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Meridian (NASDAQ:MRBK) Stock, Option Chain

Meridian

Meridian Corp is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank providing personal, business lending, and deposit services. It operates in three business segments including Bank, Wealth, and Mortgage. It generates maximum revenue from the Bank segment that consists of commercial and retail banking. It generates interest income from its lending (including leasing) and investing activities and is dependent on the gathering of lower-cost deposits from its branch network or borrowed funds from other sources for funding its loans, resulting in the generation of net interest income, and other sources.

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Meridian Corp

Gen X is feeling the squeeze like never before. Stuck between aging parents who need care and kids who still need support, many are finding their finances stretched to the limit. And it's not just about money – time, stress and an uncertain future.
Take Erika Gilles, 57, as an example. After her 78-year-old mother, Karen Proctor, was hospitalized last year, Gilles' life turned upside down. "It's totally absorbed all of my time," she told Business Insider. "I don't think I'm ever going to retire."
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Her mother's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/medicare">Medicare </a>didn't cover long-term care, leaving Gilles scrambling for affordable options. She managed to find an assisted living facility, but they had to apply for a state subsidy to help cover the costs. If that doesn't come through, they may need to sell her mother's home in Arizona.
A $600 Billion Problem
Gilles isn't alone. Millions of Americans are in similar situations. <a href="https://press.aarp.org/2024-5-16-US-Workforce-Report-70-Caregivers-Difficulty-Balancing-Career-Caregiving-Responsibilities">According to AARP, </a>unpaid caregivers provided $600 billion of labor last year. That's a staggering number. But for many families, caregiving isn't optional.
A survey from Carewell found that 75% of adults caring for both a parent and a child are struggling to save for retirement. More than 60% live paycheck to paycheck. This financial stress creates a domino effect as younger generations sacrifice their financial stability to care for aging relatives.
"The bigger issue is you can create almost a cycle of poverty," Marc Cohen, a gerontology professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, said to BI. "The costs are borne communally."
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Why Isn't Medicare Helping?
Here's the kicker: Medicare doesn't cover most long-term care needs, such as assisted living or home health care. Medicaid helps, but with strict eligibility requirements and long waitlists, it's not enough.
"People find out late in life that they don't have any protection against these costs," Cohen explained.
Lisa McCracken from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing &amp; Care said affordability is the biggest challenge. &#8220;Particularly in the middle market, it's a major concern," she told BI.
See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
A Way Forward?
Experts say the government needs to step in. Cohen suggests a public long-term care insurance program funded by payroll taxes, similar to Social Security. Washington State has already started something like this with WA Cares, which provides $36,500 in benefits per person, indexed to inflation.
Gilles wants to see more done. "They've got to provide more support to families going through this," she said. "It's got to be more affordable or they need to provide more resources."
For Gen X, the message is clear: this crisis isn't going away. And for many, retirement is looking less like a goal and more like a pipe dream.
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Personal Finance

'I Don't Think I'm Ever Going To Retire' – How Gen X Is Getting Squeezed Between Kids, Aging Parents And $600 Billion In Unpaid Care

Microsoft has a new way to determine which employees it can't afford to lose and it's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41736493/microsoft-co-founder-bill-gates-says-everyone-in-future-will-have-a-utilitarian-ai-agent-that-will-h">all about AI.</a> An internal document viewed by Business Insider sheds light on how managers are working to keep top AI talent in the fold – and it involves some big questions and even bigger paychecks.
Here's what's going on.
AI Talent Gets Special Treatment
Microsoft managers can request retention bonuses for employees they see as irreplaceable. To do that, they fill out a form answering questions like, "What harm is done if the employee leaves Microsoft?"
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Sounds intense, right? But there's a twist. The document now includes a new section specifically about AI.
Managers are asked to explain whether the employee is a "critical AI talent" and how their departure could hurt the company's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42438799/bill-gates-predicts-ai-in-the-workforce-will-lead-to-so-much-leisure-time-but-itll-create-a-what-do-we-do-with-all-that-time-problem">AI initiatives.</a> It's clear that AI is Microsoft's top priority and they're not messing around when it comes to keeping the best and brightest.
Why the Focus on AI?
AI is the name of the game right now. Companies like Google, OpenAI and Meta are racing to dominate the space and the talent competition is fierce.
It's not just about snagging the brightest minds – it's about keeping them. Losing an engineer who knows the ins and outs of AI could mean setbacks worth millions.
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Microsoft seems to know this. According to BI, Microsoft's AI employees earn much more than their colleagues. Engineers in the AI group reportedly make 48% more than the average software engineer at the company.&nbsp;
A Strategic Move
The updated retention form was prepared for a specific group inside Microsoft, though it's unclear if the same AI-focused questions are being used across the company.
A Microsoft spokesperson told BI that these forms aren't standardized. Different teams can tweak them based on what matters most to their work.
But the inclusion of AI in this document hints at a larger trend. The stakes in the AI talent wars are sky-high and Microsoft isn't about to lose its edge.
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The Bigger Picture
This move comes as AI reshapes the tech world. From generative AI tools to advanced models, the industry is evolving fast. And companies like Microsoft are betting big.
The takeaway? If you're an AI expert, you're in demand. If you're not, maybe it's time to improve your machine learning skills.
For now, Microsoft's strategy is simple: Keep the talent, no matter the cost. After all, in the race for AI dominance, every brain counts.
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'What Harm Is Done If They Leave?' – Microsoft's Secret Document Reveals AI Retention Strategies

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42545204/marjorie-taylor-greene-pushes-to-sell-off-usps-amid-doge-momentum-we-need-to-privatize-ive-been-saying-it-for-years">United States Postal Service</a> (USPS) is offering employees a voluntary early retirement incentive to address overstaffing in its facilities. This incentive includes lump-sum payments equaling up to $15,000. According to the Federal News Network, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is employing this opportunity to improve the organization&#8217;s efficiencies as part of a broader strategy.&nbsp;
A spokesperson for USPS told the Federal News Network that the retirement incentive is available for certain employees within the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU).&nbsp;
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A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between USPS and the APWU went out to employees, stating that eligible full-time employees will receive $10,000 on Aug. 15, 2025 and the remaining $5,000 on Aug. 28, 2026. Certain part-time employees may also be eligible for prorated amounts.&nbsp;
Not every full-time employee can volunteer for this incentive. There are certain qualifications one must meet, including:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Being at least 50 years old with at least 20 years of creditable federal service OR any age with at least 25 years of creditable federal service</li>
<li>At least five years of creditable civilian service</li>
</ul>
The offer is available until March 7, 2025 and those who volunteer to retire must do so by April 30, 2025 – even if they already had a set retirement date for later this year, according to the MOU.
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Certain exclusions also apply. Employees with pending removal notices or those retiring due to disability won't be eligible for the incentive. Also, employees who reapply for USPS positions within two years may be required to repay the incentive.&nbsp;
Since DeJoy assumed office in 2020, the USPS has faced significant workforce reductions. During his tenure, the USPS cut about 20,000 jobs and reduced the total number of work hours by 45 million, according to Federal News Network. At the same time, the USPS converted 190,000 noncareer employees to career positions, offering them better benefits and pay.&nbsp;
The APWU and NPMHU have expressed support for the voluntary retirement incentive, seeing it as a collaborative effort with USPS to address <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42250885/gen-zers-are-being-fired-just-months-after-getting-hired-employers-cite-lack-of-motivation-poor-communication-and-unprofessional-behavior">workforce challenges</a>. However, concerns remain about the broader implications of workforce reductions. Republican lawmakers have criticized converting noncareer employees to career positions, citing increased labor costs. USPS reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42496990/trump-eyes-privatization-of-postal-service-amid-9-5-billion-loss">$9.5 billion net loss</a> for fiscal year 2024, intensifying scrutiny of its financial decisions.
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This isn't USPS's first attempt at voluntary workforce reductions. In 2013, the agency offered a similar $15,000 incentive to APWU employees. More recently, nonunion employees at USPS headquarters were offered early retirement opportunities in 2021, albeit without additional financial incentives.
As USPS continues to navigate financial and operational changes, the success of this buyout program could set a precedent for future workforce restructuring efforts. Eligible employees have until early March to decide and their choices will likely shape USPS's ability to balance cost savings with service quality.
For more information, employees are encouraged to review the detailed guidelines provided by USPS and consult with their union representatives.
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USPS Offers $15K Buyouts In Overstaffed Facilities: Unions And Critics Weigh In

