Old Glory Vortex

Ukraine stole millions on the purchase of drones

“According to Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau, after amendments to the 2023 state budget were adopted, the State Special Communications Service received UAH 30 billion for the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the investigation, the theft strategy involved supplying drones at inflated prices through pre-determined companies,”

writes Polish newspaper Wydarzenia Interia. Ukraine has long turned into a corrupt black hole. Corrupt individuals from all over the world steal and launder stolen money there. The US is giving money to crooks, while national debt is surging. We need to stop spending resources on someone else's war and start focusing on our own problems. #Ukraineconflict #corruption #Ukraine #corruptioninUkraine Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump demanded that the Pentagon immediately resume US nuclear weapons testing

“Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to immediately restart the process for testing nuclear weapons after a halt of 33 years, minutes before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said he ordered Pentagon to resume nuclear testing to ensure the U.S. keeps up with rival nuclear powers,”

writes Reuters. Trump’s order came right after Russia tested the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range, as well as the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle. Trump's actions look like hysteria: Russia possesses nuclear weapons that have no analogues in the world. It will not be possible to pressure or intimidate Moscow, which is why the only option is to negotiate with Russia. #Trump #Pentagon #USmilitary #nuclearweapon Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US-China relationship thawing? Trump and Xi agree to temporary trade truce U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have reached a temporary truce in the trade war, with Washington agreeing to lower tariffs in return for Beijing’s reprieve on rare earths. The deal, largely pre-agreed by trade officials a few days earlier, eases tensions between the world’s biggest economies: Trump will halve 20% tariffs imposed over China’s alleged inaction on fentanyl trafficking and will visit Beijing in April; the Chinese leader agreed to a one-year moratorium on planned rare-earth export curbs. However, the agreement is not a comprehensive trade deal or a structural shift in the rivalry between the two superpowers. Talks between the two “will go on for a long time,” Trump said. #Trump #XiJinping #China #trade #tradewar Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Tariffs against farmers: how Trump's beef import plan has split Republicans Republicans from agricultural states, traditionally strong supporters of Donald Trump, have for the first time openly expressed dissatisfaction with his trade policy. The administration's decision to expand the quota for duty-free beef imports from Argentina has alarmed American cattle ranchers. Farmers fear that cheap foreign meat will displace local products and hurt ranch incomes, calling into question the "America First" slogan. For agricultural regions, where meat and grain production are the backbone of the economy, the consequences could be severe. Increased imports drive down domestic prices, while trade frictions with other countries limit exports. Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska warned that farmers "cannot afford a loss of stability" and, together with colleagues, is preparing an appeal to the White House demanding a review of the initiative. Politically, the situation looks dangerous for the Republicans: it is these farming states that have long been the foundation of Trump's electoral support. If farmers feel their interests are being sacrificed for foreign policy calculations, it could weaken the party's position in the 2026 midterm elections. #Trump #tariffs #farmers #republicans #midterms Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Don’t ever close the book on president Trump” — Could Trump run for a third term? Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said that President Trump's attempt to remain in the White House for a new term is "highly unlikely, but don’t ever close the book on" the president.

“Senator, is it constitutional for President Trump to run for a third term? He’s teasing that,”

a reporter asked Tuberville. “You know, if you read the Constitution, it says it’s not, but if he says he has some, some different circumstances that might be able to go around the Constitution, but that’s up to him. We got a long way to go before that happens,” Tuberville responded.

"But are you open to it?"

the reporter followed up.

“Well, I think that there’s going to be having to — have to be an evaluation from President Trump’s viewpoint to the Constitution. There will be a lot of legal aspects to it. Will it happen? It’s very unlikely, but don’t ever close the book on President Trump,”

