Corporate America has scaled back Pride Month celebrations and sponsorships across the US due to fears of political backlash and pressure from the Trump administration, which has taken actions against diversity and inclusion initiatives, leading to budget shortfalls and a shift in corporate support for LGBTQ events.
Donald Trump's crypto portfolio has reached $16.77 million, with significant holdings in Ethereum, Wrapped Ethereum, and meme tokens like TROG and TRUMP. However, these assets may not have been purchased by Trump himself, as anyone can send tokens to a known wallet. Despite this, Trump has expressed a newfound interest in positioning the U.S. as a leader in the crypto space, marking a shift from his previous skepticism.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission, replacing Lina Khan. Ferguson, a Republican FTC commissioner, is expected to reverse many of Khan's consumer protection measures and anti-monopoly actions, aligning with Trump's "America First" agenda. Critics argue Ferguson's focus will be on combating "woke" policies rather than genuinely addressing Big Tech abuses, potentially favoring large corporations over consumer interests.
Donald Trump has nominated billionaire and SpaceX astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for commanding all-civilian SpaceX missions, aims to advance U.S. space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars. His nomination is seen as a move towards integrating private industry into national space programs. Isaacman, who has no prior government experience, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to NASA, focusing on innovation and a vision for a spacefaring civilization.
A fifth migrant caravan of around 1,500 people has departed from Tapachula, Mexico, heading north despite increased efforts by Mexican authorities to disperse such groups and threats from Donald Trump to close the U.S. border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico is preparing for potential deportations of its citizens from the U.S. and has claimed a 75% reduction in migrant arrivals at the northern border. The caravan, primarily composed of Venezuelans, reflects ongoing tensions and political challenges surrounding migration between the U.S. and Mexico.
Craig Irwin of Roth MKM, a longtime Tesla skeptic, has upgraded Tesla's stock from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $85 to $380. This shift is attributed to potential regulatory advantages from Elon Musk's relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, the removal of the $7,500 EV tax credit, and increased interest from conservative voters. These factors are expected to boost Tesla's market position and delivery growth.
The EU's new industry chief, Stéphane Séjourné, advocates for a 'Europe First' strategy to protect the bloc's key business sectors amid fears of a global trade war initiated by Donald Trump's policies. Séjourné emphasizes the need for Europe to promote its strategic interests and avoid being overwhelmed by subsidized imports, particularly from China. He stresses that Europe must not become a collateral victim of closed global markets and highlights the importance of developing strategic industries like steel and clean technologies. The EU aims to enhance its competitiveness and create a coherent industrial policy to support growth and employment.
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, who faced sentencing in two criminal cases, sparking debate over whether it was a compassionate act or political hypocrisy. Biden, who has experienced personal loss, reportedly agonized over the decision, influenced by Donald Trump's election victory and potential politicization of justice. Critics argue the pardon sets a bad precedent, while supporters claim Hunter was unfairly targeted. The move has drawn comparisons to past presidential pardons involving family members.
Bitcoin rebounded to near $98,000 after a weekend dip triggered significant liquidations, with $500 million affected. Despite volatility, demand remains strong, supported by potential regulatory changes under the incoming Trump administration, which may favor the crypto industry. Charles Schwab plans to enter the crypto market once regulations are clearer, while the SEC is set for leadership changes. Optimism has also boosted other assets like XRP and increased interest in U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs.
Jimmy Kimmel humorously critiqued Donald Trump's nomination of former reality TV star and congressman Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation, calling it Trump's "least embarrassing pick." Kimmel highlighted Duffy's past on MTV's The Real World and Road Rules, joking about the relevance of "road" in Duffy's reality TV history to his new role. Kimmel also mentioned other controversial nominations by Trump, including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, who later withdrew amid investigations.
Stephen A. Smith expressed frustration on his podcast over the NFL's decision to address a Donald Trump-inspired dance performed by players, arguing that such celebrations don't typically require a league response. Smith criticized the current cultural climate, suggesting it contributed to Trump's election, and lamented the need for political correctness. The dance has gained popularity across various sports, with Trump acknowledging the trend on social media.
The NFL has stated it has no issue with players incorporating the 'Trump dance' into their on-field celebrations, as long as they adhere to league rules against excessive, violent, or sexually suggestive acts. The dance, popularized by President-elect Donald Trump, has been performed by several NFL players, including Nick Bosa and Brock Bowers, and is not considered a political statement by the league. However, players are fined for wearing politically themed apparel, as seen with Bosa's fine for a 'Make America Great Again' hat.
Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark was crowned Miss Universe 2024, marking the first time in 20 years a blonde has won the title. This victory in Mexico City is being celebrated by Donald Trump supporters as a sign of the end of the 'woke era,' following Trump's recent election win. Theilvig's unexpected participation and her impactful Q&A response contributed to her win, which some see as a shift away from recent pageant controversies involving inclusivity and diversity.
Dr. Gary Linkov, a New York City plastic surgeon, recommends finasteride as a primary treatment for male pattern hair loss, a drug reportedly used by Donald Trump. Originally for enlarged prostate treatment, finasteride prevents testosterone from converting into DHT, a compound causing hair loss. While effective in slowing hair loss, it may have side effects like decreased libido. Dr. Linkov also prescribes minoxidil to thicken hair. Despite its benefits, finasteride cannot restore lost hair but can delay further loss, especially in young adults.
Renowned pollster J Ann Selzer, known for her accurate predictions in past elections, announced her departure from polling after her recent Iowa survey inaccurately forecasted a lead for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, missing the actual result by 16 points. Despite her strong track record, Selzer acknowledged the humbling nature of polling and the challenges of estimation. The Des Moines Register is reviewing its polling methods following the unexpected outcome, as Trump secured a decisive victory in Iowa and the electoral college.