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Billionaire gay who's one of world's most powerful men makes announcement that will further devastate Dems
Billionaire gay who's one of world's most powerful men makes announcement that will further devastate Dems

Daily Mail​

time08-07-2025

  • Business
  • Daily Mail​

Billionaire gay who's one of world's most powerful men makes announcement that will further devastate Dems

A tech billionaire and one of the world's most powerful men made a shocking announcement that is sure to devastate Democrats across the country. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and co-founder of ChatGPT, made a scathing Fourth of July social media post on X telling the world he has disowned Democrats after claiming his former party 'has lost the plot.' 'The Democratic party seemed reasonably aligned with it when I was 20, losing the plot when I was 30, and completely to have moved somewhere else at this point,' he wrote. 'So now I am politically homeless. But that's fine; I care much, much more about being American than any political party.' Altman - who came out as gay at the age of 16 - also shared his love for America and how 'proud' he is to be a US citizen, but it quickly turned critical of the country's current political climate. 'I'm not big on identities, but I am extremely proud to be American. This is true every day, but especially today—I firmly believe this is the greatest country ever on Earth,' the 40-year-old tech boss, who is worth $1.7 million, wrote. Although Altman himself is not the president of the US, he is nearly just as powerful because artificial intelligence - computer systems that can perform tasks that humans typically could - continues to grow and take over the world everyday. He went on to explain his belief in 'techno-capitalism' and how he thinks there should be a system in place that supports both wealth and innovation, while also attacking the government's role in the economy. Altman - who came out as gay at the age of 16 - made the announcement in a lengthy and scathing post to X on Saturday 'We should encourage people to make tons of money and then also find ways to widely distribute wealth and share the compounding magic of capitalism. One doesn't work without the other; you cannot raise the floor and not also raise the ceiling for very long. He went on to share that he believes the government 'usually does a worse job than markets,' and that education is crucial in 'keeping the American edge.' 'I believed this when I was 20, when I was 30, and now I am 40 and still believe it,' the billionaire continued. Altman's lengthy post didn't stop there, as he took a moment to appear to address the growing claim that billionaires should not exist - something New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said in a recent interview. While on NBC's Meet the Press on June 29, the 33-year-old Democratic socialist poised to become the Big Apple's next mayor, shared his thoughts on wealthy people. 'I don't think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality, and ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country,' Mamdani said. Altman appeared to respond directly to Mamdani's claim, ending his social media post with: 'I'd rather hear from candidates about how they are going to make everyone have the stuff billionaires have instead of how they are going to eliminate billionaires.' He wrapped up his statement, which amassed 2.8 million views, sharing his hope for the country's future. 'The American experiment has always been messy. I am hopeful for another great 250 years. Happy 4th!' In January, Altman hit back at Democrats who criticized him for donating $1 million of his personal cash to Trump's inaugural fund. The CEO received a letter from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet, which accused him of trying to 'cozy up' to the president to avoid federal scrutiny. The senators posed a series of questions ostensibly aimed at discovering his motivations for the cash gift. Altman shared the letter and pushed back at the suggestion, saying: 'Funny, they never sent me one of these for contributing to Democrats.' He then went on to explain that the senator's allegations were unfounded since the money was donated by Altman personally. 'It was a personal contribution as you state; I am confused about the questions given that my company did not make a decision,' he added. Altman was among the tech bosses who were invited to Trump's inauguration. He was pictured chatting to boxer Logan Paul and his brother Jake Paul ahead of the ceremony. Altman wasn't the only tech billionaire to make a statement over the holiday weekend, as Elon Musk decided to launch a new political party. Musk, President Donald Trump's former 'First Buddy,' announced the foundation of the America Party on his X social media platform on Saturday. It came after Musk created an online poll on Independence Day asking his followers whether to establish the new party. The results came back 65.4 percent in favor, leading Musk to make the announcement. 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!' Musk wrote. 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' Musk, 54, had been elevated to a prestigious role within the White House acting as a special advisor to the president and overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. But in recent months a rift has emerged and the two former friends have been embroiled in embarrassing public spats played out over social media.

Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement
Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement

Yahoo

time06-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement

Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement originally appeared on The Spun. Retired NFL lineman Jason Kelce took some heat on social media for his Fourth of July social media post. Kelce, who retired following the 2023 season, doesn't get political very often. Neither he nor his brother, Travis, said much about the 2024 election. They haven't said much about President Trump, either. Advertisement However, on Friday, in honor of the Fourth of July, Jason Kelce made it clear how he feels about the United States of America. He made it clear that this was a day that everyone should feel proud to be an American. But not everyone felt that way. Kelce is now taking heat on social media for his comment. SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jason Kelce, ESPN analyst, looks on before the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Kelce took to social media to share his thoughts. "Man I love the 4th! One of the great days we all can set aside our differences in this country, and enjoy the one thing we all share in common. That we are American! Cheers to you oh beautiful America," he wrote. Not everyone was a fan of it, though. Advertisement "The funny thing he IS a leftist himself, just trying to play both sides for the money/fame," one fan wrote. "He didn't realize his brother dating Taylor Swift would mean he couldn't have opinions anymore," another fan wrote. "They're free to dress in black and scream at empty federal courthouses on July 4. The rest of us enjoyed the time with friends and family and maybe made s'mores and roasted a few hot dogs over the fire pit. To each their own. Jason's a good dude. He's got it right—as usual," one fan added. "How can you find fault in that? Wouldn't it be nice if more of us could put aside our differences?" another fan added. Advertisement "That's a great statement, I don't see anything wrong with it," one fan added. "That's a wonderful post! What could anyone not like about that?" another fan wondered. ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: ESPN broadcaster Jason Kelce presents from the desk prior to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by)Kelce, as he should, is very much standing by his post on social media. Hopefully, everyone had a good Fourth of July weekend. Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement first appeared on The Spun on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

SHAPIRO: Is America starting to see the end of patriotism?
SHAPIRO: Is America starting to see the end of patriotism?

Yahoo

time05-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

SHAPIRO: Is America starting to see the end of patriotism?

America has a major problem. Nearly half of Americans — 42% — don't believe in America. According to Gallup, just 58% of adults say they are either 'extremely' or 'somewhat' proud to be American. That number has been in steep decline for a decade. In 2004, that number was 91% and was still 81% as of 2016. Then it began to tumble and it hasn't recovered. The trend isn't equivalent across the political spectrum. Republicans have always been far prouder of their country; their pride number has never dropped below 84% in 2022 and currently stands at 92%. The serious decline is located among independents, who have dropped from 76% in 2013 to 53% today, and Democrats, who plummeted from 80% to 36% during that same period. Furthermore, Americans' age correlates highly with levels of American pride: 83% of the Silent Generation venerates the country, as do 75% of Baby Boomers and 71% of Generation Xers — but just 58% of Millennials and 41% of Generation Z do. So, what precisely happened? The answer is simple. Republicans started winning and Democrats spiralled off. President Donald Trump's victory in 2016 sent Democrats spiralling into an anti-American black hole, with their pride in America dropping off a cliff during the first Trump term, recovering only moderately during Joe Biden's term (62% in 2021), and then plummeting again this year. Democrats embraced a new and extreme anti-American point of view, reflected most obviously in the elevation of figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.; and now New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. These figures, emblems of a new wave in the Democratic Party, are disaffected with America in general. If the promise of Barack Obama is that the vessel of the Democratic Party could be used to bottle the fire and fervour of the revolutionary left, these radicals believe that all bottles must be shattered — that the institutions of the United States must be exploded entirely. They see the re-election of Donald Trump as indicative of a deep rot at the heart of the American experiment and wish to eviscerate the fundamental ideas of that experiment. They champion the supposed virtue of the Third World and the supposed evil of the United States; the supposed beauties of socialism and evils of capitalism; the supposed virtue of transgressive social values and the supposed evils of traditionalism. They believe that America's unique Constitution is a framework for oppression; they believe that rights are mere guises for despotic power and that duties are cynically placed fetters upon their true selves. They are, as I describe in my upcoming book, Lions and Scavengers, the scavengers. They are all about tearing down, not about building something new. They have taken over the Democratic Party and they are making extraordinary inroads among younger Americans. Ironically, that's due to the failure of the very institutions the political left hijacked and misused for decades. Democrats heavily regulated and taxed the free market and then blamed the free market for recession or inflation; Democrats hijacked our educational institutions to pay off their union cronies and indoctrinate young people in their mindset and then blamed capitalists for failing to pay off young people's debts; Democrats abused our scientific and governmental institutions and then suggested that Republican resistance was actually Biblical fundamentalism rearing its ugly head. Meanwhile, political independents grow increasingly discouraged by our politics. They see Republicans shifting the deck chairs atop the Titanic of state as Democrats eagerly drill more holes in the hull — and they are increasingly depressed. They are not wrong to be. But they are wrong to believe that they can or should chart a middle course between those who love America and its founding principles and those who despise them. We should all be proud of America, the greatest country in the history of the world, with all of its faults and flaws. And we should work to correct those faults and flaws, rather than seek its overthrow or despairing and throwing up our hands.

