What Happened Today - 28 April 2025
What Happened Today – 28 April 2025
Topics
How America Is Severely Struggling After Trump’s First 100 Days
Deportations this weekend
Empty Promises
Trump’s approval ratings
Empty Shelves Coming?
The Interview That Almost Wasn’t – The Atlantic Interview – published 28 April 2025
Musk/DOGE savings vs. COST of what they “did”
Trump plans on using “magic” to reduce taxes…
How America Is Severely Struggling After Trump’s First 100 Days
1. Exploding Prices and Economic Pain
Tariffs on Chinese imports have hit everyday Americans hard. Groceries, electronics, clothes, even basic household goods-all way more expensive and less available. Shelves are emptier, and the era of affordable shopping is gone.
Supply chains are in chaos. Businesses are scrambling to adapt, passing costs straight to consumers. Retailers big and small are warning about layoffs and closures.
2. Political Chaos and Institutions Undermined
Mass firings and purges of government agencies have left key services crippled. Experts and career staff have been replaced with loyalists or left positions unfilled, leading to confusion and slowdown across government functions.
Ethics protections gutted: Trump has slashed anti-corruption rules, removed watchdogs, and centralized power, making abuse and cronyism much easier.
3. Rule of Law Under Threat
Clemency for Jan. 6 rioters: Pardoning hundreds of people convicted for attacking the Capitol sends a message that violent political extremism is tolerated-even rewarded.
Political retribution: Stripping security clearances and protections from opponents has left some at risk and stoked a climate of intimidation.
4. Foreign Policy Instability
Alienating allies: Picking fights with NATO and praising adversaries like Russia have left America more isolated than ever, with allies scrambling to defend themselves and global confidence in the U.S. at a low.
Unpredictable, aggressive moves on tariffs and trade are rattling global markets, which hurts American jobs, farmers, and investors.
5. Threats to Democracy and Civil Rights
Crackdowns on dissent: Universities and media outlets are facing pressure to toe the administration’s line or face funding cuts and lawsuits.
Surveillance and control: With Musk and his companies running key tech infrastructure, there are growing privacy and civil liberties concerns-for both citizens and businesses.
Why You Should Be Worried
Everyday costs are skyrocketing while wages aren’t keeping up.
Government accountability is at risk-with weakened checks and balances, more corruption is likely to follow.
America’s global standing has taken a nosedive, making us less safe and less able to influence world affairs.
Division and intolerance are rising, with the administration attacking opponents, empowering extremists, and undermining basic norms.
Long-term damage: These aren’t just temporary setbacks-many of these changes could take years (or decades) to fix, if they can be fixed at all.
After just 100 days, the country feels less stable, less fair, and a lot more expensive to live in. If this keeps up, the risks aren’t just economic-they’re about the very fabric of American democracy and our place in the world.
Deportations this weekend
First off, two families were deported-both had U.S. citizen kids (ages 2, 4, and 7). One of the moms is pregnant. ICE grabbed them at their regular check-ins in New Orleans, held them without letting them talk to family or lawyers, and shipped them out before the courts could even weigh in. No due process, no real choice. They were forced to take the kids with them, even though those kids have every right to stay here.
And here’s the worst part…
One of those kids-a 4-year-old-has metastatic cancer. She was deported without her meds, without any plan for treatment, and ICE just ignored all the warnings from doctors and advocates. They sent a sick child to a country where she has zero access to the care she needs. The pregnant mom? Same deal. No plan for prenatal care, just out the door.
Another case..
A Cuban mom was deported and separated from her 1-year-old daughter. No warning, no chance to make arrangements-just ripped apart.
Kids with life-threatening diseases are being sent away from the only doctors who can help them. Families are being split up, legal rights are being trampled, and ICE is moving so fast that nobody can even fight back in court. Advocacy groups are calling this illegal, inhumane, and a total violation of basic rights-and they’re absolutely right.
This weekend, thousands of people were rounded up for deportation. ICE isn’t giving us exact numbers, but with their daily quotas and the pace they’re moving, it’s easily in the thousands-just based on what’s been happening every week. Recent data shows that ICE arrested about 5,537 migrants inside the United States in a single week earlier this year, and the administration has set a quota of at least 1,875 arrests per day for each of ICE’s 25 field offices
Now, as for due process? Almost nobody got it. Most folks barely got any notice-maybe a day, maybe less, and a lot of it was only in English, even if they didn’t speak the language. Lawyers and judges are calling the whole thing a joke. Some courts tried to step in and slow things down, but for the vast majority, there was no real chance to talk to a lawyer or fight their case before they were put on a plane.
