The Morning Sixpack—July 3, 2025
Tesla’s sales slump deepens as Musk shifts focus to robotaxis and robots, while US lifts China chip software ban and violence rocks major cities.
House Republicans Push Through Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Just in Time for July 4
House Speaker Mike Johnson barely managed to cobble together the votes needed to clear a major hurdle on President Trump’s massive tax and policy bill, setting the stage for a final vote ahead of the self-imposed July 4 deadline.
The bill, a sprawling 1,000-page legislative monster, extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and temporarily eliminates taxes on tips and overtime—key campaign promises. It also pumps trillions of dollars into defense and immigration enforcement, while hiking the national debt ceiling by $5 trillion. They wouldn’t raise the debt ceiling if this shitty legislation wasn’t going to increase the debt. Remember, it’s not what they say it’s what they DO.
To offset this massive spending spree, the bill proposes deep cuts to programs like Medicaid, risking coverage loss for roughly 11-17 million Americans. This trade-off is the core of fierce debate both within the GOP and across the aisle, spotlighting the bill’s drastic shift from social programs toward tax cuts and defense priorities.
Johnson’s tightrope walk involved persuading just enough Republicans to avoid derailing the vote, with the final tally a razor-thin 219-213. With the path cleared, the House now gears up for floor debate and the final push to get this legislation onto Trump’s desk by Friday.
Remember when the Republicans cried incessantly (and still do) about “Obamacare” getting RAMMED down our throats? This is similar—only worse. The ACA gave people more. This bill takes away more than the ACA ever gave. We’re no longer even in a zero-sum game.
Expect Democrats to wield this bill as a rallying cry in the 2026 midterms, framing it as a blueprint for GOP priorities that threaten social safety nets while ballooning the nation’s debt.
Source: NPR
Just another example of how fucked up our political system of governance is: This was a vote on whether to vote, and it took HOURS. It’s the political equivalent of foreplay. Just know that there will be only ONE ORGASM from this circle jerk: Trump.
Now try to erase that from your eyeballs and ears.
The U.S. Labor Market Keeps Chugging Along with 147,000 Jobs Added in June
The American job machine isn’t slowing down anytime soon, with employers adding 147,000 new positions last month. That’s steady hiring that matches the average monthly pace over the past year, showing a labor market still holding strong despite signs of soft spots.
The unemployment rate edged down slightly to 4.1%, helped by 130,000 workers quietly leaving the workforce. Healthcare and state and local governments led the charge in job growth, while the federal government kept trimming its ranks, cutting about 7,000 jobs in June.
But not all sectors are booming—manufacturing continues to bleed jobs, dropping another 7,000 last month amid the fallout from President Trump’s tariffs. Factory activity has been shrinking for four straight months, with supply managers blaming those import taxes for stalled orders.
One source put it bluntly: “The tariff mess has utterly stopped sales globally and domestically.”
For the Federal Reserve, this mix of steady hiring but manufacturing weakness means no rush to cut interest rates just yet. Chairman Jerome Powell is watching for any real signs of trouble but so far only sees a “gradual cooling.” While the Fed plans rate cuts later this year, Trump’s criticisms of their pace are loud and clear.
The job market’s resilience is a double-edged sword—it keeps the economy ticking but complicates efforts to ease monetary policy. For now, the labor numbers say the U.S. economy isn’t about to lose steam anytime soon.
Source: NPR
Why some fear government data on the U.S. economy is losing integrity
Think about this: There were a number of stories the past few days about tech companies shuttering thousands of employees, replaced by AI. What you have here are losses in the tens of thousands of very high-paying jobs canceling out tens of thousands of gains in low-paying jobs.
The transfer of wealth isn’t always obvious. It’s an insidious game these jackals are playing.
Supreme Court Takes On Transgender Athletes—A Case That Could Redefine Girls' Sports Nationwide
The nation’s highest court just accepted a blockbuster case that challenges how states can regulate transgender athletes on girls’ sports teams. This decision sets the stage for a major showdown over fairness, inclusion, and the future of school athletics.
At issue: Whether states can ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ teams—policies that have sparked fierce debate across the country. Supporters argue it protects fair competition, while critics say it’s discriminatory and harmful to transgender youth.
