COLUMBIA, South Carolina — President Donald J. Trump is projected to win the South Carolina primary, humiliating his last GOP competitor, Nikki Haley.
Trump arrived in Columbia having spoken at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland earlier in the day. The National Pulse was in attendance at the South Carolina event, which erupted in cheers when Trump was named the winner just moments after polls closed.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
Guests in attendance included Congressman Nancy Mace, Brexit leader Nigel Farage, and Senator Lindsay Graham.
Speaking to the assembled hundreds of supporters at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Trump stressed the importance of party unity in the face of another four years of Joe Biden.
❓What Happened: Former Biden government Ambassador to Japan, Chicago Mayor, and Clinton White House operative Rahm Emanuel says he warned senior Democratic Party officials and White House staff that Joe Biden’s diminished cognitive state would prevent him from running for a second term. Emanuel’s revelation regarding his role in Biden’s abrupt exit from the 2024 presidential race comes as he weighs his own possible run for the Democratic Party’s 2028 nomination.
👥 Who’s Involved: Rahm Emanuel, Tara Palmeri, former President Joe Biden, senior Democratic Party officials, and Biden White House aides.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Emanuel was evasive about when exactly he spoke with party officials and White House staff, though he revealed his actions on an April 16, 2025, podcast with journalist Tara Palmeri.
💬 Key Quote: “I let people know that could have an influence on that decision,” the former Chicago Mayor said, referring to Biden’s July 2024 announcement that he was ending his re-election bid.
⚠️ Impact: Emanuel’s comments come as several new reports have shed further light on how staff hid Biden’s diminished cognitive state from public scrutiny. Additionally, the admission of his role in Biden’s exit could impact potential support from influential Democratic Party leaders should Emanuel decide to seek the White House in 2028.
IN FULL:
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is floating a potential 2028 bid for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, claims he warned Democrat aides at the White House that former President Joe Biden was not in a state of health to run for re-election. Speaking with journalist Tara Palmeri, the usually brash and forward Clinton political machine hatchetman equivocated and appeared evasive regarding how and when he informed Biden’s team that the octogenarian Democrat’s declining cognitive state would doom his re-election bid. However, Emanuel did state that he spoke with White House officials over the phone while in Japan, where he was serving as Biden’s ambassador to the country.
“Look, I’ve talked about this with the White House officials, et cetera. And I was—I think it’s fair to say to you—is there anything that looks or comes across from Rahm Emanuel that’s shy, reserved, and soft spoken?” the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan told Palmeri after being pressed on when he realized that Joe Biden wasn’t fit to run for a second term. “I expressed myself, expressed my view, and I’ve been clear—I was clear as recently as yesterday also about President Biden speaking out, taking the focus away from Donald Trump. I believe one hundred percent, zero in like a laser, focus on making this a referendum on Donald Trump.”
After Palmeri pushed Emanuel for more concrete details regarding his conversation with White House officials on Biden’s cognitive state, the former Chicago Mayor became evasive, stating: “I can’t give you the hour or the day that I said it… I don’t have the exact date, and I’m not going to sit here and guess, but I expressed myself to individuals that were important.”
When pressed again on what he relayed to influential Democrats, Emanuel said, “I let people know that could have an influence on that decision,” referring to internal party deliberations and efforts that ultimately saw Biden exit the presidential race on July 21, 2024. He went on to stress that “part of the problem was the fact that the decision was too late,” again referring to Biden’s exit from the race. Emanuel added that not having an open primary process to select Biden’s replacement as the presidential nominee also hurt the Democratic Party in the November election.
Emanuel’s revelation that he informed influential Democrats and White House officials that he believed the former president could not run for re-election comes as several new reports have shed further light on how staff hid Biden’s diminished cognitive state from public scrutiny. Notably, The National Pulse reported last summer that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams—all staffers with close ties to Jill Biden—formed a protective bubble around Joe Biden, shielding him from even his own Cabinet Secretaries.
