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Friday, May 23, 2025

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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Media
UK

UAE-Linked Jeff Zucker Firm Sells Storied UK Telegraph to… CCP-Linked Jeff Zucker Firm!?

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A transatlantic consortium led by RedBird Capital Partners, where Jeff Zucker is an Operating Partner, has agreed to purchase The Telegraph newspaper from RedBird IMI, where Jeff Zucker is CEO.

👥 Who’s Involved: RedBird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI, Jeff Zucker, RedBird Capital Partners Chairman John Thornton, The Telegraph, and Britain’s governing Labour Party.

📍 Where & When: The United Kingdom, with the deal announced in 2023, pending regulatory approvals.

💬 Key Quote:

⚠️ Impact: Raises questions about media independence, potential foreign influence, and the future direction of the prominent British newspaper under new ownership.

IN FULL:

A transatlantic consortium led by U.S.-based RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to acquire The Telegraph newspaper, founded in 1855, for £500 million (~$675m). Previously, the newspaper was purchased by RedBird IMI, a subsidiary of RedBird Capital Partners, partnered with the United Arab Emirates’ International Media Investments (IMI) and helmed by former CNN President Jeff Zucker.

The RedBird IMI deal was derailed in 2023, due to the former Conservative Party government passing legislation curbing foreign state ownership of British media. IMI, owned primarily by Emirati royal and the UAE vice president Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the major partner in RedBird IMI, with the purchase raising concerns about foreign influence at Britain’s most prominent center-right media outlet.

When RedBird IMI finalizes The Telegraph‘s sale to RedBird Capital Partners, IMI will be only a minority stakeholder—provided the incumbent Labour Party government follows through with pending changes to the foreign ownership laws, allowing foreign state-owned investors to hold up to 15 percent of British newspaper publishers. However, the influence of Zucker, RedBird IMI’s CEO, will remain, as he is also an Operating Partner at RedBird Capital Partners.

Questions over foreign state influence on British media will also remain with The Telegraph under RedBird Capital Partners’ control, with chairman John Thornton having deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). RedBird itself boasts on its website that Thornton, a former Goldman Sachs co-president, was “the first non-Chinese full professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing,” which is directly administered by the CCP, and notes he is also a member of the International Advisory Council of CIC, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, and co-chair of the controversial Asia Society.

By Popular Demand.
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29 minutes ago
News

Jewish Museum Shooting Suspect’s Father Was Democrat Guest at Trump’s Congressional Address.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a gunman reportedly shouting “free Palestine.” The shooter’s father was a guest of Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL), attending President Donald J. Trump’s address to Congress this past March.

👥 Who’s Involved: The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 31, is the son of Eric Rodriguez, a guest of Representative Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) for President Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025.

📍 Where & When: Elias Rodriquez shot and killed Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26—both employed by the Israeli Embassy—on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Eric Rodriguez attended Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” Elias Rodriguez allegedly stated during his arrest.

⚠️ Impact: The attack has been labeled a “horrible senseless act of antisemitism” by Rep. García. The Illinois Democrat’s office states: “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family.”

IN FULL:

The father of Elias Rodrigeuz, accused of murdering two staff members from the Israeli Embassy outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., was a guest of Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) for President Donald J. Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025. Eric Rodriguez, a disabled Iraq War veteran, was celebrated by Rep. García at the time as an “outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees.”

Following Elias Rodrigeuz’s deadly attack on the Capital Jewish Museum, resulting in the execution-style deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, the Illinois Democrat’s congressional office is scrambling to put distance between itself and the shooter’s father. “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family,” Rep. García’s office now says. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, García condemned the murders as a ” horrible, senseless act of antisemitism.”

In March, Eric Rodriguez addressed a VoteVets event for Congressional Democrats, stating, “Veterans, we’re under attack. They’re slashing staff, crushing unions, and selling out the VA—for what? So billionaires can make more money while Veterans sit on a waitlist. Or worse, get no treatment.” He continued: “We served this country. We know how to take the fight to them. And we know how to win.”

Rep. García praised the elder Rodriguez, stating, “Eric represents the very best of our community—someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people.” The Chicago Democrat also posted Rodriguez’s speech to Instagram.

