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Category: News
April 23, 2025
News

‘OK, BOOMER’ – Trump Would Have +4 Approval Rating Without the Over 70s — Why?

PULSE POINTS:

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Removing voters aged 70 and older from the latest RealClear survey shifts Trump’s net approval from 0 to +3.7.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The 70+ group—consisting of early Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation—registered the only net disapproval of Trump at -14.

🧾KEY QUOTES: The poll shows 40% approval and 54% disapproval among voters 70 and older.

⚠️FALLOUT: This age bracket remains the primary consumer base for corporate media and is economically tied to government systems.

📌SIGNIFICANCE: Trump’s approval deficit is confined to a generation with both informational and financial incentives to reject systemic change.

 

IN FULL:

In the latest RealClear Opinion Research poll, Donald Trump’s approval rating stands at 44 percent approve and 44 percent disapprove. Removing the 70+ age group raises his approval rating to 44.9 percent and drops disapproval to 41.1 percent, producing a net improvement of nearly four points.

Voters aged 70 and older are the only cohort with a clear majority disapproving of Trump. All other age groups show either a tie or net approval. The data isolates the over-70 bloc as the key driver of Trump’s neutral national rating.

WHY?

This demographic is disproportionately reliant on legacy broadcast and print media for their news–a part of an outdated “outrage cycle” that has perpetuated falsehoods about President Trump for over a decade now.

Television networks and print outlets remain the Baby Boomer generation’s dominant sources of information, exposing them to consistently negative portrayals of Trump, his cabinet, and his policies. This generation also consistently elected politicians such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Hussein Obama. They backed the Iraq War, were largely culpable in the 2008 financial crisis, and were the first to panic in the early days of COVID, per public polling on the subjects.

In recent years, the “Ok, boomer” meme has sought to reflect how this particular generation finds itself uniquely at odds, politically as well as culturally, with the generations that came after it.

Consumption patterns among younger voters have shifted to direct, digital, and independent channels.

The 70+ demographic also represents the segment of the electorate most dependent on the preservation of entitlement programs. Years of payroll contributions to Social Security and Medicare have created a financial reliance on institutional continuity. Trump’s public posture toward reforming or dismantling government structures runs counter to the interests of voters who now depend on those systems for income and healthcare.

Trump’s support remains strong among voters aged 30 to 69. The polling indicates that opposition from the 70+ generation stems less from ideological divergence and more from structural dependency and media environment.

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April 23, 2025
War

Vance Sets Firm Deadline for Russia, Ukraine Peace Talks.

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❓What Happened: Vice President J.D. Vance revealed that the U.S. presented Russia and Ukraine with a proposal to end a conflict that has lasted over three years. The proposal stressed that without acceptance, the U.S. might disengage.

👥 Who’s Involved: Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald J. Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Gen. Keith Kellogg.

📍 Where & When: The comments were made in India.

💬 Key Quote: Vance stated, “We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process.”

⚠️ Impact: Secretary Rubio discussed a potential withdrawal from negotiations, echoing President Trump’s sentiment on procuring peace.

IN FULL:

The U.S. has put forth a proposal urging an end to the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to Vice President J.D. Vance. During a press briefing in India, he emphasized that the proposal is a pivotal moment: if received unfavorably, the United States might scale back involvement.

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process,” Vance said. “We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work.”

Amid these diplomatic efforts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled a shift by not attending talks in London, England, ostensibly aimed at negotiating a ceasefire, citing logistical challenges. Instead, Gen. Keith Kellogg, the special presidential envoy for Ukraine, will represent U.S. interests in the British capital.

The conversation surrounding possible cessation efforts underscores President Donald J. Trump’s determination to secure peace. The President has aligned with Rubio, supporting the prospect of a short-term withdrawal from talks if progress remains stagnant. “Think about it, every day a lot of people are being killed as we talk about, you know, as they play games, so we’re not gonna take that,” he warned.

Mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, particularly following an Easter truce, between Ukraine and Russia underscore both parties’ seeming reluctance to ramp down the conflict.

