Here are the key takeaway points from each of the provided sources, formatted as requested:
I. America First – We Hardly Knew Ye - David Stockman
Trump's tacit approval and bragging about Israel's attack on Iran's civilian nuclear facilities and leadership are highlighted. The attack was well known to Trump and tacitly greenlighted by him during conversations this past week with Netanyahu himself. Trump told CNN’s Dana Bash that he had given Iran 60 days to capitulate to his demands regarding a new nuke treaty, and yesterday was day 61, implying it fit his "art of the deal" maneuvers.
The article asserts that Iran poses no military threat to the US homeland. Iran’s capacity to inflict military harm on the US homeland amounts to zero, lacking a blue water Navy, long-range bombers, or intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the continental US. The maximum extent of Iran’s military attack perimeter is only 300 to 2,000 kilometers, which is not even the Strait of Gibraltar, 5,000 kilometers from Tehran.
The claim of an imminent Iranian nuclear "breakout" is unequivocally depicted as a blatant lie. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, stated 90 days prior that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and its Supreme Leader Khamenei has not reauthorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003. National Intelligence Estimates (NIEs) since 2007, representing a consensus of all 17 US intelligence agencies, consistently affirmed Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in fall 2003, a finding re-validated by the IAEA after the 2015 Obama nuke deal.
Trump's cancellation of the 2015 Obama nuclear deal (JCPOA) is criticized as foolish and based on completely bogus reasons. Trump called the JCPOA the "very worst deal in history," despite the IAEA repeatedly affirming that Iran was complying with the agreement. Under the deal, Iran agreed to reduce centrifuges by 70%, eliminate enrichment activity at Fordow (a hardened site), and destroy or export heavy water reactor cores, all of which Iran complied with before Trump cancelled the deal.
The article suggests that Washington's current military actions in the Middle East are driven by "Empire" operations rather than the genuine military security of the American homeland. The military assets in the Middle East are described as being about "the operations of Empire, not the military security of the American homeland situated between the great ocean moats". American lives at these unnecessary military locations are being put in harm’s way by a Washington decision to help Israel intercept Iranian missiles, with weapons also supplied and largely funded by Washington.
Trump's actions regarding Iran are seen as a direct repudiation of the entire "America First" proposition. The author argues that the whole Iranian imbroglio directly repudiates "America First" because Iran poses no threat to US homeland security. Cancelling the 2015 agreement is depicted as the act of a "raging, certifiable, paranoid boob," rather than an "America First champion".
The author contends that the US could have prevented the Israeli attack by leveraging its financial aid to Israel. Trump could have told Netanyahu that if he proceeded with the attack during negotiations to revive the nuke deal, the $4 billion per year of US aid would be cut off, no munitions or spare parts supplied to the IDF, and the US would introduce a UN resolution condemning the attack. Such decisive action, according to the article, "would have stopped this chapter of the Forever Wars cold".
II. China is attempting to usher in a “multi-polar international monetary system” - Rhoda Wilson
China's central bank governor anticipates the emergence of a new global currency order, characterized by a "multi-polar international monetary system" where the renminbi competes. Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, stated this at China’s flagship financial forum in Shanghai. His comments were echoed by Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, who said the "dominant role of the dollar" was "no longer certain," creating an opening for the euro.
The article suggests that this emerging multi-polar monetary system will still be controlled by the same underlying power brokers. The author quotes Sam X from the Uncharted Territory Podcast saying, "Rome never falls. It just moves location and goes underground," theorizing that the power brokers are the three City States: the City of London, the Vatican, and Washington D.C..
The dominance of the US dollar in the international monetary system was established through the post-World War II Bretton Woods agreement. In July 1944, delegates from 44 nations met at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, to hammer out an agreement that resulted in the British Pound losing its position as the global trade and reserve currency to the US dollar.
The concept of "multipolarism" is viewed by some as merely a consolidation of globalism, rather than a genuine shift in global power dynamics. Rolo Slavskiy argues that multipolarism deputizes local elites to execute the globalization agenda within their own regions. He further states that Vladimir Putin is a dedicated globalist whose policies continue those of Boris Yeltsin, who also claimed to build a multipolar world while acting as a puppet for Western interests.
The BRICS concept originated with Goldman Sachs and is described as being on track to come to fruition, possibly ahead of schedule. The term “BRICS” was coined by Jim O’Neill, Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs, in 2001, and the firm published research suggesting these countries could overtake major Western economies by 2039. Goldman Sachs indicated that the "BRICs" concept fostered cooperation among policymakers in these diverse countries on issues ranging from agriculture and trade to national security and international finance.
Discussions are underway regarding the greater use of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)—a basket of currencies defined by the IMF—as a potential alternative to a single dominant international currency. Pan Gongsheng noted these discussions, suggesting SDRs could help "overcome the inherent problems of a single sovereign currency as the dominant international currency".
III. Electric vehicles collect huge amounts of data including psychological, genetic and health information - Rhoda Wilson
Electric vehicles (EVs) collect a vast amount of personal data, raising significant privacy and security concerns for owners. A cybersecurity campaigner highlighted that most people are unaware of the "huge amount of data" generated and stored by EVs, including location details, facial expressions, and even genetic and health information, which is then used and shared. The 2023 Mozilla Foundation Report found that 25 major car brands collect and share personal data, classifying EVs as a "privacy nightmare" and less secure than a smartphone.
The data collected by EVs is a highly lucrative industry, with information being shared with third parties and data brokers. The cybersecurity campaigner stated that car companies share this information with "all sorts of organisations," which then share it with data brokers who sell it. The monetization of data collected from cars is estimated to be worth US$750 billion by 2030, making "Data the new gold" for these entities.
The Internet connectivity and charging infrastructure of EVs introduce significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Plugging an electric vehicle into a charging point is akin to "plugging you into a network that suddenly enables all of the data to be pulled out of the vehicle and potentially shared," as EVs are "mobile phones with wheels". A computer engineer, Ken Munro, demonstrated how a security weakness in some EV chargers, such as the Wallbox brand, allowed an owner's wi-fi password to be easily stolen, potentially compromising their home network.
