In December, the White House announced a new program to let wealthy foreigners get a shortcut to US citizenship — the “Trump Gold Card.” After paying a $15,000 application fee, passing a vetting process, and ultimately paying a $1 million “contribution,” the applicant gets a card in President Trump’s favorite color that grants the owner US citizenship “in record time.”
So, how many of these rich foreigners have received their shiny ticket to American residency? Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a House committee today that only one of the cards has been issued, but “hundreds” of applications are being reviewed.
In December, Lutnick predicted that the cards could generate up to $1 trillion in revenue.
Who’s next to leave the Trump admin following Chavez-DeRemer’s departure?
After a few abandoned nominations and the occasional lateral demotion during President Donald Trump’s first year in office, turnover has accelerated dramatically.
Just in the past month, top officials such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer have left their posts.
Following a report from The Atlantic alleging heavy drinking and absenteeism plaguing FBI Director Kash Patel, the odds of his departure from the Trump administration in 2026 shot up sharply, with traders now pricing in an 80% chance he won’t last the year.
(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, is another official who could be on the ropes. Her deputy, Joe Kent, has already resigned over the Iran war. Gabbard’s 2020 presidential campaign — and appeal in broadening Trump’s electorate in 2024 — heavily centered around ending perpetual “regime change wars.” The White House has indicated to Gabbard that they want her gone before the midterms, but the timing of her departure remains vague, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Sherwood News in recent weeks.
As for who will replace the outgoing members, pay attention to who can be confirmed by the Senate. To replace Bondi, a Trump adviser told Sherwood the most likely replacements are acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, as well as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Following a report from The Atlantic alleging heavy drinking and absenteeism plaguing FBI Director Kash Patel, the odds of his departure from the Trump administration in 2026 shot up sharply, with traders now pricing in an 80% chance he won’t last the year.
(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, is another official who could be on the ropes. Her deputy, Joe Kent, has already resigned over the Iran war. Gabbard’s 2020 presidential campaign — and appeal in broadening Trump’s electorate in 2024 — heavily centered around ending perpetual “regime change wars.” The White House has indicated to Gabbard that they want her gone before the midterms, but the timing of her departure remains vague, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Sherwood News in recent weeks.
As for who will replace the outgoing members, pay attention to who can be confirmed by the Senate. To replace Bondi, a Trump adviser told Sherwood the most likely replacements are acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, as well as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
In an effort to cement control ahead of SpaceX’s IPO, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk bought $1.4 billion in shares of the rocket company from current and former employees last year, The Information reports, citing the confidential IPO prospectus.
The filing also revealed a moon shot incentive plan for the boss: Musk stands to gain 60 million more shares if SpaceX’s market cap increases to as high as $6.6 trillion and it completes a plan to build AI data centers in space. For its June IPO, the company is targeting a more than $2 trillion valuation.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer out at Department of Labor
Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as President Donald Trump’s labor secretary on Monday, sources familiar with the matter told NOTUS.
Her tenure at the department was mired in scandal, including her husband being barred from headquarters after women employees reported he had touched them inappropriately. Chavez-DeRemer and a top aide reportedly texted women on staff to “pay attention” to the secretary’s husband and her father around the office, according to The New York Times.
The department’s inspector general had been investigating those messages and personal requests made of staff members.
Report: Anthropic’s Amodei headed to White House to settle dispute
In February, President Trump called Anthropic “A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY,” and said of the company’s Claude AI technology: “We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!”
Now, less than two months later, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to meet with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles today, according to a report from Axios.
After being declared a supply chain risk to national security by the Pentagon, and then suing the government to block the action, Anthropic finds itself in a powerful position: it has announced that its new Mythos AI model is capable of planning and executing offensive cyberattacks, and therefore would be shared only with a close group of trusted partners for testing before wider release, leading the US Treasury to try to get its hands on the new model.
The White House meeting is expected to result in some sort of deal that settles the dispute with the company, per the report.
After being declared a supply chain risk to national security by the Pentagon, and then suing the government to block the action, Anthropic finds itself in a powerful position: it has announced that its new Mythos AI model is capable of planning and executing offensive cyberattacks, and therefore would be shared only with a close group of trusted partners for testing before wider release, leading the US Treasury to try to get its hands on the new model.
The White House meeting is expected to result in some sort of deal that settles the dispute with the company, per the report.
Maine is the first to pass a statewide ban on large data centers
The tide is turning against big AI data centers.
In addition to many cities and towns that have passed outright bans on data centers, lawmakers in at least 11 states have introduced legislation to pause their construction, citing the need to carefully study power and water usage of the facilities.
