Donald Trump meets Kim Jong Un: how long will the good times last?
US president and North Korean leader shake hands for the first time - but will they get on?

It is a meeting that many thought would never happen. This morning Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un met face to face for the first time at the start of a landmark summit that has the potential to reshape the global order and usher in lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.
In a short address to the press, the US president anticipated a “terrific relationship” with Kim.
“I feel really great. We're going to have a great discussion and will be tremendously successful,” the US president said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kim responded: “It was not easy to get here... There were obstacles but we overcame them to be here.”
What will the talks achieve?
CNN says the two leaders are “the unlikeliest of statesmen, but fate has thrown the US president and the North Korean tyrant an opportunity granted to few historic figures - together they can change the world”.
In a move befitting the personal style of both men, the two leaders first met alone for two hours, accompanied only by interpreters, before being joined by their aides. Much will depend on how they get on.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Will they get on?
Trump’s style of diplomacy is based primarily on instinct and this extends to his relationships with other world leaders.
The Times says the unusual format “will suit Mr Trump, who has spoken of his hope of using the meeting to establish good personal relations with Mr Kim”. However, the paper says “it will add to concerns that the US president, who has talked of trusting his instincts over preparation, will strike a spontaneous agreement without consulting his advisers”.
The BBC says “both leaders are notoriously unpredictable, volatile, nationalistic and prone to angry outbursts”, having traded numerous insults over the past year or so and in the run-up to today’s summit.
Some have claimed the US president’s erratic hardball tactics are perfectly suited to deal with the North Korean leader and call his bluff.
But in contrast to his dealings with his so-called allies, Trump has also shown a surprising flexibility and willingness to compromise with Kim ahead of the talks.
He has recently toned down his insistence on complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of North Korea’s nuclear programme. He has indicated he might accept a phasing out of the programme, in exchange for a review of sanctions.
But if the rewards of a successful summit make a meeting of two of the world’s most volatile leaders a risk worth taking, then the potential downsides offer a stark warning.
David Sanger and Choe Sang-Hun in The New York Times say that: “For all his boasts about his deal-making prowess, Trump has never been in a face-off with an adversary like this one, a ruthless dictator who has imprisoned huge numbers of his citizens in brutal gulags and summarily executed or assassinated challengers”.
“He has also never been in a negotiation with the risks of failure so stark” they add.
-
Home Depots are the new epicenters of ICE raids
In the Spotlight The chain has not provided many comments on the ongoing raids
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
The pros and cons of banning cellphones in classrooms
Pros and cons The devices could be major distractions
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Trump threatens critics with federal charges
Feature Days after FBI agents raided John Bolton's home, Trump threatened legal action against Chris Christie
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
'The McDonald's menu board is one fascinating thing'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act