Morning Announcements

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Monday, April 7th, 2025 - Markets still crashing; China hits back; Tax cuts for the rich; IRS hackathon; NSA firings; Courts fight back Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: The world is still reeling from Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, with markets in free fall and no signs of a course correction. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the White House is not backing down, and China quickly retaliated with steep tariffs of its own, sanctions on U.S. companies, and an investigation into DuPont. Dow futures were already down 1600 points before markets even opened, and JP Morgan now puts the risk of a global recession at 60%. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent brushed off fears, even as he spent the week on Capitol Hill negotiating more tax cuts for the wealthy. In the background, the IRS is quietly working on a project to centralize taxpayer data in a new “mega API” system—likely with Palantir, raising privacy concerns. Elsewhere in the administration, the heads of the NSA and Cyber Command were abruptly fired, reportedly under pressure from far-right activist Laura Loomer. But the courts are beginning to push back: a federal judge ruled the NIH must restore full research funding, another ordered the government to return a man it wrongfully deported to El Salvador, and 19 state attorneys general are suing to block Trump’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote and tossing out mail ballots received after Election Day.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, April 4th, 2025 - Tariff updates; Trump targets schools; Dr. Oz confirmed; Eric Adams goes Indie & more Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: The economic fallout from Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement sent markets crashing—Nasdaq fell 6%, S&P 500 4.8%, erasing $2 trillion in value. The dollar also dropped, and automaker Stellantis announced major layoffs. Global leaders condemned the tariffs, and France and Germany urged companies to pause U.S. investments. In response, bipartisan senators introduced a bill to limit the president’s unilateral tariff powers. Meanwhile, Trump fired several National Security Council members reportedly at the urging of far-right activist Laura Loomer. The Pentagon’s IG opened an investigation into National Security Advisor Pete Hegseth’s role in the Signal group chat scandal. The administration also banned U.S. personnel in China from relationships with Chinese citizens and is requiring public schools to certify they’ve eliminated DEI practices to keep federal funding. Brown University may lose over $500 million in grants amid unconfirmed reports of federal retaliation. Dr. Oz was confirmed to lead Medicare and Medicaid, overseeing a $2.6 trillion budget. And NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced he’s dropping out of the Democratic primary—and running as an independent.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 - WI SC election; Trump to distance himself from Musk, Tesla sales plunge; Tariffs tank stocks; TikTok sale looms Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election saw record turnout and spending, with liberal-leaning Judge Susan Crawford defeating Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel, shifting the court’s balance. Hours later, reports emerged that Trump plans to distance himself from Musk, whose tough week continued as Tesla sales dropped 13%, and shares tumbled 44% since December. Meanwhile, Trump’s new tariffs—hitting China with a 54% effective rate and raising import costs across the board—sent the stock market into a tailspin, disproportionately impacting middle- and low-income Americans. Notably absent from the tariff list: Russia, as a top Putin ally, quietly visited Washington. Elsewhere, Amazon made a surprise bid for TikTok ahead of a looming sale deadline, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case was dismissed.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 - Booker’s record; Trump officials’ use Gmail; Trans ban blocked; Princeton grants suspended; Cybersecurity prof raid; Bondi seeks death Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: Senator Cory Booker set a new record for the longest Senate speech at 25 hours, surpassing Strom Thurmond’s filibuster against civil rights. In election news, Republicans won both Florida special elections, though by smaller margins than Trump’s 2024 victory. A Washington Post report revealed that members of Trump’s National Security Council used personal Gmail accounts for sensitive military discussions. Meanwhile, 23 states and D.C. are suing the administration over its attempt to cut $11 billion in COVID-era federal funding. A federal appeals court blocked Trump’s transgender military ban while the case continues. The administration admitted to mistakenly deporting a Maryland resident with legal status to El Salvador and claims courts lack jurisdiction to order his return. An Indiana University cybersecurity professor mysteriously disappeared following an FBI raid. Princeton University saw multiple federal grants suspended, and Trump’s administration struck a deal with law firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, requiring $100 million in pro bono services. Finally, Attorney General Pam Bondi will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if convicted of murdering United Healthcare’s CEO.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 - Tariff backlash; DOGE payroll power grab, xAI buys X; Noem’s spending; Gaza tensions; Le Pen convicted Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: New U.S. tariffs targeting imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and Venezuela take effect tomorrow, prompting a joint response from China, Japan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, the federal government is reviewing $9 billion in grants to Harvard over its handling of antisemitism allegations. At the Department of the Interior, officials were placed on leave after resisting a DOGE request for broad payroll system access, which could control federal salaries. In Wisconsin, the Supreme Court declined to block Elon Musk from giving away $1 million checks to voters, and he finalized a deal for xAI to acquire X (formerly Twitter) in a $33 billion stock transaction. Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s travel records reveal $640,000 in taxpayer-funded expenses, including luxury trips. Internationally, Israel plans to reoccupy a quarter of Gaza in a pressure campaign against Hamas, and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement, receiving a prison sentence and a five-year political ban.