In a recent interview, former President Biden attributed Vice President Harris’s 2024 election loss to a sexist Trump campaign that effectively undermined her candidacy. He maintained that his own absence from the race cost the Democrats the election, citing Trump’s reduced vote total compared to 2020. Biden dismissed internal polling data suggesting Harris’s weaknesses, focusing instead on the campaign’s attacks. Despite his disappointment, Biden expressed continued support for Harris, suggesting she faces a significant decision regarding her future political endeavors.
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During his second term’s first 100 days, President Trump received only approximately twelve intelligence briefings, a significant decrease from his first term and far below the frequency of previous administrations. This infrequent engagement, primarily relying on ad-hoc briefings and eschewing detailed reports, raises concerns about his access to crucial intelligence and the potential for strategic surprises. Critics argue that this approach undermines the expertise of intelligence professionals and jeopardizes national security, especially given recent staffing changes and policy shifts within intelligence agencies. The lack of comprehensive briefings, coupled with a reported aversion to detailed reports, leaves the country vulnerable to unforeseen threats.
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Recent SEC filings reveal a significant increase in institutional investment in Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), with some firms adding hundreds of millions of dollars to their holdings. This surge in investment, despite TMTG’s substantial losses ($400m in 2024), raises concerns about potential quid pro quo arrangements given the investors’ connections to Trump and Republican politics. Critics, including Accountable.us, suggest these investments constitute a form of tribute aimed at currying favor with the President. Examples include Charles Schwab Investment Management and Hancock Prospecting, both significantly increasing their TMTG stakes.
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Cardinal Prevost, while sharing Pope Francis’s stances on climate change and support for the poor and migrants, holds differing views on LGBTQ+ issues, criticizing the “homosexual lifestyle” in contrast to Francis’s more inclusive approach. His record on clergy sexual abuse is concerning, involving housing an accused priest near a school. Despite these disagreements, Prevost remains more moderate than many other potential successors on social issues. His vision emphasizes a church deeply connected to the marginalized, aligning with Francis on this key aspect.
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Donald Trump’s acquisition of a lavish, Qatar-owned Boeing 747-8i as a personal aircraft demonstrates his prioritization of opulent self-indulgence over the economic concerns of the American people. This extravagant purchase, estimated to cost hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, comes amidst looming recession fears, rising inflation, and potential holiday shortages due to high tariffs. Trump’s justification centers on impatience with Air Force One upgrades, highlighting a disregard for fiscal responsibility. This action, coupled with his involvement in lucrative cryptocurrency schemes and foreign real estate deals, underscores his use of the presidency for personal enrichment.
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Ruhle’s commentary highlights President Trump’s inconsistent stance on tariffs, exposing a potential supply chain crisis looming within three weeks due to decreasing cargo shipments. Trump’s wavering on tariffs, initially presented with strong rhetoric, now suggests a desire for a negotiated exit from the trade dispute. This inconsistency, exemplified by a hastily announced, unfinished UK trade deal and fluctuating tariff positions on China, threatens to mirror the economic disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Former President Trump decried the Digital Equity Act as unconstitutional and racist, claiming it is a wasteful $2.5 billion giveaway. This assertion contradicts the Act’s language, which prohibits discrimination based on factors including race, mirroring the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Despite Trump’s claims, the program has already distributed grants to several conservative states. The Act aims to expand internet access, not to provide racial handouts.
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A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary injunction halting the Trump administration’s plan to deport migrants to Libya, citing violations of prior court orders guaranteeing fundamental legal protections. The plan, which reportedly involved imminent military transport, prompted an emergency court filing from immigration attorneys. The Libyan government publicly rejected the deportation proposal, while the Trump administration offered no official confirmation or denial. This action is not the administration’s first attempt to circumvent legal protections during mass deportation efforts.
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Ruhle’s commentary highlights President Trump’s inconsistent trade policies, particularly concerning tariffs on China and a seemingly fabricated trade deal with the U.K. This wavering approach, coupled with decreasing cargo shipments, is predicted to cause a COVID-like supply chain crisis within three weeks. Trump’s recent softening of his stance suggests he is seeking a way out of his self-created trade predicament. The overall effect is economic uncertainty, especially for small businesses, due to persistent high tariffs.
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President Trump’s dismissal of the economic impact of his tariffs on consumers, particularly focusing on the reduced number of dolls girls might receive, reveals a concerning pattern. His repeated references to fewer toys for girls, alongside comments about pencils, trivialize the broader economic consequences of his policies. This framing suggests a deliberate attempt to portray the economic pain inflicted by tariffs as a feminine, frivolous concern, rather than acknowledging the widespread impact on all consumers. This rhetoric aligns with a broader administration push toward a more “masculine” economy, prioritizing manufacturing jobs even at the expense of living standards and upward mobility for future generations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker