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Tag: Donald Trump
May 19, 2025
UK
World

Hot on the Heels of the U.S.-UK Trade Deal, Britain’s Labour Govt is Selling Out to Brussels Again.

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❓What Happened: A new post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) was announced, with claims it will boost the British economy by £9 billion by 2040.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.

📍 Where & When: The deal was unveiled at a UK-EU summit held at Lancaster House, London, on Monday, May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Sir Keir Starmer described the agreement as a “win-win,” stating it “delivers what the British public voted for last year.”

⚠️ Impact: The deal is being criticized for its alignment with EU rules and concessions on EU access to British fishing waters, with opponents labeling it a “surrender” of British sovereignty.

IN FULL:

A controversial post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union was unveiled on Monday, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailing it as a “win-win” for both sides. The deal, announced during a UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London, is projected by the Labour Party government to boost Britain’s economy by £9 billion by 2040.

Key provisions include relaxed trade rules allowing more British food exports to the EU, while reducing port delays. However, the agreement requires adherence to EU food standards, a condition criticized by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch as making Britain a “rule-taker.”

Meanwhile, Reform Party leader and Brexit champion Nigel Farage is warning that the 12-year fishing agreement in the deal could devastate the British fishing industry. The agreement reportedly allows the EU continued access to British fishing waters under current arrangements. Farage warns, “If true, that will be the end of the fishing industry.” Farage has pledged that if he becomes Prime Minister, he and Reform UK will scrap the deal and protect British fishing waters from EU predation.

Others have pointed to a potential return of Free Movement immigration, with Badenoch claiming the policy is being re-established “by the back door.” Under the agreement, a “youth mobility scheme” will allow younger EU nationals broad access to the British labor market.

Additionally, the deal establishes a defense and security pact, granting British firms access to a €150 billion EU defense fund, though Britain’s financial contributions remain unspecified. Further talks are planned to expand criminal data-sharing arrangements, including access to EU facial recognition databases.

Prime Minister Starmer, speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said: “This is the first UK-EU summit. It marks a new era in our relationship.”

Von der Leyen called the deal a “historic moment,” stating it opens “a new chapter” in UK-EU relations. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who wants Britain to rejoin the EU, urged against revisiting past Brexit debates, dismissing Farage and Badenoch as “dinosaurs fighting old battles.”

Election polling shows Farage and Reform either close to or outright overtaking the Labour Party, suggesting the Brexit leader’s resistance to renewed integration with the EU remains highly popular among the British electorate. Earlier this month, the United States and the United Kingdom signed a landmark bilateral trade deal aimed at “bring[ing] the United Kingdom into economic security alignment with the United States,” according to U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Image by Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street.

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May 19, 2025
William Upton
Politics

EXPLAINER: What’s the Status of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and What to Expect This Week.

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❓What Happened: After voting down the budget reconciliation bill on Friday, House Budget Committee members reconvened on Sunday after renewed negotiations and intervention from President Donald J. Trump and the White House, allowing the legislation to advance to the Rules Committee before it heads to the House floor.

👥 Who’s Involved: Speaker Mike Johnson, President Donald J. Trump, House Budget Committee members, and four GOP members who shifted their stance: Reps. Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen.

📍 Where & When: Capitol Hill, late Sunday night vote following a failed attempt on Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill is now “on track” for a House floor vote by the end of the week.

⚠️ Impact: The bill’s advancement is a win for Trump and Johnson but faces further hurdles in the House and Senate.

IN FULL:

House Republicans on the Budget Committee narrowly advanced a major budget proposal on Sunday night, reversing Friday’s failed attempt to move the bill forward. The measure, which includes making President Donald J. Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, a significant expansion in the number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation agents, $1.6 trillion in deficit reduction, full Defense Department (DoD) funding, and overhauling Medicaid, passed by a 17-16 vote. All Democrats opposed the bill, while four Republicans—Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK)—voted “present” after initially voting “no” on Friday.

The sudden shift followed a weekend of intense negotiations behind closed doors. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) met with lawmakers shortly before the vote and confirmed that “some minor modifications” had been made to the legislation. Johnson expressed optimism about the bill’s progress, stating it is “on track” for a House floor vote by the end of the week.

Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) noted during the session that additional changes to the measure are likely before it reaches the floor, though he declined to provide specifics. The bill must still pass through the House Rules Committee and secure approval on the House floor, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

Norman, one of the Republicans who shifted his stance, expressed enthusiasm about the adjustments, saying he was “excited about the changes” being made. However, the legislation remains contentious within the GOP, particularly over Medicaid reform. Conservatives have pushed for deeper structural changes, while moderates have raised concerns about the potential political risks.

Additionally, the legislation faces opposition from a bloc of moderate Republicans that represent districts in high-tax, Democrat-controlled states. President Trump and House Republican leaders have been engaged in protracted negotiations with these lawmakers, which include Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). These lawmakers want a significant change to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, well above the $30,000 for single filers and $60,000 for joint filers proposed by Speaker Johnson. Currently, House leaders are floating lifting the cap to $40,000 for single filers and $80,000 for joint filers—still below the $60,000 and $120,000 levels being pushed for by the New York Republican delegation.

Even if the package clears the House, Senate Republicans are expected to propose revisions. A group of Senate fiscal hawks, including Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), has expressed their intention to push for deeper structural cuts to reduce the budget deficit.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 19, 2025
Election Integrity
Politics

Trump Orders Investigation Into Oprah, Springsteen, Beyoncé, Bono and More…

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump questioned whether Kamala Harris paid entertainment elites for endorsements during her 2024 campaign.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Kamala Harris, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry.

📍 Where & When: Trump made the statement on Truth Social on Monday, May 19, 2025; celebrity endorsements occurred during Harris’s 2024 campaign rallies in various locations, including Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas.

💬 Key Quote: “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!” — President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s comments raise questions about potential election law violations and the role of celebrity influence in political campaigns.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has raised concerns over whether Kamala Harris compensated entertainment elites for their endorsements during her struggling 2024 presidential campaign. In a post on Truth Social on Monday morning, Trump raised the possibility, suggesting a potential investigation into whether election laws were violated.

“According to news reports, Beyoncé was paid $11,000,000 to walk onto a stage, quickly ENDORSE KAMALA, and walk off to loud booing for never having performed, NOT EVEN ONE SONG!” Trump wrote, continuing: “Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT.”

He added: “THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL! IT IS AN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION! BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!”

The President’s accusations come amid renewed attacks from Bruce Springsteen, who drew Trump’s ire last week. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Springsteen announced his support for Harris, stating, “Donald Trump is the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime.”

At a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Harris received backing from a host of Hollywood stars, including Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry. Meanwhile, pop icon Beyoncé Knowles-Carter endorsed Harris during a rally in Houston, Texas, focusing her remarks on abortion.

“I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” Beyoncé stated. “Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations.”

Trump’s Truth Social post suggests he believes these endorsements may warrant scrutiny under election law. Notably, campaign finance records indicate that the Harris campaign paid at least $1 million to Oprah‘s production company. This payment was supposedly in exchange for the company’s assistance with the “United for America” livestream rally featuring numerous celebrities and endorsements in September 2024.

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May 18, 2025
News

Yes, Europe Also Uses Non-Tariff Trade Barriers to Edge Out U.S. Firms in Digital Sector.

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❓What Happened: The tax policy advocacy group, Americans for Tax Reform, is sounding the alarm that the European Union (EU) is continuing to use non-tariff trade barriers to disadvantage U.S. technology companies in the European market.

👥 Who’s Involved: Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform; the European Union (EU); U.S. tech companies; and China.

📍 Where & When: Americans for Tax Reform’s president, Grover Norquist, laid out the concerns with EU regulatory burdens in a recent opinion editorial.

💬 Key Quote: “This is not regulation; it’s non-tariff protectionism disguised as principle,” Norquist said.

⚠️ Impact: Norquist warned that the EU’s actions could push American firms out of the European digital economy and risk ceding dominance to China.

IN FULL:

Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, has sounded the alarm over European Union (EU) policies that he claims unfairly target American technology firms. Writing in an opinion editorial this week, Norquist criticized the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) as measures designed to penalize U.S. companies through excessive regulations and censorship demands.

Norquist argues that these policies are not genuine regulatory measures but rather “non-tariff protectionism disguised as principle.” He accused the EU of benefiting from U.S.-developed platforms and technologies, such as cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI), while imposing fines and taxes that ultimately fund the European welfare state “at the expense of America.”

Recent years have seen growing tensions between U.S. tech firms and European regulators. For example, X (formerly Twitter), the platform owned by Elon Musk, faced scrutiny after signing an EU code of conduct aimed at combating “illegal hate speech online.” Musk’s somewhat more permissive approach to free speech has clashed with European laws, drawing criticism from EU leaders.

Norquist further emphasized that 80 percent of Europe’s digital technologies are imported, primarily from the United States. He cautioned that the EU’s approach could undermine collaboration with American innovators and pave the way for China to dominate the digital economy.

“Europe’s leaders must recognize their role in escalating trade tensions and commit to a unified front,” Norquist urged. “Let us innovate together, compete together, and halt China’s march toward economic and technological dominance.”

This reflects similar criticisms by President Donald J. Trump, who has hammered the EU for its tariffs on U.S. goods and its use of regulations, security measures, and value-added tax (VAT) to undermine the competitiveness of U.S. exports.

Image: European Union 2017 – European Parliament.

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May 16, 2025
Economy
Immigration

Why Is Mexico’s Govt Lobbying Against Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill?’

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❓What Happened: House Republicans proposed a five percent tax on remittances sent out of the U.S. by non-U.S. citizens, sparking opposition from Mexico. In response, Mexican government officials are lobbying House Republicans in the U.S. to drop the provision from President Donald J. Trump’s budget bill.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. House Republicans, Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and President Trump.

📍 Where & When: U.S., ongoing discussions as of May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote in a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could generate $1 billion in tax revenue by 2026, but faces resistance from Mexican government officials, as remittances from the United States comprise a significant portion of the country’s revenue.

IN FULL:

The foreign remittance tax provision in President Donald J. Trump‘s budget plan, currently working its way through the House of Representatives, has become the target of a lobbying campaign by the Mexican government, which seeks to remove it from the legislation. Under the plan being pushed by President Trump and his allies in Congress, cash remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens to family members abroad would be subject to a five percent tax.

In a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leaders, Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Richard Neal (D-MA), Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, urged the U.S. lawmakers to reconsider the tax measure. “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote, claiming the provision will have unintended consequences such as increased use of unregulated financial channels.

Mexico is the third-largest recipient of remittances among nations worldwide. In 2024, the country received an estimated $64.745 billion in remittances, with most of the money sourced through transfers from the United States. The country’s heavy reliance on payment transfers from the U.S. as a source of revenue has even prompted Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to weigh in on the issue, declaring it “arbitrary and unjust” and calling it “a measure that is unacceptable.”

The Joint Committee on Taxation released estimates that the tax could generate $1 billion in revenue by 2026, rising to $3 billion by 2034. During his first term in office, President Trump pushed for a remittance tax to recoup costs for his border wall with Mexico.

As part of the Mexican government’s push against the tax provision, Barragán has met with U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Maria Salazar (R-FL). Salazar stated she is still evaluating the proposal.

Image via Mexico City Government.

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May 16, 2025
Politics

The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Stalls in Committee Vote.

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❓What Happened: The House Budget Committee voted down the House budget reconciliation bill, legislation referred to by President Donald J. Trump as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

👥 Who’s Involved: The House Budget Committee, Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), along with the committee’s Democrat members.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House Budget Committee, Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Chairman Arrington said after the reconciliation bill failed in his committee.

⚠️ Impact: The rejection marks a significant hurdle for Republican House leaders seeking to meet their July 4 deadline for final passage through both legislative chambers.

IN FULL:

On Friday, the House Budget Committee voted down President Donald J. Trump’s proposed budget reconciliation bill, delivering a notable blow to Republican congressional leaders aiming for its final approval by Independence Day. The vote ended 16-21, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition to the legislation. The Republican lawmakers voting no were Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).

“Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) told members after the failed vote.

The multitrillion-dollar proposal, which makes the 2017 tax cuts implemented during Trump’s first term in office permanent, has been a point of contention among GOP lawmakers. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have demanded steep cuts to Medicaid, a move that risks voter backlash ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—and provides an avenue for Democrats to potentially regain a modicum of political momentum. Meanwhile, a group of more moderate Republicans from Democrat-controlled states has balked at what they say is too small of an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

While the failed committee vote marks a setback for the reconciliation bill’s passage, House leaders remained firm that they’ll be able to move the legislation forward and on to the Senate by Memorial Day. Additionally, President Trump, who returned to the United States after concluding his Middle East tour on Friday, is likely to become increasingly involved in ramping up pressure on House Republicans to pass the budget plan.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 16, 2025
William Upton
Economy
World

Trump Promises Fair Tariff Adjustments for Trade Partners in Coming Weeks.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced that his administration will inform U.S. trade partners as to what tariff rates their exports will face in the next several weeks.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and leaders from the Middle East, the United Kingdom, China, and elsewhere.

