Handelsbanken’s head of forecasting, Johan Löf, predicts that President-elect Trump’s policies will lead to increased inflation. This resurgence of inflation poses a significant economic challenge. Löf’s analysis highlights the potential negative consequences of these policies on the U.S. economy. The forecast anticipates a considerable inflationary impact stemming from Trump’s proposed economic agenda.
Actress Cheryl Hines recently shared an Instagram video promoting her Hines & Young beauty line, inadvertently showcasing her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., showering in the background. The video, featuring Hines playfully chiding Kennedy, comes amidst recent controversies surrounding Kennedy’s political stances and a past sexting scandal. The post also subtly linked Hines’ MAHA candles to Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. The seemingly lighthearted video offers a glimpse into the couple’s life following the recent media attention.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced scrutiny over a college newspaper column published during his tenure as publisher of *The Princeton Tory*. The column, authored by another student, John Andrews, argued that unconsciousness, without duress, did not constitute rape. While Hegseth did not write the article, his role as publisher implies responsibility for the magazine’s content. The incident resurfaced amidst other past controversies, including allegations of sexual assault and his outspoken conservative views expressed in the magazine. The current publisher of *The Princeton Tory* stated that the responsibilities of the publisher role varied over time.
Following the 2024 election, many Americans are reevaluating their family planning, driven by concerns about reproductive healthcare access and the potential for increased abortion restrictions. Planned Parenthood reported a massive surge in appointments for birth control and sterilization procedures after the election results. These anxieties are compounded by worries about economic instability and the climate crisis, impacting decisions about childbearing across the political spectrum. While some are delaying plans, others are foregoing having more children altogether, highlighting the significant influence of political decisions on personal reproductive choices.
The dismissals of the federal cases against Donald Trump represent a significant setback for the rule of law, highlighting deep structural and institutional flaws within the system. These failures leave the country vulnerable to the very kind of unchecked presidential power the founders sought to prevent. Expert opinions express concern over the implications for presidential accountability and the long-term consequences for the constitutional order. The dismissals leave momentous questions unanswered regarding presidential immunity and the future of independent investigations.
Elon Musk’s involvement in a commission to reduce federal spending creates a significant conflict of interest, as it could lead to cuts in rural broadband funding that would benefit his satellite internet company, Starlink. Starlink has been largely excluded from existing broadband funding due to its slower speeds, but Musk’s influence with the incoming Trump administration could lead to a redirection of funds towards satellite internet. This potential reallocation of funds would violate existing laws and likely trigger legal challenges, yet delays caused by such litigation could significantly benefit Starlink’s market share. Ultimately, this scenario presents a direct conflict between public broadband infrastructure and the financial interests of a private company.
Following the election, several major cities—including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia—declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” vowing to protect unauthorized residents from mass deportations. These actions, while not legally preventing deportations, aim to hinder enforcement through legal challenges and resource limitations. The Los Angeles Unified School District also declared itself a sanctuary, mirroring similar commitments from other cities and states. Despite potential legal challenges and threats of federal funding cuts, these jurisdictions are committed to resisting the anticipated large-scale deportation efforts.
To counteract potential elimination of federal electric vehicle tax credits by the incoming Trump administration, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the reinstatement of the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. This program, previously phased out, will offer financial incentives to offset the loss of federal subsidies. The move aims to maintain California’s commitment to clean transportation and protect the state’s green job sector. This action reflects a broader strategy to defend California’s values and policies against anticipated federal rollbacks.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to drastically reduce the federal government, aligning with the incoming Trump administration’s broader goals. This plan involves eliminating “thousands” of regulations and minimizing government employees, potentially serving as a vehicle for a Musk-led shadow presidency or a method to placate him. The proposal leverages the recent *Loper Bright* Supreme Court decision, weakening the power of federal agencies, and echoes earlier right-wing efforts to dismantle the civil service. Ultimately, DOGE’s goals resemble the more radical “Retire All Government Employees” plan, advocating for deregulation and concentrating power within a select group.
Germany’s upcoming snap elections, precipitated by the collapse of Chancellor Scholz’s coalition, are facing significant threats of foreign interference, primarily from Russia. The BfV, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, has established a task force to counter potential disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage, and espionage aimed at influencing the election outcome. These actions are viewed as retaliation for Germany’s strong support of Ukraine. The BfV highlights the risk of foreign actors supporting specific candidates or parties to undermine the democratic process.
John Q. Hosedrinker