Stock market indexes are down about 5% today (10%+ overall) on Trump's beautiful tariffs.
Here's what Fox has as the main headline (4pm-ish).
4.03.2025
Trump - Tariffs
For the MAGA types who love to take the US Constitution literally.
Article 1, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
Trump - Tariffs
Today’s tariffs will be bad enough on their own, but had they been passed as a legislative package you could at least rest easy knowing the matter was settled for the time being. Instead, they’ll remain continually subject to change by the President while setting off a chain of retaliation and renegotiation that will keep global trade policy in flux for weeks or months. Any eventual resolution will also stand on shaky ground—Trump has repeatedly shown his willingness to violate formal free trade agreements, including those he has personally signed, so businesses and foreign countries will never 100% trust that his trade war ambitions are complete. The pervasive uncertainty that has undermined the economy over the last few months will increase before it decreases.
Trump - Tariffs
Ian Welsh with a uplifting look at Trump's tariffs.
Trump’s Liberation Day: This Boy Could Fuck Up Boiling Water
Trump - Tariffs
Libertarian Tyler Cowan on the Trump's shooting the US in the foot.
In any case, we will be moving into a future with higher prices, less product choice, and much weaker foreign alliances. The tanking of the stock market, and other possible asset price repercussions, may tip America into recession and increase joblessness.
This is perhaps the worst economic own goal I have seen in my lifetime. I cannot think of any credentialed economist colleague—Democrat, Republican, or independent—who would endorse it. And I haven’t even mentioned the risk that some foreign nations will retaliate against American exporters, damaging our economy all the more.
You might think there is something to be said for a reciprocal approach to tariffs. Usually it consists of cutting off your nose to spite your face, but if it can sometimes work it requires a president (and Congress) who is predictable and trustworthy.
That is not how foreign nations view the current administration.
Trumps - Tariffs
Treasury Secretary urges other countries to 'take a deep breath' and not retaliate
I read this headline as ... "Please, don't retaliate. We're letting Trump make a big presentation like so he can look good to the MAGA crowd but we'll get these cancelled before they can be implemented"
Like all things Trump, I expect this is a lot of show with very little long-term substance in terms of trade though It'll hurt the US's image and bolster China.
4.02.2025
Musk Buying Votes
Sure seems slimy.
Wisconsin College Republicans chairman received one of Elon Musk's $1 million checks
One of the recipients of Elon Musk's $1 million checks at his event in Green Bay Sunday night is the chairman of the Wisconsin College Republicans, sparking some suspicion on social media that the giveaway was fixed.
Bice: Elon Musk group removes video from $1M winner after she says she got money to 'vote'
On Tuesday, Musk's super PAC, America PAC, pulled a video from X featuring $1 million giveaway winner Ekaterina Deistler in which she said she received the money, in part, to "vote." X is owned by the tech billionaire.
"My name’s Ekaterina Deistler," she said in a video posted Monday morning. "I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, vote, and now I have a million dollars."But the video was taken down yesterday, and America PAC posted a new video of Deistler on X on Tuesday afternoon.
"My name’s Ekaterina Deistler, and I'm from Green Bay, Wisconsin," she said in the new video. "I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, and now I have a million dollars."
It's almost exactly the same, except the word "vote" has been removed. She is no longer saying she was paid, in part, to vote in the Supreme Court race.
Fox Propaganda
Arguably the biggest news stories yesterday were the special elections and looming Trump tariffs.
Musk poured millions into the Wisconsin race and Democrats were hopeful for an upset in Florida's strong Trump districts. The Florida races went to the Republicans. They won by 13% and 11% but these are very pro-Trump districts that he won by 24% and 19% in 2025. The Democrat won in Wisconsin by a pretty good margin of 54%-45% in a state Trump won in 2025. Overall the Democrats did better than expected and the Republicans under-performed.
The tariffs will be announced today (maybe) and will have global consequences (maybe).
Both of these seem headline news worthy.
So... here's what Fox Propaganda chose to put at top of it's page this morning, April 2, 2025.
4.01.2025
Tariffs and a Big Stick
If you think Trump's policies will make the US stronger, you should listen to this.
Odd Lots: Nick Denton's Big Bet Against the United States
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