Following the deadly Wednesday night attack, Eric Rodriguez’s son, Elias, can be heard and seen shouting “free Palestine” while being arrested by D.C. police. Currently, Eric Rodriguez faces numerous local and federal charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. According to court filings, Rodriguez admitted his motive, allegedly telling officers, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

Elias Rodriguez, a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago, had been active in leftist circles, participating in anti-capitalist demonstrations and working for a non-profit focused on African American oral histories. He also donated $500 to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Lawfare
The Resistance

Another Far-Left Judge Blocks Trump’s Government Reforms.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s efforts to cut 10,000 jobs and reorganize federal agencies under its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump, senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, federal employee unions, advocacy groups, and several states and local governments.

📍 Where & When: The injunction was issued late Thursday evening on May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Agencies may not conduct large-scale reorganizations and reductions in force in blatant disregard of Congress’s mandates, and a President may not initiate large-scale executive branch reorganization without partnering with Congress,” wrote Bill Clinton appointee Judge Susan Illston.

⚠️ Impact: The Trump administration has appealed the decision to the 9th Circuit and may seek Supreme Court intervention, as the injunction halts a key element of the administration’s second-term domestic policy.

IN FULL:

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to cut 10,000 jobs and restructure federal agencies, issuing a preliminary injunction that halts the initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been fronted by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The order, issued late Thursday by senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, prevents further reductions in force and executive branch reorganization while a lawsuit challenging the plan proceeds. The lawsuit was filed by unions representing federal employees, advocacy organizations, and a coalition of states, cities, and counties.

The administration’s February 11 Executive Order, aimed at “critical transformation of the Federal bureaucracy,” directed agency heads to prepare for large-scale workforce reductions. The mass layoffs have been a key feature of President Trump’s second-term domestic agenda.

“Presidents may set policy priorities for the executive branch, and agency heads may implement them. This much is undisputed,” Judge Illston wrote in her decision. However, the Bill Clinton appointee insisted that Congress holds the authority to create, fund, and assign duties to federal agencies. “Agencies may not conduct large-scale reorganizations and reductions in force in blatant disregard of Congress’s mandates, and a President may not initiate large-scale executive branch reorganization without partnering with Congress,” she added.

The Trump administration has already appealed the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and is expected to request a stay of the injunction. U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, in a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court, criticized the injunction for barring nearly the entire executive branch from implementing workforce reduction plans. “Neither Congress nor the Executive Branch has ever intended to make federal bureaucrats ‘a class with lifetime employment, whether there was work for them to do or not,’” Sauer argued.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

UPenn Climate Scientist Calls for ‘Second Amendment’ to Be Used Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann suggested using the Second Amendment against President Donald J. Trump if he defies a federal judge’s order blocking the closure of the Department of Education.

👤Who’s Involved: Michael Mann, President Donald J. Trump, the University of Pennsylvania, Libs of TikTok, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

🧾Key Quote: “If Trump doesn’t comply, we’re in second amendment territory,” Mann posted on Bluesky.

⚠️Fallout: Libs of TikTok flagged Mann’s post to the FBI, citing it as a potential threat, amid heightened concerns following two 2024 assassination attempts against Trump.

📌Significance: Mann’s invocation of the Second Amendment to suggest violence against a sitting president underscores the escalating political rhetoric from academics.

IN FULL:

Michael Mann, a prominent climate scientist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, sparked controversy on May 23, 2025, by posting on the Bluesky social media platform: “If Trump doesn’t comply, we’re in second amendment territory.” The statement was made in response to a report on a federal judge’s ruling that blocked President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, appearing to suggest people take up arms to overthrow or assassinate the America First leader.

The May 22 injunction froze the administration’s plan to eliminate the department, which included terminating around 1,300 employees. Mann’s post—interpreted by many as a call for violence—drew immediate backlash across social media platforms.

The post was spotlighted by Libs of TikTok, which tagged the FBI and University of Pennsylvania, writing: “Hi “FBI, this climate scientist and professor at @Penn appears to be calling to kill Trump and Trump officials.”

