Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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READ: Biden Indulged in 10 Minute Rant About Country Clubs and Burnt Penises During Special Counsel Testimony.

President Joe Biden delivered a long and rambling response when pressed by Department of Justice special counsel Robert Hur regarding document retention during the final days of the Obama government. The 81-year-old Biden, ignoring Hur’s question, went on a nearly 10-minute rant discussing country clubs, interview practices of almost 60 years ago, and how a man he knew lost his genitals in a fire.

Hur asked Biden: “So now let’s talk about the Naval Observatory. So you’ve been living there for eight years. So at the end of your vice presidency, what kinds of papers or documents or files were at the Naval Observatory as you were preparing to leave and move out?”

The President began to respond substantively but quickly spiraled into a bizarre and unhinged tangent comparable to the iconic Simpsons scene where Homer Simpson’s father indulges himself in a winding story that ends up nowhere.

Read it for yourself:

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, if you’re talking about anything that was a substantive matter, classified or otherwise — you know, the fight in the Judiciary Committee over whether or not — I was the guy who wrote the Violence Against Women Act. It was — really meant a lot to me. And so they might find stuff on the Violence Against Women Act in one section of a drawer or in the shelves of the library or of the Naval Observatory.

Or issues, you know, relating to — I know it’s gonna sound strange to you guys, but agriculture is a $4 billion industry, agriculture is a $4 billion industry in Delaware and the Delmarva peninsula, and so — or, you know, I’d have a lot of political things that — I, I don’t know where they were, but I know I had material that — where I, you know — like, there’s a whole, whole bunch of stuff around about how -~ what made me run for President in the first place, and about how things were — you know, I mean, for example, I, I was a — I got a job with a — I didn’t take law school very seriously, but I won the International Tort Competition. I was in — matter of fact, the first time in tort class, we had a really difficult professor. I mean, very well-known, Professor at Syracuse, and he called on me to — you know how they do in law school, discuss a case, you know, in your first torts class. And I had never read the case, and I stood up and I spoke for 10 minutes. The whole class stood up, started clapping.

The transcript notes there was laughter among those in the interview at this point.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And he said, Mr. Biden, you’ll be a hell of a trial lawyer. He said, not a single thing you — had to do with that.

Again, the transcript denotes laughter.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And — but at any rate, so — but in law school, I got in law school, and I got, believe it or not, a job offer from some prestigious law firms. I was not sure where I wanted to go, out west and where — I wanted to move to Idaho, I thought, and so I was going to go out and interview with Boise Cascade. That’s all I’d really — and — but I took a job with the best-known trial firm in Delaware in mostly civil defense issues. And, and so — and I remember a guy named [REDACTED] (phonetic), a brilliant guy that went to Amherst and Harvard and said — when he was interviewing me said, in those days, you had to — today you would be killed. You had to put your photograph in the upper right-hand corner when you’re applying for a job. And he looked at me and said, I assume you’re expecting to be hired on your looks.

Once again, the transcript denotes laughter.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And I said — and I thought the job was over, and I said, I said, well, it would improve the look of your firm.

Those present respond with laughter again, according to the transcript.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: I mean, I was just — So anyway, to make a long story short, they ended up offering me a job. And in Delaware, it has -~- used to have the lowest pass rate in the country because we’re not big on encouraging lawyers to come and play in Delaware. It’s a very tight bar. And, and so what happened was you take the bar, you graduate, and you have to clerk for somebody for six months. (Indiscernible 0:11:51.6). And they don’t give the bar exam until the middle of September. You don’t get your results to your — for the bar exam until January. And, and so — I — but I got hired in the meantime by this firm appropriately named Prickett, Ward, Burt Sanders. And, and to make a long story not quite so long, I was sitting second chair with the, with the, with the guy who ran the firm, Prickett, Mr. Prickett, and there was a young man who we were representing, [REDACTED] (phonetic) getting — and (indiscernible 0:12:34.3) construction company, you know, I had to turn those — we have more oil refineries than any place other than in Houston in Delaware and Pennsylvania, (indiscernible 0:12:43.6) up in that area.

And this poor kid is down a hundred-foot vessel, chimney, scraping the hydrogen bubbles off of the inside. They were made to shut the plant down once every — whatever, about eight months or six months or a year, whatever it is. And he was wearing the wrong pants, wrong jeans, and he -~- a spark caught fire and got caught in the containment vessel and he lost part of his penis and one of his testicles and he was 23 years old.