President Donald Trump has ended security protection for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43193866/trumps-tariff-hikes-could-stoke-consumer-inflation-jitters-challenge-fed-goldman-sachs-warns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White House&#8217;s former top medical advisor</a>.
Fauci, who faced significant threats during his leadership of the U.S. response to the Covid-19 pandemic, had been under constant security detail, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg49jz7v8no" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> BBC.
Trump defended his decision, stating that it is standard practice for government officials not to retain security protection indefinitely once they leave office.
Alongside Fauci, Trump also removed security protections for several other former officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, who had received threats from Iran.
When asked if he felt responsible for the safety of the officials, Trump responded by stating that they had earned substantial amounts of money and could afford their own security. BBC quoted Trump saying, &#8220;They can hire their own security too.&#8221;
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In Fauci&#8217;s case, following the revocation, he arranged for private security at his own expense, BBC reports.
This decision comes after increasing criticism from Republican figures, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) who had publicly called for Fauci&#8217;s security detail to be revoked, citing concerns about the costs involved.
The protocol for former officials&#8217; security is based on an assessment of threats by intelligence agencies.
While former U.S. presidents and their spouses are entitled to lifetime security protection, others, including former government officials, are subject to evaluations of their security needs.
Fauci, who served as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for over 40 years, was a prominent figure in the nation&#8217;s Covid-19 response and faced intense political scrutiny throughout the pandemic.
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Equities

Politics

General

Trump Ends Anthony Fauci's Security Protection: 'They Can Hire Their Own Security'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) publicly denounced the stock trading activities of lawmakers, pointing out an apparent inconsistency among Democrats.
What Happened: Ocasio-Cortez and Jon Stewart voiced their disapproval of Congress members owning and trading stocks during a conversation on Stewart&#8217;s &#8220;The Weekly Show&#8221; podcast on Friday.
During the podcast, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted what she sees as a &#8220;hypocrisy&#8221; within her own party regarding this issue.
According to Ocasio-Cortez, Democrats need to ensure their actions align with their words, and she pointed to insider trading in Congress as a stark example of this hypocrisy. 
"There needs to be Democrats who walk the walk and talk the talk. There is an insane amount of hypocrisy, and the hypocrisy is what gets exploited to use the cynicism and wherever there's a hypocritical window. For example, I think one of the most biggest examples of this is insider trading in Congress," Ocasio-Cortez said.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f440; AOC Openly Admits Democrats in Congress Are Doing Insider Trading Wild… <a href="https://t.co/I4CBRCgvA6">pic.twitter.com/I4CBRCgvA6</a>
&mdash; Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChiefNerd/status/1882594371457171829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31207328/kevin-oleary-says-aoc-is-great-at-killing-jobs-heres-his-list-of-uninvestable-states">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says AOC Is &#8216;Great At Killing Jobs&#8217;; Here&#8217;s His List of &#8216;Uninvestable&#8217; States</a>
"It's so crazy. I mean, like, it's the end of the thing. Like, people think that everyday people are stupid. I'm like, ‘Do you all really think that people don't see this s&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;?&#8217;" Ocasio-Cortez added. 
Stewart agreed with her, noting that the positions lawmakers hold on committees give them access to insider information that could potentially enhance their trading portfolios.
"And then we're supposed to act like money only corrupts Republicans?" Ocasio-Cortez said.
Both Ocasio-Cortez and Stewart took issue with the idea that the public is unaware of these practices. Their remarks come in the wake of increasing demands for a prohibition on lawmakers trading stocks.
Why It Matters: The issue of lawmakers trading stocks has been a contentious topic for some time. Critics argue that it creates a conflict of interest and provides an unfair advantage to those in power. 
The recent comments by Ocasio-Cortez and Stewart bring this issue back into the spotlight, potentially prompting further discussion and action on the matter. 
As public figures with significant influence, their stance could sway public opinion and pressure lawmakers to reconsider their position on this issue.
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Image: Shutterstock

AOC Says Democrats in Congress Are Doing Insider Trading: 'People Think That Everyday People Are Stupid'

Former Trump White House adviser Anthony Scaramucci has cast doubt on President Donald Trump&#8216;s true commitment to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda.
What Happened: During an interaction on MSNBC, Scaramucci boldly suggested that Trump&#8217;s loyalty to the MAGA cause is not as steadfast as it appears. 
He proposed that Trump&#8217;s interests lie more with the billionaires in his circle than with ardent MAGA supporters like Steve Bannon.
&#8220;There's a fight for the core of MAGA. And the really interesting part about it is Trump himself is not MAGA. Just take a look at what he did. He's got the billionaires lined up right behind his family. The people that are in his government that supposedly represent MAGA were behind them. And trust me, I know him. He's a very detail-oriented guy that way in terms of aesthetics,&#8221; Scaramucci said. &nbsp;
During <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/">the </a>interview, Scaramucci further elaborated, stating that Trump&#8217;s actions, such as rallying billionaires to support his family, were calculated. 
He interprets this as an attempt by Trump to depict these billionaires as subservient to him, a move that Scaramucci sees as a departure from the fundamental MAGA values.
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Scaramucci also noted that Trump&#8217;s focus on personal gains and attention seems to take precedence over his interest in the congressional midterms. 
&#8220;Does anybody here think that he cares about what happens in the congressional midterms? And I can tell you right now, he marginally does, but not really, because everything is about him. So look at it through the following prism. Am I getting a lot of attention or am I making a lot of money? And that's that's Donald Trump. And the way to beat him is to get to the normal people that are currently apathetic about the situation and bring them into the swimming pool with us,&#8221; he added. 
These comments from Scaramucci hint at a widening rift within the Trump camp, with varying perspectives on the true nature of the MAGA movement.
Why It Matters: Scaramucci&#8217;s remarks add to the ongoing debate about the true intentions behind the MAGA movement and Trump&#8217;s commitment to it. 
If Scaramucci&#8217;s claims hold weight, it could potentially lead to further divisions within the Trump camp and the MAGA movement as a whole. 
This could have significant implications for the future of the movement and its influence on American politics.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Scaramucci Questions Trump's Commitment to MAGA Agenda: 'Trump Himself Is Not MAGA'

