Trump's Candace Owens Problem & How The Poorest Americans Are Getting Screwed by Trump’s Bill
PDS Published 07/01/2025
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It officially happened, my prediction came true: the Senate has passed Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill.
Right, according to reports, party leaders were haggling with holdouts until the last minute, but they were finally able to secure the votes after debating and voting on amendments in a record-breaking 27-hour-long session.
But even then, they just BARELY managed it — the measure passed by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance stepping in to break the tie after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition.
With those three being Sens. Rand Paul and Thom Tillis — who had previously said they wouldn’t support the bill — as well as Susan Collins.[]
Now, as far as what is in the Senate version of the bill, as of recording, analysts and the media are still trying to parse out all the new changes and last-minute additions in the nearly 1,000 pages of text.
But we do know that the broad strokes of the Senate bill hit the same key points as the House version.
They both extend trillions of dollars in tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first term and allocate more money to immigration enforcement while dramatically cutting healthcare and other essential benefits.
But, generally speaking, this bill goes WAY further than its companion in the House on a number of issues.
First and foremost, it will cost nearly a trillion MORE than the House version — yes, that's trillion with a T.
Right, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over a decade — way more than the $2.4 trillion price tag for the House version.
But despite costing so much more, the Senate bill would also impose even DEEPER cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, which compose the most significant cost reductions in both versions.
With the CBO estimating that the Senate bill would slash $1.1 trillion in health care spending — mostly for Medicaid — and cause 11.8 million more Americans to become uninsured in the next decade.
That’s significantly more than the House version, which the CBO predicted would cause 10.3 million people to become uninsured over the same time period.
But, notably here, the Senate proposal also doubles the amount of money allocated to a rural health fund to $50 billion a year.
With that aimed at appeasing some of the Senators who were worried about Medicaid cuts for their rural constituents, like Lisa Murkowski.
Who was widely regarded as the make-or-break vote, with GOP leaders fighting tooth and nail to win her over, including by adding several provisions that would benefit Alaska.
But, also very notably here, the Senate bill would also ease some of the restrictions on food stamps proposed in the House version, though experts say millions of Americans would still lose access to the benefits.
Additionally, some other notable changes from the House version include:
A new provision that would eliminate taxes on tipped wages.
A slight ease on the cuts to Biden-era subsidies for renewable energy and EVs.
<<<CAN RECORD TO HERE>>>
Right, and those are just some of the more significant differences between the two versions.
But because of all those changes, the bill will have to go back to the House to be reconciled and passed again — and that could be a very tall order.
Right, throughout negotiations in the Senate, numerous House Republicans have made it clear that they were unhappy with the direction the bill was heading.
And while Speaker Mike Johnson warned his members to reserve judgment until the Senate actually finalized their version, we’ve already seen numerous Republican leaders in the lower chamber slamming the newly passed bill.[]
Which is notable because nd only three Republicans need to defect for it to be dead in the water – assuming all Democrats oppose it as expected.
But, despite what appears to be major concerns, Johnson and the House Republican leadership coming out with a statement saying:
“Republicans were elected to do exactly what this bill achieves: secure the border, make tax cuts permanent, unleash American energy dominance, restore peace through strength, cut wasteful spending, and return to a government that puts Americans first. This bill is President Trump’s agenda, and we are making it law.” []
With Trump also celebrating the passage of the bill through the Senate, falsely claiming it wouldn’t cut Medicaid, among other things, and calling on the House to do the same by his July 4th deadline, writing:
“We can have all of this right now, but only if the House GOP UNITES, ignores its occasional “GRANDSTANDERS” (You know who you are!), and does the right thing, which is sending this Bill to my desk.” []
But even if the House, by some miracle, is able to pass the bill again before Friday, if they make changes from the Senate version — which seems likely — the Senate would ALSO have to vote again.
Right, the two versions need to be identical before they can be sent to Trump’s desk.
But, according to The New York Times, most senators fled the Capitol immediately after passing their version of the BBB, with the outlet reporting that:
“The mass departure means there is no way the Senate could be convened again to vote on the bill this week if the House decides to make changes.”
But meanwhile, as Republicans continue to fight over the details in the BBB, we’ve also seen another major battle playing out between Trump and Musk.
Right, as all of the internet knows, the reason Trump and Musk initially had their very public falling out was because of Musk’s vocal opposition to Trump’s BBB.
With him posting constantly about how horrible it was, and then, after the feud escalated, claiming that Trump was in the Epstein files and suggesting that he might create a third party.