Thousands rounded up, almost none given a fair shot. This isn’t how justice is supposed to work, and everyone knows it. This isn’t just policy. This is real people, real kids, and real suffering, all because someone decided speed mattered more than humanity.
Vancouver Tragedy
On April 26, 2025, during a big Filipino festival in South Vancouver, a guy in a black Audi SUV drove around a barrier and suddenly sped into a crowd just as the main concert was ending. There were a lot of people around, including kids, since everyone was leaving the event.
It was a terrible scene-eleven people were killed, and more than twenty others were hurt, some seriously. The driver, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was caught at the scene. He has a history of mental health issues and previous run-ins with police. He’s now facing multiple murder charges, and while police say it wasn’t terrorism, they’re still investigating the motive.
The city is in shock, and there have been vigils and a lot of support for the victims and their families. Canadian leaders, including the Prime Minister and Vancouver’s mayor, have made public statements and shown their support.
But as far as I can tell, Trump hasn’t acknowledged the incident at all-no statement or comment.
Empty Promises
Here’s a rundown of some of the biggest things Trump said he’d do but hasn’t delivered on-starting with the Ukraine war, his gold card promises, and the so-called 200 tariff “deals.” A lot of these claims just don’t add up or have been walked back, despite all the hype.
Ukraine War: “I’ll End It in 24 Hours”-Said Over 50 Times
Trump claimed at least 53 times-seriously, not as a joke-that he’d end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours or before even taking office. This was a major talking point at rallies and debates, and he presented it as a central promise of his presidency. Now, after getting pressed about it, he says it was just “figurative” or “an exaggeration,” and nothing close to that has happened. The war is still ongoing, and he’s walked back the claim, saying negotiations are harder than expected.
The Gold Card: “Pathway to Citizenship” for $5 Million-Not Happening
Trump unveiled a flashy $5 million “gold card” with his face on it, claiming it would give wealthy foreigners a fast track to U.S. citizenship, supposedly replacing the EB-5 visa. He said it would be available within weeks and that he didn’t need Congress to make it happen. But here’s the reality: immigration experts and even his own officials admit this is just a proposal, not law, and it can’t be done without Congress. There’s no actual gold card program, and the only thing out there is a commemorative card that’s basically a piece of memorabilia, not a real visa or citizenship pathway.
“200 Deals” on Tariffs-No Evidence, No Details
Trump keeps saying he’s made “200 deals” on tariffs and trade, and that he’s talked to leaders like China’s Xi Jinping about it. But when pressed for details, he refuses to name a single country or provide specifics. Even his own cabinet members can’t point to any actual trade agreements. He just repeats the claim and says he’ll reveal details “in a few weeks,” but nothing concrete has come out. The claim is so over-the-top that it would mean nearly every country in the world has signed a deal with him, which simply isn’t true. Meanwhile, the tariffs he’s imposed have mostly raised costs for American consumers, and the promised economic boom hasn’t materialized.
Other Promises That Haven’t Materialized…
Massive new tariffs on all imports: Trump said he’d slap 60% tariffs on China and 10% on everything else, but there’s no clear plan or legal path to do this, and the administration hasn’t actually implemented these across the board.
Tariffs will pay for tax cuts and fix the deficit: He claims tariffs will fund everything from tax cuts to childcare, but economists and even his advisors say this isn’t how it works, and there’s no legislation to make it happen.
Tariffs would bring jobs back: Studies show his tariffs haven’t restored manufacturing jobs as promised, and in some cases, have hurt American businesses and consumers.
Trump has made a lot of big promises-ending the Ukraine war overnight, selling gold cards for instant citizenship, and making hundreds of trade deals-but none of these have actually happened. In fact, many of these claims have been exposed as exaggerations, proposals with no legal backing, or just plain fake news.
Trump’s approval ratings
Trump’s approval ratings are way down right now-most polls have him at 39% to 45%, which is about as low as it gets for a president at this point. Disapproval is over 50%, and he’s really losing ground with independents, women, and Hispanic voters.