Renowned investor Stanley Druckenmiller predicts a possible escalation in bond yields as a result of economic growth, which could potentially influence stock market profits.
What Happened: Druckenmiller, who oversees&nbsp;a $3 billion family office,&nbsp;shared his perspective on CNBC on Monday. He observed that the business sector is showing enthusiasm about the ascension of the Trump administration, with CEOs&#8217; reactions varying from &#8220;relieved to giddy&#8221;.
However, during <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/01/20/watch-cnbcs-full-interview-with-billionaire-investor-stanley-druckenmiller.html">the</a> interview, Druckenmiller cautioned that investors should not anticipate easy gains in the stock market during the new Donald Trump era.
"We do a lot of talking to CEOs and companies on the ground. And I'd say CEOs are somewhere between relieved and giddy. So we're a believer in&nbsp;animal spirits," Druckenmiller said.
&#8220;Expectations for economic growth, lower inflation, and positive business conditions have increased in anticipation of pro-business policies and legislation in the new year,&#8221; he added.
He clarified that if government policy fuels economic growth, it could result in an increase in bond yields, potentially capping stock prices.
&#8220;You&#8217;re going to have this push of a strong economy versus bond yields rising in response to that strong economy, and that kind of makes me not have a strong opinion one way or the other,&#8221; he said. 
Druckenmiller pointed out that the stock valuations in comparison to bonds seem the least attractive in two decades. 
&#8220;In terms of the markets, I would say it&#8217;s complicated,&#8221; Druckenmiller said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43074781/billionaire-stanley-druckenmiller-selling-this-ai-stock-was-a-big-mistake">Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller: Selling This AI Stock Was a &#8216;Big Mistake&#8217;</a>
Despite these apprehensions, Druckenmiller remains optimistic about firms where the implementation of AI technology could lead to efficiency improvements and enhance profits. 
He also expressed minimal concern over&nbsp;potential tariffs from the Trump&nbsp;administration, provided they stay reasonable.
&#8220;To me, tariffs are simply a consumption tax that foreigners pay for some of it and retaliation from other countries is a risk. But if the US stays in the 10% range on tariffs, the risks are overblown relative to the rewards,&#8221; he said. 
Druckenmiller said that he would remain a stock picker during the Trump administration and he will focus on individual stocks more than the broader market.
Why It Matters: Druckenmiller&#8217;s predictions come at a time when the global economy is grappling with the effects of the pandemic. The anticipated rise in bond yields could impact investors&#8217; strategies and the overall stock market performance. 
His optimism towards AI technology adoption signifies the growing importance of digital transformation in the business world. 
As the Trump administration continues to shape economic policies, the investor community will be closely watching the interplay between economic growth, bond yields, and stock market returns.
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Image: Shutterstock

Fund Manager Stanley Druckenmiller Delivers Blunt Take On Markets After Trump's Return: 'In Terms of Markets, I Would Say It's Complicated'

Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, U.S. TikTok users are reportedly seeing signs of increased censorship on the app, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43153555/tiktok-parent-bytedance-plans-12-billion-ai-chip-investment-in-2025-to-bolster-global-ai-ambitions-amid-us-export-controls-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">once seen as a free-speech haven</a>.
After going offline for a brief period due to new laws aimed at addressing national security concerns, TikTok has resumed its operations.
But users have noticed fewer livestreams, higher rates of content being flagged or removed, and more frequent warnings about misinformation, reports Reuters.
The app, owned by China&#8217;s ByteDance, was forced to be sold to a U.S. buyer under new laws passed during the Biden administration.
Following the platform&#8217;s revival, some users claim TikTok is moderating content more strictly, including the removal of comments or posts with phrases like &#8220;Free Palestine,&#8221; Reuters adds.
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Others say satirical videos, such as one poking fun at Elon Musk, have been flagged as misinformation, limiting their reach.
The changes in the platform&#8217;s behavior have raised concerns, with users speculating that these actions might reflect a shift in TikTok&#8217;s policies.
TikTok, however, maintained that no significant changes have occurred to its algorithms and assured users that the current instability is temporary as they work to restore normal operations, Reuters writes.
Despite this, the growing sense of censorship has sparked a debate about the fine line between content moderation and free speech on social media platforms.
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Image: Shutterstock

Is TikTok Turning Into a Censorship Machine? Users Witness New Restrictions After Trump's Order

The Trump administration has begun&nbsp;deportation flights of immigrants who&nbsp;entered the US illegally, utilizing Air Force C-17 planes. This development was confirmed by the White House.
What Happened: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the first of these flights on Friday. She shared Images on X showing individuals in restraints being loaded onto Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs.
Leavitt conveyed that President Donald Trump is sending a &#8220;strong and clear message&#8221; to the world about the consequences of illegal entry into the United States. Two deportation flights to Guatemala were conducted overnight, according to a US defense official.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Deportation flights have begun. President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences. <a href="https://t.co/CTlG8MRcY1">pic.twitter.com/CTlG8MRcY1</a>
&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1882759560613527770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The press secretary also disclosed that over 500 &#8220;illegal immigrant criminals&#8221; had been apprehended, with hundreds more&nbsp;being deported by military aircraft.&nbsp;She characterized the operation as the &#8220;largest massive deportation operation in&nbsp;history&#8221;.
During his inaugural address, President Trump reiterated his stance on illegal immigration, vowing to halt all illegal entry and commence the process of deporting &#8220;millions and millions of criminal&nbsp;aliens&#8221;.
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On his first day in&nbsp;office, Trump declared&nbsp;a national emergency at the&nbsp;US-Mexico border and instructed the US Northern Command to seal the borders. This week,&nbsp;an additional 1,500 active-duty soldiers&nbsp;and Marines were deployed to the border, augmenting&nbsp;the total active-duty force size&nbsp;to approximately 4,000 service members.
Why It Matters: This move marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration&#8217;s efforts to curb illegal immigration. The use of military aircraft for deportation is unprecedented and signals a hardening of the administration&#8217;s stance on immigration policy. 
The operation, described as the &#8220;largest massive deportation operation in&nbsp;history&#8221;, indicates the scale of the administration&#8217;s commitment to its immigration policy. The deployment of additional troops to the border further underscores this commitment. 
The impact of these measures on the situation at the US-Mexico border and on US immigration policy more broadly will be closely watched.
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Image: Shutterstock