Tesla vehicles are specifically cited as prolific data harvesting machines. According to a social media post, "Tesla doesn't sell cars. They sell data harvesting machines with wheels," with each Tesla reportedly capturing 40TB of data annually. This data is considered "worth more than the vehicle itself," creating three revenue streams for Tesla.
China is reportedly building a "massive database" from the industrial data harvested by electric vehicles. A senior European Official noted that these electric vehicles collect "ginormous amounts of industrial data," suggesting China is constructing a "massive database". The article implies that all data collected by EVs will feed into a broader "digital control grid," alongside information from other smart devices that constitute the Internet of Things.
IV. Illegal Alien Economy: How Foreign Nations Exploit U.S. Borders For Profit - Brandon Smith
Foreign governments, particularly in Central and South America, significantly exploit US immigration policies for economic gain. Mexico, for example, benefits from encouraging its poverty-stricken citizens to enter the US, which helps maintain low unemployment rates in Mexico. This also saves Mexico substantial funds on social welfare programs, as American taxpayers bear the costs, and allows Mexico to relocate its "discontented rabble" across the border for the US to handle.
Remittances, which are monies earned by non-citizens in the US and transferred to their home countries, represent a massive economic boon for these nations. Mexico alone received at least $65 billion in remittances from the US last year, a figure more than double its annual social welfare budget and its tourism industry revenue. These remittances constitute approximately 5% of Mexico's annual GDP, making them its largest single source of foreign income.
The US holds its world reserve currency status partly through a "devil's bargain" that obligates it to financially support other countries. After World War II and the Bretton Woods agreement, the US gained the ability to print dollars with abandon while mitigating hyperinflation by exporting dollars overseas, but in exchange, it was expected to "spread the fiat wealth" through subsidies, foreign aid, and possibly open immigration. The author asserts that "Americans pay for the ENTIRE WORLD" and incur inflation from dollars circulated to foreign interests.
US administrations have attempted to manage the immigration crisis through financial payoffs to foreign governments, but this strategy inadvertently incentivizes further migrant flows. Kamala Harris, as the "border czar," focused on paying off foreign governments with billions in subsidies to theoretically keep people from migrating, but this only made foreign leaders "licking their chops" as "the more migrant mobs tried to force their way across the US border, the more subsidies they could extort".
A proposed US tax on remittances prompted a strong reaction, including a veiled threat, from the Mexican president, illustrating the economic dependency on these cash flows. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated that "If necessary, we’ll mobilize" in response to a proposed tax on remittances, which commentators interpreted as a threat of unrest among migrants already in the US. Sheinbaum fully comprehends that Mexico is "highly dependent on the underground cash flows from the US through illegal workers".
The mass presence of undocumented immigrants contributes significantly to inflation within the US. The author argues that millions of illegal immigrants create a "massive demand spike in goods, services and housing which drives up prices". Additionally, billions of dollars are spent annually on welfare subsidies for migrants, with approximately 60% of them collecting from one or more welfare programs upon entering the US, adding an "undeniable inflationary burden".
V. Intermittent Fasting Will Not Reduce Inflammation On Its Own - Joachim Bartoll
Inflammation is fundamentally a crucial part of the body's natural "safeguarding" and healing mechanism, rather than a condition to be suppressed. Its function is to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out damaged cells and tissues, and initiate tissue repair. Therefore, if you have inflammation, your body is actively working to remove toxic compounds and repair damage, and it is not something you want to reduce or stop.
For intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating to effectively reduce inflammation and support healing, a diet rich in essential nutrients is indispensable. A study showed that while time-restricted eating improved health-related quality of life and reduced BMI, it "did not reduce inflammation or oxidative stress" because the participants continued to consume a "detrimental diet void of nutrition". Detoxification and healing processes require a lot of specific nutrients, particularly cholesterol, saturated fats, omega-3, methionine, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, betaine, and folate, which are found in bioavailable forms primarily in animal-based foods.
Eating too close to bedtime interferes with the body's critical detoxification and healing processes that occur during sleep. To allow for full detoxification and healing, and to benefit from hormones like growth hormone, it is crucial to go to sleep in a fasted state, ideally not eating closer than 3 to 4 hours before bed. Digestion takes precedence over these vital functions, thereby hindering them.
Dietary oxidative stress is directly attributed to a poor and inappropriate diet, specifically one containing plant-based edibles, carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats like seed or vegetable oils. The author explains that if the diet remains unchanged, the daily toxic load and, consequently, the oxidative stress will persist, preventing the body from efficiently healing or repairing tissue damage.
The author expresses a strong criticism of the conventional "medical 'scientific community,'" characterizing them as lacking fundamental understanding of inflammation and natural healing. He states that they are "backwards-thinking imbeciles with a combined IQ less than that of a warm stinking pile of fresh turds" for not understanding inflammation's true purpose. This perceived misunderstanding leads them to recommend suppressing inflammation with "idiotic drugs, herbs, or remedies" instead of allowing the body's natural healing to run its course.
VI. Israel - Iran: the Confrontation - Thierry Meyssan
The confrontation between Israel and Iran has deep historical origins that predate the Islamic Republic and are rooted in Iran's long-standing suffering from external interventions. Iranians view the United Kingdom as their first enemy due to a genocide during WWI, the United States as their second for orchestrating a color revolution and monitoring their government, and Israel as their third for training the brutal Savak secret police. This historical trauma is still very present in Iran, shaping its perceptions of these nations.
The article argues that Israel's claims of an imminent Iranian nuclear bomb are part of a long-standing propaganda campaign. The author states that Iran's objective was to destroy the State of Israel as Russia destroyed the USSR, not to annihilate the Jewish population. London and Washington began spreading rumors about an alleged Iranian nuclear weapon after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, mirroring earlier false claims about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, leading to UN Security Council resolutions.
