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Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Romania

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9 hours ago
Politics
World

Prime Minister Set to Resign Following Conservative Victory.

PULSE POINTS:

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

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

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

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

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

IN FULL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image by Jorge Franganillo.

By Popular Demand.
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2 minutes ago
Jack Montgomery
War

Trump Announces Houthis Have ‘Capitulated’ as Oman Confirms Ceasefire.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have agreed to halt attacks on Red Sea shipping after intense U.S. airstrikes. Oman mediated the deal, ensuring mutual non-aggression and safe passage for international trade.

👥  Who’s Involved: President Trump, the Houthis, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.

📍 Where & When: Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the White House, announced May 6, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “[The Houthis] just don’t want to fight, and we will honour that and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated,” Trump said.

⚠️  Impact: The agreement restores stability to a critical global trade route, potentially easing economic pressures, but skepticism remains about the Houthis’ compliance.

IN FULL:

President Donald Trump has secured a significant geopolitical win, securing a ceasefire with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis to halt their attacks on Red Sea shipping. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House, Trump revealed that the Houthis had “capitulated” after relentless U.S. airstrikes, which targeted 1,000 sites in Yemen since March 2024. The deal, mediated by Oman, ensures neither side will target the other, safeguarding a vital artery for global trade.

“[The Houthis] just don’t want to fight, and we will honour that and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated,” Trump said, adding that the group “say they will not be blowing up ships anymore”—and that securing such an undertaking was the purpose of the strikes.

The America First leader underscored the importance of the agreement, noting it aligns with U.S. objectives to secure freedom of navigation. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed the deal, stating it guarantees “the smooth flow of international commercial shipping” through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis’ campaign of violence began in late 2023, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s military operations in Gaza following Hamas’s October 2023 terror raid against the Jewish State. Their barrage of missiles and drone strikes sank two vessels, and they seized another, killing or kidnapping a number of sailors and forcing major shipping firms to reroute around southern Africa. This disrupted nearly 15 percent of global seaborne trade, spiking costs and straining supply chains.

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greatly intensified U.S. military pressure on the group, culminating in their decision to stand down.

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By Popular Demand.
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29 minutes ago
Jack Montgomery
Breaking
War

BREAKING: India Strikes Pakistan, Cuts Off Water Supply — Reports.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: India launched missile strikes on three locations in Pakistan—Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Ahmed Pur East in Bahawalpur—citing Pakistan’s alleged role in a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Kashmir. It has has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty, cutting off water to Pakistan.

👥 Who’s Involved: India’s military, Pakistan’s military, Pakistani Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

📍 Where & When: Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Bahawalpur District, Pakistan, on May 6, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Pakistan would respond to Indian attacks at the time and place of our own choosing. These attacks would not go unanswered,” Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated.

⚠️ Impact: The strikes heighten the risk of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides on edge and diplomatic efforts struggling to de-escalate.

IN FULL:

India has launched missile strikes on three sites in Pakistan: Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Ahmed Pur East in Bahawalpur. The attacks, which Pakistan’s military called “unprovoked,” follow India’s claims that Pakistan was behind a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in one of the deadliest assaults since 2000.

According to Indian sources, including reports from The Times of India, New Delhi believes the Pahalgam attack bore hallmarks of Pakistan-backed militancy, pointing to alleged “cross-border linkages” involving groups operating from Pakistani soil. Indian officials have long accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists who infiltrate Indian Kashmir, which Pakistan claims, to destabilize the region. India’s decision to grant its military “operational freedom” reflects its frustration with what it sees as Pakistan’s complicity in fostering violence across the Line of Control.

Additionally, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, stopping the flow of water into Pakistan. “India’s water used to go outside; it will now stop for India’s interests and will be utilised for the country,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pakistan’s Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations, vowed that “Pakistan would respond to Indian attacks at the time and place of our own choosing.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
William Upton
Economy
World

U.S.-UK Set to Sign Bilateral Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The United States and the United Kingdom are poised to sign a bilateral trade agreement this week.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and China.

