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Tag: Donald Trump
July 17, 2025
Health

White House Discloses Medical Issue Behind Trump’s Swollen Legs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House provided a detailed report addressing speculation about President Donald J.  Trump’s health, confirming a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in his legs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and the White House medical unit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made during a White House press briefing on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” said Karoline Leavitt.

🎯IMPACT: The transparency stands in stark contrast to the Biden government’s handling of health concerns, which has fueled speculation about cover-ups.

IN FULL

The White House addressed concerns about President Donald J. Trump’s health on Thursday, confirming a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in his legs. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a note from the president’s physician, stating that Trump had experienced “mild swelling in his lower legs,” which was thoroughly evaluated out of an “abundance of caution.”

“I know that many in the media have been speculating about bruising on the President’s hand and also swelling in the President’s legs,” Leavitt said. “So, in the effort of transparency, the President wanted me to share a note from his physician with all of you today.”

According to the physician’s note, ultrasounds revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition in individuals over 70. The condition involves blood pooling in the legs and can sometimes cause varicose veins. Trump also underwent extensive bloodwork and cardiac testing, all of which showed normal results. “Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” Leavitt emphasized.

Leavitt also addressed photos showing bruising on Trump’s right hand, attributing it to frequent handshaking and aspirin use, which is part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” she noted.

The detailed disclosure stands in stark contrast to the Biden government’s handling of health concerns. Biden’s former doctor and a Jill Biden aide recently invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying in a House Oversight Committee investigation into allegations of a cover-up regarding Biden’s cognitive decline.

Such actions have fueled speculation about the legitimacy of executive decisions made during Biden’s presidency amid allegations that the octogenarian Democrat experienced cognitive decline. He was also revealed to have cancer shortly after leaving office.

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July 17, 2025
Politics

Comey’s Daughter, Who Worked on the Diddy and Epstein Cases, Is Complaining the DOJ Fired Her for No Reason.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) fired her without reason, a move potentially signaling she intends to mount a legal challenge to her dismissal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, the DOJ, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The termination occurred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with Comey informing colleagues via email on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.” – Maurene Comey

🎯IMPACT: While Maurene Comey could move forward with litigation to challenge her firing, numerous legal experts believe that her dismissal is well within President Trump’s Article II powers.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, claims her firing as an Assistant U.S. Attorney was unjustified, suggesting she may be laying the groundwork to challenge her dismissal. “Yesterday was unexpectedly my last day in the Office. I was summarily fired via memo from Main Justice that did not give a reason for my termination,” Comey wrote to her colleagues after she was fired from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen,” Maurene Comey continued, adding: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”

Despite her claims that her firing was unwarranted and unjustified, numerous legal experts—including Trump critic and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. McCarthy—have pointed out that Maurene Comey’s removal is well within the President’s Article II powers. In fact, despite Comey’s claim of being removed “without reason,” it has been widely reported that she was told her dismissal was justified under Article II.

Notably, Maurene Comey’s ouster comes on the heels of her controversial handling of the federal prosecution of hip-hop music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs. After a month-long trial, Combs was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him.

In addition, Comey also served on the federal prosecutions against both Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. The assignment of these high-profile cases could be used as further justification for her removal, with some suggesting the assignments only occurred because of her father’s influence.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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July 17, 2025
Health
Politics

Top Medical School Faces Civil Rights Complaint After Ignoring Anti-DEI Order.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Johns Hopkins Medical School is facing a civil rights complaint for allegedly continuing to follow diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies despite a federal executive order banning them.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: America First Legal (AFL), Johns Hopkins Medical School, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The complaint was filed on Thursday, focusing on practices at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, Maryland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.” – Megan Redshaw, AFL counsel.

🎯IMPACT: The complaint alleges systemic discrimination and a deliberate effort to evade the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in admissions, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

IN FULL

America First Legal (AFL) has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Johns Hopkins Medical School, alleging the institution continues to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which were banned for institutions receiving federal dollars under an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump. The complaint accuses the school of engaging in “systemic, intentional, and ongoing discrimination” by factoring race into admissions and hiring processes and hosting programs that limit participation based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Megan Redshaw, counsel at AFL, criticized the school’s practices, stating, “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.”

The complaint also claims the medical school is attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action policies. AFL alleges that Johns Hopkins uses race-based outreach and pathway programs to “pre-filter applicants to achieve predetermined demographic outcomes.” Additionally, the school’s residency program allegedly includes leadership roles specifically aimed at recruiting individuals based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Johns Hopkins’ website openly supports DEI initiatives, stating its mission is to “recruit, promote, retain, and engage those underrepresented in medicine, science, nursing, and healthcare administration so that we can achieve health equity.” Scholarships offered by the school reportedly favor certain demographic groups, including non-U.S. citizens and minority students, while socioeconomic status is allegedly used as a proxy for race.

