A <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-releases-second-interim-staff-report-prescription-drug-middlemen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> published Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revealed that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) hiked the costs of many important prescription drugs by over 1,000%.
The three largest PBMs — which are owned by CVS Health, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group — generated over &#8220;$7.3 billion in revenue from dispensing drugs in excess of the drugs’ estimated acquisition costs from 2017-2022,&#8221; according to the FTC. The report found that more than one in five &#8220;specialty drugs&#8221; dispensed by pharmacies affiliated with PBMs were marked up by over 1,000%. Another 41% of drugs were marked up between 100-1,000%. The &#8220;Big 3&#8221; PBMs control between 60-80% of the prescriptions in the U.S.
“The FTC staff’s second interim report finds that the three major pharmacy benefit managers hiked costs for a wide range of lifesaving drugs, including medications to treat heart disease and cancer,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC should keep using its tools to investigate practices that may inflate drug costs, squeeze independent pharmacies, and deprive Americans of affordable, accessible healthcare—and should act swiftly to stop any illegal conduct.”
PBMs act as the middlemen between drug manufacturers, insurance companies, pharmacies, and patients and were originally designed to maintain affordable drug prices for patients while helping drug manufacturers keep their profits. According to the FTC report, however, PBMs have turned into money-making machines while &#8220;squeeze[ing[ independent pharmacies, and depriv[ing] Americans of affordable, accessible healthcare.&#8221;
Austin Ownbey — who represents the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which in turn represents PBMs — spoke during the open commission meeting Tuesday. Ownbey argued, “PCMA has significant concerns that a second interim report regarding specialty drugs is unlikely to be anything other than a piece of advocacy without substantiating evidence.”
“Specialty drugs offer the most effective and, in some cases, the only treatment for illness and conditions that historically had few treatment options, including multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, cancer and autoimmune disorders,” he added, according to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5085119-ftc-report-pharmacy-benefit-managers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hill</a>.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/">JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25</a>
Along with hiking prices for vital prescription drugs, the FTC found that the &#8220;Big 3 PBMs also reimbursed their affiliated pharmacies at a higher rate than they paid unaffiliated pharmacies on nearly every specialty generic drug examined.&#8221; As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-little-known-health-care-middleman-is-becoming-more-powerful-independent-pharmacies-say-that-spells-disaster-for-patients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire reported</a> last July, independent pharmacies across the country are subject to the dictates of PBMs, which give an unfair advantage to large pharmacy corporations such as CVS, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group. Independent pharmacists such as Brent Talley, Blake Lamm, and April Lamm Blackford in North Carolina have been sounding the alarm on the rise of PBMs.
“We have lost customers either because the PBM is requiring them to use another store or financially incentivizing them to do so,” Talley told The Daily Wire in July. “But at the same time, the quality of care we’re able to provide has far exceeded Walgreens’ and CVS’.”
Often, local pharmacies will lose money on prescription drugs because the reimbursements they get from a PBM are less than what it costs them to fill a prescription.
“We have to buy bottles to put the medicine in, the caps, the labels, the machines, the printers, all that kind of stuff that are the cost of business, but when I say I’m losing money on prescriptions, I’m losing money on what it cost to get the drug on the shelf,” Blake Lamm said. “That doesn’t even factor in filling the prescription.”
The second interim report was released with bipartisan support in Congress, including from Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN).

Prescription drugs

Pharmacy Benefit Managers Marked Up Specialty Drugs By Over 1,000%: FTC Report

Big Pharma

Economy

Federal Government

Prescription Drugs

U.S.