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April 23, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

Elon Musk Says He’ll Back Away From DOGE ‘In The Next Month.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Elon Musk pledged to reduce his time working for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Tesla’s net income plummeted 71 percent to $409 million, its least profitable quarter since 2020.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and Trump advisor; Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th U.S. President.

📍 Where & When: Musk spoke on an earnings call on April 22, 2025, following Tesla’s Q1 results.

💬 Key Quote: “Probably in the next month, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly.” — Elon Musk.

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s shift in focus may stabilize Tesla amid boycotts and tariff-related losses, but his MAGA ties risk long-term damage to the brand’s appeal among liberal consumers.

IN FULL:

Tesla owner Elon Musk has announced plans to significantly cut back on his role in President Donald J. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after the electric car company reported a 71 percent drop in net income to $409 million for the first quarter of 2025—the least profitable quarter since 2020. Sales fell nine percent to $19.3 billion, missing market expectations, as Tesla grapples with boycotts from left-leaning consumers and the impact of President Trump’s trade tariffs on its supply chain. “Probably in the next month, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly,” Musk said on an earnings call Tuesday evening, signaling a pivot back to Tesla’s core business.

Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has alienated liberal electric vehicle (EV) buyers. Tesla believes “Changing political sentiment” and a 13 percent drop in vehicle deliveries in Q1 reflect a boycott by Democrat-voting Americans and European markets. Tesla’s stock, down 40 percent from its December peak despite a five percent post-earnings rally, reflects investor unease.

Musk’s alignment with the administration has also sparked aggressive attacks on Tesla vehicles and showrooms and even customers, with every Tesla owner being doxxed by hackers in March.

Meanwhile, Tesla faces fierce competition, having been overtaken by China’s BYD as the top electric vehicle producer in 2024.

Musk is betting on futuristic ventures to revive Tesla, including a self-driving taxi service set to launch in Austin, Texas, by June and production of the Optimus humanoid robot later this year. However, skeptics like Gordon Johnson of GJH Research doubt these ventures will yield profits for five to ten years, if ever. “Even the ‘Tesla faithful’ are beginning to lose patience,” Johnson warned.

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April 22, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Feds Use Anti-Mob Law to Target Migrant Gang for First Time.

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❓What Happened: Federal authorities charged 27 individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua gang and splinter group Anti-Tren with racketeering. They are accused of engaging in criminal activities such as murder plots, extortion, and sex trafficking in New York City.

👥 Who’s Involved: The indictment includes alleged members Jarwin Valero-Calderon, Samuel Gonzalez Castro, Eferson Morillo-Gomez, and Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco, among others.

📍 Where & When: The indictments were announced in Manhattan federal court on Monday. The criminal acts reportedly took place in areas such as the Bronx and Prospect Avenue, with incidents dating back several months.

💬 Key Quote: Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch referred to Tren de Aragua as “one of the most dangerous gangs in the country” and praised the law enforcement efforts to dismantle their operations in New York City.

⚠️ Impact: Those charged face potential life sentences under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, previously utilized to dismantle organized crime syndicates like the Mafia.

IN FULL:

Federal authorities have filed racketeering charges against 27 suspected members of a gang network linked to Tren de Aragua and rival splinter group Anti-Tren. These charges represent the first instance of the U.S. government employing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act—a tool used in past organized crime cases such as those against Mafia families—to target the group, with the Trump administration pushing a much more robust line against migrant crime than the former Biden-Harris government.

The indictment involves allegations of murder plots, extortion, and the sex trafficking of young women in the New York City area. The alleged criminal activities reportedly occurred over several months in locations such as the Bronx, including a notable incident at a Prospect Avenue apartment. According to court documents, members like Jarwin Valero-Calderon and Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco were involved in threats and acts of violence to maintain control over these areas.

The indictment details a specific event where suspects Samuel Gonzalez Castro and Eferson Morillo-Gomez allegedly threatened attendees of a party near the Bronx apartment with violence, underscoring the level of intimidation exercised by the gang.