The Trump administration has prioritized dismantling discriminatory DEI programs. President Trump signed multiple executive orders to ban their use in federally funded programs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Civil Rights Act. The Department of Education under Trump also reinforced these priorities, notifying schools that racial discrimination would not be tolerated.

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July 17, 2025
Economy

Trump Economy Enjoys Significant Retail Sales Surge.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Retail sales in the U.S. rose by 0.6 percent in June, far above expectations, and broke a three-month decline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. consumers, the Commerce Department, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.” – Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData.

🎯IMPACT: The data reflects consumer resilience, with gains across multiple retail sectors.

IN FULL

Americans continued to shop in June, with retail sales increasing by 0.6 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday. This marks a significant turnaround from May’s 0.9 percent decline and ends a three-month slide in retail sales.

The June figures surpassed economists’ expectations of a modest 0.2 percent rebound. Gains were seen across several sectors, including a 0.9 percent rise in clothing and accessory stores, a 0.6 percent increase in restaurant sales, and a 0.4 percent boost for online retailers. Even when excluding autos and parts, retail sales rose by 0.5 percent overall.

Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, commented on the data, stating, “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.”

The strength of consumer sales continues to undermine the claims of critics of President Donald J. Trump‘s tariffs that the trade duties would reignite inflation, resulting in higher prices and lower consumer demand.

Earlier this week, the Labor Department announced that consumer prices increased by 2.7 percent in June, coming in well below expectations and signaling that inflation continues to remain subdued. With the June retail data showing additional positive economic signals, the Trump White House is pressing forward with its campaign for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.

“‘Too Late:’ Great numbers just out. LOWER THE RATE!!! DJT,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, in reference to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, dubbed ‘Too Late’ by the America First leader.

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July 17, 2025
Politics

Musk’s Approval Has Cratered Since He Turned on Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s favorability rating has dropped significantly, particularly among Republicans, following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, President Trump, and polling respondents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll results were published on Thursday by CNN.

🎯IMPACT: Despite his slide in popularity, Musk’s proposed “America Party” could still siphon votes from the GOP, benefiting Democrats in future elections.

IN FULL

Elon Musk’s favorability rating has plummeted to 23 percent, according to new polling data released Thursday. The Tesla CEO, who has faced mounting criticism following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump, now sees 60 percent of Americans holding an unfavorable opinion of him. This marks a 12-point drop in favorability since March, alongside a seven-point increase in unfavorable views.

The decline found in the poll, released by CNN, is most pronounced among Republicans. In March, 75 percent of Republicans viewed Musk favorably, but that figure has since fallen to just 42 percent. This shift coincides with Musk’s announcement of his “America Party,” a new political venture aimed at creating a third-party alternative in the U.S.

Musk’s new party is struggling to gain traction. While an unscientific poll Musk conducted on X (formerly Twitter) showed support for the initiative, CNN’s scientific poll found that only 25 percent of Americans back the idea, with 74 percent opposed. The lack of enthusiasm could spell trouble for Musk’s ambitions, especially as the party’s impact appears to be limited to siphoning votes from Republicans.

According to Echelon Insights, the “America Party” would garner just five percent on a generic congressional ballot in 2026. However, that five percent would come entirely from Republican voters, shifting the balance from Republicans +1 to Democrats +4. This potential realignment could have significant consequences for upcoming elections.

Musk’s efforts to establish himself as a political force continue to face challenges, with his declining favorability and the potential disruption his party might cause within the American right. The fallout with President Trump appears to have further alienated a key base of support for the South African billionaire.

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July 16, 2025
Economy

Another Tariff Win as American Industrial Output Surges.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. industrial production rose significantly more than expected in June, increasing by 0.3 percent month-over-month (MoM), surpassing the anticipated 0.1 percent MoM growth.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. manufacturing and industrial sectors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The data reflects industrial activity for June 2025 across the United States.

🎯IMPACT: The data indicates a stronger-than-expected performance in industrial production, with manufacturing output also rising, as President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs—designed to protect American businesses and producers from unfair foreign competition—come into force.

IN FULL

United States industrial production for June increased by 0.3 percent month-over-month, exceeding the expected 0.1 percent growth. Additionally, May’s previously reported 0.2 percent decline was revised upward to unchanged.