Meanwhile, you had Trump hitting back at Elon and threatening to cancel the many contracts his various companies have with the federal government.
But, not long after, both men appeared to walk back their comments.
With Musk deleting some of his more inflammatory posts and admitting he he “regrets” some of the posts that “went too far.”[]
While Trump said that he wished Elon the best and had “no hard feelings.”
Adding that he hadn’t given any more thought to his threat of canceling Musk’s contracts or investigating his immigration status, as had been suggested by some of the president’s allies.
But now it appears that all of that has gone out the window.
And this whole situation has escalated dramatically in the last 24 hours.
Right, on yesterday’s show, we mentioned how Elon had made a few posts slamming the BBB, noting that polls across the ideological spectrum had shown widespread opposition to it. [][]
But since then, he has significantly ramped things up, posting repeatedly and almost exclusively about the bill and taking swings at the Republican party.
Writing in one post that it was “obvious” from the spending bill “that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”[]
Adding: “Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.”
And then sharing another tweet where he again seemed to suggest that he was going to start a new party, writing:
“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day.”[]
Beyond that, you also had Musk taking aim at GOP lawmakers who support the bill, writing:
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”[]
With him also saying he would contribute to the re-election campaign for Rep. Thomas Massie, who Trump has repeatedly targeted with criticism and primary threats over his opposition to the BBB. []
Right, and eventually, Musk’s posts reached a point that Trump couldn’t ignore, with the president weighing in on Truth Social, implying that Musk only opposes the bill because it rolls back Biden-era tax credits for EVs.[]
A move that JPMorgan estimates could cost Tesla $1.2 billion a year.
And in his post, Trump arguing that he has long opposed the tax credits — which he calls “the EV mandate” — noting that he campaigned on getting rid of the policy and claiming that Elon knew Trump’s feelings on the matter before he endorsed him.
With Trump going on to threaten to end Musk’s federal contracts again, writing:
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” []
And while speaking to reporters this morning, you had Trump doubling down on those remarks.
Claiming again that Musk was “upset” because “he's losing his EV mandate” and then reiterating his threat, saying:
“But you know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you, right? Elon can lose a lot more than that.”
Adding: “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon, wouldn’t that be terrible?”
And when asked by a reporter whether he would deport Musk – who’s a naturalized citizen – Trump responded:
“I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look.”
With Musk then responding to a clip of Trump saying he might sic DOGE on his companies and writing:
“So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”[]
To which I’ll say 1) my brother in Christ… you have already escalated the situation by posting about how dumb you think his bill is constantly for the last 24 hours even after you KNOW what happened last time…
And 2) if you know why Trump is in the Epstein files, share it with the class — it’s giving kid on the playground who tells everyone he has a secret he can’t share for clout but doesn’t actually have shit.
But, of course, it’s hard to say if Trump and Musk will actually follow through with any of their threats.
Though I do think its really fucking funny that they’re saying the exact same shit they said last month when they had their initial breakup.
Just goes to show that you can kiss and make up with Trump but the second you piss him off again he goes right back to it and doesn’t even bother coming up with a new bit.
But for now, we’ll just have to wait and see how that battle plays out, as well as how the BBB fairs in the House.
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But meanwhile, as Republicans continue to fight over the details in the BBB, we’ve also seen another major battle playing out between Trump and Musk.
Right, as all of the internet knows, the reason Trump and Musk initially had their very public falling out was because of Musk’s vocal opposition to Trump’s BBB.
With him posting constantly about how horrible it was, and then, after the feud escalated, claiming that Trump was in the Epstein files and suggesting that he might create a third party.
Meanwhile, you had Trump hitting back at Elon and threatening to cancel the many contracts his various companies have with the federal government.
But, not long after, both men appeared to walk back their comments.
With Musk deleting some of his more inflammatory posts and admitting he he “regrets” some of the posts that “went too far.”[]
While Trump said that he wished Elon the best and had “no hard feelings.”
Adding that he hadn’t given any more thought to his threat of canceling Musk’s contracts or investigating his immigration status, as had been suggested by some of the president’s allies.
But now it appears that all of that has gone out the window.
And this whole situation has escalated dramatically in the last 24 hours.
Right, on yesterday’s show, we mentioned how Elon had made a few posts slamming the BBB, noting that polls across the ideological spectrum had shown widespread opposition to it. [][]
But since then, he has significantly ramped things up, posting repeatedly and almost exclusively about the bill and taking swings at the Republican party.
