Trump’s address kicks off jam-packed day at UNGA

▪ Trump’s deal with Greenland and Denmark

President Trump ’s address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday marks the beginning of a high-intensity day of meetings touching on major conflicts around the globe, including the war with Iran, U.S. control over Venezuela and a deal to end the intra-NATO fight over Greenland.

Trump will address the General Assembly around 9:55 a.m. EDT, and he is expected to berate past administrations for neglecting problems that he’s taken on in his second administration.

“He’ll include many of the issues, frankly neglected by past administrations, that he’s not going to kick the can on,” a senior administration official previewed last week in a call to reporters.

Trump will address the more than six-month war against Iran by touching “on the importance of ensuring that Iran never has a nuclear weapon,” discuss the president’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza — which has stalled for nearly a year — and the U.S. focus on the Western Hemisphere, the official previewed.

The president will almost surely mention some of the logistical issues during his UNGA appearance last year, when an escalator stopped on his way to the assembly and the teleprompter glitched during his speech — issues he’s framed in a somewhat conspiratorial light.

Following his speech, Trump will join a signing ceremony with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark on an agreement that the president touted as giving the U.S. “total control” over the Arctic island’s security. Greenland and Denmark, which owns the self-governed island, framed the agreement as strengthening security and said they will need to have their parliaments ratify the terms before it goes into effect.

The deal gives the U.S. permanent basing rights on the island, a provision already guaranteed by a 1951 treaty but that may have been in question if Greenland achieved independence. The agreement also bans sensitive investment on the island from countries outside of NATO.

After the signing, Trump will participate in three bilateral meetings. He’ll hold his first face-to-face with the recently appointed U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and a “fulsome” bilateral with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi . He’ll then meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before taking part in a “Shield of the Americas” event with Latin American leaders.

A senior administration official described the Takaichi bilat as an important meeting coming the day before Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit in Washington D.C. Top of Takaichi’s agenda is lobbying Trump not to trade economic deals with Beijing for Taiwan’s security.

Another high-stakes gathering is Trump’s meeting with Gulf countries to strategize on ending the war with Iran. Not expected to be part of that meeting is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who launched the war with the U.S. on Feb. 28. A senior administration official suggested scheduling issues prevent a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu. The two leaders last met on July 29.

Trump will host a “Leaders reception” on Tuesday evening, where he will meet for the first time face-to-face Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodr íguez . Trump granted Rodríguezpower to govern the country after launching an audacious operation to capture the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro .

A senior administration official described their scheduled meeting as a “pull aside.” Despite treating the meeting informally, it carries huge weight. Trump’s praise for Rodríguez comes at the expense of alienating the political opposition and the administration’s promise of a transition to democracy.

Trump is expected to depart New York on Tuesday evening, and it’s not clear if his schedule will cross over with a small Iranian delegation that the State Department approved to come to the General Assembly.

“I won’t get ahead of the president or secretary’s final schedule,” a senior administration official responded when asked if Secretary of State Marco Rubio might also have a chance to meet with the Iranians.

The Hill : Trump’s Greenland quest leaves scars, even as deal brings relief.

The Hill : Americans rate UN poorly in 5 key areas: Survey.

Reuters : Trump eyes busy week of meetings as UN General Assembly gathers.

Plus : Join The Hill’s Ian Swanson , Amie Parnes and special guest Democratic strategist Garry South, who has advised California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), for a special “Fight for 2028” live discussion at noon EDT on the latest in Democratic politics.

They’ll discuss the end of Newsom’s term as governor as he eyes the 2028 race and his recent interview where he shared his thoughts on former Vice President Kamala Harris . They will also touch on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and her latest moves.

A federal appeals court reinstated Missouri Republicans’ 7-1 House map to be used in time for the November elections, delivering a boost for several GOP candidates who wanted a more favorable midterm map.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) hosted an event Monday night , with “special guest” Former President Bush, to raise money for a new committee supporting Republican Senate candidates in Maine, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire and Minnesota, according to The New York Times . Not part of the event: Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton.

Trump’s approval rating dipped to an all-time low in the latest Reuters/Ipsos, with the midterms only six weeks away .

Journalists listen as President Trump speaks during an event about healthcare in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press)

UNITED RESISTANCE : Trump’s stripping of White House media credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico has spurred a united counteraction among television networks. The four remaining members of the TV pool — CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox News — announced Monday they would not cover the president as long as the CNN remains banned.

