Ford announced on Monday that it is pausing construction on a multi-billion dollar battery plant in Marshall, Michigan that had drawn scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over the company&#8217;s partnership with Chinese battery-maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., or CATL.
&#8220;We&#8217;re pausing work, and we&#8217;re going to limit spending on construction at Marshall until we&#8217;re confident about our ability to competitively run the plant,&#8221; Ford spokesman T.R. Reid said in a statement. &#8220;There are a number of considerations, all of which we’re evaluating in terms of our competitiveness.&#8221;
“We haven’t made a final decision about the investment there,&#8221; Reid added, noting that the pause on the $3.5 billion plant was effective immediately.
The statement did not mention the ongoing strikes from the the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, who lashed out after hearing the news.
&#8220;This is a shameful, barely-veiled threat by Ford to cut jobs,&#8221; UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement. &#8220;Closing 65 plants over the last 20 years wasn’t enough for the Big Three, now they want to threaten us with closing plants that aren’t even open yet. We are simply asking for a just transition to electric vehicles and Ford is instead doubling down on their race to the bottom.&#8221;
The Detroit News <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2023/09/25/ford-motor-company-electric-vehicle-battery-plant-marshall-pausing/70963467007/">noted</a> that when plans for the plant were announced earlier this year that Ford had hoped to be producing 2 million electric vehicles per year by 2026 but the company had to abandon those goals because the market demand is not what the company anticipated.
The announcement came as the <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/technology/ford-pulls-out-all-the-stops-to-revive-a-struggling-brand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">struggling</a> auto brand lost billions of dollars last year under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley in part because of bad investments and poor vehicle quality which has led to expensive recalls, according to a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/business/ford-earnings-fourth-quarter-2022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from The New York Times.
Republicans from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce <a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/09_01_23_E_and_C_Letter_FORD_ae9859a956.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sent a letter</a> to Farley on September 1 requesting information on the company’s relationship with CATL. The partnership, made in February, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ford-slammed-for-teaming-up-with-chinese-company-to-build-batteries-becoming-a-national-security-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">garnered criticism</a> from some lawmakers who pointed to national security concerns.
“While Ford has labeled this project a ‘commitment to American manufacturing’ and asserts it will create 2,500 new American jobs, we are concerned that Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company could aid China’s efforts to expand its control over United States electric vehicle supply chains and jeopardize national security by furthering dependence on China,” the letter said.
Republicans referenced congressional testimony that said CATL could stop working on the project if tensions between the U.S. and China escalated, leaving the vehicle maker in a bind over how to source batteries for its vehicles. The lawmakers also questioned who would be employed at the plant currently under construction in Marshall, Michigan.
“Additionally, Members learned at this hearing that Chinese companies often supply their own workers to projects in Latin America and Africa, reinforcing fears that CATL will import workers for this facility rather than creating jobs for United States workers,” the letter said.
The GOP lawmakers requested a copy of the licensing agreement between Ford and CATL, along with communications from Ford discussing federal incentives for the project.
“We seek to learn more about whether this partnership, and others like it, will potentially exacerbate our reliance on China. Should China gain control of domestic electric vehicle production, the United States would be exposed to serious national security risks at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions,” the Republicans said.

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz Officially Opens Ford Motor Co.’s Cologne Electric Vehicle Center

Ford Halts Controversial Battery Plant Amid Strikes From Auto Workers Union

China

Communist China

Ford Motor Co.

Labor Unions

strike

CNN anchor Jake Tapper grilled Ford CEO Jim Farley during an interview this week about the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike that is impacting America&#8217;s big three automakers.
Around 13,000 auto workers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/workers-walk-out-at-three-major-auto-factories-after-biden-predicted-strike-wouldnt-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stopped</a> working as picketing began outside a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan; a GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. The strike comes after weeks of negotiations between the union and leadership at the automakers.
A CNN reporter was interviewing Farley when Tapper interrupted her and to point out what the head of the UAW was saying.
&#8220;I just wanted to pass on a question based on something he told me the other day which is that over the last four years, each of the Big Three car manufacturers&#8217; CEOs, in addition to their multimillion dollar salaries, they received on average of 40 percent pay increase,&#8221; Tapper said. &#8220;So why are the auto workers wanting a raise beyond what&#8217;s been asked, why is that so offensive compared to the 40 percent raises they have given themselves?&#8221;
Farley said that the company was &#8220;really open to huge increases&#8221; in the &#8220;double digit&#8221; range, &#8220;increases we have never seen before, 20-plus percent.&#8221;
Farley said that going to 40 percent would put the company out of business and that he refused to cut the company&#8217;s push for electric vehicles, despite <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/ford-set-lose-billion-electric-vehicles-year-despite-increased-revenue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">losing</a> $4.5 billion in the endeavor.
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&#8220;There&#8217;s a fine line here that we won&#8217;t go past, which is we want everyone to participate in our success. But if it prevents us from investing in this transition to EVs and in future products like the ones we have now, like new F-150, bestselling vehicle in the world — in the U.S., then everyone&#8217;s job is at risk if we don&#8217;t invest,&#8221; he said.
Tapper pushed back, &#8220;It&#8217;s just there have been record auto profits, bailouts by the U.S. government. These huge raises that these CEOs are giving themselves, and I just wonder, why there isn&#8217;t more of a desire of the CEOs to have the workers share in the profits that are coming in to these automakers who just need we remind him were bailed outside by the U.S. taxpayer a few years ago?&#8221;
WATCH:
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CNN’s Jake Tapper grills Ford CEO Jim Farley why he isn’t giving more to workers when he is making tens of millions of dollars per year. <a href="https://t.co/ikgCtTf03O">pic.twitter.com/ikgCtTf03O</a>
&mdash; Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrantz/status/1702904654051541073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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2023 North American International Auto Show Held In Detroit, Michigan

Ford CEO Jim Farley On Auto Strike: ‘Transition To EVs’ Is Top Priority Despite Losing $4.5 Billion

Economy

electric vehicles

Environment

U.S.