The wildfires tearing through <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles</a> are on track to be by far the most expensive wildfire in U.S. history, according to new estimates.
The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/los-angeles-fires-recovery-costs-billions-12201ee5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained</a> estimates from JPMorgan Chase that put the economic damages from the fire at $50 billion, a number that is likely to continue growing.
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/09/us/california-fires-los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the two largest fires — the Eaton and Palisades fires — have destroyed as many as 10,000 structures.
The report said that the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California’s Butte County was previously considered to be the most destructive fire in U.S. history, causing $12.5 billion in insured losses.
AccuWeather’s Global Weather Center put the total estimated damage between $52 billion and $57 billion.
The figures account for &#8220;both direct and indirect impacts of the storm and includes both insured and uninsured losses,&#8221; The Hill <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5075016-california-wildfires-economic-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/">JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25</a>
Tens of thousands of acres of land have already been destroyed among several fires that have broken out throughout the city as new fires continued to flare up as recently as Thursday evening.
The report noted that hurricanes cause the largest insured losses, with Hurricane Katrina causing the most damage in history at more than a $100 billion in 2005. Hurricane Ian in 2022 was the second most destructive storm in history in terms of insured losses with more than $55 billion lost.

Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area

California Fires Cause An Estimated $50+ Billion In Damages; On Track To Be Most Expensive In History

California

Fire

Los Angeles

Natural Disaster

Wildfires

U.S. Steel slammed President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a> in a statement on Friday for blocking the sale of the company to Japanese manufacturing giant Nippon Steel.
&#8220;President Biden&#8217;s action today is shameful and corrupt,&#8221; said U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt. &#8220;He gave a political payback to a union boss out of touch with his members while harming our company&#8217;s future, our workers, and our national security.&#8221;
Burritt said that Biden &#8220;insulted Japan, a vital economic and national security ally, and put American competitiveness at risk.&#8221;
Burritt said that Biden refused to meet with the company to &#8220;learn the facts.&#8221;
&#8220;The Chinese Communist Party leaders in Beijing are dancing in the streets,&#8221; Burritt said. &#8220;We needed a President who knows how to get the best deal for America and work hard to make it happen. Make no mistake: this investment is what guarantees a great future for U.S. Steel, our employees, our communities, and our country. We intend to fight President Biden&#8217;s political corruption.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement from David B. Burritt, President and CEO, on Today’s Order by President Biden.<a href="https://t.co/85iuRNiCAM">https://t.co/85iuRNiCAM</a> <a href="https://t.co/h6rbOgiitW">pic.twitter.com/h6rbOgiitW</a>
— U. S. Steel (@U_S_Steel) <a href="https://twitter.com/U_S_Steel/status/1875297386588746071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
The statement came just hours after Biden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-blocks-sale-of-u-s-steel-to-japanese-company">announced</a> that he was blocking the sale of the company over concerns about national security and supply chains. Nippon had offered to buy U.S. Steel for $15 billion and said it would invest billions in the U.S. if the sale went through.
“It is my solemn responsibility as President to ensure that, now and long into the future, America has a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry that can continue to power our national sources of strength at home and abroad; and it is a fulfillment of that responsibility to block foreign ownership of this vital American company,” Biden said in a statement. “U.S. Steel will remain a proud American company – one that’s American-owned, American-operated, by American union steelworkers – the best in the world.”
He said that the decision was made after a committee of national security and trade experts determined that the “acquisition would place one of America’s largest steel producers under foreign control and create risk for our national security and our critical supply chains.”
While the United Steelworkers union opposed the proposed sale, U.S. Steel said last week that it hoped Biden would approve the deal.
Biden first came out against the proposed sale in March 2024, three months after it was first announced.
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Joe Biden

