Blue Press Journal

Tag: trump

  • Donald and Elon making wild claims of fraud with NO FACTS

    Donald and Elon Musk have been talking a big game lately, making all sorts of claims about disaster relief, lodging for migrants, and even Social Security payments for 150-year-olds. But surprise, surprise – the details they provide are about as clear as mud. Musk even had to admit that some of his claims are – let’s be clear – are total bull.

    During his first news conference since starting DOGE, Musk backtracked on a claim that the government spent $50 million on condoms for Gaza and Hamas. Turns out, the condoms were actually sent to a province in Mozambique named Gaza to fight HIV! Oops!

    Despite Musk’s claims of transparency, most of DOGE’s activities are only discovered through reporting or when government offices suddenly shut down. And let’s not forget the vague updates on social media that never seem to come with any actual proof.

    According to Jessica Tillipman, associate dean for government procurement law, calling all of this fraud or corruption is a bit of a stretch.  Trump does not seem to really care because one of his first acts was to fired a bunch of inspectors general and paused the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, whose main job was to route out fraud. 

    So, next time Donald and Elon start making wild claims, maybe they should put up or shut up. Or better yet, just stick to the facts.

  • Tariffs – a history lesson and how they increase prices for Americans

    Nearly a century ago, a disastrous law played a significant role in triggering the Wall Street crash of 1929 and plunging the world into a devastating depression. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which covered approximately one-quarter of all imports, ignited tensions with U.S. trading partners and led to a drastic reduction in American imports and exports. This painful lesson taught Americans the high cost of trade wars, and serves as a stark reminder that we must carefully consider our trade relationships.

    Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) recently expressed serious reservations about President Trump’s tariff plan, highlighting the detrimental effects of tariffs. As Sen. Rand Paul aptly stated, “Tariffs are simply taxes… Taxing trade leads to reduced trade and higher prices.” It is crucial for Republicans to fully understand the negative impact of tariffs as we strive to establish sound fiscal policies in our government.

    During the previous Trump administration, retaliatory tariffs from trade partners sparked a widespread trade war that negatively impacted various sectors of American industry, including agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace, motor vehicles, and distilled spirits. Canada has already announced retaliatory measures targeting Kentucky products such as peanut butter and whiskey, which will ultimately result in increased costs for American consumers. Senate McConnell emphasized the importance of maintaining strong alliances with our trading partners to ensure the long-term prosperity of American industry and workers, stating that trade wars with allies disproportionately harm working people.

    It is imperative that we approach trade policies with caution and foresight, prioritizing collaboration with our allies rather than engaging in harmful disputes. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards fostering mutually beneficial trade relationships for the benefit of all.

  • Inflation up … Trump poll numbers down

    Trump, predictably, is refusing to accept any responsibility for the surge in inflation that occurred in January. Despite his bold claims that he would immediately reduce costs upon assuming the presidency, the reality is quite the opposite. At the Republican National Convention, Trump boasted about ending the supposed inflation crisis, lowering interest rates, and decreasing energy costs through increased drilling. However, experts are quick to point out the absurdity of these promises, which are now proving to be nothing more than empty rhetoric.

    The tariffs imposed by Trump on China, as well as those on hold for Mexico and Canada, along with the new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, are only expected to worsen the situation. The CEO of Ford has even warned that these tariffs will have devastating effects on the auto industry, potentially leading to layoffs. It’s worth noting that Ford generously donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, so it’s no surprise that they’re feeling the pinch now.

    Inflation is on the rise, consumer confidence is plummeting, and Trump’s approval rating is at an all-time low for a new president. Despite all this, legislative progress remains at a standstill. A recent poll found that a whopping 66% of Americans believe Trump isn’t doing enough to lower prices. In January alone, inflation increased by 3% from the previous year, marking the largest one-month jump since 2023. It seems that the warning signs are clear, but whether Trump will take heed remains to be seen.

  • Farmers left behind by Trump Policies

    Rural America really showed their love for Trump in the last presidential election, but now they’re feeling the burn. Farmers are shocked that the Trump-Republicans are actually following through on their promises to cut back government programs. Who would have thought?

    Farmers are just trying to make a living, but now they’re getting hit where it hurts – their wallets. The USDA promised them money for conservation and clean energy projects, but now Trump is putting a pause on all that. Thanks a lot, Mr. President.

    Elisa Lane, a 44-year-old farmer, is feeling the heat after investing in solar panels for her farm. She thought she was getting a sweet deal with that $30,000 subsidy, but now Trump is making her sweat. America first, right? Well, apparently not for the farmers.

    The National Farmers Union is not happy about this situation either. They’re demanding clarity on funding and making sure farmers aren’t left in the dust. But hey, who needs food aid from American farmers anyway, right?

    The cherry on top of the sunday is the shocking discretion of USAID, which has triggered a pause on over $340 million in vital food purchases and shipments, leaving countless American Farmers crops stranded in uncertainty.

    Thanks, Trump.

  • Trump Tariffs will raise the average price of a car $1,000 to $1,500

    President Donald Trump has implemented a 25% tax on foreign steel and aluminum, which has had significant implications. In the past, tariffs have strained U.S. relations with key allies and led to increased costs for downstream industries.

    The steel and aluminum tariffs are particularly impactful on U.S. allies, with Canada being the largest supplier of foreign steel and aluminum to the United States. Research conducted in 2020 by Harvard University and the University of California, Davis, revealed that while the tariffs did create 1,000 jobs, they also resulted in a loss of 75,000 jobs in other sectors.

    A study conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2023 found that in 2021, production at downstream companies decreased by nearly $3.5 billion due to the tariffs. This offset the $2.3 billion increase in production by aluminum producers and steelmakers that year.