WATCH:
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: As equity markets decline, President Donald J. Trump is ramping up criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates. The increased pressure on the U.S. central bank comes a day after its reverse repo operations fell to their lowest level since April 2021.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the People’s Bank of China.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Trump posted his criticism of Powell to TruthSocial on April 17, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete ‘mess!'” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!”
⚠️ Impact: Trump’s remarks underline tensions over the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions, drawing attention to the central bank’s independence and lack of accountability, and renewed legal arguments over whether the president can remove its chairman.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump blasted Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday morning, arguing that the U.S. central bank chief is too slow to reduce interest rates. Trump’s criticism, posted to Truth Social, comes as U.S. equity markets continue their downward trajectory and the Federal Reserve’s reverse repo operations hit their lowest level since April 2021. Mounting concerns of a liquidity crisis and actions by China’s central bank to prop up its national economy in the face of U.S. tariffs have caused increasing strain between Powell and Trump.
“The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete ‘mess!'” President Trump wrote, continuing: “Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now.”
“Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” the President added.
Trump’s post was prompted by the European Central Bank (ECB) announcing a new quarter-point reduction in its deposit rate to 2.25 percent. This was the seventh time the ECB has cut rates since June last year. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has only enacted one rate cut in the U.S. over the same period, in September. Critics of Chairman Powell argue that the rate cut was a political move intended to boost the economy and aid the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.
Last November, following President Trump’s landslide 2024 election victory, Powell was pressed as to whether he’d resign from his Fed chairmanship should he be asked, responding bluntly, “No.” The central bank chief insisted that the White House is “not permitted under the law” to remove him and other senior Fed officials.
Notably, the Federal Reserve Act—the law governing the central bank—does allow the U.S. president to remove the Federal Reserve board members “for cause” in cases of negligence of duty, misconduct, or corruption. However, the law does not allow top Fed officials to be fired over policy differences—a provision intended to ensure the central bank’s independence in managing the country’s monetary policy.
Despite the legal hurdles, Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, indicated earlier this week that the White House has decided on a six-month timeline to replace Powell as the Fed chairman, suggesting interviews for his replacement would occur “sometime in the fall.” The Trump administration is pointing to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn the legal restrictions on removing top Federal Reserve officials, along with the heads of other independent government agencies, as the justification for Powell’s replacement timeline.
Should the court rule in the Trump administration’s favor, the White House would likely be legally clear to fire and replace the central bank chief.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: James Carville criticized David Hogg, describing him as a “contemptible little twerp” and suggesting the Democratic National Committee (DNC) should consider legal action against him over his decision to primary incumbent Democrat lawmakers.
👥 Who’s Involved: Democratic strategist James Carville, DNC Vice Chair and anti-gun rights activist David Hogg, Chris Cuomo, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Carville’s comments were made during a NewsNation segment on Wednesday evening.
💬 Key Quote: “Why doesn’t somebody sue David Hogg? He’s an officer of the Democratic National Committee… I think it’s an outrage.”
⚠️ Impact: Carville’s comments reflect growing tensions within the Democratic Party concerning strategies and internal challenges, specifically targeting Hogg’s plan to contest incumbent Democrats.
IN FULL:
Democratic strategist James Carville is suggesting the party sue David Hogg, the newly elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), over his Leaders We Deserve group’s intention to use its $20 million war chest to support younger Democratic candidates running against incumbents. The long-time Clinton campaign aide, appearing Wednesday night on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, argued Hogg’s move to back candidates in Democratic primaries goes against the responsibilities of Hogg’s role within the DNC.
“Why doesn’t somebody sue David Hogg? He’s an officer of the Democratic National Committee. He is the vice chairman of the Democrat National Committee, and he’s running against other Democrats,” Carville ranted, calling Hogg a “contemptible little twerp.” The infamous Democrat strategist—nicknamed the “Ragin’ Cajun”—told Cumo that Hogg, along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), is using the “MAGA playbook” to push “a purity test” that will only result in a “binary battle to the bottom” for the party.
