We have not seen this much uncertainty for years, Austrian central bank governor says
Austrian Central Bank Governor Robert Holzmann discuss the impact of global uncertainty on European inflation, monetary policy and growth.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Too risky at the moment': A Springsteen covers band has been advised not to play in his hometown
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's a well known fact that Bruce Springsteen is a Democrat. Most specifically he's a close personal friend of ex-US Democratic president Barack Obama. And while many stars – particularly in the US – believe that music and politics shouldn't mix, Springsteen has never been shy about speaking his mind. Now, those opinions have had an unlikely consequence. Appearing in Manchester on 14 May, kicking off his E-Street band's European tour, rock's most famous working class hero told the audience: 'In my home, the America I love – the America I've written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years – is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration. "Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring! 'The richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world's poorest children to sickness and death. They're taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers. They are abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom,' Springsteen implored. And it didn't take long for his words to resonate with the Republican President back home: 'I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States," Trump said on social media. "Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK. 'This dried out 'prune' of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that's just 'standard fare.' Then we'll all see how it goes for him!' With Springsteen currently on tour in Europe – a continent that has recently been rocked by Trump's turnarounds on NATO and random tariff wrath – it's likely he was on safe ground. However, back in the US, The Boss's rabble-rousing soon found a target closer to home. No Surrender, a Springsteen covers band currently on the road in the US to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Boss's Born To Run, had been booked to play at Riv's Toms River Hub, in Toms River, New Jersey, on 30 May. New Jersey, of course, famously being Springsteen's hometown. However, on Sunday, the band received correspondence from the venue's owner that an appearance by the band was now 'too risky at the moment'. 'This is not political for us at all,' Springsten sound-alike Brad Hobicorn told 'We're just a cover band that's trying to make some money and people rely on it financially. We're the ones really getting hurt.' Hobicorn even offered to have his band play a non-Springsteen, classic-rock cover set instead but owner Tony Rivoli refused to pay the agreed $2,500 for a more generic covers band. 'Unfortunately it's just too much money,' he wrote in text messages obtained by the outlet. 'I wanted to do the Springsteen tribute for that money… We would have done well but now because Bruce can't keep his mouth shut we're screwed. 'Whenever the national anthem plays, my bar stands and is in total silence, that's our clientele. Toms River is red and won't stand for his bulls__t.' Rivoli later insisted that it was the band themselves that had chosen not to play in Toms River, and they told that ultimately they did not want to perform there due to 'negative vibes' and 'a safety concern.' The band have now been given an alternative venue to play and are currently scheduled to be appearing at New Jersey's Headliner Oasis in Neptune Township instead. Springsteen met Obama in 2008 when he was on the campaign trail prior to his first run as president. The two shared similar, working class upbringings, dreams, aspirations and opinions as to what should be done and soon Springsteen was a regular at high profile fund-raisers and, in 2020, the pair even produced a podcast together. Renegades: Born in the USA, a series of conversations between Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen saw the two talk about 'their lives, music, and enduring love of America – despite all its challenges'. 'We are both creatures stamped Born in the USA. Guided by our families, our deep friendships and the moral compass inherent in our nation's history, we press forward, guarding the best of us while retaining a compassionate eye for the struggles of our still young nation,' Springteen told The Guardian in 2021.