The ruling could create a sweeping precedent, either solidifying states’ rights to enforce such bans or curbing them in favor of transgender athletes’ rights.
As this case unfolds, it’s clear the Court is stepping into one of the culture wars’ hottest battlegrounds—where sports, identity, and politics collide in ways that will resonate for years to come.
You know where this is headed, don’t you? Another segment of a protected class is obliterated by very activist SCOTUS judges.
Look, I’m not saying I know the answers to this very complex issue, but having the Supreme Court rule on anything right now is dubious, at best. They’ve shown their stripes.
Source: USA TODAY
Four Dead, 14 Wounded in Deadly Drive-By Shooting Outside Chicago Nightspot
Chaos erupted Wednesday night in Chicago’s River North as gunfire tore through a crowd, leaving four dead and 14 hospitalized, with several in critical condition. The shooting happened outside a restaurant and lounge hosting a rapper’s album release party, instantly turning a night out into a scene of panic and bloodshed.
Police say a vehicle drove up and opened fire on people gathered outside before speeding away, leaving the community reeling and scrambling to find loved ones amid the chaos. Police have not yet made any arrests.
“This was the worst I’ve seen—people searching for the living, looking for their phones dropped in the scramble,” said Chicago pastor Donovan Price, who responded to the scene.
Victims range in age from 21 to 32, including two women and two men who died, with others rushed to nearby hospitals. Authorities continue investigating, but the sense of shock and grief remains raw in this once-vibrant nightlife district.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the ongoing gun violence crisis tearing through America’s cities—and the urgent need for solutions beyond quick headlines.
Source: Associated Press
But wait, there’s more murder by guns:
Congressional intern killed in Northwest DC shooting
U.S. Lifts Export Ban on Chip Design Software to China in Major Trade Shift
The United States has ended export restrictions on chip design software to China, signaling a significant easing in the ongoing tech trade tensions between the two countries. Trump TACO’s again!
This move reverses restrictions imposed just two months ago and marks progress following last week’s broader trade agreement addressing rare earth minerals.
Industry giants Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens confirmed the U.S. Commerce Department lifted licensing requirements for key semiconductor design software exports, restoring full access to Chinese customers. Siemens noted, “We have resumed sales and support to Chinese customers,” emphasizing compliance with export laws.
The original restrictions were a response to China’s tightened rare earth mineral exports, a critical resource for U.S. tech manufacturing. Last week’s deal sees China restarting rare earth shipments, while the U.S. reciprocates by lifting software and ethane export controls—showcasing a rare moment of cooperation amid a fraught relationship.
Stocks reacted positively, with Synopsys shares rising 6% and Cadence up 7% overnight, reflecting investor optimism about smoother trade flows in high-tech sectors.
Source: UPI
Is this a classic Trump TACO move where he makes a big show of strength, then chickens out when the pressure mounts? Or is it just part of “negotiations?” You tell me. One thing is for sure: Both China and the tech sector win this round.
Tesla’s Sales Are Slumping, But Elon Musk Is Betting Big on Robotaxis and Robots
Tesla’s car business is in the middle of a slump, with vehicle sales down 13.5% in Q2 and a profit dive that’s hard to ignore. Despite this, Elon Musk seems more focused on his futuristic vision of robotaxis and humanoid robots than on reviving Tesla’s traditional lineup.
The Cybertruck, Tesla’s only new model in five years, hasn’t caught fire with buyers (pun intended), while rivals like GM and China’s BYD are pushing ahead with slick electric vehicles. Musk even froze work on the affordable Model 2, saying a “regular $25,000 model is pointless” compared to his vision for a fully autonomous Cybercab.
Tesla’s profits took a nosedive, relying heavily on selling regulatory credits to stay in the black, while supply chain headaches and cooling EV demand added to the pressure. Musk’s political controversies haven’t helped the brand’s image either, alienating some customers. And his beef with Trump has made it all worse for Tesla.
Meanwhile, Musk is pouring his energy into launching a robotaxi service in Austin, aiming to catch up to players like Waymo. He promises this could add trillions in market value, imagining a future where Tesla owners lease out autonomous cars like Airbnb rentals.
This isn’t really anything new: People rent out cars like Airbnb rentals now. Why would making them “autonomous” make a difference?
Source: The Wall Street Journal