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February 16, 2024
William Upton
Politics

378 Days Since the East Palestine Train Disaster, Joe Biden Finally Visits.

President Joe Biden is finally visiting East Palestine — over a year after the Ohio community was exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals when a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed on the eastern side of the town. The move by Biden only comes as the 2024 election season begins in earnest and Democrats look to defend a vulnerable Senate seat in Ohio held by Sherrod Brown. Since the derailment, over 176,000 tons of contaminated soil have been removed from the area, along with 39 million gallons of water. Over 1 million pounds of toxins are thought to have been spilled in the disaster.

Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine, Ohio, just three weeks after the disaster, speaking with state and local leaders and assisting with distributing aid and other relief. A day after Trump’s visit, the Biden government dispatched Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who faced harsh criticism for the lack of federal response.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

In the days following the East Palestine disaster, the Biden White House demurred on whether the President would visit the town in a show of support and sympathy for the public health and environment crisis they faced. The northeastern area of Ohio, where East Palestine is located, had increasingly become an electoral stronghold for former President Donald Trump.

Responding to Biden’s decision to now visit the Ohio town, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway indicated it was too little too late.

“My personal opinion is the best time for him to come would be February of 2025 when he is on his book tour,” Conway said earlier this month during an appearance on Fox News. A campaign ad launched by Donald Trump’s presidential campaign echoes this sentiment — noting that in the time it has taken Biden to visit East Palestine, the Democrat incumbent has traveled to Ukraine, visited several nearby U.S. cities, and taken numerous vacations.

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12 hours ago
News
Politics

Failed VP Candidate Expresses Deep Pessimism Over Dems’ Senate Prospects.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) says he is not optimistic about the Democrats winning the Senate next year.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Party, the U.S. Senate.

📍 Where & When: Walz made his remarks at Harvard University on April 27.

💬 Key Quote: “I am very pessimistic about the Senate, just to be honest with you.” — Tim Walz

⚠️ Impact: The statement from a top Democrat reveals the ongoing disunity in the party, which is suffering internal clashes.

IN FULL:

Kamala Harris’s former running mate and current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is pessimistic about the Democrats’ chances of winning the U.S. Senate in 2026. In front of an audience at Harvard‘s Kennedy School Institute of Politics, Walz explained his pessimism about next year’s Senate elections.

“I think we will take back the House,” Walz said, but added, “I am very pessimistic about the Senate, just to be honest with you.” He stated that the Democratic national brand image could play a factor in state-level elections as well. “The thing was, is being associated with national parties and things on these state races, we’re going to have to figure that piece out of, how do we reimagine,” he said.

Last month, Walz teased his own presidential bid for 2028, saying he was open to running for the presidency if there was enough interest. However, he remarked, “If, nationally, people are like, ‘Dude, we tried you and look how that worked out,’ I’m good with that.”

Earlier in the year, Walz backed anti-gun rights activist David Hogg for Democratic National Committee (DNC) vice chair, a position Hogg now holds. An ultra-progressive, Hogg stated earlier this month that he was going to launch a civil war within the Democratic party to root out those not sufficiently woke and progressive enough.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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13 hours ago
Media
News

ABC ‘Stars’ Muir and Stephanopoulos Rejected for Top Trump Interview.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: ABC News has opted not to use prominent anchors David Muir and George Stephanopoulos for an upcoming interview with President Donald J. Trump due to their contentious pasts with him.

👥 Who’s Involved: David Muir, George Stephanopoulos, Donald Trump, and Terry Moran.

📍 Where & When: ABC News, the United States, reported on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: A source expressed surprise, stating, “It’s nuts that it’s not Muir.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision highlights tensions between ABC and its anchors, as well as continued political and legal confrontations involving Trump.

IN FULL:

ABC News’ major “stars,” David Muir and George Stephanopoulos, have been sidelined from interviewing President Donald J. Trump. This comes after the pair had major disputes with the President, including a multi-million dollar defamation suit.

Instead, the network plans for Terry Moran, a senior national correspondent, to handle the primetime engagement. The move, according to sources, aims to sidestep heated histories and any accompanying drama.