Trump Administration Initiates Deportation Flights Using Military Aircraft

The contentious Donald Trump biopic &#8220;The Apprentice,&#8221; which faced fierce opposition from the President, has secured two Academy Award nominations.
What Happened: Despite its struggle to secure a distributor and lackluster box office performance, the film is now vying for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at this year&#8217;s Oscars.
The nominations were given to Sebastian Stan, who played Trump, and Jeremy Strong, who took on the role of Trump&#8217;s former attorney and mentor Roy Cohn.
Despite a drop in viewership in the digital era, the Academy Awards still command a substantial audience. Last year&#8217;s ceremony drew close to 20 million viewers in the U.S. alone. The awards show, scheduled for March 2, could potentially give the film a significant publicity boost.
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According to the report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-movie-apprentice-oscar-awards-2025-1">by</a> Business Insider, Gabriel Sherman, who wrote the film&#8217;s screenplay, lauded Stan and Strong for their performances. He also expressed gratification that the Academy was acknowledging the film in spite of the prevailing political climate.
The film&#8217;s release was marked by controversy, including conflicts between the film&#8217;s financier, Mark Rapaport, and the creative team.
The film&#8217;s difficulty in finding a distributor was linked to Hollywood&#8217;s apprehension of provoking Trump ahead of the November elections.
Why It Matters: The nomination of &#8220;The Apprentice&#8221; for two major Academy Awards is a significant development, given the film&#8217;s controversial background and initial struggles. 
The film faced numerous challenges, from finding a distributor to dealing with political pressures. Despite these hurdles, the film&#8217;s recognition by the Academy signifies a potential shift in Hollywood&#8217;s approach to politically sensitive content. 
This could pave the way for more films that tackle contentious subjects, potentially altering the landscape of the film industry.
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Entertainment

'Apprentice' Oscar Nominations Bring Spotlight to Trump Movie Trump Can't Stand

Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the claim made by President Donald Trump that the conflict in Ukraine could have been prevented if Trump had been in office in 2022.
What Happened: During&nbsp;an interview with Russian state&nbsp;television on Friday, Putin lauded Trump as a &#8220;clever and pragmatic man&#8221; who prioritized U.S. interests.
Putin expressed his agreement with Trump&#8217;s viewpoint, stating, &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t&nbsp;disagree with him that if&nbsp;he had been president, if&nbsp;they hadn&#8217;t&nbsp;stolen victory from him in&nbsp;2020, the crisis that emerged&nbsp;in Ukraine in 2022 could&nbsp;have been avoided.&#8221;
"We always had a business-like, pragmatic but also trusting relationship with the current U.S. president," The New York Post quoted Putin <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/world-news/putin-backs-trump-claim-that-ukraine-conflict-would-not-have-happened-if-don-was-in-office/">saying</a>.
This statement marks Putin&#8217;s most explicit endorsement of Trump&#8217;s refusal to accept his loss&nbsp;in the 2020 election. Trump&nbsp;has consistently maintained that the conflict would not have erupted had he been in office.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42380085/trump-on-assads-fall-putin-was-not-interested-in-protecting-him-any-longer">Trump on Assad&#8217;s Fall: Putin &#8216;Was Not Interested In Protecting Him Any Longer&#8217;</a>
Putin also expressed his willingness to engage in discussions&nbsp;with the U.S. on a&nbsp;variety of topics,&nbsp;including nuclear arms control and&nbsp;economic issues. 
He criticized the sanctions imposed on Russia during Trump&#8217;s first term and under the administration of former President Joe Biden, claiming that they had negatively impacted U.S. interests and weakened the dollar&#8217;s role in the global financial system.
"How is it possible to conduct talks if they are banned?" Putin said. "If the talks start in the existing legal framework, they would be illegitimate and the results of those talks could also be declared illegitimate."
In response to Trump&#8217;s recent remarks that the OPEC+ alliance is partly responsible for the conflict in Ukraine due to high oil prices, Putin&#8217;s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow&#8217;s stance that the conflict was instigated by the West&#8217;s refusal to consider Russian security interests, and not related to oil prices.
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Image: Shutterstock

Global

Putin Agrees With Trump: Ukraine War Avoidable if Trump Had Been in Office

Manalapan, a renowned enclave in Florida's Palm Beach County, has consistently seen skyrocketing real estate prices, attracting high-profile residents like Larry Ellison and Sean Hannity.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a local developer is setting a new benchmark, listing a spec-built mansion for $285 million.
The ambitious listing places the property among the most expensive for sale in the United States. It falls just short of a 9-acre compound in Naples, Florida, listed for a potential record-breaking $295 million last February, which remains on the market.
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The current record for a U.S. home sale stands at about $240 million, set in 2019 by billionaire hedge funder Ken Griffin's purchase of a New York City apartment.
The $285 million listing comes from Stewart Satter, a prominent local developer who briefly served as Manalapan's mayor last year. Satter founded and sold Consumer Testing Laboratories in 2016 and now pursues real estate development as a passion project. He stepped down as mayor after facing new financial disclosure requirements, citing discomfort with disclosing his income and wealth.
Satter acquired the approximately 4-acre property, adjacent to Ellison's estate, for $27.5 million last March. The land, spanning from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean, features a private tunnel beneath South Ocean Boulevard. Satter demolished the existing residence and enlisted renowned local builder Robert W. Burrage and architecture firm Choeff Levy Fischman to bring his vision to life.
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The plans envision a contemporary compound encompassing a 50,000-square-foot main house, a substantial guesthouse and a boat house. The main residence will have eight bedrooms, nine full bathrooms, seven powder rooms and a host of amenities, including a bowling alley, movie theater, game room, golf simulator, shooting range, padel court and a "car museum."
"Someone spending $285 million is expecting everything. And in that property, they'll get everything," Satter told The Wall Street Journal.
Construction on the mansion has not yet started. Satter anticipates the buyer may want modifications or customizations to the existing plans. As part of the sale, Satter would continue to serve as the developer, collaborating with the builder and architect throughout the construction process. He would also assume responsibility for all construction costs and associated fees.
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Satter has a long-standing connection to Manalapan, having invested in the affluent community for two decades. In 2005, he acquired four lots in the area for an estimated $20 million.
"People said to me, ‘You're crazy. It's never going to amount to anything.' But I was able to see around the corner and see what was going on," he said.
Manalapan's home values have surged in recent years, largely driven by its proximity to Palm Beach and a surge in demand from affluent buyers, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/38967579/palm-beach-mansion-sells-for-152-million-pioneering-new-luxury-asset-class"> Ellison, cofounder of Oracle</a>, set a local record with the $173 million acquisition of his Manalapan estate. He later expanded his presence by purchasing the Eau Palm Beach Resort &amp; Spa for about $277 million. In December of the same year, prominent<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/01/42896754/from-23-5-million-florida-home-to-nyc-engaged-fox-news-host-sean-hannity-to-bridge-the-distance"> media personality Hannity</a> acquired his own estate for $23.5 million in the town.
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Larry Ellison, Sean Hannity And Now A $285M Mansion – Florida's Billionaire Playground: Manalapan's Star Power Grows

