Republicans On The Verge Of Seizing Control Of US House, Paving Way For Bold Reforms In Trump's Second Term
The Republican party is on the brink of securing control of the U.S. House of Representatives, a development that could significantly impact the legislative landscape when Donald Trump makes a White House comeback in January.
What Happened: The Republicans are close to securing the majority in the House, having won 212 seats in the 435-member House, Reuters reported citing Edison Research. The party needs to secure six more seats to maintain control of the House.
With the Senate already under Republican control, this would give the party significant power to push through a wide-ranging agenda, including tax and spending cuts, energy deregulation, and border security measures.
Despite the ongoing vote count, the Republicans have already secured enough wins to take control of the Senate from the Democrats. However, the results of 19 House races, mainly in competitive districts in Western states, are still unclear.
See Also: Elon Musk Reveals Toughest Part Of Building Tesla’s Humanoid Robot
Republican senators are set to decide next week on the party’s leader in the Senate for 2025, with John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott vying for the position. On Saturday, Senators Bill Hagerty and Rand Paul endorsed Scott over the more senior Thune and Cornyn, who were initially seen as favorites.
Why It Matters: The Republicans’ potential control of the House comes on the heels of Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. The party had already secured the Senate, ensuring that Trump’s party would control at least one chamber of Congress in the coming year.
However, there are concerns about the future of the U.S. intelligence community under Trump’s leadership, with critics fearing that he could further politicize these institutions, using them to serve his personal and political interests rather than their traditional role of safeguarding national security.
Meanwhile, Trump also plans to expand the federal death penalty during his second term, including making more individuals eligible for execution. This has raised concerns among criminal justice reform advocates and anti-death penalty groups.
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Meet 3 Supercharged Growth Stocks That Could Profit From a Trump Presidency, According to Certain Wall Street Analysts
One of the most hard-fought and contentious elections in U.S. history is now in the books, and Donald J. Trump has emerged as the President-elect. Many things are expected to change, and investors are turning over every stone to find the stocks that are best positioned to profit in the next four years.
Astute investors will note that one of the biggest catalysts over the past couple of years has been the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications of that technology to usher in the fourth industrial revolution. Generative AI, while still experiencing growing pains, has the potential to automate many mundane tasks, which would ultimately increase productivity and boost profits.
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While the adoption of the technology is still in the early stages, many experts are predicting trillions of dollars will be added to the global economy, resulting in a windfall for leaders in the field.
Let’s look at supercharged growth stocks that could profit from a Trump presidency, according to certain Wall Street analysts.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been among the early beneficiaries of AI. The company was quick to recognize the game-changing potential of the technology, investing heavily in ChatGPT parent OpenAI. The fruit of that strategy was the development of Copilot, a suite of digital assistants powered by generative AI. Microsoft has demonstrated and deployed these Copilots, which have been adopted by “customers in every industry,” according to CEO Satya Nadella.
One example provided by management was the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 68,000 employees at one company, saving three hours of time per person, per week, on average.
Success stories like these are also helping fuel the adoption of Azure, Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure service, which grew 33% year over year. It said Azure’s growth included 12 percentage points resulting from demand for AI services. The company also offers a laundry list of the world’s most popular AI models to its cloud customers.
Microsoft stock is up 74% since the start of last year (as of this writing), which coincides with the dawn of AI. However, analysts at UBS believe that the rapid adoption of AI is ongoing and will be fueled by Trump’s presidency — and Microsoft will continue to profit from the trend. The analysts cited the company’s cloud revenue growth and the robust adoption of Copilot as drivers.
Tradepulse Power Inflow Alert: Costco Wholesale Corp. Receives Alert And Rises Over 4%
STOCK RISES 38 POINTS AFTER ALERT
Costco , Inc. COST today experienced a Power Inflow, a significant event for those who follow where smart money goes and value order flow analytics in their trading decisions.
Yesterday, at 10:00 AM on November 8th, a significant trading signal occurred for Costco, Inc. as it demonstrated a Power Inflow at a price of $923.81. This indicator is crucial for traders who want to know directionally where institutions and so-called “smart money” moves in the market. They see the value of utilizing order flow analytics to guide their trading decisions. The Power Inflow points to a possible uptrend in Costco’s stock, marking a potential entry point for traders looking to capitalize on the expected upward movement. Traders with this signal closely watch for sustained momentum in Costco’s stock price, interpreting this event as a bullish sign.
Signal description
Order flow analytics, aka transaction or market flow analysis, separate and study both the retail and institutional volume rate of orders (flow). It involves analyzing the flow of buy and sell orders, along with size, timing, and other associated characteristics and patterns, to gain insights and make more informed trading decisions. This particular indicator is interpreted as a bullish signal by active traders.
The Power Inflow occurs within the first two hours of the market open and generally signals the trend that helps gauge the stock’s overall direction, powered by institutional activity in the stock, for the remainder of the day.