And I sat through the -~ his presentation with the, with the senior, and we had in Delaware, which is – the Dupont family had no influence of course – contributory negligence. If you were slightly contributory negligence, you were out.

And so the senior partner turned to me and said, write a memo for tomorrow, we’re going to make a motion to dismiss after presenting this case. So I did. I wrote this memo. And son of a bitch, it prevailed. And I looked over at that kid and his wife home with two little kids, and I thought son of a bitch, I’m in the wrong business, I’m not made for this.

It is at this point that Biden transitions to discussing the admission practices of private country clubs in Delaware, before explaining his decision to become a public defender.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And I — there was a famous club called the Wilmington Club — no blacks, Catholics are allowed — have been allowed to be members. The DuPont family name. And we went to a place called the Wilmington Club, and he thought he was doing — he said, take the lunch at Wilmington. I said — the only time I ever lied that I can remember looking somebody in the eye, and I mean sincerely, I said, oh, my dad’s coming in today, I was going to see -~ okay. He didn’t give a damn where I went. I walked across and walked through to the second — the basement on a public building and walked in with a guy named Frank and I said I want a job as a public defender. He said, don’t you work for Prickett. He said, he said, are you okay, like what the hell’s the matter with you. I quit and became a public defender.

The process of that was that’s what got me — I had been involved in the civil rights movement. That got me deeply involved in trying to reform the Democratic Party, which was a southern Democratic Party. We were a slave state by law. We were one of the border states so we couldn’t figure — anyway, but the Democratic Party was a conservative party in Delaware. The DuPont family ran the Republican Party, but they were like Rockefeller Republicans at the time. And so I got involved with a group of people trying to reform the Democratic Party.

At this point Biden informed Hur his story was meant to illustrate the amount of materials he has kept over the years.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And the whole point of telling you all this is I had a lot of material that I kept notes on and, and when that — where as I was taking on the Democratic Party. And they came to me and asked me to — this group, this new Democratic coalition — I had, in the meantime, it’s two years down the road, I was 26 years old, 27. And I went to work part time for a criminal defense firm mainly, a real estate — there were five people. And so I was no longer a public defender because I couldn’t be a public defender and work for that firm.

President Biden’s moment of clarity does not last however, and he again plunges into a lengthy rant — several times to “make a long story short.”

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And one thing led to another and I joined this group to try to reform the party. And they came to me about and I was making the case we’ve just got to get more candidates to run, to — we’re not, we’re not represented. And the southern part of the state of Delaware will talk at you like this, for real, you go down — you think I’m joking, I’m not joking. “Damn, boy, I don’t agree with a damn thing you say,” but he said, “I know where you stand, know where you stand.” That’s how they talk. And it was solidly democrat, southern democrat. We were the only state in the nation occupied by the military for 10 months with drawn bayonets at every corner when Dr. King was assassinated, and that’s really what got me going. Long story, and I’ll end, because it relates to maybe some of the other things you may ask about, is that I had a lot of material that I did recent. When you’re the youngest guy in the room, you get to turn the lights on and off. And so I, I amassed a lot of material making the case why the party had to change and, and they — and it ended up that about 10 months in, the group from the area where I lived came to me and said they wanted me to run for the state senate. I said, no, no, no, I can’t do that. I just — I’m thinking of starting my own law firm and it’s going to — no, I can’t do that. And because they meet in Dover and dah, dah, dah.

And then next thing that happened was I came back about three weeks later. They said we want — to the office I was in at the time. I had now started my own office. And I didn’t realize no one my age ever started his own law firm. I hired two lawyers. I had no freaking money. But I hired them and paid them more than I was going to make, and I started this firm. And there — I remember standing looking out over the public and they said how about running for the county council. I said, no, no, I can’t go down. He said, they meet right across the street there only twice a week at night. You can do this. So to make a long story short, I ended up doing it. But I wanted to be sure that I was going to lose because — so I ran ina district that no one’s ever won, a Democrat had never won.

And I won it.

And next thing you know, I’m in a tough position.

