Flotsam and Jetsam - The Trump Economy Turns the Corner

The Peacock whines that U.S. payroll growth totals 177,000 in April, defying expectations. Misty Severi at JTN reports the S&P 500 hits longest winning streak in 20 years."The last time the S&P 500 posted nine consecutive days of gains was November of 2004. . . Other major indices closed with gains, including the Dow Industrial Average, which rose 1.39% on Friday. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.51%, according to CNN." TNP, US Economy Contracts, But Underlying Data Shows Trump Economy’s Momentum Remains Strong. Sundance at CTH, April Jobs Report Reflects 177,000 New Jobs Beating Expectations, Federal Employment Drops 9,000. At Insty, 100 DAYS AND TRUMP SUPPORTERS ARE GLOATING: Michael Walsh writes: “Stock market up big, inflation down, jobs good, NPR defunded, Poison Ivy rackets soon to be stripped of their tax exemptions, China reeling from tariffs. What’s not to like?” Catturd ™ @catturd2 "I bet CNN hated reporting this." Quote CNN Breaking News @cnnbrk "The S&P 500 posts its longest winning streak in 20 years as Trump and China show some willingness to bend on trade". Cernovich @Cernovich "Gas prices are down, egg prices are down, jobs are on the increase, even the much-predicted market meltdown didn't happen." Rapid Response 47 @RapidResponse47 "That’s the Trump Effect." Ace, Economic News, or We're All Going to Die!!!! Or Not. I'm not a Psychic. "We are just over 100 days into Trump's presidency. He walked in with what he saw as a mandate to shake things up. We've gotten a lot of noise about how it's all bad, but...all I'm really seeing is signs of hope." Joel Kotkin at UnHerd has Bad news for America doomers Europeans wish-cast US decline. As we have seen before, the apparent contraction in the economy was probably caused by an increase in imports in anticipation of the tariffs, which counts as a deduction against GDP. That should be over with. The other stuff is looking pretty good.

From ET, Trump Proposes Cutting Government Spending by $163 Billion in New Budget Plan "The budget prioritizes dismantling what it calls a ‘weaponized’ federal bureaucracy and eliminating funding for progressive initiatives." But no plan survives contact with the enemy, in this case the Congress, much of whose power resides in giving away money. WaT, Trump budget faces GOP pushback over defense cuts.

From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.01.25 (Evening Edition), Am Con, Trump’s First 100 Days of Tariffs: The First Steps Toward the Golden Age of America. WSJ reports Apple Says Most of Its Devices Shipped Into U.S. Will Be From India, Vietnam "iPhone maker tries to ease investors’ tariff fears; quarterly sales rise 5%." Sundance at CTH claims An Unavoidable Trade War with Canada is Looming – Trigger Date July/August 2025 "Following the 2024 presidential election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Mar-a-Lago and said if President Trump was to make the Canadian government face reciprocal tariffs, open the USMCA trade agreements to force reciprocity, and/or balance economic relations on non-tariff issues, then Canada would collapse upon itself economically and cease to exist. In essence, in addition to the NATO defense shortfall, Canada cannot survive as a free and independent north American nation, without receiving all the one-way benefits from the U.S. economy." ET, US Ends Trade Exemption That Enabled Flood of Cheap Chinese Goods. "U.S. Customs says it processes about 4 million de minimis shipments per day, up from 2.8 million last year." NYPo hears a Top Chinese official was asking what Trump wants Beijing to do about fentanyl ingredients in possible sign of thawing trade war. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.02.25, EBL, Chairman Xi signals that the Chinese want to parley with the Trump Administration, and Trump Cuts. Da Caller, ‘Cost A Lot Of People Their Jobs’: JD Vance Slams Biden Admin For Deciding Products Would No Longer Be Made In America.

At Fox Business, How Trump's mineral deal opens Ukraine up to US investment. ET, Here’s What’s in the Critical Minerals Deal Signed by US and Ukraine. "The deal will create an investment fund governed by Washington and Kyiv that will oversee all new natural resource projects in Ukraine." Also, Trump Warns Purchasers of Iranian Oil They Will Be Sanctioned. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.01.25 (Evening Edition) Vox Popoli: Russia Ready for NATO. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.02.25, American Conservative: U.S. Withdraws from Ukraine–Russia Peace Negotiations.

Sundance, German Intelligence Agencies Label AfD, the Largest Political Group in the Country, as an “Extremist Organization” Adrian Vermeule@Vermeullarmine "So, if I’m following, “democracy” is when the security services investigate a leading political party, make an unpublished determination of “extremism” that licenses surveillance, and then the courts decide whether to ban that party. O-kay." Quote "GermanForeignOffice @GermanyDiplo Replying to @SecRubio, "This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped." 