Muir, known for his role on World News Tonight, previously engaged in a partisan pushback against Trump during a presidential debate where he and Linsey Davis attempted to aggressively fact-check the America First leader. Accusations that Muir was unbalanced in questioning emerged, as the pair did not engage in the same hostile pushback against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This led Trump to label the debate as unfair and dismiss the partisan “fact-checking” as “fake news.”

Stephanopoulos, a former Bill Clinton staffer, also faced tension with Trump following erroneous comments claiming Trump had been found civilly liable for “raping” writer E. Jean Carroll. This led to a defamation lawsuit, which was settled last year when ABC contributed $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library and paid an additional million in legal fees. This settlement reportedly irritated Stephanopoulos, contributing to the decision to exclude him from the interview.

The upcoming interview marks the end of Trump’s first 100 days in his second term. During this time, the administration has enacted dozens of executive orders and tariffs on dozens of countries and slowed illegal border crossings to a crawl.

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By Popular Demand.
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13 hours ago
Crime
News

Iraqi Migrant Faces Charges for Illegal Voting Amid Dem Opposition to Election Integrity Bill.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Federal prosecutors have charged an Iraqi national with illegally voting in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

👥 Who’s Involved: Akeel Abdul Jamiel, a 45-year-old Iraqi man who is not a U.S. citizen, has been named in court documents. Rep. Chip Roy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are also involved parties.

📍 Where & When: The voting incident occurred in Saratoga County, New York, around November 3, 2020.

💬 Key Quote: FBI Special Agent Craig Tremaroli emphasized, “Election security is and will continue to be one of the FBI’s highest national security priorities.”

⚠️ Impact: The case may influence legislative efforts to require citizenship proof for voting, reflected in recent moves by Republican lawmakers.

IN FULL:

Federal authorities have charged Akeel Abdul Jamiel, an Iraqi national, with illegally voting in the U.S. presidential election held on November 3, 2020. The charge is part of broader federal efforts to maintain election integrity by prosecuting noncitizens who participate unlawfully in elections.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) asserted that Jamiel knowingly cast a ballot in Saratoga County, New York. Should he be convicted, Jamiel faces the possibility of a one-year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000. Jamiel claims he no longer resides in the U.S., arguing that someone may have used his identity fraudulently.

The FBI has reiterated its dedication to election security. “Election security is and will continue to be one of the FBI’s highest national security priorities,” FBI Special Agent Craig Tremaroli said.

This development takes place amid legislative efforts by Republican lawmakers, such as Texas Representative Chip Roy, aiming to secure election integrity. Measures include demanding proof of citizenship before registering voters for federal elections. Recently, the House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which calls for removing noncitizens from voter rolls.

The legislation notably met resistance from the Democratic Party and received only limited bipartisan support. Nevertheless, the principle of verifying voter citizenship continues to resonate widely with the American public.

In parallel, instances of noncitizens voting illegally have surfaced in various states. Legal authorities in Alabama, Texas, Virginia, and Ohio have identified thousands of noncitizens on voter rolls. Efforts are underway to cleanse these lists ahead of future elections.

Image by Lorie Shaull.

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
News

Trump Has Slashed Illegal Alien Releases by 99.99% Compared to Biden Era: Homan.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Border Czar Tom Homan revealed that only nine illegal migrants were released into the U.S. during President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days, a sharp contrast to 184,000 under former President Joe Biden, as illegal border encounters dropped 95 percent.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Border Czar Tom Homan, the White House, and U.S. Border Patrol officials.

📍 Where & When: U.S.-Mexico border, with Homan’s announcement made on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Homan declared, “What’s happening on the border, he did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn’t—or wouldn’t—do in four years.”

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s border policies have drastically reduced illegal crossings and gotaways, bolstering national security and showing his campaign promises on immigration enforcement are being fulfilled.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has delivered on his promise to secure the U.S. border, with Border Czar Tom Homan revealing the relevant figures on April 29, 2025. In Trump’s first 100 days, only nine illegal migrants were released into the country, a stark contrast to the 184,000 released during the same period under then-President Joe Biden last year.