Writing in one post that it was “obvious” from the spending bill “that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”[]
Adding: “Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.”
And then sharing another tweet where he again seemed to suggest that he was going to start a new party, writing:
“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day.”[]
Beyond that, you also had Musk taking aim at GOP lawmakers who support the bill, writing:
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”[]
With him also saying he would contribute to the re-election campaign for Rep. Thomas Massie, who Trump has repeatedly targeted with criticism and primary threats over his opposition to the BBB. []
Right, and eventually, Musk’s posts reached a point that Trump couldn’t ignore, with the president weighing in on Truth Social, implying that Musk only opposes the bill because it rolls back Biden-era tax credits for EVs.[]
A move that JPMorgan estimates could cost Tesla $1.2 billion a year.
And in his post, Trump arguing that he has long opposed the tax credits — which he calls “the EV mandate” — noting that he campaigned on getting rid of the policy and claiming that Elon knew Trump’s feelings on the matter before he endorsed him.
With Trump going on to threaten to end Musk’s federal contracts again, writing:
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” []
And while speaking to reporters this morning, you had Trump doubling down on those remarks.
Claiming again that Musk was “upset” because “he's losing his EV mandate” and then reiterating his threat, saying:
“But you know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you, right? Elon can lose a lot more than that.”
Adding: “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon, wouldn’t that be terrible?”
And when asked by a reporter whether he would deport Musk – who’s a naturalized citizen – Trump responded:
“I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look.”
With Musk then responding to a clip of Trump saying he might sic DOGE on his companies and writing:
“So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”[]
To which I’ll say 1) my brother in Christ… you have already escalated the situation by posting about how dumb you think his bill is constantly for the last 24 hours even after you KNOW what happened last time…
And 2) if you know why Trump is in the Epstein files, share it with the class — it’s giving kid on the playground who tells everyone he has a secret he can’t share for clout but doesn’t actually have shit.
But, of course, it’s hard to say if Trump and Musk will actually follow through with any of their threats.
Though I do think its really fucking funny that they’re saying the exact same shit they said last month when they had their initial breakup.
Just goes to show that you can kiss and make up with Trump but the second you piss him off again he goes right back to it and doesn’t even bother coming up with a new bit.
But for now, we’ll just have to wait and see how that battle plays out, as well as how the BBB fairs in the House.
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Former presidents from both parties just criticized Donald Trump for condemning millions of people to death.
Right, so for context, this stems from the Trump administration’s gutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which used to give food, water, medicine, financing and democracy assistance to poor countries. [Image]
But back in March, Marco Rubio ordered that whatever’s left of USAID, which isn’t much, would be absorbed into the State Department Tuesday. [Headline]
Meaning that Monday was its last day in existence as an independent agency.
Bringing its six-decade life to a sudden end.
And to mourn the loss, thousands of staffers held a video conference in which they received farewells from numerous speakers.
People like the president of Liberia, a humanitarian worker who recalled being greeted by USAID as a frightened 8-year-old child in a refugee camp, and a World Food Program official who vowed through sobs that the agency’s mission would be back someday. [Quote, find “sobs”]
As well as even Bono, the singer of U2, who delivered a lyrical rhyme honoring the staff.
Saying, “It’s not left-wing rhetoric to feed the hungry, heal the sick. If this isn’t murder, I don’t know what is.” [Quote]
But the two most high-profile names were undoubtedly Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
And this is especially personal for Bush, because an AIDS and HIV program that’s credited with saving 25 million lives known as PEPFAR started under his administration.
So in his message, he asked, “Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you.” [Quote]
Adding, “On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your hard work, and God bless you.” [Same quote]
Then, Obama said, “Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy. Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world.” [Quote]
Adding, “Sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.” [Quote same link]
But in the meantime, the State Department told the Associated Press it would be introducing the department’s foreign assistance successor to USAID, to be called America First, this week. [Quote, find “America first”]
Stating, “The new process will ensure there is proper oversight and that every tax dollar spent will help advance our national interests.” [Quote same link]
But a study that just came out in The Lancet medical journal sheds light on what’s being lost in that transition.
With it estimating that the gutting of USAID could result in 14 million more deaths worldwide by 2030. [Headline]
And adding that over the past two decades, USAID-funded programs have prevented more than 91 million deaths globally, including 30 million deaths among children.