But Maine just became the first state to successfully pass a ban on large data centers. If Maine Governor Janet Mills signs the bill into law, new data centers that draw more than 20 gigawatts of power would be banned until late 2027, and the state would set up a mechanism to study the impact of data center energy usage.
Last month, a federal bill was introduced to block new data centers until AI regulation has been passed. The issue has been getting more attention in this election year, as voters in data center hubs like Virginia have soured on the facilities.
Look at the crumbling support among Virginians (America's first data center hot spot) for data centers:
But Maine just became the first state to successfully pass a ban on large data centers. If Maine Governor Janet Mills signs the bill into law, new data centers that draw more than 20 gigawatts of power would be banned until late 2027, and the state would set up a mechanism to study the impact of data center energy usage.
Last month, a federal bill was introduced to block new data centers until AI regulation has been passed. The issue has been getting more attention in this election year, as voters in data center hubs like Virginia have soured on the facilities.
Look at the crumbling support among Virginians (America's first data center hot spot) for data centers:
Trump pulls tech execs even closer, adding Zuckerberg, Huang, Ellison, and others to tech council
President Trump has had a close relationship with America’s biggest tech leaders. They have flown across the world for investment announcements, attended intimate dinners at the White House, donned tuxedos and white ties for royal banquets, and have been known to bring golden gifts to him in the Oval Office.
Today he brings them in even closer. The White House announced that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and close pal and Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison will join a new President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, along with 10 other tech leaders including Dell founder Michael Dell and Google cofounder Sergey Brin.
According to the White House, the group will “focus on topics related to the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present to the American workforce, and ensuring all Americans thrive in the Golden Age of Innovation.”
The full list of appointees:
Today he brings them in even closer. The White House announced that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and close pal and Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison will join a new President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, along with 10 other tech leaders including Dell founder Michael Dell and Google cofounder Sergey Brin.
According to the White House, the group will “focus on topics related to the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present to the American workforce, and ensuring all Americans thrive in the Golden Age of Innovation.”
The full list of appointees:
- U.S. Military Ramps Up to Clear Strait of HormuzThe New York Times
- Trump Considers Taking Iran's Kharg Island, Axios SaysBloomberg
- US considering occupying Kharg Island to force Iran to open Hormuz strait, say reportsThe Guardian
- Trump Had No Plan B for IranThe Atlantic
- Dow Declines 200 Points, Falls For A Second Day: Fear & Greed Index Remains In 'Extreme Fear' ZoneBenzinga
- Stock futures dip after report Trump considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, drones strike Kuwait’s largest oil refinerySherwood
Prediction markets show a tight (and tightening) Illinois Democratic Senate primary
It’s primary election time in Illinois, and as voters in the state head to the polls on March 17, there are a few races to watch closely across both parties.
While polls show that Darren Bailey is leading in the Republican race for governor, the primary election for a rare seat in the Democratic Senate to replace Sen. Dick Durbin is proving to be a tight one.
At the top of the 10-candidate race are Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Robin Kelly. Krishnamoorthi, a lawmaker from Chicago’s 8th Congressional District, was an early front-runner, received funding and support from several Congress members for the seat. Kelly, who represented the South Side’s 2nd Congressional District, has support from the Congressional Black Caucus and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Meanwhile, Stratton has been endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker, whose administration she used to work for, as well as Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
While polls suggested that Krishnamoorthi was favored to win, Stratton has seen a boost and late surge, though Krishnamoorthi still remains close behind. Capitol News Illinois reports that Illinois Future PAC, funded by Pritzker, has spent more than $10 million on ads elevating Stratton. Meanwhile, two PACs affiliated with the crypto industry have attempted to attack Stratton and promote Kelly. Indian American Impact, which endorsed Krishnamoorthi, reportedly employed similar tactics against Stratton.
Political insiders tell Capitol News Illinois the race could go either way, but they still expect Krishnamoorthi to come out on top. Prediction markets currently show that Stratton narrowly leading Krishnamoorthi.
(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)
At the top of the 10-candidate race are Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Robin Kelly. Krishnamoorthi, a lawmaker from Chicago’s 8th Congressional District, was an early front-runner, received funding and support from several Congress members for the seat. Kelly, who represented the South Side’s 2nd Congressional District, has support from the Congressional Black Caucus and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Meanwhile, Stratton has been endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker, whose administration she used to work for, as well as Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
While polls suggested that Krishnamoorthi was favored to win, Stratton has seen a boost and late surge, though Krishnamoorthi still remains close behind. Capitol News Illinois reports that Illinois Future PAC, funded by Pritzker, has spent more than $10 million on ads elevating Stratton. Meanwhile, two PACs affiliated with the crypto industry have attempted to attack Stratton and promote Kelly. Indian American Impact, which endorsed Krishnamoorthi, reportedly employed similar tactics against Stratton.
Political insiders tell Capitol News Illinois the race could go either way, but they still expect Krishnamoorthi to come out on top. Prediction markets currently show that Stratton narrowly leading Krishnamoorthi.
(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)
Anthropic sues the US government
In response to the Pentagon’s unprecedented, punitive determination that Anthropic is a national security supply chain risk, the AI startup has sued the US government.
OpenAI is reportedly working with Pentagon to hash out guardrails amid Anthropic standoff over AI safety
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company is working with the Pentagon to negotiate safety guardrails for AI models used in the battlefield, which comes as one of its top competitors, Anthropic, is at a standoff with the government.
According to a memo obtained by several media outlets, Altman told staff OpenAI believes “that AI should not be used for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons, and that humans should remain in the loop for high-stakes automated decisions. These are our main red lines.”
Anthropic, the company behind the AI chatbot Claude, was one of several firms that received a $200 million contract from the Department of Defense for “agentic workflows.”
Since then, tensions between Anthropic and the Pentagon have reportedly risen as the startup insists on surveillance restrictions. The government’s attack on Venezuela last month that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro reportedly involved the use of Anthropic’s Claude AI models for planning, which caused the startup to push back on the alleged violation of its terms of use.
Anthropic has until 5:01 p.m. ET on Friday to reach a deal with the Pentagon, which has threatened consequences against the company if it doesn’t allow the government unrestricted use.
Altman’s comments come as the Financial Times reports that executives at Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are being pushed by workers to support Anthropic in its dispute with the Pentagon and adopt similar guardrails as the Claude company in any work they undertake with the US military.
According to a memo obtained by several media outlets, Altman told staff OpenAI believes “that AI should not be used for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons, and that humans should remain in the loop for high-stakes automated decisions. These are our main red lines.”
Anthropic, the company behind the AI chatbot Claude, was one of several firms that received a $200 million contract from the Department of Defense for “agentic workflows.”
Since then, tensions between Anthropic and the Pentagon have reportedly risen as the startup insists on surveillance restrictions. The government’s attack on Venezuela last month that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro reportedly involved the use of Anthropic’s Claude AI models for planning, which caused the startup to push back on the alleged violation of its terms of use.
Anthropic has until 5:01 p.m. ET on Friday to reach a deal with the Pentagon, which has threatened consequences against the company if it doesn’t allow the government unrestricted use.
Altman’s comments come as the Financial Times reports that executives at Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are being pushed by workers to support Anthropic in its dispute with the Pentagon and adopt similar guardrails as the Claude company in any work they undertake with the US military.
Report: Anthropic CEO Amodei meeting with Hegseth at the Pentagon as tensions mount
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has been summoned to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Tuesday, according to a report from Axios. Tensions are running high between the Trump administration and Anthropic, as the startup’s surveillance restrictions on the use of its AI are reportedly causing outrage within the Pentagon.
Last month’s attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of Maduro reportedly involved the use of Anthropic’s Claude AI models for planning, which caused the startup to push back on the alleged violation of its terms of use.
Per the report, the Pentagon is considering effectively blacklisting Anthropic’s AI from government work if it doesn’t capitulate to the administration’s terms.
Antagonizing the Trump administration could cause Anthropic to face potential regulatory hurdles as it races toward an IPO this year. The company recently hired former Microsoft CFO Chris Liddel to its board, who formerly served as deputy White House chief of staff in the first Trump administration.
Last month’s attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of Maduro reportedly involved the use of Anthropic’s Claude AI models for planning, which caused the startup to push back on the alleged violation of its terms of use.
Per the report, the Pentagon is considering effectively blacklisting Anthropic’s AI from government work if it doesn’t capitulate to the administration’s terms.
Antagonizing the Trump administration could cause Anthropic to face potential regulatory hurdles as it races toward an IPO this year. The company recently hired former Microsoft CFO Chris Liddel to its board, who formerly served as deputy White House chief of staff in the first Trump administration.
President Trump, the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful, Clean Coal,” wants the Defense Department to start buying more of it
US total coal consumption, however, has plummeted in the last two decades.
