President Donald J. Trump’s Rapid Response team has cataloged some of the wasteful spending disbursed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which looks set to be abolished as an independent entity and absorbed into the U.S. State Department after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) concluded it was beyond saving.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the Rapid Response team noted that USAID has spent millions of taxpayer dollars on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and promoting transgenderism. For instance, $1.5 million was spent to promote DEI in Serbian workplaces, and $70,000 was spent on a “DEI musical” in Ireland.
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In Latin America, USAID allocated $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru, and $2 million for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala.
Spending beyond the realm of DEI and transgenderism also appears questionable, with $2.5 million spent promoting electric vehicles in Vietnam, resulting in the construction of just one battery station. $6 million was directed towards boosting tourism in Egypt.
Even more controversially, USAID funded a non-profit linked to designated terrorist organizations and EcoHealth Alliance, which had connections to research at the Wuhan lab. USAID funding was also used to provide al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadists in Syria with meals.
Similarly, USAID funds were used to support poppy farming in Afghanistan, bankrolling the Taliban, and bolstering the international heroin trade.
USAID has been unaccountable to taxpayers for decades — funneling money to ridiculous (and in many cases, malicious) pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats with zero oversight.
🧵 Here are only a few examples of the WASTE and ABUSE:
❓What Happened: Elon Musk described his first 100 days leading the Department of Government Efficiency as “intense,” noting progress but expressing frustration over challenges due to entrenched interests.
👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, Steve Davis, Antonio Gracias, Anthony Armstrong, President Donald Trump.
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📍 Where & When: White House, Washington, D.C., Roosevelt Room, April 30, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: Musk stated, “I think we’ve been effective, not as effective as I’d like.”
⚠️ Impact: Musk’s administration claims $160 billion saved in taxpayer money. He acknowledged difficulties in reaching the $1 trillion savings goal, citing government inertia as a major obstacle.
IN FULL:
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk, reflecting on his first 100 days in the role, has described them as “very, very intense.” During a meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Musk and top DOGE officials Steve Davis, Antonio Gracias, and Anthony Armstrong reviewed their initial progress in Washington. Musk said that despite saving taxpayers a claimed $160 billion—far below his earlier ambitions—entrenched interests hindered the department’s effectiveness.
“I think we’ve been effective, not as effective as I’d like, I think we could be more effective, but we made progress,” Musk said. The South Africa-born tech mogul initially claimed a potential $2 trillion saving, later revising expectations to $1 trillion.
Acknowledging his difficulty in reaching even the revised goal, Musk criticized the federal budgeting system, likening reform efforts to altering the path of a fleet of supertankers. He claims savings currently average $1.6 billion per day, blaming Congress and the Cabinet for the lack of further progress, saying it comes down to “how much pain is the Cabinet and Congress willing to take.”
Musk shared insights into his Washington routine, revealing occasional stays in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom and working seven days a week at times. However, he plans to reduce his on-site presence amid damage to his Tesla business. “DOGE is a way of life… like Buddhism… you wouldn’t ask the question, ‘Who would lead Buddhism?'” he said, downplaying the significance of his potential departure.
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❓What Happened: Reports suggest that Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries showed little support for Democrats who have traveled to El Salvador advocating for deported illegal immigrants.
👥 Who’s Involved: House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representatives Robert Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, President Donald J. Trump, and deported illegals such as accused MS-13 gangster and wife-beater Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
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📍 Where & When: The reported events and discussions have taken place in the United States, with trips organized to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
💬 Key Quote: Jeffries stated, “Our reaction [to the trips] is that Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president in modern American history,” deflecting from addressing the actions of his fellow Democrats directly.
⚠️ Impact: The disagreement exemplifies the ongoing internal conflicts within the Democratic Party.
IN FULL:
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is reportedly advising restraint to Democrats traveling to El Salvador to advocate for deported illegal aliens. Reports suggest Jeffries seemed to sidestep support for Democrats who have embarked on missions to the country.
When probed about fellow party members’ travels and their objectives, Jeffries veered the discussion towards President Donald J. Trump‘s approval ratings. Jeffries has reportedly cautioned against escalating actions with respect to the deportations to El Salvador. This comes after visits to the country involving figures like Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representatives Robert Garcia, among others.
There appears to be some division within the Democratic Party over this approach. While leaders like Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer maintain a more reserved stance, others within the party are pushing for proactive measures on behalf of deported migrants.