My generic point was there was a lot of material that I had amassed that I wanted to save. I probably still have it somewhere. And so that stuff would travel wherever the hell

I was —

Hur, at this point, finally interrupts Biden. The special counsel steered the conversation back to the relevant question of document retention.

“Do you recall having these types of things with you at the Naval Observatory and this was part of the stuff you were trying to move out?” Hur asked the President.

“No. I had most of it at my house in that office,” Biden finally answered.

By Popular Demand.
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Trump Tariffs Lead to Factory Closures, Protests in China.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Protests erupted in China after factory closures linked to President Donald J. Trump’s 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chinese factory and construction workers, President Trump, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and China’s Commerce Ministry.

📍 Where & When: Protests took place in Suining, Sichuan province, Hunan province, and Inner Mongolia, with workers complaining they have not been paid since the beginning of the year.

💬 Key Quote: President Trump has stated he will “lower” the tariff on China “at some point,” but for now the trade duties will remain in effect.

⚠️ Impact: The tariff has put approximately 16 million Chinese jobs at risk, leading to significant unrest among Chinese workers.

IN FULL:

Protests have erupted across China following the shutdown of several factories, a consequence of President Donald J. Trump’s 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods. The unrest has seen workers in various regions of China, including Suining in Sichuan province, Hunan province, and Inner Mongolia, take to the streets demanding unpaid wages and benefits.

The turmoil began when factory workers at an electronics plant in Suining protested over not receiving their pay. Similarly, hundreds of employees at Guangxin Sports Goods in Hunan province went on strike after the factory closed without settling wages or Social Security benefits. In Inner Mongolia, construction workers resorted to threatening suicide over unpaid dues, highlighting the severe financial strain faced by many.

The Chinese manufacturing sector is feeling the pinch as the government grapples with President Trump’s tariffs, which are intended to rebalance global trade in favor of American workers who have been undercut by China’s comparatively low pay and underhanded tactics such as currency manipulation. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index reveals that new export orders in China have plummeted to their lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, with manufacturing job numbers similarly declining to levels not seen since February 2024.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics attributes the downturn to “sharp changes in the external environment.” An estimated 16 million jobs across various Chinese industries are now at risk due to the tariffs.

In response, China has made moves to alleviate the economic strain by exempting approximately $40 billion worth of U.S. imports from its own 125 percent retaliatory tariffs. Despite ongoing behind-the-scenes discussions, formal trade negotiations between the U.S. and China have yet to materialize. President Trump, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, has expressed a willingness to “lower” the tariffs eventually, noting that China is eager to continue business.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has remarked that the trade war is “not sustainable on the Chinese side,” suggesting that the Chinese economy is already experiencing significant slowdowns. Meanwhile, companies are investing substantially in making products in America, so they will not be subject to import duties.

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By Popular Demand.
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Teamsters Back Trump Tariffs on Movies, Slam Hollywood’s Outsourcing Practices.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced a plan to impose tariffs on foreign-produced films, which the Teamsters Union is backing.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Sean O’Brien, Lindsay Dougherty.

📍 Where & When: The announcement was made recently, with the Teamsters responding shortly after.

💬 Key Quote: “We thank President Trump for boldly supporting good union jobs when others have turned their heads,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and Motion Picture Division Leader Lindsay Dougherty in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The move aims to curb outsourcing in the film industry and has received positive feedback from a historically Democrat-aligned union.

IN FULL:

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has strongly supported President Donald J. Trump‘s initiative to impose tariffs on films produced overseas, describing it as a “strong step” toward addressing the outsourcing of American jobs in the film industry. This endorsement came swiftly after Trump announced a proposed 100 percent tariff on foreign-produced movies entering the U.S.

In a joint statement, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and Motion Picture Division Leader Lindsay Dougherty commended the initiative, highlighting the detrimental impact of outsourcing on American workers. “For years, Hollywood studios have hollowed out the industry by following Corporate America’s crooked playbook of outsourcing good union jobs. Studios chase cheap production costs overseas while gutting the American workforce that built the film and TV industry,” O’Brien and Dougherty wrote. “These gigantic corporations line their pockets by recklessly cutting corners, abandoning American crews, and exploiting tax loopholes abroad. While these companies get rich fleeing to other countries and gaming the system, our members have gotten screwed over.”