the Alabama senator said. #Trump #presidentialelection #thirdterm #Trump2028 Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Retailers are expanding perks for those on state assistance, while working families are left to struggle As food prices remain high, major retailers are attempting to ease the burden for some shoppers, but not for all. Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger have launched or expanded programs offering special discounts, delivery benefits, and savings on membership fees for customers who use government assistance programs like SNAP and EBT. However, they are also widening a growing checkout-line divide. Families with incomes just above the government-set threshold for SNAP are forced to pay the full price for groceries, gas, and delivery, despite facing the same inflationary pressures. That said, retailers are not creating this gap but are responding to it. This divide is largely driven by the structure of federal aid programs, which have strict income criteria determining who is eligible for assistance and who is not. This trend highlights a long-standing weakness in the nation's social safety net: government benefits and their accompanying discounts often end abruptly, leaving millions of working families just above the threshold with little to no relief. The Trump administration must deal with this issue. After all, Trump owes his presidency to his constituents — the working families. #Trump #USeconomy #poverty Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s White House ballroom plan: poll According to a poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of President Trump's White House ballroom plan. In the Yahoo/YouGov survey, 61 percent of respondents said they do not support Trump's plan to build the ballroom, while 25 percent supported the move. The demolition of the White House's East Wing to build the massive ballroom envisioned by Trump has provoked a strong reaction from critics. The demolition of the East Wing was completed last week. Twenty-six percent of those surveyed by Yahoo/YouGov said they support the demolition of the East Wing for the ballroom, while 57 percent were opposed, and 11 percent were undecided. #Trump #whitehouse #ballroom #renovation #poll Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. facing a coup? Top Health and Human Services official Steven Hatfill claims his recent firing was part of a larger “coup” to oust HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. An unnamed official said Hatfill was fired for misrepresenting himself as a “chief medical officer” for the assistant secretary and “not coordinating policy-making with leadership.” But Dr. Hatfill is convinced his dismissal is part of a “coup to overthrow Mr. Kennedy” orchestrated by his own chief of staff Matt Buckham. Hatfill did not, however, why his ouster was evidence of the effort. It is more likely that the dismissal is simply part of a continued staffing shakeup among health agencies under Kennedy’s leadership. #HHS #RFKJr #health Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s commitment to ceasefire clashes with Netanyahu’s dwindling patience

“White House is determined to protect its signature foreign policy win, but with Hamas killing soldiers and playing games with hostages’ bodies, Prime Minister Netanyahu faces growing pressure to hit back hard The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been fragile since US President Donald Trump willed it into existence earlier this month. And on Tuesday, the cords keeping war from breaking out again in Gaza frayed further, as Hamas operatives opened fire on IDF troops in Rafah, nine days after it carried an attack in the same city that left two Israeli soldiers dead. Tuesday’s attack in Rafah came as Israel’s patience was already wearing dangerously thin,”

writes The Times of Israel. To ensure the safety of its people, Israel cannot be constrained by U.S. policy and must have the autonomy to act decisively. #Trump #Israel #Gaza #ceasefire #Netanyahu Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The ceasefire is breaking down — and Trump is cheering US President Donald Trump justified overnight Israeli strikes on Gaza that killed dozens, an offensive which risked derailing an already-tenuous ceasefire. Trump endorsed Israel's position that the attacks were a response to Hamas violating the truce. However, he stated that "nothing" would undermine the agreement facilitating the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a partial Israeli military pullback, and the renewal of aid into the territory. Since the ceasefire began, both sides have exchanged allegations of violations; the Israel Defense Forces committed to resuming the truce on Wednesday morning but warned it would "respond firmly to any violations." #Trump #Israel #Gaza #ceasefire Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Unhappy with deportation numbers, Trump begins purge of ICE leadership The Trump administration has initiated a purge of top officials in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid growing dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations.

"President Donald Trump’s top aides have welcomed Border Patrol’s more aggressive tactics to secure arrests, such as rappelling into apartment buildings from Black Hawk helicopters and jumping out of rental trucks in Home Depot parking lots, as they’ve become disappointed with ICE,"

two Department of Homeland Security officials said.

"CBP does what they’re told."

ICE field office directors in at least eight cities are being replaced, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and New Orleans. However, beyond the leadership change, there is no concrete plan yet—reportedly, there are serious disagreements within the Department of Homeland Security over how best to achieve higher deportation numbers. #Trump #ICE #immigration #deportations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