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Russia is claiming to have taken full control of an entire Ukrainian region for the first time, taken its first village in a whole other region, and is amassing tens of thousands of troops along a widening front line.
This, after it also just launched its biggest aerial attack of the war over the weekend – again.
Right, launching drones and missiles at several regions across the country, including in western Ukraine, far from the front line
With the strikes reportedly killing almost a dozen people in different parts of the country, including the pilot of a Western-supplied F-16 warplane that was shot down while trying to fight off the attack.
Which is a big deal because only a small number of the country’s top pilots have been trained to fly those planes, which are the most advanced of Ukraine’s fighter jets. []
And with all that, you even had senior Trump envoy Keith Kellogg writing on X:
“Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.”
With him also rejecting recent comments by a Russian spokesperson blaming the US and Ukraine for holding up peace talks and adding:
“We urge an immediate ceasefire and a move to trilateral talks to end the war.” []
And to Kellogg’s point, even as we’ve been talking more and more about a peace deal since Trump got elected, Russia has only ramped up its attacks over the past year, especially using drones.
Launching a record-breaking 5,438 drones in June, according to official data analyzed by The Associated Press. []
And then, on top of that, it’s also widening the war on the ground.
Right, according to Ukraine’s top military commander, the front line has grown by more than 100 miles over the past year.
With the commander claiming Russian forces have been probing in different spots across the line, and then pushing hard when they find one that gives.
And saying this leaves Ukrainian military leaders playing whack-a-mole, sending in elite units to help plug gaps. []
And with that, you also had him saying there are now 111,000 Russian troops in one part of the frontline alone – near a key city in the Donetsk (Don-etsk) region, where there are at least 50 clashes every day.
With this being compared to only about 70,000 Russian troops in the area last December. []
And then, you have now Russia also claiming to have seized all of the Luhansk (Loo-hahnsk) region.
And if true, it would be the first Ukrainian region to be fully occupied by Moscow.
Right, because even though Russia illegally annexed four regions from Ukraine in September of 2022, it had never yet fully controlled a single one. []
Notably, there though, it’s not like Russia hasn’t tried to take over other parts of the country as well.
Right, Russian state media is also now reporting that forces have captured a village in a different region for the first time in their three-year offensive
Though with that, I will say, Russian officials similarly claimed their forces had entered that region three weeks ago, but Ukrainian authorities said the assault was repelled. []
Either way, though, Russia has been pounding the region, killing at least 17 civilians in a strike last week that damaged schools, hospitals and a passenger train.
And then, on top of all that, you reportedly have about 50,000 troops in the region bordering Russia’s Kursk region, where Russian forces have almost entirely pushed back Ukrainian forces that launched an incursion there last summer.
And with all this, we’ve recently seen Zelensky signing a decree to withdraw Ukraine from a treaty banning antipersonnel land mines — following similar recent steps by the Baltic States and Poland.
With one Ukrainian politician saying:
“This is a step that the reality of war has long demanded.
And adding that Russia is not a party to the convention “and is massively using mines against our military and civilians.” []
And whatever the case may be, it’s just another way we’re seeing how the impacts of this war are gonna reach far into the future.
But in the meantime, Trump has said today he’s watching the situation “very closely” and he’s also reportedly considering giving Ukraine more Patriot missile systems to help it defend against the Russian strikes.
So we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
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BryanKohberger (Co-burger) has accepted a plea deal in the murders of four college students at the University of Idaho.
Right, you likely remember this case as it took over national headlines, but if you need a refresher, in November of 2022, four students were stabbed to death at their off-campus home in the early morning after a night out.[]
There was then a manhunt for the suspect, leading to Kohberger getting arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania six weeks after the murders.[]
The details of the case have just chilled anyone following it, and in 2023 a judge entered a not-guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf after he stood silent and declined to enter a plea himself.
But he maintained his innocence and claimed he was out driving at the time of the murders. []
And this has all led to a ton of legal back and forth, with his lawyers trying to remove the possibility of a death penalty sentencing by arguing he has been diagnosed with autism, though that motion was not successful. []
They also attempted to delay the trial, but it was still scheduled to begin in August and last several months. [][]
With this all leading to today’s news that Kohberger has accepted a plea deal, meaning he can avoid the death penalty in exchange for pleading guilty to four first-degree murder counts and a burglary charge.
He is expected to attend a hearing tomorrow morning to enter the deal.
And if everything goes as expected there, he will skip the trial and likely be sentenced to life in prison in July.
Though, if he ends up not entering the plea, a trial will move forward.
