sportsperson of the Year issue drops digitally on Jan. 7 and hits newsstands on Jan. 9.