The Evening: Trump feuds with Zelensky

Also, Microsoft said it created a new state of matter.

View in browser|nytimes.com February 19, 2025 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday. Trump's feud with Zelensky A plan to end congestion pricing Plus, the TV show doctors are talking about President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, today in Kyiv. Pool photo by Tetiana Dzhafarova A feud between Trump and Ukraine's leader escalated President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine traded barbs today in a demonstration of the remarkable deterioration of the U.S.-Ukraine alliance. First, Zelensky summoned reporters to his office in Kyiv in part to reject Trump's false claim that Ukraine had started the war. The Ukrainian leader offered some of his most overt criticism yet of the U.S. president, saying that Trump was living in a "web of disinformation." In a social media post littered with falsehoods, Trump responded that Zelensky was a "dictator without elections" who took money from the U.S. to go to war with Russia and "has done a terrible job." He also suggested that Ukraine's future security would not be the America's problem. "We have a big, beautiful Ocean as separation," Trump said. The comments were the latest move in what Peter Baker, our chief White House correspondent, described as "one of the most jaw-dropping pivots in American foreign policy in generations." Trump, as Peter explained, has made clear that he is essentially done viewing Russia as a adversary. In Ukraine, Trump's comments have left many people stunned and disillusioned. In Russia, residents expressed optimism — even glee — that their country's shunning would soon end. Karsten Moran for The New York Times Trump moved to end New York's congestion tolls Likening himself to a king on social media, Trump declared this afternoon that "congestion pricing is dead" after his administration said that it intended to revoke federal approval of New York City's new tolls. The president had campaigned on ending the program, which for the last month has charged drivers $9 to enter Manhattan's busiest streets. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the president's transportation secretary outlined Trump's objections to the program, including the cost to working-class motorists. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority immediately challenged the move in federal court. In other politics news: Civil rights organizations sued the Trump administration to block a series of orders that target diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Trump, furious about delays in delivering new Air Force One jets, has empowered Elon Musk to explore drastic options to deliver them sooner. Trump is eyeing the possibility of a new, bigger trade deal with China. Trump said Medicaid won't be touched. House Republicans want it cut by hundreds of billions. Environmental groups filed a lawsuit to block Trump's offshore drilling plans. Despite Musk's suggesting otherwise, there aren't actually tens of millions of dead people receiving Social Security checks. A poll indicated that Americans' approval for Congress has soared. On "The Daily," federal workers told their stories. Trump signed an order seeking ways to protect access to I.V.F. Here's what it means. Kamala Harris has scrambled the California governor's race. Mayor Eric Adams outside a courthouse in Manhattan today. Jefferson Siegel for The New York Times A judge weighed dropping Adams case A federal judge in Manhattan asked a top Justice Department official during a hearing today to defend the Trump administration's decision to dismiss corruption charges against Eric Adams, the New York City's mayor. The official, Emil Bove III, said it was "a standard exercise of prosecutorial discretion," and that the charges impeded Adams's ability to aid Trump's program of mass deportation. The judge, Dale Ho, asked for patience as he considers the request to drop the case. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams, said she would wait for the judge to make a decision before determining whether to act. For more: Many New Yorkers have soured on Adams. Grant Hindsley for The New York Times Microsoft said it created a new state of matter Microsoft is on a mission to make a powerful quantum computer that could accelerate the development of batteries, medicines, artificial intelligence and more. As part of that quest, the company's scientists announced today that they had created a new state of matter which is not solid, liquid or gas. Using that new state of matter, they constructed a "topological qubit," which is a combination of a semiconductor and a superconductor. Our tech reporter Cade Metz explained how that works. More top news California: A string of slow-moving landslides has transformed the wealthy community of Rancho Palos Verdes into a disaster zone. Panama: Migrants deported by the Trump administration were taken to a camp on the outskirts of the jungle where conditions are primitive, those taken there said. Africa: The Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu offers leisure and relaxation. On the Congo side, dead bodies from the war Rwanda has fueled wash ashore. Middle East: Alarmed by Trump's plan to depopulate Gaza, Arab leaders are set to meet about alternatives on Friday. Tech: Apple introduced a new entry-level iPhone, the 16e, with A.I. and a $599 price tag. Brazil: Trump Media Group sued a Supreme Court justice who must weigh whether Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, should be arrested. Environment: The S.S. United States, the largest passenger ship ever built in the U.S. and docked since 1969, will be sunk off Florida to become the world's largest artificial reef. Health: In a small study, patients with a rare "post-vaccination" syndrome were found to be more likely to experience reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus. Business: KFC, the company so associated with Kentucky that state flags flew at half-staff when its founder Colonel Sanders died, is moving to Texas. Lives Lived: Hurricane, the jet-black Belgian Malinois who wrestled an intruder to the ground at the Obama White House, died at 15. TIME TO UNWIND Noah Wyle, center, plays a beleaguered E.R. physician in "The Pitt." Warrick Page/Max 'The Pitt' is the talk of real-life hospital breakrooms Most nurses and doctors learned long ago not to expect reality from medical dramas, which tend to go heavy on the drama, and light on the medicine. That's exactly why so many of them can't stop talking about "The Pitt." The show, streaming on Max and starring the "ER" veteran Noah Wyle, has broken away from the pack largely because of its unusual accuracy. Some doctors love it; others say the realism can be overwhelming. "There are moments when I literally feel like I'm watching a shift at work," one physician said. "Sometimes I have to turn it off and put on 'Lost.'" Petra Péterffy Is there a perfect effort level for exercise? Some health and longevity enthusiasts swear by "Zone 2" training — which typically involves long and relatively easy workouts. They argue that it's the perfect level to boost mitochondrial health, but many experts dispute that. The real magic of Zone 2 is less scientific and more psychological: If slow and steady is more enjoyable for you, you're more likely to exercise on a regular basis. The sunset at El Dorado restaurant in Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romántica. Jake Naughton for The New York Times Dinner table topics Pacific paradise: Puerto Vallarta was briefly a tourist hot spot in the 1960s. But its appeal is timeless. Jack Quaid: The son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan has showed with his recent movies that he can do comedy, pain and a mix of the two. Running out of room: Cambodia's stolen statues are coming home to an overflowing museum. A sartorial remaking: A Ted Danson character inspired our writer to finally dress like an adult. WHAT TO DO TONIGHT David Malosh for The New York Times Cook: You can transform a store-bought rotisserie chicken into a healthy dinner. Here are 10 ways. Watch: "Pedro Páramo" is one of this month's best under-the-radar streaming picks. Listen: Our critic made a playlist inspired by Lucy Sante's latest book. Design: Upgrade your living space by mixing styles. Consider: It is safe to eat runny yolks? We asked experts. Compete: How many hidden book titles can you find in this puzzle? Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Maria La Rosa's ribbed laminated socks. Elisa Leaci These shiny socks have attracted a cultlike following They look like deflated foil balloons, they make a crackling sound when slipped on and they cost about $50 a pair. But Maria La Rosa's ribbed laminated socks have converted many wearers into devotees. The colorful socks are made of silk and coated with foil, which makes them somewhat stiff until they are broken in. "They're socks you want to be noticed," said Eliza Rauscher, a real estate agent who likes to wear them while showing properties. Have a lavish evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew Sean Kawasaki-Culligan was our photo editor today. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. A correction: Yesterday's newsletter misstated the weather forecast in the Northern Plains. Wind chills as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit were expected, not 60 degrees. Writer: Matthew Cullen Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Evening, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018