President Trump on Monday pushed back against criticism of an AI-generated photo depicting him as the pope that was shared on his Truth Social account and reshared by the White House.
What they're saying: "I had nothing to do with it," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Somebody made up a picture of me dressed like the pope and they put it out on the internet. That's not me that did it, I have no idea where it came from. Maybe it was AI, but I know nothing about it, I just saw it last evening."
Israel has set President Trump's visit to the Middle East next week as a deadline for a new hostage and ceasefire deal, with a massive ground operation to commence if no deal is reached, Israeli officials say.
Why it matters: Israel's Security Cabinet approved a plan Sunday night to gradually reoccupy all of Gaza and hold it indefinitely if no deal is reached by May 15. Plans for the operation call for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to flatten any buildings that remain standing and displace virtually the entire population of 2 million people to a single "humanitarian area."
The Trump administration is offering $1,000 stipends and travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who "self-deport," the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday.
Why it matters: President Trump has been pushing self-deportation, urging immigrants to leave before being arrested by U.S. officials amid the government's crackdown.
One way to think about OPEC+'s accelerated return of barrels: Saudi Arabia and some other members see President Trump — for now — as more invested in lower prices than in what's comfortable for U.S. producers.
Why it matters: Crude prices are falling again to open the week following Saturday's OPEC+ decision to boost output by another 411,000 barrels per day next month.
A popemobile that Pope Francis used is "being transformed into a mobile health unit" for children in Gaza, the Vatican announced Sunday.
The big picture: "It was his final wish for the people to whom he had shown such solidarity throughout his pontificate, especially in the last years," per the Vatican News, the Vatican's official media outlet.
Oil prices have dropped, days after OPEC+ agreed to accelerate production for a second straight month.
Why it matters: President Trump's tariffs have added downward pressure on prices and raised concerns they could further lower prices, per Axios' Ben Geman.
The UN and all aid organizations operating in Gaza jointly announced they would not cooperate with an Israeli-U.S. plan to establish a new mechanism for aid delivery to Palestinians in the enclave because it "contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles."
Why it matters: Israel has been blocking the delivery of all food, water, and medicine to Gaza since the ceasefire broke down two months ago. Now that the UN has rejected the new plan, it's very unlikely donor countries will fund it, putting the resumption of aid further into doubt.
President Trump said the goal of the negotiations with Iran is to achieve "full dismantlement" of Tehran's nuclear program.
Why it matters: Trump's remarks in an "Meet the Press" interview aired Sunday are the first time he's publicly announced the ambitious goal since nuclear talks began with Iran a month ago.
President Trump said in an interview aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker that he'd give TikTok relief if a deal isn't struck during the already extended timeframe.
The big picture: Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok during his first term due to national security concerns, has pushed to keep the app alive in the U.S. despite bipartisan concerns about national security risks due to the app's ties to China.
President Trump said Sunday he would not fire Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell before the central bank leader's term ends over the next year.
Why it matters: An earlier suggestion that Trump would attempt to remove Powell — a legally dubious move — roiled financial markets, fallout that might have prompted the walkback.
President Trump said Sunday he would need to keep at least some tariffs on foreign goods in place to convince businesses to move production to the U.S.
Why it matters: It suggests that the historic levies on nearly all goods coming into America would remain in some form — even as the White House says it intends to strike trade deals with a slew of nations, including China.
President Trump on Sunday mostly ruled out taking military action to unify Canada and the United States — but he didn't rule it out entirely, and reiterated that he believes Canada should become the 51st state.
Why it matters: It would have been unthinkable, for more than a century of North American history — until six months ago — for a president to even allow the slightest hint of using any force with the U.S.'s northern neighbor and staunch ally.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is planning to travel to Israel ahead of President Trump's trip to the Middle East, two Israeli officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: This would be Hegseth's first trip to Israel since taking his role. It comes at a time when the U.S. and Israeli governments are divided over the possibility of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and with the war in Gaza and the U.S. military campaign in Yemen ongoing.
