Trump preps for high-stakes Putin meeting

🌿Plus: Administration weighs marijuana reform

12:30 REPORT 12:30 REPORT Wednesday, August 13 | By Cate Martel Today in DC: ☁️ 83°  View Online  |  Sign up Happy Wednesday. Do you think we should join every other company today in rebranding to glittery orange and mint green? 🧡💚 In today's issue: Trump preps for Putin meeting Speaks with Zelensky, European leaders President unveils Kennedy Center honorees Trump weighs marijuana reforms Schools brace for MAHA lunch changes 🎤 IN THE WHITE HOUSE Europe would like to have a word: AP It's quiet on Capitol Hill — it's Congress's much-needed August recess — but President Trump is keeping a full schedule. He spoke with European allies this morning in preparation for his Friday meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has been more critical of Putin lately, but he reverted to his sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week. The Hill's Laura Kelly reports this is sending chills across Europe. Europe's worst-case scenario is Trump aligning with Putin and then forcing a bad deal on Ukraine. So Trump spoke with European leaders and Zelensky this morning ahead of Friday's one-on-one with the Russian leader. How did the call go?: European Commission President Urusula von der Leyen said the call was "very good." "Nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace," she wrote on X. It's worth reading Laura Kelly's reporting today: 'Will Trump get played by Putin? Europe is worried' 🗨️ Follow today's live blog Trump is also tamping down expectations: The White House called the upcoming meeting a "listening exercise," lowering expectations for Friday. This comes after Trump recently suggested Ukraine could cede land to Russia to end the conflict. Related read, via The New York Times: 'Why Surrendering a Key Eastern Region Would Be Hard for Ukraine' Where are Trump and Putin meeting?: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, according to The New York Times. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that Trump and Putin would be meeting one-on-one. ➤ BREAKING — TRUMP ANNOUNCES KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES: President Trump just unveiled the Kennedy Center Honors recipients. Actor Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, British actor Michael Crawford and country singer George Strait will be recognized at the first awards gala since Trump's overhaul of the iconic venue. 💻 Watch Trump's Kennedy Center visit What else is on Trump's schedule today?: Trump is expected to sign more executive orders. ➤ WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JD VANCE?: Vice President Vance is in the United Kingdom today. He visited U.S. troops at Royal Air Force Base Fairford this morning. 💻 Vance's visit with U.S. troops ⏱️ OTHER NEWS Do we think Dunkaroos and Lunchables are definitely a no or …?: ©  GIPHY/Global TV Schools are bracing for changes to school lunches due to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement. Like what?: The Trump administration is looking to add freshly cooked meals to school lunch programs, despite some only being able to buy frozen meals. However, this would require more employees, more ingredients and possibly more equipment. It's an open question of how school districts will pay for these changes. Some schools have partnered with nonprofit organizations, but not every district can afford to make these changes. Keep an eye out: The MAHA Commission was required to send its recommendations to the White House by Tuesday. But CNN reports it won't be released for several weeks. What we know about the report: It's the second part of the commission's report. The first installment came out in May, advocating against ultraprocessed foods, pharmaceutical prescriptions and environmental toxins, per CNN. This second document is expected to lay out a plan to tackle those issues. Read Lexi Lonas Cochran's reporting in The Hill: 'Schools brace for MAHA changes to lunches' Another thing to watch for — Trump considers marijuana reform: President Trump has been considering changing the federal classification of marijuana. He said Monday that he's planning to decide in the coming weeks. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump was considering rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug to a Schedule 3 drug. Axios's Tal Axelrod reports that MAGA World is urging Trump to back off this plan. If marijuana is rescheduled as a Schedule 3 drug, will it become legal?: No, it would not decriminalize marijuana or make it legal federally, explains Nexstar's Addy Bink. It would still be considered a controlled substance. So, what would it do then?: It would recognize medical uses of cannabis. It would also reduce federal taxes for businesses involved in marijuana distribution. It's worth reading this explainer. ➤ QUICK HITS: 🔎 The 13-year search for a journalist: The Washington Post published new details about the efforts to find Austin Tice, the journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. 🤖 OpenAI's newest AI technology has a lot of quirks: OpenAI's latest AI chatbot, GPT-5, has had a rocky rollout. The Wall Street Journal reports how its troubles show how hard it is to "remain undisputed [as the] AI leader." COMING UP The House and Senate are out. 🌴 President Trump is in Washington. Vice President Vance is in England. (All times EST) 4 p.m.: Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office. 7 p.m.: Taylor Swift will appear on Jason and Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast (!) 📹 Watch the intro 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🥩🍾 Celebrate: Today is National Filet Mignon Day and National Prosecco Day!   🍨 It's DIY ice cream summer: My social media feeds have been consumed with people making their own ice cream flavors. Well, The New York Times published a guide on how to make homemade ice cream taste great. It involves one secret ingredient and five tips. 👋 AND FINALLY… Because I cannot get enough of dogs being scared of their cat siblings, enjoy this golden retriever who thinks his day is absolutely ruined.  Stay Engaged  📺 Miss yesterday's newsletter? Catch up with a 1-minute video. I love hearing from you — send your feedback, tips and favorite cookie recipes 🍪 to cmartel@thehill.com. Check out more newsletters here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe |  View Online  | Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.