“I would like to know, and you went to lawschool, does [Hogg] have a fiduciary duty to Democrats?” Carville asked Cuomo. “You have a fiduciary duty to your employer, which anybody can understand. He’s being paid to run against other Democrats. I think it’s an outrage.”
Notably, Hogg admitted when announcing his primary initiative, “This is going to anger a lot of people.” The National Pulse previously reported that the 25-year-old anti-gun rights activist refused to sign the DNC’s “neutrality policy” that bars officials from engaging in party infighting.
WATCH:
In which James Carville calls DNC Vice Chair David Hogg “a contemptible little twerp” for reportedly supporting efforts to primary sitting Democrats
“I don’t know if I have standing, but I might give the DNC $10 to sue him. He’s a contemptible little twerp if you ask me.” pic.twitter.com/D0TrZT59g0
❓What Happened: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is traveling to Washington on Thursday to negotiate with President Donald J. Trump regarding European Union (EU) tradetariffs.
👥 Who’s Involved: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., meeting on Thursday, with the trip concluding on Friday when Meloni returns to Rome.
💬 Key Quote: Meloni stated, “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”
⚠️ Impact: Potential impact on EU-U.S. trade dynamics, with current annual trade valued at approximately €1.6 trillion ($1.8 trillion).
IN FULL:
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting the United States on Thursday to engage in trade negotiations with President Donald J. Trump, with the aim of reducing tariffs on European exports. The meeting comes in the wake of Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement imposing reciprocal tariffs on foreign governments with barriers limiting the purchase of American exports, including a 20 percent trade duty on goods from the European Union (EU).
Subsequently, Trump paused the enactment of the reciprocal tariffs last week to allow time for negotiations on bilateral trade agreements with over 70 countries, but a 10 percent tariff remains in place alongside higher tariffs on specific products, such as steel.
Meloni is the first European leader to meet with Trump following the tariff announcement. The Italian Prime Minister’s White House visit underscores an effort by the EU to reach terms with President Trump and avoid the reimposition of the 20 percent tariff on the EU this summer. “We know we’re going through a difficult period, let’s see how it goes in the coming hours. I don’t feel any pressure, as you can imagine, for my next two days, let’s say,” Meloni quipped earlier this week. “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”
The rapport between Trump and Meloni could play a key role in the future of economic relations between the United States and Europe. President Trump has referred to Meloni as a “fantastic leader,” and the Italian Prime Minister has pushed EU leaders in Brussels to let her take the lead in working to de-escalate the trade tensions with the White House.
Following the Thursday meeting with President Trump, Meloni will return to Italy and host U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Rome, where trade discussions will likely continue. Trade between the EU and the United States is valued at an estimated €1.6 trillion (~$1.8 trillion) annually, with the former holding a trade surplus of €198.2 billion (~$225.3 billion).
❓What Happened: A federal judge in North Dakota ruled that over 9,000 Catholic employers are exempt from federal regulations concerning abortion and fertility treatment accommodations for workers.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Catholic Benefits Association, the Bismarck Diocese, and the U.S. District Court were involved in the case against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: This ruling was issued in North Dakota on April 17, 2025, following a lawsuit filed last year.
💬 Key Quote: “It is a precarious time for people of religious faith in America. It has been described as a post-Christian age,” wrote U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor in his previous ruling.
⚠️ Impact: The decision permanently blocks enforcement of certain EEOC regulations, impacting more than 164,000 employees working under Catholic employers who are members of the association.
IN FULL:
U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor has concluded that over 9,000 Catholic employers are not required to comply with federal rules protecting employees seeking abortion and fertility treatment accommodations. This ruling came after the Catholic Benefits Association and the Bismarck Diocese challenged regulations set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), arguing these rules infringed upon their religious liberties.
