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Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Elon Musk is gone and tariffs are illegal, but it's no time to declare Trump defeated
Elon Musk is leaving the White House and a court has ruled a tranche of American trade tariffs to be illegal. They are two welcome developments, but it's too soon to celebrate that the most offensive elements of Donald Trump's presidency are going … going … gone. The U.S. Commander-in-Chief has shown no signs that he is prepared to fall back into a slow-and-steady pace of government that benefits all and favours none. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW No sign either that he is willing to follow any judge's orders. Opening the White House doors to Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla chief, was only one of the first instances of Trump's enthusiasm for blurring the lines between the spheres of public service and private enterprise. And though the social-media titan has admitted in an interview with tech publication Ars Technica that 'I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics' the giant wrecking ball he set in motion with the President's blessing will not be soon or easily stopped. Likewise, Trump's tariffs. They have roiled markets, cut the legs out from long-standing trade relationships and transformed Washington into a near-permanent episode of Let's Make a Deal. Politics Mark Carney 'welcomes' U.S. court decision that rules Trump's tariffs are 'unjustified' Tonda MacCharles They have resulted in a frightening and sometimes farcical state-of-affairs that carries the risk of recession or economic ruin for U.S.-dependent countries. That's why Wednesday's court ruling that two groups of the trade duties were illegal has received a global welcome, though not yet a sense of complete relief. The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump's fentanyl-and-migrant tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China violated the law because 'they do not deal with the threats' outlined in the president's executive orders. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The court also ruled that separate 'retaliatory' tariffs against a swath of nations, from Australia to India to Madagascar to Vietnam, 'exceed(ed) any authority granted to the president … to regulate importation by means of tariffs.' The court ruled that this authority, under the law, falls to the U.S. Congress, not the president. Other tariffs on foreign steel, aluminum and cars imports remain in place. The White House response was unflinching: 'It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency,' a Trump spokesperson said, adding that the President would use 'every lever of executive power' at his disposal. That puts another wrecking ball in motion — this one on a collision course with the courts. It will probably only be decided by the Republican-majority justices of the Supreme Court, who have shown some signs of willingness to put up roadblocks for an administration keen on pushing the bounds of presidential powers. But there are even doubts about Trump's willingness to follow orders from the country's highest court. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Last month, the administration was ordered to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen mistakenly deported back to his home country despite an order that he should be protected from threats made by gang members against his family. Abrego Garcia remains in custody, with Trump maintaining that he is a dangerous member of a gang himself, the MS-13, which has been designated as a terrorist organization. So, it is no time for Trump's exhausted and exasperated opposition to take a breather or a victory lap, though there will be temptations. The ambitions of Musk, the intergalactic entrepreneur, were sky high. His accomplishments at the head of the Department of Government Efficiency after 130 days, however, were distinctly terrestrial. A promised US$2 trillion in spending cuts was quickly halved and then halved again. The most recent estimates, posted to the department's website, claim savings of US$175 billion. In that short time, he effectively dismantled USAID, the government's main foreign assistance program, ended programs, and positions and contracts that promoted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. His office has also broken faith with public-sector workers. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The most glaring example of Musk's tactless approach was a now-famous February email demanding that bureaucrats outline 'what they got done last week.' 'Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation,' he wrote in an explanatory note on X. His approach to the public service may have side-swiped the reputation and stock price of his beloved car company, but it also opened a breach in the wall between the realms of public and private interests. Is it appropriate that a public servant — even if he is the richest man in the world — wear Tesla merchandise to government meetings, as he did the other day when meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Director of National Intelligence? Or for Trump and Musk to host a March photo op that turned the White House driveway into a temporary Tesla dealership? Whether it's labelled a conflict of interest or corruption, it's a break with something sacred. And it continues. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Trump drafts cryptocurrency-friendly government policies while, at the same time, pumping the value of his official meme coin. Introduced just a few days before Trump was sworn in for his second term, he promoted it earlier this month by offering crypto investors a meet-the-president dinner that was billed as 'the most exclusive invitation in the world.' It's now the subject of congressional inquiry, described by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal as 'unprecedented, pay-to-play scheme to provide access to the Presidency to the highest bidder.' The shiny crypto coin reflects the ego of a man for whom the professional and the political has always been personal. It started with his family name on branded buildings and golf courses. It continues with his fat-marker signature scrawled at the bottom of presidential executive orders. But those edicts are at risk of turning a presidential administration into an all-powerful imperial court. One that takes inspiration from the phrase attributed to Louis XIV, the Sun King, who believed that the laws in 17th century France were whatever he wanted them and declared them to be. 'l'État c'est moi,' he reputedly told French parliamentarians who dared challenge his will. 'I am the state.'
