Michael Birnbaum
@michaelbirnbaum
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White House correspondent @washingtonpost. Ex-Brussels, Berlin, Moscow bureau chief.
Washington, D.C.
Joined February 2009
Donald Trump has craved a Nobel Prize — arguing his work to end wars is unprecedented — and his allies have stepped up their efforts to get him one. He’ll learn tomorrow if the campaign paid off. With the golden @michaelbirnbaum. https://t.co/maggV3bPbb
washingtonpost.com
President Donald Trump’s long quest for a Nobel Peace Prize has sparked an unusual global scramble.
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Trump’s escalation in rhetoric on Ukraine-Russia war is a marker of the president’s frustration toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and a “negotiating tactic,” according to a senior White House official. Via @michaelbirnbaum and @natalie_allison
washingtonpost.com
The president’s escalation in rhetoric is a marker of Trump’s frustration toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a senior White House official.
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NEWS: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem is living for free in a military home typically reserved for the U.S. Coast Guard’s top admiral, officials familiar with the matter said, confirming a highly unusual arrangement that has raised concerns within the agency.
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Ahead of the summit with Putin, Trump says he is open to the “possibility” of a security guarantee for Ukraine. @michaelbirnbaum and I report from Anchorage: https://t.co/ZAX2ZwJBnl
washingtonpost.com
Putin may already have won by scoring the meeting on U.S. soil. But Trump’s unpredictable style could be an X factor in negotiations over a peace deal in Ukraine.
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Statement from Executive Editor Matt Murray: “For three decades, Ellen Nakashima has been one of the most careful, fair-minded, and highly regarded reporters covering national security. Reaching out to potential sources rather than relying solely on official government press
It has come to my attention that Washington Post reporter @nakashimae appears to be actively harassing ODNI staff. Instead of reaching out to my press office, she is calling high level Intelligence Officers from a burner phone, refusing to identify herself, lying about the fact
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President Trump just visited the second mosque in two days — and the second mosque of his presidency. As he did yesterday, he removed his shoes before entering the mosque at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi.
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In final Qatar stop, Trump hopes for Iranian deal, ceasefire in Ukraine -- and an appearance by Putin at the negotiating table. Via @mviser @michaelbirnbaum
washingtonpost.com
President Trump offered another glimpse of an emerging foreign policy doctrine: trying to end various global conflicts while vowing not to withdraw entirely.
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“I’m not disappointed in anything,” Trump says of Putin’s decision not to go to Turkey for talks with Ukraine. “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together.”
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Scoop: We've obtained internal cables showing how the U.S. government is pushing countries facing tariffs to clear way for Musk's Starlink State Dept says it's good to encourage other countries to adopt Starlink Others point to blurring of Musk's private/government roles ...
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A senior EU leader is floating that Europe has options that aren't just Washington...
Today, we mark the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations. This milestone offers an opportunity to highlight the importance and the multiple dimensions of our relationship and reaffirm our responsibilities on the global stage. A balanced relationship, grounded in fairness and
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“The president is dead serious about the 51st state proposal," White House official says ahead of Trump's meeting with Canadian prime minister today. w/ @michaelbirnbaum
washingtonpost.com
Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, was firm that Canada is “not for sale.” But he turned to flattery at times during an Oval Office meeting with Trump on Tuesday.
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Scoop: DOGE now controls how grant opportunities get posted across government. DOGE engineer removed users’ permissions to post @grantsdotgov without telling them. Now requests flow thru DOGE-controlled mailbox. with @Carolynyjohnson @hannah_natanson
washingtonpost.com
A DOGE engineer removed users’ access to grants.gov, threatening to further slow the process of awarding thousands of federal grants per year.
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White House starts trade negotiations, but tensions are high with China. Me with @natalie_allison @Cat_Zakrzewski
washingtonpost.com
As of Thursday, Trump viewed China as his top trade priority, but talks had not yet begun. Officials hoped negotiations with other countries would come to fruition in coming weeks.
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NEW: The 18 hours that changed Trump’s mind on trade, from @michaelbirnbaum @natalie_allison & @Cat_Zakrzewski
washingtonpost.com
From Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon, Trump and his trade advisers spoke to several Republican lawmakers and top foreign leaders who raised concerns about the faltering global markets.
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SCOOP: Acting IRS chief plans to quit after the agency agreed to share confidential tax info with immigration officials to aid in deportations. She also clashed w DOGE over plans for IRS's future. **Three IRS leaders have quit since Trump took office.** Link in thread ⤵️
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Putin's lead negotiator endorsing Trump's tariff effort
On tariffs: It’d be Easy to ignore ballooning $30T+ debt & growing trade deficits—like past presidents did. Just kick the can to future generations. But Trump’s taking bold steps to stop U.S. bankruptcy, bring back jobs, spark investment & rebuild the economy. That’s Leadership.
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“He’s at the peak of just not giving a f--- anymore." The inside story of Trump's whirlwind decision to blow up global trade, enabled by aides who have helped him blow past checks on the presidency. w/ @natalie_allison @JStein_WaPo @Cat_Zakrzewski
washingtonpost.com
Why did Trump impose tariffs? Inside the advice that shaped his decision.
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Scoop: The White House's internal talking points tell surrogates that Trump's new global tariff regime should NOT be characterized as a starting point for negotiations, sources say Trump also telling advisers they're not about setting up talks W/ the great @natalie_allison
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Trump imposes sweeping tariffs across imports
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