A spokesman for Jeffries refuted claims that his office actively discourages the trips. They asserted that the minority leader will persist in advocating for those like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported illegal linked to MS-13 who was once arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and accused of violent abuse by his wife. The Democrats insist he is a “Maryland man” deported unlawfully.
The situation highlights the ongoing strife within the Democratic Party. Others, such as Democratic National Committee vice chair and anti-gun rights activist David Hogg, are pushing to purge candidates who are not deemed woke or progressive enough.
Hogg’s statements have drawn ire from Democrat stalwarts like James Carville, who referred to Hogg as a “contemptible little twerp.”
❓What Happened: France’s foreign ministry accused Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency of carrying out cyber attacks on several entities.
👥 Who’s Involved: The accusations were directed at GRU unit APT28, reportedly operating out of Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
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📍 Where & When: The alleged attacks targeted France, originating from Russia, with instances highlighted since 2015.
💬 Key Quote: “These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” France’s foreign ministry complained.
⚠️ Impact: Cyber attacks on government ministries, defense firms, and other sectors increased by 15 percent from 2023 to 2024, tallying approximately 4,000 incidents attributed to Russian actors.
IN FULL:
France has formally accused Russia’s GRU military intelligence unit of executing a series of cyber attacks targeting French entities. This announcement, made on April 29 by France’s foreign ministry, highlights alleged assaults against government ministries, defense companies, and think tanks.
“These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” France’s foreign ministry complained.
The unit implicated, APT28, is noted for having operations based out of Rostov-on-Don, Russia. This claim marks the first time France publicly ascribed responsibility for certain cyber attacks to Russia.
Records indicate that APT28’s operations in France began as early as 2015. A significant incident cited was the cyber disruption of the TV5 Monde channel. Islamic State operatives initially claimed the attack.
The Russian cyber unit was also linked to incidents during the 2017 French presidential election. These were allegedly aimed at undermining President Emmanuel Macron through the dissemination of leaked and manipulated documents.
The French National Cybersecurity Agency, ANSSI, documented APT28’s alleged efforts to extract strategic intelligence spanning sectors across Europe and North America. Statistics claim that approximately 4,000 cyber attacks were linked to Russian actors in 2024, a 15 percent rise from the previous year.
The accusations from France follow similar allegations of Russia planting incendiary devices on aircraft flying over Europe last year. Germany and Britain reported finding such devices in warehouses belonging to a global courier company.
❓What Happened: Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and key figure in the Brexit initiative, blames the Conservative Party for not executing Brexit effectively, as Reform UK aims to convert its polling popularity into actual council seats in today’s elections.
👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage, Reform UK; the Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch; Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer.
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📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, with local elections scheduled for May 1.
⚠️ Impact: The Reform UK party aims to replace the Conservatives as the primary opposition to Labour, influencing local governance. A significant loss could bring about leadership challenges within the Conservative Party and the political landscape across England.
IN FULL:
England goes to the polls today, May 1, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK positioned ahead, potentially positioning itself to secure seats in various councils.
There are 1,641 council seats across 23 local authorities, including 14 county councils, eight unitary authorities, and one metropolitan borough (Doncaster) in play, as well as six mayoral elections, featuring contests in Greater Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, the West of England, Doncaster, and North Tyneside.
Notably, ‘Bad Boy of Brexit’ and long-time Farage ally Arron Banks is up for election as Mayor in theWest of England Combined Authority (WECA). Early indications showed Banks as an outsider candidate, though more recently, he has been polling in a position to emerge stunningly victorious, perhaps even to his chagrin.
Voters in the parliamentary constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will also go to the polls today, following a special election triggered by the resignation of Labour Member of Parliament Mike Amesbury, who was convicted earlier this year after assaulting a constituent.
Reform UK seeks to expand its appeal to traditional Labour supporters by advocating for policies such as the renationalization of industries perceived to be failing, including Thames Water. The strategic goal is to erode Labour support while positioning the Reform UK party as a replacement to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, without forming a center-right coalition.
The Conservative Party is now under existential pressure. It faces competition from Reform UK in the North and Midlands and the Liberal Democrats in the Southern regions. Kemi Badenoch’s leadership may face challenges should the party see substantial losses in the council seats it currently defends.
The introduction of five-party dynamics, with the rise of the Greens, could result in closely contested council seats, prompting significant implications for future elections. Reform UK’s performance in the upcoming elections will not only signal shifts in political power but also test whether Farage’s party can deliver on its promises or merely expand on electoral rhetoric.