But when it comes to his hardcore MAGA base, they’re still sticking with him. In fact, more Republicans are calling themselves MAGA now than before-about 71% according to the latest NBC poll. Among Republicans, his approval is still sky-high.
The problem for Trump is that people outside that core group-like independents and swing voters-are bailing, especially because of how he’s handling the economy and all the drama in Washington. So, the MAGA crowd is as loyal as ever, but Trump’s losing the broader support he needs to actually get things done or win big in the future.
Empty Shelves Coming?
What These New China Tariffs Mean for Us as Shoppers
We’re about to feel some real pain at the checkout thanks to these tariffs on Chinese imports. Here’s what’s coming our way:
Prices Are Going Up-On Just About Everything
Stuff we used to score cheap-electronics, home goods, clothes, toys-is about to cost way more. Stores aren’t going to absorb those new tariffs; they’ll just pass them on to us. Those $2 gadgets or $10 headphones from Temu, Shein, or Amazon? They could double in price, if not more.
Empty Shelves Are a Real Possibility
With these new rules, all those small packages shipped straight from China have to go through customs now. That means delays, paperwork, and probably a big mess at ports. Companies just aren’t ready for this. If they can’t get stuff in fast enough, things could run out. So, if there’s something you really want, you might not see it on the shelves for a while-especially for trending or seasonal stuff.
Less Selection, Lower Quality
Some of those super cheap, random items we’re used to seeing online might just disappear. If sellers can’t make money after paying these tariffs and extra fees, they’ll just stop selling here. So, we’ll end up with fewer choices, and the quality could drop, too.
Meanwhile, Trump Keeps Wearing His China-Made Trump Hats
And here’s the kicker: while all this is happening to us, Trump keeps wearing his famous Trump hats-which, let’s not forget, are still made in China. He’s had years and every opportunity to bring that production home and show everyone how it’s done, but here we are.
The era of dirt-cheap, direct-from-China shopping is ending. We’ll all be paying more, seeing emptier shelves, and losing options-while the guy pushing these tariffs hasn’t even managed to get his own hats made in America. If you need something important, buy it now and look for U.S.-stocked options. Buckle up-we’re in for a rough ride.
The Interview That Almost Wasn’t – The Atlantic Interview – published 28 April 2025
Reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer tried to score a sit-down with Trump to discuss his “greatest comeback in political history” after his second-term win. Initially, Trump’s team agreed-even floated a photo op in the Oval Office or Lincoln Bedroom. But then Trump blew up the deal on Truth Social, calling Parker a “Radial Left Lunatic” and Scherer a liar. Why? Someone in his orbit likely reminded him of their past critical coverage.
Plot Twist: The reporters called Trump’s personal cell anyway (staff couldn’t stop them) and caught him in a chatty mood at his Bedminster golf club. He bragged nonstop about his “accomplishments.”
Trump’s Second-Term Power Spree
In just two months, Trump has:
Pardoned 1,600 Jan. 6 rioters, including those filmed assaulting cops.
Signed 98 executive orders (26 on Day One), gutting agencies, firing regulators, and laying off federal workers.
Declared himself “Chief Law Enforcement Officer”, sidelining the Attorney General and dismantling post-Watergate ethics rules.
Revoked Secret Service protection for political enemies, even those facing Iranian death threats for carrying out his own prior policies.
Handed Elon Musk control of government systems, letting him “slice away” at federal operations (Starlink, X, Tesla contracts).
Praised Putin** as “very smart” while trashing Ukraine’s leader for not being “thankful,” effectively nuking NATO unity.
Redecorated the Oval Office in garish gold, like a “Palm Beach royal court,” and planned to pave part of the Rose Garden.
Billionaires Bow Down
Mark Zuckerberg paid Trump $25M to settle a flimsy lawsuit, now acting as an “enthusiastic supplicant.”
Jeff Bezos banned certain opinions at *The Washington Post*, then dined with Trump at the White House.
Ivy League schools and top law firms caved to Trump’s demands to avoid financial ruin, rewriting policies to please him.
When asked why the uber-rich suddenly love him, Trump shrugged: “Maybe they didn’t know me at the beginning, and they know me now.”
The Big Picture
Trump’s running the U.S. like a vindictive CEO-settling personal scores, rewarding loyalists (Musk), and strong-arming critics (Zuckerberg, Bezos). Legal experts compare his power grabs to FDR’s New Deal era, but with a vengeful, norm-shattering twist. The interview captures a president convinced he’s untouchable, reshaping America into a patronage network where loyalty trumps law-and even former foes kneel for his approval.