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday, March 31st, 2025 - Hegseth scandal; Trump talks 3rd term; ICE crackdown update; Greenland tensions; Myanmar earthquake & more Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: Despite the Signalgate scandal, no one in the administration has faced consequences. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire for bringing his wife and brother to sensitive military meetings. VP Vance stirred controversy in Greenland, where locals were less than welcoming, and Trump floated the idea of acquiring the territory—by force if necessary. Trump also hinted at seeking a third term, while inflation remains stubbornly high ahead of looming tariffs. In other news, the FDA’s top vaccine official resigned, accusing RFK Jr. of promoting misinformation. ICE detentions continue, including a Cuban man with no criminal record and a Russian medical researcher who opposed the Ukraine war. Trump issued an executive order to reshape the Smithsonian’s historical narratives, and another major law firm struck a deal with the administration to avoid legal retaliation. Meanwhile, a judge blocked the deportation of a detained Tufts student, and Wisconsin’s Attorney General sued Elon Musk for election-related cash prize promotions. With two Florida House special elections happening tomorrow, early voting numbers indicate an energized electorate. Abroad, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand has left at least 144 dead, with rescue efforts ongoing.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, March 28th, 2025 - DOGE to probe group chat; F1 visa crackdown; Car tariffs, Speaker eyes axing fed courts; FL child labor rollbacks Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: The Group Chatgate saga escalates—WSJ reports that classified Israeli intelligence, including details on a Houthi missile expert, was leaked in the Signal chat before a U.S. strike. Meanwhile, the White House says Elon Musk and his DOGE team will “investigate” how this chat leak happened. Trump’s latest executive order targets law firm WilmerHale over its ties to Robert Mueller, stripping its federal clearances and contracts. Meanwhile, his administration continues its crackdown on foreign students—two PhD candidates with legal visas were detained, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted to revoking 300+ student visas for alleged protest involvement. Trump also announced sweeping 25% tariffs on foreign cars and parts, which analysts warn will hike prices by $4,000–$15,000 per vehicle. Over at HHS, RFK Jr. is slashing another 10,000 jobs and restructuring key health agencies. In Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested defunding entire federal courts in response to rulings against Trump. The administration is withdrawing Elise Stefanik’s UN nomination to keep her in Congress amid two competitive Florida special elections. Finally, the Florida state legislature is moving to weaken child labor laws—allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight and removing meal break guarantees for teens—just as labor shortages grow under Trump’s immigration policies.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnso

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, March 27th, 2025 - War group chat saga continues; SCOTUS on ghost guns; Trump’s crypto play; Napster’s comeback Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: "Group Chatgate" just got even messier—The Atlantic dropped more screenshots proving top U.S. officials were sharing classified military plans in a massive Signal chat, despite their sworn Senate testimony denying it. Now, a top GOP senator is demanding an urgent investigation. Meanwhile, a German news outlet revealed that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Mike Waltz’s personal emails, phone numbers, and even passwords were easily found online—linked to everything from LinkedIn to their workout apps. Over at the Supreme Court, justices voted 7-2 to uphold Biden-era ghost gun regulations, a major win for law enforcement as crime scenes flooded with untraceable firearms in recent years. In the finance world, Trump’s family-backed World Liberty Financial just launched its own stablecoin, USD1, pegged to the U.S. dollar. Fidelity is also jumping into the stablecoin game, currently testing its own version to act as cash in crypto markets. And finally, here’s a headline nobody expected. Napster, the once-infamous music piracy platform just sold for $207 million and is being transformed into a streaming and social music platform.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 - Leaked war plans; Trump’s election EO; Vance Greenland trip; Gaza protests Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: The Senate Intelligence Committee held an emergency hearing after revelations that 18 top U.S. defense officials planned war strategy in a Signal group chat, raising serious security concerns. Meanwhile, Trump invoked "state secrets privilege" to withhold details on Venezuelan deportations and signed an executive order overhauling U.S. elections by requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Another executive order targeted law firm Jenner & Block, banning its employees from federal government access. In international news, the largest anti-Hamas protests since October 7th took place in Gaza. Vice President JD Vance is now set to join his wife on a controversial Greenland trip.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 - War plans group chat; Musk’s cabinet praise; VP’s wife to visit Greenland; IRS revenue drop; 23andMe bankruptcy Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Today’s Headlines: In one of the wildest security slip-ups ever, The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Trump administration Signal chat where officials were planning military strikes in Yemen. Meanwhile, Elon Musk attended his second cabinet meeting—this time getting showered with praise instead of pushback. Trump also announced a 25% tariff on any country buying Venezuelan oil, a move aimed at pressuring both Venezuela and China. Second Lady, Usha Vance is scheduled to visit Greenland as tensions heat up after VP JD Vance suggested the U.S. should take a “territorial interest,” prompting outrage from Danish officials. In other news, The IRS is bracing for a $500 billion revenue shortfall thanks to mass staff cuts, while the White House is now selling corporate sponsorships for its annual Easter Egg Roll. Finally, 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy, a shocking turn for a company once valued at $6 billion.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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