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-union-president-says-auto-workers-feel-abandoned-by-the-democratic-party-as-union-criticizes-bidens-ev-push" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Auto Workers</a> announced a strike against <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ford-motor-co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ford</a>, General Motors, and Stellantis, as the union demands higher wages and “economic and social justice.”
Around 13,000 auto workers <a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-uaw-workers-strike-gm-ford-stellantis-7ce3ca9d94b911250d07556b7af376c7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stopped working</a> as picketing began outside a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan; a GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. The strike comes after weeks of negotiations between the union and leadership at the automakers. 
“We didn’t want to be here. We want a fair agreement. We want fair economic and social justice for our members. That’s what this is all about. And it’s a shame,” <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/live-blog/uaw-strike-ford-general-motors-stellantis-live-updates-rcna105134" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Shawn Fain, president of the auto workers union. 
The strike is currently only targeted at three factories as the UAW pushes for a 36% pay bump over a four-year period for workers. Ford and GM said they could do 20% and Stellantis put forth a 17.5% increase over four years, according to the Associated Press. 
Other demands by the union are a 32-hour work week with pay for 40 hours, pensions for new employees, and inflation-based pay bumps. 
Prior to the strike, GM outlined that, in addition to the 20% pay increase over four years, the company would add “inflation protection,” increase its contributions to retirement health care savings by 25%, and increase vacation time. GM CEO Mary Barra <a href="https://www.gmnegotiations2023.com/public/us/en/negotiations/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described</a> the offer as a “compelling and unprecedented economic package.” 
President Joe Biden, who <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/05/uaw-strike-likely-detroit-automakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">predicted</a> that a strike would not take place, will reportedly discuss the standoff sometime on Friday. 
&#8220;No, I&#8217;m not worried about a strike until it happens. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s going to happen,” Biden said on Labor Day. 
Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of Job Creators Network, slammed Biden in a statement after the strike, saying that the president was in part responsible for the strike.
&#8220;President Biden is partly responsible for the economically damaging UAW strike because Bidenflation has caused declining real wages and living standards for ordinary workers, resulting in UAW taking this drastic action to swing the wage pendulum in the other direction. Biden&#8217;s pro-union rhetoric, including calling himself the most pro-union president in history, has also contributed to the UAW overplaying its hand with ridiculous compensation demands that threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers, thousands of small businesses that service the big three automakers, and even the automakers themselves,&#8221; Ortiz said.
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Ford said that a strike “could have wide-ranging consequences for our business and the economy. It also impacts the very 57,000 UAW-Ford workers we are trying to reward with this contract.”
Stellantis, who had about 5,800 employees in Ohio stop work making the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, said it was “disappointed” by the strike. 
&#8220;We are extremely disappointed by the UAW leadership’s refusal to engage in a responsible manner to reach a fair agreement in the best interest of our employees, their families and our customers,&#8221; a statement from Stellantis said. &#8220;We immediately put the Company in contingency mode and will take all the appropriate structural decisions to protect our North American operations and the Company,” the company added.

United Auto Workers Hold Limited Strikes As Contract Negotiations Expire

Workers Walk Out At Three Major Auto Factories After Biden Predicted Strike Wouldn’t Happen

General Motors

Joe Biden

Michigan

Missouri

Ohio

Unions

House Republicans are questioning the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ford-motor-co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ford Motor Company</a> about an electric vehicle battery factory project in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/michigan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michigan</a> and its ties to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a>. 
Republicans from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce <a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/09_01_23_E_and_C_Letter_FORD_ae9859a956.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sent a letter</a> to Ford CEO James Farley on September 1 requesting information on the company’s relationship with Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). The partnership, made in February, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ford-slammed-for-teaming-up-with-chinese-company-to-build-batteries-becoming-a-national-security-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">garnered criticism</a> from some lawmakers who pointed to national security concerns. 
“While Ford has labeled this project a ‘commitment to American manufacturing’ and asserts it will create 2,500 new American jobs, we are concerned that Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company could aid China’s efforts to expand its control over United States electric vehicle supply chains and jeopardize national security by furthering dependence on China,” the letter said. 
The letter referenced a move by Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to scuttle a similar potential partnership between Ford and CATL in his state before the Michigan partnership was announced.
“While Ford is an iconic American company, it became clear that this proposal would serve as a front for the Chinese Communist party, which could compromise our economic security and Virginians’ personal privacy,” Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter <a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/ford-plant-halted-by-youngkin-would-have-created-2-500-jobs-in-southside/article_9edc230a-95dc-11ed-bdd8-2301b6df2e06.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the Richmond Times-Dispatch</a> at the time. 
In the letter to Farley, Republicans referenced congressional testimony that said CATL could stop working on the project if tensions between the U.S. and China escalated, leaving the vehicle maker in a bind over how to source batteries for its vehicles. The lawmakers also questioned who would be employed at the plant currently under construction in Marshall, Michigan. 
“Additionally, Members learned at this hearing that Chinese companies often supply their own workers to projects in Latin America and Africa, reinforcing fears that CATL will import workers for this facility rather than creating jobs for United States workers,” the letter said. 
The GOP lawmakers requested a copy of the licensing agreement between Ford and CATL, along with communications from Ford discussing federal incentives for the project. 
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“We seek to learn more about whether this partnership, and others like it, will potentially exacerbate our reliance on China. Should China gain control of domestic electric vehicle production, the United States would be exposed to serious national security risks at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions,” the Republicans said. 
Business relations between the U.S. and China have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over intellectual property theft and national security precautions as tensions with China remain high.