The White House reports a 99.99 percent decrease in “gotaways”—unlawful entrants not turned back, which the administration labeled “the top threat to public safety.” Homan praised Trump’s impact, declaring, “President Trump is a game changer,” and adding, “What’s happening on the border, he did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn’t—or wouldn’t—do in four years.”

Under Biden, Border Patrol saw up to 15,000 migrants crossing daily. “You know what the number was yesterday? 178 … 178 across 2,000 miles of border,” Homan remarked. The White House has reported a 95 percent drop in illegal border encounters, with only 11,000 crossings last month—the lowest on record, surpassing February’s previous low.

Homan clarified that the nine migrants released had valid reasons: four were material witnesses in criminal investigations, four were in “extreme medical distress,” and one was released on humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has deported approximately 139,000 people since Trump’s return. Homan estimates over 20 million illegal migrants remain in the U.S., but his agency is prioritizing the 700,000 accused or convicted of crimes, noting, “That’s who we’re looking for now, that’s [what we’re] prioritizing, them and national security threats.”

The White House hailed the results, stating, “President Trump has ushered in the most secure border in modern American history,” adding that the America First leader “has made good on the promises he made on the campaign trail to usher in an unprecedented era of homeland security.”

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
War

EXC: Trump ‘Increasingly Frustrated’ at Lack of Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that the U.S. will not dedicate much more time to brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine.

👥 Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian government, and The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton.

📍Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “There’s not much more time or effort the United States has to give to this effort, and so we need both sides to come to the table to negotiate.”

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. may shift more of its focus to domestic priorities like economic renewal and mass deportations, potentially withdrawing from Russia-Ukraine peace talks if the two sides remain intransigent.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has warned that the U.S. government will not spend much more energy on mediating peace terms between Russia and Ukraine, reiterating an administration message previously relayed through Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Responding to a question from Will Upton, political editor at The National Pulse, on where the administration may stand if no progress has been made by summer, Leavitt said, “I don’t want to get ahead of the President, obviously, but, again, I will reiterate he’s increasingly growing frustrated.”

Leavitt highlighted concerns over “the amount of time” the administration is spending on Ukraine, implicitly at the cost of other priorities such as federal government reforms, economic renewal, and mass deportations. “Our Secretary of State [Marco Rubio] recently said, you know, there’s not much more time or effort the United States has to give to this effort, and so we need both sides to come to the table to negotiate,” she stressed.

President Trump has personally criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for making “inflammatory statements” not conducive to a compromise peace. However, he also had stern words for the Russian government, saying he was “very disappointed” by its orchestration of heavy missile strikes at a time when it was supposed to be embarking on a path of de-escalation.

With suspicions growing that neither side wants to make a peace deal, the administration may be preparing to wash its hands of the matter to focus more fully on its domestic agenda.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Corruption
News

FBI Deploys Polygraph Tests to Trace Internal Leakers.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has initiated the use of polygraph tests to discover the source of leaks from within the agency.

👥 Who’s Involved: The FBI, President Donald J. Trump’s administration, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.

📍 Where & When: United States; announcement made on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “We can confirm the FBI has begun administering polygraph tests to identify the source of information leaks within the bureau,” stated the FBI’s public affairs office.

⚠️ Impact: The polygraph tests and increased security measures by the Department of Justice signal a stringent approach towards identifying and prosecuting leakers undermining the administration.

IN FULL:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has started employing polygraph tests to track down the sources of unauthorized information leaks within the agency. This development was announced on April 28 and made public through a statement from the FBI’s public affairs office.

“We can confirm the FBI has begun administering polygraph tests to identify the source of information leaks within the bureau,” the FBI’s public affairs office said. This initiative marks an escalation in the measures taken by the Trump administration against unauthorized information leaks to the media that have surfaced since his return to office in January.

Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) facilitated a process allowing prosecutors investigating media leaks to more easily obtain records and witness testimonies from journalists. This step reflects the administration’s intent to tighten control over the federal government and ensure the confidentiality of sensitive data being leaked by government employees to undermine the administration.

