Trump Ends Canada Trade Talks Over Reagan Ad Scandal

October 24, 2025

President Donald Trump ended all trade talks with Canada after revelations that Ontario’s government used the late president Ronald Reagan’s voice in a deceptive commercial criticizing U.S. tariffs — igniting a Reagan ad scandal.

“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs,” Trump wrote Thursday night on Truth Social. Calling the move an effort “to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts,” Trump declared, “ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”

The $75 million campaign, launched by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, aired Reagan’s 1987 remarks about free trade to oppose Trump’s 35% tariff on most Canadian goods. “Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada,” Ford said of the ad, which ran across U.S. networks including Fox News, Newsmax, and NBC.

But the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation condemned the use of the footage. The ad campaign uses “selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan delivering his ‘Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade,’ dated April 25, 1987,” the foundation said. It “misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”

The foundation added that it is “reviewing its legal options.” Trump defended his tariffs as “VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.”

The Reagan ad scandal has further strained U.S.-Canada relations as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Trump’s tariff authority next month.

Bracero Program 2.0 Could Change Everything

October 23, 2025

Ed Rollins PAC — U.S. Flagpole (Christopher Burns/Unsplash)

Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Bracero Program 2.0 Act on July 14, 2025, aimed at overhauling the federal H-2A visa program used to bring temporary agricultural workers into the United States. The bill seeks to modernize the application process, extend worker contracts, increase wages, and expand eligibility for the program.

The H-2A visa program currently allows agricultural employers to hire foreign seasonal workers when no U.S. workers are available. There is no annual cap on the number of H-2A workers admitted. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 42% of all farmworkers in the U.S. lack proper work authorization.

The Bracero Program 2.0 Act proposes several key reforms:

Establishing a centralized electronic portal to handle applications, advertisements, and documentation—administered jointly by the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security.
Extending H-2A worker contracts from under 10 months to a full 12 months.
Requiring employers to pay H-2A workers at least $2 more than the state’s hourly minimum wage.
Expanding eligibility to include greenhouse and indoor farm workers.
Allowing greater visa flexibility so that workers can change employers while staying on a single visa.

“For decades, the Bracero program created new opportunities for millions and provided critical support for Texas agriculture,” De La Cruz said. “I am leading efforts to revive the Bracero spirit by reforming H-2A visas.”

The original Bracero Program was a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Mexico launched during World War II to address agricultural labor shortages. It ran from 1942 to 1964 and brought in around four million temporary workers.

The Trump administration recently proposed wage reforms for the H-2A program, linking compensation to Bureau of Labor Statistics data instead of volatile annual calculations. The goal is to stabilize pay rates and reduce price shocks in the agricultural supply chain.

Critics, including Rosemary Jenks of the Immigration Accountability Project, voiced concerns about expanding temporary foreign worker programs. “We should as a country incentivize growers to invest in capital, to invest in the machines that can pick the crops rather than relying on an imported slave class to pick them,” she said.

As agricultural labor shortages remain a key issue, De La Cruz’s legislation may gain traction in farming states. However, the bill’s future remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues to revise broader visa policies.

Parents Revolt, Washington’s HB 1296 Sparks Major Lawsuit

October 23, 2025

A group of Washington parents, educators, and school board members filed a lawsuit Thursday in Thurston County Superior Court, challenging House Bill 1296 as unconstitutional. The plaintiffs argue the law unlawfully rewrites key provisions of Initiative 2081—the Parents’ Bill of Rights—passed by voters in 2024.

Initiative 2081 had required public schools to notify parents about major events involving their children, including the provision of medical services, removal from campus, and access to school records. It emphasized transparency and parental authority in education. HB 1296, passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature and signed by Governor Bob Ferguson in May 2025, modifies and narrows those requirements.

Critics of HB 1296 argue that it reduces parental access to student records, loosens notification standards for school-based counseling and medical services, and limits curriculum transparency. Supporters of the bill claim it balances parental rights with student privacy and safety, particularly for vulnerable students.

The lawsuit, filed by the Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF), seeks a declaratory judgment striking down the law. The group contends HB 1296 violates several constitutional protections, including parents’ rights to direct the upbringing of their children, religious liberty, and access to education records under federal law. The plaintiffs also argue the bill violates Washington’s “single subject” rule for legislation.