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
15 Major European Current Events That Barely Made US News
With so much domestic news flooding our feeds daily, it's easy to lose sight of the important events unfolding beyond the US borders. To help broaden our perspective, I've been compiling roundups of key European (and global) stories that locals felt Americans were overlooking. Given the positive response, I'm back with yet another follow-up — once again curating the top headlines myself and adding context on why they're significant. So, without further ado, here's a snapshot of some of the most impactful stories currently shaping Europe: Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD fell 8.6% on Monday after the company announced major price cuts on 22 electric and hybrid models. The discounts — ranging from 10% to 34% — sparked fears of a renewed price war in China's crowded EV market. The stock slipped another 4% in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Despite the pullback, BYD shares remain up over 50% this year. Meanwhile, the company outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time last month. Why it matters: BYD's fast-growing global presence and undercutting of Tesla — particularly in Europe — highlight rising competition in the EV sector. While BYD doesn't sell cars in the US, its dominance abroad is reshaping the global market, pressuring American automakers to innovate faster and lower costs. Its investment in AI driving systems and vertical integration (including battery manufacturing) could also set new industry BYD stock plunges following deep price cuts as EV sales surpass Tesla in Europe [Euronews] France's lower house of parliament has passed a bill to legalize assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses — a landmark move that would allow people to take lethal medication under strict conditions. The vote (305 in favor, 199 against) sends the bill to the Senate, though a final decision could take months amid France's complex legislative process. The law would permit those suffering from untreatable pain to end their lives voluntarily, with oversight from medical professionals. Patients must be over 18, either citizens or residents of France, and deemed to be making the request of their own free will. While widely supported by the public, the bill has drawn criticism from religious leaders and end-of-life activists alike — the former warning of moral risks, the latter frustrated by delays. Why it matters: France's step toward legalizing assisted dying signals a profound cultural and ethical shift in one of Europe's most influential democracies. Though polls show widespread public backing, the proposal reopens long-standing tensions around bodily autonomy, the role of the state in life-and-death decisions, and how societies treat the terminally ill. The measure is framed as both a compassionate option and a safeguard-filled process, yet it has sparked fears — especially among religious communities — that the vulnerable could feel coerced. With other European nations already permitting assisted dying, France's decision will likely influence regional debates and heighten pressure on holdout countries like the UK. President Macron's openness to a referendum if Parliament stalls shows just how politically and emotionally charged the issue France's National Assembly adopts bill to legalise assisted dying on first reading [Euronews] Merseyside Police in Liverpool swiftly released details about the suspect arrested after a car plowed into a crowd during a Premier League winners parade. The man was identified as a 53-year-old white British local. This early disclosure was unusual given UK legal restrictions on naming suspects but was intended to counter rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading online, particularly after last year's Southport attack, where false claims about the suspect's identity fueled unrest. Experts praised the police for proactively filling information gaps to prevent harmful rumors and online disinformation from escalating into real-world violence. While such transparency is not always possible, this case highlights the importance of timely communication in today's fast-moving digital information environment. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued unusually strong criticism of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, questioning the justification for the harm inflicted on civilians amid the fight against Hamas terrorism. Merz acknowledged Germany's historic commitment to Israel's security, but emphasized that crossing certain humanitarian boundaries must be addressed publicly. His remarks signal a possible shift in Germany's traditionally cautious stance toward Israel, especially as humanitarian groups warn of starvation in Gaza due to an ongoing aid blockade. Merz plans to discuss the offensive with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring Germany's desire to remain an ally while expressing limits to what can be tolerated. Meanwhile, voices within Germany's governing coalition are calling to halt weapons exports to Israel and rethink the country's "reason of state" on Israel's security. Why it matters: Merz's criticism marks a rare public departure from Germany's historically unwavering support for Israel, reflecting growing unease about the humanitarian impact of the Gaza offensive and Germany's role in the conflict. The shift highlights a broader debate within Germany about balancing moral obligations stemming from its Nazi past with contemporary