Wednesday Rundown
Keeping you up to date on pressing news from Mar 3 – 5.
Welcome back to Ghost Reader – a tri-weekly publication to help you stay informed when you don’t have the time, access or energy to keep pace with today’s news cycle.
This newsletter consolidates hours of reading into about 10 minutes. And we still know your time is limited. Jump to certain sections or topics. It’s synthesized from many sources and in each section, you’ll find links to free access and subscription-based articles for credibility and deeper reading.
Fair warning: Today’s newsletter is meaty, as we spend the first part fact checking President Trump’s address to Congress last night.
Let’s get into it.
Federal Government Operations
Today, we dedicate this section to fact checking President Trump’s nearly 1 hour and 40 minutes Tuesday evening address to Congress. We’ll break down topics into what was said and what is real based on evidence from credible news sources and fact checking outlets.
On DOGE…
Claim 1:
Trump said: There are “shocking levels of incompetence and probable fraud” in the Social Security program.
What’s real: While both Trump and Musk make claims about Social Security fraud, little evidence suggests their claims are true; and the numbers Trump listed relate to an already-known problem with government data.
Evidence: A 2023 Social Security Administration (SSA) report showed there was some inaccurate data — nearly 19 million social security number-holders aged 100+ didn’t have information about their deaths in the system, but almost none were receiving social security payments. The SSA’s inspector general also found last July that from 2015 – 2022, 0.84% of benefits payments were improper due to overpayment – this totaled $71.8 billion over eight years.
Claim 2:
Trump said: DOGE is finding and saving hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud.
What’s real: They’re not.
Evidence: The DOGE website states it generated $105 billion in savings. If you look at the numbers, it only amounts to about $19.8 billion. In the past week, DOGE removed large “savings” items from its website’s “Wall of Receipts,” after mistakes in calculations and contract terminations. Check out the section on DOGE savings from the February 26 edition of Ghost Reader for more info.
On tariffs…
Claim 1:
Trump said: Tariffs will make America rich and great again by taking in trillions of dollars.
What’s real: Most of tariff costs are carried by businesses and passed to consumers. Other countries are also retaliating with their own tariffs on U.S. goods, further risking negative costs, supply, and labor impacts to American businesses and individuals.
Evidence: Tuesday, China and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs. Sunday, Mexico plans to announce retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures. Since President Trump announced the first round of tariffs in February, U.S. stocks, consumer confidence, and spending have dipped. Check out the February 24 edition of Ghost Reader for more info.
Claim 2:
Trump said: Large amounts of illegal fentanyl continue entering the U.S. via Canadian and Mexican borders, prompting tariffs on the two countries.
What’s real: This is largely misleading relevant to Canada. Less than 1% of all fentanyl seized at the border comes from Canada.
Evidence: According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, in the 2024 fiscal year, fentanyl seizures at the northern border (Canada) were 43 pounds. At the southern border, more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized.
On the war in Ukraine…
Claim 1:
Trump said: The U.S. has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine (around $350 billion), and much more than Europe.
What’s real: According to the Kiel Institute, which tracks aid to Ukraine, from Russia’s invasion in 2022 to December 2024, the U.S. has allocated about $114 billion in aid to Ukraine. This is far less than the $350 billion Trump referenced and not more than Europe.
Evidence: Also according to the Kiel Institute, European nations collectively allocated more than $132 billion, with plans to allocate more.
On immigration…
Claim 1:
Trump said: Illegal border crossings last month were “by far the lowest ever recorded.”
What’s real: This might be true – it’ll depend on what February numbers look like.
Evidence: U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported about 30,000 encounters with migrants attempting to illegally cross U.S. borders in January. February numbers are estimated to be around 8,500. If the estimate holds, it would be the lowest number of crossings since the Department of Homeland Security started reporting on this in 2000.
Claim 2:
Trump said: “Entire towns buckled under the weight of migrant occupation and corruption” like Aurora, CO and Springfield, OH.
