Good morning, everyone. I know today may not feel like a celebration for many, especially in light of the events over the past 24 hours. But I want you to know — you're not alone. I’m right here with you, and together, we’re going to expose what’s really in this budget bill, day by day, line by line.
If you believe in holding power accountable and making sure the truth reaches the American people, your support means everything. Please consider subscribing today to help me keep this work going.
With that, here’s the news:
This afternoon, Donald Trump will sign the Republican budget bill into law. Here are some of the lesser known provisions, outside of the massive social safety net cuts that we are going to see over the next several years. As promised, I am going to be taking this message across America, educating Americans about what exactly just passed Congress:
$85 million allocated to relocate the space shuttle Discovery from Virginia to Houston's Johnson Space Center, pushed by Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
Commercial space companies like SpaceX will begin paying phased-in launch and reentry fees, starting at 25 cents per pound and reaching $1.50 by 2033, capped at $200,000 per launch.
Gamblers can now only deduct 90% of their losses from winnings, potentially increasing taxable income and affecting both professional and casual players.
$257 million provided for Kennedy Center renovations, despite cuts to national arts funding, with Trump reshaping its board and attending performances.
Eliminates the $200 fee and registration for silencers and short-barrel rifles, removing them from the 1934 National Firearms Act.
Increases tax deduction for whaling-related expenses from $10,000 to $50,000, secured by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.
Allows deduction of up to $10,000 in interest on American-made car loans from 2025–2028, while ending the $7,500 EV tax credit in September 2025.
With a three-month trade negotiation window ending, the White House is set to notify 10–12 countries per day over five days of new “reciprocal” tariffs, most taking effect August 1, ranging from 10% to 70%, according to President Trump.
Trump celebrated the passage of the budget bill last night, calling it “the best birthday present for America,” while turning a semiquincentennial kickoff event in Iowa into a campaign-style rally that included mocking Biden, repeating election fraud claims, and proposing to allow migrant laborers to stay if vouched for by farmers.
Donald Trump, during this rally, used the term “Shylock” which is an antisemitic slur. Afterwards, he said he was unaware that the term is considered antisemitic, stating it simply meant someone who lends at high interest.
Trump announced that a UFC fight will be hosted on White House grounds during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next year.
A record Russian drone attack on Kyiv left at least one dead and 23 injured, striking multiple buildings and infrastructure just hours after President Trump reported “no progress” on a ceasefire in a call with Vladimir Putin, with Ukrainian officials calling it one of the worst assaults of the war.
Pete Hegseth blocked a weapons shipment to Ukraine, surprising the State Department, Congress, Kyiv officials, and European allies, despite military analysts confirming the aid wouldn’t impact U.S. readiness.
A Los Angeles school district is demanding an investigation after ICE agents trespassed on a high school campus in Pico Rivera without a warrant, urinated in public view near students, and were later seen roughly arresting a U.S. citizen during a nearby raid, sparking outrage and a formal complaint to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Ward Sakeik, a stateless Palestinian woman detained in February while returning from her honeymoon, was released after over four months in immigration detention, describing her joy and shock at finally experiencing freedom and reuniting with her husband without restraints.
See you (maybe) this evening.
— Aaron
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