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is preparing to take a tough stance against the U.S., threatening economic retaliation if President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42938083/justin-trudeau-says-canada-is-ready-to-respond-with-tariffs-as-necessary-amid-potential-trump-trade-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">targets Canada in a trade conflict</a>.
Ford has outlined a series of retaliatory measures, including cutting power transmission to U.S. homes and businesses and removing U.S. liquor from Ontario shelves, Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/01/25/doug-ford-trump-trade-resistance-00200457" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
He has made it clear that his strategy is to retaliate strongly, expressing that he would respond even more forcefully if provoked.
Ford, a self-described &#8220;street fighter&#8221; in politics, is known for his combative style, and his rhetoric has drawn comparisons to Trump&#8217;s brash approach to leadership.
In fact, Ford believes that he and Trump would get along, noting their shared blue-collar, anti-elite political base. Ford often refers to his supporters as &#8220;Ford Nation,&#8221; a movement he claims predates Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Make America Great Again&#8221; slogan.
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Ford&#8217;s approach stands in stark contrast to many world leaders who seek to curry favor with Trump through flattery.
Instead, he is pursuing a confrontational strategy, believing that Trump will respect grit and bluntness over traditional diplomatic gestures. 
Ford is confident that he understands Trump better than most of his political counterparts, and while he hopes to avoid escalating a trade war, he remains firm in his resolve to fight back against what he views as irrational U.S. policies. This strategy is risky, Politico adds.
If Ford misjudges Trump&#8217;s response, he could inadvertently escalate tensions, hurting both the Canadian economy and his own political standing.
Despite his tough talk, Ford insists that his ultimate goal is to work with the U.S. and maintain a strong relationship, as he repeatedly emphasized his admiration for the U.S. and its people.
In the context of Canadian politics, Ford represents a significant shift from the previous leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose progressive stance made him a favorite among American Democrats, the report read.
With Trudeau&#8217;s popularity waning, Ford is emerging as a more populist figure, aligning himself with Trump&#8217;s politics and positioning himself as a defender of working-class interests in Canada&#8217;s most populous province.
Ford&#8217;s strategy is also rooted in local politics. As he prepares to call a snap election, Ford sees an opportunity to strengthen his position by aligning himself with the conservative ideals that resonate with voters in Ontario.
His tough stance on U.S.-Canada relations is a key part of this strategy, and it&#8217;s clear that Ford believes this confrontational approach will resonate with his base.
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Doug Ford Takes on Trump: Ontario Premier Threatens Swift Retaliation in Trade War

Donald Trump&#8217;s team plans to launch America&#8217;s largest deportation operation in decades, targeting at least one million undocumented immigrants in his first year back in office.
&#8220;We&#8217;ll get National Guard and we&#8217;ll go as far as I&#8217;m allowed to go, according to the laws of our country,&#8221; Trump told Time Magazine in December. &#8220;Whatever it takes to get them out.&#8221;
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 11 million unauthorized migrants lived in America in 2022, according to data cited by The Economist. Oxford Economics puts the current number above 13 million, with most living in California, Texas, Florida and New York.
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Trump has tapped immigration hard-liners for key posts. Stephen Miller, set to become deputy chief of staff, backs rapid deportations. &#8220;As God is my witness, you are going to see millions of people rapidly removed from this country who have no right to be here,&#8221; Miller said last year.
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Tom Homan will return as border czar. While Homan backed tough measures like family separations during Trump&#8217;s first term, officials who worked with him say he understands federal limitations.
The administration faces major hurdles. Immigration courts already have a 3.7-million-case backlog, with average wait times of nearly three years. Transportation poses another challenge – only Canadians and Mexicans can be driven across borders. Other deportations require flights costing about $17,000 per hour.
The American Immigration Council estimates that removing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/42881696/trumps-immigration-plan-faces-multi-billion-dollar-hurdles-and-delays-according-to-wsj">one million people yearly would cost $88 billion – </a>nearly triple the 2024 budgets of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
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Local resistance could slow efforts. Many Democratic-led cities refuse to help federal agents catch undocumented residents. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston typified the stance: &#8220;We&#8217;ll partner on [deporting] violent criminals, but what we don&#8217;t want to see is the 101st Airborne be sent into Denver to pull a seventh-grade girl out of history class.&#8221;
Trump may try forcing cooperation by threatening to cut federal funding. His team also floated using military bases as detention centers and building tent camps in Texas.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43007217/a-crucial-ingredient-for-production-what-mass-deportations-could-cost-america">push faces economic risks</a> as unauthorized immigrants make up nearly 5% of America&#8217;s workforce, according to a 2020 Pew Research report. Industries like meatpacking already worry about labor shortages under tougher enforcement.
While 56% of registered voters backed mass deportations in recent polling, 58% supported letting unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens stay, pointing to public ambivalence about aggressive removal tactics.
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'We'll Go As Far As I'm Allowed': Trump's Plan With Immigrants Starts With 1 Million Deportations

A cryptocurrency trader has managed to bag a 6,208% profit in a mere four days, trading Melania Trump&#8216;s official meme coin MELANIA (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">MELANIA</a>).
What Happened: According to the blockchain tracking firm Lookonchain, the trader bought 5.2 million MELANIA coins at $0.13 each, immediately after the digital asset was launched last week, a day before Donald Trump&#8216;s presidential inauguration.
Four days after the purchase, the trader sold all his MELANIA tokens, realizing a 6,208% profit on his initial investment of $688,000. This translated to a whopping $42.7 million profit.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This guy has sold all $MELANIA, making a total profit of $42.7M(62x)! He spent 2,500 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SOL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SOL</a>($688K) to buy 5.2M $MELANIA at $0.13, and sold all of them at an average price of $8.34 for $43.4M, making a profit of $42.7M, a 62x return!<a href="https://t.co/UFCfTsAwT3">https://t.co/UFCfTsAwT3</a> <a href="https://t.co/EJhcfVI9H5">pic.twitter.com/EJhcfVI9H5</a>
&mdash; Lookonchain (@lookonchain) <a href="https://twitter.com/lookonchain/status/1882362373824184509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;This&nbsp;guy has sold all MELANIA,&nbsp;making a total profit of&nbsp;$42.7 million (62x)! He spent&nbsp;2,500 SOL ($688,000) to buy&nbsp;5.2 million MELANIA at $0.13,&nbsp;and sold all of them&nbsp;at an average price of&nbsp;$8.34 for $43.4 million, making&nbsp;a profit of $42.7 million,&nbsp;a 62x return!&#8221; Lookonchain was quoted saying.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">Donald Trump&#8217;s Meme Coin &#8216;TRUMP&#8217; Rallies 103% in a Day, Creates Billions Out of Thin Air</a>
Lookonchain also highlighted another trader who made significant gains as&nbsp;an early investor in MELANIA.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This guy made an incredible $66M+ on $MELANIA in just 4 hours! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MELANIA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MELANIA</a> 4 hours ago, this guy spent 2,500 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SOL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SOL</a>($688K) to buy 5.02M $MELANIA, then sold 203K $MELANIA for 2.14M <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a>, leaving 5M $MELANIA, worth $64.9M!<a href="https://t.co/nKKEPDbqVi">https://t.co/nKKEPDbqVi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wu2czpLbab">pic.twitter.com/Wu2czpLbab</a>
&mdash; Lookonchain (@lookonchain) <a href="https://twitter.com/lookonchain/status/1881145794809700766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: The MELANIA meme coin was launched by First Lady Melania Trump&nbsp;a day after then President-elect&nbsp;Trump had launched his own meme coin. 
At the time of writing,&nbsp;MELANIA is trading for $2.76,&nbsp;down 19.5% in the last&nbsp;24 hours. The Solana (SOL)-based&nbsp;meme coin has a market cap&nbsp;of $413.8 million, making it&nbsp;the 227th largest crypto project.&nbsp;
This event underscores the volatile and high-risk, high-reward nature of the cryptocurrency market, particularly with new coin launches.
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<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43182670/amid-trump-token-frenzy-ethereums-vitalik-buterin-warns-of-unlimited-political-bribery-via-memecoins">Amid Trump, Melania Token Frenzy, Ethereum&#8217;s Vitalik Buterin Warns Of &#8216;Unlimited Political Bribery&#8217; Via Meme coins</a>
Image: Shutterstock