“We thank President Trump for boldly supporting good union jobs when others have turned their heads. This is a strong step toward finally reining in the studios’ un-American addiction to outsourcing our members’ work,” O’Brien and Dougherty added.

During the 2024 presidential race, Trump received the backing of an overwhelming number of Teamster households. The union itself declined to endorse either candidate, although this was widely interpreted as a snub to the Democratic ticket rather than the Republican ticket.

Earlier this year, Trump appointed veteran actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight to spearhead efforts to revitalize Hollywood, aiming to make it “bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and has long been vocal about the need to protect domestic jobs in the face of increasing globalization and outsourcing.

Image by Matt Michalski.

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By Popular Demand.
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Johnson Warns GOP Risks Missing Memorial Day Deadline for Trump’s Spending Bill.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) indicated that the deadline he has set to pass President Donald J. Trump’s domestic spending bill through the reconciliation process might be missed.

👥 Who’s Involved: House Speaker Mike Johnson, President Trump, and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House of Representatives, with comments made late on Monday, May 5.

💬 Key Quote: Johnson stated the bill would be passed “shortly thereafter” if not by May 31.

⚠️ Impact: The budget reconciliation bill includes provisions making permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts, new reductions in taxation, increased defense spending, and enhanced border security.

IN FULL:

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has announced a potential delay in the passage of President Donald J. Trump‘s domestic spending bill, initially slated for Memorial Day. Following a recent meeting with President Trump, Johnson acknowledged that the timeline for chamber committees to finalize their sections of the bill has been extended, with final passage potentially slipping into June.

The proposed budget includes significant measures such as tax reductions, a boost in defense expenditures, and heightened border security efforts. These elements reflect key priorities often emphasized by Republican leadership and align with President Trump’s policy objectives.

Johnson communicated that if the comprehensive bill is not approved by the initially set deadline of May 31, it will be finalized “shortly thereafter.” Currently, the primary hurdle facing the legislation is a breakdown in negotiations over the state and local tax deduction (SALT deduction). This has pitted Republican lawmakers in blue states against their colleagues. Notably, SALT was capped in the 2017 tax cut bill, which effectively increased taxes on residents in states with high state income taxes like New York. While House leadership has tried to put a positive spin on the SALT negotiations, it is widely known on Capitol Hill that the talks have made almost no significant progress, with some lawmakers suggesting they’ve broken down entirely.

If House negotiators are unable to reach a deal on the SALT caps and the reconciliation bill fails to move, Americans could face a significant tax increase as key provisions in Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) law sunset. This is adding an extra sense of urgency on Capitol Hill—especially among Republicans who realize they are unlikely to receive any help from Congressional Democrats.

The National Pulse reported last week that President Trump appears to be shifting away from foreign policy and refocusing his White House on the reconciliation bill and other domestic priorities. At a rally in Michigan last Tuesday, Trump turned up the pressure on Congress to adopt the reconciliation measure, promising: “In the coming weeks and months, we will pass the largest tax cuts in American History—and that will include No Tax on Tips, NO Tax on Social Security, and No Tax on Overtime. It’s called the one big beautiful bill.”

Image by Mike Johnson.

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By Popular Demand.
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BREAKING: Traitor Thom Tillis is Blocking Ed Martin, Handing DC District Attorney Pick to Radical Leftist Judge Boasberg.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) told CNN he will not support Ed Martin’s nomination as the next U.S. Attorney for D.C., potentially derailing the America First law officer’s confirmation.

👥 Who’s Involved: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ed Martin, President Donald J. Trump, Judge James Boasberg.

📍 Where & When: Reported by CNN’s Chief Congressional Correspondent, Manu Raju, on May 6, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Should the Senate reject Martin’s nomination, then “…the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court.” — 28 U.S. Code § 546

⚠️ Impact: Tillis’s opposition could block Martin’s nomination, paving the way for radical leftist Judge James Boasberg to take over the selection process and undermine President Donald J. Trump’s push for conservative law enforcement in the nation’s capital.

IN FULL: 

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) says he will not support U.S. Attorney Ed Martin for the next U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Cites. Tillis’s opposition could derail Martin’s confirmation as the top attorney for D.C.—potentially paving the way for radical leftist District Court Judge James Boasberg to appoint his own choice for U.S. Attorney.

