Inflation remains low despite media warnings about tariffs, as the U.S. extends its trade truce with China. The fallout from President Trump’s federal takeover of the D.C. police intensifies, with the city’s mayor and the media clashing over the reality of the crime crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu lays out his post-war plan for Gaza and pushes back on a “global campaign of lies” as international pressure mounts.
It’s Wednesday, August 13, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
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Trump Economy Holds Strong as Inflation Defies Predictions
Topline: New data show U.S. inflation held steady at a lower-than-expected rate in July, defying dire predictions that President Trump’s tariffs would cause prices to skyrocket.
Despite warnings from many experts and media outlets, inflation held steady at 2.7% in July, below the 2.8% predicted by economists. The new numbers show that prices for key goods are falling, with gasoline down 10% and eggs down 20%, while real wages are up 1.3% compared to last year. While outlets like The New York Times have tried to frame the numbers negatively, even CNN was forced to acknowledge falling energy and grocery prices.
The good news comes as the U.S. and China agreed to extend their “trade truce” for another 90 days, holding tariffs at a reduced rate while negotiations continue. The administration’s massive trade deals with the European Union, U.K., South Korea, and Japan are already paying dividends. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the new tariffs have already brought in over $100 billion and are projected to reach $300 billion by the end of the year.
Fallout Intensifies Over Trump’s D.C. Takeover
Topline: The fallout from President Trump’s decision to federalize the Washington, D.C., police force has intensified, sparking a furious debate between city leaders and the media over the reality of the capital’s crime crisis.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has admitted she has no legal recourse to stop the federal intervention, but claims the crime wave is a fiction, stating that the city is at a “30-year violent crime low.” She is using the federal takeover to renew her calls for D.C. statehood. That narrative has been echoed by some in the media, with a New York Times reporter referring to a “nonexistent crime crisis.”
However, journalists on the ground in D.C. tell a different story. An ABC News anchor detailed multiple recent shootings near her downtown office, while a CNN contributor said he witnessed a murder in Union Station just a few months ago.
The D.C. police union is backing the president’s move, saying crime is “out of control.” The union’s president blamed a 2020 law that “handcuffed police officers” for creating a shortage of over 800 officers and making it impossible to properly police the city.
Netanyahu Outlines Gaza Plan, Pushes Back on ‘Lies’
Topline: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out a five-point vision for a post-war Gaza and is pushing back against what he calls a “global campaign of lies” regarding the humanitarian situation in the territory.
During a press conference, Netanyahu said Israel’s goal is to “free Gaza from Hamas terrorists,” not to occupy it. His five-point plan includes the defeat of Hamas and the release of all hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, an established security zone on the border, and a new civilian administration that can live in peace with Israel.
Netanyahu also pushed back on claims that Israel is causing a humanitarian crisis, stating that his country has allowed nearly two million tons of aid into Gaza. “Our policy throughout the war has been to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while Hamas’ policy has been to create it,” he said, noting that Hamas loots nearly 90% of aid trucks. A recent Daily Wire exclusive report from Kassy Akiva supported this, debunking a viral story about a Gazan boy who was allegedly killed by Israeli forces at an aid site.
The comments come as international pressure on Israel mounts. Several European nations, including France, the U.K., and Canada, have recently moved to recognize a Palestinian state. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the move, saying that by rewarding the Palestinians while Hamas still holds hostages, these countries have “emboldened” the terror group and made a ceasefire harder to achieve.