In related efforts, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed his intentions to seek prosecutions against former senior advisers amidst a Pentagon inquiry into media leaks. He noted that evidence compiled during the investigation will eventually be forwarded to the DOJ. Hegseth’s communication suggested the possible use of polygraph tests in these proceedings.

Additionally, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), has committed to a rigorous pursuit of leakers. In March, she emphasized a strong stance against unauthorized disclosures. Gabbard also forwarded two cases of intelligence community leaks to the DOJ, with a third referral in progress. In communication with the press, Gabbard referred to the perpetrators as “criminals.”

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
War
World

Leavitt: Ukraine ‘Needs to Sign’ Rare Earth Minerals Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump’s confidence in securing a rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine, stressing its importance for both nations despite past tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton.

Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “Ukraine needs to sign it, they should sign it,” emphasizing the deal’s benefits for both the U.S. and Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

Impact: The anticipated deal could strengthen U.S. access to critical minerals while aiding Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts, though past diplomatic friction with Zelensky highlights challenges in finalizing the agreement.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald J. Trump is “confident” that a deal on rare earth minerals with Ukraine will be signed, adding that the Ukrainian government “needs” to sign the agreement and that it will benefit the Ukrainian people.

Responding to a question from Will Upton, The National Pulse’s political editor, on the progress of a deal between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government on U.S. access to rare earth minerals in the Eastern European country, Leavitt said, “The President is confident that it will be signed.”

“Ukraine needs to sign it, they should sign it,” she continued, explaining the agreement is “not just good for the United States, to recoup the billions of tax dollars we’ve spent and onshore some of those critical minerals, but certainly it’s good for the Ukrainian people when this war is over to rebuild their country.”

“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,” she added.

Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky caused friction with the Trump administration by telling Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio he was receptive to a rare earth minerals deal in private, only to brief the media that it was an unacceptable shakedown in public.

After being called out for his behavior, Zelensky visited the White House prepared to sign documents related to a rare earth mineral deal, but this was postponed after he started an argument with Vice President Vance in the Oval Office over the need for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war, leading to a tense exchange with President Trump.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
World

White House Tells The National Pulse: ‘Greenland Needs the United States of America.’

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to the U.S., warning against growing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence after Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed interest in deeper ties with Beijing.

Who’s Involved: Karoline Leavitt, Vivian Motzfeldt, The National Pulse’s political editor Will Upton, President Donald J. Trump, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Where & When: White House press briefing, Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025.

Key Quote: Leavitt stated, “Greenland needs the United States of America; we subsidize their national security and their defense,” highlighting the strategic risks of Chinese or Russian influence in the region.

Impact: Leavitt’s remarks signal a firm U.S. stance against CCP expansion in Greenland, reinforcing Trump’s focus on securing strategic territories to protect national and global security interests.

IN FULL:

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Greenland’s importance to U.S. strategic interests at a press briefing on Tuesday, warning the U.S. cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to gain influence over the Danish territory after the Greenlandic foreign minister suggested her government was looking to increase its collaboration with Beijing.

Quizzed by Will Upton, The National Pulse’s political editor, on the Greenlandic Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, saying that “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation,” Leavitt said it was “certainly an interesting strategy to cozy up to Communist China.”

“Greenland needs the United States of America; we subsidize their national security and their defense,” Leavitt continued, noting that President Donald J. Trump has “rightfuly pointed out the great strategic importance that Greenland serves for not just our national security and economic interests, but for our country and for the world as a whole.”

She added: “We can’t allow Chinese or Russian influence to continue to infiltrate places like Greenland—or the Panama Canal, I may add.”

Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief at The National Pulse, recently accompanied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a visit to Panama, where initiatives to deter Chinese encroachments at the canal were announced.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Economy
News

UPS Cuts 20,000 Jobs as Amazon Reduces Shipments.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: UPS announced plans to reduce its workforce by 20,000 jobs this year as part of a cost-reduction strategy related to decreased deliveries from Amazon.