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❓What Happened: A poll indicated that “none of the above” is the most popular leader choice among voters, highlighting voter disillusionment before local elections.
👥 Who’s Involved: Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage; Labour and Conservative parties; More In Common; Fire Brigades Union.
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📍 Where & When: England, ahead of local elections on May 1.
⚠️ Impact: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is expected to gain significant traction, possibly securing a parliamentary by-election (special election) win and mayoral positions, challenging the legacy political parties.
IN FULL:
According to a recent poll, voter sentiment ahead of local elections in England showcases significant disillusionment with major political parties. The survey revealed that 41 percent of respondents chose “none of the above” when asked who would be most effective at governing, dwarfing named candidates. Reform UK, spearheaded by Nigel Farage, appears poised for a breakthrough, potentially challenging both the governing Labour Party and the recently ousted Conservatives by capturing key seats across England, including a crucial by-election (special election).
Reform UK’s anticipated gains are stirring concern among some left-wing groups. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has initiated a campaign in traditionally Labour-voting areas like Runcorn and Helsby, attempting to curb a potential surge by Farage’s party.
Farage emerged as the second choice in polling figures with 23 percent, following the “none of the above” category. Labour’s Keir Starmer received 19 percent, trailed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch with a paltry eight percent. Overall polling in election hotspots placed Labour behind with 18 percent, as Reform UK led with 26 percent, while the Conservatives held 25 percent.
With over 1,600 council seats and pivotal mayoral races at stake, the local elections may act as a litmus test for national sentiments. The National Pulse will cover the results as they emerge.
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Editor’s Notes
Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.
❓What Happened: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made veiled threats to attack Russia’s Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, despite the fact foreign leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.
👥 Who’s Involved: Volodymyr Zelensky, pro-Ukraine social media figures, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
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📍 Where & When: Zelensky posted a video on social media on April 30.
💬 Key Quote: “Right now, they are worried about whether they can hold their military parade—and rightly so,” said President Zelensky.
⚠️ Impact: An attack on a parade attended by Putin, civilians, including elderly veterans, and Xi Jinping could provoke a massive response from Russia and draw China into the conflict, undermining President Trump’s attempts to secure a peace deal.
IN FULL:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a thinly veiled threat against Russia’s upcoming Victory Day parade, set for May 9. Zelensky stated that Russia was worried about attacks on the event, and was right to be. Set to be attended by thousands of Russian civilians, including elderly Second World War veterans, and world leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping, the May 9 Victory Parade celebrates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies in the Second World War.
In a video published on April 30, Zelensky stated, “Right now, they are worried about whether they can hold their military parade—and rightly so. But what they should be worried about is that this war is still ongoing.” Some have pointed out that a large contingent of military personnel and equipment will take part in the parade, with pro-Ukrainian social media accounts calling for outright missile or drone strikes on a “legitimate military target.”
Caolan Robertson, a pro-Ukrainian media figure who has worked for the far-left Byline Times, stated, “Putin is terrified of Ukraine hitting his victory parade in Moscow. As he should be. Hundreds of tanks and missiles on display? That’s a great legitimate military target. I hope it gets wiped out.”
Robertson has travelled extensively to Ukraine and was in Syria shortly after the fall of Bashar Assad, posing with jihadists wearing Islamic State flags, something he seemed oblivious to at the time.
It is unclear how Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has called for a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, would react to an attack on the parade. Notably, China may regard such an attack as an act of war if it endangers Xi’s life.
President Donald J. Trump, who has accused Zelensky of trying to sabotage the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, could also react highly negatively to such actions.
WATCH:
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy just openly threatened Russia’s Victory Day Parade!
It is scheduled for May 9, 2025 and it commemorates Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WWII (1945)
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is urging Congress to pass a comprehensive bill aimed at implementing major tax cuts. The move comes as the America First leader appears to be refocusing his White House on critical domestic and economic issues, having expressed frustration with the lack of progress in U.S. mediation of the Russia-Ukraine war.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Congress.
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📍 Where & When: President Trump ramped up pressure on Congress to finalize and pass a reconciliation bill providing tax relief Tuesday night at a rally in Michigan.
💬 Key Quote: “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,” President Trump said.