And this comes as, according to the Idaho Statesman, prosecutors actually met with the victims’ families last week to discuss the possibility of the deal, with the outlet also obtaining a letter that was sent to the family breaking the news, which read:
“We cannot fathom the toll that this case has taken on your family. This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family. This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals.”
But many of the family members are not happy about this at all, with the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves (kay-lee gone-sal-vez) writing on Facebook that:[]
“We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us.”
And they had notably been very in favor of Kohberger facing the death penalty, arguing it is the only equivalent punishment for someone convicted of murder.
With the family also speaking to CNN to express frustration that they were not even called about the apparent deal and only learned of it via an emailed letter.[]
And also adding:
“After more than two years, this is how it concludes with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victims’ families on the plea’s details.”
The aunt of victim Xana Kernodle (zana ker-no-duhl) also spoke to TMZ upset about the decision, rejecting prosecution’s claim that this deal will “spare the families” from the pain of a trial, noting that two of the families wanted him to face a jury, and saying:[]
"We know the graphics. They were not trying to spare us."
Though, not every single family member feels this way, right, you had the father of Madison Mogen (moh-guhn) telling the Statesman that if this agreement means he can avoid reopening wounds, he accepts it. []
But some, including some family members as well as the public at large, were hoping a trial might bring forward some answers and transparency, like if anyone was targeted specifically or if this really just was a random act of violence. []
Because right now, one of the most chilling elements of this case is we still do not know the motive. []
As for what we know about him, he was studying to get a PHD in criminology at Washington State University, and you had the New York Times reporting he did have a special interest in criminals. []
Not long before the murders were committed, he asked people on Reddit who had been in prison to describe their “thoughts, emotions and actions from the beginning to end of the crime commission process.”
As far as the evidence pointing to Kohberger, investigators linked him to DNA found on the button snap of a knife sheath left at the crime scene.[]
And based on cellphone data, he had allegedly been near the victims’ house at least a dozen times in the months leading up to the killings.
But there are still questions that many have, like why two of the other two roommates in the house were spared in the killing spree.
Right, one other roommate who lived said she heard what sounded like crying from another room, and she later opened her door and saw a man in black clothes and a mask, and once he left she began texting another roommate who lived. []
But they did not call 911 until a friend discovered one of the bodies the next day.
And all of this has been much discussed online in subreddits devotedto the case and suspect
In fact, this case took off so much that True CrimeTikTok sleuths began theorizing and “investigating” on their own, leading to a whole frenzy of accusations and even a lawsuit.
But that is where we are on this case today, as for what comes next, there is the plea hearing set for tomorrow, and while judges in Idaho can reject plea deals, the AP said this is “rare.”[]
Though I would still love to know your thoughts, especially if you have been following this story.
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Trump called Candace Owens to ask her to stop peddling conspiracies about the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte. (Brij-eet)
That is what Candace Owens claimed on her show yesterday.
And for some background, you need to know that for a while, there have been right-wing conspiracy theories that Brij-eet is trans.
She even previously filed a complaint against two people who spread that claim on YouTube and won €8,000 in damages.
And Candace has posted multiple videos about this, with the most recent getting uploaded in February.
And not long after posting that video, Candace says she got a call from a friend with ties to the White House, and:
(Someone at white house asks for candace to stop discussing brigitte.)(1:53-2:14)
That friend said this request came from someone very close to Trump, very high up, but Candace kind of shut it down, claiming it is her free speech right to talk about this story.
But she calls that person back to learn more about where this is coming from, why this request is being made, especially since she had seen that President Macron was actually in DC at the time, which caught her attention.
(she is told macron is holding up ukraine/russia negotiations unless she stops talking about his wife) (4:54-5:24)
And she hung up in shock that her comments were allegedly holding up these negotiations, thinking the whole thing just sounded unbelievable.
So, again, she calls the person back to figure out who exactly is asking this of her, and she learns that Trump was apparently on one of the previous calls with her.
And that is not where it stops, because she said she later got another call from someone else in the White House who allegedly told her:
(the person says she should do it because the president asked and she should just listen to him) (9:09-9:24)
And that pissed her off, she did not like that someone was telling her to take orders from the president no questions asked, so she ends up talking to more people about this situation to think it through,
She then is told by a White House advisor she needs to keep her phone on for a call, but when she answered, it was not just an advisor on the phone:
(it was trump on the phone) (12:55-13:09)
And he said that Macron pulled him aside while he was walking to Macron’s car.
