Big Tech billionaire backlash: Protest billboards call out Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg
More Perfect Union has started a similar form of protest in multiple states. Here's what we know:
Message behind 'We Make, They Take' billboards
Fifty new billboards have gone up across eight states, according to an emailed news release. They are bright yellow-green and white, depict certain billionaires, and have messages calling out corporate and political exploitation of working-class Americans. The billboards are written with things like "We make minimum wage. They take our Medicaid," and "We make big tech rich. They take control of our lives."
Who is on the 'We Make, They Take' billboards?
There are four different designs of the billboards. Each one has a different billionaire including Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla), Mark Zuckerberg (CEO of Meta), Jeff Bezos (Amazon's founder) and Peter Thiel (PayPal's founder).
Welome to 'Billionaire Bunker': How Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez live in Florida's elite enclave
Where are the 'We Make, They Take' billboards?
The billboards are located in the following cities across nine states:
What is More Perfect Union?
More Perfect Union calls itself a nonprofit education, advocacy and journalism organization dedicated to building power for the working class.
"We're calling out a simple truth: Working people keep this country running, but corporations keep taking more and more," said More Perfect Union Founder and Executive Director Faiz Shakir. "What we're seeing today is politically sanctioned exploitation of America's working class − the nurses, teachers, warehouse workers and service employees who hold this country together − all to benefit a handful of billionaire oligarchs and multinational corporations. This campaign calls that out and is designed to start a conversation in the places where it matters most."
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TACO not on the menu: Howard Lutnick says tariffs start August 1 with no extensions
Tariffs are coming on August 1 and there will be no more extensions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. President Donald Trump imposed his 'Liberation Day' tariffs in April, causing a rollercoaster stock market. A week later, he announced a 90-day pause, which has now expired, with many set to take effect Friday. Although the world may have gotten used to Trump announcing sweeping levies before backing out of them shortly thereafter, this time, there's no risk of TACO — the shorthand for "Trump Always Chickens Out" — the commerce secretary suggested. "No extensions. No more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set. They'll go into place," Lutnick said on "Fox News Sunday.' World leaders are still more than willing to talk to Trump after the August 1 deadline. 'Between now and then, I think the president's going to talk to a lot of people. Whether they can make him happy is another question, but the president is definitely willing to negotiate and talk to the big economies,' Lutnick continued. Lutnick's announcement of the hard deadline contrasts with the message of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent days earlier, when he suggested the tariff deadlines were flexible. 'The important thing here is the quality of the deal, not the timing of the deals,' Bessent told CNBC on Monday. The hard deadline comes months after the president earned the TACO acronym after he backed out of his sweeping tariff plan. On April 2, which he's dubbed Liberation Day, Trump declared the day would 'forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again.' Stock market turbulence ensued. The NASDAQ broke a record with its largest single-day point drop in the market's 50-year history as investors responded to Trump's tariff plan. Just one week after Liberation Day, he walked back on his grand plan and the stock market surged. That's when the acronym TACO emerged. Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined the term to describe the president's pattern of implementing trade policy threats, which investors predicted would cause the market to tumble, before he walks back on that policy, leading to a market rebound. Last month, he delayed the July 9 tariff deadline to August 1. Trump is meeting with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday to try to avoid a potential trade war. "We're working very diligently with Europe, the EU," Trump told reporters before he left for Scotland on Friday. "I would say that we have a 50-50 chance, maybe less than that, but a 50-50 chance of making a deal with the EU." Lutnick also commented on Sunday's meeting. Speaking on 'Fox News Sunday,' he remarked: 'The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set.' Trump has announced trade deals with several countries, including Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United Kingdom. He's said letters had been sent out earlier this month to dozens of countries with tariff rates. 'We'll have a straight, simple tariff of anywhere between 15 percent and 50 percent," Trump said this week. "We have 50 [percent] because we haven't been getting along with those countries too well." Economic experts have warned that consumers could pay the price for the new levies. "Now that the Trump administration is concluding deals that would see the tariff rate facing most trading partners settling at between 15% and 20%, with even higher rates levied on Chinese imports, we suspect retailers will be forced to finally raise the prices paid by consumers,' Paul Ashworth, chief North America economist with Capital Economics, said in a research note, CBS News reported. Some companies have preemptively taken action. Trump has threatened a 50 percent tariff on Brazil. The steep levy threats against the country have prompted a New Jersey-based orange juice manufacturer to sue the Trump administration, arguing that the 50 percent tariff could result in a $70 million hit to its business. Sign in to access your portfolio
Newsweek
25 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Thailand and Cambodia to Meet for Ceasefire Talks
