WASHINGTON — President Trump will travel to Los Angeles on Tuesday and Las Vegas on Wednesday as part of a two-day West Coast trip aimed at highlighting his administration’s economic record ahead of the midterm elections, a White House official confirmed.
In Los Angeles, Trump is scheduled to attend a Republican National Committee dinner at Trump National Golf Club. The visit comes as the administration seeks to draw attention to his economic policies as time runs out for his administration to ease economic pressures ahead of the November election.
“The president will draw a sharp contrast between his commonsense agenda and the radical policies of Democrats like Gavin Newsom, who keep raising taxes, inviting rampant fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, and protecting illegal immigrant drug dealers, rapists, and murderers,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in a statement Monday.
Trump is expected to “tout his wins for the people of the Golden State despite failed Democrat leadership,” Wales said, citing what she described as the “largest middle-class tax cut ever, the most secure border in American history, and a plummeting crime rate.”
Newsom has not yet publicly commented on Trump’s pit stop in California, but the Democratic governor in recent social media posts has criticized Trump’s handling of the economy.
In one post on X, Newsom pointed out that California is raising the minimum wage to $17.40 an hour next year as a way to attack Trump and the GOP for “defending a $7.25 minimum wage while workers scrape by.”
“Pitiful,” the governor wrote.
In a second post, Newsom amplified a post on X that shows how the prices of items like rice, cotton and wheat have increased since the start of the year.
Trump’s visit to Los Angeles will be his second since returning to office. He toured Pacific Palisades in January 2025 after the L.A. neighborhood and Altadena were ravaged by wildfires. During the visit, Trump signed an executive order intended to expedite rebuilding efforts.
Since Trump last visited the city, there has been a standoff between California leaders and the Trump administration over federal disaster aid.
In April, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and county Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with Trump in the Oval Office to talk about their request for funding to help with the wildfire recovery efforts, an ask that Trump signaled support for but has yet to formalize.
Following his visit in California, Trump will travel to Nevada, where he will deliver remarks on the economy at Red Rock Casino.
“The Yemeni armed forces have carried out a significant military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers that violated the ban imposed by the armed forces in the Red Sea,” the Houthis claimed on Telegram. “The operation involved a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. Thanks to God’s help, the strikes were accurate and caused a large fire on both vessels.”
بيان القوات المسلحة اليمنية بشأن استهداف سفينتين نفطيتين سعوديتين خالفتا قرار الحظر في البحر الأحمر ما أدى إلى نشوب حريق كبير فيهما، واجبار 10 سفن على التراجع والعودة – 22 يوليو 2026م pic.twitter.com/S5ijNZYaV7
TWZ cannot independently verify the Houthi claim. However, in a post on X, UKMTO stated that a master of an oil tanker “reports being struck by an unknown projectile which has caused a fire onboard that the crew are currently fighting.”
The incident took place 70NM southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, the organization added. “There are no reported casualties and no environmental impact. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
The increasing tensions on the BAM come as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants each time Iran hits a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a major flashpoint of tit-for-tat exchanges of fire. Trump also threatened that he will retaliate for the deaths of three U.S. Army soldiers during a July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB) in Jordan. He made those statements at a dignified transfer ceremony for the soldiers, plus one killed in Iraq, at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware today.
The incident in the Red Sea took place a day after the U.S. Navy warned that the Houthis had moved weapons near the BAM.
“Recent Houthi statements indicated a readiness to target shipping (specifically Saudi-affiliated) if directed,” the Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) warned on Tuesday. “According to regional reporting, Iran has instructed the Houthis to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route should the United States strike Iranian power infrastructure.”
“Sources close to the group stated that the Houthis have completed preparations to attack shipping, including the deployment of missiles and drones positioned near Bab al-Mandeb.”
The Houthis have also “told shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports or they may be targeted, according to an email the group sent to companies,” Reuters reported.
The Houthis are gearing up for potential anti ship missile launches, releasing footage that appears to show their Asef anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) as they continue to threaten commercial shipping linked to Saudi Arabia.
As we have frequently detailed, a Houthi blockade of the BAM threatens to add further pressure on oil exports from the Middle East, already drastically affected by the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Saudi Arabia has diverted millions of barrels of oil per day through pipelines to its Yanbu port on the Red Sea in an effort to minimize the energy shortages due to the hostilities in the Persian Gulf. This also raised the specter of the U.S. having to get as involved as it did during the previous Houthi campaign against shipping that ended last September, which could pull resources away from Iranian-focused operations.
Before the attack claim, global trade intelligence firm Kpler pointed out on X that while traffic continues through both straits, “operational confidence remains under pressure.”