(macron asks Trump if he knows candace and if Trump can talk to Candace and get her to stop talking about Brig) (14:15-15:04)
And she pushed back against Trump and told him it is not her fault that Macron “married someone with a penis”
But Trump pushes and says that the deal is close to done and that he wants to work with Macron on this, and so she says:
(she says she is happy to stop so less “christian men in the east” will die but will only stop for the short-term) (16:30-16:51)
Then Candace explained that it kind of became hard to tell if Trump was okay with this short-term deal or wanted her to zip it forever, but Trump then tried to butter her up by offering to go on her show.
Then the call ends, she is shocked it happened at all, but she said her main takeaway is this:
(she says macron must step down) (18:04-18:27)
With Candace even speculating that Macron came to the states specifically to talk to Trump about her, not about Ukraine.
She also insisted that this proves that she is correct and the Macrons are only going through this trouble because they know she is right.
(she says it should be in Brigitte’s wikipedia that she was born with a different name) (21:07-21:16)
She then went on to say she thinks she likely exposed an even bigger web, but we are not going to focus on that, right, just the direct claims that Trump asked her to stop talking about Brigitte.
And this is pretty notable because as Candace’s claims were about Brigitte were spreading online, you had outlets like The Telegraph noting that if this:
“rumour becomes associated with supporters of Trump, the issue could add further strain to an already tricky relationship between the US president and his French counterpart.”[]
Also noting that while the conspiracy has existed for years, it is a “clearly recycled” accusation, as people have said the same thing about other female leaders like Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern.
With The Telegraph adding that:
“Even if it’s patently nonsense, the fact that many current world leaders, “especially Trump and his allies”, are engaging in conspiracy theory rhetoric means that it’s harder to outright dismiss it.”
And outlets like Media Matters noted that on places like TikTok, videos exploring this theory have gotten hundreds of thousands of views, they are also getting tons of attention in France, too.
And for Candace, specifically, the outlet said she used her Brij-eet series to find “a way to make right-wing, anti-trans propaganda palatable to new viewers.”
Noting that her investigation hook really attracts the true-cri me junkies.
But that is where we are on this, I would love to know your thoughts on anything here, on Candace’s accusations, the situation itself, anything here.
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Item
Are we seeing the Democratic party going through some fundamental policy shifts right now?
I say that because in California they did the unthinkable: gut environmental protections to help out construction projects across the state.
The bills are called SB 131 and AB 130 and together they carve out widespread exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act, which has long been a roadblock for major construction projects across the state.
And for Governor Gavin Newsom this was essential and he even tied his signature on a new budget to SB 131 and AB 130 passing -- both of which did with almost no opposition in the state House or Senate.[]
So what exactly is being affected here?|[]
Well the Environmental Quality Act has long been a headache for construction across the state since it requires companies to not only point out the environmental impacts their construction projects will have -- something that federal law requires -- but also address those impacts.
And if they didn’t it was used to kill projects by groups that opposed the projects.[]
All of which HEAVILY slowed down construction projects in the state and bloated the costs of projects.
For example, its critics point to it as one of the reasons the California High Speed Rail Project has barely made any progress.
The law has also been blamed for the homeless and the extreme housing shortage across California as it puts a major cost on developers before they even break ground.
To be clear though -- it’s not just the Environmental Quality Act that causes this
There's also city regulations that prevent construction, although places like Los Angeles there are moves to change those local ordinances as well
And over the last few years lawmakers have made hundreds of efforts to slowly try to encourage more housing development, with state Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks saying:
“The crisis has metastasized to such a level that our constituents are demanding it.”
That’s not all though.
The bills also make it far easier for the state to enact wildfire prevention measures.
This includes things like conducting control burns -- which has been on the backburner for years.
(Which is essential as forefires are natural in California… but normally happens far more often without human intervention.
That means undergrowth isn’t able to build up and fuel these monster fires we get now
Conducting control burns tries to emulate that process in areas that haven’t had a good burn in awhile).
This pair of laws also make it far easier to start construction projects for things like high tech semiconductor manufacturing and EV factories.
Something the state feels is necessary if it is going to continue to be a major player in the tech space.
Interestingly this bill might show just how much the Democratic party is shifting its positions.[]
Right, up until the 2024 attacking environmental provisions this strongly was pretty much off limits.
But with things like the housing crisis in California being described as “the civil rights struggle of our time here in California” by people like Assemblyman Robert Rivas, it’s easy to see why they’re shifting to positions so much.