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Cryptocurrency

$MELANIA

Here's How One Trader Netted 6,208% Profit in Just Four Days With MELANIA Meme Coin

American Airlines' retirement plan management is under scrutiny after a recent ruling by a federal judge. The ruling has sparked debates over the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42713616/openais-big-holiday-payday-how-400-employees-could-walk-away-with-10-million-each">employee investments</a>. This landmark decision has fueled broader discussions about fiduciary responsibilities and the boundaries of socially conscious investing in corporate retirement plans.&nbsp;
The lawsuit, initially filed by American Airlines pilot Bryan Spence in 2023, alleged that the company violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by putting ESG goals above the financial returns in its employees' 401(k) plans. Spence represented more than 100,000 participants in a class-action lawsuit.&nbsp;
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U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/guidance/24/12/42345395/american-airlines-partners-with-citi-issues-strong-profit-outlook">American Airlines</a> breached its duty of loyalty to plan participants "by failing to keep American's corporate interests separate from their fiduciary responsibilities, resulting in impermissible cross-pollination of interests and influence on the management of the Plan," according to ESG Dive.
O'Connor stated that the airline's relationship with its asset manager BlackRock created a conflict of interest. Reuters reports that BlackRock, known for its ESG advocacy, managed passive index funds for the airline's plan.
Despite these findings, the judge noted that American Airlines' practices met or exceeded industry standards and its processes did not violate its duty of prudence. Damages in the case remain undecided as the court evaluates potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/01/42935707/financial-crime-weekly-doj-sues-6-of-the-nations-largest-landlords-man-pleads-guilty-to-9-4-million-crypto-scheme">financial harm</a> to plan participants.
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The decision has drawn mixed reactions from legal and investment experts. While some view it as a necessary check on corporations mixing social priorities with fiduciary obligations, others worry it sets a low bar for similar lawsuits.
Andy Poreda, a senior research analyst at Sage Advisory, criticized the ruling, arguing that ESG considerations often align with sound financial strategies. For instance, he told ESG Dive that BlackRock does not universally endorse ESG initiatives but evaluates them based on their potential financial impact.
"If you look at Blackrock's voting record in 2021, they weren't voting ‘yes' to every ESG-related issue," Poreda said. "They were picking and choosing which ones they thought were a value add and you have others that voted in concert with them."
American Airlines has never offered ESG-focused investments in its 401(k) plan. A company spokesperson emailed a statement to ESG Dive stating that the oversight of BlackRock's proxy voting aligns with best practices and emphasized their commitment to responsibly managing employees' retirement savings.
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The ruling comes amid a growing backlash against ESG investing, particularly from conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups. The Biden administration&#8217;s 2023 rule permitting ESG factors as &#8220;tiebreakers&#8221; in investment decisions has faced legal challenges, while some states and companies have actively opposed ESG-aligned policies.
This case also underscores corporations&#8217; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42922916/united-parcel-navigates-shifting-parcel-strategies-as-surepost-contract-ends-while-ground-economy-gains-momentum-for-fedex">challenges </a>in balancing socially conscious goals with fiduciary duties. As ESG investing polarizes opinions, companies may face heightened scrutiny over their retirement plan management.
For now, American Airlines must await further court decisions regarding potential damages. Meanwhile, the ruling could serve as a precedent for similar lawsuits, potentially reshaping how companies approach ESG factors in employee retirement plans.
As these debates unfold, employees and plan participants should stay informed about managing their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42988489/im-watching-my-retirement-savings-erode-away-61-year-old-panics-over-his-investments-but-dave-ramsey-tells-him-shut-up-and-invest">retirement funds</a> and seek professional advice to ensure their investments align with their financial goals.
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American Airlines Faces Backlash For ESG Investments In Employee 401(k) Plans

The U.S. government&#8217;s foreign assistance programs face an unprecedented freeze, which may <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43098832/3-stocks-to-gain-from-donald-trumps-external-revenue-service" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">put millions of lives at risk worldwide</a>.
New Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a sweeping order on Friday to freeze new funding for most U.S. foreign aid, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/25/state-department-freezes-new-funding-for-nearly-all-us-aid-programs-worldwide.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> CNBC.
However, there are exceptions for emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt. This move impacts billions of dollars in foreign aid programs.
The freeze, following an executive order signed earlier in the week by President Donald Trump, will temporarily suspend billions of dollars in U.S. funding for critical programs aimed at supporting health, education, development, job training, and anti-corruption efforts globally.
It also impacts U.S. security assistance to allies and humanitarian relief, including life-saving health initiatives such as HIV/AIDS programs.
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The order, sent to U.S. embassies worldwide by Secretary Rubio, comes as a response to Trump&#8217;s pledge to limit foreign aid. However, it has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations, who warn that the freeze could have catastrophic consequences for vulnerable populations.
Among the most affected programs is the President&#8217;s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a globally recognized initiative that has saved 25 million lives, including 5.5 million children, since its inception in 2003, CNBC adds.
While emergency food programs, such as those helping millions in famine-stricken Sudan, are exempt from the freeze, health programs like immunization efforts and maternal care are not.
This has led many aid organizations to immediately halt their operations, unsure of how to proceed without funding.
In response, Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, called the move &#8220;devastating,&#8221; emphasizing the &#8220;life or death consequences&#8221; for children and families in crisis, the report adds. She also criticized the administration&#8217;s abandonment of a longstanding bipartisan approach to foreign assistance, which prioritizes need over politics.
The freeze is a part of the broader effort by Republicans, led by Rep. Brian Mast, to scrutinize U.S. foreign aid, ensuring that it aligns with the administration&#8217;s policy goals and cuts what they view as unnecessary spending.
As the freeze is enforced, the future of U.S. foreign assistance will be reviewed, with an official report expected within three months.
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Image: Shutterstock

Movers

State Department Freezes Billions in Foreign Aid: Will Trump's Action Save Money or Cost Lives?