Authorities also claim that young women trafficked into the United States by these gangs were subjected to serious harm or threats should they attempt to escape. This element of the case highlights grave concerns regarding human trafficking related to the group’s activities.

The charges carry potentially severe penalties. If convicted, the accused face sentences of up to life imprisonment.

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April 22, 2025
Education
Lawfare

Harvard Launches Lawfare Suit Against Trump Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration after a $2.2 billion grant freeze following the university’s refusal to adhere to certain conditions set by the White House.

👥 Who’s Involved: Participants include Harvard University, represented by its president, Alan M. Garber, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Cambridge, Massachusetts, with developments since last week’s White House announcement.

💬 Key Quote: “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” said Alan M. Garber, Harvard’s president.

⚠️ Impact: The freeze could significantly affect research, according to Harvard.

IN FULL:

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit in response to the Trump administration’s decision to suspend $2.2 billion in grants following the university’s rejection of White House demands. The Ivy League institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, accuses the administration of overreaching, challenging its independence, and attempting to influence academic decisions by requiring it to screen foreign students for extremist views.

The conflict arose after Harvard opted not to implement measures required by the administration, which included vetting foreign students for anti-Semitism and hostility toward American values, and shutting down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. These conditions were closely linked to allegations of ideological bias and the university’s purported failure to safeguard Jewish students on campus. In response, President Alan M. Garber argued that the demands interfere with academic freedom and decision-making.

The situation escalated when the White House announced the freeze, suggesting that Harvard was not meeting the necessary conditions for receiving taxpayer money. “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege,” remarked Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman.

Garber claims that the funding halt could jeopardize research initiatives, including studies on serious diseases like pediatric cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. He argued in court documents that the administration has not established any meaningful link between anti-Semitism concerns and the research projects put on hold—failing to take responsibility for the funding freeze by refusing the administration’s conditions.

The lawsuit comes amid a broader review by the administration into universities’ handling of anti-Semitism and other forms of extremism, with at least 60 institutions under scrutiny.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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April 22, 2025
News
TECH

Trump DOJ Urges Court to Order Google to Sell Chrome in Antitrust Push.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Justice Department has called on a federal judge to require Google to surrender control over its Chrome web browser due to antitrust concerns.

👥 Who’s Involved: Key figures include Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Gail Slater, Justice Department official David Dahlquist, and U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta.

📍 Where & When: The remarks were made in court on Monday; the proceedings occurred in the United States.

💬 Key Quote: “As a monopolist, Google uses its market power against the American people.” — Deputy Attorney General Blanche.

⚠️ Impact: Potentially significant changes in control of Google’s Chrome web browser and broader implications for competition within the global search market.

IN FULL:

In a significant development in antitrust proceedings against Google, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urged a district judge on Monday to compel Google to divest ownership of the Chrome web browser. The call comes as part of ongoing efforts to address Google’s dominant role in the global search market. Some allege the dominance is maintained through illegal agreements that hinder competition and negatively affect consumers and advertisers.

In court, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche cited Google’s monopolistic practices, emphasizing the company’s extensive influence over online data and alleged political bias through its search engine operations. Deputy Attorney General Blanche told U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, “As a monopolist, Google uses its market power against the American people.”

He argued that Google’s control stems largely from its nearly $20 billion annual payment to Apple, securing Google’s search engine as the default on Apple’s Safari browser. This payment was highlighted during a trial last year focusing on liability.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has previously recognized Google’s monopolistic behaviors. Mehta is now tasked with assessing the remedy phase of this case. Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Gail Slater highlighted the bipartisan nature of the case. Slater noted the involvement of 49 states alongside federal authorities in challenging Google’s competitive practices.

DOJ official David Dahlquist referred to the current situation as a pivotal moment for restoring market competition. The Trump DOJ’s stance reflects a continued commitment to ensuring monopolistic behaviors do not compromise competition in the digital market.

Image by Anthony Quintano.

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April 22, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

Bannon Blasts DOJ Inaction: ‘The Deep State Is Winning Right Now.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: WarRoom host Stephen K. Bannon criticized the Trump Department of Justice, claiming the “Deep State is winning.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Stephen K. Bannon, Jack Posobiec, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

📍 Where & When: WarRoom podcast, Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re not doing anything over at Justice Department. I don’t see investigations, I don’t see indictments,” said Bannon.