The recent Israeli attack on Iran was allegedly triggered by Iran's public exposure of confidential Israeli nuclear documents and purported collusion involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iranian intelligence claimed to have stolen documents on the Israeli nuclear program, which reportedly revealed that IAEA director Rafael Grossi transmitted observations to Israel, even though Israel is not an IAEA member. This exposure led to an IAEA Board of Governors resolution that noted the Director General "cannot provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful," and referred the matter to the UN Security Council.
The United Kingdom is identified as the historical and ongoing saboteur of peace between Jews and Arabs. The author asserts that for 80 years, the UK has sabotaged every peace attempt, starting with its 1915 plan to create a Jewish state that could not ensure its own security. This policy continues today with the UK's support for both "revisionist Zionist" Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas, which is described as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) was a comprehensive agreement verified by the IAEA, which affirmed Iran's halted weapons program but was unilaterally abandoned by the US under President Trump. The IAEA, after the 2015 Obama deal, thoroughly investigated and "re-validated that the Iranian weapons program was indeed disbanded in 2003". Despite Iran's compliance affirmed repeatedly by the IAEA, President Donald Trump foolishly cancelled the deal during his first term, which the author states led to the current "fraught moment".
The article suggests that the Israeli attack on Iran serves to cover up the "misdeeds" of IAEA director Rafael Grossi, particularly his alleged neutrality and past silence on Ukrainian nuclear materials. Grossi has been criticized for his "strange silence" during Russia's special operation in Ukraine, where he revealed in 2022 that the Ukrainian regime had stockpiled significant amounts of plutonium and enriched uranium at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, but subsequently said nothing more despite Russian urgings. The author implies that the attack was "preemptive" to prevent a potential détente between Washington and Tehran that might expose the decades-long Israeli lie about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
VII. Revolution is not a dinner party - Hua Bin
Israel's "devastating attack on Iran" revealed Iran's significant unpreparedness and vulnerability, despite its apparent deterrent capabilities. Iran was "almost literally caught with its pants down," suffering decapitated top military and nuclear leadership, badly damaged facilities, barely working air defense, and a violently penetrated internal security system by Mossad agents. This exposed vulnerability delivered a "humiliating blow" to Iran's deterrence and credibility.
Iran's nuclear strategy of hovering at the nuclear threshold, rather than developing a full deterrent, is criticized as an "inept" approach that was easily "called" by Israel and the US. The article argues that Iran attempted to use the nuclear issue as a negotiation chip for concessions from Western sanctions, rather than pursuing it for national security and sovereignty like North Korea. In a world where "might makes right," Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy is deemed a "mirage," leaving it with the stark choice of either developing nuclear weapons for real deterrence or abandoning the project entirely.
The article asserts that the US regime engaged in "duplicitous" behavior, using negotiations as a "bad-faith ploy" to disarm Iranian alertness before the Israeli attack. The New York Times reportedly revealed that Iranian officials were led to believe any Israeli attack would only come after a scheduled sixth-round negotiation with the US. However, Trump's own "truth social" bragging indicated that the attack plan was greenlighted "long before the June 13 attack," revealing the US's betrayal.
Iran suffers from deep internal contradictions and fault lines within its military and society that weaken its position against enemies. These include a lack of discipline among top military brass, a deeply penetrated security system infiltrated by "traitors and snitches," and significant divisions between nationalistic hardliners and "western proxies" (liberals) concerning political objectives and support for the Axis of Resistance. Additionally, the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) is described as "deeply corrupted by its involvement in commercial interests," which has undermined national defense and transformed parts of the Axis of Resistance into a "profit-driven racket".
Israel is characterized by its "cold-blooded ruthlessness" in pursuing its nuclear weapons program and strategic objectives. The article suggests Israel conspired with elements of the US deep state to assassinate President Kennedy in 1963 because he was "firmly opposed to the acquisition of the 'bomb' by the Jewish state". Furthermore, Israel is accused of exhibiting "even greater ruthlessness" by launching the 9/11 false flag operation, again conspiring with US deep state elements, to entangle the US in the Middle East and destroy Israel's regional enemies.
The author contrasts Iran's indecisiveness with North Korea's "relentless determination" to acquire a nuclear deterrent. North Korea succeeded in developing nuclear weapons despite strong opposition and UN sanctions from both China and Russia. This comparison highlights the "gap in commitment" shown by Iran, suggesting that North Korea's approach is a more effective model for national security against powerful adversaries.
Negotiating with the US regime is portrayed as a "fool's errand and a sure path to ruin" due to its history of treachery. The article points to "well-documented US treacheries" such as the "not an inch east" promise to Russia and the "one China policy" commitment to China. Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi are cited as cautionary examples of leaders who abandoned their nuclear plans to "placate the west just to be wiped out without mercy".
VIII. Stop Netanyahu Before He Gets Us All Killed - Jeffrey D. Sachs and Sybil Fares
Benjamin Netanyahu is identified as the primary instigator of war and destruction in the Middle East for nearly 30 years, driven by an extremist ambition to overthrow the Iranian government. His "long-sought war" against Iran, recently launched, is seen as risking "nuclear Armageddon" if he is not stopped. Netanyahu's fixation on violence is linked to his mentors—Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Yitzhak Shamir, and Menachem Begin—who advocated using "whatever violence—wars, assassinations, terror—is needed to achieve their aims of eliminating any Palestinian claim to a homeland".
Netanyahu's political movement, Likud, explicitly calls for exclusive Zionist control over all of what was British Mandatory Palestine, effectively erasing the possibility of a Palestinian state. The Likud's 1977 founding charter declared that "between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty". The now infamous chant, “from the River to the Sea,” is characterized not as anti-Semitic, but as "the anti-Palestinian rallying call of the Likud".
