President Trump signed an executive order to expand IVF access, defended restricting AP event access, engaged in US-Russia peace talks excluding Ukraine, attended the Commander-in-Chief Ball, nominated John Jovanovic to lead the Export-Import Bank, and continued federal workforce reductions.
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, President Donald Trump undertook a series of significant actions reflecting his administration’s policy priorities and diplomatic engagements.
Executive Orders & Policy Actions
President Trump signed an executive order initiating a study to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reduce its associated costs. This directive aims to make IVF more affordable for Americans, addressing concerns about declining birth rates. Additionally, the President issued a memorandum demanding increased transparency in government spending to identify and eliminate wasteful expenditures. In another executive action, he reasserted White House control over regulatory agencies, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to streamline federal oversight. apnews.com
Public Statements & Press Briefings
In a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, President Trump defended his decision to restrict The Associated Press (AP) from certain high-profile events. The restriction will remain until the AP adopts the administration’s directive to refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” This move has sparked debates about press freedom and the administration’s influence over media terminology. politico.com
Meetings & Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in high-level discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, aiming to explore pathways to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, Ukrainian representatives were absent from these talks, leading to criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized the necessity of including Ukraine in any peace negotiations. European leaders have also expressed concern over the potential implications of these bilateral discussions on transatlantic relations and NATO’s cohesion. theguardian.com
Campaign & Political Engagements
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief Ball, one of the inaugural events celebrating the administration’s second term. The President’s presence at such events underscores his ongoing engagement with supporters and the military community. nypost.com
Legislative Approvals & Vetoes
The President announced the nomination of John Jovanovic as Chairman and CEO of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Jovanovic, a former director at DFC Belgrade, is set to become the first Serbian-American to lead the agency, bringing extensive experience in finance and investment. thepavlovictoday.com
National Security & Crisis Response
A federal judge declined to block Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing federal data and proceeding with workforce reductions. These layoffs, initiated by the Trump administration, have affected multiple federal agencies, leading to operational disruptions and raising concerns about the continuity of essential services. apnews.com
Collectively, these developments on February 18, 2025, highlight President Trump’s active approach to policy implementation, media relations, international diplomacy, and administrative restructuring.
Bibliography:
- “Trump signs order to study how to expand IVF and calls for ‘radical transparency’ from government.” AP News, February 18, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/143316eda581ac466cd923cdf4568d87
- “Trump defends barring the Associated Press from Air Force One, Oval Office.” Politico, February 18, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/18/donald-trump-gulf-of-america-ap-ban-020521
- “Zelenskyy again demands Ukraine is involved in talks after Russia and US agree to create team to explore peace deal – as it happened.” The Guardian, February 18, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/18/russia-us-ukraine-peace-talks-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-volodymyr-zelenskyy-saudi-arabia-live-latest-updates-news
- “Donald Trump & Melania Trump take the stage for Commander in Chief ball.” New York Post, February 18, 2025. https://nypost.com/video/donald-trump-melania-trump-take-the-stage-for-commander-in-chief-ball/
- “Trump’s Day In Office: February 18, 2025.” The Pavlovic Today, February 18, 2025. https://thepavlovictoday.com/trumps-day-in-office-february-18-2025/
- “The Latest: Judge declines to block Musk and DOGE from accessing federal data or laying off workers.” AP News, February 18, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/0220d1b7387aef204a727e3b118f9c8d
These sources were verified as published on February 18, 2025, Eastern Time (ET) as of 10:05 PM ET.
