The Morning Sixpack - May 27, 2025
Trump slams Putin as ‘crazy’ amid massive Ukraine attacks; pardons ally; GOP fights over tax bill; Tesla sales implode; North Korea warns on US missile shield
Trump Slams Putin as ‘Crazy’ Amid Russia’s Largest Drone and Missile Barrage on Ukraine
President Trump called Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” after Russia unleashed one of its biggest-ever aerial assaults on Ukraine, killing civilians and devastating residential areas.
Russia launched 367 drones and missiles in two nights of intense attacks on Kyiv and other regions, killing at least 12 people, including children, and injuring dozens more. Ukrainian officials say over 80 residential buildings were damaged, while missile defenses intercepted the majority of the incoming strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged stronger international sanctions, warning that global silence only emboldens Putin’s deadly campaign. “Russia is dragging out this war and is continuing to kill on a daily basis,” Zelensky said. Trump, meanwhile, also criticized Zelensky’s rhetoric as unhelpful in the conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its strikes targeted military production facilities and boasted downing 110 Ukrainian attack drones. Ukraine responded with a mix of Western-supplied F-16 jets, missile defenses, and drone counterattacks that reportedly damaged Russian military factories.
Despite Trump’s earlier hopes for a cease-fire, Putin rejected a 30-day truce, convinced that Russia is winning. Zelensky insists that only persistent pressure on Russia’s economy will bring peace, saying, “It is possible to stop the war, but only thanks to the necessary pressure on Russia.”
Source: WSJ - Russia Launches Massive Aerial Assaults on Ukraine
It’s about time Trump saw that Putin is crazy. Now, the question becomes: Has Trump stopped being a useful idiot to Putin and is now no longer needed?
Trump’s Memorial Day Message: “Look at Me, I Have Everything” to Families of War Dead
At a Memorial Day tribute, Donald Trump delivered a speech to families of fallen soldiers with a striking declaration: “Look at me, I have everything.”
The president spoke at the ceremony alongside JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, and MG Trevor Bredenkamp, addressing the crowd of military families and veterans. His statement seemed to emphasize his personal success and stature, set against the solemn backdrop of honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Trump’s tone reflected his characteristic blend of bravado and self-focus (narcissism), which drew mixed reactions from attendees and observers alike. The event underscored how Trump continues to command attention by tying his personal narrative to national moments of remembrance.
While honoring the fallen, Trump also subtly positioned himself as a figure who embodies strength and achievement, a message aimed at his political base as well as the grieving families present.
The ceremony serves as another reminder that Trump remains a shitstain in American public life, even during solemn occasions meant to unite and remember.
Source: The Telegraph - Donald Trump Memorial Day Speech
Tesla Sales in Europe Plunge 49% Amid Backlash Against Elon Musk and Rising Competition
Tesla’s European sales collapsed nearly in half last month, starkly contrasting the 28% growth of the overall electric vehicle market.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Tesla sold 7,261 vehicles across 32 countries in April, down from 14,228 the previous year, signaling a deep brand slump. Meanwhile, battery-electric vehicles from other makers surged, fueled partly by rising competition from Chinese brands like SAIC, whose sales jumped 54%.
The sharp decline reflects growing consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s far-right political stances, coupled with Tesla’s aging model lineup and recent factory shutdowns for Model Y upgrades.
Additionally, U.S.-EU trade tensions and looming tariffs have dampened American brand appeal in Europe. “Leon” can thank his good buddy, Trump for these tariffs.
Despite Tesla’s challenges, overall car sales in the EU nudged up 1.3% in April, suggesting the market is recovering amid a turbulent global economy. Musk now faces the daunting task of reviving Tesla’s foothold in a fiercely competitive region.
Source: AP News - Tesla’s Monthly Sales in Europe Plunge by Half
North Korea Warns US ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield Could Ignite Nuclear War in Space
Pyongyang condemned the US’s new ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system, warning it risks turning outer space into a “potential nuclear war field.”
The system, announced by President Trump and designed to counter next-gen aerial threats like ballistic and cruise missiles, has sparked fierce backlash from North Korea’s foreign ministry. They branded the plan as “the height of self-righteousness” and accused Washington of militarizing space, potentially triggering a global arms race.
Analysts say North Korea sees the Golden Dome as a direct threat to its nuclear arsenal and will likely respond by developing new weapons to bypass it. This comes amid North Korea’s ongoing missile tests, including hypersonic warheads, signaling its commitment to maintaining strategic deterrence.
China has also voiced “serious concern,” calling the missile shield a violation of global security balance, highlighting how the system’s huge price tag and geopolitical ramifications could complicate US defense plans.
Despite technical and political hurdles, the US has earmarked $25 billion to kickstart the Golden Dome, a project that could reshape the future of missile defense — and international tensions—for decades.
Source: BBC News - North Korea on US ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield
“Leon’s” Space-X will likely lead the charge! That dome will explode before a single missile hits it.
Trump Pardons Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Bribery, Calls Him a ‘Victim’ of Biden DOJ
President Trump granted a pardon to former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was sentenced to 10 years for federal bribery charges, claiming Jenkins was “dragged through HELL” by a “Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ.”
Jenkins was convicted of conspiracy, fraud, and bribery for deputizing businessmen in exchange for cash payments. Despite the conviction, Trump insisted Jenkins “doesn’t deserve to spend a single day in jail” and described him as a “wonderful person” persecuted by “Radical Left monsters.”
The pardon adds to a growing list of clemencies Trump has extended to political allies and supporters, including those involved in high-profile cases such as the Capitol riot and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht.
Jenkins appealed his conviction, claiming the presiding Biden-appointed judge blocked evidence in his defense. Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney emphasized that the case demonstrates DOJ’s commitment to holding corrupt officials accountable.
Trump’s move reignites debate over presidential pardons and the broader political implications as his corruption continues to diminish the US justice system.
Source: AP News - Trump Pardons Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Bribery
Republican Senators Clash Over Trump’s ‘Big Bill’ as Senate Prepares for Tough Showdown
The Senate faces a critical test as key Republican senators push to reshape President Trump’s massive tax, spending, and defense bill amid deep divisions within the party.
After passing the House by a single vote (with one coward voting “present”), the legislation aims to cut taxes, raise the debt limit, and boost defense and border security funding — all by a looming July 4 deadline. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune can afford to lose only three Republican votes, and several senators have already voiced serious concerns.
Medicaid cuts are a major sticking point, with Senators like Susan Collins and Josh Hawley warning about the bill’s impact on vulnerable recipients and rural hospitals. Meanwhile, others like Ron Johnson demand even deeper spending cuts, setting up a fierce internal fight.
Tax policy is another battlefield: some want to make certain business breaks permanent, while others oppose boosting the state and local tax deduction (SALT), viewing it as a giveaway to wealthy states. Clean energy tax breaks, child care credits, and other provisions face intense scrutiny and calls for revision.
Thune must balance these competing demands carefully to avoid killing the bill, which has no Democratic support and faces challenges from Senate rules. The outcome will shape Trump’s legislative agenda and the Republican Party’s future.
Source: Washington Post - Senate Republicans Split Over Trump’s ‘Big Bill’
Trump’s ‘beautiful’ bill spans more than 1,000 pages. Here’s what’s inside it
It’s a doozy, folks. Read it.