U.S. Steel Rips ‘Shameful And Corrupt’ Biden For Blocking Sale Of Company

Japan

National Security

World

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a> announced Friday that he would block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese manufacturing giant Nippon Steel. 
Biden said that he was making the move over concerns about national security and supply chains. Nippon had offered to buy U.S. Steel for $15 billion and said it would invest billions in the U.S. if the sale went through. 
“It is my solemn responsibility as President to ensure that, now and long into the future, America has a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry that can continue to power our national sources of strength at home and abroad; and it is a fulfillment of that responsibility to block foreign ownership of this vital American company,” Biden said in a statement. “U.S. Steel will remain a proud American company – one that’s American-owned, American-operated, by American union steelworkers – the best in the world.”
He said that the decision was made after a committee of national security and trade experts determined that the “acquisition would place one of America’s largest steel producers under foreign control and create risk for our national security and our critical supply chains.”
While the United Steelworkers union opposed the proposed sale, U.S. Steel said last week that it hoped Biden would approve the deal.
&#8220;It is the best way, by far, to ensure that U. S. Steel, including its employees, communities, and customers, will thrive well into the future,&#8221; the company <a href="https://investors.ussteel.com/news-events/news-releases/detail/706/u-s-steel-statement-on-cfius-referring-decision-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;It is our hope that President Biden will do the right thing and adhere to the law by approving a transaction that so clearly enhances U.S. national and economic security.&#8221;
Biden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/buyer-beware-trump-promises-to-block-sale-of-u-s-steel-to-japanese-company" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first</a> came out against the proposed sale in March 2024, three months after it was first announced. His opposition also came months after President-elect Donald Trump publicly opposed the deal in January 2024, saying he would block the deal if elected president. 
Trump again reiterated last month that he would not allow Nippon to buy U.S. Steel. 
“I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113586503722263487" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on Truth Social. “Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!”
U.S. Steel was once the largest company in the world and <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/biden-blocks-japans-nippon-steel-acquiring-us-steel-rcna186073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">employed</a> as many as 340,000 workers, but now ranks as just the 24th largest steel producer globally as of 2023,  <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-us-steel-pittsburgh-nippon-japan-67042a39de838f4cccd45d7a77ec0a40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the World Steel Association. Nippon was the fourth largest producer as of 2023.

