An investigation by Accountable.US reveals that the Kash Foundation, founded by Donald Trump’s former nominee for FBI director Kash Patel, prioritizes sales of MAGA merchandise through a related online store over charitable giving. This arrangement, involving foundation vice president Andrew Ollis, raises concerns of potential conflicts of interest and self-enrichment. Critics allege the foundation’s activities constitute a “cynical cash grab” leveraging Patel’s political connections. However, the Kash Foundation maintains its operations are fully compliant with conflict of interest policies.
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Elon Musk and Donald Trump, along with other influential billionaires and right-wing think tanks, are advocating for drastic cuts to federal agencies supporting vulnerable Americans, including the homeless. They falsely characterize homelessness as a conspiracy perpetuated by NGOs to enrich themselves, ignoring the systemic issues like lack of affordable housing and rising living costs that drive homelessness. This stance is leading to increased criminalization of homelessness through legislation and court decisions, despite a record-high number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the U.S. Experts argue that such actions are not only inhumane but also ineffective, advocating instead for evidence-based solutions and increased resources.
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Following Greg Kelly’s on-air criticism of Pete Hegseth’s suitability for Secretary of Defense, Newsmax faced pressure from President-elect Trump’s team. Newsmax subsequently issued a directive to its staff forbidding negative coverage of Hegseth, instructing them to focus solely on positive aspects. This directive, coupled with threats of termination, followed reports that Trump contacted Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy regarding the segment. The network denied Trump’s involvement, though internal sources indicated significant concern.
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Following a razor-thin victory affirmed by recounts, Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs faces a challenge to over 60,000 ballots by her Republican opponent, Jefferson Griffin. Griffin’s campaign, targeting Democratic-leaning voters disproportionately, alleges irregularities despite failing to provide evidence of ineligible voters. This challenge could be appealed to the state Supreme Court, where a Republican majority could overturn the election and solidify their partisan advantage. The outcome significantly impacts the future of North Carolina’s redistricting process and the balance of power in the state.
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FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty to four charges, including tax evasion and obstructing justice, stemming from false accusations against the Biden family. Smirnov fabricated claims of illicit payments to Joe and Hunter Biden from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, allegations that fueled conservative criticisms. This plea deal, which carries a potential sentence of four to six years, effectively concludes Special Counsel David Weiss’s investigation into the Bidens. Smirnov’s admissions directly refute the prior accusations of corruption.
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Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, has voiced strong criticism of policies allowing openly gay service members, viewing them as part of a broader “Marxist” social justice agenda detrimental to military readiness. He initially expressed ambivalence towards the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but later regretted this stance, characterizing the repeal as a catalyst for undesirable cultural shifts within the military. Hegseth has since appeared to partially retract his previous statements, while maintaining concerns about what he sees as a focus on social issues over combat effectiveness. His criticisms extend to other policies, such as women in combat roles and transgender service members.
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Missouri Representative Michael Davis introduced the “Donald J. Trump Election Qualification Act,” which would overturn a 2015 law barring felons from holding public office. Inspired by President-elect Trump’s felony conviction, the bill would permit those with felony records to run for office if otherwise eligible. Davis argues this promotes civic reintegration after sentence completion. The legislation directly addresses the apparent contradiction of Trump’s presidential eligibility despite his felony conviction.
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President-elect Trump’s incoming administration, boasting at least 14 billionaires, starkly contrasts with his populist rhetoric. This group’s collective net worth surpasses that of the Biden administration by a factor of roughly 2000, raising questions about their alignment with the “forgotten men and women” who supported him. Despite claims of targeting wasteful government spending, potential cuts to programs like the VA and Head Start are concerning. Furthermore, Trump’s inability to guarantee that tariffs won’t increase consumer prices further undermines his promises of economic relief for the middle class.
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In a recent interview, President-elect Trump strongly criticized the provision of US missiles to Ukraine, questioning why Kyiv was permitted to strike deep into Russian territory. He voiced his vehement disagreement with this action, citing the unnecessary escalation of the conflict and resulting loss of life. Trump reiterated his desire to end the war, contrasting the Ukrainian situation with what he perceives as a less complex Middle Eastern conflict. This stance aligns with concerns raised earlier by his National Security Adviser, Michael Waltz, regarding the potential for further escalation.
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During his campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly emphasized high grocery prices as a key issue, promising to lower them upon re-election, a pledge seemingly crucial to his victory. He attributed the high prices to President Biden’s policies and asserted his presidency would reverse this trend. However, Trump’s proposed economic plan, including substantial tariffs, is widely considered by economists to potentially exacerbate inflation, contradicting his campaign promises. Despite acknowledging the possibility of rising prices due to tariffs, Trump maintains his assertion that grocery prices will decrease, though offering no concrete guarantees.
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John Q. Hosedrinker