⚠️ Impact: The proposal could increase real wages by up to $3,300 annually, boost take-home pay for median-income households by up to $5,000 per year, elevate short-run GDP by 3.3-3.8 percent and long-term GDP by 2.6-3.2 percent, and preserve 4.1 million jobs.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump appears to be refocusing his administration to tackle key domestic policy issues, as a solution to end the Russia-Ukraine war continues to be elusive. The America First leader, speaking at a rally Tuesday night in Michigan, called on lawmakers on Capitol Hill to work to pass a reconciliation bill that will implement his proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax code and make the 2017 Trump tax cuts—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)—permanent.
“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,” President Trump declared. The proposal aims to provide substantial tax reductions, touted as the largest in history, for the American populace.
The tax overhaul includes noteworthy provisions to exempt tips, overtime, and Social Security for seniors from taxation. Additionally, the Trump White House contends the proposal will increase real wages by as much as $3,300 per year, with median-income households potentially seeing up to $5,000 more in take-home pay annually.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s economic team argues that the tax cuts will have an extensive impact on the U.S. economy. According to the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the permanence of the 2017 tax cuts could result in an uptick in short-run real GDP between 3.3 and 3.8 percent. The long-run effects are anticipated to boost GDP by 2.6 to 3.2 percent. The CEA analysis also projects that the tax plan could save a total of 4.1 million jobs, offering a substantial economic safety net.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate adopted respective budget resolutions, kick-starting the budget reconciliation process. This bill will serve as the vehicle for President Trump’s tax overhaul. Notably, reconciliation bills cannot be filibustered in the Senate, meaning Congressional Democrats have few procedural tools to delay or stop the legislation.
WATCH:
.@POTUS: “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…” pic.twitter.com/SRwaWoY9gZ
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump finalized a critical minerals and natural resources agreement with Ukraine on Wednesday. The eastern European nation’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko was dispatched to Washington, D.C., to sign the deal with President Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
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📍 Where & When: The deal was finalized late Wednesday afternoon, and an official signing is expected later in the evening.
💬 Key Quote: “Thanks to [President Donald J. Trump]’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, announcing the deal in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
⚠️ Impact: The agreement with Ukraine will, in part, reimburse American taxpayers for future military aid and provide the United States with access to the country’s natural resources, including critical metals like aluminum, as well as graphite and natural gas.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has reached an agreement with the government of Ukraine, creating an economic partnership that will see the eastern European nation share access to its mineral wealth in exchange for future military aid. Under the deal, the United States will have preferential access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, oil, and natural gas. Additionally, the partnership will see greater U.S. economic involvement in Ukraine, serving as a quasi-security guarantee for the country, which is currently at war with Russia.
“Thanks to [President Donald J. Trump]’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, announcing the deal in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He continued: “Economic security is national security.”
The U.S Treasury Secretary added: “[The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation] will work closely with the Government of Ukraine to establish this fund, and we look forward to quickly operationalizing this historic economic partnership for both the Ukrainian and American people.”
As the deal appeared imminent, Ukraine dispatched Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to Washington, D.C. earlier on Wednesday to sign the agreement with Secretary Bessent. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka described the partnership as “a win-win,” noting, “It is written in friendly language. It is about investments, investments, and investments.”
The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that the minerals deal was close to finalization. Speaking with The Pulse, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Ukraine needs to sign it, they should sign it… It’s an economic partnership between the United States and Ukraine; that’s what the President envisions, and he wants Ukraine to sign that deal, and he’s confident that they will.”
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: During an interview marking his 100th day in office, President Donald J. Trump expressed frustration and criticized ABC News anchor Terry Moran for his questions, particularly regarding an MS-13 tattoo on a deported illegal immigrant, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump and ABC News anchor Terry Moran were the primary figures in the interview.
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📍 Where & When: The interview took place in the Oval Office and was aired on April 29 as an hour-long special by ABC News under the title “President Trump: The First 100 Days: The Interview.”
💬 Key Quote: President Trump stated, “Why don’t you just say, ‘Yes, he does,’ and, you know, go on to something else,” during the tattoo debate with Moran.
⚠️ Impact: This interview highlighted ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration, underscoring issues of media trust and factual disputes in political reporting.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump slammed ABC News and its senior national correspondent, Terry Moran, arguing the corporate media network was spreading “fake news” regarding tattoos found on the hand of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran illegal immigrant alleged to be a member of the violent MS-13 gang who was recently deported to his home country. In a tense exchange, Moran insisted that an image showing the tattoos in question had actually been photoshopped, and photographs of Abrego Garcia in El Salvador did not show “M-S-1-3” tattooed across his knuckles.
