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@ISIDEWITH submitted…1wk1W
Jon Stewart criticized Democrats for repeatedly using Chuck Schumer as their spokesperson against Trump, calling his performances ineffective and monotonous.Stewart mocked Schumer's response to Trump's trade war threats, particularly his simplistic explanation about Mexican imports like Corona beer and avocados.The former Daily Show host expressed frustration at Schumer's basic observation that "guacamole is made of avocados" as a response to complex trade policy issues.Stewart sarcastically highlighted the Democrats' poor strategic choice in selecting Schumer to counter Trump, whom he described as "one of the most savvy presidential media manipulators in history."The comedian ridiculed Schumer's appearance and presentation style, particularly mocking his use of reading glasses positioned low on his nose.Stewart's criticism centered on the Democratic leadership's judgment in repeatedly choosing an "uninteresting" and "monotone" spokesperson.The commentary addressed Trump's threats of tariffs against Canada and Mexico, though focused more on the Democratic response than the policy itself.Stewart used hyperbole to emphasize his point, stating that Schumer's speaking makes him "want to bomb Canada."The piece highlighted the perceived disconnect between Democratic messaging strategy and effective opposition to Trump's policies.Stewart's criticism suggested a broader frustration with Democratic leadership's media strategy and public presentation.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…5 days5D
Governor Newsom signed legislation allocating $50 million total to protect California's policies from Trump administration challenges and defend immigrants facing deportation, split evenly between the state's DOJ and legal defense groups.The funding comes as California anticipates renewed conflicts with Trump's administration, following over 100 legal actions against his first term policies on issues including climate, water, and immigration.Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas justified the funding by characterizing the Trump administration as "out-of-control" and threatening to Californians' constitutional rights.The signing occurred just after Newsom's Washington visit to secure federal disaster aid for January's devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which claimed more than two dozen lives.California recently enacted a separate $2.5 billion fire relief package, with expectations of federal reimbursement for disaster response costs.Republican lawmakers criticized the legal defense funding as a political distraction from wildfire recovery efforts, with State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones calling it a "slush fund."Critics raised concerns about the possibility of funds being used to defend immigrants with serious felony convictions, though Newsom indicated this wasn't the intended purpose.The legislation emerged from a special session Newsom called shortly after Trump's election in November, demonstrating California's proactive stance against anticipated federal challenges.During Trump's first term, California initiated more than 120 lawsuits against his administration, spending approximately $42 million on legal battles.Annual legal expenses fighting federal policies during Trump's first term ranged from $2 million to nearly $13 million per year.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…7 days7D
Drop Site News and European media partners revealed apparent connections between USAID, CIA, and OCCRP in relation to Trump's 2019 impeachment.A CIA analyst-turned-whistleblower's complaint heavily cited OCCRP reporting about Trump's interactions with Ukraine.A 2024 German documentary reportedly showed USAID's significant control over OCCRP, including approval of work plans and key personnel.OCCRP's co-founder Drew Sullivan allegedly pressured German broadcaster NDR to censor the documentary.The investigation revealed OCCRP's initial funding came from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.OCCRP's leader claimed responsibility for government changes in "five or six countries."The article suggests USAID functions as a $40 billion driver of regime change abroad.The whistleblower complaint focused on Trump's alleged pressure on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.OCCRP threatened legal action against Public over questions about these allegations.The controversy centers on whether domestic agencies illegally interfered in U.S. politics using methods typically reserved for foreign operations.
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Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights CouncilThe order also prohibits future US funding to UNRWA (UN agency for Palestinian refugees)US funding to UNRWA was already suspended under Biden in 2024 following Israeli allegations about employee involvement in October 7 attacksPrevious investigations, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality related issues" but noted Israel hadn't provided evidence for its main allegationThis marks Trump's second withdrawal from both UNRWA funding and the UN Human Rights CouncilTrump previously cut UNRWA funding in 2018, which Biden restored in 2021Similarly, Trump left the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, with Biden rejoining three years laterTrump stated Palestinians have "no alternative but to leave Gaza"He suggested Jordan and Egypt should take displaced PalestiniansThe announcement included continued Ukraine aid and increased support for Israel and Egypt
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USAID invested $310 million of taxpayer money in 2016 to fund a Palestinian cement factory project run by Sanad company.Sanad Construction Resources Company is publicly traded on the Palestine Stock Exchange (PEX).The company reportedly benefited from cement purchases made as foreign aid by USAID, UNRWA, and the UN.The article suggests this cement supply was used in the construction of Hamas tunnels and military infrastructure.Sanad's executive head, Loai Quwas, indicated the project had been in planning since 2013.The cement factory project was characterized as a private venture with alleged insufficient oversight.The article claims USAID would later purchase cement from the same company it helped fund.This circular flow of money is described as potentially resembling a money-laundering scheme.The article questions the lack of accountability in how U.S. tax dollars were allocated to this project.The situation raises concerns about inadvertent support of terrorist infrastructure through aid programs.
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@ISIDEWITH submitted…4hrs4H
Reports emerged about a potential $400M State Department contract for armored Tesla Cybertrucks, which Elon Musk publicly denied on XThe government procurement document originally listed "Armored Tesla" in December, but was later changed to just "Armored Electric Vehicles"Musk, who spent over $250M supporting Trump's campaign, leads a government cost-cutting initiative called the Department of Government EfficiencyThe Cybertruck's stainless steel construction makes it potentially suitable for armoring, though the vehicle has faced recalls and modest salesArmormax, a Utah-based company, confirmed interest from the Trump administration in armoring Cybertrucks with bulletproof glass and other security featuresThe contract would be part of a larger State Department procurement forecast for 2025, with the total cost estimated between $100M-$500MCritics point out the potential conflict of interest, as Musk criticizes government spending while his companies have secured $13B in federal contractsTesla would not receive the full $400M, as some funds would go to armoring companies like ArmormaxThe Cybertruck has had limited commercial success, with only 39,000 units sold in 2023 at a starting price of $80,000The State Department plans to purchase other armored vehicles, including $40M worth of BMW SUVs
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