US Steel Assets Face Chopping Block Without Japan Deal

Biden Blocks Sale Of U.S. Steel To Japanese Company

Donald Trump

Executive

Politics

Steel workers

President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> said on Saturday that he shares the same views on H-1B visas as Elon Musk amid intense debate online about the use of the program.
“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/12/28/us-news/donald-trump-backs-h-1b-visa-program-supported-by-elon-musk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The New York Post. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.”
Controversy over the subject slowly began at the start of the week after Trump named Sriram Krishnan to serve as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan, who was born in India, came to the United States on an L-1 visa and became a citizen in 2016. He has held senior roles at several major U.S. tech companies.
The backlash to the appointment was relatively small with some expressing problems with Krishnan&#8217;s pro-immigration views while a small, fringe segment made racist remarks targeting Indians.
&#8220;Sriram sure didn’t deserve all this!&#8221; Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1872772386891911646">posted on X</a>. &#8220;He’s such a great guy. I hope this ultimately [pierces] the boil of hidden racism and leads to a better America.&#8221;
Musk said that &#8220;hateful, unrepentant racists&#8221; needed to be kicked out of the GOP or else &#8220;they will absolutely be the downfall of the Republican Party if they are not removed.&#8221;
The controversy did not fully erupt until Vivek Ramaswamy said American culture was to blame in a post on Thursday that has been viewed 100 million times on X. In it, Ramaswamy said that &#8220;top tech companies often hire foreign-born &amp; first-generation engineers over &#8216;native&#8217; Americans&#8221; because Americans are often mediocre because of how they are raised.
The post ignited intense backlash from many of Trump&#8217;s biggest supporters, some of whom had previously supported Ramaswamy.
Musk, who came to the United States from South Africa, said that the entire reason he came to America and became an American was because of the H-1B visa program, which he added has been critical to growing America&#8217;s top companies.
&#8220;Anyone – of any race, creed or nationality – who came to America and worked like hell to contribute to this country will forever have my respect,&#8221; Musk posted on X. &#8220;America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Fight with every fiber of your being to keep it that way!&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Anyone – of any race, creed or nationality – who came to America and worked like hell to contribute to this country will forever have my respect.
America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Fight with every fiber of your being to keep it that way!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872770566920519899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
Musk said that America&#8217;s rise to greatness over the last 150 years happened &#8220;because it was a meritocracy more than anywhere else on Earth.&#8221;
&#8220;I will fight to my last drop of blood to ensure that it remains that land of freedom and opportunity,&#8221; he added.
Musk repeatedly pushed back against false information online about what his views were about the H-1B visa program as some accounts posted fake screenshots of posts that appeared to be from Musk but, in reality, were fraudulent.
Musk said that the H-1B visa program should be reserved only for people who fill a void that is not being met domestic expertise while acknowledging that the system is being abused and the fraud needs to be cut out.
&#8220;There is some degree of fraud and considerable incompetence in every government program and H1-B is no exception,&#8221; he said. &#8220;That fraud and incompetence need to be fixed throughout the government.&#8221;
Musk said the U.S. needs to bring in &#8220;the top ~0.1% of engineering talent&#8221; that is &#8220;essential for America to keep winning.&#8221;
&#8220;This is like bringing in the Jokic’s or Wemby’s of the world to help your whole team (which is mostly Americans!) win the NBA,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Thinking of America as a pro sports team that has been winning for a long time and wants to keep winning is the right mental construct.&#8221;
Musk said that he supports the views of Trump&#8217;s top immigration adviser from his first term in office, hardliner Stephen Miller, who will serve as White House deputy chief of staff for policy in Trump&#8217;s upcoming term.
&#8220;Miller is just saying that H1B’s should be granted on the basis of merit, not randomly or to get cheap labor,&#8221; Musk posted on X in response to an account that posted a screenshot of a previous post from Miller. &#8220;What’s wrong with that?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Miller is just saying that H1B’s should be granted on the basis of merit, not randomly or to get cheap labor. What’s wrong with that?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872833000423231669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote>

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Trump Backs Musk On Immigration Visas: ‘It’s A Great Program’

