Wayne Dupree Podcast

The federal government will resume collections on defaulted student loans starting May 5, ending a pause since 2020. Over 5M borrowers haven’t made payments in 360+ days, with $1.6T in total student debt. Education Sec. McMahon criticizes past policies, citing taxpayer burden.

A national day of action united protesters nationwide against Trump’s policies, condemning deportations without due process, agency dismantling & threats to education. Over 80 rallies took place as part of “50501” with communities also hosting food drives to support those affected.

The Pentagon placed a third top official, Colin Carroll, on leave amid a leak investigation. The probe involves military plans for the Panama Canal, a carrier in the Red Sea, Elon Musk’s Pentagon visit on China, and a pause in Ukraine intel collection, sources say.

China accused three hackers of working for the NSA, offering rewards for their capture. The claims, tied to alleged spying at the Asian Winter Games, mark an escalation in cyber tensions amid U.S.-China conflicts. The U.S. denies the claims, calling them fabrications.

President Trump suggested temporarily exempting auto tariffs to give carmakers time to adjust supply chains. Automakers rely on international partners like Canada, Mexico, and China, making a fully U.S.-made car nearly impossible, experts say.

China urges Trump to cancel "reciprocal tariffs" amid the ongoing trade war. While the US paused some global tariffs, levies on Chinese imports rose to 145%. Temporary exemptions for electronics were announced but face uncertainty as Trump hints at new tariffs on semiconductors and electronics.

Wall Street opened to a volatile session as China and the EU responded to President Trump’s tariffs. The Dow swung between gains and losses. Investors fear a trade war after Trump imposed a 10% tariff on imports. JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon warns a recession is likely.

China opposes Trump’s threat to raise tariffs by 50% on Chinese imports, promising countermeasures. This follows China’s 34% tariffs on U.S. goods. Analysts warn rising tariffs could cut China’s growth by 1.5-2 points, straining hopes for a trade deal amid escalating tensions.

U.S. stock futures dropped Sunday evening, with Dow futures falling 4.1%, signaling more losses ahead. President Trump, aboard Air Force One, denied intentionally fueling the sell-off, citing the trade deficit with China as justification for his tariff plans despite market turmoil.

The Senate voted 51-48 to block Canada tariffs, with four Republicans joining Democrats. The measure, led by Sen. Tim Kaine, seeks to end the national emergency allowing the tariffs. However, the House is unlikely to act, making the vote symbolic. Key Republican supporters include Sens. Murkowski, Collins, McConnell, and Paul, who co-sponsored the legislation under the National Emergencies Act.

Donald Trump’s tariff plans have been consistent but ever-evolving. Tariffs on Chinese goods, steel, and aluminum are already in place, with higher car levies set to begin. Now, the White House is preparing for “Liberation Day,” unveiling broader tariff details. With import taxes coming thick and fast, Wednesday’s announcement will shed light on what’s next.

As U.S. President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day approaches on April 2nd, countries with the largest trade deficit face the toughest tariffs. These countries, referred to as the 'Dirty 15' by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, brace for the most impact.

Bill Maher discusses the possibility of having dinner with President Trump on "The Chris Cuomo Project" podcast. While acknowledging their long history of conflict, including Trump’s past lawsuit against him, Maher makes it clear he’s not aiming to “heal America.” Instead, he views the meeting as a symbolic gesture, comparing it to Nixon’s historic trip to China.

France and the U.K. are leading an initiative to form a coalition supporting a European armed force for Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression. Plans suggest 10,000–30,000 troops, but challenges remain around command, logistics, and potential U.S. support under Trump’s leadership.

President Trump signed an order declassifying FBI files on Crossfire Hurricane, the investigation into alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 election. His legal team labeled the probe as political weaponization. Trump emphasized the need for transparency, fulfilling a campaign promise to expose and end misuse of government power within law enforcement.

US officials shared classified Yemen strike details via a commercial messaging app, bypassing secure SCIF protocols. Journalist Goldberg redacted sensitive information, sparking predictable denials and backlash from Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth.

Major U.S. banks, including Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, have closed 145 branches in five weeks, signaling a shift towards digital services. From February 7 to March 14, banks reported closures to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Flagstar Bank led with 44 closures, followed by TD Bank with 38. Bank of America added nine closures, totaling 168 in 2024. This trend highlights decreasing reliance on physical branches as customer preferences evolve.

President Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday to begin dismantling the Department of Education, the White House announced. The event will feature several Republican governors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to White House spokesperson Harrison Fields, the order aims to expand educational opportunities and empower parents, states, and communities. However, fully eliminating the department would require congressional approval, which remains uncertain.

The Justice Department's National Security Division rushed to meet Donald Trump's promise to release JFK assassination files. Despite an initial FBI review, DOJ attorneys worked overnight, rechecking documents for declassification. Resources were shifted, and most division attorneys assisted, except those handling urgent cases, to meet the sudden, high-priority task.

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard highlighted the growing India-US partnership during the Raisina Dialogue. She emphasized that Trump’s “America first” approach is not isolationist and aligns with Modi’s “India first” vision. Gabbard expressed confidence in stronger ties through collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, Quad, and security, despite reciprocal tariff threats and specific unresolved concerns.

Donald Trump claimed that Joe Biden’s Jan. 6 pardons are invalid because they were signed using an autopen without Biden's knowledge or approval. Trump argued the necessary documents were neither explained nor approved by Biden.

Senate Democrats on Wednesday rejected the Republican-led funding bill passed by the House, raising the likelihood of a government shutdown by Friday night. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for excluding Democrats from the process, pushing instead for a one-month extension to allow bipartisan negotiation. Meanwhile, Democrats remain divided, with some fearing the economic impact of a shutdown outweighs their objections to the bill’s cuts to nondefense spending and increased military funding. Should Congress avoid a shutdown? 

During Trump's first term, stocks rose on policy optimism, but current tariffs and budget cuts are unsettling investors. Despite the administration's promises of future gains, market confidence has declined. The S&P 500 fell 8.2%, the Nasdaq dropped 11.2%, and consumer-discretionary stocks plunged 14.2%, signaling broader economic worries.

Critics argue Medicaid limits access to quality care due to low reimbursement rates, making it harder to find doctors and specialists. Additionally, a recipient's estate can be used to repay Medicaid for covered costs like nursing home and medical services.

President Trump dismissed concerns about tariffs hurting the economy, calling them a “transition” to rebalance trade. He plans reciprocal tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting April 2, with potential increases. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick downplayed recession fears.