The "Clean Break" strategy, devised by Netanyahu and his American advisors in 1996, outlined a plan for Israel to reshape the Middle East to its liking, with the US serving as the primary military force to achieve these aims. This strategy advocated against Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian lands captured in 1967 and explicitly envisioned the US "waging wars in the region to dismantle governments opposed to Israel’s dominance over Palestine". General Wesley Clark revealed that soon after 9/11, the US planned to "attack and destroy the governments in seven countries in five years—starting with Iraq, then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Iran," aligning with the Clean Break strategy.
Netanyahu and his US neocon allies have consistently promoted false claims about Iran's nuclear weapons program to justify military intervention and advance their agenda. For over 30 years, Netanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made claims with shifting deadlines that Iran would become a nuclear power "in a few years," characterizing these claims as "propaganda" to create a perpetual "existential threat". For instance, Netanyahu falsely told the US Congress in 2002 that Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear weapons to advocate for the Iraq war.
Iran has consistently stated it does not seek nuclear weapons and has repeatedly expressed a willingness to negotiate verifiable agreements, but the "Zionist lobby" has consistently opposed such diplomatic settlements. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa in October 2003 forbidding the production and use of nuclear arms, a ruling officially cited by Iran at IAEA meetings. Despite the 2016 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) being a landmark agreement for strict monitoring of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, President Trump withdrew from it in 2018 under "relentless pressure from Netanyahu and the Zionist lobby".
Israel's recent preemptive attack on Iran was launched deliberately amidst ongoing negotiations and days before a scheduled UN Conference on Palestine, indicating a calculated effort to disrupt diplomatic progress. The sixth round of negotiations between the White House and Iran was ostensibly scheduled for June 15, but Israel launched its attack on June 12. Trump confirmed that the US had prior knowledge of the attack, even while publicly speaking of the upcoming negotiations, which implies a strategic deception.
The current conflict initiated by Israel's attack on Iran carries a high risk of escalating into a full-fledged global war involving multiple nuclear powers. The war threatens to draw in the US and Europe on Israel's side, and Russia and potentially Pakistan on Iran's side, which could drag the world "closer to nuclear annihilation". The Doomsday Clock is currently set at 89 seconds to midnight, marking the closest the world has been to nuclear Armageddon since its inception in 1947.
IX. The Profits From Taking Gaza - Eric Zuesse
Significant natural gas reserves discovered off the Gaza Strip represent a major economic incentive for control over the region. Natural gas reserves, estimated at 1.1 trillion cubic feet, were found about 20 miles offshore Gaza in 2000, within maritime boundaries allocated to the Palestinian Authority (PA). This Gaza Marine field, though modest globally, far exceeds the energy needs of both Gaza and the West Bank, offering the PA a path to energy self-sufficiency and economic development through exports.
The development of these gas fields has been impeded by conflict and would be substantially more profitable under Israeli control. The Gaza Marine field remains unexploited due to investment difficulties, and its market value would "enormously increase" if Israel were to take it. The outbreak of the second intifada in 2000 and the rise of Hamas after the 2006 PA elections derailed initial plans for Israel to purchase natural gas from the PA.
Israel's expansionist goals, including the appropriation of Gaza, are supported by interpretations of Biblical texts advocating for a "Greater Israel" and the extermination of non-Jewish populations. The author cites Genesis 15:18-21 as the Biblical basis for Israel's claim to land "from the river of Egypt [the Nile] to the great river, the Euphrates". Furthermore, Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 7:16, and 20:16-18 are referenced as passages where "God" demanded Jews to "exterminate all of the non-Jewish residents there".
Beyond Gaza, vast untapped oil and natural gas reserves exist in other occupied Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights, attracting the interest of Israeli and international companies. A 2019 UNCTAD study confirmed that occupied Palestinian territory contains "sizeable reservoirs of oil and natural gas wealth," estimated at 122 trillion cubic feet of gas and 1.7 billion barrels of oil. Israel is leveraging the "chaos in Syria" to exploit oil in the occupied Golan Heights, with companies like Afek and Genie Oil and Gas, backed by high-profile investors, conducting drilling.
The pursuit of these resources involves clear violations of international law and poses significant environmental threats. Afek, a subsidiary of Genie Oil and Gas, was granted petroleum exploration licenses in the occupied Golan Heights, directly violating international law and UN Security Council resolutions. The potential use of fracking or drilling methods could lead to oil seepage into Lake Tiberias (the biblical Sea of Galilee), polluting water supplies and destroying the ecosystem for generations.
Prominent figures involved in resource extraction in occupied territories have expressed extreme and discriminatory views toward Palestinians. Effie Eitam, chairman of Genie Israel, a former military commander and member of the National Religious Party, referred to Palestinian citizens of Israel as a "ticking bomb" and a "cancer," and was quoted saying, "we will have to kill them all" before slightly retracting the statement. Rupert Murdoch, a member of Genie Oil and Gas's "Strategic Advisory Board," stated that "Israel is the greatest ally of democracy," despite his investment in a company breaking international law.
The "taking" of these lands is framed as an act of imperialism driven by profit, with the author questioning whether America is part of Israel's empire or vice versa. The article concludes that "Imperialists always steal — that is what imperialism is". Jeffrey Sachs is quoted summarizing the situation as "gargantuan international theft" by an empire, irrespective of whether its center is in America or Israel.
X. TRUMP’S TWEETS, TARIFFS AND TRILLIONS MADE: A MARKET MANIPULATION MASTERCLASS? - George Calderon
President Donald Trump's social media posts and tariff decisions have corresponded with dramatic, trillion-dollar fluctuations in the stock market since January 2025. On April 2, Trump announced "Liberation Day" tariffs, which led to a loss of over $6 trillion from global equity markets within 48 hours, with the S&P 500 dropping 6% and the Dow Jones plunging over 4,000 points. Conversely, on April 9, after Trump posted "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!", tariffs were paused, and the S&P 500 alone gained $1.4 trillion in market capitalization by the end of the day, marking the biggest one-day gain since 2008.