The controversy comes on the heels of two assassination attempts on President Trump in 2024. The first occurred on July 13 during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump, grazing his ear and killing a supporter. The second attempt took place in September at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, with pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Routh caught lying in wait with a firearm and seriously injuring a child during his attempted getaway.

In response to the second incident, Trump said, “The suspected gunman believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it. Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at.”

Mann’s invocation of the Second Amendment in the context of killing or overthrowing Trump echoes a recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, who was accused of inciting violence by posting “8647” on Instagram. “86” is hospitality and mob parlance for removing or murdering someone, while “47” refers to Trump as the 47th President.

Image by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

Trump Wants to Primary House GOP ‘Grandstanders’ Opposing the Big, Beautiful Bill.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican lawmakers who voted “no” on the House budget reconciliation bill, which advances several of his top priorities.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH).

📍 Where & When: The reconciliation bill passed the House early Thursday morning on May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried.

⚠️ Impact: Both Massie and Davidson could face competitive primaries with a number of strong candidates now considering bids for their Congressional seats.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted against his budget plan, according to the White House. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) both voted against the reconciliation bill, while Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)—who chairs the House Freedom Caucus—abstained from the vote.

“I believe he does. I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried. Earlier this week, President Trump singled out Rep. Massie specifically, labelling the Kentucky Republican a “grandstander” and someone who doesn’t “understand government.”

Subsequently, Massie began fundraising off of Trump’s comments. “I need your help. For having the audacity to say this bill does NOT repeal the green new deal, but DOES increase the deficit and debt substantially, I was threatened by Trump today, “Massie wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Can you contribute to my reelection at this link?” In just over 24 hours, Massie raised around $23,000 for his re-election campaign—a number he excitedly touted on social media.

“Hundreds of you responded almost instantly with financial support for my reelection,” Massie wrote on Wednesday, adding: “Speaking truth to power has gotten me in hot water here in the swamp” and again linking to his campaign fundraising page.

Others have pushed back against the Kentucky lawmaker, noting that he voted for the 2023 debt ceiling deal, which saw the cap on spending suspended entirely until January 2025. Despite its eventual passage, 71 Republicans voted against the 2023 measure. Its adoption eventually led to the ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the Speaker of the House—another move that Massie has criticized.

Massie, who was an outspoken backer of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, also opposed a Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-FL) effort to censure then-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for peddling the Russiagate conspiracy against Trump and spending millions of taxpayer dollars investigating the false accusations. Rep. Davidson joined Massie in opposing the censure measure.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Immigration
Lawfare

Obama Judge Blocks Trump’s Decision to Stop Harvard Importing Foreign Students.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which would have barred them from enrolling foreign students.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, Harvard University, foreign students, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was revoked on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Harvard’s lawsuit was announced on Friday, May 23, with Judge Burroughs issuing the temporary restraining order shortly thereafter.

💬 Key Quote: “Defendants, their agents, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants are hereby enjoined from: A. Implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the revocation of Plaintiff’s SEVP certification; B. Giving any force or effect to the Department of Homeland Security’s May 22, 2025 Revocation Notice,” wrote the federal judge.

⚠️ Impact: The temporary restraining order bars DHS from moving forward with pulling Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification while litigation is ongoing.

IN FULL:

U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, has moved to issue a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration in favor of Harvard University. The order blocks Trump White House officials from revoking Harvard’s ability to import foreign students under the student visa program.

The National Pulse reported Thursday that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced her agency would be pulling Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This means that Harvard would no longer be allowed to enroll foreign students ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. Additionally, any foreign students currently enrolled would need to transfer to another academic institution.

Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled that Harvard had demonstrated it would “sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties” unless a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was granted.

“Accordingly, Defendants, their agents, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants are hereby enjoined from: A. Implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the revocation of Plaintiff’s SEVP certification; B. Giving any force or effect to the Department of Homeland Security’s May 22, 2025 Revocation Notice,” she stated.