📍 Where & When: In Washington, D.C., with the likely signing occurring the week of May 5, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before Congress on Tuesday that the trade deal could be announced “perhaps as early as this week.”

⚠️ Impact: The trade deal will increase pressure on the European Union (EU) to come to the table, while further restricting China’s access to global markets.

IN FULL:

The United States and the United Kingdom are set to sign a bilateral trade deal this week, marking significant progress in President Donald J. Trump‘s efforts to renegotiate global trade and its impact on American workers. It is believed the deal is one of 17 being prioritized out of over 100 negotiations and will increase pressure on the European Union (EU) to reach an agreement as well.

Among the concessions being made by the British are reductions in their digital services tax aimed at multinational technology companies based in the United States. The Labour government, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is also believed to be poised to cut its tariffs on American automobiles and steel imports and reduce trade duties on American agricultural goods.

Conversely, the United States—it is believed—has agreed to reduce its 25 percent tariff on British autos and steel, though the exact scale of the reduction is not yet public. However, the British government also says it will not adopt U.S. food production standards, meaning some U.S. agricultural exports, including hormone-treated beef and chicken, will still not be accepted in the British market.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before Congress on Tuesday that the trade deal could be announced “perhaps as early as this week.” However, it is important to note that agreements over the pharmaceutical trade remain a contentious sticking point and could delay a final deal. Despite the pharmaceutical hang-up, the Labour government remains under intense pressure from its domestic auto industry to reach an accord with President Trump. British auto makers have warned that the impact of the Trump tariffs on their sales has been “severe, significant, and immediate.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Kingdom and India announced they had reached a free trade deal, giving credence to the speculation that a coalition of nations is forming with the aim of boxing in China regarding its access to the global economy and markets.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

Matt Schlapp Tried to Sue an Ex-CPAC Employee. Today, He Lost In Court.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Virginia judge acquitted former Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) finance director Ryan McGowan of wrongdoing in a $14,000 payout dispute, rejecting claims he overpaid departing staffers’ unused vacation time.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ryan McGowan, Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Uston, CPAC executive Lynne Rasmussen, former CPAC general counsel David Safavian, former executive director Dan Schneider, and CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp.

📍 Where & When: Alexandria Circuit Court, Alexandria, Virginia, May 6, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: The ruling exposes CPAC leadership’s inconsistencies, potentially weakening its influence while strengthening McGowan’s rival conservative group amid ongoing fallout from the Schlapp scandal.

IN FULL:

A Virginia court has cleared former Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) finance director Ryan McGowan of allegations he improperly paid $14,000 in unused vacation time to five departing staffers, delivering a sharp rebuke to the Matt Schlapp-led outfit. The decision, handed down in Alexandria Circuit Court, highlights internal dysfunction at CPAC, which has also been rocked by homosexual scandals involving Schlapp for years.

Judge Kathleen Uston, in a 30-minute evidence review, pointed to glaring contradictions in the testimony of CPAC executive Lynne Rasmussen and former general counsel David Safavian.

Rasmussen claimed she emailed staff about a paid time off (PTO) limit but failed to produce the emails, and a text exchange showed her asking McGowan’s deputy for a 15 percent salary increase while keeping McGowan in the dark—contradicting her testimony that the deputy lacked such authority. The judge also noted the frustration of the Alexandria detective investigating the case, who was blindsided by details Rasmussen withheld.

The case, long followed by The National Pulse, was more to do with Schlapp pursuing a vendetta at those he perceived to undermine his leadership than any actual wrongdoing.

McGowan’s new conservative group, which grades lawmakers, has also drawn CPAC’s ire, though a civil suit against them was dismissed earlier this year.

Testimony also revealed McGowan had flagged a $50,000 legal bill CPAC paid for Schlapp during the scandal, reigniting scrutiny of Schlapp’s leadership.

CPAC and its parent organization, the American Conservative Union (ACU), has now shelled out vast swathes of donor cash, staff time, and attracted mountains of negative publicity as a result of Schlapp’s numerous escapades.

