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Donald Trump has been on a pardon spree (of friends who give him money) and a crypto spree (courtesy of foreigners who give him money), all while his main trade war weapon was getting kneecapped in the courts (courtesy of foreigners who do not pay for tariffs.)
Brian’s AMA’s always seem like such fun, I thought I’d try one out too. Members can leave a comment, and we can jump on a live chat for members at 2PM Eastern. Here’s what’s been on my radar this week, just to get our wheels turning:
RFK Jr personally restricted access to Covid vaccine boosters while ignoring CDC’s deep bench of experts and his own feints at “choice”. Meanwhile, it turns out that his department’s “Make America Healthy Again” report is filled with misinterpreted studies, and some that don’t exist at all.
HHS also cancelled a $600 million contract for the development of an mRNA vaccine to protect humans from bird flu.
Huge parts of Donald Trump’s tariff regime were rulled illegal by a federal trade court, and will remain blocked throughtout whatever appeals come next.
Trump is moving to increase his holdings of crytocurrency, while his policies weaken the US dollar and his sons actively promote cryto as its alternative.
The White House is sending a $9 billion package of DOGE-inspired cuts to federal spending to Capitol Hill, aiming to use an expedited procedure to cut PBS, NPR and more. Can it work? HOW does it work?
CBS News’ (and 60 Minutes) parent company reportedly offered Trump $15 million to settle his lawsuit against it. That wasn’t good enough for Trump, who wants more money, an apology, and the fealty of on of America’s last and best TV news magazings. Here’s the kicker: Everyone involved in the negotiations understands that Paramount’s payment is the price to get its pending corporate merger approved. There’s a word for that!
We can also talk about stuff not directly in the news: Ask me about life in public media, hosting on NPR, covering Capitol Hill.
We should probably also talk about Brian behind his back, while we have the chance.
Leave a comment, and we’ll do it live at 2pm Eastern. See you then!
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