The magnitude and timing of these market movements have prompted calls for investigation into potential calculated market manipulation. Senator Adam Schiff stated that "It is unconscionable that insiders may have actively profited from market volatility triggered by presidential messaging". ProPublica revealed trading activity by Trump allies and campaign donors in affected stocks, and NPR and WSJ reported similar trades by members of Congress, raising concerns about prior knowledge of policy shifts.
The pattern of Trump's announcements causing market shocks followed by reversals became known as the "TACO Trade" (Trump Always Chickens Out). This cycle was observed when Trump encouraged investors to buy stocks on May 8, before announcing tariff rollbacks on May 12, which erased all market losses incurred after "Liberation Day". The period between April 9 and May 8 saw the S&P 500 index rise 14%, described as the strongest market rally in either of Trump's presidential terms.
A public dispute between Trump and Elon Musk, highlighted by a deleted tweet about the Epstein files, coincided with a massive collapse and subsequent rebound in Tesla's stock value. On June 5, Musk criticized a Trump bill, leading to a public exchange where Musk tweeted that Trump was "in the Epstein files," causing Tesla stock to drop 25% in two days and lose approximately $250 billion in market value. Tesla began its recovery after Musk publicly apologized to Trump on June 9, increasing his personal net worth by almost $200 million in one day.
Suspicion of insider trading and strategic market manipulation surrounded the volatility of Tesla's stock during the Trump-Musk feud. Options traders priced in a 5.4% move, but the actual swing was triple that, and put options—which profit from stock decline—quadrupled in advance of the feud's public escalation, suggesting prior knowledge of the impending argument. The sudden 20% jump in Tesla's stock from its lowest point to its resolution further fueled speculation about a "market manipulation ploy".
The current regulatory framework is perceived as insufficient to police financial markets heavily influenced by presidential social media activity. The Senate Banking Committee expressed concern that "We cannot allow market integrity to be undermined by off-the-cuff tweets or backroom deals". However, despite bipartisan concern, the SEC has not launched a formal inquiry, leading some to suggest it is "ill-equipped to police a market now driven as much by memes and personalities as fundamentals".
XI. U.S. Sends More War Machines to the Middle East To Counter Iran - Paul Dragu
The United States is actively deploying additional military assets to the Middle East amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, comprising a carrier, four destroyers (USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Gridley, USS Wayne E. Meyer, and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee), and an air squadron, is currently en route to the region. These movements are in addition to the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer, which was ordered closer to Israel after its surprise attack, and the deployment of 30 US air-refueling tankers across the Atlantic.
The significant mobilization of US war assets has prompted alarm among influential Trump supporters, who express concerns about the US becoming entangled in another "Forever War". Podcasters Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson have used their platforms to vehemently oppose further US military involvement, drawing parallels to the "eerily similar narratives" heard about Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction. Trump has responded to this criticism by calling Tucker Carlson "kooky".
Iran alleges that the United States was deeply involved in and coordinated Israel's surprise attack. Initial accusations from Iran included claims that American refueling tankers were operating near Iran 24 hours before Israel struck. The fact that the US government ordered non-essential personnel out of the region within 48 hours of the attack is cited as "indisputable" evidence of US foreknowledge.
President Trump's public statements regarding the Israeli attack have been contradictory, fueling suspicions about US involvement and his administration's intentions. After the attack, Trump bragged about the "lethal efficiency of Israel’s American-made weapons" and issued a call for a nuclear deal, rather than a clear denial of US participation. An Axios report claims Israeli officials stated that the US and Israel used nuclear negotiations as a "ruse intended to keep Iranian targets from moving to new locations".
Despite ongoing military action, Iran has communicated a willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, although Israel indicates the time for diplomacy has passed. After the Israeli attack, Iran called off scheduled nuclear deal talks, but later sent messages through Arab liaisons (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman) stating it would return to the negotiating table in a "more flexible posture" if the US did not join the attack. However, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi stated that it's "a little early for that" to seek a diplomatic end to the campaign, saying, "You don’t go to war and look to end it three days later".
Israel has inflicted significant damage on Iran, including personnel and sites, but has not yet fully achieved its objective of destroying Iran's nuclear program. Since Thursday's attack, Israel has reportedly killed up to 20 high-ranking Iranian military officials and up to 10 nuclear scientists, and bombed multiple nuclear and military sites. Despite having "free reign over Iranian airspace" and delivering considerable damage, Israel "hasn’t achieved its official mission of completely destroying Iran’s nuclear program".
XII. Who Really Decides What “America First” Means? - Andrew Korybko
A significant internal division has emerged within the MAGA movement over the true meaning and implementation of "America First," with the Iran conflict acting as a catalyst. President Trump claims he alone defines "America First," stating that "you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon". Conversely, influential figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, who channel the interests of the MAGA base, vehemently oppose a "hot war with Iran," warning it would "see the end of the American Empire" and Trump’s presidency.
Trump believes his access to classified information grants him a superior understanding of "America First" objectives, while his critics within MAGA fear he is being manipulated by external forces. Trump’s most zealous supporters adhere to the "trust the plan" mentality, believing their political hero knows best due to his access to the world’s most classified information. However, critics who also respect Trump express concern that he was manipulated by "anti-MAGA forces" during his first term and might be manipulated again, especially regarding Iran.
The fundamental divide within MAGA is not solely about Iran, but about who holds the ultimate authority to interpret and direct the "America First" movement. The article explicitly states that "The real divide within MAGA isn’t over Iran, but over who decides what 'America First' means, with Iran being the catalyst for bringing this long-simmering debate to the forefront". While Trump has the power to implement policy at scale, the base and top influencers argue that they define MAGA, creating a "zero-sum divide" that risks "irreconcilably splitting the movement".