For years, The National Pulse has been at the forefront of exposing the corruption inside the organization, including contributions from Soros-linked groupsSoros-linked groups, as well as extreme financial improprieties.

The organization is now a shell of its former self, once hosting the largest annual conservative conference, now relegated to an afterthought.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
Politics

German ‘Conservative’ Merz Becomes Chancellor After Historic Initial Failure.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough votes to become Germany’s Chancellor (Prime Minister) on an initial ballot in the German legislature, the first time such an event has occurred since the Second World War. However, he managed to secure sufficient votes after a second attempt.

👥 Who’s Involved: Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Social Democrats (SPD).

📍 Where & When: German Bundestag (Parliament), May 6.

💬 Key Quote: “It is an annoying process, but in a parliamentary democracy, in a liberal country, this is unfortunately one of the scenarios that you have to be prepared for,” complained Johann Wadepuhl, Merz’s prospective foreign minister, after he failed to pass the initial ballot.

⚠️ Impact: The failure to elect a chancellor on the first ballot was historic; there was a potential for new elections if a majority had not been reached within 14 days.

IN FULL:

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany‘s notionally conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU)—formerly led by Angela Merkel—did not secure enough votes in the Bundestag to become Chancellor in an initial ballot. This marks the first time since World War II that a candidate for Chancellor has failed to win on the initial ballot in the German legislature.

Merz required a majority of 316 votes to succeed but fell short by six votes, obtaining only 310 out of 630. His coalition, which includes the CDU, its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the leftist Social Democrats, holds a slim majority with 328 seats. The secret ballot nature of the vote means it is unclear who within his coalition did not support him, although he managed to push through with 325 votes on his second attempt.

If Merz had not managed to secure a majority within 14 days, the German president, who generally plays a largely ceremonial head of state role in national politics, could have been forced to intervene and either appoint the candidate with the most votes as Chancellor or dissolve parliament, prompting a new national election.

Johann Wadepuhl, set to become Merz’s foreign minister, said of Merz’s initial failure, “It is an annoying process, but in a parliamentary democracy, in a liberal country, this is unfortunately one of the scenarios that you have to be prepared for.”

Meanwhile, Alice Weidel, co-leader of the largest opposition group, Alternative for Germany (AfD), criticized Merz’s coalition—roughly equivalent to a Republican-Democrat alliance—calling it a “weak foundation.” She has urged for Merz’s resignation and the initiation of new elections.

The vote comes less than a week after the German domestic intelligence service declared the AfD a right-wing extremist organization, allowing surveillance measures directed at all party members and the use of informants. The move was met with significant criticism from the Trump administration.

Image by Steffen Prößdorf.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Crime
UK

UK Govt Plans to End Compensation Program for Child Sex Abuse Victims: Report.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Labour government has scrapped a compensation program for child sex abuse victims in England and Wales, originally promised by the former Conservative (Tory) government.

👥 Who’s Involved: The decision involves the Labour Party government, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Britain’s Home Office. Victims of child sexual abuse and survivors of Muslim grooming gangs are affected.

📍 Where & When: The decision affects England and Wales, with the report emerging recently.

💬 Key Quote: Sarah Wilson, a survivor, stated, “They never cared, and they never will. [They] totally dismissed survivors and our experiences of being groomed.”

⚠️ Impact: Canceling the compensation scheme leaves victims without promised redress and raises concerns about accountability for past failures in protecting young girls.

IN FULL:

Britain’s leftist Labour government has reportedly decided to cancel a compensation scheme for victims of child sexual abuse in England and Wales. This program, initially promised by the previous Conservative government, was intended to provide financial redress to survivors.

The Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in its report titled Tackling Child Sexual Abuse: Progress Update, cited financial constraints as the reason for halting further steps on the proposal, stating that “in the current fiscal environment, this recommendation is very difficult to take forward”—despite vast sums being found to lavish on hotels and other accommodation for illegal aliens.