“Traffic declined sharply across both chokepoints on 21 July, with Strait of Hormuz crossings down 31% day-on-day to nine vessels and Bab al-Mandeb down 34% to 29 amid a worsening security backdrop,” Kpler added. “Four confirmed vessel U-turns near the Gulf of Aden suggest operators are becoming more cautious following Houthi threats against Saudi-linked shipping. At the same time, confirmed maritime attacks continue around the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing concerns that uncertainty across both regional chokepoints could reshape routing decisions, increase freight costs and sustain higher geopolitical risk premiums for energy markets.”
Dual chokepoint risks deepen
Shipping continues through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb, but operational confidence remains under pressure. Traffic declined sharply across both chokepoints on 21 July, with Strait of Hormuz crossings down 31% day-on-day to nine… pic.twitter.com/D7dmCRffcv
As noted earlier in this piece, Trump visited Dover Air Force Base to take part in the dignified transfer ceremony honoring Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas, Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of New York and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of North Carolina.
Today, we honor four American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
May God hold them in His eternal embrace and comfort their grieving families, and may God forever… pic.twitter.com/P5NA59ltAU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 22, 2026
Feehan, Gonzales and Rampersad were killed during the July 17 Iranian barrage of MSAB. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) previously announced Rampersad as missing, but her status was updated to a Duty Status–Whereabouts Unknown and she is believed to be deceased.
Swinton was killed during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on July 19, 2026, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 22, 2026
Speaking to reporters, Trump said his administration would share the results of the investigation into the MSAB attack and vowed that Iran would “pay a big price.”
Those comments followed an earlier statement the president posted on Truth Social vowing to target key infrastructure sites each time Iran strikes a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran,” Trump proclaimed.
Not surprisingly, Iranian officials reacted to Trump’s comments by issuing their own threats in response.
“Iran will retaliate against regional infrastructure and energy facilities with American interests if the United States strikes any Iranian bridge or power plant, responding directly to a new threat from US President Donald Trump,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-connected Tasnim news agency stated on X.
A military source said Iran will retaliate against regional infrastructure and energy facilities with American interests if the United States struck any Iranian bridge or power plant, responding directly to a new threat from US President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/a8MIFqxktx
Earlier on Wednesday, Jordanian officials said the country was once again targeted by Iran.
“An official military source at the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces—Arab Army stated that air defense systems detected six missiles coming from Iranian territory targeting the Kingdom’s territory today, and engaged them immediately upon their entry into Jordanian airspace,” the Jordanian military stated on X. “Air defenses intercepted and shot down four missiles, while the other two fell in two remote, uninhabited areas, without causing any casualties or material damage.”
“The Kingdom’s airspace is under continuous operational monitoring, and the Armed Forces will deal with any aerial threat targeting Jordanian territory according to the applicable rules of engagement, in a manner that ensures the protection of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens,” officials added.
The situation in Jordan is so intense that the U.S. Embassy in Amman issued a security alert.
“President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the Department of State have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,” the embassy cautioned on X. “We remind U.S. citizens that Iran has attacked civilian and critical infrastructure across the Middle East, including hotels, airports, diplomatic facilities, and other civilian locations.”
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Jordan July 22
President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the Department of State have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens. We remind U.S. citizens that Iran has attacked civilian and critical infrastructure… pic.twitter.com/UOihlptEwp
— U.S. Embassy Amman (@USEmbassyJordan) July 22, 2026
Over the course of the past 12 days, Iran has lobbed missiles and drones at several Arab nations, taking particular aim at U.S. military installations.
Satellite imagery continues to emerge on social media purporting to show damage at these bases. The images below claim to show a 117-FPS radar at Al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait destroyed by an Iranian barrage. While the image clearly shows what appears to be a radome destroyed, TWZ cannot independently verify the date, location or provenance of the imagery. CENTCOM, which does not talk about battle damage, declined comment.
Imagery has also emerged purporting to show that U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers and other aircraft have evacuated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American base in the region. Again, we cannot confirm the details and CENTCOM, which also does not typically talk about the movements of assets, declined comment.
However, Axios reported last week that the Trump administration “notified Israel it is sending dozens more refueling planes to the country ahead of a potential expansion of military operations against Iran.”
“Israeli officials say the U.S. wants to send several dozen more refueling planes in the coming days, bringing the number of planes to the same level it had at the beginning of the war,” Axios added. “Israeli officials say the U.S. military prefers operating the refueling planes from Ben Gurion Airport, because other air bases in the region are more exposed to Iranian attacks and less safe for U.S. planes. At the moment, the Iranians are still deterred from launching attacks on Israel, because it will likely trigger a massive retaliation.”
The U.S. still sits ready to conduct long-range bomber strikes from bases in the U.S. and the U.K.
There were recent unconfirmed claims by open-source trackers that B-1B Lancer bombers out of RAF Fairford in England took part in yesterday’s attacks on Iran. Again, we cannot verify that and CENTCOM declined comment.