There are differing strategic perspectives within MAGA on whether a nuclear Iran undermines or aligns with "America First" goals. Trump is convinced, based on either Israeli or US intelligence assessments, that Iran is secretly trying to build nuclear weapons, which he believes would "greatly limit the US’ freedom of action in West Asia and thus – as he sees it – undermine his envisaged MAGA goals". In contrast, the Tucker-Bannon camp disagrees, primarily concerned that the costs of a hot war with Iran would undermine MAGA’s "true (understood as domestic-centric) goals," rather than a potentially nuclear Iran itself.
Date: June 18, 2025 Source: Excerpts from "☕️ UNCONDITIONALLY ☙ Wednesday, June 18, 2025 ☙ C&C NEWS 🦠" by Jeff Childers.
This briefing summarizes the main themes and most important ideas presented in the "Coffee & Covid 2025" newsletter for June 18, 2025. The author, Jeff Childers, covers a range of topics including government accountability for pandemic policies, geopolitical developments, domestic political arrests, Democratic Party internal struggles, and newly declassified information regarding Chinese interference in the 2020 U.S. election.
I. The "Reckoning" for Pandemic Overreach
A central theme is the inevitable "reckoning" for the government's actions during the pandemic. Childers asserts this accountability is "unavoidable. Inevitable. Inescapable." He draws a parallel between the pandemic's "authoritarian excess" and British colonial oppression, arguing that the former was "worse than a thousand Tea Parties."
Loss of Consent: The author contends that the government "deleted the quaint illusion that we live in a real democracy," leading to a situation where public consent is eroding. He states, "To keep our consent, the government must repair the relationship."
Lack of Apology and Trust: Childers highlights the absence of any apology from the government for its actions, comparing the public's feeling to that of "abused spouses— waiting, complying, quietly keeping score, and watching for the first open door."
Inevitable Accountability: The "reckoning" is described as a guaranteed outcome, the only variable being its nature: "When it lands, will the landing be soft — or hard? In other words, when it comes, the reckoning will be either voluntary or it will be involuntary."
Heritage Foundation Panel: Childers details his participation in a Heritage Foundation panel titled "Shattered Trust and the Vaccine Reckoning," where he spoke on "The Reckoning." The audience included former CDC and FDA officials, movement leaders, and C&C fans, all reportedly interested in the prospect of accountability.
II. Geopolitical Updates: Russia, Iran, and Trump's Influence
The briefing notes developments in the Middle East conflict and the perceived influence of former President Trump on global affairs.
Russia's Stance on Israel-Iran: Despite recent strategic partnership and arms deals with Iran, Russia is observed to be "nowhere to be found" in the direct conflict between Israel and Iran. The article suggests this is due to Russia's need to focus on Ukraine and, significantly, "Mr. Putin doesn’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons and also wants to keep improving relations with President Trump." This implies Trump's deal-making capabilities are already yielding results.
Trump's "Unconditional Surrender" Tweet: Trump's two-word tweet, "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," is discussed as a "masterful narrative management" technique.
Plausible Deniability: Childers argues Trump intentionally leaves the target ambiguous, allowing the media to "do all the work" in decoding its meaning, which "only collapses when someone reacts."
Historical Echoes: The phrase invokes historical figures like Ulysses S. Grant ("Unconditional Surrender Grant") and the 1943 Casablanca Declaration demanding unconditional surrender from Axis powers.
Media Reaction: The media's "berserk" reaction and speculation, including the idea of Trump threatening to nuclearize Tehran, are presented as evidence of Trump's ability to control the news cycle, while politicians "got that Trump’s post didn’t really say anything."
III. Political Arrests and "Sanctuary" Policies
The increasing arrests of Democratic officials in immigration-related contexts are highlighted, drawing parallels to historical nullification.
"Handcuffed Democrats": The New York Times' reporting on "Images of Handcuffed Democrats Are Piling Up in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown" is cited, specifically mentioning the arrest of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.
"Catch-22" Refutation: Democrats' claim that undocumented immigrants face a "Catch-22" (deportation if they skip hearings, arrest if they attend) is dismissed as "just two bad options," not a true Catch-22.
Parallel to Jim Crow Nullification: Childers controversially equates modern "sanctuary cities" policies to post-Civil War Democratic-led Southern states' nullification of civil rights laws.
"Legal Sin": He argues that in both eras, "the legal sin is the same: deliberately sabotaging the equal application of federal law."
Ideology Over Constitution: The underlying message, according to the author, is "Our political ideology outranks your Constitution."
Historical Precedent: The author warns that Democrats "might want to revisit how that story ended," implying a negative outcome for such tactics.
IV. Democratic Party "Purity Spirals" and Internal Strife
The internal divisions and struggles within the Democratic Party are presented as a significant weakness.
Internal Conflicts: The Washington Post's reporting on Democrats' inability to "stop fighting each other" is cited, attributing tension to "internal divisions at the DNC and its direction under chair Ken Martin."
"Stifling Input": The party is criticized for "stifling input from dissenting voices and refusing to change."
Quotable Dysfunction: Several Democratic representatives and strategists are quoted expressing frustration and concern about the party's disunity and perceived inability to "even govern itself."
Weak Messaging: The DNC Vice-Chair's suggested slogan, "Make life better," is ridiculed as a "lame self-improvement mantra" that cannot compete with "Make America Great Again."
"Late-Stage Reddit Forum": The author metaphorically describes the DNC as resembling "a late-stage Reddit forum in the final throes of collapse— mods fighting mods, bans flying, factions forming..."
Contrast with GOP: While Democrats are engaged in internal "purity spirals," Trump and the GOP are depicted as "actually governing."
V. Declassified FBI Information and 2020 Election Interference
A critical new development discussed is the declassification of FBI documents alleging Chinese interference in the 2020 election, and the subsequent cover-up.
"Alarming Claims": Newsweek's report on "FBI raises ‘alarming’ claims of Chinese interference in 2020 election" is highlighted.