The scheme was first suggested following recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) led by Alexis Jay. While similar redress programs have been implemented in Northern Ireland and Scotland, victims in England and Wales are left without this avenue for compensation.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s administration defends its decision not to conduct a national inquiry into the grooming scandals involving predominantly Muslim, Pakistani-heritage gangs preying on predominantly white, working-class victims. The government claims that existing reports, like the Jay report, provide sufficient insight, even though they do not cover many grooming gang hotspots. Most believe a full national inquiry with statutory powers is necessary to compel witness testimony and ensure accountability for the scandal.

Cabinet minister Lucy Powell recently dismissed concerns about the grooming gangs as “dog whistle” politics. This response has drawn criticism from survivors like Sarah Wilson, who expressed frustration over the lack of attention to their experiences, saying, “They never cared, and they never will. [They] totally dismissed survivors and our experiences of being groomed.”

The issue of accountability remains pressing, particularly in Labour-run areas like Rotherham, where an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded without any police officers being punished, despite acknowledging that police ignored grooming gangs to avoid stoking racial tensions. An unnamed police chief inspector reportedly said, “With it being [South] Asians, we can’t afford for this to be coming out as Rotherham would erupt.”

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News

Rapes Have Tripled in This European Country Amid Migration Surge.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: There has been a significant rise in sexual violence in Spain, with 5,206 rapes reported in 2024. This comes alongside a rise in illegal immigration, with the country accounting for around a fifth of all asylum claims in the European Union (EU) in 2024, with a large proportion of sexual predators being foreign nationals.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Spanish Ministry of the Interior, law enforcement, migrants, and campaigners like Elena Ramallo.

📍 Where & When: Spain, with data spanning from 2018 to 2024.

💬 Key Quote: “Not a single reference in the entire article to the identity of the aggressors,” Elena Ramallo criticized, in reference to a report on the figures by El Español which avoided referencing the migrants’ contribution to the rape rise.

⚠️ Impact: Specialized police units are overwhelmed, and there is increasing public pressure on the government for a stronger response.

IN FULL:

Socialist-led Spain is grappling with a surge in sexual violence, as official statistics from the Ministry of the Interior reveal a record 5,206 rapes in 2024. This alarming figure marks nearly a threefold increase from the 1,878 cases reported in 2019, with an average of 14 rapes occurring daily across the nation. The upward trend has persisted since 2018, briefly dipping only in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions on people’s movements.

Regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia and the capital of Madrid report the highest numbers, though all areas of Spain have seen increases. Disturbingly, cases involving minors, assaults linked to nightlife, and group attacks are also on the rise. This figures translate to a woman being raped approximately every hour and 45 minutes.

In Catalonia, a significant proportion of those convicted of rape are foreigners, comprising 91 percent of offenders, despite immigrants making up only 17 percent of the population. When considering both sexual assault and rape, 64.2 percent of inmates are foreign nationals. This demographic detail has sparked debate, with campaigners like Elena Ramallo criticizing media reports for not addressing the identity of aggressors.

The rapid increase in sexual violence has stretched the resources of specialized police units, such as the Family and Women’s Care Units (UFAM) of the National Police and the Women-Minor Teams (EMUME) of the Civil Guard. These units report being understaffed and overworked, handling a significantly higher workload than a decade ago without adequate support.

Government officials claim the rise is partly due to more women coming forward, avoiding the role of mass migration in the upward trend. Spain received more asylum claims than any other European Union (EU) member state bar Germany in 2024, although Germany is roughly 60 percent larger than Spain by population. Venezuelans are the leading nationality among Spanish claimants.

Notably, Germany also suffers from an extremely high migrant crime rate.

Image by Hellebardius.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Economy
World

Trump Tariffs Lead to Factory Closures, Protests in China.

PULSE POINTS:

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

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

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

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

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

IN FULL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Economy

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

PULSE POINTS:

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

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

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

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

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

IN FULL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image by Matt Michalski.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Economy

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

PULSE POINTS:

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

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

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

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

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

IN FULL:

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

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

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

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

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

Image by Mike Johnson.

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