By incorporating order flow analytics into their trading strategies, market participants can better interpret market conditions, identify trading opportunities, and potentially improve their trading performance. But let’s not forget that while watching smart money flow can provide valuable insights, it is crucial to incorporate effective risk management strategies to protect capital and mitigate potential losses. Employing a consistent and effective risk management plan helps traders navigate the uncertainties of the market in a more controlled and calculated manner, increasing the likelihood of long-term success
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for COST Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts.
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After Market Close UPDATE:
The price at the time of the Power Inflow was $923.81. The returns on the High price ($961.84) and Close price ($943.80) after the Power Inflow were respectively 4.1% and 2.6%. That is why it is important to have a trading plan that includes Profit Targets and Stop Losses that reflect your risk appetite.
Past Performance is Not Indicative of Future Results
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If You Invested $1,000 In Bitcoin When Jay-Z & Jack Dorsey Opened The Bitcoin Academy, Here's How Much You'd Have Now
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Rapper Jay-Z has shown love for leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) in the past and even used the crypto to help set up non-profits and community projects like The Bitcoin Academy, which was launched in June 2022 with Jack Dorsey.
What Happened: Jay-Z and Dorsey announced on June 9, 2022 that they would launch The Bitcoin Academy on June 22, 2022, adding a community initiative to help support the area of New York where the rapper grew up.
“Shout out to @Jack. #Bitcoin Academy, starting in Marcy, a place that taught me so much, is hopefully the first of many. The simple goal is to provide people tools to build independence for themselves and then the community around them,” Jay-Z tweeted.
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According to the company’s website, The Bitcoin Academy is about “the future of money.”
“Education is power. Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter and Jack Dorsey are personally funding The Bitcoin Academy, a program for residents of Marcy Houses, in Brooklyn, New York, where Jay grew up. This program aims to provide education and empower the community with knowledge,” the website reads.
The program offers free classes to Marcy Houses residents, which includes lessons on Bitcoin and how people can build their own financial future. A Bitcoin Academy spokesperson told TechCrunch previously that participants in the program would be given a small amount of Bitcoin.
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The duo also launched a 500 Bitcoin investment to help grow cryptocurrency in regions like India and Africa.
While The Bitcoin Academy faced criticism at the time as cryptocurrency was highly volatile and the group of residents being targeted may not be able to handle the ups and downs of the sector, the cryptocurrency has posted a nice return since the project launched.
You may not be a billionaire like Jack Dorsey, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.
Exclusive-US ordered TSMC to halt shipments to China of chips used in AI applications, source says
By Karen Freifeld and Fanny Potkin
NEW YORK/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The U.S. ordered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to halt shipments of advanced chips to Chinese customers that are often used in artificial intelligence applications starting Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Department of Commerce sent a letter to TSMC imposing export restrictions on certain sophisticated chips, of 7 nanometer or more advanced designs, destined for China that power AI accelerator and graphics processing units (GPU), the person said.
The U.S. order, which is being reported for the first time, comes just weeks after TSMC notified the Commerce Department that one of its chips had been found in a Huawei AI processor, as Reuters reported last month. Tech research firm Tech Insights had taken apart the product, revealing the TSMC chip and apparent violation of export controls.
Huawei, at the center of the U.S. action, is on a restricted trade list, which requires suppliers to obtain licenses to ship any goods or technology to the company. Any license that could aid Huawei’s AI efforts would likely be denied.
TSMC suspended shipments to China-based chip designer Sophgo after its chip matched the one found on the Huawei AI processor, sources told Reuters last month.
Reuters could not determine how the chip ended up on Huawei’s Ascend 910B, released in 2022, viewed as the most advanced AI chip available from a Chinese company.
The latest clampdown hits many more companies and will allow the U.S. to assess whether other companies are diverting chips to Huawei for its AI processor.
As a result of the letter, TSMC notified affected clients that it was suspending shipments of chips starting Monday, the person said.
The Commerce Department declined comment.
A spokesperson for TSMC also declined to comment beyond saying it was a “law-abiding company…committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls.”
The Commerce Department communication — known as an “is informed” letter — allows the U.S. to bypass lengthy rule-writing processes to quickly impose new licensing requirements on specific companies.
Ijiwei, a Chinese media site covering the semiconductor industry, reported on Friday that TSMC notified Chinese chip design companies it would suspend 7 nanometer or below chips for AI and GPU customers beginning Nov. 11.
The action comes as both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the inadequacy of export controls on China and the Commerce Department’s enforcement of them.
Trump's Plan To Expand Federal Death Penalty Could Face Hurdles
President-elect Donald Trump wants to expand the federal death penalty during his second term, including making more individuals eligible for execution.