And considering California is the most populous state and a democratic powerhouse, it’s easy to draw the conclusion that if the state party is shifting it’s a sign the national party could follow.
That being said, there was opposition.
Some lawmakers felt this was going to be devastating in the years to come,
and tons of groups did come out to try and lobby against the bills, including unions like the Teamsters, United Auto Workers, and United Steelworkers who claimed that this was like Trump rolling back the National Environmental Policy act and that it:
“...would give carte blanche to companies like Tesla to expand without any environmental oversight.” []
It didn’t matter though, as the bill overwhelmingly passed and Newsom signed it last night.
So not only might we see serious efforts to build way more affordable houses in California, but also a possible sign of just how much the Democratic party is willing to shift its positions.
FL is opening “Alligator Alcatraz” to house undocumented people rounded up by the Trump administration.
President Trump decided to take a quick trip from his de facto capital at Mar-a-Lago to check out the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” a day before it’s set to open.
The facility is supposed to be a migrant detention center right in the middle of Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, which is a remote facility right next to the Florida Everglades.
Considering it’s currently empty it looked relatively clean, although even then it looks like it’ll be a tight fit.
Right, in promo photos you can see Trump, DeSantis, and Noem standing outside of a chain-link fence that is packed with rows of bunkbeds. [broll]
While outside it’s surrounded by razor wire and the other accoutrements you’d expect from what’s essentially a prison.
Either way, Trump praised the facility and said:
"I thought this was so professional, so well done.”
"It's really government working together."
He also addressed the “Alligator Alacatraz” nickname when asked by reporters if the point was for would-be escapees to be eaten, saying:
“I guess that’s the concept”
He went on to joke:
"Snakes are fast but alligators — we're going to teach them how to run away from an alligator. Don't run in a straight line, run like this.”
“You know what, your chances go up about one percent."
Online it’s also receiving praise from MAGA folk, with takes like:
“I don’t think anyone realizes how impressive Alligator Alcatraz is. The State of Florida built this 3,000 bed federal prison in eight days. The director tells me it could have been done in 72 hours were it not for some regulatory hold-ups. Now all the state needs is DOJ approval to deputize the National Guard as Deportation judges and this will become the most efficient deportation center in American history.” []
And Governor Ron DeSantis also praised the place, saying yesterday:
"What'll happen is you'll bring people in there, they ain't going anywhere once they're there unless you want them to go somewhere, because, good luck getting to civilization.”
“So the security is amazing — natural and otherwise."
The whole point of the facility is to dramatically increase how many migrants the Trump administration can detain.
Right, currently it’s only about 50,000 and the facilities are PACKED, so this will help with its 5,000 beds.
Although the administration wants way more of these and to increase the total number of beds to 100,000, with Trump saying:
“Well, I think I would like to see them in many states. Really, many states.”
“And, you know, at some point, they might morph into a system."
That might happen pretty quick considering how low-cost this was to build.
The facility is essentially a bunch of bunk beds in a warehouse with little else.
And it’s supposed to be just that, with DeSantis downplaying concerns that it’ll impact the fragile local ecosystem since the entire facility is allegedly just temporary.[]
Which is why it’s been widely criticized online for what are pretty harsh conditions.
Because sitting in a warehouse in the Florida summer -- even if there’s some AC -- is brutal as there’s no good way to environmentally control it.
That, and the fact that it’s being used against migrants, has led many to call it a concentration camp.
And those allegations might become even more real if US citizens are detained - which is something the administration is reportedly exploring.
Right, in a June 11 memo the DoJ revealed that it’s going to “...prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence.”
This includes targeting people who are a “potential danger to national security” or who allegedly got their citizenship through "material misrepresentation.”
Taken at face value those make sense, but as we’ve seen with the administration it’s willing to stretch the truth on what constitutes a “national security threat.”
Not to mention that the memo also leaves open a huge door for “any other cases” that officials think are “sufficiently important to pursue.”
This change could affect 25 million Americans who obtained citizenship…
…and who knows, maybe many more if the Trump administration successfully manages to kill off birthright citizenship.
We’ll just have to wait and see, but it’s clear the administration is moving FAST cause in just 6 months we’ve gone through like 10 years of policy changes.
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What was supposed to be a photo-op on the happiest cruise on Earth turned into a real-life rescue mission. [B Roll 3:50-4:10]
Right, this whole thing happened on the last leg of a 4-day Disney Cruise through the Bahamas.