    To put this into perspective, a typical car contains approximately 1,000 pounds of steel, costing around $6,000 to $7,000 per vehicle. Therefore, a 25% tariff will raise the cost of a car by $1,000 to $1,500. These tariffs have far-reaching consequences that impact various industries and the economy as a whole.

  • How to save $4 Billion without raising one dollar from average Americans!

    Exciting new polling data released this morning by Navigator Research reveals that a whopping 57 percent of Americans are worried that Trump will go overboard in cutting the federal government and axing crucial programs. On the flip side, 30 percent are more concerned about Trump’s efforts being thwarted and taxpayer dollars going down the drain.

    Interestingly, a staggering 66 percent of people are not on board with Trump’s executive order that makes it tougher for Medicare to haggle for lower prescription drug prices. Even 43 percent of Republicans are giving it a thumbs down.

    If the GOP wants to show they mean business about slashing the deficit by a cool $4 billion, they could throw down the gauntlet and challenge the Trump administration to back a 1 percent surtax on billionaires. Just imagine, a 1 percent tax on Elon Musk alone could rake in $4 billion deficit reduction goal.

    Perhaps being the party that stands up for government actions benefiting all Americans isn’t such a bad move politically after all.

    Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the massive budget deficit. Sure, it’s a real issue. But guess what? The deficit is actually being driven by increased entitlement spending, not discretionary spending, which has been on a downward trend as a percentage of the federal budget and GDP.

  • Federal Judge Unleashes Fury on Trump Administration for Recklessly Ignoring Court Order to Cease Funding Freeze!

    In a bold move, Federal Judge John McConnell of the District Court of Rhode Island has called out the Trump administration for blatantly disregarding his order to cease the freezing of federal funds. The administration’s actions directly contradict a restraining order issued by Judge McConnell on Jan. 31, which blocked the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo authorizing a broad freeze on Jan. 27.

    The chaos and confusion caused by the OMB memo were felt across the nation, with payments portals for essential programs like Medicaid, Head Start, and housing suddenly going dark. Health centers, daycares, and support programs for the disabled were left hanging in uncertainty.

    President Donald Trump’s relentless assault on federal institutions during his first three weeks in office has even shocked Republican-appointed judges. The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake noted that Chief Justice John Roberts, a key figure in the judiciary, has grown weary of the drama Trump is bringing to the courts. Roberts recently criticized public officials for attempting to intimidate judges and baselessly accusing them of political bias.

    It is time for the Trump administration to respect the rule of law and comply with court orders. Judge McConnell’s demand to immediately restore frozen funding must be heeded to ensure the stability and integrity of our federal programs. The judiciary will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the independence and impartiality of the courts.

  • RI federal judge says Trump administration violated funding freeze court order

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A Rhode Island federal judge on Monday found the Trump administration in violation of a court order, telling the new president to “immediately restore frozen funding.”

    U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell granted a “motion for enforcement” of a temporary restraining order, or TRO, he signed last month, blocking President Donald Trump’s freeze of Congress-approved funds across the country.

    “The states have presented evidence in this motion that the defendants in some cases have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds,” McConnell wrote in his decision Monday. Full story here

  • American Farmers short changed $$$ by Trump-Musk USAID Demolish

    In a significant display of mismanagement and neglect for global responsibilities, the Trump/Musk administration has chosen to withdraw the majority of USAID personnel from their positions around the world and intends to terminate over 97% of the agency’s workforce. This decision raises concerns about the impact on foreign aid and assistance, which are essential for fostering goodwill and cooperation with other nations in alignment with American objectives.

    It seems that Trump and Musk have taken it upon themselves to illegally seize control of USAID, with the blessing of their Republican cronies who have no qualms about spreading misinformation and outright lies to support their agenda. Who needs facts when you have alternative facts, am I right?

    As a result of this disastrous decision, over $340 million in U.S. food aid is now sitting on ice, leaving countless people in need without crucial assistance. But hey, who cares about starving families when you can score political points with the MAGA crowd.

    American farmers, who have benefited greatly from USAID initiatives, are now facing uncertainty as their cash-crop export market takes a hit. But hey, who needs a stable agricultural industry when you can just throw billions of dollars at farmers to make up for it, right?

    So, here’s to the Trump administration for once again putting politics over people and proving that they have no idea what they’re doing or do they?  

    The court order has been a critical intervention, providing a temporary reprieve against the dismissal of the employees.

  • Trump’s job approval is already in the toilet

    It’s absolutely shocking (not really) that Trump’s job approval is already in the toilet just over two weeks into his presidency. Usually, this is the time when presidents are basking in the glow of public adoration, but not Trump. His poll numbers are plummeting faster than a lead balloon.

    According to a new poll from Civiqs conducted for Daily Kos, only 45% of registered voters approve of the job Trump is doing, while a whopping 52% are opposed. Even independent voters, who usually swing both ways, are turning their backs on him. Fifty-three percent disapprove of his performance, while a measly 43% approve.

    And let’s not forget about the cherry on top – blaming a plane crash on diversity programs in aviation. Classic Trump move. 68% of voters agree that disaster relief shouldn’t be withheld over policy disagreements with the president.

    Let’s not forget Elon Musk and his poll numbers. The percentage of Republicans who support Elon Musk having a significant influence has decreased significantly to 26%. Conversely, 43% of Republican respondents prefer Musk to have a minor influence, while 17% believe he should have no influence at all. These findings are based on the most recent poll conducted by The Economist/YouGov, which was released on Wednesday.

    So, while Trump may have narrowly won, yes narrowly … no mandate, the 2024 election, it looks like he’s not immune to political gravity. If he keeps pushing his unpopular agenda, Republicans might be in for a rude awakening come the 2026 midterm elections.