Year-over-year, industrial production rose by 0.73 percent, reflecting a steady improvement in the sector’s performance. Manufacturing output also showed positive momentum in June, increasing by 0.1 percent compared to expectations of no growth. This lifted the year-over-year growth in manufacturing output to 0.8 percent. Capacity utilization saw a modest uptick in June, but continues to remain in a broader downtrend, signaling that certain challenges may persist within the industrial space.

The jump in industrial production follows a number of major American companies announcing they are reshoring significant swaths of their production capacity to the United States. In June, Micron Technology announced it would make a $200 billion investment to expand its American chip manufacturing operations. Meanwhile, General Motors (GM) announced plans to invest $4 billion in U.S. plants over the next two years, while also shifting production of two vehicle lines away from Mexico in response to President Trump’s tariff policies, which are designed to stop American jobs from flowing to comparatively low-wage, low-regulation economies, where tariff and non-tariff barriers against U.S. products are often far stiffer than vice versa.

The National Pulse reported earlier on Wednesday that the June Producer Price Index (PPI) data indicated that inflationary pressures remain subdued, with headline and core PPI both printing cooler than expected. Notably, the PPI data further undermines claims by critics of President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs, who claim that the trade duties would accelerate inflation—including embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

In addition, Trump’s tariffs have seen record trade duty revenues, while in May, the measures cut the U.S. trade deficit in half.

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July 16, 2025
Economy

Trump Denies He Is Firing Fed Chair Powell, Contradicting GOP Lawmakers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump reportedly asked House Republicans whether Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell should be fired, with many in the room expressing support.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and House Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The discussion occurred Tuesday night in the Oval Office during a meeting with House Republicans.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I think he’s terrible. You talk to the guy, it’s like talking to a… nothing. It’s like talking to a chair.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: A firing would likely trigger legal challenges.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump gauged support for a potential move to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell while meeting with a group of congressional Republicans at the White House on Tuesday night. Republican lawmakers, for the most part, are believed to have expressed support for possibly removing Powell, though the specific means of how it would be accomplished remain unclear. “I think he’s terrible. You talk to the guy, it’s like talking to a… nothing. It’s like talking to a chair,” Trump is reported to have said.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she had heard Powell’s firing was imminent. “Hearing Jerome Powell is getting fired! From a very serious source,” she wrote, later adding, “I’m 99% sure firing is imminent.” However, President Trump later said he is “not planning on doing anything” with respect to Powell, despite being “very concerned” about him. Notably, a firing would likely result in legal challenges and could have significant effects on financial markets, which may have dissuaded Trump from removing Powell.

The legal basis for firing a Federal Reserve chairman remains untested, as The Federal Reserve Act stipulates such actions can only be taken “for cause.” The Supreme Court has signaled that it believes that the President “may remove without cause executive officers who exercise [executive power] on his behalf, subject to narrow exceptions,” which could possibly allow for the Federal Reserve chairman’s removal despite congressional restrictions—but the central bank chief could well be deemed a special case, making this a risky approach to ousting him.

Another potential option could be to demote Powell, leaving him in place as a member of the central bank’s Board of Governors while elevating another Fed governor, such as Christopher Waller or Michelle Bowman.

A third path, with groundwork already being laid, would be to build a case for malfesence or ethical breaches on Powell’s part, allowing for his removal “for cause.” The National Pulse reported last week that President Trump named three key figures in his White House to the National Capital Planning Commission, who subsequently announced an investigation into the lavish, over-budget renovations Powell has authorized for the Federal Reserve’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Should the National Capital Planning Commission uncover malfeasance, this could be used as justification for Powell to be fired.

Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Powell, accusing him of failing to act quickly enough to cut interest rates. However, while President Trump confirmed that he discussed firing Powell with lawmakers while speaking with the press at the White House on Wednesday, he cautioned that he was “more conservative” on the matter than congressional Republicans.

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July 16, 2025
News

‘Protesters’ for Hire: Firm Offered $20 Million to Stage Anti-Trump Demonstrations.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A company that provides large crowds for PR events was offered $20 million to organize anti-Trump protests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds On Demand, and unnamed “interests aligned with the organizers” of protests planned for Thursday.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The offer was made ahead of nationwide protests scheduled for July 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Interests aligned with the organizers of the July 17 movement offered us $20 million to recruit protesters,” said Swart.

🎯IMPACT: The revelation raises questions about the funding and authenticity of protests, as well as the use of paid agitators.

IN FULL

Adam Swart, CEO of the company Crowds On Demand, revealed that his firm was offered $20 million to bolster anti-Trump protests for nationwide demonstrations on July 17. He stated that the offer came from “interests aligned with the organizers” of the so-called July 17 movement but declined to disclose who was financially backing the proposal.