CATL battery cell factory

House Republicans Question Ford Over Michigan Electric Vehicle Battery Plant Tied To China

Chinese Communist Party

Congress

Glenn Youngkin

Politics

Ford Motor Company expects to lose a whopping $4.5 billion from its electric vehicles (EVs) this year, the company said in its second-quarter earnings report <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2023/07/27/second-quarter-2023-financial-results.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">released</a> Thursday.
The Michigan-based automaker said its all-electric vehicle division, called &#8220;Ford Model e,&#8221; has already <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/ford-shares-fall-ev-warning-f150-recall-7567136" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost</a> more than $2.8 billion in the first two quarters of this year, including $1.8 billion in the second quarter alone or <a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2023/07/ford-loses-over-32000-per-ev-during-the-second-quarter-shifts-production-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about</a> $32,000 for every EV Ford has sold.
Ford said the loss reflects the &#8220;pricing environment, disciplined investments in new products and capacity, and other costs.&#8221; The car company struggled to compete with Tesla, which <a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2023/04/elon-musk-is-willing-to-sacrifice-teslas-premium-image-to-take-down-the-likes-of-ford/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lowered</a> prices for its electric models earlier this year.
Back in March, Ford <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-sees-3-billion-pretax-loss-its-ev-business-this-year-2023-03-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected</a> to lose only about $3 billion from electric vehicles this year, but the company bumped that projection up to $4.5 billion last week.
The disappointing numbers come after Ford made a big push for electric vehicles last year.
The carmaker said it would ramp up its electric vehicle production to 600,000 cars a year by the end of this year. Now, Ford says it will hit that goal next year instead.
In the meantime, Ford executives say the company is working on several new hybrid model cars, which <a href="https://www.ford.com/new-hybrids-evs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can operate</a> in either electric mode or gas mode.
“You’re going to see a lot more hybrid systems from us,” CEO Jim Farley said Thursday after the company&#8217;s earnings report was released.
“What the customer really likes is when we take a hybrid system that’s more efficient for certain duty cycles and then we add new capabilities because of the batteries,” Farley said.
Farley said Ford has been &#8220;surprised, frankly&#8221; at the popularity of the hybrid model for the F-150 pickup truck. More than <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/ford-embraces-hybrids-as-it-loses-billions-on-evs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10% of</a> Ford buyers who purchased the pickup truck bought the hybrid model, he said.
Also, more than half, 56% of Ford customers who bought Ford&#8217;s Maverick pickup truck bought the hybrid version.
“We’re seeing a lot of customers like that combination of using the batteries for something beyond just moving the vehicle,” Farley said. “And so we’re just listening to the market.”
Some of Ford&#8217;s hybrids <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/ford-embraces-hybrids-as-it-loses-billions-on-evs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allow</a> users to plug power tools into the car&#8217;s battery or plug in a refrigerator for a tailgate party.
Ford is still moving forward with its plans for electric cars, but may take quite a while for the company to start profiting from them.
Ford sold only 34,000 electric vehicles and hybrids combined in the second quarter of this year, and only 61,575 electric vehicles in the U.S. in all of last year. Some experts <a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2022/11/16/ev-makers-are-not-losing-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-on-every-car-sold/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">say</a> it takes about 100,000 cars sold to even start turning a profit on a new model.
However, the company also touted that its electric vehicle revenue is up 39% and that Ford maintains low prices for electric cars, &#8220;further establishing leadership ahead of [the] industry’s next-generation EVs.&#8221;
Ford still turns a massive profit thanks to other sectors of the company, raking in $45 billion in the second quarter with a net income of $1.9 billion.
The automobile industry as a whole has raced to adapt ahead of potential government regulations that would require them to produce more electric cars, with car companies spending tens of billions of dollars to develop electric models.
In April, the Biden administration&#8217;s Environmental Protection Agency proposed a requirement that would <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-proposes-hike-vehicle-fuel-economy-standards-58-mpg-by-2032-2023-07-28/">cut</a> emissions by 56% and result in 67% of new vehicles being electric by 2032.
The Department of Energy has also <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-proposes-slash-ev-mileage-ratings-meet-fuel-economy-rules-2023-04-11/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> regulations that would push car makers towards electric vehicles, rejecting criticism from some car makers that the rules could cost the auto industry hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties by 2031.