Elon Musk

Immigration

Billionaire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/elon-musk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elon Musk</a> joined in on heated debate over the H-1B visa immigration program this week, saying that some tech companies have to outsource skilled positions and arguing that the H-1B program makes America stronger.
His position pitted him against many conservative commentators who came out against the position, arguing that the H-1B program prioritizes foreigners over skilled Americans, brings down wages, and actually hurts innovation.
Musk said that U.S. companies, such as Apple, are being <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1872349959875690709" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forced</a> to outsource skilled positions because the &#8220;expertise they need simply does not exist in America in sufficient quantity.&#8221;
&#8220;The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,&#8221; Musk posted to X on Saturday, before <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odd8Zdhuj9o">busting out a quote</a> from the comedy Tropic Thunder. &#8220;Take a big step back and F*** YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.
Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872860577057448306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
In another post, Musk endorsed a position posited by CNN contributor Scott Jennings, who said the program needs to be overhauled to stop companies from using it for cheap labor, while instead using the program to recruit the top .01% from other nations.
&#8220;If you&#8217;re using the H-1B program to abuse it, to recruit interns, accountants who could easily be recruited in the USA, because you want to do it cheaper? That&#8217;s not fine,&#8221; Jennings said. &#8220;What a lot of people in the party want to do is eliminate the fraud in this H-1B program, retain the top engineering talent; there&#8217;s a way to do this.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
JUST IN: Scott Jennings brings together the Elon Musk and &#8216;America worker First&#8217; factions of the H-1B visa debate to a common resolution.
What are your thoughts on his proposal? 👇
&#8220;There&#8217;s always been a push and pull on this in the GOP &#8211; there&#8217;s a way to work this out.&#8221;
&#8220;You… <a href="https://t.co/184INmadoo">pic.twitter.com/184INmadoo</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1872796793789886513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
The debate all started when, in a post centered around 90s sitcom references, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy argued that companies are forced to hire skilled foreigners because, in part, the American culture &#8220;has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.&#8221;
&#8220;A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;A culture that venerates Cory from &#8216;Boy Meets World,&#8217; or Zach &amp; Slater over Screech in &#8216;Saved by the Bell,&#8217; or ‘Stefan’ over Steve Urkel in &#8216;Family Matters,&#8217; will not produce the best engineers.&#8221; 
Ramaswamy said American culture needs to change to once again prioritize &#8220;achievement over normalcy; excellence over mediocrity; nerdiness over conformity; hard work over laziness.&#8221; 
&#8220;That’s the work we have cut out for us, rather than wallowing in victimhood &amp; just wishing (or legislating) alternative hiring practices into existence. I’m confident we can do it,&#8221; he added. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born &amp; first-generation engineers over “native” Americans isn’t because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy &amp; wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers &amp; if…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) <a href="https://twitter.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1872312139945234507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
The post went viral, generating more than 96 million views and more than 46,000 comments. Many noted their impressive resumes and test scores while claiming they have been overlooked for work in the tech industry, rebutting Ramaswamy.
Nikki Haley, who formerly served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, replied, &#8220;There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture. All you have to do is look at the border and see how many want what we have. We should be investing and prioritizing in Americans, not foreign workers.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture. All you have to do is look at the border and see how many want what we have. We should be investing and prioritizing in Americans, not foreign workers. <a href="https://t.co/fIGr45C3LD">https://t.co/fIGr45C3LD</a>
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley/status/1872344248915554712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">
Eric Weinstein, who earned a PhD in mathematical physics from Harvard, argued strongly against the H-1B visa program. Weinstein said the program effectively displaces America&#8217;s &#8220;great&#8221; minds and talent for foreign talent. He also said the outcome, for one thing, creates &#8220;pliant&#8221; employees, which hurts America overall.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Word to the wise: It is designed to tear good people apart.
Don&#8217;t fall for it: <a href="https://t.co/JHnSRfWcwC">https://t.co/JHnSRfWcwC</a>
— Eric Weinstein (@EricRWeinstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1872305048228872312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
</div>
Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton posted on X, &#8220;Vivek and Elon are wrong. We do not need to bring in more immigrants via H-1B. We need to focus on domestic skill development! Let’s educate our own people for those jobs.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Vivek and Elon are wrong. We do not need to bring in more immigrants via H-1B. We need to focus on domestic skill development! Let’s educate our own people for those jobs. <a href="https://t.co/idAKW499SK">pic.twitter.com/idAKW499SK</a>
— Shermichael Singleton (@MrShermichael) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrShermichael/status/1872469847864676493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
Others highlighted President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s past position on the program, which was articulated in 2016.
<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">
&#8220;The H-1B program is neither high-skilled nor immigration: these are temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump/posts/donald-j-trump-position-on-visasmegyn-kelly-asked-about-highly-skilled-immigrati/10156715268505725/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the time. &#8220;I remain totally committed to eliminating rampant, widespread H-1B abuse and ending outrageous practices such as those that occurred at Disney in Florida when Americans were forced to train their foreign replacements.&#8221;
&#8220;I will end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program, and institute an absolute requirement to hire American workers first for every visa and immigration program. No exceptions,&#8221; he added.
But Trump on Saturday said he now supports the visa program. &#8220;I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/12/28/us-news/donald-trump-backs-h-1b-visa-program-supported-by-elon-musk/">New York Post</a>. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.&#8221;
</div>
Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing waded into the debate, noting that the U.S. immigration system has been &#8220;weaponized to destroy our culture and national identity for decades.&#8221; He said the entire system needs to be fixed before the country can have a healthy debate over how to best design a foreign worker visa program.
&#8220;Our immigration system has been weaponized to destroy our culture and national identity for decades,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;Immigration has also been fundamental to our national character and history, and high-skilled immigration (which represents only a tiny fraction of total immigration) is a great tool for maintaining technological and economic hegemony.&#8221;
&#8220;But until the system stops being weaponized against us, people will continue to become more radical on the issue,&#8221; Boreing continued. &#8220;Elon and Vivek et al are making a mistake defending h1bs at the moment, not because they are wrong on the merits, but because they are wrong on the politics. You can’t win a philosophical argument on this topic when the country is being overrun.&#8221;
&#8220;Solve the existential problem and people will be in a better mood to have nuanced discussions about what a proper immigration policy should look like,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Not the right-wing socialist Bernie Bro types or groyper racists, of course. They will never care about nuance. But everyone else. That’s what this moment requires.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our immigration system has been weaponized to destroy our culture and national identity for decades.
Immigration has also been fundamental to our national character and history, and high-skilled immigration (which represents only a tiny fraction of total immigration) is a…
— Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyDBoreing/status/1873017895824826835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote>