Gabe Galbraith, a school board member and father of three, said in a statement, “We’re being told not to share information that parents have a right to know. That’s not education — that’s state interference in the family.”

Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver), who sponsored HB 1296, defended the law, saying it ensures students can be “seen and acknowledged in their full selves” and access a school environment “without discrimination.”

The case highlights the broader national debate over parental rights in public education and the extent to which state governments can override those rights in pursuit of broader social and policy goals.

Trump Warns Israel, U.S. Support at Risk If West Bank Is Annexed

October 23, 2025

President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that the United States would cut off all support to Israel if it proceeded with annexing Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank. The statement came in response to a bill introduced by right-wing members of Israel’s Knesset seeking to apply Israeli sovereignty to the territory.

In an interview with TIME magazine on October 15, President Trump firmly rejected the idea, stating: “It won’t happen. It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can’t do that now. We’ve had great Arab support. It will not happen. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.”

The bill passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset on Wednesday, despite opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has opposed the measure, calling it a “provocation” during the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who also condemned the move. Vance said he considered the bill a “very stupid political stunt” and a personal insult.

The proposed annexation bill has drawn sharp criticism from Arab and Muslim nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates, which has warned that any such move would endanger future regional peace efforts. The UAE was a leading participant in the Abraham Accords and has consistently opposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

Trump’s remarks reflect his ongoing effort to balance support for Israel with maintaining strong ties to Arab states, many of which were engaged in diplomacy during his presidency. The warning signals a clear red line: unilateral annexation would jeopardize the coalition built through the Abraham Accords and potentially unravel diplomatic progress made in the region.

For conservative and Christian voters who view U.S.–Israel relations as critical, Trump’s stance emphasizes the importance of preserving regional peace and honoring strategic commitments to allied nations. It also highlights the tension between supporting Israel’s sovereignty and navigating complex Middle East diplomacy.

California Funnels $140M to Planned Parenthood Amid Deficit

October 23, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced Thursday that California will allocate $140 million in state funds to Planned Parenthood affiliates to replace lost federal support. The move comes after President Donald Trump eliminated all federal funding to Planned Parenthood through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed earlier this year.

Under the Hyde Amendment, federal funds cannot be used directly for abortions. However, Planned Parenthood had long received federal funding for other services, which critics argued was “fungible,” freeing up other resources to support abortion procedures. The Trump administration’s new law blocked all federal funding to the organization, and Planned Parenthood has so far failed to overturn the decision in court.

Governor Newsom justified the spending as essential to maintaining healthcare services. In a statement, he said, “California is a reproductive freedom state, and this latest investment continues to show our belief in protecting access to essential health care in times of distress.” His office accused President Trump of putting communities at risk by removing federal funding from Planned Parenthood.

California’s Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 100 health centers and report over one million patient visits annually. Newsom’s office claimed the $140 million would ensure continued access to “life-saving care and treatment.”

This funding comes as California faces an ongoing budget crisis. The state recorded a $12 billion deficit this year following years of overspending, despite having once enjoyed record surpluses. Legislators have cut numerous programs to close the gap. Critics note that while essential services were slashed, Newsom found $140 million for Planned Parenthood and $251 million for a special election intended to ratify a Democrat-drawn congressional map.

Pro-life advocates and conservative voters see the move as another example of California prioritizing abortion politics over fiscal responsibility. As the state continues to face economic strain, questions grow about Sacramento’s spending choices and ideological commitments.

Tesla Earnings Call Disaster, Investors Left Stunned

October 23, 2025

ashley — Elon Musk (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call disappointed investors as CEO Elon Musk focused heavily on futuristic projects like robotaxis and humanoid robots, offering little guidance on the company’s core electric vehicle (EV) business. The company missed analyst profit expectations, and Musk’s remarks did little to reassure shareholders concerned about the near-term outlook.

Tesla reported $28.1 billion in revenue for the quarter, but net profit fell by 37% to $1.4 billion. The company’s stock declined nearly 4% in after-hours trading on Wednesday before recovering somewhat the next day. Analysts and investors expected discussion on key challenges, including declining EV demand, the expiration of a federal tax credit, Cybertruck concerns, and rising tariffs. Musk largely avoided these topics.

