May 8

USD1 stablecoin supply surpasses $2 billion within weeks of launch

On May 8, 2025, The Block reported that USD1 supply had risen from under $130 million in late April to more than $2.1 billion. The rapid growth followed the announcement that USD1 would be used for MGX's $2 billion investment in Binance.

Trump and Starmer Announce US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal Framework

President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the general terms of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal at the White House on May 8, 2025, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The framework reduced the tariff on UK-built vehicles from 27.5 percent to 10 percent for up to 100,000 units annually and provided for removal of Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs contingent on UK supply chain security compliance. The UK opened duty-free quotas for 13,000 metric tons of U.S. beef and 1.4 billion liters of U.S. ethanol. The deal was structured as a bilateral executive agreement, bypassing Senate ratification; Trump concluded it under Article II foreign-affairs authority rather than submitting it as a treaty or invoking Trade Promotion Authority.

Trump sanctions Iran metals sectors including iron, steel, aluminum, and copper

Trump signed Executive Order 13871 sanctioning Iran's iron, steel, aluminum, and copper sectors, approximately 10% of Iran's export revenue, the second-largest source after oil. This targeted critical industrial capacity and foreign revenue sources.

Iran announces partial JCPOA withdrawal ends limits on enriched uranium stockpile

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announces that Iran will stop honoring JCPOA limits on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium and heavy water, giving remaining JCPOA parties 60 days to provide economic relief or face further Iranian nuclear escalation. Rouhani frames the move as a response to U.S. sanctions that have prevented Iran from receiving the deal's promised economic benefits. By early July, Iran announces it has exceeded the JCPOA's 300 kg limit on enriched uranium.

Iran breaches the JCPOA's 3.67% enrichment cap

One year after US withdrawal, Iran officially announces it has exceeded the 3.67% uranium enrichment limit, crossing to 4.5%. Iran states it is responding proportionally to US economic pressure and European failure to provide promised trade benefits. The breach marks the beginning of Iran's systematic violations of JCPOA constraints.

Trump laughs when rally supporter shouts to shoot migrants at the border

At a campaign rally in Panama City Beach, Florida on May 8, 2019, President Trump asks the crowd: "How do you stop these people?" — referring to migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. When a rally attendee shouts "Shoot them!", Trump laughs and responds: "That's only in the Panhandle you can get away with that statement." Rather than condemning the suggestion that migrants be shot, Trump treats it as a regional joke. The exchange is captured on camera and broadcast widely. The White House press team pivots to defending the exchange by pointing to Trump's statements opposing border agent use of weapons. The Panama City Beach rally exchange is later cited by The Washington Post in direct connection to the August 3, 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting — in which shooter Patrick Crusius also used "invasion" language — noting Trump's pattern of joking about and normalizing violence against migrants. CBS News confirms the incident from video. Snopes rates the claim that Trump laughed and failed to rebuke the "shoot them" comment as TRUE.

Trump withdraws US from JCPOA nuclear deal

At 2:00 PM EDT, Trump announced from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room that the US would withdraw from the JCPOA. He signed National Security Presidential Memorandum-11 reinstating sanctions with two wind-down periods. These include 90 days (August 6) and 180 days (November 4). The IAEA had consistently certified Iran's compliance. Iran had eliminated 98% of its enriched uranium stockpile. European allies expressed "regret." Israel and Saudi Arabia supported the decision. After withdrawal, Iran resumed enrichment, eventually accumulating 408+ kg of uranium enriched to 60%.

Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from JCPOA

President Trump withdraws the United States from the JCPOA, declaring the agreement "disastrous" and announcing maximum pressure sanctions. Trump claims Iran violated the deal's spirit through ballistic missile development and regional activities. The withdrawal begins a years-long cycle of escalating nuclear brinkmanship as Iran progressively violates the enrichment limits.

Trump withdraws the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement

President Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), declaring the deal "one of the worst ever made." Trump signs National Security Presidential Memorandum 11 (NSPM-11) reinstating comprehensive Iran sanctions, including oil sector restrictions. Secretary of State Pompeo frames maximum pressure campaign, stating "The president has been very clear. We want to achieve a much better deal." The withdrawal triggers a 90-day wind-down period for sanctions reimposition.

Trump withdraws US from JCPOA signs NSPM-11 reimposing Iran sanctions with wind-downs

Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA at the White House and signs National Security Presidential Memorandum 11, reinstating all pre-JCPOA sanctions with two wind-down periods. These include 90 days (August 6) and 180 days (November 4). The IAEA has certified Iran's compliance eight times. European allies France, Germany, and the UK express "regret." Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had presented alleged documents claiming an Iranian secret nuclear archive weeks earlier, praises the decision. Iran announces it will continue honoring the deal with the remaining signatories.

Trump withdraws U.S. from JCPOA nuclear deal

President Donald Trump announces the United States will withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement with Iran. Trump calls the deal an embarrassment and decaying and rotten. He argues the sunset provisions allowing Iran to resume enrichment by 2030, failure to address ballistic missiles, and the windfall cash given to Iran represent fatal flaws. Trump signs a presidential memorandum reinstating the highest level of sanctions. European allies, Israel, and Saudi Arabia react differently. While Israel and Gulf states support withdrawal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom express regret. Iran initially indicates willingness to remain in the deal with other signatories but gradually escalates nuclear activities in response.

Trump Withdraws US from JCPOA and Reimpose Maximum Pressure Sanctions on Iran

President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on May 8, 2018, withdrawing the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and ordering reimposition of all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, including secondary sanctions penalizing non-US companies doing business with Iran. Iran subsequently began exceeding JCPOA enrichment limits after a year-long grace period. The unilateral withdrawal strained relations with European allies who remained in the agreement.

Trump Withdraws United States from the JCPOA

President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on May 8, 2018, withdrawing the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and reimposing sanctions on Iran. The JCPOA, negotiated in 2015 under the Obama administration, had limited Iran's uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent and capped its enriched uranium stockpile at 300 kilograms under IAEA verification. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. would impose the highest level of economic pressure on Iran to force a "new deal" that addressed its missile program and regional activities alongside nuclear constraints.

M

+1 others

Trump withdraws the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposes sanctions

President Trump announced US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, reimposing sweeping economic sanctions on Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlined 12 conditions Iran must meet to avoid further pressure. The withdrawal reversed a 2015 multilateral agreement and isolated the US from European allies who remained in the accord.

President Trump announces withdrawal from JCPOA

President Donald Trump announces that the United States will withdraw from the JCPOA and reimpose nuclear sanctions on Iran. Trump argues that the deal is flawed because it sunsets after 15 years and fails to address Iran's ballistic missile program and regional activities. The withdrawal reverses the Obama administration's signature foreign policy achievement. The decision is controversial: allies and nuclear experts warn that abandoning the deal will collapse the constraints on Iran's nuclear program and reignite international tensions. Trump's administration immediately begins its ''maximum pressure'' campaign, with plans to reinstate all U.S. nuclear-related sanctions and pursue secondary sanctions against countries that trade with Iran.

Germany surrenders, United States establishes military occupation zone in West Germany

Germany surrenders unconditionally on May 8, 1945, ending World War II in Europe. The U.S., Britain, France, and the Soviet Union divide Germany into four occupation zones; the U.S. takes control of Bavaria, Hesse, and parts of Baden-Württemberg, with military headquarters in Frankfurt. General Dwight Eisenhower commands roughly 1.6 million American troops on German soil at the war's end. The occupation establishes the legal and military foundation for a U.S. troop presence in Germany that persists for more than 80 years.