👥 Who’s Involved: UPS, an international shipping company with about 490,000 employees, and its largest customer, Amazon.

📍 Where & When: The job cuts were disclosed on Tuesday, with an announcement regarding facility closures planned by June 2025.

💬 Key Quote: The company stated that the cuts are in “connection with our anticipation of lower volumes from our largest customer.”

⚠️ Impact: UPS’s plan involves job cuts and the closure of 73 buildings, affecting operations across its global network. The company’s shares saw a slight decrease in value during pre-market trading.

IN FULL:

UPS plans to cut 20,000 positions this year as part of a strategy to address lower delivery volumes from its major client, Amazon. The logistics giant, which employs approximately 490,000 people across more than 200 countries, announced the downsizing as a measure to consolidate its operations and reduce expenses. The decision was verified through a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

In addition to the workforce reduction, UPS will shutter 73 facilities by mid-2025. This structural change aligns with a previous agreement with Amazon to decrease delivery volumes by over half in late 2026. These developments underscore the significant impact of Amazon’s evolving logistics capabilities on UPS, reflecting broader trends affecting large shipping companies worldwide.

Despite the substantial operational adjustments, market responses showed minimal impact, with UPS shares dropping 0.6 percent before markets opened. However, such organizational changes could have deeper ramifications for the company’s financial health and employee base as they unfold.

The decision highlights ongoing challenges in the logistics sector, where companies must continuously adjust to shifting demands and partnerships. UPS taking measures to streamline its operations could signal further shifts by Amazon and other partners in sourcing and supply chain strategies. The coming months will reveal how such strategies affect UPS and its workforce on a broader scale.

Image by JasonVogel.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Economy

Tariffs Win as Walmart Announces Major Investment in American Products and Small Businesses.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Walmart has announced new programs, including “Grow with US” and the 2025 Open Call, to expand support for American-made products and American small businesses, as President Donald J. Trump pursues a policy of supporting American producers through tariffs on foreign goods.

👥 Who’s Involved: Walmart U.S., led by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey, alongside U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs.

📍 Where & When: Announced on April 29, 2025, with Open Call events starting May 1 in Orlando, Florida, and the main event on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

💬 Key Quote: John Furner stated, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.”

⚠️ Impact: Walmart’s initiatives showcase the success of Trump’s tariffs in encouraging domestic production, fostering job growth and economic resilience.

IN FULL:

Walmart is supporting American-made products with the launch of new programs aimed at supporting American small businesses, underscoring the success of President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies. On April 29, 2025, the retail giant shared its plans to expand initiatives like the “Grow with US” program and the 2025 Open Call, designed to help American entrepreneurs thrive. This strategic shift highlights how Trump’s tariffs are driving companies to prioritize domestic production, protecting both businesses and consumers from global trade disruptions.

The “Grow with US” program offers a four-step framework to provide U.S. small businesses with training, mentorship, and resources to grow alongside Walmart. John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, emphasized the benefits, stating, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.” Furner also noted that over 60 percent of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers last year were small businesses, with the company anticipating thousands more will utilize its free resources in the coming years.

CFO John David Rainey recently revealed that more than two-thirds of products in Walmart U.S. stores are already domestically sourced, adding, “The third that we import comes from all over the world, but China and Mexico are the most significant.” Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent duty on imports and much higher rates on Chinese goods, are likely to incentivize a further shift in favor of American products, bolstering economic independence.

The 2025 Open Call, with applications opening June 24, will allow U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses to pitch shelf-ready products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The main event, set for October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, follows several Road to Open Call events during Small Business Month in May, starting with Orlando on May 1, followed by Kansas City on May 9, Baltimore on May 13, and Austin on May 21, with additional events in Columbus on June 18 and Atlanta on June 24. Furner highlighted that participants at these pop-up events could “potentially score a fast pass to our main event in Bentonville,” offering a direct path to getting products on Walmart’s shelves.

Tech companies including Nvidia and IBM have already announced major investments in the U.S. since President Trump implemented his tariff policy, suggesting that, despite market grumblings, his overall strategy is working.

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By Popular Demand.
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