According to one passenger, a father was taking a photo of his young daughter on the railing of the ship when she fell overboard. []
And then he reportedly jumped into the water after her.
An alarm sounded throughout the ship and passengers were quick to gather around the railings to see what was going on. [] [B Roll 0:15-0:45]
WIth many giving interviews afterward and saying things like,
“We watched it, you could see two little things. ... It was crazy, it was horrific.” []
“We were watching with bated breath basically waiting for what would happen.” []
“The ship was moving quickly, so quickly, it's crazy how quickly the people became tiny dots in the sea, and then you lost sight of them.” []
"His child fell in the water and he instinctively, without hesitation, jumped in and went after his child. I believe, had he not done that, his child might not have survived." []
Within minutes and in front of that audience, staff on the cruise ship were out in the water, performing the rescue.
With several videos from different angles showing the moment the rescue boat rolled up to the father and daughter and pulled them to safety. [B Roll 2:40-3:05] [B Roll 0:12-0:25] [B Roll 0:09-0:19]
And Disney confirmed that the two were saved without much incident - with a spokesperson saying in a statement,
"The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes. []
We also know that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, which is the navy of the Bahamas, was aware of the situation and monitored the rescue until everything was squared away. []
And the US Coast Guard is reportedly investigating in addition to the sheriff’s department in Broward County, Florida - though a department spokesperson said there doesn’t, quote, “appear to be anything suspicious.” []
Adding,
“Based on media reports I have read, the Disney crew was well prepared. Clearly, their training and readiness paid off because they executed a successful ocean rescue.” []
Now, this situation is notable because while passengers falling off cruise ships is rare, when it does happen, it usually doesn’t end well.
With the most recent data from 2019 showing only 9 of the 25 people who fell overboard were rescued - according to a Cruise Lines International Association report. []
So this one turning out for the better is definitely worth celebrating - from that BAMF of a dad to the crewmembers that pulled them both from the water.
3 leaders of UK hospital - where nurse was convicted of murdering babies - arrested on suspicion of negligent manslaughter
We’ve got a new development in the Lucy Letby baby murdering case!
Right, quick recap about this, in case you don’t remember:
Lucy Letby is an English woman who worked as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital from June of 2015 to June of 2016.
And during that time, she murdered 7 babies and attempted to kill 7 others. []
Using methods like injecting air into their bloodstreams, administering air or milk into their stomachs through nasogastric tubes, poisoning them with insulin, and interfering with breathing tubes. []
She was convicted back in 2023 and she’s currently serving 15 life sentences in prison.
In fact, she’s even appealed that conviction twice and lost both times.
But that doesn’t mean the investigation into what led to the deaths of 7 babies stopped.
After Letby’s conviction, a corporate manslaughter investigation into the hospital where she worked was opened - with Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes saying, []
“This focuses on senior leadership and their decision-making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.” []
But then, in March, that investigation was expanded to look at potential gross negligence - which brings us to today’s news.
With three of the hospital’s senior leaders during Letby’s tenure being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. []
And it’s important to note the distinction here - where corporate manslaughter focuses on the leadership team, gross negligence focuses on the action, or inaction, of an individual.
With Hughes adding,
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set time scales for these." []
And he specifically mentioned that these arrests have no impact on Letby’s convictions.
Which is an important note because throughout her arrest, trial, conviction, and even to this day, Letby has maintained her innocence.
And there have been many that have called her conviction into question - including lawmakers and an international panel of medical experts. []
Who disputed the evidence and came to the conclusion that Letby hadn’t harmed the babies.
And that conclusion was included in her attorney’s application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission - which reviews possible miscarriages of justice. []
And while the commission has said they will review her case, they say there’s no timetable about when a decision will be made. []
But should they decide to take up the case, it could give Letby yet another chance at an appeal.
And there’s more to this whole situation than just Letby - there was even a public inquiry launched to seek accountability from staff and management. []
With the judge overseeing that inquiry saying she would not review Letby’s conviction, but take a deeper look into the hospital’s failures that led to babies being repeatedly harmed in their care.
And then there’s the manslaughter investigation and arrests in today’s headlines.
As of now, there’s still a lot of unanswered questions and those arrested remain unnamed but we do know that they are out and about on bail. []
So we’re just going to have to keep our eyes peeled for how this whole thing will play out.
In the meantime, let me know your thoughts about this in those comments down below.
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