Trump would target those convicted of crimes such as child rape, drug trafficking, and the killing of law enforcement officers, calling these individuals as “terrible, horrible people” responsible for widespread harm, reported NBC News.
His stance has raised concerns among criminal justice reform advocates and anti-death penalty groups, who fear a revival of the controversial policies from his first term, which saw 13 federal executions, including the first woman executed in nearly 70 years, the report added.
While Trump’s exact plan remains unclear, legal experts warn of significant challenges.
Expanding the death penalty to non-murder crimes, such as child rape, would likely require changes in federal law, as a 2008 Supreme Court ruling prohibits the execution of child rapists.
The process of ramping up federal executions also faces logistical hurdles, including securing the necessary lethal injection drugs and dealing with legal challenges that could delay any immediate action.
Despite these obstacles, advocates like Ruth Friedman of the Federal Capital Habeas Project fear that Trump could reinstate execution protocols quickly, potentially reversing Biden-era reforms, NBC News added.
With the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, legal experts suggest that efforts to reinstate and expand the death penalty could gain support, though bipartisan opposition from lawmakers remains a possibility.
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Elon Musk Joined Trump's Call With Zelenskyy
Tech mogul Elon Musk was a surprise guest on a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly after Trump emerged as the winner of the presidential race. The call, described as “positive and cordial,” took place as Trump navigated the transition period toward his second term, according to CNN.
Musk was present at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private estate in Palm Beach, Florida, when Zelenskyy reached out to offer his congratulations on Trump’s victory, the report read. The brief conversation was seen as an informal yet notable moment during the presidential transition.
Musk’s Role in Ukraine’s Communications Effort
Per CNN, Trump placed the call on speakerphone, during which Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Musk for his pivotal role in providing Ukraine with crucial communication infrastructure through Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service. The emergency Starlink receivers, deployed in the early days of Russia’s invasion, have been vital in maintaining Ukraine’s internet connectivity amid ongoing conflict.
A Growing Political Partnership Between Musk and Trump
Musk’s participation in the call was first reported by Axios and later confirmed by several other news outlets. While the conversation did not delve into specific policy issues, Musk’s involvement in the call highlights his growing influence in both business and geopolitical spheres.
Musk, who has donated millions of dollars to support Trump’s presidential campaign and appeared alongside him at public events, has become a key ally of the president. In return, Trump has expressed interest in offering Musk, the world’s richest person, a role in his administration to help streamline government operations and promote efficiency, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Trump on his victory. “We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering U.S. leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Trump’s Approach to the Ukraine Conflict
Trump, who has previously claimed he could “settle” the war in Ukraine within a single day, reaffirmed his stance on ending the conflict quickly. As president-elect, Trump suggested that he could broker a peace deal even before taking office, though he did not outline a specific plan to achieve this, reported NBC News. During his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump declined to state whether he wanted Ukraine, a key U.S. ally, to win the war, instead emphasizing the importance of bringing the conflict to an end through negotiation.
See
Also See: Trump Favors Advisors’ Plan To End Ukraine-Russia War If Reelected: Report
Meanwhile, Vice President-elect JD Vance has also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that Ukraine may need to consider ceding some of its territory to help bring the war to a close.
Musk’s involvement in Ukraine’s war effort has been significant. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Musk responded by providing Starlink internet support, a vital lifeline that allowed Ukrainians to stay connected in the face of widespread communication disruptions. The emergency Starlink receivers, part of SpaceX’s satellite network, have been instrumental in keeping both military and civilian networks operational throughout the conflict, NBC News added.
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CIA Could Be Politicized Under Trump, With Loyalists Eyeing Key Intel Roles
As Donald Trump prepares for a possible second term, former intelligence officials and lawmakers are raising alarms about the future of the U.S. intelligence community under his leadership.
With Trump’s history of contentious relationships with spy agencies, critics worry that the President-elect could further politicize these institutions, using them to serve his personal and political interests rather than their traditional role of safeguarding national security, reported NBC News.
One major concern is the potential appointment of Kash Patel, a former Trump administration official and staunch MAGA loyalist, to a high-level national security post, potentially as CIA director, the report read, citing people familiar with the transition process.
Also Read: DOJ Files Charges In Iranian Plot To Assassinate Trump
Patel, who was previously considered for the deputy CIA director role but faced opposition from career intelligence officers, remains a controversial figure.
Other potential candidates for top intelligence positions include ex-Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), ex-National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and John Ratcliffe, the former Texas congressman who previously served as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, NBC News added, citing congressional aides and Republican activists.
These figures are viewed as fiercely loyal to Trump and would likely pursue his agenda without question.
The worry is that these appointments could lead to the politicization of intelligence, pressuring agencies to tailor their findings to align with Trump’s political goals.
There is also the risk of intelligence being used to spy on domestic political opponents, a scenario that former intelligence officials warn could undermine the apolitical nature of the CIA and other agencies.
