Here’s your morning news rundown—but first, a quick thank you. If you believe in this kind of journalism, please consider subscribing or becoming a supporter. Also, as an aside, thank you all for the birthday wishes and for all the birthday support. I was able to take some time to myself yesterday to recharge. Now, I am back and better than ever!
Now, let’s get into the news.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska is sounding the alarms this morning. “We’re all scared right now,” Murkowski said, pausing. “That’s not something I say lightly. This is uncharted territory for me. And honestly, I get nervous about speaking out, because the threat of retaliation is real—and that’s just wrong.”
Ford says it will hike car prices starting next month if President Trump doesn’t ease tariffs. The increase will apply to vehicles built in May, hitting U.S. showrooms by late June or early July.
China is opening a new front in the trade war—on TikTok. Chinese suppliers have flooded U.S. social media feeds this week, encouraging Americans to dodge Trump’s 145% tariffs by buying straight from factories in China. But experts say it’s likely a scam. CNN reports that many of the sellers claiming to manufacture products for big brands like Lululemon and Chanel are probably fake. Real suppliers typically operate under strict non-disclosure agreements and wouldn’t be advertising like this.
Temu and Shein, two major Chinese e-commerce platforms, have announced that they will increase prices for U.S. customers starting April 25, 2025. This decision comes in response to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, including a 145% tariff on Chinese imports and the elimination of the "de minimis" exemption, which previously allowed shipments under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
The IRS is reportedly preparing to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, following President Trump's recent threats against the institution. This move comes after Harvard rejected federal demands to alter its academic programs and hiring practices, which the university deemed unlawful. The IRS has not officially commented, but a decision is expected soon.
Amid escalating trade tensions with the United States, China is increasingly turning to Canada to fulfill its crude oil needs. In March 2025, China's crude oil imports rose by 4.8% year-over-year to 51.41 million metric tons, bolstered by record shipments from Iran and a strategic pivot towards Canadian oil .
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, arguing they are unconstitutional and economically harmful to the state.
Maine Governor Janet Mills has denounced the Trump administration's lawsuit against her state over its policies allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports, calling it "the latest, expected salvo" in an "unprecedented campaign to pressure the State of Maine to ignore the Constitution and abandon the rule of law."
The European Central Bank (ECB) has reduced its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, marking the seventh rate cut within a year. This decision aims to support the eurozone economy amid uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies, particularly President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% on global trading partners
The D.C. Circuit temporarily blocked Judge Chutkan’s ruling that would have forced Citibank to release funds designated for Biden-era climate initiatives. Just hours earlier, Chutkan issued a sharp opinion stating that the Trump administration’s attempt to claw back those funds was both unlawful and unconstitutional.
The 37 federal death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by President Joe Biden in December 2024 have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, challenging his executive order that mandates their confinement under what they describe as "oppressive" prison conditions. The plaintiffs argue that this directive violates their constitutional rights, including protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
UnitedHealth stock tumbled 18% today, marking its biggest single-day loss since the early pandemic crash in March 2020.
TRUMP: Says firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell "can’t happen fast enough."
TRUMP: Every country—even China—wants a meeting with us.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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