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November 22, 2024
William Upton
Election 2024
Media

Morning Joe Hits Lowest Ratings Since 2021 Amid Mounting Backlash Over Trump Meeting.

MSNBC’s Morning Joe hit its lowest viewership since 2021 after husband-and-wife co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski acknowledged traveling to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with President-elect Donald J. Trump following his landslide election victory earlier this month. The announcement, made on Monday, triggered an immediate meltdown among MSNBC’s left-wing viewers, as well as Democratic Party-aligned media apparachiks on other networks.

The Nielsen research company’s data indicates that Morning Joe has lost about 16 percent of its viewers since the Monday announcement regarding the Trump meeting. Among viewers aged 25 to 54—a demographic important to advertisers—the morning show has lost 41 percent of its viewership since Monday.

Even more shocking, the drop off in viewers was almost immediate after Scarborough and Brzezinski gave their rationale for traveling to Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Morning Joe viewership plunged 17 percent (839,000 to 694,000) in the hour after the meeting’s announcement, with 25 to 54-year-olds dropping off at 38 percent (113,000 people to 70,000).

The negative viewer trends for Morning Joe reflect a broader problem for MSNBC—whose parent company, Comast, is reportedly looking to sell off the network and several other media properties. Since Trump’s landslide election victory, the left-wing news network has seen a 54 percent drop in viewership (a 1.1 million decrease from last month).

Prior to the 2024 election, Scarborough and Brzezinski made numerous outlandish claims about Trump, including the bizarre assertion that he would execute his political enemies in a second term of office. This resulted in MSNBC pulling the show briefly following the first assassination attempt against Trump, fearing unhinged reactions by the hosts or their guests.

By Popular Demand.
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10 minutes ago
Crime
Immigration

Far-Left Democrat Set for Court Debut After Assaulting ICE Agents.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) faces charges of assaulting two federal agents during a visit to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), Reps. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), ICE agents, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.

📍 Where & When: Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, Newark, NJ, on May 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: McIver argues, “If I’m going to be charged with a crime for doing my job, it just speaks to where we’re headed in this country.”

⚠️ Impact: The incident poses a serious problem for Democrats as their more progressive and liberal wings work to portray the arrest as overreach by the Trump administration. However, more moderate and centrist party members, and voters at large, see the assault as an attack on law enforcement, and the Democratic Party’s continued defense of illegal immigrants over American citizens as distasteful.

IN FULL:

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is set to appear virtually before a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday following charges of assaulting two federal agents at an illegal immigrant detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, earlier this month. The Democrat lawmaker, alongside fellow New Jersey Reps. Robert Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman, was reportedly conducting oversight duties at the Delaney Hall U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on May 9. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was also present and was also arrested during the incident, though charges against him were later dismissed.

According to prosecutors, McIver allegedly used her forearm to strike a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent and attempted to restrain him. She is also accused of pushing and striking an ICE officer. Bodycam footage reportedly captured the events, which the Justice Department (DOJ) claims show McIver creating a “human shield” to block agents from detaining Baraka after he was warned to leave the property.

McIver has denied the allegations, calling them “purely political.” In a public statement, she said, “Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues to inspect the treatment of ICE detainees… We were fulfilling our lawful oversight responsibilities… ICE agents created an unnecessary and unsafe confrontation when they chose to arrest Mayor Baraka.”

During a CNN interview, McIver criticized federal agents, stating, “They caused the confrontation… We were there to do our jobs.” She added, “If I’m going to be charged with a crime for doing my job, it just speaks to where we’re headed in this country.”

The court approved McIver’s request to appear virtually for her initial hearing, where her rights and charges will be read, and a bail package determined.

Witness accounts suggest tensions escalated when Baraka attempted to join the lawmakers inside the facility and was denied access by federal officials. An argument ensued, leading to his arrest.

The case has drawn criticism from figures like former Border Czar Tom Homan, who argued McIver “broke the law” and should face accountability. Prosecutors maintain that McIver’s actions interfered with federal law enforcement duties, while the Congresswoman insists she was fulfilling her official responsibilities.

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By Popular Demand.
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51 minutes ago
News
Politics

‘Maybe One Day,’ Don Jr Says of Presidential Ambitions.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Donald Trump Jr. hinted at the possibility of a future presidential run during a panel discussion in Qatar.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of President Donald J. Trump, and attendees of the Qatar Economic Forum.

📍 Where & When: Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, May 21, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I don’t know, maybe one day, you know—that calling is there.”