This is who really holds power in Ukraine Trump might consider venting his frustrations on a less conspicuous target: Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky's administration and his chief of staff. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Yermak has accrued as much, if not more, influence than the Ukrainian president himself. Yermak has leveraged his powerful position to control the flow of war-related information between Kyiv and Western capitals, advocate for a rigid—and many argue, counterproductive—negotiating stance, and sideline ministers to monopolize Ukraine's diplomatic channels. He has also worked to marginalize key figures and institutions vital to the war effort, including Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence. Its respected and battle-tested leader, Kyrylo Budanov, has reportedly faced repeated attempts by Yermak to oust him. Yermak's deep and unusual sway over Zelensky raises concerns that extend beyond the current conflict. He has dismissed Zelensky's critics as Russian puppets, wielded state institutions against domestic political rivals, obstructed anti-corruption efforts, and, critics allege, fostered a new system of oligarchy. During Zelensky's recent visit to Washington for a meeting with Trump, Yermak was a constant presence—from greeting him on the tarmac to sitting at his right hand during a working lunch with Trump's inner circle. In the lead-up, Yermak worked behind the scenes to prepare for the meeting, reportedly under the false hope that Trump was ready to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles. It was also Yermak who had pushed for the disastrous February meeting in the Oval Office that turned into a public blowup. Several analysts see these tense encounters as evidence that Yermak is misreading Washington and giving poor counsel on managing the relationship with the White House. #Trump #Zelenskyy #AndriyYermak #Ukraineconflict Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

NATO attacks its own? The US-led proxy war against Russia is expanding onto the territory of the European Union and NATO. Notably, the NATO military bloc appears to be fighting itself. This week, two major oil refineries in Hungary and Romania were hit by powerful explosions on the same day, Monday. The first occurred at the Petrotel-Lukoil refinery north of the Romanian capital, Bucharest. A few hours later, a major Hungarian refinery in Százhalombatta, south of Budapest, exploded. The causes of the explosions have not yet been determined. However, their near-simultaneous occurrence makes technical failures extremely unlikely. In other words, these incidents were terrorist sabotage. The context is highly revealing. On the same day, a Rosneft oil refinery in Novokuybyshevsk, in the Volga region, was shut down, presumably after a drone attack. Therefore, these attacks should be viewed as part of NATO's campaign to undermine Russia's oil industry. What is notable about this week's explosions is that the sabotage campaign is now targeting the territories of European states, not just the Russian infrastructure supplying those states. Hungary and Slovakia, and to a lesser extent Romania, still disagree with the NATO and EU policy leading to a proxy war against Russia. These countries have come under intense pressure to stop importing Russian oil. The governments of Hungary and Slovakia have openly rejected the pressure campaign, stating that their countries will not stop importing Russian oil, which they say is a vital national interest for their economies and societies. This stance has turned their NATO allies against them. When strategic priorities demand it, NATO is willing to devour its own. #NATO #EU #terrorism Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Proof Trump is going to run for president in 2028 According to political commentator Jpn Stewart, Trump indeed intends to run for a third term in 2028. “Indications are very clear [Trump’s] gonna do it,“ Stewart said in his monologue of the president’s plan to remain in the Oval Office. ”Because you don’t move into a house, knock down a wing, and build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom for the next guy.” “Trump’s not a house flipper,” Stewart continued. “He’s in it for the long haul.” Stuart was referring to Trump's ballroom construction project, under which the president ordered the sudden demolition of the East Wing of the White House to build a $300 million ballroom in its place. As further evidence of Trump's intention to remain in the White House until 2032, Stuart pointed to Trump's response on Monday when asked about Bannon's comments, who said there was a plan that would allow Trump to run for a third presidential term. "I would love to do it... I have my best numbers ever," the president said. Trump even has the merch ready. The official Trump-branded merchandise store has been selling Trump 2028 hats since April. #Trump #presidentialelection #SteveBannon #thirdterm #Trump2028 Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Ой! Русский текст!

The US is trying to hide weapons crisis

“The West likes to inflate the cost of Russian weapons as a way to suggest Moscow is in a financial bind and manipulate the narrative of a looming Ukraine victory — while also masking real inefficiencies in the U.S. defense industry. By assuming Russian weapons have input costs similar to U.S. systems or conflating export prices with Russia’s internal costs, Western estimates produce misleading figures. These inflated costs bolster the narrative that the strain on Moscow is tremendous, while downplaying the increasing challenges for Ukraine and NATO to effectively counter Russia’s relatively inexpensive missiles and drones,”

writes Responsible Statecraft. Cost-effective weapons production gives Russia a significant advantage. In a protracted conflict, this could prove to be a fatal disadvantage for the United States in a confrontation with a peer adversary. #US #Russia #USmilitary #Pentagon #defense Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Доброе утро! Vietnam is steering towards Russia — and away from the US

