TikTok ban: Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said this morning that he plans to put together a group to offer to buy TikTok. The House yesterday passed a bill that would force the Chinese to sell their interest in TikTok or face the possibility of the popular app being banned in the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not said when he’d bring up the bill in the Senate. President Biden said he’d sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Most House Republicans voted in favor of the bill even though Donald Trump opposed it. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com
Trump’s lies: Steve Rattner, investor and chairman and CEO of Willett Advisors, this morning on MSNBC fact-checked major claims made by Donald Trump and found that he has been consistently lying in his campaign speeches. Trump has claimed that crime is out of control under President Biden, but Rattner found that crime against people is down 15% from where it was when Trump was in the White House and crime against property is down 7%. Rattner said Trump is lying about U.S. energy dependence and that under Biden the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas. Rattner also found that Trump is lying about the U.S. budget deficit and that it expanded by several trillion dollars when Trump was in office and has been shrinking under Biden. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com
The weather: Unusual weather continued today with severe thunderstorms possible in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Yesterday, tornado warnings were in effect in parts of Kansas and Missouri as hail the size of softballs fell, for a time causing part of Interstate 70 to be shut down. A line of torrential rain from Louisiana through central Arkansas is forecast for tomorrow with rain falling at up to four inches per hour. A major snowstorm is affecting parts of Colorado with up to four feet expected in some areas. Many schools, government buildings and businesses were forced to close. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com
Classified documents case: Donald Trump was planning to be in federal court in Florida today to watch as the judge he appointed to the bench, Aileen Cannon, hears motions from his attorneys to dismiss the classified documents case against him. Trump claims that the case represents selective prosecution, even though the facts of his taking classified government documents and defying legal orders to return them are unique. Trump also is claiming presidential immunity, even though what he did happened after he left the White House. Special Counsel Jack Smith wants Cannon to move ahead and get Trump’s trial started while Cannon has been criticized for delaying the trial so that it won’t take place before the November election, if at all. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com
Warships: More than 20 warships from China, Russia and Iran are holding maneuvers around the Gulf of Oman through tomorrow designed to send a message that the ships can be put into action on a moment’s notice. The maneuvers also are designed to show cooperation between the three countries in opposing the influence of western countries. The maneuvers also counter the presence of U.S. warships that have been protecting commercial shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels. The three countries put out similar statements saying the military maneuvers are designed to help bring stability to the region. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com.
Ukraine: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today said that NATO members are not doing enough to help prevent Ukraine from running out of ammunition. Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg said that while an unprecedented level of aid has helped Ukraine survive the Russian onslaught so far, even more needs to be done immediately to prevent Russian dictator Vladimir Putin from overrunning the country. Stoltenberg said that the Ukrainians have plenty of courage and need supplies of ammunition to match. Follow us and stay informed; we’re Westfair’s Business Journal. Visit westfaironline.com