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to sit down in Malaysia for ceasefire talks on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Newsweek has reached out to the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministries for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Border fighting between the two countries over the past four days has drawn international calls for a ceasefire, as 34 people have been killed and more than 168,000 have been displaced, according to the AP. The fighting erupted Thursday after a land mine explosion killed five Thai soldiers, with each country accusing the other of starting the war. The conflict is part of a decades-long border dispute. President Donald Trump played a role in the lead-up to the ceasefire talks, speaking separately with both leaders on Saturday. In recent months, the administration has also been engaged in diplomatic efforts between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel and Hamas. What To Know Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim invited Thai and Cambodian leaders for talks on Monday, and both sides have accepted. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are expected to attend, according to the AP. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Sunday in a call to deescalate tensions. "The United States is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a Sunday statement. Trump spoke with both leaders separately on Saturday, writing in Truth Social posts that he pushed them for a ceasefire and noting the U.S. is negotiating trade deals with both countries. Earlier this month, the president informed them that the U.S. would levy a 36 percent tariff on their goods starting on August 1. In a Sunday update, the Royal Thai Armed Forces said that "a total of seven key areas of engagement were reported, representing a decrease of three areas from the first day of the conflict." The update continued: "Cambodian attacks remain irregular and may constitute violations of rules of engagement, posing further risk to border communities. The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations." At least 21 people in Thailand and 13 Cambodians have been reported dead, according to the AP. The Thai Armed Forces reported there have been 51 civilian casualties and 111 military casualties. More than 131,000 people have evacuated in Thailand, while over 37,000 have fled parts of Cambodia. The latest Thailand-Cambodia border dispute dates back to 1907, when a map drawn during French colonial rule in Cambodia marked a boundary still cited by Cambodian officials today. Thai officials dispute this demarcation and claim territory beyond it, including ancient Khmer-era Hindu temples, such as Preah Vihear, despite two International Court of Justice rulings favoring Cambodia's claims. Local villagers help unloading supplies donated by a charity for refugees from a truck, as they take refuge in Wat Phnom Kamboar, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 27 amid the fighting between Thailand and... Local villagers help unloading supplies donated by a charity for refugees from a truck, as they take refuge in Wat Phnom Kamboar, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 27 amid the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. More AP Photo/Heng Sinith What People Are Saying Jairam Ramesh, an Indian politician in the Indian National Congress, wrote in an X post on Saturday: "President Trump is now mediating between Cambodia and Thailand and is using the opportunity to make the claim - for the 26th time - on a US-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan." President Donald Trump wrote in a Saturday Truth Social post: "I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister. Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the "Trading Table" with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS. They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE! It was an Honor to deal with both Countries. They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Sophal Ear, associate professor at Arizona State University, told Newsweek on Friday: "This crisis represents a critical test of American and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. For the U.S., Thailand is a key strategic partner, essential to sustaining American military and diplomatic presence in the region. For China, Cambodia is a central player in its regional ambitions under the Belt and Road Initiative, serving as a strategic foothold." Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres wrote in an X post Saturday: "I remain available to assist in efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute." Cambodia's Ministry of Information wrote in an X post: "Despite repeated commitments to ceasefire, Thailand continues to violate its own promises. After initially agreeing to halt attacks following discussions with the Malaysian Prime Minister on 24th July 2025, Thailand resumed firing. Last night, 26th July, even after reaching another ceasefire agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Thai military launched heavy weapon attacks on Cambodian territory. Moreover, Thailand is breaching its agreement with the United States, the very supplier of its weapons, by using these arms under false pretenses and in inappropriate conditions." Thailand's Government Public Relations Department wrote in an X post: "Cambodia attacked civilian homes in Surin on 27 July, 4:30 AM, followed by a disinformation campaign. Thailand condemns this violation of international law, calls for cessation, & reserves the right to self-defense. International community is asked to condemn these inhumane acts."
Fox News
25 minutes ago
- Fox News
Rubio reflects on remarkable political journey from Trump critic to trusted cabinet member
Once a fierce opponent of President Donald Trump, Marco Rubio now serves as top U.S. diplomat in the president's cabinet — his transformation rooted in love of country and a willingness to get things done. Rubio sat down with Fox News' Lara Trump this weekend to reflect on his role as Secretary of State, calling to mind his love for MMA and boxing as he revealed what it was like to make that journey from rival to trusty right hand. "I always chuckle in politics, because… when two guys get in the ring, they could like each other, and, after every fight, they shake hands, they appreciate the combat," he said. "You respect someone who's willing to step into that octagon, right? Because very few people in the world are willing to actually step in there and do that. But no one's ever asked these fighters, 'Why did you punch that guy in the face in the second round?' No one would ask that…" he continued. "So in 2016, both President Trump and I… happened to be competing for the same thing. In any competition, especially as you get down, and it narrows down to three or four people, you know, punches are going to be thrown, but then that ends, and then we're on the same team, because he's a Republican nominee, and I'm a Republican." Rubio, a Florida senator leading up to his time in Trump's cabinet, described the president's first term as the "best four years [he] had in the Senate," and reflected on how much the two accomplished during that time. He also pointed to Trump's vice presidential pick JD Vance, whom he described as one of his "closest friends in politics." "We were on the same team from that point forward, and have been ever since," he said. Trump appointed Rubio to serve as the 72nd Secretary of State shortly after his 2024 victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The former Florida senator was among the first confirmed to his cabinet after he assumed office for the second time on Jan. 20. Rubio described working for Trump as "a lot of fun… for two reasons," calling the president a "person of action" and rife with "incredible instincts for human behavior."