Overnight, B-1B “Lancer” bombers flying from RAF Fairford (EGVA) conducted strikes in Iran as the US ramps up operations again. Although 2 bombers launched, it appears it was pre-planned that only 1 of them would… pic.twitter.com/Q7Ic3Ahqk3
However, Israel’s KAN news outlet claimed that “Israel has been informed by the United States that it intends to escalate attacks on Iran in the coming days and to carry out attacks using heavy bombers for the first time in the current escalation.”
In addition, other U.S. Air Force assets – including EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jets – appear headed to the region, according to online flight trackers. While we don’t know for sure these jets will actually head to the Middle East, it could be another sign of the U.S. bolstering assets ahead of an increase in intensity of attacks, which have been largely focused over the past 12 days on Iranian coastal targets.
Amid these rising tensions with Iran, the Houthis have now apparently raised the stakes and it will be absolutely critical to keep the BAM open as the world already sits on the razor’s edge of a full-on energy crisis.
UPDATE: 7:17 PM EDT –
CENTCOM announced a new round of attacks on Iran.
“At 5:30 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the command stated on X. “The mission will continue to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.”
At 5:30 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The mission will continue to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.
Recent losses, outside criticism and a sense that the team’s identity has strayed from its original path have left LAFC in an uncomfortable position.
As the team prepares to host the Seattle Sounders on Sunday at BMO Stadium before a mandatory break for the World Cup, coach Marc Dos Santos shared his thoughts on the team’s adversity and goals for the future.
The coach said one of his main self-criticisms involved straying from the attacking identity he intended to build at LAFC since taking over as head coach.
“Outside criticism when the team loses isn’t that important to me because I’ve learned in my life that if you’re going to build a life based on what outsiders think of you, you’re going to be very unhappy,” Dos Santos said. “But in self-reflection, I’ll tell you one thing: I’m hard on myself. I believe we were building something with a clear identity, and after the series against Cruz Azul — in the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals — I thought about switching to a three-man backline to defend more. I went in a more defensive direction, and I don’t want to be like that.”
The coach said the tactical change was the wrong move for LAFC.
“It was a mistake on my part, and it doesn’t reflect LAFC’s identity — it’s not what I want to build here,” Dos Santos said. “I want to make sure that this summer I thoroughly analyze what we need to change, and I have to stay true to LAFC’s identity.”
The comments come at a delicate time for LAFC, which has let potential MLS wins slip away despite showing competitive moments recently against St. Louis City SC and Nashville SC.
LAFC had hoped to once again be one of the dominant teams in the Western Conference, but offensive inconsistencies and tactical adjustments have led to questions about the coaching staff. The Los Angeles side sits in seventh place in the West with 21 points, eight points behind the leader, the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Dos Santos dismissed the idea that the problem is solely related to the tactical scheme and insisted that the most important change involves reclaiming aggressive principles with and without the ball.
“When we have the ball, we have to show the character to go after it — we can’t be afraid,” he said. “And when we don’t have the ball, we can’t just sit back. Look at one of the best teams in the world, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Look at how they run without the ball. That’s soccer today.”
Amid this soccer overhaul, one of the most closely watched names remains Denis Bouanga. The Gabonese forward hasn’t made the same dominant influence as in previous seasons, though Dos Santos insisted that his relationship with the player remains solid and transparent.
“Denis knows what I want. I’ve always been very honest with him,” the coach said. “Last year we played a lot of games in a 3-5-2, defending a lot with Denis and Son [Heung-min,] but the club and I want to move to a different model. We’re all on the same page.”
Son Heung-min will temporarily leave LAFC after the match against Seattle to join South Korea’s training camp ahead of the World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Asian forward said his full focus remains on this weekend’s match.
“I’m not thinking about that yet,” Son said of the World Cup. “The most important match is on Sunday. I just want to make sure we get a great result before heading to the World Cup and arrive in good physical condition.”
Son expects to be tested when South Korea travels to Mexico to play some of its World Cup matches.
“It’s not easy in Mexico, honestly,” he explained. “The altitude and conditions are different, but you have to love those big challenges. We’re really excited.”
As Son prepares to leave, LAFC faces a second-half schedule filled with intense competition. Following the match against Seattle, the club will return from the break to play against the rival Galaxy on July 17.
For Dos Santos, these challenges define the demands of managing LAFC.
“LAFC is a club that wants to win and whose fans want to see it win,” Dos Santos said. “Here, there’s always the responsibility to perform at a [high level]. If you don’t want to be in big games, you don’t coach at LAFC.”
The coach said external criticism isn’t influencing his plans.
“The pressure we feel is the pressure we put on ourselves,” Dos Santos said. “Pressure is when a doctor calls you and tells you you have a problem, or when your child has a problem. Soccer is a sport. You can win or lose. What you can control is improving the team during the week.”
Dos Santos said the World Cup break will serve as a key opportunity for internal analysis before redefining the club’s soccer direction. With the season barely halfway through, the coach said that regaining the team’s identity will be just as important as earning points when MLS returns in the summer.