Republican Presidential Nominee Former President Trump Holds Rally In Butler, Pennsylvania

‘Reason I’m In America’: Elon And Other Trump Allies Battle It Out Over Foreign Worker Visa Program

Conservatives Criticize H-1B Visa Immigration Program Following Elon, Vivek Comments

Jeremy Boreing

Vivek Ramaswamy

The rate of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">labor participation</a> among native-born Americans has slumped while the number of immigrants in the workforce has surged, a new report from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) indicates.
The drop among native-born Americans was pronounced among men within their prime working years, the CIS study explains.
“The share of working-age (16 to 64) U.S.-born men not in the labor force increased from 11 percent in April 1960 to 17 percent in April 2000, and to 22 percent in April 2024,” the report states. “Among ‘prime-age’ U.S.-born men (25 to 54), the group most likely to work, the share not in the labor force was 4 percent in April 1960, 9 percent in 2000 and 12 percent in 2024.”
CIS found that 45 million native-born American men and women between the ages of 16 and 64 were not in the labor force as of April, marking an increase of 8.5 million since 2000. It also accounted for the aging of the population, explaining that “even the share of younger U.S.-born men (25 to 34) not in the labor force has increased over the last six decades.”
“Focusing only on U.S.-born men without a bachelor’s degree and excluding teenagers still shows the share (20 to 64) not in the labor force increased from 7 percent in 1960 to 16 percent in 2000, and to 22 percent in 2024,” the CIS study says.
The number of American-born men who are not in the labor force surged by a whopping 13.2 million from 1960 to 2024, CIS points out. Immigrant men’s participation in the labor force surged by 14.1 million during the same period of time, however.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50% OFF ALL DAILY WIRE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS FOR A LIMITED TIME!</a>
The lead author behind the report, Steven Camarota, contended that an over reliance on immigrant labor has harmed American workers.
“Relying on immigrant workers has allowed our country to ignore the decades-long decline in labor force participation,” he asserted. “Reducing immigration would cause wages to rise, incentivizing work and compelling policymakers to undertake much-needed reforms in welfare and disability programs.”