📍 Where & When: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We have 150 countries that want to make a deal—but you’re not able to see that many countries. So at a certain point over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out essentially telling people—and we’ll be very fair—but we’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States,” Trump said.

⚠️ Impact: The administration plans to dictate trade terms to numerous countries in the coming weeks, impacting global trade dynamics and continuing its ‘America First’ agenda.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump announced that his Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, will inform around 150 nations within the next month regarding the U.S. tariff rate on their exports. The comments were made early Friday morning on May 16, as President Trump departed Abu Dhabi—the final leg of his Middle East tour in which he secured more than a trillion dollars in investments into the United States.

“We just reached a fantastic trade deal with the United Kingdom. And we have another big one that we reached with China. At the same time, we have 150 countries that want to make a deal—but you’re not able to see that many countries,” Trump said shortly before he departed from the Middle East. “So, at a certain point over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out essentially telling people—and we’ll be very fair—but we’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States.”

Trump reiterated, “It’s not possible to meet the number of people who want to see us.”

Shortly after announcing a 10 percent global tariff and even higher country-specific reciprocal tariffs in early April, the Trump White House moved to pause the trade duties after most nations around the world scrambled to open talks for bilateral trade agreements. While the higher reciprocal tariffs were set aside for 90 days, the 10 percent global tariff has remained in place for nearly every country that engages in trade with the U.S.

Last week, President Trump finalized a significant bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom—a deal that had been sought by the United States ever since Great Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU). Under the terms of the agreement, the United States has been given unprecedented influence over the United Kingdom’s supply chains, with provisions regarding ownership structure and security guarantees appearing to be targeted at excluding Chinese suppliers.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the United States and China agreed to dramatically lower the trade barriers the two nations had erected against one another for 90 days. Under the agreement, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods dropped from 145 percent to 30 percent, while China reduced its levies from 125 percent to 10 percent. The move aims to de-escalate tensions from the ongoing trade dispute.

While the renewed possibility of higher tariff rates on U.S. trade partners is likely to stoke a new round of market volatility, recent hard data has clearly indicated that the tariffs have had little to no impact on inflation and, in fact, appear to be deflationary.

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May 16, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

‘He Knew Exactly What That Meant’ — DHS and Secret Service Investigating Comey Over ‘8647’ Post.

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❓What Happened: Former FBI Director James Comey deleted an Instagram post showing “8647” in seashells, a phrase tied to mob slang for killing and referencing President Trump, prompting a DHS and Secret Service investigation.

👥 Who’s Involved: James Comey, President Donald J. Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS, and the Secret Service.

📍 Where & When: Online, with Comey’s post deleted and investigation announced on May 15, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “He knew exactly what that meant; a child knows what that meant,” Trump said of Comey’s post.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s swift response and the ongoing probe highlight his administration’s zero tolerance for veiled threats, exposing Comey’s reckless partisanship after his Russiagate missteps.

IN FULL:

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has deleted a picture he shared on Instagram spelling out ‘8647’ in seashells. To ’86’ someone means to remove or kill them in the slang of the hospitality industry and organized crime, while ’47’ almost certainly refers to President Donald J. Trump, who is the 47th U.S. President.

“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey wrote in a new Instagram post, trying to suggest someone else had arranged the shells. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me,” he added, despite his extensive background in law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service are investigating the post, which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized as having “called for the assassination of [President] Trump.”

President Trump has said he does not believe that Comey did not know what the words implied, telling the media, “He knew exactly what that meant; a child knows what that meant.”

“If you’re the FBI Director, and you don’t know what that meant… That meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear,” the America First leader continued, adding that, while Comey “wasn’t very competent,” he was “competent enough to know what that meant.”

President Trump fired Comey, who facilitated the bogus Russiagate investigation, during his first term, after which he became a strident anti-Trump partisan. Two attempts were made on Trump’s life in 2024, including one at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which saw the America First leader struck in the ear by a sniper, and three rallygoers more seriously shot, one fatally. President Trump believes Democrats’ “inflammatory” rhetoric against him inspired the attacks.

