Trump dodges questions on Russian plague outbreak, says no call with Putin yet

Trump Evades Questions on Russian Plague Outbreak

Publication Date: 2026-10-07

Donald Trump is delaying action on the recent pneumonic plague case in Russia.

Speaking with reporters on the White House South Lawn Tuesday evening, the president appeared disengaged and uninterested, offering brief replies about his approach to the outbreak. In doing so, Trump also revealed that he has not yet spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Reporter: "Have you spoken to President Putin about the plague in Russia?"
• Trump: "I have a call scheduled, yup."
• Reporter: "When is that call scheduled for?"
• Trump: "Very soon."

When asked by another reporter whether American intelligence agencies had more information on the suspicious death, Trump stated he was in "deep discussions" with U.S. officials and could speak about it "probably tomorrow." He did not answer further questions, including whether the call with Putin would occur this week.

Background on the Outbreak

Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, died of severe pneumonia on the night between October 1 and October 2. Russian health officials have not confirmed her death was caused by pneumonic plague or explained how she became ill. However, the case prompted regional authorities to place 200 people who had contact with Shipilova into quarantine.

Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's health watchdog, announced Wednesday that 90 percent of those quarantined had been released after thousands of lab tests returned negative for dangerous pathogens, according to Reuters. The agency rejected claims that Shipilova fell ill from workplace exposure, noting she was vaccinated and therefore "immune to the dangerous infections with which she worked."

Trump Proposes Turning Golf Club into Private Camp David

President Trump wants to transform his Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach into a private, Camp David–style retreat for leaders and foreign dignitaries.

The Palm Beach Post first reported last month on the president's plans. In a September 3 letter to Palm Beach County commissioners, Trump proposed providing "access to all" club facilities at "no cost to the federal government." Although the Trump family owns the property, it sits on land leased by Palm Beach County.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the county is seriously considering the proposal. Trump has long expressed dissatisfaction with Camp David, stating in 2017 that he could only enjoy the historic retreat "for about 30 minutes."

Key points from the proposal:

• Attorney Harvey Oyer, representing the property, wrote: "Just as Camp David, Windsor Castle, or the Elysee Palace are known worldwide, so too will the Presidential Golf Course in Palm Beach County."
• An anonymous White House official told the Post: "The property is minutes away from the Donald J. Trump International Airport, does not have buildings looming, does not have houses along the course, has great security features, is close to law enforcement, and happens to be a highly-rated golf course."
• Trump intends to keep the property under his own company but frames it as a "gift" and "lasting contribution" to future presidents, offering to comp membership fees.

Susan Collins Faces Tough Debate Against Democratic Challenger

Maine Senator Susan Collins, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the midterms, struggled during her first televised debate Tuesday night against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson.

Key exchange:

• Collins defended her efforts to remove "concrete, pulp, and road salt" from tariff lists.
• Jackson responded: "I didn't mock the fact that she got road salt back, I mocked the fact that, what about everything else? We can't eat road salt."

Collins has voted five times to extend Trump's military campaign in the Middle East. A study found that as of July, the average Maine household has paid $3,900 more for goods and services during Trump's second term.

Naked Trump Statue Erected at European Parliament

An eight-foot-tall statue covered in 23-karat gold leaf has been erected at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France. The statue depicts a naked, overweight Trump being carried on the back of a much smaller man, while holding a golf club, a tiny world-shaped ball, and the scales of justice.

Details:

• The base is inscribed: "I am sitting on the back of a man. He is sinking under my burden. I will do anything to help him. Except stepping down from his back," attributed to "The King of Injustice."
• Danish sculptor Jens Galschiøt, creator of The Orange Plague, said it is a satirical outcry against volatile U.S. environmental and foreign policy.
• Danish MEP Per Clausen said at the unveiling: "If someone is so thin-skinned that they cannot tolerate this sculpture being exhibited in the European Parliament, then they have no place on the world stage."

Trump has been mocked by statues before, including a 43-foot-tall naked statue that toured the U.S. before the 2024 election, and statues addressing his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump typically avoids commenting directly on these satirical pieces.

Leaked Audio: Ken Paxton Admits War on Iran Hurting Campaign

Another leaked recording of Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton has emerged.

Key excerpts from Axios-obtained audio:

• Paxton at a donor meeting: "It's the war, it's gas prices.... It's over $6 a gallon for diesel. People are feeling that pinch. So I'd say that's probably the biggest problem … food prices, everything else."
• When asked how he responds, Paxton promoted his "Protecting the Texas Promise Plan" tax cut plan, suggesting it could be used for everything from "gym memberships" to "GLP-1s."
• He acknowledged being powerless to stop Trump's war on Iran: "I have no control over the aspects [of the war]. So many of the factors of this federal race are uncontrollable."

This is at least the third time Paxton has been unknowingly recorded sending messages to Trump in recent days. A week ago, he told someone at a fundraiser that Trump's GOP midterm convention in Dallas was negatively impacting his numbers.

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