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Trump tightens his grip as GOP drifts toward a personality cult
FT Swamp Notes argues the GOP has become a Trump-centered personality cult, as dissenters like Cassidy, Cornyn and Massie were punished in primaries; Trump’s grip on loyalists remains ironclad, even as more Republicans push back on costly, Trump-aligned policies. The piece suggests voters’ focus on the economy and affordability may determine the midterms more than Trump’s corruption, though loyalty to Trump still shapes the party’s trajectory.

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National-security pretext narrows wind-farm approvals, stalling 165 projects
The Trump administration cites national security to widen a wind-energy crackdown, stalling about 165 onshore wind projects overseen by the Department of Defense—many mid-negotiation or previously deemed low-risk—potentially halting up to 30 GW of capacity that could power roughly 15 million homes, amid ongoing court battles and broader fossil-fuel incentives.

FCC launches unprecedented Disney license review after Melania joke controversy
Federal regulators ordered a sweeping review of Disney’s ABC stations for potential violations, escalating government scrutiny of the media giant after a joke by Jimmy Kimmel about Melania Trump drew harsh criticism from the White House. Disney defended its compliance with FCC rules, while the Commission’s move signals a rare, potentially lengthy licensing process that could face legal challenges. The episode underscores ongoing tensions over political speech, media power, and regulatory oversight in the US.

Warsh assets draw Democratic fire ahead of Fed chair confirmation
Democratic senators on the Senate banking committee are pressing Federal Reserve chair-nominee Kevin Warsh over more than $100 million in undisclosed assets, threatening to complicate next week’s confirmation hearing. Warren described Warsh’s holdings as a red flag and warned a divestment promise isn’t enough for transparency, while the Office of Government Ethics says current disclosure is compliant. Warsh disclosed over $130 million in assets, mostly in Duquesne funds, with Juggernaut kept confidential due to a confidentiality agreement. The probe into Powell and Republican resistance to Warsh’s nomination add to a highly contentious political backdrop for the confirmation.

Warsh's Wealth: Fed Chair Pick Reports Assets Over $130 Million
The Financial Times reports that Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh disclosed assets worth more than $130 million, including about $100 million tied to Juggernaut investments from Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne, plus over $13 million in consulting fees last year. Many holdings are valued only in ranges or are confidential, and roughly 60 disclosed investments could not be shown publicly, with potential divestment if he is confirmed, making precise totals uncertain and raising questions about conflicts of interest.

Billionaire developer says Trump’s housing plan falls short, cites costs and unions
Real estate billionaire Stephen Ross says Donald Trump’s efforts to tackle US housing affordability are not enough, blaming high construction costs driven by union labor and urging subsidies as a key solution, while highlighting his own West Palm Beach project.

Trump escalates bid to curb CFPB amid cost-of-regulation claims
The Trump administration has stepped up its bid to dismantle the CFPB, citing a White House–Council of Economic Advisers analysis that its rules have raised borrowing costs for Americans—estimates range from about $237 billion to $369 billion—while court rulings have kept the agency operating during litigation; Democrats counter with different cost calculations and highlight CFPB gains, noting the agency has returned nearly $20 billion to consumers and secured $5 billion in fines, but critics say the regulatory burden has restricted credit and driven up costs.

Rubio casts Orbán as a vital U.S. ally amid Hungary’s tight election
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio praised Viktor Orbán as essential to American interests and said President Trump is deeply committed to Orbán’s success, framing a “golden era” in U.S.-Hungary ties as Hungary faces a crucial April election. Rubio’s visit, following the Munich Security Conference, highlighted energy deals and visa liberalisation while Orbán touted renewed Washington cooperation amid ongoing EU tensions over Russia.

US Pentagon Adds Alibaba and BYD to Military-Linked Companies List
The Pentagon concludes that Alibaba and BYD should be added to the 1260H 'Chinese Military Companies' list for alleged ties to the Chinese military, signaling heightened tensions ahead of a Trump-Xi summit; Baidu is also slated for inclusion, while WuXi AppTec, RoboSense and BOE are added and CXMT and YMTC removed. The Federal Register posting was briefly pulled; inclusion generally carries reputational risk and potential future actions rather than immediate legal penalties. Alibaba, Baidu and BYD deny the allegations, as Washington presses on with tech, trade and Taiwan-related policy.

Trump backs emergency energy auction to charge data centers for AI power
President Trump and several state governors urge PJM, the grid operator for the US northeast and Midwest, to hold an emergency auction in which large data-centre operators bid to build new power plants and fund about $15 billion in capacity, with tech giants paying for the electricity sold through the auction even if they don’t use it. The aim is to curb rising utility bills driven by data-centre demand amid expectations of a surge in data-centre energy use, though it remains unclear whether PJM will act and how feasible the plan is.