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Man buys hot dogs and two scratch-off tickets on work trip — and wins big
A man bought hot dogs and scratch-off tickets while on a weekslong work assignment in Maryland — and he ended up winning big, lottery officials said. The New Hampshire native scored $50,000 with one of the Let's Make a Deal scratch-off tickets, the Maryland Lottery said in a May 23 news release. He bought the tickets at a Sheetz convenience store in Joppa, lottery officials said. The man told lottery officials he is 'a casual casino gambler' and bought the scratch-off tickets after popping into the store with co-workers. One co-worker 'said something to the effect of, 'Could you imagine if one of us won the lottery?'' according to lottery officials, and that inspired the soon-to-be winner. He used $15 on two $5 tickets and hot dogs, and 'now he can imagine what it's like to win the lottery,' the lottery officials said. The man plans to seek advice from his dad about how to handle the windfall, lottery officials said, though at the very least he does want to buy a fishing rod. Joppa is about a 23-mile drive northeast from Baltimore.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Lottery player never thought of himself as ‘lucky.' Then he won big in Maryland
A lottery player bought a handful of scratch-offs and won big, Maryland officials said. The Montgomery County man bought the instant tickets with his friend and quickly learned of his $50,000 prize as he scratched the games, according to a May 23 news release by the Maryland Lottery. 'I didn't believe what I was seeing, because I never thought of myself as lucky,' the mechanic who bought the ticket in Mt. Airy told lottery officials. He couldn't come to terms with his win, so after he scanned the $5 'Let's Make a Deal' scratch-off, he even went to different retailers to double check, officials said. He's always 'enjoyed playing the lottery with family and coworkers' but has never won more than a few hundred dollars until now, officials said. The lucky winner didn't specify what he plans to do with the winnings but did say he wants to 'keep the exact amount under wraps when sharing the news with loved ones,' officials said. Mt. Airy about a 40-mile drive northwest from Baltimore.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans expand "Trump bucks" scheme with 'MAGA savings accounts'
In his role as president and political gameshow host, Donald Trump loves to give away money (or at least pretend to) as he makes "amazing deals." As media scholar David Altheide explained to me, "President Trump's relentless assault on American institutions, economic theory, and the world economy is front and center of the world's media." Trump's faux daily press briefing and access is more akin to the established TV format of game show host. See 'Let's Make a Deal.' The super game show host masquerading as a President is seeking ratings, approval and recognition….As it should be. Or not. Trump continues to play at being the star of the show, and in keeping with the entertainment format and media logic that got him his start, continues to strive to be the dominant personality of the world. It is Trump's understanding of 'pocketbook voting' in the most literal sense (which includes turning the White House into a personal ATM for himself, his family, and inner circle) that may secure his and the MAGA movement's hold over American politics for the foreseeable future. During his first term in office, Donald Trump made sure to put his name on the COVID relief checks that were sent to the American people. In a country where most Americans do not have $1,000 in case of an emergency, these COVID relief checks were a literal lifeline. These checks also created a personal connection between Donald Trump and the tens of millions of low-information and undecided voters who ultimately decided the outcome of the 2024 election. In contrast, President Biden made a choice not to sign the COVID relief checks that were sent out during the first term of his presidency. Moreover, Biden promised the American people $2,000 in relief money and then reneged (the final check was $1,400). Biden was punished at the polls for this choice, which was one of many errors in that sunk his electoral fortunes and those of Kamala Harris and the Democrats. Now Trump and his MAGA Republicans in Congress are continuing with the 'Trump bucks' strategy. As part of Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' that is being forced through the Republican-controlled Congress (which is most certainly not 'beautiful' for the American people as it takes hundreds of billions of dollars away from the neediest Americans and gives it to the very rich and corporations) the newest ploy is a proposed $1,000 in the form of 'MAGA saving accounts' for children. Business Insider reports: The "big, beautiful bill" that aligns with President Donald Trump's broader economic agenda and was unveiled by House Republicans on Monday includes a so-called "MAGA" savings accounts for kids. Within the bill's draft is the creation of "Money account for growth and advancement" accounts, or "MAGA accounts," laying out a pilot program to launch the accounts with $1,000 each. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas recently talked about the plan with Semafor after he pushed the idea to his fellow Republicans as they attended a party retreat earlier this month. "The case I made to my colleagues is: We should ask ourselves in this bill, what will be the legacy that people will remember and talk about 10 years from now, 20, 30, 40 years from now?" Cruz said at the time. In the House bill, the item is listed as the "MAGA Accounts Contribution Pilot Program." The plan would give parents with a qualifying child a "one-time credit of $1,000" that'd be payable into the child's account. To be eligible for the program, the child must be a US citizen "at birth," possess a Social Security number, and have a birthdate after December 31, 2024, and prior to January 1, 2029. In the House bill's draft, the MAGA accounts are specified as being "exempt from taxation." If enacted beyond the pilot program, the MAGA savings accounts would be extended to children born before 2024 and who are under eight years old. Trump and his MAGA Republicans' 'MAGA accounts' are a version of the 'baby bond' program that Democrats, liberals and progressives have long supported in various forms. The right wing generally opposed such a program as 'wasteful spending,' 'socialism,' and 'government handouts.' In a conversation with Semafor, Sen. Ted Cruz explained how he views the difference between "MAGA accounts" and the Democratic Party's "baby bonds": ' That is just a government program, where this is very much designed to get the next generation to invest in the market. You see a lot of young people who in public opinion surveys, say they have a negative view of capitalism and they embrace what is powerful about this is, when every child has invested, it's no longer an abstract idea. It will be very difficult for an already ineffective and uncoordinated Democratic Party and its spokespeople to oppose these new 'Trump bucks.' The most obvious challenge is that the Democrats will be accused of being 'anti-family' and against 'family values' and that they must hate children. The Republicans and the right-wing disinformation machine and echo chamber have spent decades branding the Democrats in that way. Donald Trump and his Republican Party will also use 'MAGA accounts' to summon up the zombie idea of 'compassionate conservatism,' even though the American right has spent decades expanding and amplifying the culture of cruelty and a Terrordome that is now growing even faster under Trump's direction. In a new essay at the LA Progressive, social theorist Henry Giroux warns, "We are not witnessing a temporary crisis. We are witnessing collapse: of public institutions, civic imagination, and the ethical vocabulary that once made collective life thinkable. Neoliberalism, far from dead, has mutated into a violent form of capitalist necropolitics or neoliberal fascism, one that celebrates greed, rewards cruelty, and administers violence and death in slow and spectacular forms." The Democrats will likely make the correct intervention that 'MAGA accounts' are a distraction and bait-and-switch trick because they are a paltry substitute as compared to the hundreds of billions of dollars that the Republicans are cutting away from healthcare, education, food and housing assistance, the social safety net, science, protecting the environment, and other investments in the country and its well-being that offer much larger tangible benefits for children and young people and the American people as a whole. Unfortunately for the Democrats, decades of political science and other research show that the American voter is not sophisticated. Their political decision-making is largely made in response to emotions, messaging and storytelling, more than a sophisticated understanding of facts and public policy. In total, the average American voter tends to be imagistic, emotional and biased towards immediacy and the short-term in their political decision-making. 'Trump bucks' in their various forms are a tangible incentive to support Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. As seen with the right-wing lie that millions of 'illegal aliens' are receiving Medicaid, MAGA savings accounts will also serve as another attack point in the Trump administration's racist and nativist campaign to end birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment. Per this argument, 'if we are going to give $1,000 to children and families, then we need to make sure it is going to 'real Americans' and not 'illegals!'' The Democrats and others who correctly see these MAGA saving accounts and other examples of 'Trump bucks' as a ploy and long con that takes advantage of the American's people's economic desperation (and shortsightedness and lack of political sophistication) will likely protest that 'MAGA savings accounts' are divisive and polarizing because they are not named something 'unifying' and 'tasteful' like 'baby bonds' or 'a child saving's bond'. As the Democrats should have learned in 2016, 'When they go low, we go high!' is not a winning political strategy or messaging. Politeness, moral superiority, and principles are no substitute for $1,000 when so many Americans exist in such a financially precarious