Instead, Musk used the call to highlight the company’s robotaxi ambitions. He predicted that Tesla would deploy fully autonomous robotaxis without safety drivers in Austin by the end of the year, and in up to ten cities by the end of 2025. However, Tesla has yet to produce a vehicle that can operate safely without human intervention. Currently, only 12% of Tesla’s fleet uses its semi-autonomous “FSD Supervised” software.

Musk also promoted the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus. He made bold claims about its future capabilities, saying it could eventually perform surgeries and help eliminate global poverty. Optimus is still in the early development stage.

While these projects may hold long-term potential, investors expressed concern about Tesla’s immediate financial health and strategic priorities. The company’s brand ranking has dropped from 12th in 2024 to 25th in Interbrand’s 2025 Best Global Brands list, reflecting declining consumer enthusiasm.

Investor relations director Travis Axelrod refused to answer shareholder-submitted questions about new products, stating they were not appropriate for the earnings call. Musk concluded by criticizing proxy advisors who opposed his proposed $1 trillion pay package, calling them “corporate terrorists.”

The call left many wondering whether Tesla’s leadership is too focused on speculative ventures, while its core vehicle business faces growing competition and financial headwinds.

Pelosi, California Cops May Arrest Federal Agents

October 23, 2025

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) issued a joint statement Wednesday declaring that California law enforcement could arrest federal agents if they violate state law while enforcing federal immigration policies. The statement follows reports of an anticipated federal immigration enforcement surge in the Bay Area.

“While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not,” the lawmakers stated. “Our state and local authorities may arrest federal agents if they break California law — and if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.”

The claim is based on a strategy reportedly developed by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who said she began reviewing legal options after witnessing federal agents allegedly using excessive force in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Jenkins noted that while she would not encourage direct confrontations or street arrests, her office could issue warrants for agents identified in surveillance footage.

Legal scholars, however, question the viability of such prosecutions. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the Berkeley School of Law, emphasized that as long as federal agents are operating within their legal authority, states cannot prosecute them, regardless of political disagreements. He noted, “The state can’t prosecute them and hold them liable, even if it dislikes what they’re doing.”

The effort appears aimed at federal immigration officers, including ICE and CBP agents, some of whom operate in plain clothes and without identification. California recently passed a law barring federal agents from wearing masks during operations, but that statute does not take effect until January and is expected to face legal challenges.

The situation highlights growing tensions between Democrat-led local governments and federal immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. For conservative and faith-based voters focused on the rule of law, border security, and federal authority, California’s move could be seen as an unprecedented challenge to constitutional norms and national sovereignty.

Disney’s Popularity Nosedives, Search Trends Don’t Lie

October 23, 2025

Walt-Disney-World-Resort-AP-PhotoTed-Shaffrey-File — Walt Disney World Resort (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

The The Walt Disney Company is seeing a significant drop in public interest at its theme parks, according to recent search‑trend data. While global travel and pandemic after‑effects play a part, analysts say brand fatigue, controversial policy shifts and costly expansions are all contributing factors that warrant attention.

Search‑volume data from Google Trends analysed by business media show sharp declines for several Disney parks since 2020. For instance, queries for Magic Kingdom at Disney World fell by 21 percent, and searches for the broader “Disney World” brand dropped 26 percent. Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reportedly suffered the steepest drop—a 51 percent decline. Some parks bucked the trend: Hong Kong Disneyland saw a 38 percent uptick and Shanghai Disneyland gained 29 percent.

Analysts argue lower search volume may signal long‑term damage to brand engagement. Less online interest often precedes reduced attendance or softer spending. For Disney’s domestic parks, media reports already flag attendance and operating‑income pressures—even as the company invests heavily in multi‑billion‑dollar expansions. One article titles the parks business “casting a dark spell on its fortunes.”

Several factors are cited as drivers of these trends. Rising ticket prices and added fees have frustrated families. Simultaneously, fans and conservative customers have voiced objections to certain corporate policy changes, including the removal of traditional language and the overhaul of beloved attractions. Critics say these moves have alienated segments of Disney’s historical audience without necessarily attracting new ones.

While international parks show mixed results, with some growth in Asia, the domestic slump is troubling. For conservative and faith‑based consumers who value family traditions and affordability, these developments may signal a deeper shift in Disney’s brand identity and public appeal.