human rights concerns and international law. As other Western allies — including the UK, France, and Canada — express similar worries, Germany's evolving position signals changing dynamics in European support for Israel amid one of the region's most contentious conflicts. This debate also underscores how historical legacies shape diplomatic responses differently, influencing how democracies navigate the tension between defending allies and upholding international humanitarian Germany's Merz blasts Israeli offensive in Gaza [Politico] King Charles III gave a rare royal speech from Canada's Parliament, stressing Canadian sovereignty during "dangerous and uncertain" times. While only briefly mentioning US President Donald Trump, whose trade war and border pressures loom large, Charles underscored cooperation and mutual respect between the two countries. He highlighted Canada's plans to strengthen its armed forces, enhance border security to combat fentanyl trafficking, balance immigration, and address domestic issues like housing and energy projects. The speech also reaffirmed commitments to Indigenous reconciliation. Royal historian Justin Vovk noted the speech balanced diplomatic tone with a firm assertion of Canada's independent identity on the global stage. Why it matters: This speech signals Canada's determination to protect its sovereignty amid rising US trade tensions without escalating conflict. Charles's endorsement of Canada's government policies sends a powerful message that Canada will assert its national interests while maintaining important alliances. The address marks a rare direct intervention by a British monarch in Canadian parliamentary proceedings, highlighting the ongoing evolution of Canada's identity as a sovereign nation navigating complex geopolitical challenges. It also sets a tone of cautious cooperation with the US despite strained relations under Trump's Key takeaways from King Charles's 'Speech from the Throne' in Canada [Al Jazeera] EU ministers convened in Brussels for a hearing on Hungary's rule of law under Article 7 of the EU treaty, amid mounting concerns over recent legislative moves by Viktor Orbán's government. Hungary's draft "Transparency of Public Life" law — which critics say grants sweeping powers to limit press freedom and civil society — and the ban on the Budapest Pride march — which allows fines and AI-based identification of participants — have drawn strong rebuke from 20 member states. These countries issued a joint declaration condemning the ban as a violation of EU fundamental values and calling for its reversal, warning that failure to comply could trigger full use of the EU's rule of law enforcement mechanisms. Hungary's EU minister dismissed the criticism as political hysteria. After seven years of ongoing discussions, EU ministers signaled growing frustrations and potential escalatory measures, but sanctions are unlikely without majority support. Why it matters: The dispute over Hungary's rule of law and LGBTQ+ rights highlights a deeper tension within the EU about balancing national sovereignty with shared democratic principles. As Hungary pushes legislation seen as curbing freedoms and targeting marginalized communities, the EU faces a test of its ability to enforce fundamental values without fracturing its unity. This ongoing standoff reflects wider challenges democracies confront when political leaders adopt increasingly authoritarian measures under the guise of legal reforms, raising urgent questions about the future cohesion and identity of the European EU countries 'losing patience' as Hungary grilled on Pride march and rule of law [Euronews] More than 800 UK lawyers, judges, and academics have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to impose sanctions on Israel over its actions in Gaza, accusing Israel of serious violations of international law, including war crimes and a risk of genocide. The open letter demands urgent British action to secure an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Palestinians. It also urges the UK to enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and reconsider trade ties with Israel. Signatories warn that Israel's ongoing breaches threaten the future of international law and risk unleashing global anarchy. With Gaza's death toll surpassing 54,000, the letter frames the UK's response as critical to upholding the rule of law and preventing further destruction. Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Western allies, including Germany, the US, the UK, and France, have lifted range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine. This means Kyiv can now target Russian military positions deep inside Russian territory using long-range missiles, such as the US-made ATACMS and UK's Storm Shadow. Germany had previously resisted sending long-range cruise missiles like the Taurus, but Merz's statement signals a more hawkish stance. Russia condemned the move, warning it undermines peace talks and risks escalating the conflict. The announcement comes amid intensified Russian attacks and ongoing challenges to negotiate a ceasefire. Why it matters: Removing range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine signals a significant escalation in Western support and a tougher stance against Russian aggression. What was once a cautious approach has shifted toward empowering Kyiv to target military positions deep inside Russia — an option previously off-limits due to fears of widening the conflict. This change heightens tensions and complicates prospects for a ceasefire, as Russia