At the heart of the problem is a group of Republican-in-name-only (RINO) senators, including Tillis, who have joined with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) in opposing Martin’s nomination. The Republican support has allowed Schiff, who is accused by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General of having actively leaked classified materials to the media to push the Russia hoax narrative against President Donald J. Trump, to sustain a hold on Martin’s permanent appointment. Most troubling, however, is that if the Martin nomination fails, an obscure provision in the U.S. Code would allow the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, led by Chief Judge James Boasberg, to step in and appoint its own choice for U.S. Attorney.

Under the vacancies clause found in 28 U.S. Code § 546, if a temporary appointment expires after 120 days, the current situation faced by Martin, “…the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court.” This means the left-leaning District Court, led by Trump opponent Boasberg, could step in and appoint Martin’s successor.

Notably, in recent months, Boasberg has worked to vastly expand the judiciary’s power over the executive branch, essentially dictating immigration and foreign policy to the Trump White House.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Offers Stipend to Illegals Who Self-Deport.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering free flights and a $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens who voluntarily leave the U.S. — a self-deportation program the agency says costs far less than traditional deportation.

The details: The program requires illegal aliens to register for self-deportation through the CBP Home App, and they only receive their stipend once it is verified that they have returned to their home country.

  • President Trump told the press: “We’re gonna get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from.”

Cost savings: DHS says it currently costs the American taxpayer over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport a single illegal alien. Under this new, self-deportation program, it costs around $4,500—a 70 percent savings.

  • White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller added on X: “The savings are as much as $1 million per illegal alien family given the long-term costs of free welfare and public support.”

What the left is saying: Pro-illegal groups are denouncing the plan and urging illegals to reject the offer. One activist, Aaron Reichlin, said: “This option might be WORSE… it would abandon clear options for staying.”

Zoom out: The plan is reminiscent of Trump’s effort to reduce the federal workforce by offering buyouts to government workers who voluntarily resigned, ultimately leading to 77,000 resignations. Pay a little up-front for long-term savings.

The last word goes to President Trump, who warned that those who do not take this offer “are going to be taken out of our country… And they will never get a path to come back in.”

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering free flights and a $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens who voluntarily leave the U.S. — a self-deportation program the agency says costs far less than traditional deportation. show more
By Popular Demand.
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Contenders Emerge for Next Pope. Here’s Who’s in the Running…

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, initiating the process to elect a new pope. This week, the College of Cardinals will meet for a conclave to elect the next successor of Saint Peter.

👥 Who’s Involved: 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will participate in the conclave to choose the next pope.

📍 Where & When: The conclave begins on May 7, 2025, at the Vatican.

💬 Key Quote: “Every papal conclave comes down, in some sense, to a referendum on the papacy that has just ended,” said John Allen, editor of Crux.

⚠️ Impact: The election could either continue Pope Francis’s legacy or shift towards a more traditional, conservative direction.

IN FULL:

The Catholic Church is set to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The conclave, consisting of 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80, will commence on May 7 at the Vatican to choose the next leader of the global Catholic community and successor to Saint Peter.

John Allen, a seasoned Vatican observer and editor of the Catholic news site Crux, remarked on the significance of this election, noting that each papal conclave reflects on the preceding papacy. “Every papal conclave comes down, in some sense, to a referendum on the papacy that has just ended,” Allen said in a recent media interview.

Among the potential successors to the late Pope Francis is Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Archbishop of Budapest, known for his conservative views and balanced approach to immigration. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, recognized for advocating social justice and orthodoxy, is also a contender. Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, influential in synod operations, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, are also in the running, with Parolin noted for his diplomatic acumen.

Other notable candidates include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be raised to the cardinalate and who has been active in interfaith dialogue, criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, and social justice; and Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, often referred to as the “Asian Francis” for his alignment with Pope Francis’ values. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy and Sweden’s Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm—a convert to Catholicism from Lutheranism—are also considered potential successors, each bringing unique perspectives to the role.

In addition to Cardinal Ambongo, another African prelate, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, is believed to be a dark horse contender should the conclave swing in a more traditionalist direction.

Image by George Martell/The Pilot Media Group.

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By Popular Demand.
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Romania

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Prime Minister Set to Resign Following Conservative Victory.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, announced his resignation following the first-round victory of conservative nationalist George Simion in the presidential election.

