The Morning Sixpack - May 8, 2025
Trump's trade deal with the UK faces skepticism, Columbia's campus erupts in protests, the Fed defies Trump's calls for rate cuts, and Fetterman’s health raises concern amid unsettling behavior
Trump Set to Unveil Major Trade Deal with the UK, Kicking Off a Global Bargain Bonanza
President Donald Trump is ready to announce a "full and comprehensive" trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday, marking the first of many deals his administration hopes to finalize with global partners.
The highly anticipated trade deal follows Trump's April announcement of tariffs on over 70 countries, which were temporarily paused for negotiations.
In his Truth Social post, Trump excitedly teased the agreement as the first of “many” to come, promising a solidification of the U.S.-UK relationship for years. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the ongoing talks, signaling a positive outcome for the UK.
Despite the optimism, experts remain skeptical that such a deal could rapidly dismantle significant trade barriers. Free trade agreements typically take years of intricate negotiations, raising questions about the depth and scope of the UK deal.
Starmer’s diplomatic push appears to be paying off, as Britain seeks stronger ties with the U.S. in the aftermath of Brexit. However, critics point out that this early-stage agreement may only serve as a framework for future talks, with much work remaining to be done.
The Trump administration must delicately balance internal tensions over tariffs and trade strategy. But with the U.S. Trade Representative now taking charge, some believe the pace of negotiations is finally picking up.
Source: The Washington Post
This is what the MAGA folks are fond of calling a “nothingburger.” It could be as simple as “We’re going back to where we were before the Orange Menace started bleating on about getting ripped off with trade deficits.”
Protests Erupt at Columbia University as NYPD Arrests Demonstrators Over Occupation of Library
Columbia University’s campus was thrown into turmoil as over 100 protesters occupied a reading room at the university's library on Wednesday, triggering an intense police response.
"The flood shows that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia’s profits and legitimacy," said the group behind the protest, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD).
The protesters, wearing masks and keffiyehs, chanted and drummed while displaying banners inside the library. This act of defiance comes just days before final exams are scheduled to begin, adding to the tension on campus. CUAD’s demands included divestment from Zionist occupation and an academic boycott of institutions they deem complicit in “apartheid and genocide.”
Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, condemned the occupation, stating that university safety officers were injured in the chaos. The protest escalated to the point where the NYPD was called in to restore order, resulting in several arrests. Shipman emphasized that this move was necessary to ensure the safety of the campus community.
This protest is a continuation of tensions from last year, when Columbia was at the center of nationwide debates over antisemitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The protests have drawn a sharp response from Republican figures, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, who aligned the demonstrations with Trump’s ongoing critique of U.S. universities.
Source: Politico
Trump Administration Pushes Far-Right Agenda by Partnering VOA with OAN
The Trump administration has announced that Voice of America (VOA) will now air content from the far-right network One America News (OAN).
Kari Lake, a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), confirmed the partnership, calling it an “enormous benefit to the American taxpayer.”
Lake, who was appointed to dismantle VOA by President Trump, revealed that OAN will provide newsfeed services to VOA, as well as to other government-funded networks, including Radio Martí and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). Critics point out that OAN has a history of spreading misinformation, notably around the 2020 election, Covid-19, and the January 6th insurrection.
The move follows Trump’s executive order earlier this year to overhaul USAGM, leading to over 1,000 VOA staffers being placed on leave and halting the network's broadcasts. VOA, which has long been a target of conservative criticism for its alleged liberal bias, now faces this shift toward right-wing content.
For those pushing back against the Trump administration's media reshuffle, the partnership is seen as furthering a divisive agenda under the guise of "reliable and credible options" for VOA’s reporting. Critics argue that this change undermines the broadcaster’s long-standing mission to offer unbiased news to international audiences.
Source: My Daily Grind
Just great. State-run news media. This is fascism.
