Latest news with #TrumpAlwaysChickensOut
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom Brutally Mocks Trump's ‘This Is Not Good' Understatement
Donald Trump finally admitted there have been negative consequences to his immigration crackdown ― and California Gov. Gavin Newsom was ready to pounce. On his Truth Social platform Thursday, Trump saidhe'd been hearing complaints from 'our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business' about his mass deportation agenda. 'Our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,' Trump acknowledged before claiming that 'Criminals' are now 'applying for those jobs.' 'This is not good,' he wrote, promising, 'Changes are coming!' Newsom ― who has been railing against the president since Trump called in the military to suppress immigrant rights protests in Los Angeles ― immediately shot back: 'Turns out, chasing hard working people through ranches and farms and snatching women and children off the streets is not good policy.' Turns out, chasing hard working people through ranches and farms and snatching women and children off the streets is not good policy. — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025 A short time later, Newsom posted a video saying that Trump had once again reversed course on policy, a pattern that has inspired the phrase 'Trump Always Chickens Out,' or TACO. 'MAJOR WIN: Trump just reversed course on immigration. We're watching closely — and we'll hold him to it,' Newsom posted. 'This happened because you spoke up. Keep it going. Keep it peaceful. It's working.' MAJOR WIN: Trump just reversed course on watching closely — and we'll hold him to it. This happened because you spoke up. Keep it going. Keep it peaceful. It's working. — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025 It's not clear that Trump, despite promising 'changes,' has actually reversed course on any of his policies toward immigrants. In the meantime, people on social media weren't exactly celebrating the president's epiphany. To be fair, Trump always seems surprised when something he does backfires. His budget, his tariffs, his deportations have all backfired for the same reason: incompetent execution. He just never has the discipline to do anything right — Patrick Strother (@PatrickStrother) June 12, 2025 Trump just realized how his terrible policy is hurting the American people. He caved just like he always do. — Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) June 12, 2025 Immigration TACO. — Paul Graham (@paulg) June 12, 2025 Finally, someone had to spell it out for Trump and his MAGA minions—chasing hardworking people off farms and snatching families off streets isn't 'great policy,' it's a disgrace! The irony of Trump needing a reality check on what the rest of us have known for years is laughable.… — Peter (@_e_tto_) June 12, 2025 Trump is having a really hard time finding the criminals he so dearly longs to deport. So, he's going after the soft targets. People who can't afford to miss a single day's work, even if it means getting dragged from the fields they work in. — Deborah, My Friends Call Me Slayer🔥🐉⚔️🔥 (@drodvik52) June 12, 2025 You can't call them *criminals* one day and *essential workers* the they pick your food, clean your rooms, raise your children— they're not the threat. They're the kind of kingdom arrests the servants but pardons the kings who exploit them? — Digital Jesus (@0xDigital_Jesus) June 12, 2025 Gavin Newsom Savagely Corrects Sarah Huckabee Sanders Gavin Newsom Delivers Grim Predictions About Trump's Next Move Gavin Newsom Offers Blunt Reality Check On Who's Really 'Defending Insurrectionists' Gov. Newsom Files Restraining Order To Block Trump's Militarization Of LA
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Donald Trump to set unilateral tariff rates for trading partners within two weeks, ‘Can take it or leave it'
United States President Donald Trump on June 11 said he intends to send letters to trading partners within the next week or two setting unilateral tariff rates, according to a Bloomberg report. The move will come ahead of a July 9 deadline to reimpose higher duties on severeal countries, it added. Speaking to reporters, Donald Trump said, 'At a certain point, we're just going to send letters out. And I think you understand that, saying this is the deal, you can take it or leave it.' When reporters questioned if countries would get more time to make trade deals before the higher tariffs start, the US president said he would be open to it, but 'But I don't think we're gonna have that necessity'. While Donald Trump had initially said he would engage in talks with each country, the US strategy has since moved towards prioritising key economic partners with the administration acknowledging that it lacks the capacity to negotiate dozens of individual deals, the report said. While deals with China and the United Kingdom have had extensive discussions and 'near' completion, Trump's team is working to secure bilateral deals with India, Japan, South Korea and the European Union. Also speaking to reporters on June 11, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that