us-politics-and-policy10.13 min read
MAHA’s internal rifts and financial ties threaten Kennedy’s health agenda ahead of midterms
12 days ago•Source: Financial Times
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5.56 min•17 days ago
Trump Signals Backing for US Diesel Export Ban to Tackle Soaring Prices
Donald Trump says he would back suspending US diesel exports to curb soaring fuel prices driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, a stance he voiced after meeting Zelenskyy. The administration is reportedly weighing feasibility, reversing a prior position. Diesel prices hit a record around $6.53 per gallon as markets tighten, and a ban could ripple to Europe and Latin America. Industry groups warn such a move would raise prices and hurt consumers, while some Republicans back the idea and others resist, highlighting a potential intra-party split.
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Nobel laureates back California billionaire wealth tax as ballot clash looms
Financial Times•20 days ago
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Unlikely allies urge tougher AI guardrails in US politics
Financial Times•25 days ago
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Trump rejects AI slowdown push from tech leaders, vows US leadership
President Donald Trump rejected calls from AI leaders to slow development, arguing the United States must keep ahead of China while allowing guardrails. While Dario Amodei, Sam Altman and Elon Musk urged a slower frontier with safety standards and third‑party oversight, Republicans say pace can be managed without sweeping regulation, and Democrats press for decisive AI safeguards amid fears over existential risks and national security.
Trump and Vance frame 2026 midterms as a GOP test against the ‘lunatics’
Donald Trump and JD Vance used a Dallas midterm rally to press voters toward a Republican majority, framing the race as a contrast between “the party of common sense” and Democrats who are warned about, even as Republicans dodge talking points on policy. They highlighted rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, affordability concerns, and other issues to energize their base, while signaling potential consequences for the White House’s agenda if Democrats win. The event featured tangential policy chatter (including a disputed $5,000 payout idea) and drew skepticism within the party about costs and strategy, with Democrats mocking the spectacle as they seek to sway swing voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
George Santos hit with lifetime Kalshi ban for attendance-bet manipulation
Former New York congressman George Santos has been banned for life from Kalshi after the platform and U.S. regulator alleged he manipulated a yes/no contract about his attendance at the State of the Union, publicly signaling to influence prices and earning roughly $18,000 on the trades; Kalshi also fined him over $71,000 and cited a lack of cooperation, with the CFTC having previously sanctioned him. Santos reacted on X with a jab about the ban, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of insider manipulation on prediction markets.
Trump frames data centres as economic winners amid growing backlash
Donald Trump urged voters to embrace AI data centres, saying opponents want to end up 'backwards and poor' while lawmakers from both parties pause or audit projects amid rising energy costs and concerns about Big Tech power, risking a slowdown in a $150bn nationwide infrastructure boom ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump-backed Venezuela oil deal sparks investor caution over legitimacy
The Trump administration unveiled an agreement making Alejandro Betancourt’s NABEP the minority partner in a new company that will oversee more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s oil reserves, with licences or joint ventures planned for 17 fields and potential investor guarantees from the Office of Strategic Capital to lure funding. While the aim is to restore confidence in Venezuela’s oil sector, analysts warn the deal raises questions about its long-term legitimacy, the possibility of future renegotiation, and the political risks for investors, as major oil companies remain cautious and no upfront funding is provided.
Leavitt’s exit leaves Trump with a high-stakes press secretary vacancy
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, announced she will resign at the end of August after 19 months in the role, a tenure longer than most predecessors and praised by Donald Trump for her combative, media-savvy style. She transformed the briefing room with influencer briefings and viral clips while clashing with reporters; her departure will force Trump to search for a successor to one of the administration’s most high-profile positions.
Progressive surge puts Francesca Hong on track for Wisconsin governor's race
Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist and Wisconsin state legislator, leads the Democratic primary for governor with a solid polling edge, signaling a rise of progressive candidates even as party figures worry her platform—abolishing the police and prisons—may complicate a general-election bid against Republican Tom Tiffany; her candidacy has drawn scrutiny over past social posts, but she remains the front-runner heading into Tuesday's primary in a swing state.
Senate stalls landmark digital assets bill amid record crypto lobbying
Even with more than $225 million spent by the crypto industry to influence Washington since Jan 2025, the Senate has stalled on the Clarity Act, a first-of-its-kind digital assets framework, with no vote scheduled as lawmakers negotiate; the House has passed its version, while Republicans and Democrats clash over bank customer protections, enforcement by Gary Gensler, and ethics rules around Trump’s crypto holdings—a lobbying push that has made crypto donors one of the top funding sources in the 2026 cycle.
Trump renews push to remove Fed's Lisa Cook, challenging central-bank independence
Trump has renewed an effort to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook despite a Supreme Court ruling allowing her to stay while her case proceeds, with a White House letter giving Cook 21 days to respond to mortgage‑fraud allegations and reigniting concerns about the Fed's independence.
Khanna: Trump-era policy worsened US chip shortage
Ro Khanna, the top Democrat on the House China committee, says the Trump administration undermined Biden-era Chips Act incentives to boost U.S. memory-chip manufacturing, risking higher consumer electronics prices and greater reliance on Chinese suppliers like CXMT, which the Pentagon has blacklisted over alleged military ties. Apple is lobbying for clearance to buy CXMT chips amid AI-driven demand, while Khanna seeks clarity on funding under the act that could be delayed or withheld.