A quartet from sundance, White House Special Event – Promises Made, Promises Kept, Secretary of State Marco Rubio Discusses Status of Globe with Geopolitical Consequence, a REPORT: Stephen Miller a Top Contender for National Security Advisor Role and looks at National Security Advisors "The question can be asked, has President Trump ever had a National Security Advisor who was not compromised?" Kurt Schlichter at TownHall thinks Trump and His Team Win When They Lead From the Front. Althouse hears David Brooks whining "If there is one word to define Trump’s atmosphere, it is 'pagan.'" "That's David Brooks, tending to your soul, in "How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact" (NYT)(free-access link)." My spirit is just fine, thanks. 

At Hat Hair, White House Introduces 'White House Wire'. Beege Welborn adds, "Literally, it looks like the old Drudge Report, just snappier and really clean. And basically functions the exact same. It's an administration news aggregator of pieces I'm figuring they feel are telling their story fairly. It looks to me as if they've got links up from across the spectrum of the media." Damn it, just thing I need, a source for more links. 

Bloomberg, via YaHoo! reports US Settling Suit Over Trump Supporter’s Death in Jan. 6 Riot. Nick Sortor @nicksortor   #BREAKING: The Trump administration has CONFIRMED they reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the unarmed woman who was shot and kiIIed on J6 President Trump vowed to look into this matter. And he kept his word. This is STEP ONE of Justice for Babbitt. Her kiIIer, Michael Byrd, MUST be held accountable."

Matt Margolis at PJM claims Bombshell Body Cam Footage Destroys Everything Democrats Said About Abrego Garcia and The Democrats' Abrego Garcia Problem Got a Whole Lot Worse. OTP has New Audio: Abrego Garcia’s Wife Begged Authorities For Protection. Believe all women. Bill Melugin@BillMelugin_ "Current checklist for the "Maryland Man". - Salvadoran illegal alien - Alleged MS-13 gang member, reaffirmed in immigration court by a judge. - Accused of being a repeat wife beater/domestic abuser by his own wife, multiple times - Suspected of human trafficking in TN while driving convicted human trafficker's vehicle with 8 people and no luggage in it from Texas to Maryland." OTP, Dems Can’t Quit Abrego Garcia, Plan Resolution In His Support. Becca Lower at RedState, Breaking: VA Officials Report 'Premeditated Stabbing' of Corrections Officers by MS-13 Gang Inmates. Bill Melugin @BillMelugin_ "BREAKING: Three Virginia Dept. of Corrections officers were stabbed in a state prison today in what the state says was a premeditated attack involving 5 MS-13 gang members, all of whom are Salvadoran illegal aliens who have been convicted of violent crimes, such as murder & rape." HuffPo, Ketanji Brown Jackson Issues Seething Dissent To Supreme Court’s Hasty Migrant Ruling "“At least when the Court went off base in the past, it left a record so posterity could see how it went wrong,” the justice wrote."

Jeff Charles at TownHall, Trump Administration Eyes New Destination for Illegal Immigrants – and It's Not El Salvador, Libya and Rwanda? Cook County Record reports the Feds seek to strike down IL law that threatens employers for using E-Verify. The Vigilant Fox@VigilantFox, " Victor Davis Hanson just exposed a legal paradox that defies belief: It’s legal to break the law… if you’re Biden. But illegal to enforce it… if you’re Trump. The double standard of the law is outrageous, and what’s happening behind the scenes will make your blood boil. THREAD" At Campuse Reform, Fordham president laments 'distress' caused by U.S. immigration policy, announces new task force.

From Da Fetched, Trump DOJ Sues Blue States Over Ridiculous Climate Laws that ‘Violate the Constitution.’ "The DOJ filed complaints Tuesday against New York and Vermont over newly passed ‘climate superfund’ laws, which would impose strict liability on fossil fuel companies for alleged contributions to climate change." Misty Severi reports Judge rules Trump order pulling security clearances from law firm unconstitutional. "The president signed an executive order in March that pulled the security clearances of some of the firm's staff, claiming the law firm engaged in “dishonest and dangerous activity," and essentially barred its attorneys from federal buildings." Harmeet K. Dhillon @HarmeetKDhillon, "Second Amendment issues are civil rights issues." Quote Firearms Policy Coalition @gunpolicy, "The United States has filed an amicus brief in support of the cert petition in Wolford v. Lopez, in which it argues that Hawaii's private property default carry ban violates the Second Amendment: https://supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/2."

OTP, Texts Show Would-Be Trump Assassin Leaned On Cartels For Smuggling, Escape Plan, Ryan Routh, the would-be Florida assassin. Sarah Arnold at TownHall reports a Maine Teacher Sparks Outrage With Calls for Secret Service to 'Take Out' Trump and His Administration. I suspect she'll get a chance to talk to them in person. From Da Fetched, Top Democrat Who Called for Trump’s Assassination Busted in Child Sex Sting.

Sundance hosts A Remarkable Seven Minutes with Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard – Why Anthony Fauci Wanted a Pardon.

