Blue Press Journal

Tag: trump

  • Luxury hotels for immigrants another Elon Musk lie!

    Elon Musk’s assertion is just a tad off the mark. Contrary to his belief, FEMA did not hand out cash directly to New York hotels; they actually provided funding to New York City. Shocking, I know. And guess what? It wasn’t some shady, under-the-table deal either. It was all part of a program established by Congress and financed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. So, before you go accusing FEMA of throwing money at luxury hotel rooms for immigrants, maybe do a little fact-checking first.

    Oh, and by the way, FEMA didn’t just decide to start splurging on fancy accommodations for migrants out of the blue. In Trump’s first term they’ve been supporting states and organizations that assist immigrants with essential services. It’s all part of a little thing called the Shelter and Services Program, which was created in 2023 with the help of Congress. But hey, who needs accurate information when you can just jump to conclusions.  

    And let’s set the record straight – New York City isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for migrants in luxury hotel rooms. In 2024, they were actually spending less than the government’s per diem rate per night on hotel rooms. So, before you start spreading false claims about FEMA funding lavish accommodations, maybe take a closer look at the facts.

    But hey Elon, who needs truth and accuracy when you can just stir up some controversy. So, in case you were wondering, we rate this claim as False. Shocking, I know.

  • Elon Musk, a walking conflict of interest

    Standing resolutely beside the president in the hallowed halls of the Oval Office on Tuesday, Elon Musk fervently dismissed any apprehensions surrounding conflicts of interest. With unwavering confidence, he proclaimed that his role as chief executive officer in his companies bears little correlation to the contracts being negotiated. Are we truly so naive as to accept such a notion?

    Elon Musk, the epitome of a walking conflict of interest, seems to have a knack for skirting around federal laws that prohibit Executive Branch employees from participating in matters that could impact their own financial interests. Tesla recently sealed a lucrative deal worth $767 million to supply batteries to Genera, the company now running Puerto Rico’s power plants. Meanwhile, SpaceX managed to secure an additional $7.5 million contract with NASA, adding to the already hefty $38 million deal with Musk’s private rocket company.

    But wait, there’s more! Musk’s empire extends beyond Tesla and SpaceX to include X (formerly Twitter), xAI (a competitor to OpenAI), Neuralink (a startup focused on brain implants), Starlink (a satellite internet service), and the Boring Company (a tunnel drilling venture). Together, these companies have raked in a staggering $20 billion in US government contracts and subsidies. It’s almost as if Musk has mastered the art of leveraging his various ventures to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars.

    In case you were wondering, the federal code 18 USC 208 clearly states that Executive Branch employees are prohibited from participating in government matters that could impact their financial interests or those of individuals they have ties with outside of the government. But hey, rules are made to be broken, right?

  • Trump and Musk are leaving veterans behind!

    The federal government stands as the largest employer of veterans in the nation, with a staggering 2.278 million civilian federal employees, nearly 30 percent of whom are veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) alone employs close to 371,000 health care professionals and support staff at VA medical facilities nationwide, overseeing benefits programs for veterans, their families, and survivors.

    Despite the vital role these dedicated federal employees play, critics often decry government waste without acknowledging the fact that the civil service remains the same size as it was in the 1950s, despite the American population tripling since then. In reality, the federal government is at its smallest per capita in history, with many crucial agencies and services suffering from chronic understaffing. Drastically reducing the federal workforce would have catastrophic consequences not only for veterans but for all Americans.

    The rapid and expansive efforts of individuals like Elon Musk have sparked frustration among some of President Trump’s aides, who lament a lack of coordination, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to sources cited by Reuters.

    “I’ve given my all for this country, serving in the army and working for the Department of Defense for 17 years,” said Nick Gioia, a veteran feeling betrayed by a country he once proudly served. Trump claims to support veterans, but it’s clear he only cares about his billionaire friends. 

    To the veterans who backed Trump and the GOP, how does it feel to be betrayed and exploited? It’s time to lay aside those red hats and embrace what it truly means to be an American! The Army instills a powerful creed: we leave no man (person) behind!

  • Confidential information leaked on Elon Musk’s DOGE website

    This week, some clever coders decided to play a little game of “let’s expose Elon Musk’s official Department of Government Efficiency website for all its security flaws.” And guess what? They hit the jackpot! The Huffington Post is now reporting that the website has gone ahead and published some top-secret classified data. 

    Apparently, DOGE (not the cute dog meme, but the Department of Government Efficiency) thought it would be a great idea to share some super classified NOFURN info about the intelligence community’s headcount. Now, everyone is running around like headless chickens trying to figure out if their sensitive information has been compromised.

    One Defense Intelligence Agency employee, who shall remain nameless to avoid getting on the bad side of the big bosses, mentioned that NOFURN means “Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals.” In other words, keep your hands off unless you have a fancy authorization slip.

    Elon Musk, the man behind SpaceX and a $1.8 billion contract with the National Reconnaissance Office, can’t really play dumb here. I mean, come on, he knows a thing or two about intelligence agencies.

    DOGE sharing this top-secret info is just a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things, right? According to some insider, these young programmers are just stumbling around in the dark when it comes to classified programs. Who knew, right?  Maybe there should be some normal oversight like an adult in the room. 

    So, now the National Reconnaissance Office is on high alert, trying to figure out if their offices have been infiltrated. It’s like a real-life spy thriller, but with less glamour and more panic. Oh, the joys of government efficiency under Musk and 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.