US digest: Trump hints at India visit, landmark drug pricing deal and Tesla’s high-stakes vote

The United States saw major political, legal, and corporate developments on Thursday — from President Donald Trump’s international remarks and a sweeping drug pricing deal to a key federal court ruling and a crucial shareholder vote for Tesla.

Here’s a summary of the day’s top stories in the US today.

Trump signals potential India visit, praises Modi ties

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he may visit India next year, highlighting his strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described his relationship with Modi as “great,” noting that he had been invited to visit India and that talks between the two countries are “going well.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed that Washington recently signed a 10-year defense pact with India, calling it “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.”

The announcement underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in Asia.

Trump also defended his broad tariff strategy, asserting that the US “would be defenseless” without them.

“We’ve taken in trillions of dollars. We’ve made trade deals based on that,” he said when asked about potential new tariffs amid an ongoing Supreme Court review of his trade policies.

US judge restricts federal agents’ use of force in Chicago

In a significant legal development, US District Judge Sara Ellis ordered federal agents in Chicago to restrict their use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists.

The ruling follows a lawsuit alleging excessive force during the ongoing immigration crackdown.

The court found multiple violations of constitutional rights, prompting Ellis to require agents to wear visible identification badges, use body cameras, and refrain from deploying riot-control tactics such as tear gas.

Rejecting claims that portrayed Chicago as inherently violent, Ellis said those arguments were “simply untrue.”

The decision builds on months of legal tensions between Illinois officials and the Trump administration, which had previously sought to deploy National Guard troops in the city, a move state leaders argued was politically motivated.

Trump announces major drug pricing deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk

President Trump unveiled a landmark agreement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to slash prices on their blockbuster weight-loss drugs.

The deal, part of the administration’s “Most Favored Nation” pricing initiative, will reduce the monthly costs of GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound and Wegovy from over $1,300 to as low as $149.

The agreement also expands Medicare coverage for obesity treatments while offering tariff relief on imported drugs.

In exchange, the companies will provide discounted pricing to Medicare and Medicaid programs, with eligible seniors paying only $50 co-pays.

Trump described the initiative as a major victory for American consumers, potentially reshaping the $100 billion obesity drug market.

Pharmaceutical executives expressed optimism that lower prices, combined with expanded government coverage, would drive higher demand and long-term growth.

However, some provisions, such as the $149 pricing tier for oral tablets, hinge on pending FDA approvals, meaning consumers may not see immediate price relief.

Tesla faces pivotal shareholder vote on Musk’s $1 trillion pay plan

Tesla investors prepared for a high-stakes shareholder meeting on Thursday, with votes expected to determine the fate of CEO Elon Musk’s proposed $1 trillion compensation package, the largest in corporate history.

The plan ties Musk’s pay to ambitious targets, including producing 20 million vehicles and deploying one million robotaxis over the next decade.

While supporters view it as a bold incentive for innovation, critics, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, have called it excessive.

Shareholders will also vote on whether Tesla should invest in Musk’s AI startup, xAI, and on governance changes, including eliminating the company’s supermajority voting requirement.

Tesla’s board has warned that rejecting Musk’s compensation could risk losing him as CEO.

Despite the stock slipping 3% to around $446 on Thursday, Tesla shares remain near record highs after gaining 44% over the past three months.

Retail investors, who own more than 30% of Tesla’s shares, are expected to play a decisive role in the outcome, with many signaling strong support for Musk’s leadership.