views it as a direct threat to its security and sovereignty. The move reflects broader challenges democracies face in balancing military aid with diplomatic efforts, testing how far they are willing to go to uphold international order without triggering wider confrontation. Ultimately, this decision shapes the trajectory of a conflict with profound regional and global US, Europe lift 'range restrictions' on Ukraine missiles: Why it matters [Al Jazeera] The European Commission has launched formal investigations into four major adult websites — Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos — over suspected breaches of the EU's Digital Safety Act (DSA). The probe focuses on whether these platforms have failed to implement effective age verification measures and risk assessments to protect minors from accessing explicit content. While Stripchat has been removed from the list due to insufficient user numbers, the others remain under scrutiny for lacking adequate safeguards. The commission aims to ensure the online environment is safer for children and is developing an age-verification app to support this effort. Albania's former president Ilir Meta has been formally charged with corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and concealing assets. The charges come from SPAK, a special anti-corruption body backed by the EU and US. Meta, who was arrested last October, denies wrongdoing and claims the case is politically motivated, calling SPAK a tool of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Meta's ex-wife, a former party leader, and two others also face charges. If convicted, Meta could face up to 12 years in prison. Once one of the country's most powerful politicians, Meta is accused of abusing his position for personal gain and failing to disclose hundreds of thousands in US lobbying expenses. Why it matters: Meta's indictment marks a high-profile test of Albania's fragile rule-of-law reforms as it seeks EU membership. Corruption has long undermined trust in Albanian institutions, but SPAK's pursuit of elite figures — now including two former presidents — signals a shift. For a country trying to shed its post-communist legacy, the willingness to prosecute a political heavyweight like Meta could redefine the boundaries of accountability and transparency in the Albanian ex-President Ilir Meta charged with corruption and money laundering [AP News] Calin Georgescu, a far-right Romanian populist who shocked the country by leading the first round of last year's presidential election, has announced he's withdrawing from political life. Though he didn't win the presidency — and was ultimately barred from the election's rerun after allegations of campaign violations and Russian interference — his rise unsettled Romania's political establishment. Georgescu, who praised fascist-era leaders and questioned Ukraine's legitimacy, remains under criminal investigation for incitement and ties to fascist ideologies. Once backed by prominent nationalist figures including Elon Musk and US Vice President JD Vance, he now says the "sovereignist movement has come to a close." Why it matters: Georgescu's rise and fall highlight the vulnerabilities facing even NATO and EU democracies amid viral populism and foreign interference. His campaign — driven by online fervor, zero disclosed spending, and messaging sympathetic to Putin — gained traction in a country once viewed as firmly pro-Western. That American leaders backed him despite his extremist ties and alleged Russian support reveals deepening ideological fractures within democratic alliances. At stake is not just Romania's political future, but a broader reckoning with how democracies confront populist disruption and election Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who upended Romanian presidential race, withdraws from politics [AP News] Far-right Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, long known for his anti-Islam and anti-migration rhetoric, has unveiled a sweeping 10-point plan to drastically reduce immigration in the Netherlands. His proposals include deploying the military to secure borders, blocking all asylum claims, halting family reunifications for refugees, and deporting migrants convicted of certain crimes. Wilders' Party for Freedom won the largest share of seats in the 2023 Dutch election, but has struggled to push through its hardline agenda as part of a fragile four-party coalition. Now, Wilders is threatening to pull his party from the Cabinet if tougher migration controls aren't adopted. Why it matters: The Netherlands — known for its liberal values and internationalism — is now governed by a coalition that includes a far-right party with explicit goals to roll back asylum protections and exit parts of European law. Wilders' ultimatum underscores a broader shift in European politics, where far-right parties are moving from the fringes to the center of power. As the EU contends with increasing migration pressures and rising populism, the Dutch case could become a bellwether for how mainstream institutions either resist or absorb nationalist demands — reshaping the continent's political landscape in the Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders unveils a 10-point plan to slash migration in the Netherlands [AP News] Ehud Olmert, Israel's former prime minister and a longtime figure in the country's political establishment, has accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes in Gaza. In a striking op-ed, Olmert denounced the ongoing military campaign as "a war without purpose" and