Electrician

Native-Born American Labor Participation Slumps As Immigrant Labor Numbers Jump

Border

Illegal Immigration

Jobs

President-elect Donald Trump said during an interview on Thursday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will &#8220;easily remain speaker&#8221; if he can get tough and gut Democrat policy initiatives from the stopgap bill that Congress is trying to pass to avert a government shutdown.
&#8220;Anybody that supports a bill that doesn’t take care of the Democrat quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be primaried and disposed of as quickly as possible,&#8221; Trump said during an interview with <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-mike-johnson-easily-remain-speaker-he-acts-decisively-tough-spending-bill">Fox News</a>.
Trump&#8217;s remarks come after he and Elon Musk pressured Republican lawmakers into killing the 1,500-plus-page bill, noting that it was filled with wasteful spending priorities, such as giving lawmakers pay raises.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
Some Republicans have signaled publicly and privately that they believe Johnson will face competition for the speakership next month after the new Congress is sworn in.
Trump continued, &#8220;If the speaker acts decisively, and tough, and gets rid of all of the traps being set by the Democrats, which will economically and, in other ways, destroy our country, he will easily remain speaker.&#8221;
House Republican leaders were racing to piece together a new package on Thursday morning as a government shutdown would start going into effect on Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
&#8220;There’s a lot of moving parts,&#8221; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told reporters. &#8220;We’re going to try to get it done today.&#8221;
Trump has said that a clean bill needs to be passed that only includes funding for disaster relief, aid for farmers, and raises the debt ceiling.
“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025,” Trump said on social media Wednesday evening. “The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.”

President-Elect Donald Trump Meets With Biden, Congressional Leaders In Washington

Trump: Johnson Will Remain Speaker If He ‘Acts Decisively And Tough’ On Spending Bill

Mike Johnson

Spending Bill

Thousands of Amazon workers went on strike on Thursday as shoppers rush to complete last-minute holiday shopping the week before Christmas.
Union workers at seven fulfillment centers across the country joined the strike, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union called the strike the largest ever against the online retail giant, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/amazon-workers-strike-union-61af8da6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal</a>.
“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it,” Teamsters head Sean O’Brien said in a statement posted to <a href="https://x.com/Teamsters/status/1869546520812408910" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X</a>. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.”
Amazon said the work stoppage is not expected to affect Christmas shopping and delivery times. It is unclear how long the strike is expected to last, though a representative for the union has said it would last beyond Thursday.
The battle between Amazon and the Teamsters has escalated recently as the company continues to fight against a 2022 union election in Staten Island, New York. The Amazon Labor Union won the vote, which was certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union later voted to affiliate with the Teamsters.
The company has maintained that the election was unfair and continues to fight for another vote. Amazon has also filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the NLRB.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.’ They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative,” Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said in a statement, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-strike-teamsters-delivery-gifts-1ea28e27bc3ddd88d9f0c7c53f798d1d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Associated Press</a>.
“Our employees have a choice of whether or not to join a union. They always have,” Nantel said, according to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/19/business/amazon-teamsters-strike/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>. “We favor opportunities for each person to be respected and valued as an individual and to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team.” Amazon is on record saying it believes the 2022 election in Staten Island was not a level playing field and that the results certified by the NLRB do not accurately reflect the opinion of the workers at the facility.
Amazon and the Teamsters have also argued whether delivery drivers are Amazon employees or contractors. Amazon says delivery drivers are employees of a separate business, Delivery Service Partners.
“There are a lot of nuances here but I want to be clear, the Teamsters don’t represent any Amazon employees despite their claims to the contrary,” Nantel said. “This entire narrative is a PR play and the Teamsters’ conduct this past year, and this week is illegal.”

Amazon

Amazon Workers Strike As Union Threatens Christmas Package Delays

Business

Christmas

Labor Unions

strike

President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> said in an interview published this week that he has no concerns about any potential conflicts of interest related to Elon Musk leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) because Musk loves the U.S. more than his companies.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with TIME that was published when the magazine announced that it had named Trump the &#8220;Person of the Year.&#8221;
Trump was asked if Musk advocating for cuts at NASA could constitute a conflict of interest since that could benefit SpaceX, Musk&#8217;s space company.
&#8220;I think that Elon puts the country long before his company,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;I mean, he&#8217;s in a lot of companies, but he really is, and I&#8217;ve seen it. He considers this to be his most important project, and he wanted to do it. And, you know, I think, I think he&#8217;s one of the very few people that would have the credibility to do it, but he puts the country before, and I&#8217;ve seen it, before he puts his company.&#8221;
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
Trump said that cuts were desperately needed to get federal spending under control and to encourage economic growth.
&#8220;Look, we have a country that is bloated with rules, regulations and with, frankly, people that are unnecessary,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;We are going to need a lot of people in a lot of other jobs. We&#8217;re looking to get people into private sector jobs where they can do better and be more productive. We&#8217;re going to see what happens. We have some interesting months coming up, at the beginning. We&#8217;re going to see what happens. But this country is bloated.&#8221;

