The Political Orphanage, 02/25/26
Source: The Political Orphanage
“How the Court Neutered Trump.” (02/25/26)
https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/how-the-court-neutered-trump
The Lure of the European Model
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Diyar Kassymov
“Should America look up to Europe? For many Americans, it seems like Europe is the paradise continent with high salaries, good education, and free healthcare. So they advocate for the US to adopt a ‘European Model’ — tax and tax, spend and spend, regulate and regulate. Politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani are pushing for a 70% top tax rate, Medicare-for-All, and strict bank and business regulation. But does the European model really work?” (02/25/26)
The Daily, 02/25/26
Source: New York Times
“Rosy Predictions, Angry Attacks: Trump’s State of the Union.” (02/25/26)
Companies Are Skeptical of Venezuela’s Oil Fields
Source: The American Conservative
by Joseph Addington
“At one time, multinational corporations operating in partnership with PDVSA made up the most productive sector of the Venezuelan oil industry, bringing technical expertise and investment that the Venezuelan government was unable or unwilling to contribute. The imposition of major sanctions meant that most of the partnerships essentially went dormant …. they are eager to put those rigs back online and make them productive once more. … But the investments from the GL50 license will be far from sufficient to return Venezuelan oil industry to its heyday in the late ’90s, when the country was pumping nearly 3.5 million barrels per day (today it pumps just under 900,000 bpd). For that, new outside investment will be needed under the GL49 — investment that so far the American energy industry has shown little interest in pursuing.” (02/25/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/companies-are-skeptical-of-venezuelas-oil-fields/
Deeply conflicted, Kushner represents the U.S. in high-stakes negotiations with Iran
Source: Popular Information
by Judd Legum
“Today in Geneva, Switzerland, Jared Kushner will represent the United States in meetings with Iranian officials — a last-ditch effort to avoid war. Kushner, however, has serious financial conflicts that could make reaching a deal more difficult. … His main job is as the founder and CEO of Affinity Partners, an investment firm that has raised billions of dollars from foreign governments. Three of the firm’s largest clients are the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Kushner collects tens of millions in management fees annually from these countries. Before Trump returned to the White House, Kushner publicly acknowledged that this was a debilitating conflict of interest and pledged not to be involved with the incoming Trump administration.” (02/25/26)
Gates apologizes to foundation for Epstein ties, says he “saw nothing illicit”
Source: CBC News [Canadian state media]
“Bill Gates ‘took responsibility for his actions’ over ties to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, a spokesperson for the philanthropic group told Reuters in a written statement on Tuesday. The spokesperson’s comments came in response to a Wall Street Journal report, which cited a recording of the comments Gates made in the town hall. Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have indicated that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein’s prison term to discuss expanding the Microsoft founder’s philanthropic efforts. … Gates also acknowledged that he had two affairs with Russian women that Epstein later discovered, but that they did not involve Epstein’s victims. ‘I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,’ Gates told the staff, according to the report.” (02/25/26)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gates-foundation-epstein-apology-9.7105036
The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 02/25/26
Source: The New Republic
“Trump’s Epstein Scandal Takes Damning Turn as Dem Drops New Bombshell.” (02/25/26)
The Classical Liberal University in a Second-Best World
Source: Law & Liberty
by John O McGinnis
“The relationship between higher education and the state as it exists offers a possible justification for shock-and-awe policies for reform.” (02/25/26)
https://lawliberty.org/forum/the-classical-liberal-university-in-a-second-best-world/
Trumped on Tariffs
Source: CounterPunch
by Mel Gurtov
“Trump is clearly determined to show that no Supreme Court decision is going to hamstring him in his determination to have absolute control over tariff policy. That presents Republicans with another Trump-induced choice: whether to stay the course and let Trump work his will, try to reinstate the high tariffs by legislation, or abandon the party in the interest of consumers and small businesses that have been hit hard by the tariffs. After all, the politics of tariffs rests in their cost in prices, inflation, and jobs.” (02/25/26)
UK: Aston Martin cuts jobs by 20% on Trump taxes, Chinese demand
Source: Reuters
“British luxury car maker Aston Martin will cut its workforce by up to 20%, it said on Wednesday, as it strives to recover from the impact of U.S. import tariffs and weak demand in China. Aston Martin said the job cuts from a total workforce of around 3,000 should deliver annualised savings of around 40 million pounds ($54 million). It did not specify when the job cuts would be implemented, but said most of the savings would be this year. The cuts include a 5% reduction announced last year. … Best known as the car brand driven by James Bond, the company has struggled to generate cash and manage its debt of 1.38 billion pounds, although it has received injections of capital from Canadian billionaire and Chairman Lawrence Stroll and through deals. It said U.S. tariffs had been ‘extremely disruptive’ and demand had also been ‘extremely subdued’ in China, the world’s biggest auto market.” (02/25/26)