But the White House shows no signs of backing down. The three banned media organizations filed lawsuits on Monday, and legal observers — along with the president — predict they will be successful.

In a joint statement, CNN, MS NOW and Politico said that they are taking legal action to “defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports.” A hearing for the case is slated for Wednesday afternoon.

Trump’s decision has drawn criticism from media organizations and Democrats, as well as some Trump supporters.

“I don’t disagree with the president’s concern about some of these outlets, I just think there’s more effective ways to do this,” Sean Spicer , Trump’s first-ever press secretary, told The Hill on Monday.

A White House official told The Hill that “Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President’s Oval Office.”

“The lies they smear are a disservice to the American public and tear at the very fabric of our Democracy, ” the official said. “ They’re completely capable of reporting from directly outside.”

▪ The Hill : Trump move to ban news outlets blows up at White House.

▪ BBC : CNN, MS NOW and Politico file lawsuit against Trump’s White House ban.

HARD TIMES : Iowa Republicans are leading the charge for federal action to tackle soaring diesel prices, as polls show alarming trends toward Democrats in the midterms.

“Iowans are being squeezed and shouldn’t have to foot the bill at the pump or the checkout line for the war in Iran. We need to use every option at our disposal to provide some relief from high prices,” Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), the Republican candidate in Iowa’s Senate race, wrote on the social platform X.

She called to suspend gas taxes, pause exports on diesel and put in place a “diesel relief program to help our farmers and truckers being crushed by high costs.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Saturday night on X addressed the president directly, urging him to embargo diesel exports.

“High diesel prices ARE KILLING FARMERS INCOME,” Grassley wrote.

And Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who’s running for reelection this November, responded to Grassley’s post with a plan of his own.

“Sell American energy to Americans first. Pass my Iowa-led biofuel bill = bring down gas 50 cents,” Nunn wrote on X. “Hold Big Oil accountable for gouging.”

A Marist poll out today shows Hinson trailing Democrat Josh Turek by 8 points in their race, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn trailing Democrat Rob Sand by 12 points. Hinson has held a slight lead in most recent polls.

▪ The Hill : A diesel-powered panic for GOP in Iowa.

▪ The Hill : Republican Ashley Hinson links Iran war to high prices in bid for Iowa Senate seat.

▪ Politico : Big Ag and Big Oil go head-to-head over diesel export ban.

PARAMOUNT SETTLEMENT : Paramount Skydance announced Monday that it was settling with the 12 states that sued the media giant in July over its proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.

“This includes more film production, protections for Hollywood workers and places guardrails that allow for robust cable negotiations and creates more choice,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) told reporters at a press conference in Los Angeles. “This settlement is not a vote of support for this merger or a blessing.”

Bonta, who led the group of state attorneys general involved in the lawsuit, added, “We believe further consolidation in markets does not serve the American economy, consumers or competition well.”

The settlement follows months of contentious debate, with states claiming that the planned $100 billion merger violates antitrust laws.

“Our goal has always been to build a stronger Hollywood — one with more stories told, greater choice for consumers and stronger competition,” Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison said in a Monday statement.

Newsom called the deal “a win for California workers and our creative economy ” and praised Bonta’s efforts.

▪ The Hill : Paramount settles with 12 states over Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

▪ Reuters : Paramount wins Warner Bros takeover after settling states, union lawsuits.

TOGETHER AGAIN: Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) met at Gracie Mansion Monday evening, where the president told reporters the mayor has “great potential” following their meeting.

“No, I certainly hope he will be a great mayor,” Trump said. “You have to understand — I want what’s good for New York. I want what’s good for the country.”

“So, if I had a choice of having him be a bad mayor or horrible mayor, I don’t want that,” he continued. “I want him to be a great mayor, and he’s certainly got potential and great potential.”

The two spoke about immigration, policing and affordable housing, per The New York Times. Mamdani emphasized that Trump’s lifting of temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants harmed New York City’s economy. The president acknowledged that the mayor felt “very strongly” about the issue but did not say if the administration would make any changes.

Trump has gone after Mamdani’s democratic socialist policies as the latter campaigned for his position last year. Although Trump has continued to criticize some of the mayor’s left-wing ideas, including his new proposed tax on second homes, this is the third time the president has had a cordial meeting with Mamdani.

▪ The Hill : Trump says Mamdani has ‘great potential’ after Gracie Mansion visit.

▪ The New York Times : Mamdani and Trump discuss immigration and affordability at Gracie Mansion.