IAA 2021 Munich Auto Show

Ford Loses Billions On Electric Cars, Embraces Hybrids

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ford-motor-co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ford Motor Company</a> could announce new layoffs as soon as next week &#8212; its third round of layoffs within the last year.
Sources informed <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/ford-prepares-new-round-of-layoffs-for-u-s-salaried-workers-a533a7a4?mod=hp_lead_pos5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal</a> that this round of layoffs will primarily affect U.S. salaried workers in the gas, electric vehicle, and software divisions of the company.
The reported layoffs come after the company <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/22/ford-to-cut-3000-jobs-primarily-in-north-america.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut 3,000 American jobs</a> last August and announced earlier this year that it would <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/ford-to-cut-3-800-jobs-in-europe-in-ev-shift-e1f8f567?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduce its European workforce</a> by 3,800.
The company has struggled to curb its spending as it transitions to electric vehicles and reported a $2 billion net loss last year, all while having committed to spending $50 billion through 2026 in developing its EV unit.
The company <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/03/02/ford-accelerating-transformation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously reported</a> that it hopes to ramp up annual EV production to two million by 2026 and expects EVs to represent half of its global volume by 2030.
CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged the company will need to spend “billions” to procure materials that would enable an increase in EV production, and the company has <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/ford-ceo-jim-farley-grapples-with-problems-from-the-auto-makers-past-b098271c?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received criticism</a> from previous CEOs about its operational inefficiencies.
Farley acknowledged that the company has struggled operationally on a February earnings call.
“The strength of our products and revenue has masked this dysfunctionality for a long time. It’s not an excuse, but it’s our reality,” he said.
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The report followed an earlier <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2023/06/22/doe-announces-9-2-billion-loan-plan-for-ford-sk-joint-venturefeds-announce-9-2-billion-loan-for-ford/70345917007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> from the U.S. Department of Energy that it would loan $9.2 billion to Ford and South Korean battery maker SK &#8212; a loan that covers most of the $11.4 billion the companies had jointly pledged to spend on the venture.
The loan is the most significant financial support the federal government has given an automobile company since the Great Financial Crisis and is the biggest loan the Department of Energy has ever made.
Ford was out-earned by its rival General Motors in 2022, despite GM’s lower revenue and smaller workforce, and Ford’s annual costs are still $7 to $8 billion above where they should be relative to rivals, according to the Journal, though Ford did <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/20/ford-ceo-didnt-hesitate-on-the-tesla-deal-its-good-for-customers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report above-expected revenue</a> in its most recent quarterly earnings report.
The Journal also reported that the company would work to separate its gas-engine business from its EV and software sectors. Its EV sector is predicted to lose $3 billion in operating profit this year.
A Ford spokesperson said in a statement that the layoffs are in line with the company’s future business plans.
“As we have said, part of the ongoing management of our business includes aligning our global staffing to meet future business plans, as well as staying cost competitive as our industry evolves,” he said.

Ford

Ford Motor Company To Announce New Layoffs In Coming Weeks: Report

Cars

Unemployment

Ford will receive the largest government check for an automaker since the 2009 bailouts thanks to a $9.2 billion loan intended to help construct three electric vehicle battery plants in the U.S. 
The loan from the Biden administration is aimed at boosting U.S. automakers in their race against China for green technologies and helping the auto industry reach Biden’s bold <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/04/12/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-new-standards-to-protect-public-health-that-will-save-consumers-money-and-increase-energy-security/">goal</a> of electrifying 67% of all commercial passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2032, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-ford-ev-battery-plant-funding-biden-green-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Ford is partnering with South Korean battery company SK On Co. in a venture called BlueOval to build three battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. 
&#8220;Major technology transitions have always been accelerated by collaboration between the public and private sectors,&#8221; said Ford Treasurer Dave Webb, <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-sk-joint-venture-set-122417770.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Reuters.
Biden’s commitment to Ford comes from a department within the EPA known as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. It will be the single largest loan in the history of the program. Ford and SK have already started building the battery manufacturing facilities that will produce more than 120 gigawatt hours annually, the Energy Department said. BlueOval was awarded subsidies by both the Tennessee and Kentucky state governments before receiving the massive loan from the federal government, meaning taxpayers will fund almost all of the cost, according to Bloomberg. 
The multi-billion-dollar loan met criticism from some who are troubled by the federal government’s interference with the free market to promote EVs. Steven Milloy, a lawyer and senior policy fellow with the Energy &amp; Environment Legal Institute who served on former President Donald Trump’s transition team, wondered why the EV sector needed so much help from the government. 
“If EVs are so great why does Ford and its South Korean partner need a $9.2 billion loan from taxpayers to build battery plants?” Milloy <a href="https://twitter.com/JunkScience/status/1671884647033352192" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. “Why doesn&#8217;t the ESG cartel finance them?”
Ford wants to produce up to two million EVs by 2026. It produced 132,000 EVs last year, and the company projected the EV push would cost Ford $3 billion in 2023. The company is chasing Elon Musk’s Tesla for EV sales in the U.S. and remains far behind the electric car giant. Tesla, which started in 2003, lost money for ten years before finally turning a profit in 2013. Musk’s company made $12.6 billion in 2022, an impressive jump from $5.5 billion in 2021.
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Along with the unprecedented push for EV sales, the Biden administration is expected to crack down on tailpipe emissions for cars made between 2027-2032. In March, the White House released a fact sheet announcing investments for the car industry to get EV sales to make up half of all new vehicle sales by 2030. As part of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which seeks “to bring a clean, safe, affordable, and reliable transportation future to Americans,” certain buyers receive tax credits for purchasing new and used EVs.

