President-elect Trump threatened the European Union with tariffs unless it significantly increases purchases of U.S. oil and gas, citing a $209 billion trade deficit. This demand, while unclear on specifics, follows previous attempts to boost U.S. energy exports to Europe. However, the EU lacks a central authority to fulfill such large-scale commitments, and experts suggest this is likely posturing for future trade negotiations. Despite a substantial trade imbalance, the relationship is complex, with significant intra-company flows of goods obscuring the full picture. The feasibility of Trump’s demands is questionable given existing energy market dynamics and the inability to mandate purchases.
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A bipartisan House Ethics Committee report found substantial evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz violated House rules, including engaging in statutory rape, illicit drug use, and obstructing the investigation. The report detailed payments totaling over $90,000 for sexual activity and drug use, including an encounter with a 17-year-old girl. Despite Gaetz’s denials and subsequent resignation from Congress, the report raises serious concerns about President-elect Trump’s judgment in considering Gaetz for Attorney General. Ethics advocates are now calling for increased scrutiny of Trump’s other nominees.
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As the government funding deadline approaches, House Speaker Johnson is scrambling to secure enough votes to pass the bill before midnight. Senator Chris Murphy voiced concerns on Capitol Hill regarding the apparent increased influence of Elon Musk on governmental affairs. The situation remains tense as lawmakers race against the clock to avert a government shutdown. The bill’s passage hinges on securing sufficient support from both parties. Debate continues over Musk’s role and the implications for government operations.
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In December, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index plummeted 8.1 points to 104.7, falling below expectations and marking a sharp reversal from the previous two months. This decline was largely driven by a 12.6-point drop in the Expectations Index to a five-month low of 81.1, nearing the recessionary threshold of 80. Consumer concerns cited included political uncertainty and the anticipated impact of tariffs on the cost of living, outweighing any potential job creation benefits. The significant drop in consumer confidence is reflected in Walmart’s stock decline, prompting speculation of an impending recession.
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Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie predicts the relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is temporary, believing it will end when Trump needs a scapegoat. This prediction is based on Christie’s observation that those close to Trump ultimately fall from favor. Musk’s recent criticism of a spending bill, followed by Trump’s similar condemnation, exemplifies this dynamic. Christie suggests Musk’s current influence is fleeting and will inevitably decline.
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Donald Trump is renewing his calls for the U.S. to purchase Greenland from Denmark, citing national security, a move met with immediate rejection from Greenland’s government. Simultaneously, he’s threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal due to rising shipping costs, despite the 1977 treaty transferring control to Panama. These actions, alongside suggestions of annexing Canada, are seen by some as a negotiating tactic to leverage concessions from allied nations, echoing his past business strategies. Greenland and Panama have both firmly rejected his claims.
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The House Ethics Committee released a report concluding that former Representative Matt Gaetz engaged in illicit activities, including sexual acts with a 17-year-old girl and paying women for sex. The report details substantial evidence of Gaetz’s drug use, acceptance of excessive gifts, and potential violations of state and federal laws. While the committee found insufficient evidence to support federal sex-trafficking charges, it did determine that Gaetz’s actions reflected discreditably on the House. Gaetz denies all wrongdoing.
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In short, Elon Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s AfD party, a far-right ethnonationalist group with neo-Nazi ties, has sparked significant controversy. The AfD promotes a vision of Germany that is exclusionary towards immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, and its rise in popularity is fueling concerns about the country’s political future. Criticism of Musk’s action has been widespread, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighting the right to free speech while also condemning the endorsement’s harmful implications. Both U.S. conservatives and liberals have voiced strong opposition, citing the party’s dangerous ideology and historical connections.
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President-elect Trump’s dispute with Panama involves both a threat to reclaim the Panama Canal due to high fees levied on American ships and an ongoing court case concerning unpaid taxes. A 2019 lawsuit alleges that Trump’s businesses failed to pay Panamanian taxes and misrepresented employee numbers to avoid social security contributions, forcing a third party to cover the resulting penalties. Trump’s threats have been met with defiance from Panama’s president, raising concerns of potential international conflict. The legality of Trump’s claim over the canal is questionable, given the 1979 treaty transferring control to Panama.
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John Q. Hosedrinker