Earlier Friday, Harvard had filed a lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump and his White House. Harvard’s President, Dr. Alan M. Garber, condemned the SEVP revocation, calling it an “unlawful and unwarranted action.”

Garber argued: “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Breaking
News

BREAKING: 12 Wounded in Mass Stabbing, Several Victims Critical.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A knife attack at a railway station in Hamburg, Germany, left 12 people injured, with six in life-threatening condition.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hamburg Police, the fire service, and a female suspect.

📍 Where & When: Hamburg Central Station, Germany, May 23.

💬 Key Quote: “There is currently a major police operation in Hamburg on Hauptbahnhof!” – Hamburg Police via X (formerly Twitter).

⚠️ Impact: Significant injuries to multiple victims; major disruption at a key transport hub.

IN FULL:

At least 12 people were injured in a mass stabbing attack at Hamburg Central Station on Friday evening, according to local reports.

The Hamburg fire service confirmed that six individuals sustained life-threatening injuries, while another three were seriously injured, and three others suffered minor wounds. German media outlet Bild reported that three victims remain in critical condition.

Authorities have arrested a female suspect in connection with the attack, though details about her motives have not been released. Hamburg Police announced the arrest on the social media platform X, stating, “There is currently a major police operation in #Hamburg on #Hauptbahnhof!” They later confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended and that “several people” were injured by a knife in the incident.

The attack occurred at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, a central hub for local, regional, and long-distance train services in Germany’s second-largest city. The station is a critical transit point for commuters and travelers in the region.

The situation remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack. This is just the latest mass stabbing to occur in Germany in recent months, with a Syrian migrant arrested earlier this week for a stabbing spree that left eight injured, including an 11-year-old girl.

This story is developing…

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PULSE POINTS:

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Education
Lawfare

Harvard Launches New Round of Lawfare Against Trump Over Foreign Student Ban.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Harvard University is suing the Trump administration after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to revoke its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

👥 Who’s Involved: Harvard University, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was revoked on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Harvard’s lawsuit was announced on Friday, May 23, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” stated Harvard President Dr. Alan M. Garber, calling the move a threat to students’ futures.

⚠️ Impact: The decision could force over a quarter of Harvard’s student body, consisting of foreign students, to leave or transfer, causing significant financial consequences for the Ivy League university.

IN FULL:

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced President Donald J. Trump is moving to terminate the Ivy League institution’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. If upheld, this decision would block Harvard from enrolling new foreign students, with those already enrolled required to transfer to other institutions.

“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” Harvard’s President, Dr. Alan M. Garber, said in response to the revoked SEVP certification. Garber added: “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”

In a letter to the university community, Dr. Garber warned that the move “imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard” and may discourage foreign students at other U.S. institutions. However, the university is more likely animated by the financial impact of the SEVP certification revocation. Currently, it is estimated that 27 percent of Harvard’s total enrolled student population is foreign, at just under 7,000. With the total cost for a foreign student to attend the Ivy League university estimated to be over $100,000 per year, the loss of those students could be a crippling financial blow to Harvard, in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

The Trump administration has accused Harvard of prioritizing diversity over meritocracy and fostering a campus culture where anti-Semitism has been allowed to grow. Officials have also called for reforms to Harvard’s governance, admissions, and student discipline policies.

Image by Joseph Williams.

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PULSE POINTS:

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on EU as Negotiations ‘Going Nowhere.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump proposed a 50 percent tariff on European Union (EU) imports and a 25 percent tariff on foreign-manufactured iPhones.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, the EU, and American exporters.

📍 Where & When: Trump’s statements were made via Truth Social; proposed tariffs could take effect June 1, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Our discussions with [the EU] are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 per cent Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.” — President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Economic repercussions for the EU; gains for U.S. automakers.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has called for a 50 percent tariff on all European Union (EU) imports, accusing the bloc of exploiting the United States through “powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies.” The announcement on Truth Social comes amid trade negotiations with the EU.

In his post, Trump said the EU’s trade tactics have contributed to a $250 billion annual trade deficit with the bloc, calling the figure “totally unacceptable.” He proposed that the tariffs would take effect starting June 1, 2025. “The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” he said.