Ford Gets $9.2 Billion Loan From Biden Admin For EV Battery Factories

Biden Administration

Energy

Executive

South Korea

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-officially-declaring-presidential-run-during-event-with-elon-musk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DeSantis 2024?</a>
Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his candidacy for President of the United States on Twitter Wednesday. The Florida Governor is making the unconventional announcement as part of a conversation with Elon Musk. The conversation will take place on the social media app at 6 p.m. Eastern. 
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“Real-time questions and answers &#8212; not scripted.” &#8211; Elon Musk on the Ron DeSantis presidential announcement on Twitter<a href="https://t.co/vptKGUDInI">pic.twitter.com/vptKGUDInI</a>
&mdash; Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarinaMedvin/status/1661088357286330412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-man-charged-with-threatening-president-after-ramming-u-haul-into-gate-near-white-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Man Drives U-Haul Into White House Fence, Charged With Crimes</a>
A man has been charged with several crimes, including threatening the president, after he allegedly drove a U-Haul truck into barriers around the White House late Monday.
The driver of the truck, who <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12114653/Cops-charge-man-crashed-rented-U-haul-box-truck-security-barriers-near-White-House.html">the Daily Mail identified</a> as Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, Missouri, smashed into a security gate at Lafayette Park, which is in front of the White House gates, just before 10:00 p.m. last night. He was charged with five crimes, including threatening to kill, kidnap, or harm the president, vice president, or family member. Police also allegedly found a Swastika flag in the vehicle.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-11618">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dodgers-re-invite-queer-and-trans-nuns-troupe-with-an-apology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dodgers Re-Invite Drag Queen &#8220;Nuns&#8221;</a>
The L.A. Dodgers have reversed course yet again on their decision to dis-invite the LGBT activist group The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to their June 16 pride night. The franchise initially received backlash from activists when they disinvited the group due to concerns about offending their Catholic fans. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a drag performance group that caricatures Catholic nuns. 
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nebraska-becomes-18th-state-to-ban-transgender-surgeries-on-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nebraska Bans Sex-Rejection Surgeries For Minors</a>
Republican <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nebraska">Nebraska</a> Governor Jim Pillen signed a bill that bans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/transgender-surgery">transgender surgeries</a> on those 18 and younger, and bans most abortions at 12 weeks. The signing makes Nebraska the 18th state to pass laws banning transgender procedures on children and follows a raucous week at the capitol building in Lincoln. Several <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-protester-takes-swing-at-police-officer-as-republicans-vote-to-ban-trans-procedures-on-minors-police-say">protesters were arrested</a> during the legislature’s Friday session.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/portuguese-police-resume-search-for-madeleine-mccann-who-disappeared-from-resort-in-2007" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Portuguese Police Renewing Search For Madeleine McCann</a>
Police in Portugal are renewing the search for Madeleine McCann. Then-three-year-old McCann disappeared in 2007 while on vacation with her parents, sparking a worldwide, multi-year search. On Tuesday, officers could be seen digging near a dam about 30 miles from where McCann went missing in the beach town of Praia de Luz.
<a href="https://thehill.com/business/economy/4015801-record-share-of-americans-say-they-are-worse-off-financially-than-one-year-earlier-survey/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20%E2%80%9CEconomic%20Well,asked%20the%20question%20in%202014." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Record Number  Of Americans Financially Worse Than Last Year</a>
According to the Federal Reserve’s annual Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households survey, 35% of adults said they were financially worse off than the year before. That’s the highest percentage ever since the Fed began taking this survey in 2014.
<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4017502-ford-keeping-am-radios-in-vehicles-amid-lawmaker-pressure/#:~:text=CEO%20Jim%20Farley%20said%20in,2024%20Ford%20and%20Lincoln%20vehicles." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ford Will Keep AM Radios</a>
Ford has reversed its decision to remove AM radio from new 2024 models. CEO Jim Farley posted to social media Tuesday that the company chose to reverse the decision after government leaders expressed concern about retaining the ability to transmit emergency alerts.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dad-killed-by-teen-driver-when-he-stopped-to-help-family-of-ducks-cross-street" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dad Killed While Helping Ducks Cross The Road</a>
The GoFundMe for the widow of the California father who was killed while assisting a family of ducklings across a busy road has <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/caseys-final-act-of-kindness?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_content=undefined&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;utm_term=undefined">surpassed $90,000</a>. Casey Rivara, a 41-year-old father-of-two, pulled over to assist a family of ducks at an intersection in Rocklin, California, on Thursday evening when he was struck and killed by a 17-year-old driver. 
Rivara’s children were also in the car at the time. His widow Angel Chow released a statement, saying, &#8220;We have been deeply touched by the overwhelming love and support we&#8217;ve received for Casey Rivara and our family in these past few days. … It&#8217;s truly humbling to hear how Casey has positively impacted your lives, and we&#8217;re extremely grateful for that.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/extraordinary-and-unprecedented-tiktok-sues-montana-over-statewide-ban" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok Sues Montana</a>
TikTok sued Montana in federal court on Monday over a new law that <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/montana-tiktok-ban/story?id=99424163">bans</a> downloads of the app in the state. According to their statement, TikTok is &#8220;challenging Montana&#8217;s unconstitutional TikTok ban to protect our business and the hundreds of thousands of TikTok users in Montana.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dailywire-to-stream-all-shows-on-twitter-largest-free-speech-platform-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyWire+ To Stream All Podcasts On Twitter</a>
The Daily Wire will be streaming all of its podcasts on Twitter as of Tuesday, May 30. The announcement comes one month after Daily Wire host Matt Walsh began to live stream each episode of his show on the site. According to Daily Wire co-CEO Jeremy Boreing, “Twitter is the largest free speech platform in the world … which is why we’ve decided to distribute the rest of our shows on Twitter.”
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

