President Trump ordered the suspension of security clearances for Covington & Burling lawyers who provided pro bono legal services to Special Counsel Jack Smith. This action, part of Trump’s broader campaign of retribution against those involved in investigating him, targets the firm despite their assertion that they only represented Smith personally. The memo, directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi, cites concerns about the “weaponization of the judicial process,” echoing Republican claims of partisan bias within the Justice Department. This follows previous attempts by Trump to revoke clearances from perceived political opponents.
Read More
Following Elon Musk’s controversial Inauguration Day salute, Tesla’s stock has plummeted over 26 percent, resulting in a roughly $400 billion drop in company value. This decline coincides with growing public and investor dissatisfaction stemming from Musk’s increasingly prominent role in the Trump administration and his management of multiple companies. Concerns about Musk’s “toxicity” and potential negative impact on Tesla’s brand are cited as key factors driving this downturn. Shareholders are divesting, European sales are significantly down, and even retirement fund managers are reviewing Tesla’s valuation.
Read More
Trump’s recent executive action targeting Covington and Burling LLP, the law firm representing former Special Counsel Jack Smith, is a blatant escalation of his attacks against perceived political enemies. The sheer transparency of this action is shocking; there’s no pretense of adhering to established norms or legal processes. The firm, which represents Smith in a personal capacity, vehemently denies any involvement in Smith’s investigations of Trump.
This memo, signed by Trump, directs the Office of Management and Budget to scrutinize all government contracts held by the firm. Beyond that, the action goes even further; it strips Smith’s attorney, along with any other firm attorneys who assisted Smith during his investigations, of their security clearances.… Continue reading
The recent collapse of Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency, “Trump Coin,” has resulted in staggering losses for investors, estimated to be over $12 billion. This dramatic downturn, representing a more than 80% devaluation since its peak on January 19th, highlights the significant risks associated with investing in meme coins tied to political figures.
The rapid plummet in value has left many investors, a significant portion likely Trump supporters, facing substantial financial losses. This serves as a stark reminder of the inherent volatility within the cryptocurrency market, especially concerning meme coins whose value is heavily reliant on hype and speculation rather than underlying utility or technological innovation.… Continue reading
President Trump initially considered canceling Ukrainian President Zelensky’s upcoming Washington visit after pressuring Ukraine to finalize a minerals deal. Following Trump’s public criticism of Zelensky and a subsequent message to Kyiv canceling the meeting, French President Macron intervened. Macron’s intervention reportedly convinced Trump to reinstate the visit, scheduled for February 28th. The finalized minerals deal, a key point of contention, lacks explicit U.S. security guarantees, though U.S. support for Ukraine’s pursuit of them is acknowledged. Zelensky’s visit will proceed despite earlier setbacks.
Read More
Following recent criticism of Ukrainian President Zelensky, President Trump walked back his harsh statements, emphasizing a desire to collaborate with Zelensky on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump’s shift in tone comes amidst ongoing U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal and follows clarification from European leaders regarding the nature of their aid to Ukraine. Trump expressed confidence in a potential deal with Russia, stating a belief that Russian President Putin would uphold any agreement, while acknowledging the necessity of verification. This change in rhetoric precedes Zelensky’s White House visit to finalize an agreement on access to Ukraine’s critical minerals.
Read More
President Trump stated that sanctions against Russia will eventually be lifted, despite no current agreements to do so. This follows renewed US-Russia contact aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and restoring diplomatic and economic relations. While the Biden administration recently implemented extensive sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector, Trump’s administration previously considered both easing and expanding sanctions depending on the progress of peace negotiations. These potential approaches highlight the ongoing tension between leveraging sanctions for maximum pressure and using them as incentives for diplomatic resolution.
Read More
Trump’s recent refusal to definitively state whether the US would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion has sparked considerable debate. His noncommittal stance, while not entirely unprecedented, raises serious concerns given his past rhetoric and actions. The ambiguity surrounding his position highlights a significant shift, or perhaps a lack thereof, in long-standing US policy towards Taiwan.
The lack of a clear commitment from Trump contrasts sharply with the potential consequences of a Chinese invasion. Such an event would have far-reaching global implications, impacting trade, security alliances, and the overall geopolitical landscape. His silence, therefore, leaves Taiwan particularly vulnerable and uncertain about the level of US support it can expect.… Continue reading
Readers are encouraged to submit news tips to The Daily Beast. The submission process is streamlined for ease of use. All tips will be carefully considered. Contributions are valued and help support investigative journalism.
Read More
During a cabinet meeting on February 26th, President Trump characterized Vladimir Putin as “very smart,” suggesting Putin’s intentions in Ukraine extended beyond negotiation to complete control of the country. Trump asserted that Putin would ultimately be forced to make concessions to resolve the conflict. However, he also indicated a reluctance to provide extensive security guarantees to Ukraine, placing the onus primarily on Europe.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood