In partnership with

TECH TODAY

MicroStrategy up sixfold. MicroStrategy, a publicly traded hudler of bitcoin, is trading at more than twice the value of its underlying bitcoin. MicroStrategy shares have risen 77% since the election.

Gifts for golfers. The 10 best gifts for any kind of golfer from Wired.

Reclaim your online life. Tech Crunch has a great article out over the weekend with a list of apps that will keep you safe and secure, and maybe out of a billionaires crosshairs.

2025 Prediction: A Surge of Self-Serve CTV Buyers

• Roku predicts 2025 will be a big year for self-serve CTV

• Roku Ads Manager makes CTV advertising easy

• Target your audience, optimize campaigns, and drive performance

Discover CTV performance on Roku

HEADLINE NEWS 👀

Trump Vows 25% Tariff By Executive Order

The President elect said on Monday he would impose a 25% tariff on imports into the United States from Canada and Mexico, and would impose a separate tariff on China.

In a post on his Truth Social Trump said he would impose the tariff by executive order his first day in office, mentioning a caravan of migrants making its way to the United States.

“This tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our Country”, the President elect wrote. He continued “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it’s time for them to pay a very big price!”.

MSNBC And Musk?

The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, got that way starting and buying businesses so its no surprise when he mentions a new venture. Musk’s newest jab about adding to his business empire came last week when Comcast Media announced it was planning to divest some of its media assets.

The Comcast Media assets mentioned are part of their NBCUniversal’s media assets and include, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, and E. Some on social media suggested Musk buy MSNBC to which Musk replied “How much does it cost?”.

While no one, including Musk has unlimited resources, it appears if truly intent on buying the NBCUniversal assets he very well could write a check for the unit. With his net worth exceeding $321.7 billion as of Friday the check would likely clear.

In response to posts on his social media platform X Musk bantered on about buying the NBCUniversal unit and adding it to his X media company. With MSNBC’s viewership plunging 38% after election day Musk could find expanding his media holdings for a bargain price.

The Mega Rich Live Altered Reality In Business And Life

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, is presently holding court at Mar-a-Lago with Trump and cronies as he works his way into garnering a higher political profile. And as fate would have it people in his inner circle are beginning to talk as his political stature rises.

Musk’s ex-wife, singer Grimes, with whom he shares three children and has been embroiled in a child custody lawsuit, has taken to Musk’s social media platform X posting on multiple occasions and which Musk has ignored.

In a recent Business Insider interview Grimes commented she has been “fighting and detaching from the love of my life as he becomes unrecognizable to me… all while I didn’t see my babies for 5 months. Musk apparently threw down hard legal action to retain full custody of the kids.

With the custody matter settled Musk has been a prolific poster on X. Mostly posting about his SpaceX, following months of leaning the direction of his platform towards a conservative perspective, but in recent weeks posting about Doge. Doge is the proposed Department of Government Efficiency President elect Trump has vowed to create and appoint Musk to Co-head with Vivek Ramaswamy. Many of his comments have revolved around plans to cut hundreds of thousands of government jobs from the public payroll as part of his plan to reduce Federal spending.

If not busy enough running a multitude of public and private unicorn companies Musk has idiosyncratic views and concerns on the plummeting birth rates around the globe. To combat the problem he is hell bent on personally reversing this trend. Having reportedly fathered 11 children including the three with Grimes, it’s reported he’s almost evangelical about fathering as many children as possible.

Reports have Musk shopping for a property to build a unique family compound in Austin, Texas. In a New York Times article there is reference that Musk hopes one day all 11 of his children will live on the compound and their mothers can live at the complex too or come by. Yeah, reasonable by any measure 😳

Hollywood | Celebrity

Warner Bros studios has had a long term relationship with one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors since the mid 70’s. Forty pictures deep into the relationship and it seems that Clint Eastwood received a bit of dis from the studio.

This may be Eastwood’s last film. At 94 years of age its astonishing he’s still directing and acting. But this last film, Juror #2, a courtroom drama starring Toni Collette is a film not being made today Collette commented on the red carpet premiere saying “In this day an age, films like this (“old school”) are not being made.”

The studio for its part essentially made the film vanish after the premiere. They put it in a handful of theaters without the benefit of a marketing budget other than an internet trailer. Warner Bros., in a statement said they always intended to release Juror #2 on its Max streaming service, and the limited theatrical release was a gesture of respect for Eastwood’s legacy and long relationship with the studio. Here’s to your new movie and a spectacular career Clint 🍾 

ECONOMY

China Tariffs

On China, the President elect accused China of not doing enough to stop drugs flowing into the U.S. through the Mexican boarders. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” Trump said.

The Chinese embassy hit back.

“China believes that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

Economists say Trump’s overall tariff plans, likely his most consequential economic policy, would push U.S. import duty rates back up to 1930-era levels, stoke inflation, collapse U.S.-China trade, draw retaliation and drastically reorder supply chains.

They say tariff’s are typically paid by the importing company, and they either pass the tariff on to the consumer or absorb the tariff accepting lower profits.