The lawsuit, initiated last year, contended that the EEOC’s guidelines, derived from the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (effective since 2023), imposed obligations contrary to Catholic teachings. The Act mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy or childbirth-related requests. In 2024, the EEOC issued rules and harassment guidance meant to enforce this law, which included considerations for gender identity under sex-based discrimination.
Judge Traynor’s judgment was based on his determination that the regulations conflicted with federal laws protecting religious freedoms. He emphasized that the lawsuit’s core facts and evidence had not shifted since his earlier provisional block on the rule.
The Catholic Benefits Association, representing thousands of Catholic employers, claims the EEOC’s directives would force its members to go against their faith by accommodating abortions and fertility treatments and by compelling the use of pronouns, all incongruent with Catholic doctrine. They additionally expressed concerns over being restrained from articulating Catholic teachings on sexual matters.
❓What Happened: Kilmar Abrego Garcia—the 29-year-old illegal immigrant and adjudicated MS-13 gang member deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration—was the subject of a 2021 protective order filed in Maryland by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, due to multiple alleged incidents of domestic violence. A federal judge is attempting to force the White House to retrieve Garcia from El Salvador’s CECOT prison, as are Democratic Party lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
👥 Who’s Involved: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the government of El Salvador, and U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Kilmar Abrego Garcia was detained in Maryland, with his deportation occurring on March 15. The protective order was filed in May 2021 in Prince George’s County District Court.
💬 Key Quote: “At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me,” Jennifer Vasquez alleged in the 2021 protective order filing, adding: “In November 2020, he hit me with his work boot. In August 2020, he hit me in the eye leaving a purple eye.”
⚠️ Impact: This case has prompted significant legal challenges against Garcia’s deportation, with a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to facilitate the El Salvadoran illegal immigrant’s return to the United States. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, traveled to El Salvador earlier this week in an attempt to retrieve the MS-13 gang member from the country’s CECOT prison facility.
IN FULL:
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant and member of the violent MS-13 criminal gang, was the subject of a 2021 protective order filed in Maryland by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, alleging that he beat her on several occasions. In March, the Trump administration deported Abrego Garcia, 29, alongside other illegal immigrants, invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The deportation orders were predicated on transnational gang links, a charge denied by Abrego Garcia’s family and legal counsel.
While Congressional Democrats and the corporate media have attempted to portray Abrego Garcia as a loving father and “Maryland man,” court documents reveal the illegal immigrant has a history of domestic abuse accusations, allegedly beating his wife on several occasions. The revelations came as Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to El Salvador seeking the illegal immigrant’s return.
“At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me,” Jennifer Vasquez alleged in the 2021 protective order filing, adding: “In November 2020, he hit me with his work boot. In August 2020, he hit me in the eye leaving a purple eye.”
Despite the past accusations of domestic abuse, Vasquez now says she stands by her husband. “We were able to work through this situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling,” she wrote in a statement issued in response to news of the protective order. “Our marriage only grew stronger in the years that followed. No one is perfect, and no marriage is perfect,” she claimed, adding: “That is not a justification for ICE’s action of abducting him and deporting him to a country where he was supposed to be protected from deportation.”
In early April, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, an action that El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele says he will not allow. “How can I return him to the United States? Like, if I smuggle him into the United States, or what do I do? Of course, I’m not going to do it,” Bukele said earlier this week.
While opponents of President Donald J. Trump’s mass deportation of violent, criminal illegal immigrants from the United States have tried to claim that Abrego Garcia is not an actual member of MS-13, state and federal law enforcement agencies confirmed his affiliation in 2019. Both the Prince George’s County Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documented evidence of Abrego Garcia’s membership in MS-13, noting that the clothing he wore when detained during a 2019 murder investigation was associated with the gang.
Additionally, a confidential informant tied to MS-13 identified the El Salvadoran national as an active member of the gang’s “Westerns” group, holding the rank of “Chequeo,” and using the name “Chele.” Two federal immigration judges accepted the state and federal law enforcement findings, ruling that there was “sufficient” evidence.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: U.S. jobless claims dropped by 9,000 to 215,000 for the week ending April 12, reflecting a strong labor market as President Donald J. Trump advances his tariff agenda.
👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Department of Labor, American workers.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Reported by the Labor Department in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2025, for the week ending April 12.
⚠️ Impact: The decline in jobless claims highlights economic stability, reinforcing confidence in Trump’s tariff strategy to boost domestic industry, though rising continuing claims suggest a need to monitor rehiring trends.
IN FULL:
The U.S. labor market showcased its strength as the Department of Labor reported a decline in jobless claims on April 17, 2025. Applications for unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to 215,000 for the week ending April 12, outperforming analysts’ expectations of 225,000 new claims. This drop underscores a robust labor market that continues to thrive as President Trump implements tariffs to protect and revitalize American industry.
Weekly jobless claims, a key measure of layoffs, have consistently ranged between 200,000 and 250,000 over the past few years, indicating steady employment conditions. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly variations, also decreased by 2,500 to 220,750, further confirming the labor market’s resilience.
President Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent reciprocal duty and higher rates on Chinese goods, aim to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The strong labor market data aligns with the administration’s goals, showing that businesses are maintaining hiring levels as these policies take effect. Overall, the economy appears well-positioned to benefit from Trump’s strategy of prioritizing American workers and industries.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: David Hogg plans to allocate $20 million to challenge insufficiently woke incumbent Democrats through primaryelections.
👥 Who’s Involved: David Hogg, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, through Leaders We Deserve, a grassroots organization, is involved.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Hogg, who became Vice Chair in February, discussed his strategy in a newspaper interview published on April 15.
💬 Key Quote: “This is going to anger a lot of people.” — David Hogg.
⚠️ Impact: Hogg’s initiative could massively divide Democratic National Committee leadership and affect party strategies.
IN FULL:
Anti-gun rights activist David Hogg, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), is set to direct $20 million into primary campaigns against current Democratic incumbents. By leveraging the organization Leaders We Deserve, which focuses on electing young progressives, Hogg aims to promote a far-left progressive agenda.
His strategy introduces potential tension within the Democratic Party’s leadership, particularly as it deviates from the traditional focus of opposing Republican candidates.
Hogg, appointed Vice Chair in February, acknowledged that pursuing these primary challenges might lead to significant personal and professional pushback. “This is going to anger a lot of people,” he said, anticipating efforts to undermine him.
The initiative challenges the Democratic Party’s usual practices, which generally emphasize securing victories over Republican opponents rather than engaging in infighting. During a recent private meeting, the Democratic National Committee reiterated the importance of neutrality among its officials, emphasizing their need for impartiality. Hogg was the only one not to sign this “neutrality policy.”
DNC Chair Ken Martin addressed the situation, underscoring the party’s supposed principle that primary voters should choose nominees without interference from national party influences.
Hogg’s approach has been criticized by several quarters. Steve Schale, a long-time Democratic campaign strategist, emphasized that the party should focus on regaining lost ground in key battleground areas, noting a troubling trend in 703 out of 767 counties over recent presidential election cycles. Matt Bennett from Third Way also expressed concerns about Hogg’s ability to transition from activism to his current official role, describing his actions as problematic.
The move comes as the Democrats still lack clear leadership since the election of President Donald J. Trump. A poll released in March showed the Democrats plummeting to historic lows, falling 20 percentage points since Trump’s victory in November.
❓What Happened: Elon Musk initially claimed he could reduce the federal budget by $2 trillion during Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Once appointed to front the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk revised his target to $1 trillion, but recent statements have scaled back the expected savings further to $150 billion for fiscal year 2026.
👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: White House cabinet meeting on April 10, Washington, D.C., addressing fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 – September 2026).
💬 Key Quote: “I’m excited to announce that we anticipate savings in ’26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion,” Musk said.
⚠️ Impact: Musk’s revised savings projection is prompting skepticism, with critics doubting the feasibility of ever cutting $1 trillion. DOGE’s method of accounting for savings has also been criticized due to errors and inaccuracies.