⚠️ Impact: Sparks speculation about a potential continuation of the Trump family’s political influence.

IN FULL:

Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Donald J. Trump, suggested on Wednesday that he may consider a bid for the presidency in the future. Speaking at Bloomberg’s Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, Trump Jr. was asked about the possibility of seeking the White House after his father.

“It’s an honor to be asked and an honor to see that some people are OK with it,” he said during the panel discussion, receiving applause from some audience members. “You never know,” he added.

The 47-year-old executive vice president of The Trump Organization has been a strong advocate of his father’s America First agenda, serving as something of a de facto ambassador for the MAGA grassroots to the administration. Reflecting on the transformation of the Republican Party under his father’s leadership, he said, “I think my father has truly changed the Republican Party. I think it’s the America First party now, the MAGA party, however you want to look at it,” he remarked.

He further emphasized the strength of the party’s current lineup, stating, “For the first time ever, the Republican Party actually has a bench of America First fighters.”

In March, speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run for Trump Jr. surfaced in a report by the left-leaning website Mediaite, which he denied at the time. However, his comments on Wednesday leave the door open for future political ambitions. “I don’t know, maybe one day, you know—that calling is there,” he said.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

Senior Democrat Passes Away Following Cancer Battle.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) passed away at the age of 75 after battling esophageal cancer.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Gerry Connolly, his family, and colleagues in Congress.

📍 Where & When: Connolly died at his home in Virginia on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations,” Connolly’s family said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: Connolly’s death marks the loss of a long-serving Democrat who represented Virginia’s 11th district since 2009 and served as the Democratic ranking member on the House Oversight Committee until stepping down in April. His death also tilts the math for the passage of legislation in the House slightly more in favor of the slim Republican majority.

IN FULL:

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) passed away at his home on Wednesday morning at the age of 75, his family confirmed in a statement. The Democratic representative had been battling esophageal cancer, a diagnosis he revealed shortly after the 2024 election.

Connolly’s family announced his death with a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”

The Democrat lawmaker had served Virginia’s 11th congressional district since 2009. A staunch ally of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Connolly defeated the progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the ranking member position on the influential House Oversight Committee at the start of the current Congress in January. However, in April, he stepped down from the role after revealing that his cancer had returned.

In a letter to constituents earlier this year, Connolly reflected on his decades of public service, writing, “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we accomplished together over 30 years.” He also confirmed that this term would be his last in Congress.

Rep. Connolly was a noted foe of President Donald J. Trump and one of the more vocally partisan Democrats in the House of Representatives. During former President Joe Biden’s lawfare campaign against Trump, the Virginia Congressman pushed a proposal to rename a federal prison after Trump—a subtle reference to Democratic Party efforts to see the America First leader imprisoned.

Image by April Brady/Project on Middle East Democracy.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
News
World

This European Country Just Outlawed OnlyFans.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The purchase of sex acts online has been banned in Sweden, leading to sites like OnlyFans being essentially outlawed.

👥 Who’s Involved: Swedish parliament, OnlyFans, Social Democrat lawmaker Teresa Carvahlo, Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.

📍 Where & When: Sweden, the Swedish parliament passed the legislation on May 20.

💬 Key Quote:  The online sex industry “serves as a gateway for young girls from the digital world to physical prostitution.” — Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.

⚠️ Impact: The law cripples sites like OnlyFans in Sweden and could see those who try to purchase sex acts online be sentenced to a year in prison.

IN FULL:

Sweden, once synonymous with leftist progressivism, has banned the sale of sexual acts online, essentially outlawing the popular pornography website OnlyFans. Swedish lawmakers voted on May 20 to make it illegal to purchase sexual acts remotely online, which will affect webcam pornography sites as well as OnlyFans.

The law prohibits people from purchasing sex acts online and also makes it illegal for anyone to promote or financially exploit someone to perform sexual acts as well.

“This is a new form of sex purchase and it is high time that we modernize the Sex Purchase Act, and that we also include purchases that take place remotely on digital platforms such as Onlyfans,” Social Democrat lawmaker Teresa Carvahlo said following the bill’s passing.

Those found to violate the law could face up to a year in prison if found guilty, and the new rules are set to come into force on July 1 of this year. Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson argued that the online prostitution “serves as a gateway for young girls from the digital world to physical prostitution.”

OnlyFans has had legal troubles in other European countries, including the United Kingdom, where it was fined $1 million. The fine stemmed from the site refusing to provide information on how it accesses the ages of those using it.