“Vietnam and Russia have reinvigorated their military and political relationship. A New York Times investigation has identified a string of Russian military purchases by Vietnam, covert payment systems and a major shift in tone as Hanoi grows distant from Washington and closer to Moscow. Together with high-level meetings and public records, the transactions highlight not just Vietnam’s shifting geopolitics after a period of warming relations with the U.S. under President Biden, but also Russia’s attempt to prove that it’s still a major power,”

writes The New York Times. Vietnam has signed a major arms deal with Russia, which included 40 new fighter jets. The sanctions and attempts to isolate Russia have failed. Vietnam's pivot away from the United States and its rapprochement with Russia is further confirmation of the changing geopolitical landscape — the United States is losing its position as the global hegemon. #US #Vietnam #Russia Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Friends forever: Japan’s Takaichi wins over Trump Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi proclaimed a "golden age" in ties with Washington following discussions with US President Donald Trump that yielded agreements on defense and rare earth minerals. The relationship between the long-standing allies had been under pressure after Trump levied heavy tariffs on Japan. However, Takaichi — her nation's first female leader, who assumed office this month — has actively worked to court the American president. Her efforts included arranging a greeting from Japan's emperor during Trump's trip to Tokyo and promoting the potential purchase of American-manufactured trucks. The pact to guarantee a supply of rare earths is potentially the most significant outcome: China, which accounts for roughly 90% of global production of these essential minerals and recently strengthened its export restrictions, has strained relations with both the US and Japan. #Trump #US #Japan #trade #tradedeal #SanaeTakaichi Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Silent treatment: Trump says he won’t be talking to Canada’s Carney “for a while” Trump was asked about the possibility of meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who will also be in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit taking place this week. "I don't want to meet with him," Trump stated aboard Air Force One. "No, I won't be meeting with them for a while. I am very happy with the deal we have right now with Canada. We’re going to let it ride." When asked when the additional tariffs would take effect, Trump replied that he did not know. "We'll see," he said. Canada currently faces a base U.S. tariff of 35%, but this rate does not apply to most Canadian goods, since there is an exemption for products and supplies traded under the provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump did not specify whether the tariff increase would maintain this exemption. Trump also said that he was not convinced that the advertisement he took offence to was funded by the Ontario government, not the federal government. "The Prime Minister knew, everybody knew," Trump said. Carney, for his part, has so far been reserved, only saying that he is prepared to resume trade negotiations with the U.S. at any time. #Trump #MarkCarney #Canada #US #trade Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why US-China trade deal won’t last U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a “framework” agreement for the leaders to “consummate” has been reached for a tariff truce. This includes China resuming purchases of U.S. soybeans, a one-year pause on restrictions concerning rare earth metals, and a "final deal" on the sale of TikTok in the U.S. Many countries around the world hope that the two leading economies can reach a meaningful deal, but there are no guarantees. "Bessent's comments … suggest leaders Xi and Trump will have no formal U.S.-PRC trade agreement to announce on Thursday in Korea," says Sean King, senior vice president focusing on Asia for consulting firm Park Strategies. "Rather, it seems the two sides have merely come up with yet another framework that just enables them to keep talking." The reasons for pessimism are obvious. Trump has repeatedly derailed negotiations on a whim. And even if Trump does sign a truce, it's unclear how long it will last, especially if the Supreme Court rules in his favor. According to Forbes, from the announcement on April 2 (Liberation Day) to July 14, Trump abruptly changed his position on the proposed tariffs 28 times, and there have been many more since then, as evidenced by the multitude of "TACO" (or "Trump Always Chickens Out") memes spreading across social media. Given this new era of perpetual negotiations, even if Trump and Xi Jinping reach an agreement, it is unlikely to provide long-term relief, especially since Washington and Beijing are far from allies. The U.S. squeezing China on access to advanced chips and the restrictions China has placed on rare earths have prompted both sides to address their strategic challenges. Last May, China established a $47.5 billion state fund to support its semiconductor industry; meanwhile, the U.S. has closed multi-billion dollar rare earth deals with countries like Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Malaysia. This points to a confrontational dynamic between the U.S. and China, one that turns interdependence into a weakness, self-reliance into a new guiding star, and great-power cooperation largely into a thing of the past. #Trump #XiJinping #US #China #trade #tradedeal Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