described its toll on civilians as "monstrous." While once a defender of Israel's wartime conduct, Olmert now says the scale and intent of recent operations — marked by indiscriminate killing and a lack of clear objectives — cross a moral and legal line. His comments, echoed by a former army deputy chief, have drawn fierce backlash from the current government, including accusations of treason. Why it matters: Public criticism of Israel's Gaza offensive from within its own top leadership ranks — especially a former prime minister from the ruling party — marks a rare and consequential rupture. As international scrutiny of the war grows, Olmert's shift from staunch defender to vocal dissenter could lend weight to legal and diplomatic efforts to hold Israel accountable. His comments also expose a deepening rift in Israeli society over the war's purpose and conduct, complicating both the government's narrative and its legitimacy on the global Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says his country is committing war crimes [The Guardian] Italy's major mafia syndicates — including the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, Naples' Camorra, and Calabria's 'Ndrangheta — are increasingly setting aside turf wars to collaborate on drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, and infiltration of public works projects, according to the country's annual anti-mafia report. These once-feuding groups are leveraging encrypted technologies and global financial networks, such as Chinese underground banking systems, to coordinate operations and avoid detection. Authorities also warn that mafia organizations are exploiting Italy's EU-funded Recovery Fund projects, the planned bridge linking Sicily to the mainland, and preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics. French President Emmanuel Macron has denied reports of a domestic dispute after a viral video showed his wife, Brigitte Macron, appearing to push him as they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. The brief clip, captured by a press photographer, sparked widespread speculation, fueled further by Russian state media and French far-right accounts framing the moment as evidence of tension. Macron dismissed the incident as playful banter between the couple, emphasizing that such moments of joking are common for them. The episode reflects how easily lighthearted interactions can be weaponized amid broader geopolitical and domestic tensions, especially with Russia's ongoing efforts to sow discord in Western democracies. Why it matters: This episode shows how easily simple, everyday moments involving public leaders can be turned into political drama or propaganda. When a brief, playful interaction between Macron and his wife is spun into a story of conflict, it reveals how foreign media and political groups exploit such clips to push their own agendas. This matters because it can distract from real issues and feed distrust in leaders at a time when clear communication is essential. It also reflects the broader challenge of navigating misinformation and the impact it has on how people see their governments and public Emmanuel Macron says video of wife pushing him shows them 'joking around' [The Guardian] Were any of these stories new to you? Share your reactions and thoughts in the comments below. And while you're at it, let me know what regions or topics should we explore next!
Politico
2 hours ago
- Politico
Trump's move-fast-and-break-things tariff strategy collides with reality
President Donald Trump's move-fast-and-break-things ethos this week led to a major setback for his trade policy, leaving the White House scrambling to chart its way around a potentially devastating legal ruling. Yet with the central element of his economic agenda in jeopardy, Trump is digging in on his vow to impose steep tariffs by any means necessary — and stick it to those who question his strength and think he's bound to 'chicken out.' He and administration officials have said that negotiations with other countries will continue, are insisting they'll win their current tariff battle in court and are even preparing back-up strategies for new tariffs in case they don't. Trump's determination to move fast could slow implementation of his tariff regime. It also threatens to cost him credibility with businesses he's counting on to invest in the U.S. and world leaders whose buy-in he needs to negotiate trade deals. Still, few expect a different posture from a famously intransigent president or any second-guessing following the Wednesday ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade, which briefly halted most of the tariffs. 'I don't think that's going to stop, in any way, the administration. The president's going to try to assert his tariff authority under any avenue possible,' said Marc Short, who served as Trump's legislative affairs director and Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff during the president's first term. 'The president is not one to accept defeat. He certainly didn't in 2020. It's not like because he had a bad court ruling he's going to turn his back on this.' Trump and his top lieutenants see the speed with which he is moving to enact not just trade policy but his entire agenda as a feature, not a bug. Trade adviser Peter Navarro, who has been with Trump since his first term, often refers to the pace as 'Trump time,' and other senior White House staff members frequently chalk up any inconsistency or volatility in the president's policymaking approach to his dealmaking acumen. 