👥 Who’s Involved: Marcel Ciolacu, George Simion, Nicusor Dan, Calin Georgescu.

📍 Where & When: Romania, resignation announced on Monday after Sunday’s election results.

💬 Key Quote: “Despite the obstacles, despite the manipulation, despite a press paid to demean us day after day, Romanians have stood up,” Simion stated.

⚠️ Impact: Romanian government bonds fell, and the political landscape could shift, affecting relationships with the EU and NATO.

IN FULL:

Following the first-round victory of George Simion, leader of the populist Alliance for the Union of Romanians, in Romania’s presidential election, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has resigned. The announcement came in response to the electoral upset. The government will now be led by an interim premier as coalition parties deliberate on Ciolacu’s successor.

Simion, who identifies with a political philosophy akin to President Donald J. Trump’s, secured over 40 percent of the votes, outperforming expectations and increasing his chances of winning the presidency. “Despite the obstacles, despite the manipulation, despite a press paid to demean us day after day, Romanians have stood up,” Simion said following the win.

Simion will face Bucharest’s centrist mayor, Nicusor Dan, in a runoff scheduled for May 18. Simion’s first-round success has dramatically shifted betting market odds in his favor, with his probability of winning the second round now at 69 percent.

This election marks Romania’s second attempt to elect a president after last year’s election was annulled due to alleged Russian interference through TikTok. The unexpected victory of Calin Georgescu, a pro-Trump nationalist and NATO skeptic barred from the current race, previously plunged Romania into a political crisis, leading to widespread protests.

Despite his criticisms of the European Union (EU) and NATO, Simion has reassured that Romania will not exit either organization, emphasizing the importance of both for national security. “Eighty percent of the Romanians want NATO and want the European Union. This is not something we can negotiate,” Simion stated.

As Romania navigates this political transformation, the focus remains on whether Simion can maintain his momentum and secure victory in the upcoming runoff. The outcome could further align Romania with other conservative-populist European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia.

Image by Jorge Franganillo.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Tariffs Boost U.S. Manufacturers.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: U.S. tariffs have led to increased demand for American-made goods as companies bring production back to the U.S. This boost has been felt especially among smaller manufacturers.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. manufacturers like Jergens Inc., Grand River Rubber & Plastics, SafeSource Direct, AccuRounds, Whirlpool, and Excel Dryer.

📍 Where & When: Various U.S. locations, including Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan, over recent weeks.

💬 Key Quote: “We are swamped. We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both Chicago and Cleveland,” said Jack Schron, president of Jergens Inc.

⚠️ Impact: Smaller U.S. manufacturers are experiencing increased demand and potential growth, as tariffs level the playing field against foreign competitors.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump‘s administration continues to push for a resurgence in American manufacturing, with recent tariffs boosting demand for American-made goods. This shift particularly benefits smaller domestic manufacturers as more companies decide to onshore production.

“We are swamped. We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both Chicago and Cleveland,” says Jack Schron, president of Jergens Inc. The company is known for producing heavy-duty power and industrial tools, including industrial screwdrivers, clamps, and hoists. Schron added that his facilities are “going like gangbusters” to meet demand.

In Ohio, Donny Chaplin, president of Grand River Rubber & Plastics, has observed a notable increase in inquiries and orders. Some former clients, who had previously switched to Chinese suppliers, are returning to Grand River for rubber gaskets. New business from oil filter manufacturers seeking to move away from China could potentially bring in $5 million annually, driving the need for expansion and additional hires.

The tariffs have become a vital lifeline for companies that emerged during the pandemic to produce personal protective equipment. Alan Rust, chief growth officer for SafeSource Direct, noted a significant rise in inquiries as new tariffs on Chinese rubber gloves have doubled prices, prompting businesses to seek alternative sources.

Massachusetts-based AccuRounds is experiencing a similar uptick, with employees working overtime to fulfill rising orders for steel components. CEO Michael Tamasi revealed a 20 percent increase in first-quarter sales compared to the previous year.

Whirlpool, a Michigan-based appliance manufacturer, is optimistic about the recent tariffs on imported appliances. CEO Marc Bitzer believes these measures will help close the price gap created by Asian competitors who benefit from cheaper components and steel.

