The Senate on Saturday considered some of President Donald Trump's nominations before the August recess.
Earlier this week, Trump issued an executive order slapping tariffs on many of America's trading partners but the new duties are set to go into effect in seven days.
Trump also continues to face questions over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and his relationship with the accused sex trafficker.
Trump stops short of agreeing with Marjorie Taylor Greene on Gaza 'genocide'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stunned conservatives this week when she put out a statement calling the situation in Gaza a "genocide."
When asked about her comments, Trump wouldn't go as far.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House in Washington, July 31, 2025.
Eric Lee/EPA/Shutterstock
"Oh, it's terrible what's occurring there. Yeah, it's a terrible thing. People are very hungry," he said.
The president quickly pivoted to pointing out how he felt he wasn’t thanked enough for sending aid into the region, blaming Hamas for stealing funds and food.
-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa
Jul 31, 2025, 5:10 PM EDT
Trump said he doesn't know why Epstein took young women from Mar-a-Lago
ABC News' Rachel Scott asked Trump about the Epstein probe, bringing up the statement by victim Virginia Giuffre's family who slammed the president's comments.
Trump said earlier in the week that Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, might have been one of several employees at his Mar-a-Lago club who were "stolen" by Epstein.
President Donald Trump, next to Vice President JD Vance and professional wrestler Triple H, delivers remarks at the White House in Washington, July 31, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters
"Did you know why he was taking those young women? Scott asked Trump.
The president said he did not know.
"No, I don't know really why, but I said, if he's taken anybody from Mar-A-Lago, he's hiring or whatever he's doing, I didn't like it. And we threw him out," Trump said.
Jul 31, 2025, 4:49 PM EDT
Trump talks new White House ballroom: 'It'll be beautiful'
Trump was asked to discuss the new ballroom that is being constructed at the White House. The project will cost $200 million, which Trump said he is paying along with some donors.
"We've been planning it for a long time," Trump said. "They've wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years."
"I'm good at building things. And we'll get it built quickly and on time. It'll be beautiful," Trump added.
The White House earlier Thursday released artist renderings of what the ballroom will look like. Construction will start this fall and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it will be complete before Trump's term is up.
Jul 31, 2025, 1:56 PM EDT
White House says Trump 'committed' to protecting Social Security after Bessent comments
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked to clarify what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent meant when he said the new so-called Trump savings accounts for newborns could be a "back door" to start privatizing Social Security.
"What the secretary of treasury was saying, and what this administration believes, is that these Trump newborn accounts, which is an incredibly creative and great provision that was in the one big, beautiful bill for newborn babies and families and future generations of Americans, will help supplement not substitute Social Security," Leavitt said.
"The Trump administration is wholeheartedly committed to protecting Social Security. The president did it in his first term. He's doing it again in this term. But these newborn accounts are another revenue stream for young people, to watch their money grow throughout their lives and to one day be able to access those funds so they can hopefully build a home and live the American dream," she added.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, July 31, 2025, in Washington.
