On Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a closed-door meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET and closed to the media, was described as more cordial than last year's encounter when Trump openly berated Zelenskyy, saying, “you don’t have the cards.” This shift follows a recent warming in relations, including a friendly meeting at a NATO summit earlier this month.

About 15 minutes after Zelenskyy departed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived for his own meeting.

The Trump administration's posture on the Ukraine-Russia conflict is under close observation for signs of change, especially in light of recent US support for Ukraine.

Separately, last month the US approved a memorandum of understanding intended to establish a 60-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, during which Iran agreed to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and commence negotiations over its nuclear program.

In domestic news, more than 150 scientists sent a letter supporting Dr. Anthony Fauci after US Senator Rand Paul released diary entries from the former health adviser who played a key role in the country's COVID-19 response.

Lindsey Graham, the late US Senator from South Carolina, was remembered fondly. Vance, a former senator, said, “Lindsey Graham loved people from all walks of life. I think in part because of the way that he grew up, because the fact that he wasn’t handed everything, he was fascinated in everybody.” The first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate described her appointment as an “honor” and pledged, “Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.”

Following a ceremony, Graham’s remains were transported to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service starting at 2:00 p.m., which included a tribute from Donald Trump, according to his office.