OnlyFans has been accused of allowing children to access pornography and failing to provide adequate age verification measures. Some have also found the site has hosted child pornography at times, though it has removed offending material when alerted.

Sweden’s new law, which is an extension of the country’s strict anti-prostitution laws, comes as several states in America have also enacted their own laws to keep children away from pornography by demanding age verification of users. As a result of the laws, major websites like Pornhub have shut down some of their operations.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

Migrants Target Northern State as Trump’s Southern Border Becomes Impenetrable.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Illegal immigrant crossings in Maine reached their highest level in 24 years, with 113 arrests in April, according to U.S. Border Patrol. They have been driven to target the northern state by President Donald J. Trump’s southern border crackdown.

👥 Who’s Involved: Migrants from at least 16 countries, primarily Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

📍 Where & When: Maine, particularly the Houlton Sector of the Canadian border, April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Due to the significant increase in arrests, the Houlton Sector coordinated air transport… to transfer 29 apprehended subjects… for further processing,” stated Border Patrol.

⚠️ Impact: Maine has seen a spike in illegal crossings, with numbers surpassing previous years, as migrants increasingly bypass the U.S.-Mexico border in favor of entry through Canada.

IN FULL:

Illegal border crossings in Maine surged to their highest point in 24 years last month, with U.S. Border Patrol reporting 113 arrests in April. This figure marks a significant increase from the 25 to 50 monthly encounters typical during the Biden government, according to officials in the Houlton Sector.

The rise in crossings comes as migrants from at least 16 countries, including Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico, increasingly opt to enter the U.S. via Canada, avoiding the southern border, which President Donald J. Trump is heavily protecting. Ecuadorians led the group, with 42 individuals apprehended, followed by 15 Guatemalans and 12 Mexicans. Six Venezuelans were also detained.

The Houlton Sector, covering Maine’s border with Canada, has already surpassed its total apprehensions from the previous fiscal year in just six months. In December, under the Biden government, only 18 migrants were encountered. That number rose to 50 in January after President Donald J. Trump took office, climbing steadily to 113 in April.

“Due to the significant increase in arrests, the Houlton Sector coordinated air transport with Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement Removal Operations (ICE ERO) to transfer 29 apprehended subjects… for further processing,” the Border Patrol noted in a statement.

The agency attributed the spike to enhanced enforcement efforts in Maine, even as crossings along the broader U.S.-Canada border have reportedly considerably declined. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that encounters in the Southwest Sector decreased by 95 percent in March. The sector covers parts of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

President Trump threatened and later imposed tariffs on Canada in part because he believed it was not doing its part to stop the flow of drugs and migrants from north to south. Migrants entering the U.S. via Canada are particularly unlikely to have any legitimate asylum claims, with Canada being a relatively prosperous Western country.

Image by Lorie Shaull.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Migrants Face Fines Up to $1.8 Million.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. immigration authorities are issuing fines, some as high as $1.8 million, to illegal immigrants who failed to leave the country after deportation orders.

👥 Who’s Involved: Wendy Ortiz, a Salvadoran migrant; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Customs and Border Protection (CBP); immigration lawyers; and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: United States, with fines beginning to be issued in recent weeks under the Trump administration.

💬 Key Quote: “It’s not fair. Where is someone going to find that much money?” — Wendy Ortiz, fined $1.8 million.

⚠️ Impact: Illegal immigrants face steep financial penalties, potential property seizures, and legal challenges, with many unable to pay the fines for ignoring their deportation orders.

IN FULL:

U.S. immigration authorities have begun issuing substantial fines to illegal immigrants who have failed to leave the country after being ordered to do so, with penalties reaching as high as $1.8 million. Wendy Ortiz, a 32-year-old Salvadoran illegal immigrant living in Pennsylvania, was among those fined. Ortiz allegedly left her home country a decade ago.

“It’s not fair,” Ortiz told reporters. “Where is someone going to find that much money?” Her attorney, Rosina Stambaugh, has requested a 30-day extension to contest the fine, citing Ortiz’s lack of a criminal record and the supposed dangers she faces if deported. Notably, Ortiz failed to show up for her asylum hearing and later ignored a deportation order, though she claims she never received notification of either.

The fines are part of a Trump administration policy aimed at encouraging voluntary departure, or “self-deportation,” among illegal immigrants. A senior Trump official disclosed that over 4,500 migrants have been issued fines totaling more than $500 million. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been responsible for issuing the fines, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is tasked with handling potential property seizures.