'We have to act fast,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon. 'We have to be fast and nimble.' And Trump may be especially keen on refuting the notion that he is weak after the moniker TACO, or 'Trump Always Chickens Out,' caught on among Wall Street traders, said one Trump ally outside the White House, granted anonymity to speak candidly. 'I don't think Trump can back down now, mainly because of this TACO theme,' the person said. 'He's clearly super irritated by it and it's like a challenge to his very manhood now.' European leaders have continued to chafe at the U.S.'s erratic approach to trade, a preview of what Trump might face at the G7 summit next month in Canada as he arrives with a slightly less-firm negotiating position. Still, the president has shown no inkling that he plans to back away from tariffs, which he's often called the 'most beautiful word' in the English language. Inside the West Wing, aides downplayed the legal whiplash as a minor stumbling block rather than a major threat to a trade policy seen as increasingly central to the president's economic legacy. And while they bristled at the TACO-centric talk, there was no expectation that Trump would veer off his maximalist trade push. 'He's been consistent on tariffs and trade since the 1980s,' said a White House official, granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. 'He's not firm on this because somebody made a taco meme and it's going viral.' Administration officials are readying backup plans should the broad set of levies they have placed on U.S. trading partners be again put on hold in court, which trade attorneys and others around the administration expect when an appeals court revisits the matter in June. Among them is a mechanism that would allow it to quickly impose tariffs without congressional approval or a more burdensome evidence-gathering and review process, according to two people familiar with discussions about the administration's trade strategy, granted anonymity to discuss strategy, one of several under consideration, would allow the president to replace existing 10 percent across-the-board tariffs on countries with levies of up to 15 percent, but only for six months. After that, Trump would need Congress' approval to extend them. 'It's important to understand that the president's trade team has been thinking about these legal tools for years, right? We have a lot of folks on TV and the internet who've been thinking about it for about six minutes,' said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during an interview on CNBC Friday morning. 'So, of course, these are things that we've been considering and talking about for a very long time. All these things are on the table.' But so-called Section 122 tariffs — named for the part of the Trade Act that outlines them — have never been tested in court, meaning the administration could find itself stymied once again. In order to move quickly to enact the so-called Liberation Day tariffs, the White House leaned on emergency powers in a federal law known as IEEPA, an approach that a federal court on Wednesday said exceeded his legal authority. 'Whether you move forward under IEEPA or a different authority, the president has made clear that tariffs are a central plank of his economic agenda and he is going to use the leverage the tariffs create to drive better outcomes for the U.S.,' said Everett Eissenstat, who served as deputy director of the National Economic Council and a key trade adviser in Trump's first term. 'Whether this tool is the tool or there's another tool, tariff authority, he's going to move forward.' But even Trump allies fear that those in the White House aren't doing enough to counsel the president on his best options, leaning into his desire to move quickly without presenting him with a full suite of more durable strategies. 'Whether you're for tariffs or not, it's pretty clear the president doesn't have unilateral authority to raise taxes,' said Stephen Moore, an outside economic adviser to Trump who has long been skeptical of the administration's go-it-alone trade approach. 'It's pretty clear that at some point Congress is going to have to vote on tariff policy.' As advisers mulled strategies to see their way through the thicket of looming legal challenges, Trump sought to demonstrate resolve. After a long social media post on Thursday night blasting the International Court of Trade and a ruling that he said 'would completely destroy Presidential Power,' Trump continued posting on Friday morning with a broadside aimed at Chinese President Xi Jinping. Claiming that his drastic reduction of the 145 percent tariffs against Beijing was a matter of saving China from 'grave economic danger,' Trump asserted that it 'HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US.' Greer attributed the president's frustration to the Chinese 'slow-rolling their compliance' with the agreement hashed out earlier this month. And in perhaps the clearest sign of the president's defensiveness in the face of Wall Street criticism, Trump opened a long, freewheeling Oval Office press conference on Friday afternoon by directing an aide to position an iPad on the Resolute Desk from which he played a clip of CNBC's Rick Santelli — whose 2009 rant gave birth to the Tea Party movement — praising his economic record. As the clip played, Trump raised his eyebrows and nodded at the journalists and aides positioned in front of him. 'Not bad, right?' Trump said when the clip finished playing, as departing adviser Elon Musk implored people in the room to applaud.