a deal with the EU is likely to be among the last to be completed, expressing frustration with conducting talks with a 27-nation bloc. At present it is unclear if Donald Trump will follow through with his intent as he has often set two-week deadlines only for dates to be postponed or for the matter to be dropped, the report noted. Notably, on May 29, a reporter invited Donald Trump ire by asking his opinion on Wall Street dubbing his tariffs plan as TACO i.e. Trump Always Chickens Out — mocking the US president's frequent tariff impositions and subsequent reductions, followed by waivers. A visibly offended Donald Trump went on a defensive rant: 'Don't ever say what you said. To me, that's the nastiest question.' In April, the US president announced higher tariffs for dozens of trading partners, and then paused action for 90 days. Then, on May 16, Donald Trump said he would be setting tariff rates for US trading partners 'over the next two to three weeks'. Till date (June 11 last), the only trade framework the US has reached is with the UK, along with a shaky tariff truce with China. First coined by The Financial Times' Robert Armstrong, the term 'TACO' has been picked up for use by Wall Street traders, who see large sell-offs each time Donald Trump's tariffs are announced, followed by recovery when the demand is cut down or removed. (With inputs from Bloomberg)
USA Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance | Opinion You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Show Caption Hide Caption Elon Musk says he regrets some post about President Trump Elon Musk says some of his posts about President Trump "went too far" during a public war of words. It didn't take long for billionaire soy boy Elon Musk to start groveling at the feet of President Donald Trump. The seemingly inseparable pro-tyranny twins had a very public breakup last week. But on June 11, Musk issued the following weak-kneed, beta-male statement on social media: 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.' The world's richest suck-up didn't specify which of his posts went too far. Was it the one hoping Trump gets impeached so Vice President JD Vance can take over? The one about Trump's tariffs leading to a recession later this year? Or maybe it was the one where you suggested the administration is covering up Trump's connection to convicted sex offender Jeff Epstein? Musk's weak apology to Trump isn't going to get the job done That's a lot of 'Oops!' to choose from, and Musk's vague regret made the whole thing sound, at the risk of offending the pro-Musk macho men of the man-o-sphere, kinda weak. You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Opinion: Musk erupts, claims Trump is in the Epstein files. Who could've seen this coming? Fake tough guys like Musk and Trump rely on optics Errol Musk, the Tesla CEO's father, said of the Trump/Musk feud: 'Things have gone over the top, but this is the situation when alphas fight it out.' Last September, Musk shared a post on X claiming the best thinkers are 'high T alpha males' and stating: 'This is why a Republic of high status males is best for decision making.' As the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, Musk equated himself to The Godfather, parading around in a 'Dogefather' shirt. Opinion: Musk calls Trump's bill an 'abomination.' I hate it when our two weird dads fight. Musk, like Trump, speaks loudly and carries a small stick Musk posted toughly in February that journalists from '60 Minutes' deserve 'a long prison sentence.' Tough talk, right? Tough guy then, I suppose. Or not. Alpha males never back down, right Elon? Musk reared up and attacked President Trump – a man so weak that Wall Street traders use the term 'TACO,' for Trump Always Chickens Out – and within a week, Musk is backpedaling. If there's one thing I've learned from reading manly posts by insecure, poorly-adjusted dudes on the internet, it's that alpha males don't backpedal. What are you going to do next to get back in Trump's good graces, Elon? Offer to toss a baton and dance in the military parade our totally-secure-in-his-masculinity president is throwing for his birthday this weekend? Perhaps Musk could buy back the Tesla he sold to Trump Are you going to offer to buy back the Tesla he bought from you at twice the retail price? Maybe name a rocket after him? (On second thought, don't do that. It would probably explode and then you'd have some SERIOUS groveling to do.) The bottom line is that 'I regret some of my posts' ain't gonna cut it, you little snowflake. You're going to have to emasculate yourself way more than that if you want to win your way back into the heart of a guy so faux-tough he sent the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to battle a relatively small number of largely peaceful protestors. Fake toughness demands exaggerated weakness. Cry more, Elon. I know you've got it in you. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
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First Post
3 days ago
- Business
- First Post
As LA immigration protests spread across the US, will Trump go Taco again?