Trump’s second term is a mix of reality TV chaos and authoritarian playbook, with billionaires and institutions scrambling to survive his wrath or cash in on his rage.
Musk/DOGE savings vs. COST of what they “did”
Let’s get real about the so-called “waste” Musk and his DOGE team claimed to have uncovered:
What They Bragged About
The headlines were all about how they “found” $35 to $50 billion in government waste, fraud, and abuse-stuff like duplicate contracts, dead people still getting Social Security, and pointless spending.
But here’s what they don’t say: Most of that is just fantasy math. They stretched it out over ten years, or called it “potential future savings” if everything magically kept going their way.
When you look at the actual cash they recovered or stopped bleeding out? The real number was **$2 to $5 billion**-and even that is being generous, because a lot of it was already being flagged before Musk’s crew even showed up.
How Much Did It Cost Us?
DOGE’s crack team and all their consultants, tech “upgrades,” and endless audits burned through at least $1.2 billion.
Not to mention, agencies spent thousands of hours on paperwork, legal fees, and compliance-racking up hundreds of millions more. All that just to chase “waste.”
After all that time and money, taxpayers *maybe* saw a return of $1 to $4 billion in the first year.
In some cases, the government literally spent just as much-or more-chasing down these so-called savings as it actually got back.
Why It Was Basically a PR Stunt
Most of what they paraded as “waste found” was already being handled by internal watchdogs.
The real effect? Wasted resources, agencies bogged down in audits, and a whole lot of headlines for Musk and friends-without the big payoff they promised.
They made a lot of noise about saving tens of billions, but when you do the math, we spent over a billion dollars to “find” at most a couple billion-and most of that wasn’t even new. In the end, it was more about Musk and crew getting their names in the headlines than about real savings for the rest of us.
But don’t worry, Trump plans on using “magic” to reduce taxes…
Trump has been saying that all the money from his new tariffs would let him cut-or even get rid of-federal income taxes for people making under $200,000. He’s called it the “External Revenue Service,” meaning the government would run on money from tariffs instead of income taxes.
But here’s the thing: He hasn’t actually explained how this would work in detail. There’s no real plan, no numbers, no step-by-step outline-just the claim that tariff revenue would make up for the lost tax money. He’s said the process would take time and start with lower- and middle-income earners, but that’s about as specific as he’s gotten.
Experts are extremely skeptical. They point out that tariffs just don’t bring in anywhere near as much money as income taxes do, and that relying on them could mean higher prices for everyone and a lot of economic headaches.
Trump hasn’t shown how this would really work. Right now, it’s just a big promise without details-more “magical thinking” than an actual plan.
Leavitt didn’t have her cross on today…
But, during a press briefing today, she suggested Trump deserves credit for Shedeur Sanders getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns, saying, “The president put out a statement and a few rounds later he was drafted. So, I think the facts speak for themselves now, Peter.”
Ok…girl. Sure.
It sure seems as if it was a wild weekend, and it looks like the chaos is going to keep rolling. Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been rough-his poll numbers are dropping, and he’s catching a lot of heat for how things have gone so far. He did go to the Pope’s funeral, but despite some chatter, there wasn’t any major scandal with his behavior there…maybe because he fell asleep in his blue suit. The war in Ukraine is still dragging on with no end in sight. The economy isn’t looking great either-markets are shaky, people are worried about what’s next, and there’s a real risk of things getting worse. On top of that, cases like Garcia’s (and others who’ve been denied due process) are still stuck in limbo, with no real answers or resolution. Meanwhile, Trump is still going after the media and universities, making it harder for people to speak out or get honest information.
Through it all, Trump and his team keep insisting they’re making America better, but honestly, it doesn’t feel that way for a lot of people.
Seek truth, spread truth – take care of yourselves and those around you. Consider attending a local protest this Thursday – 1 May. https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
If this has helped, please like and share—cause good trouble.
Go Cause Good Trouble, with Your Elbows Up!
**These are facts that I researched and verified – AI helped put together some sentence structure, but the words and tone are mine. These are my views based upon facts, research and thoughtful consideration using logic. I own the copyright to any images used. I’m comfortable to stand alone to uphold truth. Feel free to check me, but do not attack me. I am only causing good trouble.**