The editors here at I&I have been in the news business for more than four decades, and we’ve never seen anything like the steady stream of glorious news since President Donald Trump took office. We keep pinching ourselves to make sure we aren’t dreaming.
It started on day one, with Trump’s triumphant inaugural address and the flurry of well-targeted executive orders that boldly declared not just the end of the Biden administration, but the beginning of the end of 100 years of socialist experimentation in the U.S.
Every day since has brought gift-wrapped presents that conservatives – including those suffering Trump Derangement Syndrome – dreamed about for decades.
What’s particularly delicious about all this is that the mainstream news media keep having to report the good news.
Border security: One month into the Trump administration, illegal border crossings were down 94% from the year before to the lowest level for February in U.S. history. And without any new laws on the books.
Inflation: Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that wholesale prices were flat, below expectations, and in the face of endless claims that Trump’s tariffs would push prices up. The Consumer Price Index went up by just 2.8% in February. (The average under Biden was 5%.)
Budget: Trump scored two big budget victories so far. One was the House passing a “big beautiful” reconciliation bill that includes all of Trump’s policy priorities, and the second was forcing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to fold over a government shutdown. Republicans still have to send that reconciliation bill to Trump – one that includes an extension of his 2017 tax cuts.
Waste and fraud: Government auditors have documented massive amounts of waste and fraud for decades, and past presidents – Republican and Democrat – promised to get rid of it. DOGE is actually getting the job done.
Regulations: Trump is getting even more aggressive on deregulation than in his first term, ordering agencies to kill 10 rules for any new one they issue, and blocking several Biden rules that would have cost upward of $180 billion.
“Woke” madness: The removal of the “Black Lives Matter” plaza in Washington, D.C., is just the latest sign that the country is beginning to recover from the woke mind virus. In addition, Columbia University announced that it expelled pro-Hamas students involved in the takeover of a campus building, the Wall Street Journal reported that “BlackRock’s ‘woke’ era is over,” and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pretending to be a centrist.
Investments: Earlier this month, the Daily Signal reported that Trump has racked up $3 trillion in investments and trade commitments since taking office – and all without spending a dime of taxpayer money.
Free speech: Not only did Trump end the Biden administration’s censorship campaign, Vice President JD Vance went to Europe to confront its flabbergasted leaders over their descent into authoritarianism, telling them that “shutting down” speech the left doesn’t like is the “most surefire way to destroy democracy.”
Foreign policy: It has been a pleasure to watch as nations once again show the U.S. the respect that we are due, and to see a leader use his authority to put our interests front and center. As NPR put it, “Trump’s aggressive foreign policy decisions have shaken the globe.” Music to our ears. Even MSNBC has been forced to admit that “on foreign policy, Trump did two things right last week.”
Polls: As gifts go, it doesn’t get much better than seeing a headline in the leftist Daily Beast declaring that “Trump Notches All-Time High Approval Rating as Dems Hit New Low,”
But perhaps the biggest present of all has been the ongoing reports about the Democratic Party’s complete meltdown.
From their petulant behavior during Trump’s congressional address, to the rancorous infighting – our favorite so far is Sen. John Fetterman’s response to criticism from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that “I hope you can relay how little I care about her views on this” – to Sen. Chuck Schumer canceling his book tour because of “security concerns” from whack-job leftists, to the unfolding scandal involving the Democrats’ fundraising machine, ActBlue. Democrats are finally beginning to reap what they’ve been sowing for decades.
Then there’s the burgeoning controversy of Biden’s use of an autopen to sign most documents, a stunning revelation that led to Trump declaring that the pardons signed by President Autopen are null and void, which in turn forced the mainstream media to cover a scandal they’d been ignoring.
How long will this festive season last? What if there’s a major screwup or a terrible scandal? What if the economy falls into a recession? How will Trump handle bad news when it comes? Those are all legitimate questions. Christmas can’t last forever, after all, and we hope Trump and company are planning for rough waters ahead.
For now, however, our advice is to relish this unprecedented moment in U.S. history, because none of us is likely to live long enough to see anything like it again.