Protecting Against Inflation

Protecting the economy against inflation is a known commodity. Limit supply shocks, and buy commodities. But with a new Administration entering the Whitehouse and threatening to cut taxes and issue widespread tariffs on imported goods it might be difficult to default to the known inflation fighters to keep inflation at bay.

Problems are already appearing post election as commodity prices are depressed leaving a looming question if the old tried and true inflation fighters have lost their edge?

FINANCE

Gary Gensler SEC Chair Sends Message

Gary Gensler, Security Exchange Commission, announced a big FU to the incoming Republican Administration. Gensler will step down at noon on January 20, 2025 when Trump takes office. There is speculation in Washington that Trump’s transition team will not be happy Gensler will stay in his position much longer.

Gensler has implemented regulations that regulate cryptocurrencies similar to securities. The crypto industry has resisted his regulatory initiatives of the industry.

President elect Trump has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet”. Trump said he will appoint an SEC Chairman who supports crypto. Trump has criticized Gensler’s regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies.

Since Trump’s election win Bitcoins price has surged, surpassing $99,000.

POLITICS

Trump Selects Scott Besset Treasury Secretary

Scott Besset, billionaire investor and Hedge Fund manager, was selected by President elect Trump to be Treasury Secretary in his second Administration.

Besset during Trump’s campaign, was one of his most vocal supporters. When some Wall Street insiders criticized Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign imports Besset was a loud supporter of the initiative.

Once an avid supporter of Democratic causes he’s made a 180 turn and is a huge supporter of Trump. Besset managed significant investments for ultra liberal billionaire George Soros.

As Treasury Secretary Besset would be tasked with implementing monetary policy to enact Trump’s promises made on the campaign trail. Some of these promises included no-taxes on tips, and sweeping across the board tariffs.

The policy Besset has advocated for is deficit reduction and deregulation. He supports extending the Trump’s tax cut legislation passed during his first term and is expiring soon. In addition, Besset has advocated the need to tackle the national debt.

Besset believes the way to reduce consumer prices is to reduce the national deficit. He sees tariffs as a tool for sanctions, especially against China.

The monetary policy Besset has laid out to the President elect is a 3-3-3 policy. This policy would follow a frame similar to:

• Cutting the budget deficit 3% of gross domestic product (“GDP”) by 2028

• Spur 3% GDP growth of 3% through deregulation.

• Produce 3 million barrels of oil today

In in speeches and interviews Besset has suggested Trump’s tariffs are a starting point to target concessions from governments around the world.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Starting a small business with one product: Richard W. Sears was a railroad agent in 1886 who started selling watches that was a shipment refused by a local jeweler. The venter led to the R.W. Sears Watch Company. After moving the company to Chicago Sears partnered with watch maker Alvah C. Roebuck a year later. A year later the company was officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Starting as a small business with one product Sears, Roebuck & Co grew through mail order and by the 1920’s began opening retail stores ultimately becoming one of the largest retailers in the United States.

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Akio Morita, Co-Founder Sony Corporation Akio Morita was a visionary entrepreneur and played a pivotal role in in its global success. Born in 1921 in Nagoya, Japan he and partner Masaru Ibuka started Sony in 1946 after Morita had served in the Japanese Navy during WWII.

After some success in the electronics industry Sony introduced the Sony Walkman in 1979. This portable cassette player changed the way people could enjoy music. The device became iconic and enjoyed massive commercial success.

Morita expanded into the U.S. in 1960 which helped Sony gain an early foothold in the United States. Morita’s strong emphasis on innovation, quality, and branding were key in Sony becoming one of the most recognized and respected electronics brands worldwide. Akio Morita’s story is that of innovation, perseverance, and global vision 🌎️ 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY

Blue Fin Tuna High Protein

Between 2014 and 2022 the population of Pacific Blue Tuna has soared 1,000% according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The fish was not expected to return to a sustainable level of this magnitude until 2034 and came as a surprise to scientists who track sea life.

In response to these findings the aquarium upgraded the Pacific blue fin tuna from red to yellow which means it went from avoid to a good alternative.

Eating fish as a source of protein intake is an important part of a balanced diet to remain lean and adds to personal efforts in diets designed to capture longevity benefits. The blue fin tuna is especially coveted because of its rich nutritional profile:

• Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) - reduces blood pressure, lowers tryglycerides, prevents plaque buildup. Supports cognitive function. Anti-inflammatory which helps to reduces disease and is joint and immune system friendly.

• Vitamin B - supports energy production, cognitive function and red blood cell production.

• Vitamin D - Supports immune health and bone health.

• Selenium - Antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid health.

Now you can add a consciously eat a healthy fish protein to meet dietary longevity goals.

Follow us on social media. Send us a message. We want to hear from you. Let us know how we are doing.

2x conversions by pre-testing your ads? Yes, it's possible!

Get immediate feedback & optimize your ads with AI recommendations.

With Neurons, you can:

• Improve content performance.

• Make branding more memorable.

• Run ad A/B tests pre-launch.

Neurons AI helps marketers get 73% CTR lift and 20% brand awareness boost.

Book a Neurons Session Today