⚠️ Impact: Bannon’s comments reflect dissatisfaction among some Trump supporters and a call for more action from the DOJ.

IN FULL:

WarRoom host Stephen K. Bannon has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Department of Justice (DOJ), warning that the Deep State currently holds the upper hand in government. During a conversation with Jack Posobiec on Monday, Bannon emphasized the lack of visible progress in the DOJ’s investigations and indictments: “We’re not doing anything over at Justice Department. I don’t see investigations, I don’t see indictments,” he said, expressing concern that the Pam Bondi-led department is about to be diverted into investigating leaks around America First Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“If the guys around Hegseth, if there’s indictments or investigations going on, and there’s no indictments, and there’s no release of the Epstein Files, and there’s no investigations of Brennan and the 51, and you’re not spending your time on that, but somehow gets diverted over this, it is going to be a firestorm from the MAGA base,” Bannon said, referring to anti-Trump former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Brennan and the 51 intelligence officials who penned a letter downplaying the Hunter Biden laptop as Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election.

“There has been no movement from the Justice Department,” Bannon stated. “[N]ow they’re talking about… some investigation of the guys around Hegseth… you haven’t done your primary job, which is to take down the Deep State.”

“People, we are burning daylight!” he stressed. “These people are playing smashmouth, they’re playing hardball, and the Deep State is winning right now!”

WATCH:

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 22, 2025
News

Illegal US-Canada Border Crossings Plummet 95% Following Trump Security Clampdown.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A significant decrease in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Canada border has been reported.

👥 Who’s Involved: United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia, Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Trump administration officials.

📍 Where & When: The Swanton Sector of the northern U.S. border, which includes parts of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, in March 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “There is now a clear message: You cannot come into the U.S. without consequence.” — Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin.

⚠️ Impact: Enforcement measures have led to a significant drop in unlawful entries and a noticeable decline in border-related crimes.

IN FULL:

According to recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) findings, the northern U.S.-Canada border has seen a massive decline in illegal entries. The Swanton Sector, stretching over parts of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, documented just 54 illegal alien apprehensions in March 2025. This figure represents a drastic 95 percent decrease compared to March 2024, which saw 1,109 crossings.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tricia McLaughlin, noted that under the Biden-Harris regime, the Swanton Sector reported over 1,400 illegal crossings in April 2024 alone. McLaughlin criticized Biden-era policies, arguing they enabled criminal activities, including smuggling.

Border agents have noted a similar positive trend at the southern border, with March 2025 data reflecting a 94 percent decline in illegal crossings compared to the same month in 2024.

The improvement is not attributed to enhanced border patrols alone, but also to a change in communication strategies and resources. “There is now a clear message: You cannot come into the US without consequence,” McLaughlin said, referencing stricter penalties for criminal activities tied to illegal immigration.

Challenges remain, particularly concerning sanctuary city policies, where cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations varies by jurisdiction. In some states, these policies inhibit operations, creating areas perceived as safe havens for illegal aliens, some of whom are involved in serious crimes.

Notably, the reduction along the Canadian border also comes after President Trump pressured the Canadian authorities into doing more on border security earlier this year to delay tariffs on Canadian goods.

Image by Lorie Shaull.

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April 22, 2025
Crime
News

Walz Admin Staffer Avoids Jail Time for Tesla Vandalism.

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❓What Happened: A Minnesota fiscal policy analyst admitted vandalizing six Teslas, causing around $21,000 in damages. He will not face criminal charges, as the local county attorney has decided to pursue pre-charge diversion instead.

👥 Who’s Involved: Dylan Bryan Adams, a fiscal policy analyst for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Department of Human Services, is involved. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Minneapolis Police Department are also key players.

📍 Where & When: The vandalism took place in the Minneapolis area. The county attorney’s decision was made public in April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable.” — Daniel Borgertpoepping, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesman.