Chinese Scheme: FBI Director Kash Patel declassified documents detailing "allegations of plans from the CCP to manufacture fake driver's licenses and ship them into the United States for the purpose of facilitating fraudulent mail-in ballots—allegations which, while substantiated, were abruptly recalled and never disclosed to the public." These licenses were intended for "Chinese sympathizers in the U.S. who would use them to cast mail-in votes for Biden."
Wray's "Destruction Order": A key revelation is that then-FBI Director Chris Wray "inexplicably issued a 'destruction' order for all copies of documents related to the Chinese interference investigation" prior to the election. He also instructed other intelligence agencies to destroy their copies.
Contradiction of "Secure Election" Narrative: This information directly contradicts the dominant narrative since 2020 that "The election was secure. Questioning it is dangerous disinformation."
"Two-Tiered Justice System": The author posits that this alleged cover-up, contrasted with the aggressive prosecution of those who questioned the election results, reveals a "two-tiered justice system."
Narrative Supernova: Childers predicts that if Trump is proven "even partially" correct about election interference and the suppression/destruction of evidence, it will be a "narrative supernova," leading to a "landslide" erosion of trust in the FBI, DOJ, media, Big Tech, public health, and elections themselves. This would then necessitate another "reckoning."
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Here are 30 key takeaway points from the provided source:
I. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author's daily update on June 18, 2025, experienced a delay due to personal travel complications. "My wakeup alarm failed (that’s my story, and I am sticking to it)." "But then my flight got pushed back two hours."
II. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers Today's roundup of news includes feedback from the Heritage Panel, updates on war news, recent arrests, discussions on Democrat "purity spirals," and developing issues regarding the 2020 election. "In today’s roundup: Heritage Panel feedback; war news updates; more arrests; democrat purity spirals; and the first tender buds of 2020 election problems bloom in DC."
III. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author recently participated in a two-hour-plus panel discussion in Washington D.C. at the Heritage Foundation, titled "Shattered Trust and the Vaccine Reckoning." "As regular readers know, I’ve been infesting the nation’s capital this week, speaking on topics near and dear to our hearts." "CLIP: Heritage Foundation panel — Shattered Trust and the Vaccine Reckoning (2:15:48)."
IV. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The Heritage Foundation panel event was headlined by Senator Rand Paul and included a diverse audience of prominent figures and supporters. "This one’s a full two-hour-and-change field day, headlined by Senator Rand Paul, who masterfully helmed his legislative wheelhouse." "The live audience at Heritage’s impressive Capitol Hill HQ included a former CDC director, top MAHA podcasters and movement leaders, policy officials, former FDA managers, pollsters, and (my personal favorite) an impressive showing of C&C fans."
V. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author expresses strong conviction that accountability for the government's pandemic overreach, referred to as "the reckoning," is absolutely certain to occur. "The top question folks asked me was evergreen: Jeff, do you really think we’ll ever see real accountability?" "My answer: yes, a thousand times, yes."
VI. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The foundation of collective government relies on the "consent of the governed," a principle that, once established, is not easily rescinded. "All collective government rests on the foundational notion of consent of the governed." "Consent, once given, is sticky."
VII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author argues that the authoritarian excesses during the pandemic were more severe than historical grievances like the Boston Tea Party, representing a complete lack of representation. "But the pandemic’s authoritarian excess was worse than a thousand Tea Parties—and I mean in the original, Boston Harbor sense (not the plucky pre-MAGA movement)." "Only this time, it wasn’t just taxation without representation—it was everything without representation."
VIII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The unaddressed pressure from the pandemic is accumulating, leading to a public sentiment akin to "abused spouses" silently enduring and awaiting an opportunity for change. "The pandemic pressure is not venting." "At best, Americans feel like abused spouses— waiting, complying, quietly keeping score, and watching for the first open door."
IX. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The current political climate, described as a "bad case of PTSD," is unsustainable without resolution, making "the reckoning" an inevitable and guaranteed outcome. "This moment, like a bad case of PTSD, is politically unsustainable without closure." "The package is guaranteed."
X. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The pandemic policies dissolved the illusion of a true democracy, revealing that fundamental freedoms and rights were far more vulnerable than previously assumed. "With the swish of an executive pen, they deleted the quaint illusion that we live in a real democracy, with checks and balances, due process, and all the rest." "Our freedoms were more fragile and our rights more alienable than the civics books promised."
XI. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers For the government to retain the consent of the governed, it must mend its relationship with the public and demonstrate unequivocally that past abuses will not recur. "To keep our consent, the government must repair the relationship." "And like any abused spouse, we need to see evidence that the abuse can never happen again."
XII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The inevitable "reckoning" for pandemic overreach will manifest in one of two ways: either a voluntary and "soft" resolution or an involuntary and "hard" consequence. "So yes, Martha, there will be a reckoning." "The real question is: When it lands, will the landing be soft — or hard?"
XIII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The situation in the Middle East is characterized by ambiguity, described as "more fog," and continues as an enduring confrontation between Iranian missile capabilities and Israeli defenses. "The Middle Eastern war weather report is: more fog." "It continues to be an endurance battle, measuring Iranian missile reserves against Israeli anti-missile batteries."
XIV. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers Despite its close ties and a recent strategic partnership treaty with Iran, Russia is notably abstaining from the current conflict. "“Beyond phone calls and condemnatory statements,” the Times explained, “Russia is nowhere to be found.”" "But significantly (unmentioned in the article), the new Iran-Russia security pact does not include a mutual-defense provision."
XV. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers A key underlying reason for Russia's non-intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict is President Putin's strategic interest in improving relations with President Trump. "But the story buried the real reason somewhere down the middle of the list: “Mr. Putin doesn’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons and also wants to keep improving relations with President Trump.”" "In other words, Trump’s dealmaking with Russia is already delivering dividends."