Trump’s history of distrust towards the intelligence community — dating back to his first term — fuels these fears.
Trump has long viewed the intelligence agencies as hostile and politically biased. His supporters, however, argue that his control over these agencies is necessary to ensure they align with his administration’s priorities.
One of the most significant points of contention is the suggestion that Trump may attempt to overhaul the CIA by replacing career civil servants with political appointees.
The Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” outlines a plan for Trump to assert more control over the intelligence community by appointing loyalists to key positions. This could potentially lead to a shift in how intelligence is analyzed, creating risks that intelligence could be manipulated or withheld based on political considerations, NBC News added.
Despite these concerns, Trump’s allies argue that his appointments would strengthen the intelligence community and ensure that it carries out his policies effectively.
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Chinese National Arrested for Trespassing at Mar-a-Lago Amid Heightened Security
A 39-year-old Chinese national, Zijie Li, was arrested on trespassing charges after attempting to access President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, despite a court order barring him from the property.
Li, a student visa holder from suburban Los Angeles, was apprehended Thursday after arriving in an Uber at the estate’s entrance in Palm Beach, Florida, AP News reports.
Since Trump’s victory in the general election, a high-tech robot dog, along with a heightened police presence, has been stationed at his Mar-a-Lago residence, reported NBC News.
He had previously been arrested for similar offenses, including attempts to enter the estate earlier this year. Li is currently being held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail.
Li’s arrest follows a series of troubling encounters with law enforcement and Secret Service agents at or near Mar-a-Lago. His first attempt to breach the estate occurred in July, when he told Secret Service officers he had information linking China to a separate assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, AP News added.
After being ordered to leave, he was arrested a week later for trespassing, though he was released on bail with a condition to stay away from Mar-a-Lago.
In October, Li was placed in a mental hospital after approaching a local homeowner near Mar-a-Lago, inquiring about gaining entry to the estate. He was released from the hospital just days before his most recent arrest, which revoked his prior bail, according to the report.
This is not the first time Mar-a-Lago has been the site of unlawful entries. During Trump’s presidency, the estate saw multiple breaches, including two by Chinese nationals.
In one notable incident, Yujing Zhang, a Chinese businesswoman, gained access to the property in 2019 while carrying electronic devices, leading to suspicions of espionage. She was later deported after being convicted of trespassing, the report read.
Despite numerous security breaches, there has been no indication that these incidents were attempts to harm Trump.
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Donald Trump's Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare
On Wednesday, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate and former president, was elected to the highest office again, marking a return to an administration. His second term is likely to impact U.S. healthcare.
Trump has been unclear about his healthcare policy goals during his campaign. Healthcare ranked lower than issues like the economy and immigration in voter concerns.
A poll from the Associated Press found that only 8% of voters viewed healthcare as their top issue, compared to 39% who chose the economy and 20% who picked immigration. Abortion was the leading issue for 11% of voters.
Also Read: Trump’s Potential ‘Health Czar’ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rattles Vaccine Stocks: ‘Shoot First Reaction’
Despite his focus on “Make America Healthy Again,” millions of Americans may lose health insurance subsidies next year, depending on the political climate after the election and the Republicans’ control of the Senate.
The subsidies, expanded under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, help many, particularly the middle class, afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
These subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025, and it remains uncertain whether they will be extended under the new administration.
Trump and other Republicans have opposed continuing the subsidies.
The NBC News report, citing some analysts, suggests that the chances of extension could be less than 5% if Republicans win control of the House and the Senate.
Even if Democrats control the House, extending these subsidies seems unlikely. Without an extension, nearly 4 million Americans could lose coverage by 2026 due to unaffordable premiums.
The 2021 changes led to a surge in ACA enrollment, with 15.5 million people benefiting from subsidies across 32 states. The report adds that if the subsidies aren’t renewed, up to 15.4 million Americans could lose health coverage by 2030.
Another significant issue is Trump’s stance on Medicare. As president, he supported Medicare Advantage, a private insurer-run program that could eventually replace traditional, government-run Medicare.
The NPR report highlights that critics argue that expanding private insurers could increase costs for taxpayers and limit care, with some beneficiaries finding it difficult to switch back to traditional Medicare.
Robert Berenson, a former government official, warned that traditional Medicare could “wither on the vine.”
Medicare Advantage grew with the 2003 legislation introducing a drug benefit and expanded private insurers’ role in the program. Although private plans were expected to lower costs, they have been more expensive.
The report also says that in 2023, Medicare Advantage plans cost taxpayers about 6% — or $27 billion — more than traditional Medicare, though some research suggests they offer better care.
The future of healthcare policy in the U.S. will depend on the political dynamics in Congress and Trump’s second term.
With Republicans pushing for major changes to the ACA and Medicare, experts warn of significant shifts in how Americans access and pay for healthcare in the coming years.
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