Caught on Camera, Georgia Power Trade Secrets Stolen

October 23, 2025

Former Democrat Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate Patty Durand was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony theft of trade secrets after allegedly taking confidential documents from Georgia Power during a public hearing in Atlanta. The hearing focused on Georgia Power’s proposal to expand the state’s power grid, largely to meet demands from energy-intensive data centers.

Georgia Capitol Police have arrested Patty Durand for allegedly stealing a booklet containing confidential Georgia Power information during a regulatory proceeding. https://t.co/d9AwFSsVUg
— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) October 23, 2025

Video footage appears to show Durand, founder of the watchdog group Georgians for Affordable Energy, walking through the hearing room, picking up what was marked as trade-secret material, and placing it in her bag before leaving. She had previously criticized the lack of transparency in Georgia Power’s agreements with data centers, accusing the utility of hiding contract details from the public under the guise of trade secrets.

Georgia Power said it is cooperating with authorities. The materials Durand allegedly took contained proprietary information and were clearly labeled as confidential. She now faces felony charges, which carry serious legal consequences including potential prison time and fines.

This week’s PSC proceedings were held to consider Georgia Power’s request to add nearly 10,000 megawatts to the state’s power capacity—roughly equivalent to two new nuclear units. About 60% of the energy would come from gas-fired plants, while 40% would come from renewable sources. Durand testified at the hearing, accusing Georgia Power of prioritizing profits for its affiliated gas companies over investing in solar energy and battery storage.

Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon issued a strong statement following the arrest, saying, “Patty Durand built her brand attacking the Public Service Commission and now she’s been arrested for stealing from it.” He added that while Republican leaders are working to keep energy reliable and affordable, Democrats like Durand are “sneaking around government offices and walking off with stolen documents.”

Durand has campaigned on utility reform and appears alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) on her website. Ossoff has faced criticism from conservatives for hiring pro-illegal immigration staff and supporting taxpayer-funded health care for illegal aliens. Durand’s arrest now raises broader questions about the conduct of activist watchdogs and the politicization of energy regulation in Georgia.

China’s Cold Response to Japan’s New PM

October 23, 2025

Japan-Flag-Via-Canva-Pro — Japan Flag (Via Canva Pro)

China’s Foreign Ministry issued a cold, carefully worded response to the election of Japan’s first female prime minister, conservative leader Takaichi Sanae. Rather than offering congratulations, Beijing reiterated its expectations that Japan conform to Communist Party positions on Taiwan and historical disputes, signaling continued diplomatic friction between the two Asian powers.

Takaichi was confirmed as prime minister this week after narrowly securing leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The party, plagued by corruption scandals and the loss of a key coalition partner, regained its governing mandate through a new alliance with the more hawkish Nippon Ishin party. Takaichi’s leadership marks a significant rightward shift in Japan’s government.

Known for her admiration of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her close ties to the late Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, Takaichi supports stronger defense policies, economic stimulus, and closer relations with the United States. She is expected to meet with President Donald Trump during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

President Trump praised her election, calling Takaichi “a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength” in a statement following her LDP leadership win.

In contrast, China offered no praise or recognition. On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated, “China noted the result of the vote and considers it Japan’s internal affair.” He emphasized China’s demand that Japan honor commitments on Taiwan and historical issues, referencing long-standing political documents between the two countries.

By Thursday, when asked again, Guo doubled down, insisting China’s muted response was “appropriate” and in line with diplomatic norms. State-run Global Times echoed these sentiments, emphasizing China’s “consistent and clear” stance and its hope that Japan would work with China to maintain the bilateral relationship.

Beijing’s discomfort stems largely from Takaichi’s strong support for Taiwan. In 2021, she held a call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a move that violated China’s “One China” policy and provoked backlash. She has also pledged to strengthen defense ties with Taiwan and visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including those involved in World War II-era atrocities—a frequent source of Chinese condemnation.

On October 17, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian attacked Takaichi for her monetary offering to the shrine, accusing Japan of failing to “make a clean break with militarism” and urging it to “be prudent on historical issues.”

As Takaichi begins her term, her unapologetically conservative platform and pro-sovereignty stance signal Japan’s shift away from postwar pacifism. Her alignment with U.S. leadership and openness toward Taiwan will likely continue to provoke China, raising the stakes in regional diplomacy and security.