TUESDAY

Tuesday Afternoon Update: DeSantis 2024 Announcement? DailyWire+ To Stream Podcasts On Twitter, TikTok Sues Montana

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The Ford Raptor is very gay. That&#8217;s not a middle school joke, it&#8217;s an actual vehicle offered by The Ford Motor Company, which created a special edition &#8220;very gay&#8221; version of its Raptor pick-up truck two years ago, complete with a rainbow paint job. Yet nobody even noticed it until recently — which sort of makes the whole thing a lot more funny.
On May 18, Robby Starbuck tweeted, &#8220;Did you know that Ford has a truck they call their &#8216;Very Gay Raptor&#8217;? Check out their ad where the truck &#8216;comes out&#8217; of mud to reveal its trans/queer flag colors.&#8221; 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Did you know that Ford has a truck they call their &quot;Very Gay Raptor&quot;? Check out their ad where the truck &quot;comes out&quot; of mud to reveal its trans/queer flag colors. Does this make you more or less likely to buy a <a href="https://twitter.com/Ford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ford</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/budlight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@budlight</a> showed people are sick of this. <a href="https://t.co/hRqsdw8M3N">pic.twitter.com/hRqsdw8M3N</a>
&mdash; Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) <a href="https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/status/1659199384196902914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Technically, it isn&#8217;t an advertisement — it&#8217;s just a social media video. According to The National Pulse&#8217;s Raheem Kassam, a spokesperson for Ford has been very quick to point that out. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Me when the Ford comms guy slides into the DMs crying that we told the world about their “Very Gay Raptor”… <a href="https://t.co/3vxpBzKnbx">pic.twitter.com/3vxpBzKnbx</a>
&mdash; Raheem. (@RaheemKassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/1659883269016395776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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While the very gay truck has gained new prominence, or infamy depending on your persuasion, it has actually been out of the closet for some time, and Ford Europe was quite proud of its Very Gay Raptor (VGR).
&#8220;Created in 2021, &#8216;Very Gay Raptor&#8217; was born in response to a negative comment on social media, with Ford rendering its most badass nameplate in sparkling gold adorned with rainbow graphics,&#8221; a Ford Europe press release <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/en/news/2022/06/21/ford_s-very-gay-raptor-set-to-redefine-tough-at-goodwood.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;The positive response online was so overwhelming the manufacturer decided to make it real, and has been using it as a tool to help drive out discrimination ever since.&#8221;
Per the company, it was created as part of an effort &#8220;to redefine what &#8216;tough&#8217; actually means.&#8221; One might argue responding to internet trolls in the first place isn&#8217;t very tough, but that&#8217;s neither here nor there.
However, it seems like the stunt is backfiring in the wake of Bud Light&#8217;s Dylan Mulvaney fiasco as it receives renewed attention.
Now, the real kicker in all this is that you&#8217;ll note that the pride flag shown in the Ford Europe video is actually outdated as far as 2SLGBTQIA+ standards go. That&#8217;s the actual acronym for the rainbow alphabet movement now.
Why is it outdated? Well, if you take a few minutes out of your day, you&#8217;ll notice that the flag at the very beginning of the video does not contain a purple circle. What does that non-existent purple circle stand for? It represents &#8220;intersex.&#8221;
Somewhere along the line, an intersex individual or an &#8220;ally&#8221; felt that individuals born with an extremely rare condition where they have a combination of both male and female parts weren&#8217;t represented on the flag.
So, the flag has now been updated to include intersex as seen here, shared by the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken just this past week.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
On International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia we call for an end to harmful conversion therapy practices, including those that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IDAHOBIT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IDAHOBIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/DA5XRXvb2Y">pic.twitter.com/DA5XRXvb2Y</a>
&mdash; Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1658927895711023104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In other words, the pride agenda has already redefined &#8220;inclusivity&#8221; to mean having pride in being intersex  — and supporting every single sex and make-believe gender represented on the flag.
So, while Ford was busy redefining the word &#8220;tough,&#8221; their comrades in the LGBTQ never-ending train of cultural Marxism were busy conjuring up new ways to undo every social norm in the book. Now, if you don&#8217;t include intersex individuals, you&#8217;re being &#8220;interphobic&#8221; — as is the official position of the U.S. State Department highlighted above.
So, in short, there is no appeasing this movement. Individuals who supported gay marriage less than 10 years ago, but don&#8217;t support radical gender ideology are labeled bigots. If you&#8217;re a Christian, Jew, or Muslim who is against same-sex &#8220;marriage,&#8221; then you&#8217;re considered a super bigot  — even if you explain you love everybody, you just believe in the institution of marriage as defined by practically all of the West until 2015.
Somewhere along the way, black and brown stripes were added — even though skin color has nothing to do with sexual orientation.
Companies, such as Ford, are dumb to think that if they show support for this movement their sales will increase. In turn, they push the entire world more woke and down the slippery slope — even if unwittingly.
Now, companies such as Bud Light are finding out that conservatives are starting to wake up and vote with their dollars. That&#8217;s why BudLight&#8217;s parent company AB-InBev has attempted to distance itself from Mulvaney and is rolling out camo-themed cans, perhaps in an attempt to appease consumers.
It won&#8217;t work, and now Ford could quite possibly become Bud Light 2.0.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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Amid The Bud Light-Dylan Mulvaney Backlash, Ford’s ‘Very Gay’ Trucks Have Resurfaced