Sundance, Fox News Highlights DOGE Weekly Recap Meeting – Billions in Government Waste. From Twitchy, Elon Musk and the DOGE Team Do Group Interview - What Big Balls Has Uncovered Will Infuriate You, with Jessie Watters. Beege Welborn hears Gobsmacking DOGE Revelations on Watters Last Night and 'Big Balls' Speaks. RedWave Press @RedWave_Press "A DOGE member reveals the Department of Education had a $4B C*VID fund, and people were taking that money and using it to rent out Caesars Palace and stadiums for parties. “And so the one change that DOGE made… was we had the simple requirement that if you draw down money, you must first upload a receipt.” “And upon [enacting this policy], nobody drew down any money anymore.” 

FULL INTERVIEW: Jesse Watters interviews the DOGE team, including Elon Musk, as they reveal some shocking discoveries. pic.twitter.com/6M6B9M9Sc9

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) May 2, 2025

AP, Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let DOGE access Social Security systems. 

A master thread from DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "THREAD: GEORGE SOROS, THE MASTERMIND Today's systems of NGOs isn't accidental - it was laid out in a vision 30 years ago by none other than George Soros. I joined @MikeBenzCyber on a livestream last night, where he was kind enough to walk us through the basics. As my bio says, I am just a tool builder. I am not a historian or academic. The information in this thread is common knowledge for many. It wasn't for me. I want to walk you through an essay which Mike pointed me to- a chilling essay written in 1993 by George Soros, "Toward a New World Order: The Future of NATO."

Bonchie at RedState says Hoo Boy: Joe Biden Schedules His First Post-Presidency Interview, and the Details Say It All. Michael M. Grynbaum @grynbaum "Joe BIDEN (remember him?) will give his first post-POTUS TV interview to THE VIEW, next Thursday at 11 a.m. on ABC. Jill Biden will participate, too, live at the show's Manhattan studio." Matt Margolis, Trump Acts on Signalgate While Biden Held No One Accountable for Afghanistan. PJM's Sarah Anderson asks Who Are the Maudes, and Why Did Biden Try to Ruin Their Lives? "Lunders arrived unannounced at the Maudes’ home on June 24, 2024, armed and in tactical gear, to serve the couple with separate federal indictments. The indictments were for the alleged theft of government property stemming from the placement of a fence built at least 75 years before. The Maudes each faced 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines over the 50 acres in question and were ordered not to speak to one another about the case." Read the whole thing. 

At Da Caller, ‘That’s A Failure’: Top Pelosi, Harris Lieutenant Who Ran Anti-Trump War Room Blasts Jeffries’ Leadership. LifeZette sees Kari Lake Unload on Dem Rep Over His ‘Idiotic’ Trump Impeachment Stunt.

NewsBusters reports Trump Signs Executive Order to End Tax Money for 'Radical, Woke' PBS and NPR. Driscoll at Insty, "Given that NPR views America as having been born of Original Sin, they should be thrilled to no longer have to take such dirty money to keep the lights on: Perfect Timing! Here’s a Propaganda Parade From NPR and PBS Just As Trump’s EO Ends Gov’t Funding." Christopher F. Rufo @realchrisrufo, "Taxpayers will no longer support a media executive who believes that the First Amendment is the "number one challenge" to advancing left-wing propaganda." Quote Christopher F. Rufo @realchrisrufo, "EXCLUSIVE: Katherine Maher says the "the number one challenge" in her fight against disinformation is "the First Amendment in the United States," which makes it "a little bit tricky" to censor "bad information" and "the influence peddlers" who spread it."

From Fox, Trump says he’ll revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, "Trump administration asked IRS to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status." Dave Bernstein at Insty, EVEN YALE (MY LAW SCHOOL ALMA MATER) IS LOOKING RELATIVELY GOOD (BUT ONLY RELATIVELY): "I Don’t Mean to Brag, but I Didn’t Go to Harvard. Money quote: “It’s almost like certain Harvard affiliates want to give the Trump administration ammunition in its war against the university.”" Althouse, Does "We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status" = "he is stripping Harvard University of its tax-exempt status"? "I'm reading the NY Post: "President Trump said Friday he is stripping Harvard University of its tax-exempt status. “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” he said in a Truth Social post. I think the post is losing something in the paraphrase. Trump's post speaks of doing something in the future. The NY Post portrays him as in the process of doing it now. In any event, this is a big deal. Also a big deal in the news this morning: "Trump orders end to federal funding for NPR and PBS" (NPR)." rehajm said... "...Hawaiian judge in 3...2...1..."

Stacy McCain sees Where Evil Lurks: Neo-Nazi Pedophiles. From NYPo, Transgender swimmer Ana Caldas wins 5 races at national championship event: ‘Real-life South Park episode’

There are still many, many untapped links at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.01.25 (Evening Edition) and Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.02.25, but it's past time to finish. 

Linked at the Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: A Week of Wins! ready and awaiting clicks at The Other McCain.