Anthropic donates $20 million to pro-AI regulation PAC
The war to build a better AI model may be mostly happening in Silicon Valley, but now another important front has opened: Washington, DC.
Anthropic announced a $20 million donation to Public First Action, a new super PAC that advocates for AI policies and regulations that prioritize public safety. The PAC describes itself as “a counterforce that will defend the public interest against those who aim to buy their way out of sensible rule-making.”
The move is seen as a counter to OpenAI’s growing investments in PACs that argue for less AI regulation.
OpenAI recently donated to Leading the Future PAC, which has received over $50 million from the family of OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman, and the VC firm Andreessen Horowitz. The PAC says it is focused on “identifying, maintaining, and growing pro-AI candidates in order to support an AI innovation policy agenda at the state and federal level.”
OpenAI’s Brockman and his wife, Anna, recently donated a total of $25 million to the pro-Trump MAGA, INC. PAC.
OpenAI recently donated to Leading the Future PAC, which has received over $50 million from the family of OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman, and the VC firm Andreessen Horowitz. The PAC says it is focused on “identifying, maintaining, and growing pro-AI candidates in order to support an AI innovation policy agenda at the state and federal level.”
OpenAI’s Brockman and his wife, Anna, recently donated a total of $25 million to the pro-Trump MAGA, INC. PAC.
A new rule from the Trump administration could make it easier to dismiss senior government workers
US federal employment levels already hit a 12-year low in October.
Looking into its Warner Bros. acquisition, the DOJ probes Netflix for anticompetitive tactics
As the Department of Justice probes Netflix’s proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, it has reportedly subpoenaed at least one other entertainment company to investigate whether the streamer has taken part in anticompetitive behavior.
Netflix said the DOJ is conducting a standard review and it expects its acquisition to be approved.
Per Wall Street Journal reporting, the DOJ is also seeking out information on how Paramount’s proposed acquisition could harm competition in the entertainment industry.
Netflix has argued that its acquisition of WBD would not be anticompetitive, as there is an 80% overlap in Netflix and HBO Max subscribers. The company has said it competes not just with streaming services but also with broader content platforms like YouTube and TikTok for attention. Netflix booked $45.2 billion in revenue in 2025, compared to YouTube’s $60 billion.
The streamer has repeatedly said it will stick to a 45-day theatrical release window for Warner Bros. films. Movie theater trade groups have pointed out that after theatrical release, many films move to premium video on-demand (PVOD), where they can be digitally rented or purchased for several more weeks or months before moving to streaming (subscription video on-demand, or SVOD). According to Cinema United, the average SVOD window for major theatrical films is 102 days, significantly longer than the potential 45-day window for Netflix.
Per Wall Street Journal reporting, the DOJ is also seeking out information on how Paramount’s proposed acquisition could harm competition in the entertainment industry.
Netflix has argued that its acquisition of WBD would not be anticompetitive, as there is an 80% overlap in Netflix and HBO Max subscribers. The company has said it competes not just with streaming services but also with broader content platforms like YouTube and TikTok for attention. Netflix booked $45.2 billion in revenue in 2025, compared to YouTube’s $60 billion.
The streamer has repeatedly said it will stick to a 45-day theatrical release window for Warner Bros. films. Movie theater trade groups have pointed out that after theatrical release, many films move to premium video on-demand (PVOD), where they can be digitally rented or purchased for several more weeks or months before moving to streaming (subscription video on-demand, or SVOD). According to Cinema United, the average SVOD window for major theatrical films is 102 days, significantly longer than the potential 45-day window for Netflix.
Report: Meta pouring $65 million into PACs backing pro-AI state candidates
With a pro-tech, pro-AI administration in Washington, DC, Meta has decided the next battlegrounds that it needs to flood with cash are in individual states.
Starting in Meta’s home state of California, the tech giant is pledging $65 million to a pair of super PACs that it created to fund pro-tech and pro-AI candidates at the state level, according to a report from Politico.
Meta has funded the American Technology Excellence Project ($45 million) and Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (META) California ($20 million) to push back on what it sees as burdensome AI regulations coming from state legislatures.
The META California PAC will support tech-friendly candidates regardless of party.
Starting in Meta’s home state of California, the tech giant is pledging $65 million to a pair of super PACs that it created to fund pro-tech and pro-AI candidates at the state level, according to a report from Politico.
Meta has funded the American Technology Excellence Project ($45 million) and Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (META) California ($20 million) to push back on what it sees as burdensome AI regulations coming from state legislatures.
The META California PAC will support tech-friendly candidates regardless of party.