Swart explained that his company turned down the offer due to the fact that similar protests in the past have failed, turned violent, or reflected poorly on those involved. “Interests aligned with the organizers of the July 17 movement offered us $20 million to recruit protesters,” he told Newsmax.

“[P]ersonally, I just don’t think it’s effective. So, I’m not trying to call myself virtuous for rejecting [the offer]; what I’m saying is… I’m rejecting it not because I don’t want to take the business, but because, frankly, this is going to be ineffective; it’s going to make us all look bad,” Swart explained.

The protests, named “Good Trouble Lives On,” are being organized in memory of the late Democrat Congressman John Lewis and purportedly aim to address what organizers call “attacks” on civil and human rights by the Trump administration. A graphic on the event’s website alleges, “We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations,” citing issues like voting rights—likely in reference to Trump’s efforts to make elections more secure against non-citizen voting and fraud.

The revelation about the $20 million offer has increased skepticism about the authenticity of many anti-Trump protests, with one social media user demanding, “Who is providing the $20,000,000? Follow the money!”

Swart refused to say who offered the $20 million, saying that transparency would be bad for business.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the funding of anti-administration demonstrations. Earlier protests, some of which turned violent, have appeared to be well-organized and financially supported. In particular, Crowds on Demand previously revealed it received “numerous high-budget requests” to astroturf pro-illegal immigrant demonstrations in Los Angeles that devolved into riots, but declined the offers.

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July 16, 2025
Media
News

This China-Born Journo Is Taking Over the White House Correspondents’ Association.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: CBS news journalist Weijia Jiang has been appointed as the new President of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Weijia Jiang, a CBS news journalist originally from China, the White House Correspondents’ Association, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: July 2025, Washington, D.C.

🎯IMPACT: This appointment may further influence media dynamics and access within the White House, especially given Jiang’s history with the Trump administration.

IN FULL

CBS news journalist Weijia Jiang has been named as the new President of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). The organization has long acted as a racket, controlling media access to the President and key senior officials. However, that has dramatically changed under President Donald J. Trump—with whom Jiang has repeatedly clashed—with the WHCA’s gatekeeping powers significantly curbed to allow the White House press team to determine access.

Jiang has been a vocal critic of President Trump since his first term. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started a blazing row with the America First leader when he told her to “ask China” why he was, in her words, treating coronavirus testing as a “global competition” with other countries. Jiang, who was born in China, demanded, “Why are you saying that to me, specifically?” implying the response was racist.

Jiang also alleged a White House staffer described the disease as the “Kung Flu,” but she did not disclose the individual’s identity.

Jiang is married to Luther Lowe, a prominent Big Tech lobbyist associated with progressive causes. Lowe, who leads policy for Y Combinator, has shown some support for Trump-era tech policies, but primarily backs Democratic candidates, including support for Steve Bullock’s 2020 presidential bid.

Image by Weijia Jiang.

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July 16, 2025
Economy
News

Inflation Stats Beat Forecasters’ Expectations, Undermining Tariff Critics.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Producer Price Index (PPI) data for June showed cooler-than-expected inflation, with headline and core PPI remaining unchanged month-over-month.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists, and market analysts monitoring inflation trends.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June data released in the United States, reflecting national economic trends.

🎯IMPACT: Inflationary pressures appear to be easing, with energy prices deflating and core PPI cooling, despite critics of President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs repeatedly predicting rises.

IN FULL

The latest Producer Price Index (PPI) data for June indicates that inflationary pressures remain subdued, with headline and core PPI both printing cooler than expected. Month-over-month, both measures were unchanged, falling below the anticipated 0.2 percent increase. This comes despite repeated warnings from critics of President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs that the import levies, designed to shield American producers from unfair foreign competition, would drive inflation up.

Headline PPI increased by 2.3 percent year-over-year, a decline from the revised 2.7 percent in May and below the 2.5 percent forecast. This marks the lowest annual increase since September 2024. Meanwhile, core PPI, which excludes food and energy, dropped to 2.6 percent year-over-year, its lowest level since March 2024.

For services, prices edged down 0.1 percent in June, reversing a 0.4 percent increase in May. Other notable decreases were seen in automobile retailing and airline passenger services.

Tariff critics have repeatedly insisted that President Trump’s import levies would reignite inflation, with Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, using this as an excuse to delay cutting interest rates. However, the new PPI stats show once again that this “tariff-flation” does not appear to be materializing.

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