A luxurious Palm Beach estate for $14.95 million comes with a unique perk – guest access to the renowned Mar-a-Lago Club.
Located just one street away from<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/38967579/palm-beach-mansion-sells-for-152-million-pioneering-new-luxury-asset-class"> Mar-a-Lago</a> itself and adjacent to the home of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41525355/as-candidates-promise-more-homes-trumps-deportation-plan-raises-red-flags-for-construction-industry"> President Donald Trump</a>'s sister Elizabeth Trump Grau, the residence at 129 Woodbridge Road provides a rare opportunity to experience the famed club, according to the New York Post.
As reported by the Palm Beach Daily News, all homeowners on Woodbridge Road are eligible for guest privileges at Mar-a-Lago. However, access requires a successful interview and the payment of annual dues, which average $22,750 plus applicable taxes. Homeowners do not have to pay the hefty initiation fee, which can reportedly reach $1 million.
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The residence is across from two single-family homes acquired in 2017 by DTW Venture LLC and DT Venture 1LLC, entities sharing the Trump Organization's mailing address. An oceanfront residence just around the corner, purchased in 2018, also has ties to the Trump Organization.
The seller is a trust associated with the late George J. Buff III. The trust originally purchased the home in 2013 for $2.25 million. Last year, it was listed for $15.75 million but was temporarily withdrawn from the market for a rental period. The property was relisted on Jan. 15.
"Raising a family here, alongside my father and my son, has been an incredible journey. As life has evolved – my father's passing and my son forging his own path – we feel it's time to pass this special home to someone who will appreciate the community and lifestyle we've loved so much," George J. Buff IV told the New York Post.
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Woodbridge Road is the only street on the island with a special "declaration of use" agreement granting residents guest access to Mar-a-Lago. The agreement, established in 1993 between Trump and the town, allows homeowners to enjoy Mar-a-Lago's amenities, albeit with limitations and fees.
The street has become closely associated with Mar-a-Lago, with many homes owned or rented by people connected to Trump and the club, including family members, guests, staff and members of the U.S. Secret Service.
Woodbridge Road is within a security zone closed to through traffic during Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago, the former private residence of cereal heiress Marjorie Post.
See Also: The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf"> Ascent Income Fund</a> from EquityMultiple targets stable income from senior commercial real estate debt positions and has a historical distribution yield of 12.1% backed by real assets.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf"> Earn a 1% return boost on your first EquityMultiple investment when you sign up here (accredited investors only)</a>.
The two-story midcentury modern home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms and hurricane-impact windows. The spacious floor plan includes a large foyer, a living room and pocket sliding doors that open to a patio overlooking the pool. The main suite is on the first floor, with an additional one on the second floor.
A one-bedroom, two-bathroom guesthouse also offers pool views.
Ashley McIntosh and Kendall Corso of Douglas Elliman list the property.
Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today.<a href="https://smartasset.com/retirement/find-a-financial-planner?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=ben&amp;utm_content=y2_5MilNestEgg"> SmartAsset&#8217;s free tool matches you up with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost</a> to decide which one is right for you.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking For Higher-Yield Opportunities In A Shifting Market?</h2>
The changing interest rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through dividend stocks… Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities and Benzinga has identified <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/benzingas-favorite-high-yield-investments">some of the most attractive options for you to consider</a>.&nbsp;
For instance, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf">Ascent Income Fund</a> from EquityMultiple targets stable income from senior commercial real estate debt positions and has a historical distribution yield of 12.1% backed by real assets. With payment priority and flexible liquidity options, the Ascent Income Fund is a cornerstone investment vehicle for income-focused investors. First-time investors with EquityMultiple can now invest in the Ascent Income Fund with a reduced minimum of just $5,000. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf">Benzinga Readers: Earn a 1% return boost on your first EquityMultiple investment when you sign up here (accredited investors only)</a>.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/benzingas-favorite-high-yield-investments">Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings.</a> &nbsp;

Presidential Perks – $14.95M Palm Beach Home Offers VIP Access To Mar-a-Lago

President Donald Trump launched Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) based meme coin TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) shortly before his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43139381/how-many-people-watched-donald-trumps-2025-inauguration-spoiler-less-than-biden-four-years-ago">inauguration on Jan. 20.</a>
A new Benzinga poll predicts which notable figure will be the first to publicly disclose they bought some Trump coin.
What Happened: The surprise launch of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43140514/what-comes-next-after-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch">the Trump coin </a>took the cryptocurrency and investing worlds by storm as social media users questioned the legitimacy of posts from Trump's accounts.
Posts made on X and Truth Social announced the official launch of the Trump coin, with some users believing the incoming president of the United States had been hacked.
Instead, the launch was done before Trump officially became president and he has confirmed his involvement while remaining mostly silent since taking office as president.
A large portion of the coin's supply is controlled by Trump-affiliated companies, but retail investors also bought up supply of the coin.
Benzinga recently asked which famous person connected with Trump will be the first to disclose that they own a Trump coin.
"Who do you think is most likely to buy the Trump meme coin?" Benzinga asked.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>Elon Musk: 61%</li>
<li>Marjorie Taylor Greene: 20%</li>
<li>Joe Rogan: 9%</li>
<li>Tucker Carlson: 7%</li>
<li>Ron DeSantis: 3%</li>
</ul>
The poll found an overwhelming majority select Musk as the most likely purchaser. Musk is one of Trump's closest allies in recent months, and a public disclosure that he owns Trump&#8217;s coin likely wouldn't come as a surprise.
Also adding to the likelihood is Musk's past disclosures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42794433/if-you-invested-1000-in-dogecoin-when-elon-musk-acquired-twitter-heres-how-much-youd-have-now">of owning meme coin </a>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and seeming to support meme coin Pepe coin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) with memes and posts on X.
Musk's past comments and memes about Dogecoin and Pepe coin have led to spikes in the cryptocurrency prices, which could mean a public disclosure of owning Trump coin could see the same result.
Ranking second in the poll was Representative Greene (R-Ga.), who is a known Trump supporter. Greene would have to publicly disclose her purchase within 45 days based on the STOCK Act.
Rogan and Carlson would not be required to publicly disclose owning Trump coin, but they could choose to do so given their audiences on podcasts or based on guests that they are interviewing. DeSantis has to disclose his investments periodically as the governor of Florida.
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Why It's Important: Trump coin hit an all-time high of $75.35 on Jan. 19 and has fallen since. The coin has traded between $32.05 and $37.14 over the last 24 hours and between $6.24 and $75.35 since launching.
Some investors may remember Greene being one of the first members of Congress to publicly disclose that they owned shares of Digital World Acquisition Corporation, the SPAC that announced a merger with Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) back in October 2021.
Greene <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/21/10/23650451/the-congress-member-who-bought-shares-of-trumps-spac-probably-wont-surprise-you">disclosed her purchase</a> on Oct. 26, saying she bought $15,000 to $50,000 worth of DWAC shares. The companies have since merged and now trade as Trump Media &amp; Technology Group. Greene has not disclosed a sale of her stock, which means she still<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41031499/marjorie-taylor-greene-stays-loyal-to-trump-keeps-djt-stock-buys-into-warren-buffetts-berkshire-in-l"> owns her stake.</a>
The stock traded between $67.96 and $118.80 on Oct. 22, the date of Greene's purchase. One investor pinned Greene's purchase price to $94.20 per share.
With Trump Media &amp; Technology currently trading at $32.41, Greene&#8217;s investment has declined in value.
For members of Congress, buying Trump coin and later publicly disclosing it could be a power move to show allegiance to the new president, similar to why Greene may have bought DWAC shares previously.
Another potential Trump coin buyer could be Mike Collins (R-Ga.), who has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42778468/congressman-buys-more-ski-mask-dog-coin-will-meme-coin-hit-new-all-time-highs-on-latest-disclosure">disclosed the purchase</a> of the small meme coin Ski Mask Dog coin on two separate occasions.
Follow the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades"> Benzinga Government Trades page</a> to see disclosures of stocks, options and cryptocurrencies bought by members of Congress.
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The study was conducted by Benzinga from Jan. 21, 2025 through Jan. 22, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 128 adults.
Photo: Shutterstock

Exclusives

$DOGE

$PEPE

$SOL

$TRUMP

DWAC

Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Ron DeSantis, Joe Rogan Or Marjorie Taylor Greene: Who's Most Likely To Buy Trump Coin?

