Trump dodges questions on Russia 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 of October 1–2. Russian health officials have not confirmed whether her death resulted from pneumonic plague or explained how she became ill. 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.

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." The Trump family owns the property, but it sits on land leased by Palm Beach County.

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

Attorney Harvey Oyer, representing the property, wrote to county commissioners: "Just as Camp David, Windsor Castle, or the Elysee Palace are known worldwide, so too will the Presidential Golf Course in Palm Beach County. It would further cement Palm Beach County as one of the most recognizable brands and destinations in the world."

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. These are features that are necessary for any presidential retreat."

Collins Struggles in Debate Against Democratic Challenger

Maine Senator Susan Collins, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the midterms, faced a difficult debate Tuesday night against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson.

During the first of four televised debates, Collins struggled to defend her efforts to curb President Trump's policies. She cited success in removing "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. And the thing about it is, is that everything that she's doing with Iran war, stuff like that, there's going to be so many less people that'll be able to afford to drive that I'm not even sure the road salt is going to be worth anything, either."

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.

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, who created The Orange Plague, said it is a satirical protest against U.S. environmental and foreign policy. "Trump represents one of the greatest threats to the rule-based world order, democratic values, and our common effort to solving the climate crisis," Galschiøt said.

Danish MEP Per Clausen added: "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 the subject of satirical statues before, including a 43-foot-tall naked statue that toured the U.S. before the 2024 election and golden statues in Portland and Philadelphia. He has not yet commented on this latest statue.

Leaked Audio Reveals Paxton's Concerns Over Iran War

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

"It's the war, it's gas prices.... It's over $6 a gallon for diesel," Paxton said at a donor meeting, according to audio obtained by Axios. "People are feeling that pinch. So I'd say that's probably the biggest problem … food prices, everything else.... That's by far our biggest problem, and I think that's why we're having a hard time with numbers."

When asked how he would respond, Paxton outlined his "Protecting the Texas Promise Plan" tax cut proposal, suggesting it could be used for everything from "gym memberships" to "GLP-1s." He acknowledged he was powerless to stop President Trump's war on Iran, stating: "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 recorded sending messages to Trump in recent days. Last week, he told someone at a fundraiser that Trump's GOP midterm convention in Dallas was negatively impacting his numbers.

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