Trump’s look at UFC card known as a part of his ‘macho strategy’

NEWS AND OPINION:

Well, right here’s one other entry for our lexicon. This little phrase involves us from Axios in a brief replace that particulars the information group’s impression of former President Donald Trump and his latest look at a battle card in Las Vegas.

“Former President Trump, fighting to return to the White House and avoid prison, dropped in on an Ultimate Fighting Championship night in Vegas, and was a guest on a UFC podcast,” Axios stated in a quick report.

“Why it matters: The trip earlier this month was a collision of two longtime Trump obsessions — combat sports and crafting a macho image — just as he faces the prospect of being indicted for a third and potentially fourth time,” the information group stated.

“Trump has done his usual ranting on social media and focused on looking tough, while casting himself as a warrior for conservative causes and the working class,” the replace continued.

“UFC — whose audience is typically young and overwhelmingly male — is a natural platform for Trump, whose campaign sees young white men as a particularly supportive group. Trump’s affection for UFC goes back more than two decades, when his hotels hosted UFC fights at a time when many shunned the fledgling sport as too violent,” Axios famous.

UFO OR UAP?

The unprecedented congressional listening to Wednesday on otherworldly issues supplied many revelations about our guests from elsewhere over the a long time. It additionally revealed that the media nonetheless prefers the old-school time period “UFO” (for “unidentified flying object”) over the in some way much less evocative designation “UAP” (for “unidentified aerial phenomenon” and “unidentified anomalous phenomena”).

A quick evaluate of the heavy protection within the aftermath of the Capitol Hill occasion, the truth is, turned up no UAP references in any respect. Here’s only a few of many headlines of notice within the final 24 hours:

“Whistleblower tells Congress the U.S. is concealing ‘multi-decade’ program that captures UFOs” (Associated Press); “Officials and lawmakers push for more government transparency on UFOs” (CNN); “Lawmakers call for greater transparency on UFOs during House Oversight hearing” (NBC News); “UFO hearing : Lawmakers, witnesses accuse Pentagon of ‘cover up’” (The Hill); “UFO hearing: Pentagon whistleblowers share explosive claims of alien technology defying laws of physics” (The Independent); “House’s next UFO hearing features former official claiming knowledge of the US finding alien crafts” (ABC News); and “Former Navy pilot describes chilling UFO encounter” (The Daily Beast).

THE IMPEACHMENT PRESS

Meanwhile, the information media has seized upon the “I-word” as soon as once more.

The “I-word” right here stands for “impeachment,” and it got here into extra frequent use through the years former President Trump was in workplace.

And now, three years later, that phrase is again within the information. But the previous president will not be within the combine. Here’s a small pattern of the numerous headlines from the previous 48 hours, a lot of it centered on President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

“McCarthy escalates talk of a Biden impeachment inquiry” (The New York Times); “McCarthy again marches to Donald Trump’s tune by invoking Biden impeachment inquiry” (CNN); “Republicans tip-toe toward an impeachment inquiry” (Washington Post); “Senate Republicans see Biden impeachment as fraught with risk” (The Hill); “Kevin McCarthy’s impeachment trial balloon gets mixed GOP reviews” (NBC News); “McCarthy floats impeachment inquiry into Biden” (Axios); “McCarthy floats an impeachment inquiry of Biden” (PBS); and “A strong whiff of desperation surrounds threats to impeach Biden” (The Guardian).

AN INTEREST IN INTEREST

The Republican Party is intently monitoring rising financial developments underneath President Biden which can be making life depressing for a lot of Americans.

“The Federal Reserve has now raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022 with the goal of lowering inflation. Interest rates are at their highest level in 22 years,” experiences the Republican National Committee in an in-depth evaluation positive to vex shoppers.

“Bidenflation has burdened Americans with higher interest rates, making it harder for millions to achieve the American dream,” the evaluation stated.

“The cumulative effects of these interest rate increases are squeezing Americans’ finances and punishing the cash-poor. 61% of Americans said they took a financial hit due to rising interest rates in the past 12 months,” the committee stated in its report, citing an Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America survey launched June 27.

“Bidenomics has cost the middle class $2.4 trillion since March 2022. The average middle-class household has lost over $33,000 in real wealth in just the past year,” the committee famous, citing knowledge launched by Bloomberg News.

“Thanks to Bidenflation, working-class Americans face surging home prices and rising mortgage rates, leaving many unable to afford buying a home. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has more than doubled since Biden took office, increasing from 2.77 percent to 6.78 percent,” the report continued, this time citing knowledge from Bloomberg News.

And yet one more instance from the prolonged GOP evaluation: The price of a brand new automobile continues to rise, with the variety of automobile consumers paying $1,000 or extra a month to finance a brand new car not too long ago reaching an all-time excessive, in accordance with the auto-industry supply Edmunds. About one-third of consumers at the moment are taking out six- to seven-year loans on used automobiles to assist decrease month-to-month funds, the report stated.

POLL DU JOUR

• 30% of U.S. adults say President Biden must “stabilize inflation” with a view to acquire their confidence in his potential to repair the U.S. economic system.

v18% say he must “cut federal spending” to realize their confidence.

• 12% say he must “push for wage increases.”

• 11% say he must “cut taxes.”

• 9% say he must “do nothing, and continue what he is now doing.”

• 8% say he must “address the budget deficit.”

• 7% say he must “roll back entitlement spending.”

• 5% say he must “spur more job growth.”

SOURCE: A Harvard University Center for American Political Studies/Harris/Harris X ballot of two,068 registered U.S. voters performed July 19-20. Respondents got an inventory of decisions.