US President Donald Trump's militarised response to immigration protests in Los Angeles has triggered backlash — reviving questions over whether he will backtrack, as he has often done under pressure. As protests spread nationwide, all eyes are on the White House. Will Trump follow the Taco pattern — Trump Always Chickens Out? read more US President Donald Trump speaks as he participates in a roundtable discussion with the Fraternal Order of Police at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 5, 2025. File Image/Reuters The ongoing protests in Los Angeles which were sparked by immigration enforcement raids were met with a swift federal response from Washington. United States President Donald Trump's move to deploy thousands of US troops to the city has resulted in a legal battle. At the heart of the controversy lies a simple question with complex implications: will Trump once again reverse course if opposition continues to mount? Trump's decision to send military personnel into LA — overriding objections from California officials — has reopened scrutiny into a longstanding pattern of policy flip-flops, especially when resistance grows or market impacts deepen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This pattern, so familiar that it has come to be known by the acronym TACO — Trump Always Chickens Out — is now being put to the test once again. How Trump got the Taco tag The term 'TACO' surged into public discussion in May 2025 after journalist Robert Armstrong used it in a Financial Times opinion column analysing Trump's trade strategies. It gained immediate traction for encapsulating a familiar political behaviour: the President often makes aggressive pronouncements or policy moves, only to withdraw them later under pressure. Armstrong wrote that the market was realising that 'the US administration does not have a very high tolerance for market and economic pressure, and will be quick to back off when tariffs cause pain.' He dubbed this the 'Taco theory.' Since then, commentators and financial analysts have pointed to multiple episodes that fit this mold. Among the most cited were the rapid pause in 'Liberation Day' tariffs just a week after their announcement, Trump's public call to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell followed by his retreat from that stance, and an agreement to scale back China-related tariffs after initial escalation. Financial Times' Katie Martin cited three such turnarounds that had tangible impacts on market performance. Other reports, like Shannon Pettypiece's for NBC News, documented as many as ten specific trade reversals: from duties on European wine and Canadian goods to proposed levies on iPhones and children's toys. As protests and unrest continue across California and spread to other cities like Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and New York, the question resurfaces: will Trump remain committed to this path, or will the 'Taco theory' play out once more? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why Trump's federal deployment in questionable The Trump administration has defended its decision to deploy a significant military presence to Los Angeles, but the move has drawn sharp criticism for both its legal footing and fiscal cost. According to a Pentagon estimate presented to Congress, the deployment is expected to cost approximately $134 million over a 60-day period. This figure includes expenses related to housing, transportation, and food for the personnel involved. Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, a Pentagon official serving as a special assistant to the secretary of defense, shared the cost breakdown during testimony before a House subcommittee. The funding for this operation is being drawn from the Department of Defense's Operations & Maintenance budget. A total of 4,700 personnel have been activated as part of this mobilisation: 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 Marines. Though Marines have yet to be seen actively engaged on the streets, the presence of National Guard troops — especially near federal buildings and ICE operations — has been confirmed. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth appeared before lawmakers to defend the decision, asserting that 'every American citizen deserves to live in a community that's safe, and ICE agents need to be able to do their job.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hegseth argued that the 60-day deployment timeline was intentional: 'We stated very publicly that it's 60 days because we want to ensure that those rioters, looters and thugs on the other side assaulting our police officers know that we're not going anywhere.' Hegseth also accused demonstrators of being in the country illegally and claimed the deployment was meant to protect law enforcement personnel who were being attacked. Why Trump's decision is being brought to court The troop deployment has exposed a significant clash between the federal executive branch and California's Democratic leadership. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent critic of the Trump administration, has openly opposed the military presence in his state. Speaking in a nationally televised address, Newsom described the moment as a 'war' being waged not just against protesters, but against the foundational principles of American democracy. 'California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived,' Newsom declared, warning that Trump's tactics reflect a larger attempt to centralise power in the White House and bypass the established norms of federalism. Newsom further added, 'He's declared a war. A war on culture, on history, on science, on knowledge itself. He's delegitimising news organisations, and he's assaulting the First Amendment.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asserting that 'it's time for all of us to stand up,' Newsom urged peaceful resistance while criticizing Trump's actions as fundamentally anti-democratic. Simultaneously, California filed a legal challenge to the troop deployment, arguing that federal intervention in state matters without consent violates the principles of state sovereignty. In response, a judge opted not to issue an immediate ruling, instead granting several days for the administration to continue its actions ahead of a scheduled hearing. Adding to the friction, Trump claimed he had spoken to Newsom about the protests. The Governor disputed this directly on social media, writing: 'There was no call. Not even a voicemail.' He added, 'Americans should be alarmed that a President deploying Marines onto our streets doesn't even know who he's talking to.' Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, pressed the administration over the legal grounds for military deployment. Representative Pete Aguilar cited federal law that allows presidential use of troops only under limited conditions such as foreign invasion, rebellion, or inability to enforce federal law using regular means. 'Which authority is triggered here to justify the use?' he asked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hegseth responded vaguely: 'I don't know. You just read it yourself so people can listen themselves, but it sounds like all three to me.' He reiterated claims that demonstrators were undocumented and violent, though evidence of this was not independently confirmed during the hearing. Representative Betty McCollum challenged why Marines were being sent to LA now when a similar response was not undertaken during the 2020 unrest in Minneapolis. Hegseth defended the decision, referencing leadership requests: 'The police chief said she was overwhelmed, so we helped.' However, it remains unclear which official Hegseth was referring to. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell had earlier issued a statement expressing concern over the deployment, saying it complicated efforts to de-escalate tension and posed logistical challenges due to lack of coordination. Will Taco Trump repeat himself? Trump has not ruled out invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the most severe emergency powers available to a U.S. president. From the Oval Office, he said: 'If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We'll see.' Trump also stoked further controversy by appearing to support the idea of Newsom's arrest if he were to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. 'I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,' the president told reporters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The broader context includes years of tension between Trump and California leadership, particularly Newsom. Trump has previously threatened to withhold wildfire aid, intervened in homelessness policy debates, and warned California residents that 'your children are in danger' due to illegal immigration. His rhetoric often includes insults — calling the governor 'New-scum' — and incendiary policy declarations. The recent protests, which began in response to ICE raids, have remained concentrated in downtown Los Angeles but are now being echoed in major cities across the US. Reports of teargas and violent clashes, including the torching of vehicles and highway blockades, have only heightened national interest. While Trump has so far stood firm on the military deployment, historical precedent suggests the possibility of a reversal. The president's record — be it trade threats, economic tariffs, or even high-profile dismissals — shows a consistent pattern of retreat when faced with sustained opposition or political cost. With inputs from agencies
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Trump sees the republic smell a lot like banana