An image posted to social media by President Trump had the text added above existing tattoos on the El Salvadoran national’s knuckles to denote what the inked symbols stood for. Abrego Garcia has a marijuana leaf, a smiley face with “x” over the eyes, a cross, and a skull tattooed across his knuckles, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and law enforcement officials contend are code representing M-S-1-3, the gang’s name.
“That was Photoshop? Terry, you can’t do that—he had—hey, they’re giving you the big break of a lifetime. You know, you’re doing the interview. I picked you because—frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s OK,” Trump said, responding to Moran’s assertion that the image of the tattoos had been doctored. The America First leader insisted, “He had MS-13 tattooed,” before Moran cut him off, asking that they move on to another subject.
“Terry. Do you want me to show the picture?” President Trump fired back, with Moran responding: “I saw the picture. We’ll—we’ll—we’ll agree to disagree.” After Trump continued to push back, the ABC News correspondent finally relented, conceding, “Fair enough, he did have tattoos that can be interpreted that way. I’m not an expert on them.”
Unsatisfied, President Trump continued to push Moran to acknowledge that the symbols tattooed on Abrego Garcia’s hand stood for MS-13. “Why don’t you just say, ‘Yes, he does,’ and, you know, go on to something else,” he told Moran, with the ABC News journalist responding: “It’s contested.”
As the interview progressed, Moran attempted to take several digs at the President, asking him: “I’m gonna ask—if I may, do you think the reputation of the United States has gone down under your presidency?” Exasperated, Trump replied: “I—no, I think it’s gone way up, and I think we’re a respected country again. We were laughed at all over the world. We had a president who couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk down a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk across a stage without falling. We had a president that was grossly incompetent. You knew it, I knew it, and everybody knew it. But you guys didn’t want to write it because you’re fake news.”
“And, by the way, ABC is one of the worst. I have to be honest with you,” Trump said as the interview concluded.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against flavored vape manufacturers, claiming they target minors, prompting backlash from conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who says the move is a politically motivated attack on small businesses and adult consumers.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Letitia James, Attorney General of New York; Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA; independent vape manufacturers; former smokers and small business owners.
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🧾KEY QUOTES: “This isn’t about protecting public health… It’s about scoring political points,” Kirk argued. He accused James of acting as a “political pawn” for Big Tobacco.
⚠️FALLOUT: Independent shops face potential extinction under burdensome regulations, while smokers may turn back to cigarettes or black-market alternatives. Critics warn of a de facto handout to Big Tobacco.
📌SIGNIFICANCE: Kirk frames James’s actions as a broader pattern of left-wing overreach—one that shields teenagers from conservative ideas but punishes adults seeking harm-reduction alternatives like vaping.
IN FULL:
Charlie Kirk is sounding the alarm over what he calls New York Attorney General Letitia James’s latest morally bankrupt crusade—this time, against the independent, American side of the vaping industry.
James, who rose to national prominence with headline-grabbing lawsuits against Donald Trump, has filed fresh litigation targeting flavored vape manufacturers. Her office claims these companies market to minors and violate state vaping laws. But Kirk sees something more sinister beneath the surface.
“This isn’t about protecting children,” he wrote in a recent op-ed. “It’s about scoring political points, consolidating power, and doing the bidding of Big Tobacco.”
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a staunch advocate for small businesses and individual freedoms, admits he’s no fan of vaping. Still, he recognizes its role as a harm-reduction tool, especially for adults trying to quit smoking.
“Many of my hardest-working employees vape,” he revealed. “For them, it’s a way out of tobacco addiction.” He emphasized that flavored vapes—targeted by James’ lawsuit—are overwhelmingly used by adults seeking healthier alternatives, not teenagers.
According to Kirk, James’s crackdown will devastate independent vape shops and push consumers either back to traditional cigarettes or into the shadowy black market of unregulated products. “She’s forcing them back into the arms of Big Tobacco,” he wrote.
He compared the move to the suppression of off-patent COVID treatments like ivermectin or the resistance to nutrition-based solutions for obesity–attacks, he says, on methods that work simply because they don’t serve elite or corporate interests.
As for Letitia James, Kirk is blunt: “She must be stopped.” He urged her to focus on New York City’s crime surge rather than micromanaging what corner stores sell to adult customers.
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