Trumps drop 'Made in the USA' label for new phone and a debate ensues: How to define 'made'?
Trumps drop 'Made in the USA' label for new phone and a debate ensues: How to define 'made'?

Yahoo

time26-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Trumps drop 'Made in the USA' label for new phone and a debate ensues: How to define 'made'?

NEW YORK (AP) — When the Trump family unveiled a new phone before a giant American flag at its headquarters earlier this month, the pitch was simple and succinct, packed with pure patriotism: 'Made in the U.S.A.' The Trumps are apparently having second thoughts. How about 'proudly American'? Those are the two words that have replaced the 'Made in the USA' pitch that just a few days ago appeared on the website where customers can pre-order the so-called T-1 gold-toned phones with an American flag etched on the back. Elsewhere on the site, other vague terms are now being used, describing the $499 phone as boasting an 'American-Proud Design' and 'brought to life right here in the U.S.A.' The Federal Trade Commission requires that items labeled 'Made in USA' be 'all or virtually all' produced in the U.S. and several firms have been sued over misusing the term. The Trump Organization has not explained the change and has not responded to a request for comment. Neither did an outside public relations firm handling the Trumps' mobile phone business, including a request to confirm a statement made to another media outlet. 'T1 phones are proudly being made in America,' said Trump Mobile spokesman Chris Walker, according to USA Today. 'Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate.' The language change on the website was first reported by the news site The Verge. An expert on cell phone technology, IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo, said he's not surprised the Trump family has dropped the 'Made in the USA' label because it's nearly impossible to build one here given the higher cost and lack of infrastructure to do so. But, of course, you can claim to do it. 'Whether it is possible or not to build this phone in the US depends on what you consider 'build,'" Jeronimo said. 'If it's a question of assembling components and targeting small volumes, I suppose it's somehow possible. You can always get the components from China and assemble them by hand somewhere.' 'You're going to have phones that are made right here in the United States of America,' said Trump's son Eric to Fox News recently, adding, 'It's about time we bring products back to our great country.' The Trump family has flown the American flag before with Trump-branded products of suspicious origin, including its 'God Bless the USA' Bibles, which an Associated Press investigation last year showed were printed in China. The Trump phone is part of a bigger family mobile business plan designed to tap into MAGA enthusiasm for the president. The two sons running the business, Eric and Don Jr., announced earlier this month that they would offer mobile phone plans for $47.45 a month, a reference to their father's status as the 45th and 47th president. The call center, they said, will be in the U.S., too. 'You're not calling up call centers in Bangladesh,' Eric Trump said on Fox News. 'We're doing it out of St. Louis, Missouri.' The new service has been blasted by government ethics experts for a conflict of interest, given that President Donald Trump oversees the Federal Communications Commission that regulates the business and is investigating phone service companies that are now Trump Mobile rivals. Trump has also threatened to punish cell phone maker Apple, now a direct competitor, threatening to slap 25% tariffs on devices because of its plans to make most of its U.S. iPhones in India. ___

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