Author: Buck Banks

CBO Now Says Trump’s Megabill Will Add $4.1 Trillion to Deficit

Buck Banks

$4.1 trillion

“Interest rates will be higher over the next decade because of the GOP’s megabill and drive up borrowing costs even for the federal government, Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper predicts in a new report released Monday,” Politico reports. “In a final “dynamic” analysis of the bill President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the measure will increase the federal deficit by $4.1 trillion over a decade.”

Trump’s Magical Maths

Buck Banks

Pensito Illustration

We know Donald Trump plays fast and loose with the facts,
But it seems he’s added “fantastical figures” to his lying act.
He’s going to lower drug prices by 1,500 percent,
Which means we’ll get paid to take free medicaments.
Trump’s concept of pricing and percentages is — to be kind — “inexact.”

More than 60,000 Palesstinians Have Been Killed in the Israel-Hamas War

Buck Banks

+60,000

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza’s Health Ministry said, reports the Associated Press. Israeli strikes overnight killed more than two dozen people, mostly women and children, according to health officials. The Israeli offensive, launched in response to Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced around 90% of the population and fueled a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Most of the World Views Israel Negatively

Buck Banks

62%

Among the 24 countries surveyed in early 2025, the majority of respondents had a negative view of Israel (median 62%), according to the Pew Research Center. Just three countries had more positive responses than negative: India, Kenya and Nigeria. U.S. disapproval increased from 42% to 53% between 2022-25, with similar trends across Europe and East Asia. The data indicate a broad erosion of Israel’s global image following recent conflicts. Public confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is similarly low, as most respondents express little or no trust in his leadership.

Trump Administration Is Paying 154,000 NOT to Work

Buck Banks

154,000

“The government is paying more than 154,000 federal employees not to work as part of the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program,” the Washington Post reports. “The number, which has not been previously reported, accounts for workers at dozens of agencies who took offers from the government as of June to get paid through Sept. 30 — the end of the fiscal year — or the end of 2025 and then voluntarily leave government, significantly reducing the size of several major agencies.”