Trump's Stablecoin to Be Used in $2B UAE-Binance Transaction
Source: New York Times
World Liberty Financial co-founder Zach Witkoff -- who is also Steve Witkoff's son -- announced state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX would use Trump's stablecoin, USD1, for a $2 billion transaction with Binance. Binance, a crypto-exchange platform, has been monitored by the US government since the firm admitted to violating federal money-laundering laws in 2023.
Trump Organization Signs Deal for Luxury Golf Resort in Qatar
The Trump Organization signed a deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar in partnership with Qatari and Saudi organizations.
- AP News (Wayback) (Archive.is)
Indicted Albanian Leader Hires Trump-Aligned Lobbyists to Remove Sanctions
Source: Mother Jones
Indicted Albania opposition leader Sali Berisha hired a Trump-aligned lobbying firm to get the Trump administration to remove his sanction designation under a US anti-kleptocracy law. Berisha also employs Chris LaCivita -- Trump's 2024 campaign co-manager -- as an advisor for his country's upcoming parliamentary elections.
DOGE Aide Overseeing CFPB Cuts Holds Stock in Regulated Companies
Source: ProPublica (Image: Unsplash)
DOGE aid Gavin Kilger -- who has helped oversee massive cuts at CFPB -- holds more than $300,000 of stock in companies the agency regulates.
DOJ ActBlue Investigation Based on Musk-Funded False Claims
Source: Mother Jones
The DOJ investigation into ActBlue is based on false claims of "donor fraud" spread by a group secretly bankrolled by Elon Musk.
GAO Investigating Trump for Withholding $430 Billion in Appropriations
Source: New York Times (Image: Unsplash)
The Government Accountability Office is investigating whether Trump illegally withheld over $430 billion in congressional appropriations for a variety of agencies.
House Bill Would Give Trump Expansive New Executive Powers
Source: Politico (Image: Unsplash)
A draft bill released by the House Judiciary Committee would give Trump expansive new executive powers -- including curtailing the FTC's antitrust enforcement capabilities, a move supported by Elon Musk.
Paramount Board Clears Path to Settle Trump Lawsuit Amid Merger Review
Source: New York Times (Image: Unsplash)
Paramount's board -- which is pursuing a merger deal with Skydance that would need DOJ's signoff -- cleared the path to settle Trump's lawsuit that accuses 60 Minutes of "deceptively" editing its pre-election Kamala Harris interview. If a settlement is reached, Paramount would become only the latest broadcaster to be successfully extorted by the president to the tune of millions of dollars.
Tether Pushing to Shape Stablecoin Legislation
Source: New York Times (Image: Unsplash)
Tether -- a cryptocurrency firm that previously settled a fraud investigation and has since endeared itself to Republican lawmakers and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick -- is pushing to shape legislation that seeks to set rules for stablecoins.
Trump's Crypto Firm Makes $550M While Soliciting Foreign Payments
Source: New York Times (Image: Unsplash)
Trump's cryptocurrency firm, World Liberty Financial, made $550 million as the company solicited secret payments worth millions of dollars from foreign firms -- all while the president continues to mold the crypto regulatory environment to suit his own interests.
Musk's Companies May Avoid $1 Billion in Fines Due to Federal Influence
Source: Rolling Stone (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Elon Musk's companies may avoid more than $1 billion in fines and legal actions thanks to his influence over federal agencies, according to a Senate report.
Crypto Firm Nexo Announces US Return After Event with Trump Jr.
Source: Reuters (Image: Unsplash)
Cryptocurrency firm Nexo Capital announced its plans to re-enter the American market -- after claimed "productive" talks with American regulators -- at a conference it hosted in Bulgaria, where Donald Trump Jr. was the keynote speaker. Shoveling some money towards Trump Jr. seems to be one of the administration's preferred vectors for purchasing favors from the US government.
- Reuters (Wayback) (Archive.is)
Trump Administration Consolidates Control Over Civil Service
Source: Wall Street Journal
The Trump administration moved to consolidate control over civil service hiring and firing, endowing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue DOGE's dismantling efforts as Elon Musk prepares to return to the private sector. OMB will be evaluating employees and prospective candidates based on their loyalty to Trump, signaling our return to a spoils system of government administration.
Trump Jr. Launches Private Club for Ultra-Wealthy Allies
Source: Politico (Image: Unsplash)
Donald Trump Jr. and his partners at VC firm 1789 Capital launched a private members club in Georgetown for ultra-wealthy Trump allies. The club represents yet another venue for demonstrating fealty to the administration and purchasing influence.
Independent Board Responsible For Enforcing Corruption Removed
Source: New York Times
The Office of Special Counsel, which is partially responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act, removed the independent board which reviews claimed violations of the anti-patronage law.
Trump pardoned Paul Walczak
Source: New York Times
Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, a Florida executive convicted of tax fraud. Walczak's mother is a GOP donor who helped publicize Ashely Biden's diary ahead of the 2020 election. The pardon is part of a stream of commutations for the president's political allies.
Pentagon Scraps Classified Briefing for Elon Musk
Source: Wall Street Journal (Image: Unsplash)
Pentagon aides were set to brief Elon Musk on highly-classified weapons programs tied to US-China war plans -- before the brief was ultimately scrapped at the last minute over ethics concerns.
Trump Memecoin Dinner Contest Nets Insiders $900,000
Source: NBC News
Within 48 hours of Trump's memecoin dinner contest announcement, inside investors had already made $900,000 from the digital token.