Excel Dryer in Massachusetts is also reaping the benefits of the tariffs. Chief Operating Officer William Gagnon credits the import taxes with improving production location decisions and enhancing competitiveness against cheaper foreign copies.

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By Popular Demand.
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Nationalist Leads in Romanian Presidential Polls.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: George Simion, a nationalist and supporter of President Donald J. Trump, won the first round of Romania’s presidential election redo by a significant margin.

👥 Who’s Involved: George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), and a globalist opponent in the upcoming runoff.

📍 Where & When: Romania, with a runoff election scheduled for May 18.

💬 Key Quote: “For 35 years, the Romanian people lived the lie that we are a democratic country,” Simion said. “And now the people are awakening.”

⚠️ Impact: A Simion presidency could shift Romania’s geopolitical stance within the European Union (EU) and NATO, challenging the status quo.

IN FULL:

George Simion, a nationalist figure and supporter of President Donald J. Trump, has emerged victorious in the first round of Romania’s presidential election redo. The courts canceled the first attempted election, in which NATO skeptic Calin Georgescu won the first round, on the dubious pretext that Russia had influenced voters through TikTok videos. Georgescu was eventually barred from running again in the do-over.

Simion, 38, leads the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), a party known for its right-wing stance. His win comes amid a wave of anti-establishment sentiment sweeping the nation.

Simion’s victory sets the stage for a May 18 runoff against a globalist candidate, a contest that could significantly influence Romania’s future alignment within the European Union (EU) and NATO. The political scene in Romania was shaken last year when the top court annulled the previous election, citing alleged Russian interference, claims that Moscow has denied.

Born in Focsani in 1986, Simion pursued higher education in business and administration, as well as studying communist-era crimes. His activism includes protesting against a Canadian company’s gold mining project and advocating for the reunification with Moldova. In 2019, Simion founded the AUR party, which has grown to become Romania’s second-largest legislative force. The party opposes same-sex marriage and maintains strong ties with the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Simion aligns his party with Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, emphasizing an anti-establishment agenda. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AUR organized protests against vaccination and lockdowns, tapping into public distrust of authorities.

He criticized last year’s canceled election as a “coup d’etat” and vowed to restore democracy and the rule of law. “For 35 years, the Romanian people lived the lie that we are a democratic country,” Simion said.

A potential Simion challenges the political status quo in Europe. Simion insists on a strong NATO presence in Eastern Europe while opposing further military aid to Ukraine. He also advocates for more autonomy for EU member states, aligning with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s views.

Image: AUR Alianța pentru Unirea Românilor.

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State Govt Bans Populist Politicians From Overseas Trips.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Members of the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have been banned from taking part in overseas business trips by a state government after being declared a right-wing extremist organization.

👥 Who’s Involved: State of Hesse, Alternative for Germany (AfD) members.

📍 Where & When: Hesse’s Europe Minister, Manfred Pentz, announced the exclusion on May 4.

💬 Key Quote:  “My business trips abroad are aimed at promoting this location. I can’t achieve that if I travel with representatives of a secure right-wing extremist party.” — Minister Manfred Pentz.

⚠️ Impact: The move is part of the broader fallout from Germany’s domestic spy agency declaring the AfD an extremist group, despite the fact that it recently placed second in the country’s federal elections.

IN FULL:

A state government in Germany has banned members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) from taking part in foreign business trips. The move comes after Germany’s domestic spy agency declared the AfD a right-wing extremist organisation last week.

The German state of Hesse announced it would not include AfD members in foreign business trips due to the labelling of the party as extremists. The state’s Europe Minister, Manfred Pentz, announced the exclusion of the AfD members on May 4. Pentz stated, “After the classification of the AfD, I decided not to invite representatives of this party to my foreign business trips for the time being.”

The minister argued that having the AfD on trips dealing with countries like Israel would harm Germany’s reputation, despite the AfD having many pro-Israel members. “My business trips abroad are aimed at promoting [Hesse]. I can’t achieve that if I travel with representatives of a secure right-wing extremist party,” he insisted.

Germany’s actions to declare the AfD an extremist group mean that the domestic spy agency would be able to surveil party members. The move could also lead to the AfD being banned in the future.

Members of the Trump administration have outright condemned the moves against the AfD. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise.”

Image by Olaf Kosinsky.

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By Popular Demand.
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