During Mobile World Congress 2024, Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion commitment to fund investment accounts for approximately 25 million American children, marking the largest donation of its kind. This initiative aims to support families and encourage savings, aligning with a new federal program providing tax-advantaged investment accounts for children under 18, with initial grants of $1,000 for eligible newborns. The Dells’ contribution will include $250 to children aged 10 and under who were born before January 1, 2025, in specified income-based ZIP codes, while Dell Technologies will also match government grants for employee’s children. These “Trump accounts” are designed to boost children’s financial futures and are limited to investment in diversified funds, encouraging additional parental contributions.
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Costco has sued the Trump administration to recoup tariffs paid this year and prevent future collection, citing a potential loss of funds even if the Supreme Court rules against the duties. The lawsuit addresses a looming December 15 deadline concerning tariff liquidation and the potential for refunds. The suit emphasizes that even if the Supreme Court invalidates the tariffs, Costco needs separate judicial relief to secure a refund. Dozens of other companies have also filed similar suits contesting the legality of the tariffs.
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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, sentenced to 45 years for drug trafficking, was released from prison on Monday following a pardon from former U.S. President Donald Trump, as confirmed by U.S. officials. Hernández’s wife, Ana García, expressed gratitude on social media, with Trump stating he was asked by Honduras and believed Hernández was set up. Hernández was convicted for facilitating the movement of hundreds of tons of cocaine through Honduras to the U.S. Attorney General Johel Zelaya stated that his office was obligated to seek justice.
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Yashar Ali released a screen recording showcasing a late-night social media spree by President Trump, which documented hundreds of posts in a short timeframe. The video spans almost five minutes and reveals Trump’s prolific activity on Truth Social, including a post praising the platform. This level of social media engagement mirrors trends among American teens, raising questions about potential impacts, similar to those highlighted in a recent American Psychological Association report.
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In a recent social media post, Donald Trump used offensive language to criticize Minnesota’s governor and the Somali population, sparking backlash. His nephew, Fred Trump III, responded on X, denouncing the use of the “R word” as unacceptable and hurtful, especially as the parent of a child with severe disabilities. Fred’s criticism follows the release of his memoir, in which he accused his uncle of using racist language and making insensitive remarks about his disabled son. These allegations were refuted by Trump’s spokesperson.
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In a flurry of activity, Donald Trump posted over 160 times on Truth Social within a four-hour period. The posts predominantly shared content from right-wing sources, including videos targeting political opponents and promoting MAGA-friendly material. Trump also shared a video from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and expressed support for releasing Tina Peters. Additionally, the former president fired off angry posts of his own, including attacks on Senator Mark Kelly and a video of himself explaining his “reverse migration” concept.
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The political success of Trump and his allies hinges on cultivating an illusion of strength, similar to authoritarian regimes, although the US system allows for greater vulnerability. Trump and his supporters depend on projecting an image of power to mask underlying weaknesses, which is why any perception of weakness is strongly countered. When this carefully constructed image is challenged, the very tactics used to promote it, such as over-the-top praise, can backfire and undermine the leader’s standing, leading to a loss of influence.
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During a rally for Van Epps, while on House Leader Mike Johnson’s speakerphone, Trump emphasized the importance of winning the seat, citing the historic tax cuts and the upcoming “Great Big Beautiful Bill.” He falsely accused Behn of hating Christianity and country music. Trump framed the vote as a demonstration of Republican strength, while also announcing a Monday night telerally in support of Van Epps. The claims against Behn, including the accusation of hating Christianity, are part of a larger effort involving over $3.3 million in spending against her, despite Behn’s actual statements, which expressed concerns about religion’s role in legislation, never matching Trump’s characterization.
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The White House released a memo detailing President Trump’s “preventative” MRI conducted last month at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, weeks after the visit. The advanced imaging focused on cardiovascular and abdominal health, a standard procedure for men in his age group, according to the White House. The memo, issued by the physician to the president, Dr. Sean Barbabella, stated that the cardiovascular imaging was “perfectly normal” and that major organs appear “very healthy.” The release of information came after the president himself mentioned the MRI and amidst ongoing questions about its purpose, with the White House citing an “effort of transparency.”
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A recent YouGov poll indicates that almost half of American adults believe President Trump will be remembered as a “poor” or “below average” president. The poll surveyed over 26,000 U.S. adults and revealed significant differences in opinions based on political affiliation, with Democrats holding a more negative view. Across all age groups and demographics, the majority of respondents expressed unfavorable opinions of Trump’s historical standing. This poll reflects a larger trend, as Trump’s approval ratings have declined in recent months, with many major pollsters reporting negative ratings.
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John Q. Hosedrinker