President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;on Monday revoked former President&nbsp;Joe Biden's&nbsp;comprehensive executive order on artificial intelligence as part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/01/43106379/trump-reverses-bidens-ai-policies-on-day-1-what-it-means-for-tech-giants-nvidia-amd-alphabet" rel="noreferrer noopener">his&nbsp;first actions in office</a>.&nbsp;
Biden&#8217;s AI executive order mandated that developers of AI systems posing threats to national security or public safety report the results of safety tests to the U.S. government and tasked the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards for safety testing.
Sam Altman, CEO of&nbsp;OpenAI, has publicly expressed his support for President&nbsp;Donald Trump.&nbsp;This revelation comes years after he praised LinkedIn co-founder&nbsp;Reid Hoffman&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43153571/openais-sam-altman-flip-flops-on-trump-as-500-billion-stargate-ai-project-is-announced-years-after-praising-reid-hoffman-for-stopping-his-re-election" rel="noreferrer noopener">for stopping his re-election</a>.
Gaming
Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EA#NASDAQ">EA</a>) reported preliminary financial results&nbsp;for the third quarter, now projecting a mid-single-digit decline in live services net bookings largely due to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/01/43146917/electronic-arts-stock-is-sliding-after-the-close-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">slowdown in Global Football</a>.
EA now expects revenue of $1.883 billion versus estimates of $2.507 billion, according to&nbsp;<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>. The company anticipates third-quarter earnings of $1.11 per share, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in line with analyst estimates</a>.
Social Media
Meta Platforms, Inc.&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Instagram&nbsp;announced a new video creation app called ‘Edits' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078310/mark-zuckerbergs-instagram-doubles-down-on-tiktok-rivalry-with-new-edits-app-to-lure-creators-as-the-potential-shutdown-sparks-alternatives" rel="noreferrer noopener">to attract&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078310/mark-zuckerbergs-instagram-doubles-down-on-tiktok-rivalry-with-new-edits-app-to-lure-creators-as-the-potential-shutdown-sparks-alternatives" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078310/mark-zuckerbergs-instagram-doubles-down-on-tiktok-rivalry-with-new-edits-app-to-lure-creators-as-the-potential-shutdown-sparks-alternatives" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;users</a>.
Jeff Bezos-backed&nbsp;Perplexity&nbsp;reportedly bid to merge with&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;U.S. on Saturday, but&nbsp;Wedbush&nbsp;analyst&nbsp;Dan Ives&nbsp;hinted&nbsp;Elon Musk's X&nbsp;could ultimately&nbsp;seal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078206/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-reportedly-makes-50-billion-move-to-merge-with-tiktok-but-elon-musks-x-remains-this-analysts-favorite-bidder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the deal&nbsp;amid rising speculation</a>.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) bull&nbsp;Ross Gerber&nbsp;has&nbsp;voiced doubts&nbsp;about the effectiveness of an executive order in overriding existing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078675/tesla-bull-ross-gerber-says-trumps-executive-order-cant-override-law-in-tiktok-ban-fight" rel="noreferrer noopener">laws concerning the&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078675/tesla-bull-ross-gerber-says-trumps-executive-order-cant-override-law-in-tiktok-ban-fight" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078675/tesla-bull-ross-gerber-says-trumps-executive-order-cant-override-law-in-tiktok-ban-fight" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;ban</a>.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43152718/tesla-to-have-a-choppy-first-half-owing-to-new-ev-policies-deliveries-and-margins-however-this-analyst-expect-over-20-upside-from-current-level-with-a-500-target-price" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Set For A &#8216;Choppy&#8217; First Half Amid New EV Policies, But This Analyst Sees 20% Upside For Elon Musk&#8217;s EV Company With A $500 Price Target</a>
Billionaire investor&nbsp;Bill Ackman&nbsp;has expressed his admiration for&nbsp;Elon Musk's X, formerly&nbsp;Twitter, while voicing concerns <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43079998/bill-ackman-praises-elon-musks-x-but-raises-concerns-about-tiktoks-harmful-influence-on-society-put-aside-the-china-issues-i-do-think-its-not-been-a-healthy-thing" rel="noreferrer noopener">about TikTok's influence on society</a>.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43078570/mrbeast-unhappy-with-billionaires-silence-on-feeding-the-hungry-after-overwhelming-interest-about-tiktok-purchase-when-i-fundraise-its-crickets" rel="noreferrer noopener">MrBeast Unhappy With Billionaires&#8217; Silence On Feeding The Hungry After Overwhelming Interest About TikTok Purchase: &#8216;When I Fundraise It&#8217;s Crickets&#8217;</a>
LinkedIn, owned by&nbsp;Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>),&nbsp;has been accused by Premium users of sharing private data for AI model <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43152356/linkedin-hit-with-lawsuit-for-violating-user-privacy-allegedly-sharing-private-data-for-ai-model-training" rel="noreferrer noopener">training without their consent</a>.
Microsoft&nbsp;CEO Satya Nadella addressed&nbsp;Elon Musk's&nbsp;skepticism about the ambitious Project Stargate&#8217;s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43152627/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-stands-firm-after-elon-musk-questions-stargates-100-billion-funding-potential-all-i-know-is-im-good-for-my-80-billion" rel="noreferrer noopener">$100 billion funding potential</a>.
Smartphones &amp; Technology
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly bringing its AI smarts to the&nbsp;Mac's Mail&nbsp;app with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43080333/apples-making-your-macs-mail-much-smarter-heres-whats-coming" rel="noreferrer noopener">the upcoming&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43080333/apples-making-your-macs-mail-much-smarter-heres-whats-coming" rel="noreferrer noopener">macOS 15.4</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43080333/apples-making-your-macs-mail-much-smarter-heres-whats-coming" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;update</a>.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43097512/apples-ai-advances-cant-offset-chinese-market-slowdown-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s AI Advances Can&#8217;t Offset Chinese Market Slowdown, Says Analyst</a>
Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) and Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google have decided to collaborate for developing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43151196/samsung-google-team-up-to-develop-ar-glasses-entering-the-race-against-meta-and-apple" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">augmented reality glasses</a>.
Image: Shutterstock

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