Fighter Jet Lands on USS Harry S. Truman, Goes Overboard, Pilots Eject to Safety
In a dramatic incident on Tuesday, an F/A-18 fighter jet landing on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea went overboard, forcing its two pilots to eject.
The arrestment system, which is crucial for safely landing planes on the carrier, failed, sending the fighter jet overboard.
The two pilots, who ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter, suffered only minor injuries. Fortunately, no one on the flight deck was hurt. The mishap marks another unfortunate chapter in the Truman’s deployment, which has been marked by several recent incidents, including another fighter jet loss in April.
This latest event occurred amid ongoing operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been a central target of U.S. military airstrikes. Despite a reported ceasefire with the Houthis announced by President Trump, the rebels continue their actions in the region.
The incident highlights ongoing issues aboard the USS Truman, which has had its deployment extended multiple times in the face of the Houthi’s missile and drone attacks on military and commercial vessels.
Source: AP News
But Trump is regaining the respect of the international community with his military might, right?
Sen. John Fetterman’s Troubling Outburst Raises Concerns Over His Health
Senator John Fetterman’s meeting with union officials last week ended in chaos, with the Pennsylvania Democrat shouting, repeating himself, and slamming his hands on a desk.
According to sources, Fetterman questioned why “everybody is mad at me” and “why does everyone hate me” before the situation escalated further, prompting a staff member to escort the union representatives into the hallway in tears.
This incident, occurring just a day before a critical New York Magazine story about Fetterman’s mental health, has raised new questions about his well-being. Former staff and advisers have expressed concerns about his recovery from a stroke, citing symptoms such as rambling monologues and paranoia.
Fetterman himself dismissed the story as a "hit piece" and downplayed concerns over his health.
Fetterman’s struggles with mental health come on top of his recovery from a 2022 stroke, and his battle with depression led to a six-week stay at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Despite his public openness about his challenges, reports suggest that his health remains a concern among colleagues, especially after a series of troubling events.
The outburst also highlights growing criticism of Fetterman’s approach to working with President Trump, which has alienated some progressive Democrats. Despite this, some conservatives have defended him, even suggesting he could run for president in 2028. However, back home in Pennsylvania, his health is becoming a point of concern for many.
Source: AP News
Fetterman may think he’s going to make a run for POTUS but he will be CRUSHED. NOBODY likes him now. He’s pissed off everybody.
Fed Stays the Course, Defies Trump’s Push for Rate Cuts Amid Economic Uncertainty
In a move that directly contradicted President Trump’s calls for interest rate cuts, the Federal Reserve decided to hold rates steady for the third consecutive meeting.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of rising economic uncertainty, largely driven by Trump’s tariffs, and emphasized that the central bank would take its time in making future decisions.
While Trump has been pushing for looser monetary policy to stimulate the economy, Powell cautioned that the economic outlook remains highly uncertain, especially as the effects of Trump’s tariffs continue to ripple through the economy. "My gut tells me that uncertainty for the path of the economy is extremely elevated," Powell said during a press conference.
The Fed's decision to maintain interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5% signals caution as policymakers grapple with the potential impacts of trade policy on both inflation and employment. The U.S. economy has continued to expand despite a GDP contraction in the first quarter of 2025, largely due to a rush by importers to beat the start of Trump’s tariffs.
Despite growing concerns about higher unemployment and inflation risks, the job market remains "solid," with the unemployment rate holding steady. Meanwhile, Trump’s public criticism of Fed Chair Powell, calling him a “total stiff” and a “major loser,” underscores the tension between the president and the central bank.
Source: Yahoo Finance
I will admit: I’m on Trump’s side on his call for lower rates. Obviously, Trump wants lower rates for reasons other than mine… But the Fed is ALWAYS late to the party, and with GDP clearly dropping like a hot bag of shit, it’s time to stimulate the economy.
And mark my words: Congress is AlWAYS LATER to the party than the Fed. They’d better get working on some fiscal stimulus and I don’t mean a massive tax cut for the uber wealthy.