Trump Meets With US Prisoner Freed From Russian Prison; Musk Makes Oval Office Appearance | NTD Good Morning (Feb. 12)

American teacher Marc Fogel has been released from a Russian prison and was welcomed at the White House on Tuesday by President Donald Trump. Fogel was wrongfully detained in Russia in 2021. Trump described the deal securing Fogel’s release as “very fair” and said he hopes it marks a first step toward ending the Russia–Ukraine war. He also hinted at another high-profile American release on Wednesday.

Trump has signed a new executive order directing all federal agencies to work with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to trim their workforces and cut spending. Musk spoke alongside Trump on Tuesday about the numerous inefficiencies DOGE has uncovered. NTD spoke with political analyst Jeff Crouere about the rare joint press briefing in the Oval Office held by the president and his top adviser.

Tens of millions of Americans are under weather alerts with three storms brewing. Areas from Kentucky to the mid-Atlantic are dealing with inches of snow, with Virginia State Police reporting hundreds of driving accidents. Officials say ice on utility lines could cause power outages in some areas. Another storm will bring rain to California, with a high potential for mudslides in the area.