In this edition of our newsletter: Analysts suggest that Donald Trump’s proposed spending cuts are unlikely to offset the expenses of his tax reduction plans. Meanwhile, rapper A$AP Rocky was acquitted of felony gun assault charges following a trial that lasted three weeks.
Here are today’s key highlights.
Regardless of DOGE, Trump’s policies could increase U.S. debt by trillions
President Donald Trump has launched an initiative to eliminate government waste, with assistance from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. However, analysts warn that his budgeting approach could significantly contribute to the national debt.
In his agenda, Trump targets cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as he strives for substantial tax reductions. Experts point out that nearly half of government spending is allocated to Social Security, Medicare, and defense.
“USAID, DEI grants, and educational administration are merely pawns in the culture war,” says Jessica Riedl, a budget analyst and senior fellow at the center-right Manhattan Institute. While Trump has claimed he will address mismanagement within Social Security and Medicare, there is yet to be any evidence of large-scale fraud that would significantly lessen their costs.
Without cuts in these significant areas, eliminating half of all other government expenditures would be necessary to finance the proposed tax reductions, a strategy that analysts believe Congress would reject.
As Trump and Musk focus on reducing budgets in smaller government agencies, Republican leaders intend to increase the military budget by $825 billion and are requesting at least $150 billion for border security and immigration enforcement.
Additional political updates:
- President Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is facing skepticism from GOP members before her hearing due to her previous alignment with union interests.
- Data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicates an increase in arrests and deportations of migrants without criminal charges or convictions.
- A federal judge has rejected an attempt by 14 states to prevent Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency from accessing data systems or making staffing decisions at seven federal agencies.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports it accidentally terminated “several” agency employees involved in the government’s response to bird flu and is working on rehiring them.
Zelenskyy calls Trump trapped in a Russian ‘disinformation bubble’ after public backlash
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded strongly to Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine instigated its conflict with Russia, stating that the American president is caught in a “disinformation bubble” and affirming that his country is not for sale.
This assertive reaction came after Trump’s unexpected remarks on Tuesday, suggesting that Ukraine triggered Russia’s invasion three years ago. Trump also contended that Kyiv could have struck a deal to avoid the war.
Commenting on the $67 billion worth of weaponry and $31.5 billion in budget assistance provided by the U.S. to Ukraine, Zelenskyy remarked that American propositions demanding the handover of $500 billion in minerals were “not a genuine conversation,” stressing that he cannot sell his nation.
For the full story, click here.
Jury acquits A$AP Rocky in gun assault case
A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, concluding a three-week trial where he faced allegations of shooting his friend and collaborator in 2021. A$AP Rocky, whose actual name is Rakim Mayers, risked up to 24 years in prison. Although prosecutors sought a mere eight years, they portrayed Mayers as an aggressive assailant who shot his lifelong friend due to a dispute. Conversely, the defense maintained that Terell Ephron, also a rapper, had previously assaulted Mayers twice that evening out of jealousy regarding his success.
The two were meeting to resolve a disagreement in Los Angeles when prosecutors claimed Mayers drew a semiautomatic handgun from his waistband and threatened Ephron, declaring, “I’m going to kill you.” Ephron reported to law enforcement that he felt one of the bullets grazed his hand. Mayers’ attorney emphasized that he often carried a prop gun when lacking security, stating he fired to protect a friend from Ephron’s aggression. Mayers pleaded not guilty and did not testify in his trial.
For the complete story, click here.
Explore More
- 11 women have filed civil lawsuits against the Alexander real estate brothers for sexual assault, shortly after they were indicted on sex trafficking charges.
- Pope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and is currently hospitalized in Rome, according to the Vatican.
- A woman in Georgia is suing an IVF clinic for accidentally implanting the wrong embryo, resulting in the birth of another couple’s child.
- The death toll from the severe storms in Kentucky has climbed to 14 as the state prepares for additional winter weather.
- Coca-Cola is introducing a prebiotic soda brand named Simply Pop, entering the market to compete with new brands like Olipop and Poppi.
- Olympian Noah Lyles aims to defend his title as “fastest man alive” in a race against Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Staff Recommendation: The surprising rise of unique popcorn buckets in the film industry
Popcorn has long been associated with cinema, but recently the popcorn bucket itself has become a major attraction. This trend, started by AMC Theatres as a promotional effort for the 2023 release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” has seen collectible popcorn buckets being adopted by other theater chains as a strategy to increase concession sales and enhance the movie-watching experience—one that has been struggling since the pandemic. Similar to prized carnival plush toys or oversized theme park maps, popcorn buckets are revitalizing the movie outing experience. — Kaylah Jackson, platforms editor
NBC Select: Streamlined Online Shopping
The editors at NBC Select have also tested popular meal delivery services, consulting nutritionists and chefs to identify the top options. Additionally, experts have compiled a list of the best wide-toe box shoes for optimal comfort.
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Thank you for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was crafted for you by Kaylah Jackson.
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