Smartt Takes: Are Republicans the New Working Class?
We analyze the party's latest moves...plus your weekly news updates.
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Good afternoon and happy holiday weekend! I’m playing around with timing, so I’m releasing this on Friday and will provide weekend updates on Sunday as necessary.
Part I of this issue breaks down the key developments from this week. In Part II (available to paid subscribers only), Smartt Takes analyzes the Republican Party’s new tax policy proposal — which may come as an ideological shock — and previews Trump’s looming April 20 decision.
Subscribe now to get the full breakdown!
Also, if you missed last week’s issue, we did a brief historical analysis of Trump’s tariff policy and decision-making for paid subscribers. One of my fave topics to research, so def check it out!
Alright, let’s get into it.
News of the Week
A sh*t ton of news this week to break down.
Elon’s Legion of Children
A Wall Street Journal exposé featuring one of Elon’s baby mamas, Ashley St. Clair, gave insight into the billionaire’s procreation…process. According to the article, Musk believes intelligent people procreating will save the planet from apocalyptic disaster and that it’s his responsibility to populate the earth.
Reportedly, he slides into DMs of influencers on X to recruit his baby mamas. (Calling it now, Insurrection Barbie is a prospective baby mama.)
He then offers large payments, contingent on NDAs. If they refuse, he cuts their engagement on X.
The article also suggests that Elon has many more than the fourteen publicly-known children. St. Clair refused to sign the NDA, saying she did not want to “hide her son.” She’s suing Musk to take a paternity test, where he is reportedly retaliating by cutting her child support. WSJ reported that after reaching out to Musk for comment on this article—he cut her monthly child support in half.
Also: The WSJ also reported that Elon envisions all of the women and children will live on a commune in Austin, the land of which he has already purchased. In response, Musk said “TMZ >>> WSJ.”
These are the highlights, but really this is one you should read for yourself.
Gifted link here.
Science at Death’s Doorstep?
A top nutrition researcher, Kevin Hall, at the National Institute of Health abruptly retired this week after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly manipulated his research findings to the press.
He was researching, with a large control group, whether ultra-processed foods have an addictive, drug-like impact on the brain and found that they did not.
The New York Times reached out to interview him about his research, HHS said no—that he could only submit written responses sent through the communications office. According to Hall, the administration downplayed his findings, stating that he had a small control group and that it was inconclusive.
HHS had separately instructed Hall to remove his name from a research paper because it had a section on health equity.
Hall stated that he worried that the administration would further manipulate his research by trying to intervene in his process to achieve the results they desire, so he left.
Has RFK Jr ever met an autistic person?
Many have blasted RFK Jr. after his speech ranting about environmental factors creating an autism epidemic; however, that’s not what people were most mad about . . . it’s what he said after/surrounding that speech.
According to the HHS Secretary, autistic kids are kids who “will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball, They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go on a date. Many of them will never use the toilet unassisted.”
Autistic people have been responding with their litany of accomplishments–as business owners, academics, and parents. The whole rant begs the titular question: has RFK Jr actually met an autistic person? Regardless, he plans to “find the cause” by September.
No One Is Safe.
In a break from tradition, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), David Hogg, announced a $20 million initiative to invest and support Dem candidates who are primarying, sitting, long-time Democrats in safe districts.
Recall that the DNC has been vehemently against primarying Democrats forever. Hogg, however, sees it as a necessary way to usher in generational change that he says the party is clamoring for. We’ll see how the donors respond. House Dems aren’t too pleased.
Powell out?
Trump “can’t wait” for Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, to be terminated. Citing the European Central Bank’s multiple rate cuts, Trump admonished Powell for not cutting interest rates.
Reportedly, Trump is “studying” ways to fire Powell—typically a Fed Chair must resign or depart at the end of their term (Powell’s ends in 2026).
Trump’s comments follow a speech from Powell this week where he told members of the Economic Club of Chicago that tariffs would cause a temporary rise in inflation at a minimum and challenge the Fed’s dual mandate of max. sustainable employment and price stability.
Boasberg Tips
Judge Boasberg (remember him?) found probable cause this week to charge the Trump administration with criminal contempt—a crime punishable by indictment, sanctions, or even prison time.
The charges regard Trump flying hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, under the Alien Enemies Act, despite Boasberg telling the administration to ground the flights. While Trump has immunity due to the Supreme Court ruling last year, his DOJ personnel are not so lucky.
On Friday, the DOJ responded, essentially arguing that Boasberg’s court was violating the separation of powers. They appealed his decision to a federal appeals court. This is a developing story, and we’ll keep you posted.
Speaking of judges…
Judge Xinis is requiring DOJ officials to submit a sworn deposition regarding the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the man who the administration deported to El Salvador on an “administrative error.” “Cancel all plans, all vacations for the next two weeks,” said the judge, requiring all parties involved to go on a fact-finding mission and present materials related to the case.
To meet with Abrego Garcia, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to El Salvador but was denied admission to the CECOT prison and initially prevented from seeing or meeting him.
On Friday, Van Hollen met with Abrego Garcia but was not permitted to release him into United States custody. As the case has become a national flashpoint, the Trump administration released documents regarding instances where Abrego Garcia was apprehended but never charged. His lawyers argue the evidence is not corroborated.
In the meantime, the DOJ is trying to bypass the Supreme Court ruling that the administration must “facilitate the return” of Abrego Garcia, filing a request to a higher appeals court to lift the order. The appeals court, headed by a Reagan-appointed judge, vehemently denied the admin’s request, rebuking them for not providing due process. This is, yet another, developing story.
Administration Gets Dirty (Trump v. the Universities).
Unlike Columbia University, after the administration threatened to revoke federal funding from Harvard (unless the university adhered to its demands), Harvard rejected the funding stipulations this week, stating that they wouldn’t be under the control of the president regardless of party.
In retaliation, the Department of Treasury submitted a request to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to inquire about removing Harvard’s tax-exempt status. This would be a huge, unprecedented move, and a huge cost to Harvard, so we’ll continue to keep an eye out.
U.S. May End Ukraine Peace Talks Soon.
According to Sec of State Marco Rubio, U.S. may abandon peace talks with Ukraine “within days” if there is no movement soon. The U.S. has reportedly shared a broad framework with both sides but are trying to figure out if there’s a possibility for negotiation. Hours after Rubio’s comments, however, VP. JD Vance said that he is optimistic that the U.S. can negotiate an end to the war.
Are Republicans Now the Party of the Working Class?
Remember the wealth tax Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pushed unsuccessfully for years? In a shift that perhaps no one saw coming,
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