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This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Manhunt For Accused Illegal Alien Murderer
Texas authorities <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illegal-alien-accused-of-murdering-5-neighbors-in-texas-was-deported-5-times-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are offering a $130,000 reward</a> for information leading to the arrest of Francisco Oropesa. Oropesa is accused of killing five individuals, including an eight-year-old child Friday night. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Oropesa is reportedly an illegal alien who has been deported multiple times. 
Ford Motor Company To Import SUVs From China
In a historic first, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-decline-ford-to-manufacture-import-lincoln-suvs-from-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ford Motor Company</a> will soon begin importing the Lincoln Nautilus SUV from China. This marks the first time ever that Ford will manufacture a car in China for U.S. import. The SUVs will be an electric-gasoline hybrid powertrain and a Ford executive said that making the SUVs in China was the most practical decision. Previously, these vehicles were manufactured and imported from Canada.  “We’re already building Nautilus in China,” Lincoln President Dianne Craig said in mid-April. “It just made sense to centralize our Nautilus production.” Now, industry experts are calling for higher auto tariffs on China to encourage car companies to increase U.S. domestic production of vehicles and manufacturing. 
American Airlines Authorize Strike
American Airlines pilots have voted to authorize a strike just as the busy summer travel season begins. The union, which represents 15 thousand pilots, is asking for a raise and better working conditions from the Texas-based company. A spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association says the current scheduling has them feeling maxed out. But don’t cancel your travel plans yet – both sides say they are close to reaching an agreement. 
Banking Update
JPMorgan Chase<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jpmorgan-chase-the-nations-largest-bank-acquires-first-republic-bank-after-government-takeover" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> assumed</a> control of First Republic Bank on Monday after it collapsed due to turmoil in the financial sector. 
The San Francisco-based bank, which collapsed in March after a run from depositors, was acquired Monday by JPMorgan Chase – already the largest bank in the U.S. and the largest bank in the world by market capitalization. JPMorgan will now acquire all of First Republic’s $103.9 billion in deposits and most of the bank’s $229.1 billion in assets. The offices controlled by the First Republic opened today as branches of JPMorgan Chase.
National Police Association Suing For Nashville Shooter Manifesto
The National Police Association is <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-national-police-association-files-suit-to-obtain-the-nashville-shooter-manifesto-301811954.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suing the governments</a> of Nashville and Davidson County for their refusal to disclose the manifesto of the Nashville shooter. The police association’s open records request asked for all writings by Audrey Hale recovered by Nashville PD during the March 27th raid. The request also asks for all records and communications, including emails and texts, to and from Nashville PD that mention or relate to the writings. The association wants to find out whether Nashville PD has faced political pressure to keep information hidden related to the shooting. 
Met Gala Monday Night
And, tonight, stars will take to the red carpet for the Met Gala in New York City, which is always held on the first Monday in May. This year&#8217;s event will be centered around the late Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld is best known for revitalizing Chanel in the 1980s after the luxury brand experienced a period of decline after the death of its namesake founder. 
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

May 1st stock photo

Monday Afternoon Update: Manhunt For Accused Illegal Alien Murderer, Ford To Import SUVs From China, Banking Disaster?

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More than 25 years ago, President Bill Clinton <a href="https://clintonwhitehouse4.archives.gov/WH/New/html/19971024-3863.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promised</a> that increased trade with China would benefit the United States and turn the communist country into one that embraced capitalism. Since that promise, it seems evident that America has received the bad end of the bargain — millions of jobs shipped overseas, opioid addictions, weakened power on the world stage — while <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/china-the-enemy-within" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China has reaped the rewards</a>.
The latest sign of American decline comes courtesy of Ford Motor Company. Ford will soon begin importing the Lincoln Nautilus SUV from China. As <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/04/30/ford-makes-history-by-importing-lincoln-suv-to-u-s-from-china/">flagged</a> by Breitbart News, this marks the first time ever that Ford will be manufacturing a car in China for U.S. import.
According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-17/ford-forges-new-link-to-china-with-plan-to-import-lincoln-suvs?leadSource=uverify%20wall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg News</a>, the SUVs will be an electric-gasoline hybrid powertrain. A Ford executive said that making the SUVs in China was the most practical decision. Previously, these vehicles were manufactured and imported from Canada — still not the U.S., but also not America&#8217;s top challenger on the world stage.
“We’re already building Nautilus in China,” Lincoln President Dianne Craig <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-17/ford-forges-new-link-to-china-with-plan-to-import-lincoln-suvs?leadSource=uverify%20wall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in mid-April. “It just made sense to centralize our Nautilus production.”
In reaction, Michael Stumom the CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, called for higher auto tariffs on America&#8217;s number one political adversary.
&#8220;25% tariffs on China built autos not enough,&#8221; he tweeted.
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25% tariffs on China built autos not enough. <a href="https://t.co/kR5AHOpLdf">https://t.co/kR5AHOpLdf</a>
&mdash; Michael Stumo (@michael_stumo) <a href="https://twitter.com/michael_stumo/status/1648757908769759249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Those tariffs were put in place by the Trump administration. President Joe Biden, for his part, has repeatedly punted on whether or not to lower the prices, while showing de facto support for the tough-on-China policies introduced by his predecessor. That change marks a sharp difference from previous U.S. policy — which viewed China as a friend.
Consider that in 1997, Clinton told the American people, that &#8220;The emergence of a China as a power that is stable, open, and non-aggressive, that embraces free markets, political pluralism, and the rule of law, that works with us to build a secure international order — that kind of China, rather than a China turned inward and confrontational, is deeply in the interests of the American people.&#8221;
Does it seem like that has happened over the past two decades? Is America better off and is China less emboldened since 1997? If you&#8217;re gullible enough to believe that is the case — and welcome the latest auto industry changes — then maybe you will get a free Chinese spy balloon with your new Lincoln Nautilus next year.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