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May 15, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

Don Jr. Accuses Comey of ‘Calling for My Dad to Be Murdered’ in Instagram Post.

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❓What Happened: Donald Trump Jr. accused former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey of inciting his father’s murder in an Instagram post featuring the slogan “86 47” spelled out in seashells, a phrase tied to mob slang for killing.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump Jr., James Comey, President Donald J. Trump, and Democrat-aligned media.

📍 Where & When: Online, with Trump Jr.’s accusation posted on X (formerly Twitter) on May 15, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered,” Donald Trump Jr. stated on X.

⚠️ Impact: Comey’s stunt underscores the left’s escalating rhetoric, spotlighting his descent from feigned impartiality to partisan extremism.

IN FULL:

Donald Trump Jr. has accused former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director James Comey of calling for his father’s murder in an Instagram post.

Comey had published a picture of ’86 47′ spelled out in seashells on the beach. In hospitality, to ’86’ someone is to remove them from a premises, such as a bar or restaurant, while in the mob, it refers to killing someone. The 47 refers to President Donald J. Trump as the 47th U.S. President.

“Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered,” the President’s eldest son remarked of the post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”

President Trump survived two attempts on his life in 2024, first at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a sniper shot him in the ear and killed one of his supporters, and then at a golf course in Florida, where pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Routh was found waiting to take a shot at the America First leader in a bush.

While many liberals initially resented Comey for his role in the investigation of the Hillary Clinton email scandal—which he concluded without recommending any charges—he became a hero to them after President Trump fired him in 2017, and fully embraced his partisan role. Early in Trump’s first term, Comey facilitated the bogus Russiagate investigation despite a lack of evidence for any wrongdoing, diverting much of the administration’s time and energy.

Comey offered a full-throated endorsement of Joe Biden before his ouster in favor of Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race, saying, “I don’t care how you feel about Joe Biden. You must vote for him because the consequences on the other side are too severe.”

Image by Paul Morigi Photography via Brookings Institute.

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May 15, 2025
Corruption
Media

White House Fumes Over Don Jr’s Media Treatment.

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❓What Happened: The Trump administration is reportedly considering a federal investigation into Axel Springer, the German parent company of POLITICO and Business Insider. The possible probe follows a thinly sourced story published by Business Insider suggesting that Donald Trump Jr.’s business interests could be akin to Hunter Biden’s corrupt political activities.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump White House, Donald Trump Jr., Business Insider journalist Bethany McLean, and Axel Springer.

📍 Where & When: The issue arose following a May 6 report by Business Insider, with rumors of a possible federal probe emerging between May 13 and 15.

💬 Key Quote: An unnamed White House adviser reportedly referred to Axel Springer as a “German influence operation” and suggested its reporting could be “illegal foreign political meddling.”

⚠️ Impact: The potential probe could place Axel Springer under federal scrutiny for its media activities in the U.S.

IN FULL:

The Trump White House is reportedly weighing a federal investigation into Axel Springer, the German media conglomerate that owns POLITICO and Business Insider. The move follows a recent report by Business Insider comparing Donald Trump Jr.’s business activities to Hunter Biden‘s alleged selling of White House access, involving his father, former President Joe Biden.

On May 6, journalist Bethany McLean published a piece in Business Insider titled “Don Jr. Is the New Hunter Biden.” The report highlighted Trump Jr.’s involvement with the venture capital firm 1789 Capital and quoted an anonymous source allegedly close to the Trump family claiming, “What they’re doing is selling access to the president via the back door.”

The comparison parallels Hunter Biden, who has faced scrutiny for years over his foreign business dealings and accusations of leveraging White House access during his father’s political career. Notably, other Biden family members, including Joe Biden’s brother, Jim Biden, faced similar allegations of political corruption.

Following the Business Insider story, reports emerged that the Trump White House is considering a federal probe of the media outlet’s foreign owner, Axel Springer. Speculation regarding the investigation has been further fueled by a story from Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News, which cites an unnamed White House adviser who described Axel Springer as a “German influence operation.” The adviser also suggested that the company’s activities might amount to “illegal foreign political meddling.”

Axel Springer’s media outlets, including POLITICO and Business Insider, are believed to have attracted the attention of senior administration officials. Notably, the German-based media conglomerate and its U.S.-based media properties could face scrutiny for potentially violating federal ethics norms.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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