President Trump met with Syria's new president Ahmed al-Shara, a former jihadist once imprisoned by US forces. Trump pledged to lift "brutal and crippling" sanctions on Syria, describing al-Shara as an "attractive" and "tough guy," representing a major shift in US-Syria relations.
Trump then became the first sitting US president to visit Qatar, securing a $1.2 trillion economic commitment and a Boeing deal for 160 aircraft, amid ongoing controversy about Qatar's gift of a luxury plane. Iran signaled willingness to forgo highly enriched uranium in a potential nuclear deal with Trump.
Domestically, Republicans advanced budget legislation with steep Medicaid cuts after an 18-hour markup marathon, causing internal party division. The Menendez brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole after 35 years.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial featured graphic testimony from Cassie Ventura, who alleged rape and physical abuse.