⚠️ Impact: The decision not to bring criminal charges has sparked frustration among Minneapolis police and potential discontent among victims.

IN FULL:

A fiscal policy analyst for Governor Tim Walz’s administration in Minnesota, who was connected to vandalizing six Teslas in the Minneapolis area, causing an estimated $21,000 in damages, will not face criminal charges. Instead, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will pursue a pre-charge diversion plan. Dylan Bryan Adams, identified as a fiscal policy analyst, was observed on video engaging in the alleged crimes.

County Attorney Mary Moriarty determined Adams will not face charges. As part of the diversion program, Adams must adhere to conditions that could include community service and restitution payments.

“Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable,” Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesman Daniel Borgertpoepping claimed.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that frustration over the charge decision should be directed at the county attorney. He said investigators invested considerable work into the case, with hopes of charges being filed.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is reviewing the matter. The agency said that employees of Governor Walz’s administration are required to uphold ethical standards. So far, the specific repercussions Adams could face in his professional capacity, if any, remain unspecified.

The arrest of Adams comes amid a nationwide campaign to vandalize Tesla vehicles and properties across the United States, due to Tesla owner Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration. Some extremists even published the addresses and personal information of all American Tesla owners in a bid to intimidate them into getting rid of their vehicles.

President Donald J. Trump has promised to crack down on those destroying Tesla vehicles and property. The President has even floated the idea of sending offenders to El Salvador.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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April 22, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

WATCH: Byron Donalds Handles Tough Town Hall Surprisingly Well.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) fielded a pointed question about the oversight of Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration during a town hall, delivering a detailed and composed response.

👥 Who’s Involved: Byron Donalds, U.S. Representative; Elon Musk, special employee under President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The remarks were made at a town hall in Estero, Florida, on Monday.

Key Quote: “Every recommendation that DOGE makes is approved by cabinet-level secretaries who have been confirmed by the United States Senate. That’s the process.” — Byron Donalds.

Impact: Donalds’s clear explanation of congressional oversight and Musk’s role may bolster confidence among constituents concerned about the Department of Government Efficiency’s direction and accountability.

IN FULL:

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) showcased a command of policy and cool-headedness during a recent town hall in Estero, Florida, when an audience member pressed him on the oversight of Elon Musk’s activities within the Trump administration. The question, which zeroed in on Musk’s role as a special employee fronting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could have been a political landmine, but Donalds turned it into an opportunity to clarify the process and underscore the need for fiscal responsibility.

“Great question,” Donalds began, explaining that Musk operates as a special employee under President Donald J. Trump, a practice not unique to this administration. “Every president has basically had these special employees,” he said, citing failed former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s role as climate czar under former President Joe Biden as a precedent.

Donalds emphasized that congressional oversight primarily occurs through the appropriations process: “What they are doing is under the direction of the President of the United States,” he said of DOGE. “We actually have to let the DOGE committee, the DOGE Department, actually finish its work.”

He detailed how DOGE is examining contracts and inefficiencies across federal agencies, with any proposed budget cuts subject to review by the appropriations committee and a subsequent vote on the House floor. “That is the process,” he explained.

The congressman also addressed concerns about Musk’s authority, clarifying that DOGE’s recommendations are not unilateral. “Every recommendation that DOGE makes is approved by cabinet-level secretaries who have been confirmed by the United States Senate,” Donalds said. He pointed out that Congress has granted discretion to these secretaries under law—although this is a practice he personally opposes, believing that “Congress should not give discretion to the federal agencies, no matter who’s President.”

Donalds bolstered his case with stark figures from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which reports that the federal government wastes over $250 billion annually—amounting to $3 trillion over the past two decades. “I believe that it is in the interest of the people of Southwest Florida and the United States to examine all inefficiencies in the federal government,” he said.

He stressed that President Barack Obama discussed tackling federal inefficiencies in 2009, and that DOGE is doing the “exact same thing.”

Donalds’s ability to navigate a complex and potentially embarrassing question with clarity and confidence will likely boost his credibility in Republican circles.

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Image by Gage Skidmore.

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