Issues & Insights was founded by seasoned journalists of the IBD Editorials page. Our mission is to provide timely, fact-based reporting and deeply informed analysis on the news of the day – without fear or favor.
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. American Detained By Taliban In Afghanistan Is Freed In Deal Mediated By Qatar - CNN
An American citizen who has spent more than two years in detention in Afghanistan was released on Thursday, and is now on his way to the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
George Glezmann, 66, was released after weeks of negotiations led by Qatari and US mediators.
“Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra,” Rubio said in a statement. A US official told CNN that no one was released in exchange for Glezmann.
2. Ukrainian President Zelensky Says Partial Ceasefire Could Be Established Quickly - TIPP Insights
After speaking to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday for the first time since their disastrous Oval Office talks, Zelensky said Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to a partial ceasefire brokered by Washington.
He said that list could include not only energy but also rail and port infrastructure, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Trump and agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure.
“I understand that until we agree (with Russia) until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly,” Zelenskiy said, referring to drones and missiles, according to Reuters.
3. UK To Host New Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks - BBC
The UK is hosting a closed meeting on Thursday of senior military leaders from the "coalition of the willing", as they draw up plans for a proposed peacekeeping force for Ukraine. More than 20 countries are thought to be involved.
Plans for a Western-led peacekeeping force for Ukraine are said to be moving to an operational phase. Senior military officers from nations that make up the "coalition of the willing", led by Britain and France, are due to discuss how this would work in practice when they gather at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.
4. EU Pledges To Continue Arming Ukraine Amid Cease-Fire Talks - RFE/RL
European Union leaders, gathering in Brussels on March 20-21, plan to pledge continued support to Ukraine militarily despite Russia's push to stop Western arms deliveries to Kyiv in the ongoing cease-fire talks.
The leaders are expected to adopt summit conclusions stating that "the European Union maintains its 'peace through strength' approach, which requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with its own robust military and defense capabilities as an essential component."
5. China's Baidu Denies Data Breach After Executive's Daughter Leaks Personal Info - Reuters
Chinese search giant Baidu denied allegations it had suffered an internal data breach after a top executive's teenage daughter posted personal details of other internet users online, sparking a controversy.
The company, one of China's largest cloud providers, was thrust into the spotlight last week after online users accused the teenage daughter of Baidu vice president Xie Guangjun of posting personal information of other users such as their phone numbers after getting into an online argument.
6. China Executed Four Canadians For Drug Crimes, Says Ottawa - BBC
The executions were held in China on drug-related charges earlier this year, Canadian authorities confirmed. All of them were dual citizens, and their identities have been withheld upon the request of their families, Canada's foreign minister Mélanie Joly said.
She condemned the killings as "irreversible and inconsistent with basic human dignity", adding that she had "asked personally for leniency". A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada said evidence for the Canadian nationals' crimes was "solid and sufficient" and urged Canada to "stop making irresponsible remarks," according to reports.
7. Long-Term Foreign Equity Investors Reassess Their China Bearishness - Nikkei Asia
Lawyers and financial experts say long-term foreign stock investors are reconsidering, with a dose of caution, whether to give the Chinese market a second glance ever since the AI chatbot DeepSeek emerged as a surprise challenger to U.S. leaders.
Many financial institutions and law firms have downsized or exited from Hong Kong and mainland China over the past few years due to increasing geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and Chinese authorities tightening their grip over the territory and businesses.
8. Israeli Troops Advance In Gaza To Retake Part Of Corridor Dividing North From South - A.P.
Israel military said it had retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceasefire that began in January.
Israel’s defense minister warned that attacks would intensify until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory. Early Thursday, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace, the military said.
9. U.S. Says ‘Bridge Proposal’ On Table For Gaza Ceasefire But Window ‘Closing Fast’ - Reuters
The U.S. State Department said there was still a bridge proposal that would extend the ceasefire in Gaza but the opportunity for it was “closing fast.”