China Ford

American Decline: Ford To Manufacture, Import Lincoln SUVs From China

Global Politics

World

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
World Athletic Council Makes Major Decision In Women&#8217;s Sports
The World Athletic Council <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/world-athletics-bans-transgender-athletes-from-competing-in-female-world-ranking-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> this week its decision on transgender athletes in women’s sports. Daily Wire sports writer and “Crain and Company” co-host David Cone reported on Afternoon Update:
<blockquote>The World Athletics Council, which is the international governing body for sprints, hurdles, cross-country, and more announced that it will not allow transgender athletes to compete against women in female world rankings competitions. 
The move, which goes into effect next week, we&#8217;ll ban male-to-female transgender athletes who have been through male puberty. 
World athletics president Sebastian Coe stated decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups. But we continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations.</blockquote>
Biden&#8217;s Approval Near Record Low
President Biden’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-approval-economy-poll-survey-b6ec307d15e65ad37b69ff1dc1a0dca8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval numbers</a> have slipped to near their lowest levels. The president’s approval hit 38% this month — that’s down from 45% in February. The AP NORC poll says respondents are unhappy with high gas and food prices. Biden reached his lowest approval of 36% last July.
Tainted Eye Drops Threaten Americans
Two more people have died in the U.S. from using eye drops tainted by a drug-resistant bacterium. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce reported on Afternoon Update:
<blockquote>According to the CDC, the outbreak has also been connected to eight recent reports of vision loss and four reports of surgical eye removal. The CDC first warned of the outbreak in January, and it has now infected at least 68 people across 16 states. After the warning, EzriCare Artificial Tears was recalled by its manufacturer.</blockquote>
Ford Motor Company Set To Lose Billions Due To Electric Vehicles
Ford Motor Company <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ford-projects-its-ev-division-will-lose-billions-this-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">says it’s set to lose $3 billion</a> on its electric vehicle business this year. The CEO compared the EV business to a start-up and downplayed losses. Ford makes three electric vehicles and believes the business will be profitable by the end of 2026.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-441512">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
Walt Disney World Hosting &#8220;Largest LGBTQ+ Conference In The World”
The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/03/22/disney-desantis-conference-lgbtq-gay-rights-dei/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set to host</a> the &#8220;largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world” in September. Here with more is Morning Wire Producer and Researcher Brandon Beville:
<blockquote>The “Out &amp; Equal Workplace Summit” is set to include some high-profile partners, including Pfizer, Apple, Visa, Bank of America — as well as the State Department and CIA. Disney has come under fire from Florida lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis after it denounced the state’s Parental Rights in Education law, which bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for grades 3 and under.</blockquote>
Beethoven&#8217;s 196th Anniversary Of His Death
This Sunday is the 196th anniversary of the death of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who died at the age of 56. Using DNA extracted from strands of his hair, researchers were able to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/locks-of-hair-of-the-greatest-composer-who-ever-lived-give-clues-to-his-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">determine</a> that he had a hepatitis B infection in the last months of his life. But they were not able to diagnose the cause of his deafness or his stomach problems. The famous composer was probably killed by liver failure — likely exacerbated by his chronic drinking.
Off-Duty Pilot Praised For Heroics On Flight
And, an off-duty airplane pilot <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/southwest-pilot-suffers-medical-emergency-in-flight-off-duty-flyer-steps-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been praised for his quick-acting heroics</a> after a Southwest pilot suffered a medical emergency on a flight traveling from Las Vegas to Ohio. The unnamed gentlemen came forward from the cabin into the cockpit and helped turn around the plane and land it safely in Vegas. A spokesperson for Southwest said the “credentialed pilot from another airline” … assisted with radio communication while another Southwest Pilot flew the aircraft. The company added it “greatly” appreciated the “support and assistance.”
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Friday Afternoon Update: Biden’s Approval Near Record-Low, Tainted Eye Drops Threaten Americans, Ford Set To Lose Billions Due To Electric Vehicle Department

Friday Afternoon Update: Biden's Approval Near Record-Low, Tainted Eye Drops Threaten Americans, Ford Set To Lose Billions Due To Electric Vehicle Department

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