IN FULL:
Details from an April 10 White House cabinet meeting indicate Elon Musk moderated his ambitious budget reduction goals. Musk had promised substantial cuts to the federal budget, initially aiming for a reduction of $2 trillion. Subsequent revisions saw expectations reduced to $1 trillion upon Musk’s appointment to front the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
However, at the April cabinet meeting, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO further reduced his expectations, citing $150 billion in anticipated savings from cutting waste and fraud for fiscal year 2026. In perspective, this represents a 92 percent reduction from the originally promised cuts to the budget spanning from October 2025 to September 2026.
“I’m excited to announce that we anticipate savings in ’26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion,” Musk said.
Musk’s newest budget cut target reflects data from the DOGE website, which currently amounts to the cited $150 billion in savings—though it is unclear whether the number is a hard ceiling for Musk and his team. The Trump White House maintains that the original $1 trillion in cuts remains the administration’s goal.
Notably, Musk’s cabinet meeting presentation was unusually brief, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instead commencing the session—suggesting a possible shift to national security concerns as the administration’s top priority. Musk did insist that the federal government is a “target-rich environment” with inefficiencies being identified across agencies.
Despite its efforts, DOGE’s online platform has faced claims that its data is inaccurate and either miscounts or incorrectly attributes savings. These allegations have increased skepticism among both DOGE’s supporters and critics regarding the feasibility of the ambitious budget cuts.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, which had been closed and fortified with concertina wire and armed guards for over a year, has reopened.
👥 Who’s Involved: Local residents like Dora Flores, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, former President Joe Biden, and Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Eagle Pass, Texas, reopened in recent days after closures and heightened security started in January 2024.
💬 Key Quote: Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. stated, “We’re happy the park has returned to the city.”
⚠️ Impact: The reopening represents a shift in the politics surrounding immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border and a decrease in the perceived urgency of security measures.
IN FULL:
Residents of Eagle Pass, Texas, experienced a return to normalcy as the once-closed Shelby Park reopened, shedding the concertina wire and armed presence that kept it inaccessible for more than a year. The move comes after President Donald J. Trump’s border policies have significantly reduced illegal crossings in the area.
The reopening followed Texas Governor Greg Abbott‘s withdrawal of significant security measures, citing a decrease in migrant crossings at the border. In January 2024, Abbott had deployed forces to the area as a demonstration against former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. However, with crossings reaching a record low, the focus has shifted, and the enhanced security presence has been significantly reduced.
Local residents like Dora Flores, 73, approached the park on a warm Monday morning, noting the changes. “Is the park really open?” she asked, expressing relief that the area no longer resembled a high-security facility. The park, equipped with sports fields and a boat ramp into the Rio Grande, is once again available for public use. Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. commented on the developments, stating, “We’re happy the park has returned to the city.”
President Trump’s strict border policies have massively reduced the number of illegal crossings. These include sending U.S. military personnel to aid in border security. The chief of San Diego’s Border Patrol said having troops on the border was a “force multiplier” last month.
March saw a record-low number of illegal border crossings, a massive 97 percent decline compared to March 2022. President Trump’s mass deportation initiative under Border Czar Tom Homan has also been credited for dissuading illegal crossing attempts.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Share Story
FacebookTwitterWhatsappTruthTelegramGettrCopy Link
Real News Fan? Show It!
Many people are shocked to learn that because of active censorship, we currently have to spend more time making sure you can even see The National Pulse, than on producing the news itself. Which sucks. Because we do this for the truth, and for you.
But the regime doesn’t want you being informed. That’s why they want us to go away. And that will happen if more people don’t sign up to support our work. It’s basic supply and demand. So demand you get to read The National Pulse, unrestricted. Sign up, today.
We don’t sell ads, and refuse corporate or political cash. It all comes down to you, the reader. I hope you can help.
.jpg){kind=link}