potential for more 'Trump bucks' to do substantial damage to the Democrats is reinforced by political consultant Stanley B. Greenberg's new article in The American Prospect about the Democratic Party's doomed 2024 presidential campaign(s) and the role of message discipline and branding in that defeat: It was emblematic of the entire campaign: unable to focus on the most obvious line of attack, switched between different campaigns, did not battle to win each day, and allowed the opponent to score many free hits. Harris did indeed benefit immensely from her launch, the Democratic convention, and debate. But then it fell apart. In my post-election poll, the top reasons to vote for Harris were to save democracy and stop fascism and to save the Affordable Care Act—not the issues that were at the top of voters' minds. And after she lost, Biden said he would have won. For the past 15 years, the great working-class majority has heard Democratic presidents and nominees praise the American economy. Along with the mainstream media and economists, they cheer it as 'the envy of the world.' Did our leader notice that the great majority have been largely treading water or worse for 25 years? The top 0.1 percent and 1 percent and 5 percent are devouring a growing share of income and especially wealth. At the same time, the obscene wealth of billionaires gives them tremendous political influence…. Democrats can learn from that moment when Harris was poised to win. She was for the middle class, mainstream on cultural issues, and pushing clearly and consistently for economic and political change. Whatever the state of the economy and the country's political life in 2026 and 2028 (it is a huge assumption that there will even be 'free and fair' elections as the Trump administration expands its autocratic reach), the American people will be asking the respective candidates 'What have you done for me lately?' and then saying, 'Show me the money!' The New York Times reports that Wednesday night, House Republicans changed the name of these proposed "MAGA Accounts" to make the connection between Donald Trump and this money even more explicit and undeniable. In the most recent version of Trump's "big beautiful bill," the $1,000 will now be deposited in a "Trump account." The Times adds, "Under the bill, children born between Jan., 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2029, would receive the money, which would be invested on their behalf in financial markets. Once they had grown up, they could withdraw the proceeds to pay for certain expenses, including going to college or buying a house. The child's parents, or other third parties, could also contribute to the account. While the benefit of the $1,000 initial investment from the government is clear, the accounts have otherwise puzzled tax experts." Democrats need a concrete plan with clear deliverables if they want to take back power and begin to do the extremely difficult work of slowing down and eventually stopping Trumpism and the larger American (and global) authoritarian movement.
The Hill
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump's high-stakes Putin call
Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here It's the Monday before Memorial Day weekend. Who thinks the House will pass Trump's agenda by the end of the week? *nervous laugh* Let me know your thoughts. In today's issue: ^ That *has* to be some kind of record. Vice President Vance met with Pope Leo XIV this morning after attending his inaugural Mass on Sunday. How did the meeting go?: The Vatican says it was 'cordial.' They discussed religion, religious freedom and international issues. Tidbit: Vance passed along a letter from President Trump and first lady Melania Trump inviting the pope to visit the White House. 📸 Photo of the letter handoffVance also gave the pope a Chicago Bears jersey. Meanwhile, on this episode of the very-real 'Let's Make a Deal': President Trump spent his morning trying to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He held a critical call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has vowed to end the conflict but has had little success so far. Vance weighed in on expectations for the meeting: 'We're more than open to walking away,' Vance told reporters. 'The United States is not going to spin its wheels here. We want to see outcomes.' He also speculated that Trump would ask Putin, 'are you serious? Are you real about this?' ^ From Vance: 'I think the president's going to say to President Putin, 'Look, are you serious? Are you real about this?' Because the proposal from the United States has always been: Look, there are a lot of economic benefits to thawing relations between Russia and the rest of the world, but you're not going to get those benefits if you keep on killing a lot of innocent people,' Vance said. 'If you're willing to stop the killing, the United States is willing to be a partner for peace.' 