Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish National AI Regulation Standard 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Trump Claims Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire After Intense Border Clashes 
International Stabilization Force for Gaza Nears Deployment as U.S.-Led Planning Advances 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Environmental Group Sues to Block Trump Image on U.S. National Park Passes 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Bolivia Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Former President Luis Arce Over Embezzlement Probe 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the nation's debt might be lower than estimated, citing possible fraud in debt payments. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Trump questioned the accuracy of the $36.2 trillion public debt reported by the U.S. Treasury.
Trump has enlisted billionaire Elon Musk to spearhead a government overhaul, which has sparked protests and legal challenges. Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" has disrupted federal agencies, raising concerns about privacy and security as it examines payroll and spending records.
"We're even looking at Treasuries," Trump said, hinting at potential discrepancies. "It could be that some of that stuff is very fraudulent, meaning we may have less debt than we thought." His remarks raise speculation about how Musk’s team might handle U.S. Treasuries, a cornerstone of the global financial system.
A federal judge recently blocked Musk's team from accessing government payment systems, citing risks of improper data disclosure. Following the ruling, Musk announced measures to improve payment oversight, including requiring justification for outgoing payments and frequent updates to a "do-not-pay" list.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that Musk’s team had “read-only” access and that payment decisions remain with other agencies. However, concerns persist over the extent of Musk’s influence on federal finances.
Trump’s comments could impact financial markets, as investors closely monitor any policy shifts regarding U.S. debt. The administration’s push for greater oversight in government spending signals a potentially disruptive shift in fiscal policy.