A State Department spokesperson said the proposal would also “see the release of five live hostages, including American Edan Alexander. It would also see the release of a substantial number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.”
10. Deutsche Bank To Slash 2,000 Jobs - D.W.
Germany's largest bank is planning the cut in its retail banking division this year, the group's chief executive, Christian Sewing, said at a conference in London.
The move to downsize comes amid falling profits and is part of the bank's broader strategy to reduce costs. The bank also plans to close several of its branches. Deutsche Bank already reduced its workforce by laying off 3,500 support staff last year in an effort to cut costs. The bank employs 90,000 people worldwide.
11. DW Chief Warns U.S. Media Cuts Open 'Vacuum' For China, Russia - D.W.
The head of German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), Peter Limbourg, urged a rethink of drastic cuts to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
The DW head warned that authoritarian governments such as Moscow and Beijing would seek to fill the gap left by any U.S. retreat from state-funded international broadcasting.
President Donald Trump's decision has left the future of broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) hanging in the balance. The move also includes massive layoffs at the international broadcaster Voice of America (VOA).
12. Rwanda & DR Congo Leaders Agree To Ceasefire After Qatar Talks - BellaNaija.com
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in eastern DR Congo.
The deal follows direct talks mediated by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels intensified their offensive in the region. The conflict in eastern DR Congo has claimed an estimated 7,000 lives since January, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels.
13. Archduchess Estelle of Austria Dies Aged 46 Leaving Behind Five Children - DailyMail
Archduchess Estelle of Austria died at the age of 46, leaving European aristocracy in mourning.
In 2007, she married Archduke Carl Christian, great-grandson of Emperor Charles I, and was the mother of five children. The Archduchess leaves behind her husband, Archduke Carl Christian, and their five children.
14. Swap Traders Are Betting On More Interest-Rate Cuts In Asia - Bloomberg
Indian, Malaysian, and Thai swaps signal more policy easing as the dollar’s weakness bolsters regional currencies. This allows central banks to focus on reviving growth instead of actively supporting their exchange rates.
The urgency for rate cuts is rising amid growing signs of disinflation. Easing policy could help counter any economic impact of President Donald Trump's possible tariff announcements in April.
15. 'We Hope It's Just Blah Blah': European Wine Producers Brace For Trump Tariffs - A.P.
Last week President Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, Champagne, and other spirits if the European Union went ahead with retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. products like foreign steel and aluminum.
The top wine producers in Europe could face crippling costs that would hit smaller wineries especially hard. Italy, France and Spain are among the top five exporters of wine to the U.S.. Trump made his threat to Europe's alcohol industry after the European Union announced a 50% tax on American whiskey expected to take effect on April 1.
16. 5 Promising High-Growth Sectors To Invest In 2025 - Forbes
While market volatility continues to be a challenge, certain areas stand out for their strong growth potential, technological innovation, and ability to address critical global issues.
Whether you’re looking for stability or high-growth opportunities, these sectors deserve a closer look:
- Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning
- Clean Energy And Storage Technologies
- Healthcare Technology
- Cybersecurity
- Advanced Manufacturing And Robotics
17. Here's What To Know About Crypto Taxes In 2025 - TheStreet
Starting this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will require brokers — such as crypto exchanges, hosted wallet providers, and payment processors who handle crypto transactions — to report them on Form 1099-DA, a new form specifically for digital asset transactions.
Kell Canty, CEO of Ledgible, tells TheStreet Crypto: “Starting for calendar year 2025, brokers must issue a 1099-DA with gross proceeds on sales of digital assets to go out in early 2026.”
18. Marijuana Users At Greater Risk For Heart Attack, Stroke - HealthDay News
Adults under 50 are more than six times as likely to suffer a heart attack if they use marijuana, compared to non-users, researchers reported in the journal JACC Advances.
They also have a dramatically higher risk of stroke, heart failure, and heart-related death, researchers said. Researchers said these results show that it is not inherently harmless, even as it is legalized across the U.S. "At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks," lead researcher Dr. Ibrahim Kamel said.
