The White House Briefing Room with Jon Decker

President Trump faces questions over his administration’s plans to send money to millions of Americans just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections, including payments to seniors and insurance refunds.

Plus, Trump doubles down on his warning that Iran could threaten Los Angeles and San Diego, and the president prepares to honor Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, Sergey Brin, Lisa Su and other technology leaders as the White House promotes a new “Golden Age” of American innovation.

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President Trump touts a strong U.S. dollar and his economic agenda as Americans remain concerned about prices ahead of the midterm elections. Plus, the U.S. presses Russia for answers after the mysterious death of a worker at a plague research facility in Siberia, raising concerns about a possible infectious disease exposure.

Also: repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool near completion, and Trump heads to Texas to campaign for Ken Paxton in a key Senate race.

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President Donald Trump says a credible threat linked to Iran prompted the Pentagon to abruptly remove a dozen U.S. B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. U.S. officials say concerns centered on a potentially complex drone attack targeting American aircraft and personnel at the base.

Jon Decker also breaks down President Trump's new efforts to lower record-high diesel costs, including expanded access to tax-exempt red-dye diesel and a Treasury Department review of diesel taxes.

Plus, Trump says his MAGA Inc. super PAC will take over funding controversial pro-Trump television ads previously paid for with federal money, and a new Reuters/Ipsos poll puts the president's approval rating at a record low as Republicans face an increasingly competitive battle for control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.

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The United States has removed all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom following security concerns surrounding a suspected plot to attack the military base. Jon Decker breaks down the Pentagon's decision, the investigation into the alleged plot, and what the move could mean for U.S. military operations in Europe and the Middle East.

Also on the White House Briefing Room: the U.S. Supreme Court begins a consequential new term featuring major cases involving climate lawsuits, gun rights, religious freedom, transgender minors, immigration detention, and deportation policy.

Plus, President Donald Trump names a new artificial intelligence czar as the U.S. continues its AI competition with China, and Trump heads to Nebraska to campaign as Republicans prepare for a closely watched Senate race.

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In the Friday, October 2 edition of The White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down the investigation into the stabbing attack aboard a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel, as the United Arab Emirates examines whether terrorism played a role and President Donald Trump raises the possibility of Iranian involvement.

The Pentagon is also sending additional military firepower to the Middle East, including another aircraft carrier strike group, Marine Corps ships and thousands of additional troops as tensions with Iran remain high.

Plus, President Trump discusses the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act or declaring a national emergency around the November midterm elections, and mortgage rates post their largest weekly increase in four years, adding new pressure to an already struggling U.S. housing market.

Jon also previews the president’s Friday schedule, including his trip to Mobile, Alabama.

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President Donald Trump highlights plans for a major $54 billion Alaska LNG pipeline investment tied to South Korea, a project designed to transport natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to export markets in Asia. White House correspondent Jon Decker breaks down the announcement and Trump’s comments surrounding Alaska’s competitive U.S. Senate race.

Plus, Trump issues a new warning regarding Iran as tensions remain high. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Andy Burnham says there are “strong indications” Iran played a role in the security incident near RAF Fairford, an airbase used by U.S. forces. Iran denies involvement, and the British investigation remains ongoing.

Jon also previews the president’s Thursday schedule, including stops in Denton, Texas, and Durant, Oklahoma.

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President Donald Trump unveils America.gov, a new AI-powered government website designed to consolidate federal information and make it easier for Americans to navigate government services. Jon Decker breaks down the launch and his exchange with President Trump following a White House meeting with some of the world’s most prominent technology leaders about the future of artificial intelligence.

Plus, the Trump administration faces scrutiny over taxpayer-funded television advertisements featuring the president, with the White House defending them as public service announcements while critics—including lawmakers from both parties—question the use of federal funds. 

And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to announce a 20% reduction in positions reserved for generals and admirals, doubling an earlier planned reduction as part of a broader Pentagon restructuring. 

Jon also previews President Trump’s Wednesday schedule from the White House.

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Fuel prices remain elevated across the country as inflation and energy costs loom over the 2026 midterm elections. Jon Decker reports from the White House after asking President Donald Trump when Americans can expect relief at the pump, with regular gasoline averaging $4.48 per gallon nationally and diesel reaching $6.45.

The president also announces plans for a massive $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, a project the White House says could support more than 1,700 jobs and eventually produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually. Trump points to U.S. tariffs on foreign steel as a key factor behind the investment.

Plus, the Trump administration officially rolls back Biden-era fuel economy standards, lowering the federal requirement for model-year 2031 vehicles from 50.4 mpg to 34.5 mpg. Administration officials argue the move could reduce new-car prices, while critics warn drivers could ultimately pay more for fuel.

And Jon reports on an unusual disagreement between Trump and U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue over whether the president discussed potentially selling American weapons to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his U.S. visit.

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British authorities arrested five men suspected of preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford, a key UK airbase used by the U.S. military for operations involving Iran.

On today’s White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down what authorities say about the alleged plot, the heightened security surrounding RAF Fairford, and the warning previously issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over the use of British territory for U.S. military operations.

Plus, Iran is looking for a path back to negotiations with the United States after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest ceasefire proposal. Jon examines the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. naval blockade, sanctions, and what it could take to restart nuclear and peace talks.

Finally, Major League Baseball and Trump administration officials have reportedly discussed the possibility of staging an MLB game in a national park, potentially creating another special-event game in the mold of the Field of Dreams.

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President Donald Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping for a high-profile state visit at the White House, complete with military flyovers, a state dinner, and extensive ceremony—but major differences between the United States and China remain unresolved.

On today’s White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down the Trump-Xi summit, including discussions over trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, U.S. agriculture, and China’s continued support for Iran. The two leaders discussed extending their existing trade truce, while Xi again pressed the United States over Taiwan and American officials continued pushing Beijing to fulfill commitments to purchase U.S. agricultural products.

Jon also examines the continuing dispute over the White House television press pool following a federal judge’s ruling involving CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News journalists were at the White House for Xi’s visit but continued their boycott of the television pool amid uncertainty over press access.

Plus, Jon takes listeners inside the White House press pool during Xi’s visit, including his attempt to question Trump and Xi about China’s support for Iran.

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