Trump On Musk Leading DOGE: He ‘Puts The Country Long Before His Company’

SpaceX

Tesla

President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Thursday morning just minutes after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-named-times-2024-person-of-the-year?topStoryPosition=1">TIME magazine named him 2024&#8217;s &#8220;Person of the Year.&#8221;</a>
As he rang the bell, Trump was joined by Vice President-elect JD Vance, Melania Trump, NYSE President Lynn Martin, and two of his children, Ivanka and Tiffany.
At one point, a chant of &#8220;USA&#8221; broke out among traders on the floor.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: President-Elect Donald Trump rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange <a href="https://t.co/Pn9jayhWa3">pic.twitter.com/Pn9jayhWa3</a>
— America (@america) <a href="https://twitter.com/america/status/1867219130950025413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
&#8220;We&#8217;re going to give tremendous incentive like no other country has,&#8221; Trump said in brief remarks before the event. &#8220;We&#8217;re cutting your taxes. We&#8217;re going to cut them very substantially.&#8221;
Trump said companies that produce their products in the U.S. will have lower tax rates than companies that outsource manufacturing overseas.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
&#8220;We are incentivizing everybody to come back to the United States,&#8221; Trump continued. &#8220;We want you back here. Car manufacturers, everybody. And we have one product that nobody has really to the extent that we do. It&#8217;s called oil and gas. There is no country in the world that has more, we&#8217;re number one.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NOW: President Trump speaks at the New York Stock Exchange with Mrs. Trump and members of his power team behind him! <a href="https://t.co/0MaQHOxCgc">pic.twitter.com/0MaQHOxCgc</a>
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/karolineleavitt/status/1867209842588615070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
In 1985, Ronald Reagan was the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell.
“With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> signs the NYSE guest book and learns he is the first President to ring the bell since Ronald Reagan 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/IFR73ZWH10">pic.twitter.com/IFR73ZWH10</a>
— Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1867203746444554380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote>

President-Elect Trump Rings The Opening Bell Of The New York Stock Exchange

WATCH: Trump Rings Opening Bell At New York Stock Exchange

New York

Stock Market

President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> said during an interview over the weekend that he will not give special treatment to ally Elon Musk over Musk&#8217;s competitors.
Trump made the remarks during a Sunday NBC News interview with Kristen Welker on &#8220;Meet The Press&#8221; when asked about Musk, who was the largest donor during the 2024 election.
&#8220;Will you favor Elon Musk over other leaders of competitor companies, like Jeff Bezos?&#8221; Welker asked.
&#8220;No, Jeff Bezos called me. We’re having dinner,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;As you know, Mark Zuckerberg came in. We had a really nice dinner. He asked to have dinner. I had dinner with him. I’m having dinner with everybody. People like me now, you know? It’s something going on that people &#8212; I said, &#8216;Would you have come to dinner with me if I lost?&#8217; I think the answer is no.&#8221;
&#8220;You know, I said, kiddingly, of course, because I don’t want to sound foolish. But I say jokingly, &#8216;Would you have been here at dinner if I lost?&#8217; And the answer was, &#8216;Probably not,'&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Look, I’m getting called by everybody.&#8221;
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Donald Trump tells NBC News’ Kristen Welker that he won’t give Elon Musk special treatment over other tech leaders. <a href="https://t.co/BVk8S5svUu">pic.twitter.com/BVk8S5svUu</a>
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1865885556527517899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote>

Trump Vows To Not Give Elon Musk Special Treatment Over Competitors

Menu