EU leaders, such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have previously said they would retaliate against American tariffs on EU goods. In April, however, the EU suspended a proposed 25 percent retaliatory tariff, with von der Leyen stating she wanted to give negotiations a chance.

The EU has also stated it will go to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to contest the U.S. tariffs, asserting that they violate the organization’s rules.

President Trump also targeted Apple, warning the tech giant that iPhones sold in the U.S. must be manufactured domestically or face a 25 percent tariff. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump stated.

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By Popular Demand.
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9 hours ago
News
TECH

Trump Tells Apple: Make iPhones in US or Face Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced plans for a 25 percent tariff on iPhones manufactured outside the U.S.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Apple, Apple CEO Tim Cook.

📍 Where & When: U.S., Truth Social posts on Friday; Apple stock fell premarket Friday.

💬 Key Quote: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else.” – President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Apple shares fell over three percent premarket.

IN FULL:

Apple stock dropped sharply in premarket trading Friday after President Donald J. Trump announced plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on iPhones not manufactured in the United States. Trump disclosed his intentions via a Truth Social post, emphasizing he had warned Apple CEO Tim Cook that he would have to reshore production to the U.S. some time ago.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump stated. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

President Trump previously exempted smartphones, laptops, and other common electronics primarily made abroad from tariffs. Still, he warned this relief would be temporary and that he expects multinationals to begin moving their production to the U.S. if they wish to have unfettered access to the U.S. market. Some major businesses, such as Nvidia, are answering the call, but the America First leader evidently believes Apple needs further encouragement.

The announcement caused Apple shares to fall 3.6 percent before the market opened. Broader financial markets also reacted, with S&P futures declining 1.5 percent and European markets experiencing a dip—although this is largely because the President also threatened the European Union with a 50 percent tariff starting June 1, due to its “powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies” disadvantaging American exporters.

Apple has been working to reduce its reliance on China for manufacturing, but has faced challenges in diversifying production to other countries, including India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Ireland. Analysts estimate nearly half of Apple’s revenue remains tied to China. The tech giant faced a significant market setback in April when Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs triggered a $300 billion sell-off.

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PULSE POINTS:

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By Popular Demand.
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9 hours ago
Election Integrity

U.S. Govt Says Election Officials CAN Verify Voter Citizenship.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced reforms to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to prevent noncitizens, including illegal aliens, from being added to state voter rolls.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and state election officials.

📍 Where & When: Reforms announced Thursday, May 22, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, USCIS is moving quickly to eliminate voter fraud. We expect further improvements soon and remain committed to restoring trust in American elections,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

⚠️ Impact: The reforms aim to strengthen election integrity by enabling state officials to more efficiently verify voter registrants’ citizenship using Social Security Numbers.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has unveiled significant changes to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, aiming to bolster election integrity by removing foreign nationals, including illegal immigrants, from state voter rolls. During the 2024 elections, the issue of noncitizens and illegal immigrants casting ballots became a serious concern—especially with the former Biden government taking measures to block Republican attempts to ensure election integrity.

On Thursday, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the updated SAVE program will allow state election officials to verify voter registrants’ citizenship using Social Security Numbers (SSNs). This marks a shift from the previous system, which relied on alien numbers typically held only by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“For years, states have pleaded for tools to help identify and stop aliens from hijacking our elections,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, USCIS is moving quickly to eliminate voter fraud. We expect further improvements soon and remain committed to restoring trust in American elections.”

Additionally, the reforms aim to streamline the process for state and local election officials, enabling them to submit multiple citizenship verification cases simultaneously rather than one at a time. This adjustment is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens and expedite verification.

In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reported discovering thousands of foreign nationals on a limited number of state voter rolls, suggesting the issue could be more widespread. The partnership between USCIS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) aims to address these concerns by providing state officials with more efficient tools to verify citizenship status.

Previously, state and local governments were charged fees to access the SAVE program for verifying voter eligibility, as well as for driver’s licenses and other public benefits. The Trump administration has since eliminated these charges to encourage broader use of the program.

Image by Gulbenk.

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