XVI. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers Donald Trump's recent two-word tweet, "UNCONDITIONALLY," swiftly dominated the media cycle, with outlets like the Financial Times interpreting it as a demand for Iran's surrender. "Yesterday, making it look easy, Trump snatched back the media cycle with a two-word tweet." "The Financial Times reported the story below the headline, “Donald Trump calls for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender.’”"
XVII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author characterizes Trump's tweet as a brilliant exercise in "plausible deniability" and "quantum politics," where its true meaning is determined by the media's reaction. "Trump’s genius is plausible deniability wrapped in maximum pressure." "It’s like quantum politics: the meaning only collapses when someone reacts."
XVIII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The phrase "unconditional surrender" carries deep historical significance, evoking connections to figures like Ulysses S. Grant and the Allies' demand for surrender from the Axis powers in WWII. "Those two words were masterful narrative management; they carry vast historic echoes." "Much later in 1943, in Casablanca, Churchill and FDR jointly declared a policy of accepting “nothing less than unconditional surrender” from the Axis powers."
XIX. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers Despite the media's frenzied interpretation, the author notes that politicians recognized Trump's tweet did not explicitly state anything about the conflict. "In other words, the politicians got that Trump’s post didn’t really say anything, but the entire media ran with it anyway."
XX. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The New York Times reported on a rising trend of Democrat elected officials being arrested during Trump's immigration crackdown, generating outrage among liberals. "Yesterday, the New York Times ran a story headlined, “Images of Handcuffed Democrats Are Piling Up in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown.”" "Federal agents have arrested a growing number of the party’s elected officials, fueling liberal outrage and conservative accusations that Democrats are carrying out publicity stunts."
XXI. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested after attempting to theatrically block ICE agents from detaining an illegal immigrant at an immigration courthouse. "The Comptroller got himself arrested at an immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan while theatrically escorting an illegal immigrant that ICE agents were trying to detain." "When agents moved in, Brad latched onto the hapless deportee like a desperate game of Red Rover."
XXII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author contends that Democrats' complaints about ICE operations at courthouses creating a "Catch-22" for undocumented immigrants are a mischaracterization. "For weeks, Democrats have been railing against ICE “ambushes” at courthouses." "But that’s not actually a Catch-22."
XXIII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author draws a parallel between "sanctuary cities" policies and post-Civil War nullification tactics employed by Democrats to resist federal civil rights laws. "But if you peel off the press releases and look at the mechanics, they bear an uncomfortable resemblance to something Democrats would rather we forget: post-Civil War nullification of civil rights laws." "In effect, Southern Blue states said: “We don’t recognize the federal government’s authority to tell us who has rights or who gets to stay here.”"
XXIV. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers Modern "sanctuary" jurisdictions are accused of defying federal immigration laws to harbor undocumented immigrants, which the author labels as akin to "Jim Crow in a different getup." "Today’s blue ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions do the same thing— only instead of defying civil rights laws to exclude citizens, they’re defying immigration laws to harbor aliens." "But the underlying doctrine —selective federal nullification by local Democrats— is Jim Crow in a different getup."
XXV. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The Washington Post reported on significant internal divisions and "purity spirals" within the Democratic National Committee (DNC), impeding its ability to effectively counter Trump. "Yesterday, the Washington Post ran a story under the gloomy headline, “Democrats want to fight Trump, but they can’t stop fighting each other.”" "It’s The Purge, 2025 edition."
XXVI. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The DNC is criticized for actively suppressing dissenting opinions and resisting necessary changes, which is seen as a high-risk strategy for future elections. "the Democrat Party is doubling down and “ stifling input from dissenting voices and refusing to change in a way that is risky for future elections.”" "“Many are simply fed up with all the rancor,” WaPo carped, but “the criticism is still flying.”"
XXVII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers FBI Director Kash Patel declassified "alarming" allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 election, involving a scheme to produce and distribute fake driver's licenses for fraudulent mail-in ballots. "Yesterday, Newsweek ran a story headlined, “FBI raises ‘alarming’ claims of Chinese interference in 2020 election.”" "Specifically, these include allegations of plans from the CCP to manufacture fake driver's licenses and ship them into the United States for the purpose of facilitating fraudulent mail-in ballots—allegations which, while substantiated, were abruptly recalled and never disclosed to the public.”"
XXVIII. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers FBI whistleblowers claim that former FBI Director Chris Wray inexplicably issued an order to destroy all documents related to the Chinese interference investigation before the 2020 election. "Worse, according to FBI whistleblowers, in the lead-up to the election, then-FBI Director Chris Wray inexplicably issued a “destruction” order for all copies of documents related to the Chinese interference investigation." "The FBI Director said, 'allegations which, while substantiated, were abruptly recalled and never disclosed to the public.'"
XXIX. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers The author highlights a perceived hypocrisy, contrasting the aggressive prosecution of election interference claims against conservatives with the alleged cover-up of credible reports of Chinese cheating. "For that contemptible crime, they prosecuted Trump in state and federal courts, sued legions of conservative lawyers, locked up grandma, filled the op-ed pages with faux outrage, cried rivers of crocodile tears, and generally turned election law into a hypersonic railgun aimed at every politically convenient target." "But also, apparently, the very same people who hysterically screamed about SharpieGate and alternative electors simultaneously covered up credible reports of imminent, wide-scale cheating using fake IDs created in communist labor camps."
XXX. Coffee & Covid 2025 by Jeff Childers If former President Trump's allegations of 2020 election interference and suppression of intelligence are substantiated, it is predicted to cause a catastrophic collapse of the dominant media-Democrat narrative and trust in major institutions. "If Trump turns out to have been right, even partially —that there was a meaningful threat of election interference, the suppression of intel, and FBI hijinx— it will be a narrative supernova." "But if Trump turns out to be right, and those institutions suppressed evidence of foreign election interference —especially if they destroyed the evidence— that erosion will become a landslide."