The president is in New York City for the UNGA. Full schedule here .

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao testifies at a House Appropriations subcommittee on the budget request for the Navy and Marine Corps on Capitol Hill, May 12, 2026, in Washington. (Mariam Zuhaib, Associated Press)

CONCERNS ABOUT CAO : The fight to confirm Hung Cao as Navy secretary won’t be easy, with Democrats already throwing up roadblocks.

Cao, who currently heads the Navy in a temporary capacity, filled the role in April, following the departure of former secretary John Phelan . The president nominated Cao for the full-time position on Sept. 1.

But The Hill’s Ellen Mitchell reports that Democrats have major concerns about Cao’s history leading the Navy — and they have leverage, as the retired Navy captain requires a waiver. Cao retired in 2021, and federal law requires a seven-year wait for some top civilian posts.

“Hung Cao has shown he has neither the ability nor the temperament to serve as Navy Secretary,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a statement to The Hill.

Democratic senators are particularly worried about Cao’s management of the USS Abraham Lincoln’s long and controversial deployment.

“Given Acting Secretary Cao’s lack of leadership in addressing the concerns raised regarding the extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and his focus on advancing [Defense] Secretary [Pete] Hegseth ’s ideological war on DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion], I have concerns about Mr. Cao’s ability to preserve the integrity and safety of the Navy,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said in a statement to The Hill.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) also emphasized the conditions aboard the naval ship, calling Cao’s leadership a “severe mishandling.”

Even if Senate Republicans do press ahead with Cao’s confirmation process, it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon, with Senate leaders carefully managing floor time in their two remaining work weeks before the midterms, Mitchell writes.

▪ The Hill : Hung Cao’s bid for Navy secretary faces choppy waters post-USS Abraham Lincoln.

An iceberg is visible near the city of Ilulissat, Greenland, Feb. 19, 2025. (Emilio Morenatti, Associated Press file)

DAMAGE DONE : Trump last week announced a deal with Greenland and Denmark that expands the U.S.’s military presence and gives a bigger say in the Arctic island’s affairs. The deal brings relief to fellow NATO members, but the fight will leave scars, The Hill’s Laura Kelly and Filip Timotija report .

Trump is to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen for a signing ceremony in New York on Tuesday morning.

“The icy outpost is valuable strategic territory, though it’s fair to ask whether this deal could have been reached without the collateral damage to U.S. alliances from Mr. Trump’s bullying threats,” The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote Sunday.

Mike Waltz , Trump’s ambassador to the U.N., shared the opinion story to highlight the deal.

“Securing our Northern flank. Permanent U.S. basing rights in Greenland keep our homeland safe, deny adversary access, and reinforce American peace through strength leadership on the global stage,” he wrote on the social platform X .

Baiba Braže , Latvian foreign minister and a NATO ally, told The Hill in a Saturday interview, “ Let’s wait until the deal is signed ,” when asked for her reaction. She described negotiations as “tense.”

The deal is “ unlikely to quiet concerns European allies have over America’s broader commitment to the Allianc e,” said Torrey Taussig , director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council. But she said it also shows how European leaders can work to ensure cooler heads prevail.

Michael McFaul , a prominent Trump critic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration, said on X that the agreement is a “slight tweak” to what has already been in place.

“Trump did not buy or annex Greenland. He just repackaged an old agreement and put his name on it,” he wrote Sunday.

▪ Wall Street Journal : Trump’s Greenland Deal Eases Way for U.S. Business on Arctic Island.

Trump’s Achilles heel is the stock market, Joslin Joseph writes in The Hill.

America is blundering toward war with China, Robert D. Kaplan writes in The New York Times.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a Texas Democratic Party press conference ahead of the Republican National Convention, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (Gabriela Passos, Associated Press)

And finally … Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) lost 80 pounds using a GLP-1 drug.

“I have been driven my whole life to lose weight,” Pritzker said in a Monday episode of “CBS Mornings.”

The governor, whose father died at age 39 from a heart attack, said he decided to try a GLP-1 following a diabetes diagnosis two years ago. Since then, he’s felt “a whole lot different and a whole lot better.”

When asked if his decision to lose weight was tied to a potential 2028 presidential run, Pritzker insisted that he was focused on his role as governor and touted that Illinois’s state insurance plan covers GLP-1 medications for its 55,000 state employees.

“I have an opportunity just with the platform that I have as governor to tell people that this is something that can work for them,” Pritzker said.