The fines stem from a 1996 law that Trump administration immigration officials are enforcing. Under this policy, illegal immigrants can be fined $998 per day for failing to comply with deportation orders, with penalties applied retroactively for up to five years. This framework has resulted in fines as high as $1.8 million.

Immigration lawyers across the country have expressed shock at the severity of the penalties. Robert Scott, a New York-based attorney, noted that one of his clients, a low-income Mexican woman living in the U.S. for 25 years, was also fined $1.8 million. Scott—like attorneys for other illegal immigrants—claim the woman was unaware of her 2013 deportation order and is now seeking to reopen her case.

The Trump administration previously withdrew the imposition of similar fines during its first term after legal challenges but resumed issuing smaller penalties. The Biden government later dropped the fines in 2021.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
News

This Georgia Governor Candidate Couldn’t Help But Obsess Over Trump in Her Campaign Launch.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced her campaign for Georgia governor, criticizing Donald Trump in a video.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keisha Lance Bottoms, Donald Trump, current Governor Brian Kemp, Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, and Olu Brown.

📍 Where & When: Georgia, campaign launch on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “Donald Trump is a disaster for our economy and our country. From his failure to address rising prices to giving an unelected billionaire the power to cut Medicare and Social Security. It’s one terrible thing after another.” — Keisha Lance Bottoms,

⚠️ Impact: Bottoms joins a competitive race for the governorship of Georgia, with significant political and economic implications.

IN FULL:

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially entered the race for Georgia governor, launching her campaign Tuesday with a video that sharply criticized former President Donald J. Trump.

“Donald Trump is a disaster for our economy and our country,” Bottoms rails in the video. She accuses the America First leader of delegating powers to “an unelected billionaire” to make decisions about Medicare and Social Security, referencing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk. “Georgia families deserve far better than what Donald Trump and Republicans are giving us,” she complains.

Bottoms, who served as Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden for Public Engagement in 2022 and was later appointed to the President’s Export Council in 2023—but was fired by President Trump on his first day back in office—says that “expanding Medicaid” would be her “top priority” if elected. Currently, the program is already exploited by illegal aliens.

The race for Georgia’s governorship is shaping up to be highly contested. Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, and Olu Brown, a former pastor, have also declared their candidacies. Current Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican serving his second term, is ineligible to seek re-election in 2026.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Immigration
NatSec

China-Linked Group Aids Illegal Migrants.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A nonprofit, the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), is under investigation by House Republicans for allegedly coaching illegal immigrants on avoiding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehension and receiving funding from Chinese government-linked entities.

👥 Who’s Involved: The CPC, House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Chinese government-linked organizations such as the Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

📍 Where & When: The investigation focuses on CPC operations in New York City, with alleged incidents occurring as recently as March 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I’m deeply concerned that Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars were potentially used by an NGO to help illegal aliens subvert our nation’s laws,” said Rep. Mark Green.

⚠️ Impact: CPC received $1.4 million in federal grants since 2022 and an estimated $445,969 from Chinese government-linked sources since 2018, raising questions about foreign influence and misuse of taxpayer funds.

IN FULL:

House Republicans have launched an investigation into the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), a New York-based nonprofit, over allegations of aiding illegal immigrants in evading federal immigration enforcement. The nonprofit, which has received more than $1.4 million in federal grants since 2022, is also facing scrutiny for financial ties to entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The investigation, led by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) and Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), follows the release of undercover footage reportedly showing CPC staff advising attendees on how to avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehension. During a March seminar, CPC’s Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer Carlyn Cowen allegedly recommended strategies such as “hardening your physical space” and “not opening the door at all” when ICE agents arrive.

A review of CPC’s financial records revealed that since 2018, the organization has received as much as $445,969 from Chinese government-linked sources, including the Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. These donations, along with federal funding, have raised concerns about potential foreign interference in U.S. immigration enforcement.

“I’m deeply concerned that Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars were potentially used by an NGO to help illegal aliens subvert our nation’s laws,” Rep. Green stated. He also expressed alarm over CPC’s alleged ties to a communist regime “committed to undermining U.S. sovereignty.”

Founded in 1965, CPC claims to be the largest Asian-American social services organization in the U.S., offering over 50 programs across New York City. However, its financial and personnel links to Chinese government-affiliated entities, including the Committee of 100 (C100), a nonprofit accused of promoting CCP interests, have drawn further scrutiny.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
News
UK

Tommy Robinson Set for Early Release.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Tommy Robinson’s 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court has been reduced by four months by the English High Court.