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It's hard to decide what's more shocking. Is it the footage clearly showing the officer raise his weapon, aim and shoot, hitting Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi in the calf? The unmistakable intent is chilling. Is it California Governor Gavin Newsom's accusation that President Trump is trying to start a civil war? The deployment of US Marines on home soil? Or the dystopian imagery of federal agents, militarised in battle fatigues, racing into Los Angeles aboard armoured vehicles on their way to raid homewares stores and schools? All that is bad enough but the characterisation by Donald Trump's inner circle of the unrest in LA as "insurrection" would be laughable in its absurdity if it wasn't so frightening. Wind the clock back four-and-a-half years and you'll get an idea of what insurrection looks like. It's when a mob storms the Capitol, the seat of government, and threatens to lynch the vice-president and house speaker - egged on by the man who now sits in the Oval Office. Donald Trump pardoned even the worst offenders in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Now, in the name of law and order, he's calling out the military to put down protests against the militarised conduct of his immigration policies. The hypocrisy isn't lost on anyone. Nor the brute calculus of distraction. Trump has endured a torrid few weeks. There was the downgrade to the US credit rating, triggered by the president's reckless tax and spending bill. Trump's suffered the slings and arrows of a stock market which has coined the term TACO - Trump Always Chickens Out - to explain its apparent resilience in the face of the tariff turmoil. The very public rift with Elon Musk has made visible the cracks in the MAGA movement. Musk's post supporting impeachment and the accession of JD Vance possibly chilled Trump even more than the billionaire's since deleted claim the president featured in the Epstein files. And then there was the stumble. A true Biden movement as the president tripped on the stairs while boarding Air Force One after taking questions from the media about the unfolding unrest in LA. The strong man, who mocked his predecessor for his frailty, went viral in a split second of his own enfeeblement. No wonder he ratcheted up the threats after that. Hurt pride will do that when it involves a man with a brittle ego. Nursing an unholy bruise, Lauren Tomasi said she didn't want to become the story but there's no escaping that she is. Not only did she make international headlines but the PM, describing the footage as horrific, revealed he'd raised her treatment with the US Administration. The imagery of a police officer shooting a reporter - all caught in minute detail - will continue to define perceptions of the United States long after the unrest dies down. It will only add to the reasons travellers are avoiding the country, costing the US economy almost $17 billion in lost business this year alone. The shooting of Tomasi adds to the growing odour of banana about the republic. HAVE YOUR SAY: Have you changed plans to travel to the US? Should the PM raise the Tomasi shooting when he meets Donald Trump? Is the talk of civil war in the US overblown or is it a real risk if Trump continues down the path of authoritarianism? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Air Force personnel will soon be required to wear green camouflage instead of their blue-hued uniforms during front-line operations and training activities, a change that Defence claims will better prepare aviators for wartime conflicts. - An economic summit will bring together business, union and other leaders in a bid to lift Australia's lagging productivity. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a productivity roundtable would be held in August to shape ways to grow the economy during his second term in office. - In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. THEY SAID IT: "Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states." - Demosthenes YOU SAID IT: We each waste over 300 kilograms of food a year. Confusion over use-by and best-before labelling accounts for a lot of it. "My motto: If it looks OK and smells OK, it is OK," writes Elaine. "I look out for markdowns in the supermarkets that are approaching their use-by dates. I often wonder whether those labels are designed to make us throw perfectly good food away so as to encourage us to buy more." Paul worked in the waste industry for 20 years and was heavily involved in finding ways to reduce the burden on landfill. "I always said we are what we waste, our attitude to waste reflecting our lifestyle. For instance, the amount of food waste generated per household in, say, Vaucluse, was significantly higher than in the outer suburbs. Generally, the higher the income level, the greater the waste." Henry writes: "I'm of an age where use-by dates didn't exist. When they finally arrived my grandmother gave a derisive snort and said, 'It's a bit pointless putting them on Vegemite and honey.' "How is the date derived?" asks Michael. "My sodium bicarbonate from Aldi has a best before date: precisely 7:05pm on 9/11/2025. Amazing precision." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It's hard to decide what's more shocking. Is it the footage clearly showing the officer raise his weapon, aim and shoot, hitting Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi in the calf? The unmistakable intent is chilling. Is it California Governor Gavin Newsom's accusation that President Trump is trying to start a civil war? The deployment of US Marines on home soil? Or the dystopian imagery of federal agents, militarised in battle fatigues, racing into Los Angeles aboard armoured vehicles on their way to raid homewares stores and schools? All that is bad enough but the characterisation by Donald Trump's inner circle of the unrest in LA as "insurrection" would be laughable in its absurdity if it wasn't so frightening. Wind the clock back four-and-a-half years and you'll get an idea of what insurrection looks like. It's when a mob storms the Capitol, the seat of government, and threatens to lynch the vice-president and house speaker - egged on by the man who now sits in the Oval Office. Donald Trump pardoned even the worst offenders in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Now, in the name of law and order, he's calling out the military to put down protests against the militarised conduct of his immigration policies. The hypocrisy isn't lost on anyone. Nor the brute calculus of distraction. Trump has endured a torrid few weeks. There was the downgrade to the US credit rating, triggered by the president's reckless tax and spending bill. Trump's suffered the slings and arrows of a stock market which has coined the term TACO - Trump Always Chickens Out - to explain its apparent resilience in the face of the tariff turmoil. The very public rift with Elon Musk has made visible the cracks in the MAGA movement. Musk's post supporting impeachment and the accession of JD Vance possibly chilled Trump even more than the billionaire's since deleted claim the president featured in the Epstein files. And then there was the stumble. A true Biden movement as the president tripped on the stairs while boarding Air Force One after taking questions from the media about the unfolding unrest in LA. The strong man, who mocked his predecessor for his frailty, went viral in a split second of his own enfeeblement. No wonder he ratcheted up the threats after that. Hurt pride will do that when it involves a man with a brittle ego. Nursing an unholy bruise, Lauren Tomasi said she didn't want to become the story but there's no escaping that she is. Not only did she make international headlines but the PM, describing the footage as horrific, revealed he'd raised her treatment with the US Administration. The imagery of a police officer shooting a reporter - all caught in minute detail - will continue to define perceptions of the United States long after the unrest dies down. It will only add to the reasons travellers are avoiding the country, costing the US economy almost $17 billion in lost business this year alone. The shooting of Tomasi adds to the growing odour of banana about the republic. HAVE YOUR SAY: Have you changed plans to travel to the US? Should the PM raise the Tomasi shooting when he meets Donald Trump? Is the talk of civil war in the US overblown or is it a real risk if Trump continues down the path of authoritarianism? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Air Force personnel will soon be required to wear green camouflage instead of their blue-hued uniforms during front-line operations and training activities, a change that Defence claims will better prepare aviators for wartime conflicts. - An economic summit will bring together business, union and other leaders in a bid to lift Australia's lagging productivity. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a productivity roundtable would be held in August to shape ways to grow the economy during his second term in office. - In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. THEY SAID IT: "Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states." - Demosthenes YOU SAID IT: We each waste over 300 kilograms of food a year. Confusion over use-by and best-before labelling accounts for a lot of it. "My motto: If it looks OK and smells OK, it is OK," writes Elaine. "I look out for markdowns in the supermarkets that are approaching their use-by dates. I often wonder whether those labels are designed to make us throw perfectly good food away so as to encourage us to buy more." Paul worked in the waste industry for 20 years and was heavily involved in finding ways to reduce the burden on landfill. "I always said we are what we waste, our attitude to waste reflecting our lifestyle. For instance, the amount of food waste generated per household in, say, Vaucluse, was significantly higher than in the outer suburbs. Generally, the higher the income level, the greater the waste." Henry writes: "I'm of an age where use-by dates didn't exist. When they finally arrived my grandmother gave a derisive snort and said, 'It's a bit pointless putting them on Vegemite and honey.' "How is the date derived?" asks Michael. "My sodium bicarbonate from Aldi has a best before date: precisely 7:05pm on 9/11/2025. Amazing precision." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It's hard to decide what's more shocking. Is it the footage clearly showing the officer raise his weapon, aim and shoot, hitting Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi in the calf? The unmistakable intent is chilling. Is it California Governor Gavin Newsom's accusation that President Trump is trying to start a civil war? The deployment of US Marines on home soil? Or the dystopian imagery of federal agents, militarised in battle fatigues, racing into Los Angeles aboard armoured vehicles on their way to raid homewares stores and schools? All that is bad enough but the characterisation by Donald Trump's inner circle of the unrest in LA as "insurrection" would be laughable in its absurdity if it wasn't so frightening. Wind the clock back four-and-a-half years and you'll get an idea of what insurrection looks like. It's when a mob storms the Capitol, the seat of government, and threatens to lynch the vice-president and house speaker - egged on by the man who now sits in the Oval Office. Donald Trump pardoned even the worst offenders in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Now, in the name of law and order, he's calling out the military to put down protests against the militarised conduct of his immigration policies. The hypocrisy isn't lost on anyone. Nor the brute calculus of distraction. Trump has endured a torrid few weeks. There was the downgrade to the US credit rating, triggered by the president's reckless tax and spending bill. Trump's suffered the slings and arrows of a stock market which has coined the term TACO - Trump Always Chickens Out - to explain its apparent resilience in the face of the tariff turmoil. The very public rift with Elon Musk has made visible the cracks in the MAGA movement. Musk's post supporting impeachment and the accession of JD Vance possibly chilled Trump even more than the billionaire's since deleted claim the president featured in the Epstein files. And then there was the stumble. A true Biden movement as the president tripped on the stairs while boarding Air Force One after taking questions from the media about the unfolding unrest in LA. The strong man, who mocked his predecessor for his frailty, went viral in a split second of his own enfeeblement. No wonder he ratcheted up the threats after that. Hurt pride will do that when it involves a man with a brittle ego. Nursing an unholy bruise, Lauren Tomasi said she didn't want to become the story but there's no escaping that she is. Not only did she make international headlines but the PM, describing the footage as horrific, revealed he'd raised her treatment with the US Administration. The imagery of a police officer shooting a reporter - all caught in minute detail - will continue to define perceptions of the United States long after the unrest dies down. It will only add to the reasons travellers are avoiding the country, costing the US economy almost $17 billion in lost business this year alone. The shooting of Tomasi adds to the growing odour of banana about the republic. HAVE YOUR SAY: Have you changed plans to travel to the US? Should the PM raise the Tomasi shooting when he meets Donald Trump? Is the talk of civil war in the US overblown or is it a real risk if Trump continues down the path of authoritarianism? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Air Force personnel will soon be required to wear green camouflage instead of their blue-hued uniforms during front-line operations and training activities, a change that Defence claims will better prepare aviators for wartime conflicts. - An economic summit will bring together business, union and other leaders in a bid to lift Australia's lagging productivity. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a productivity roundtable would be held in August to shape ways to grow the economy during his second term in office. - In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. THEY SAID IT: "Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states." - Demosthenes YOU SAID IT: We each waste over 300 kilograms of food a year. Confusion over use-by and best-before labelling accounts for a lot of it. "My motto: If it looks OK and smells OK, it is OK," writes Elaine. "I look out for markdowns in the supermarkets that are approaching their use-by dates. I often wonder whether those labels are designed to make us throw perfectly good food away so as to encourage us to buy more." Paul worked in the waste industry for 20 years and was heavily involved in finding ways to reduce the burden on landfill. "I always said we are what we waste, our attitude to waste reflecting our lifestyle. For instance, the amount of food waste generated per household in, say, Vaucluse, was significantly higher than in the outer suburbs. Generally, the higher the income level, the greater the waste." Henry writes: "I'm of an age where use-by dates didn't exist. When they finally arrived my grandmother gave a derisive snort and said, 'It's a bit pointless putting them on Vegemite and honey.' "How is the date derived?" asks Michael. "My sodium bicarbonate from Aldi has a best before date: precisely 7:05pm on 9/11/2025. Amazing precision." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It's hard to decide what's more shocking. Is it the footage clearly showing the officer raise his weapon, aim and shoot, hitting Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi in the calf? The unmistakable intent is chilling. Is it California Governor Gavin Newsom's accusation that President Trump is trying to start a civil war? The deployment of US Marines on home soil? Or the dystopian imagery of federal agents, militarised in battle fatigues, racing into Los Angeles aboard armoured vehicles on their way to raid homewares stores and schools? All that is bad enough but the characterisation by Donald Trump's inner circle of the unrest in LA as "insurrection" would be laughable in its absurdity if it wasn't so frightening. Wind the clock back four-and-a-half years and you'll get an idea of what insurrection looks like. It's when a mob storms the Capitol, the seat of government, and threatens to lynch the vice-president and house speaker - egged on by the man who now sits in the Oval Office. Donald Trump pardoned even the worst offenders in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Now, in the name of law and order, he's calling out the military to put down protests against the militarised conduct of his immigration policies. The hypocrisy isn't lost on anyone. Nor the brute calculus of distraction. Trump has endured a torrid few weeks. There was the downgrade to the US credit rating, triggered by the president's reckless tax and spending bill. Trump's suffered the slings and arrows of a stock market which has coined the term TACO - Trump Always Chickens Out - to explain its apparent resilience in the face of the tariff turmoil. The very public rift with Elon Musk has made visible the cracks in the MAGA movement. Musk's post supporting impeachment and the accession of JD Vance possibly chilled Trump even more than the billionaire's since deleted claim the president featured in the Epstein files. And then there was the stumble. A true Biden movement as the president tripped on the stairs while boarding Air Force One after taking questions from the media about the unfolding unrest in LA. The strong man, who mocked his predecessor for his frailty, went viral in a split second of his own enfeeblement. No wonder he ratcheted up the threats after that. Hurt pride will do that when it involves a man with a brittle ego. Nursing an unholy bruise, Lauren Tomasi said she didn't want to become the story but there's no escaping that she is. Not only did she make international headlines but the PM, describing the footage as horrific, revealed he'd raised her treatment with the US Administration. The imagery of a police officer shooting a reporter - all caught in minute detail - will continue to define perceptions of the United States long after the unrest dies down. It will only add to the reasons travellers are avoiding the country, costing the US economy almost $17 billion in lost business this year alone. The shooting of Tomasi adds to the growing odour of banana about the republic. HAVE YOUR SAY: Have you changed plans to travel to the US? Should the PM raise the Tomasi shooting when he meets Donald Trump? Is the talk of civil war in the US overblown or is it a real risk if Trump continues down the path of authoritarianism? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Air Force personnel will soon be required to wear green camouflage instead of their blue-hued uniforms during front-line operations and training activities, a change that Defence claims will better prepare aviators for wartime conflicts. - An economic summit will bring together business, union and other leaders in a bid to lift Australia's lagging productivity. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a productivity roundtable would be held in August to shape ways to grow the economy during his second term in office. - In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. THEY SAID IT: "Close alliances with despots are never safe for free states." - Demosthenes YOU SAID IT: We each waste over 300 kilograms of food a year. Confusion over use-by and best-before labelling accounts for a lot of it. "My motto: If it looks OK and smells OK, it is OK," writes Elaine. "I look out for markdowns in the supermarkets that are approaching their use-by dates. I often wonder whether those labels are designed to make us throw perfectly good food away so as to encourage us to buy more." Paul worked in the waste industry for 20 years and was heavily involved in finding ways to reduce the burden on landfill. "I always said we are what we waste, our attitude to waste reflecting our lifestyle. For instance, the amount of food waste generated per household in, say, Vaucluse, was significantly higher than in the outer suburbs. Generally, the higher the income level, the greater the waste." Henry writes: "I'm of an age where use-by dates didn't exist. When they finally arrived my grandmother gave a derisive snort and said, 'It's a bit pointless putting them on Vegemite and honey.' "How is the date derived?" asks Michael. "My sodium bicarbonate from Aldi has a best before date: precisely 7:05pm on 9/11/2025. Amazing precision."
