Today’s Morning Sixpack:
Trump demands criminal prosecutions of Kamala Harris, Beyoncé, Oprah, and Al Sharpton over alleged illegal campaign payments. He claims millions were paid for endorsements, which he says is against campaign finance laws. However, public records show far lower payments for event appearances, and his numbers don’t add up.
Trump’s administration struggles with fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy. A poorly handled memo claiming no new evidence and affirming Epstein’s suicide sparked backlash and internal strife, leaving Trump frustrated and the DOJ and FBI under pressure amid congressional scrutiny.
Wall Street largely ignores Trump’s latest 50% tariffs, shrugging off threats amid a “Trump Always Chickens Out” (TACO) mentality. Despite tariff hikes on key trading partners, markets remain resilient, betting Trump will back down as usual, though inflation and tariff impacts loom.
Trump’s prisoner swap deal unexpectedly released convicted triple murderer Dahud Hanid Ortíz, sparking outrage in Spain, Germany, and among victims’ families. Ortíz, convicted of a brutal triple killing in Spain, was quietly flown into Texas without detention, raising questions about vetting and transparency.
Trump announces a trade deal with the EU setting a 15% tariff on most European goods, avoiding a full trade war. The deal includes exemptions for aircraft and pharmaceuticals and commitments from the EU to boost U.S. energy purchases and investments, receiving cautious praise from European leaders.
David Rush and a partner break the Guinness World Record by popping 10 balloons between their bodies in 7.5 seconds. Rush, a serial record-breaker with over 180 titles, reclaimed the record from rivals in a fast-paced, quirky contest pending official confirmation.