👥 Who’s Involved: Tommy Robinson, Justice Johnson, Jamal Hijazi, the Ministry of Justice, and Robinson’s legal team.

📍 Where & When: High Court ruling on Tuesday; Robinson is currently held at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Woodhill, Milton Keynes.

💬 Key Quote: The Ministry of Justice stated Robinson “had a ‘mark on his head’ and would be killed by a lifer if located on a wing.”

⚠️ Impact: Robinson is expected to be released within a week.

IN FULL:

Anti-grooming gangs activist Tommy Robinson is expected to be released from prison in the coming week after the High Court reduced his 18-month sentence for contempt of court by four months. The decision was made during an appeal hearing on Tuesday, where Robinson sought to “purge” the final four months of his sentence.

Robinson had been sentenced in October for breaches of a 2021 injunction that prohibited him from defending allegations he made against Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian migrant, who previously won a libel case against him. Despite the libel case having been a civil matter, the Attorney General’s Office went out of its way to bring a prosecution for criminal contempt when Robinson produced a documentary defending his allegations against Hijazi. The judge in the case ultimately handed down a prison term longer than most pedophiles receive.

Justice Johnson, who presided over the original sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, described the 18-month term as comprising a 14-month “punitive” portion and a four-month “coercive” portion. The High Court has now removed the latter.

Since his imprisonment, Robinson has faced challenges, including a deterioration of his mental health in isolation.

According to Ministry of Justice barristers, Robinson had “a ‘mark on his head'” and faced potential harm from other prisoners seeking “kudos and notoriety.” They said that at least two inmates were known to be plotting an assault against him.

Robinson remains incarcerated at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Woodhill in Milton Keynes as of the time of publication, but is now set for release in the coming days.

Image by Rose Morelli.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Economy

Major U.S. Chain Blames Fed for Slower Sales, Not Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Home Depot reiterated its full-year sales forecast and announced it would not raise prices in response to tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Home Depot, Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail, U.S. consumers, suppliers.

📍 Where & When: United States, fiscal first quarter ending May 4.

💬 Key Quote: “We intend to generally maintain our current pricing levels across our portfolio,” said CFO Richard McPhail.

⚠️ Impact: Home Depot’s pricing strategy contrasts with competitors like Walmart, and the company reported muted sales growth amid a tough housing environment.

IN FULL:

Home Depot announced on Tuesday that it will maintain its current pricing strategy despite claims that President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs could result in higher retail costs for consumers, citing strong supplier relationships and operational efficiency. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Richard McPhail said that the company’s scale and partnerships would allow it to avoid price hikes.

“Because of our scale, the great partnerships we have with our suppliers and productivity that we continue to drive in our business, we intend to generally maintain our current pricing levels across our portfolio,” McPhail said during an interview with CNBC on Tuesday morning.

The Home Depot CFO noted earlier on Tuesday, during a company earnings call, that the tariffs provided an opportunity for the massive hardware and supply retailer to expand its market share against competitors. “It’s a great opportunity for us to take share, and it’s a great opportunity for our suppliers to take share as well,” he said.

McPhail highlighted that over half of Home Depot’s products are sourced domestically. Additionally, the company has diversified its import sources, reducing reliance on China. By next year, no single country outside the U.S. will account for more than 10 percent of its purchases, according to McPhail.

The announcement coincided with the release of Home Depot’s fiscal first-quarter results. The company missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the first time since May 2020 but exceeded sales forecasts. Net income for the quarter, ending May 4, stood at $3.43 billion, or $3.45 per share, down from $3.60 billion, or $3.63 per share, a year earlier. Total sales grew 2.8 percent year over year, bolstered by the acquisition of SRS Distribution, a supplier for home professionals.

Home Depot CEO Ted Decker, on the same earnings call, contended that the slower sales were because of “stubbornly high” interest rates, laying the blame at the feet of the Jerome Powell’s Federal Reserve—though he did not name the central bank directly.

Comparable sales fell 0.3 percent during the quarter, with U.S. comparable sales increasing slightly by 0.2 percent. McPhail attributed February’s decline to poor weather but noted that sales improved in March and April, with the latter seeing a 1.8 percent year-over-year increase. The company also reported a 2.1 percent rise in customer transactions, with an average ticket of $90.71.

Notably, McPhail’s comments add further evidence to the argument that many companies will attempt to maintain current price levels or mitigate increases as much as possible to maintain their market share. This appears to be especially true for suppliers and U.S. retailers who are considering shifting or even eliminating product sourcing in China.

Image by Harrison Keely.

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By Popular Demand.
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