🗨️ Follow today's live blog ➤ WHAT ELSE IS ON TRUMP'S MIND TODAY? BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Trump is calling for a 'major investigation' into why some celebrities performed for former Vice President Harris. He posted: 'HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT? WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? …AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO???' The stock market opened with losses this morning after the Moody's ratings agency downgraded the federal government's credit rating from triple-A to double-A. Keep in mind this was the agency's first time changing the U.S.'s creditworthiness. Former President Biden thanked the outpowering of support following his cancer diagnosis, noting in an X post that 'cancer touches us all.' 📸 Biden posted a photo with Jill and their cat, Willow If you missed the news: Biden, 82, announced has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. What we know about his diagnosis: His doctor found a 'small nodule' during a recent medical exam, which was then tested. On a Gleason scale, which usually ranges from 6-10 in terms of aggressiveness, Biden's cancer has been scored as a 9. Read more: What is prostate cancer? What happens now?: 'The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,' according to his office. Prostate cancer experts told The New York Times that once the cancer spreads to the bones, it cannot be cured, but a Duke University expert says it's possible to live many years with it. There has been a flood of well wishes to the former president since the announcement, including several of his political foes. President Trump wished 'Joe a fast and successful recovery.' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she was 'sorry' to hear the news, adding that 'cancer is truly awful.' Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he would be praying for Biden. Keep in mind: The new book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson on Biden's mental decline is coming out tomorrow. Some, particularly on the right, have questioned the timeline of the Sunday announcement — and why Biden's cancer wasn't discovered sooner. CNN political commentator David Axelrod suggested that discussions about Biden's mental acuity should be put aside for now, also saying this comes at a 'stressful time' for the former president. Vance just weighed in: 'We really do need to be honest about whether the former president was capable of doing the job…I don't think that he was in good enough health,' Vance told reporters today on Air Force Two. 'This is not child's play. We can pray for good health, but also recognize that if you're not in good enough health to do the job, you shouldn't be doing the job,' Vance continued. 📹 Watch the clip House Republicans inched forward in passing President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' late last night. They successfully advanced the reconciliation bill out of the Budget Committee after a group of conservatives joined Democrats in torpedoing the Friday vote. Did those conservatives agree to it?: They voted 'present,' allowing the bill to move forward but without having to vote 'yes.' To give you a sense of how high-stakes this was: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and White House Legislative Affairs Director James Braid made appearances at the Sunday night vote. And just before 1 a.m. Monday,Trump posted, 'CONGRATULATIONS REPUBLICANS!!!' on Truth Social. Now, what?: The bill stops at the House Rules Committee, which will make last-minute changes to reflect any compromises made during negotiations. Johnson still has a lot of hurdles left before the bill can pass the House — and House Republicans are still hoping to have that completed by the end of the week. Punchbowl News says Republican leadership won't recess for Memorial Day weekend until the House passes it. ➤ THE SENATE ISN'T WILD ABOUT ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL: Senate Republicans argue that combining the president's priorities into one bill has too many 'problems' to pass. They want to break it up into smaller pieces to help some of the less controversial portions quickly pass, reports The Hill's Alexander Bolton. The politics of the proposed Medicaid cuts are not great for some Republican senators. If this debate feels familiar to you, it should: This has been the crux of the debate Capitol Hill Republicans have had since January. Read Bolton's reporting on what senators are privately saying: 'Senate Republicans want to break up House's Trump bill into bite-size pieces' The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST) 3 p.m.: Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a bill signing ceremony. 💻 Livestream 4:30 p.m.: Trump participates in a law enforcement event in the Oval Office. 5:30 p.m.: The Senate holds a cloture vote. 📆Today's agenda 6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆Today's agenda 7 p.m.: Trump participates in a Kennedy Center board dinner. 🍰 Celebrate: Today is National Devil's Food Cake Day. 🎷 The SNL season finale: NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' mocked Trump's Middle East visit during 📹the cold open. And 'Weekend Update' segment hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che did their classic 📹joke swap. 🍪 Elmo is going to Netflix: The next season of 'Sesame Street' will premiere on Netflix. Because it's a Monday and I want to leave you in a cheery mood, check out this pickle-of-a-situation this goat has gotten itself into.