What’s real: This is misleading. During a September debate, Trump claimed Haitian immigrants in Ohio were stealing and eating other residents’ pets. A month later at a rally in Aurora, Trump declared the city to be a “war zone” overrun by Venezuelan gangs.
Evidence: These false claims went viral, creating chaos for those communities, and have since been debunked.
On the economy…
Claim 1:
Trump said: Former President Biden let egg prices get out of control.
What’s real: Egg prices have jumped more than 53% over the last year.
Evidence: This is largely due to avian flu (bird flu) that caused a decrease in supply and panicked buying, causing prices to go up.
Claim 2:
Trump said: America saw the “worst inflation in 48 years under Biden.”
What’s real: Inflation grew to 9.1% in 2022, which is the highest in 40 years. This was amidst the COVID-19 pandemic recovery process and in wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when robust government spending likely added to price increases. At the time, and still today, inflation is a worldwide problem, but there are reasons it’s not as black and white as the president says.
Evidence: Inflation came in at 3% in January, but prices are still climbing. While prices are frustrating, the average American has more buying power today than they did before the pandemic as wages have outpaced price increases. Since February 2020, consumer prices rose 22.8% while average wages rose 25.8%.
Claim 3:
Trump said: He inherited an “economic catastrophe” from the Biden administration.
What’s real: Not this. Economic growth was strong when Trump entered his second term and inflation had fallen significantly. Objectively speaking, he also inherited one of the strongest economies in the world – far from “economic catastrophe.”
Evidence: U.S. GDP growth was the highest among G7 countries in 2023 and projections for 2024 GDP growth indicate the U.S. is on track to exceed the 2024 GDP growth of the G7 and averages of all other advanced economies.
On topics related to culture…
Claim 1:
Trump said: He signed executive order(s) to stop schools from indoctrinating students on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.
What’s real: The federal government has little control over what is taught in local schools.
Evidence: The Every Student Succeeds Act forbids federal interference in things like curriculum and teaching materials. While recent executive orders threaten federal funding if schools don’t comply with eliminating DEI programs and policies, majority of school funding comes from the local level. A recent clarification to the February 14 Dear Colleague letter also said it cannot tell schools what their curricula should look like.
On recent polling…
Claim 1:
Trump said: More Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction than the wrong direction, with a 27-point swing since Election Day.
What’s real: Based on recent polling data from NPR/PBS, most Americans (54%) say the country is heading in the wrong direction and Trump is rushing change. Recent polls also show a variety of other measures related to Americans not approving of the Trump administration’s approach on issues like the economy and DOGE.
Evidence: Trump appeared to reference a right-wing poll (Rasmussen Reports) showing 47% of respondents say America’s on the “right track.” This poll was removed from other aggregate polling due to concerns about its partisanship and methodology. Check out the February 21 edition of Ghost Reader for more info about recent polling data on Trump’s approval from Gallup, Washington Post-Ipsos, and Economist / YouGov.
On … other random things Trump mentioned…
Claim 1:
Trump said: The federal government spent $10 million for male circumcision in Mozambique, claiming this is an example of “fraud, waste, and abuse.”
What’s real: U.S. aid did support more than 10 million voluntary circumcisions in eastern and southern Africa from 2010 – 2021.
Evidence: There was a purpose — scientific data shows male circumcision dramatically reduces the risk of HIV transmission (by 60%) and contributes to overall efforts to help end AIDS.
Claim 2:
Trump said: “Not long ago,” 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism; and now it’s 1 in 36 children.
What’s real: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to 1 in 36; but it requires more context.
Evidence: The 1 in 10,000 number Trump referenced likely came from a 1970 study. CDC data shows the increases in diagnoses could be due to a number of factors, such as better early detection capabilities, more awareness about signs and symptoms, and improved diagnostic practices. It also references more recent numbers from 2000, stating 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly linked this increase to vaccines, even though science is clear that vaccines don’t cause autism.
High-Impact Events
Phew. Now for updates on tariffs and ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Catch me up on the tariffs
Blanket tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico took effect Tuesday, as well as an additional 10% on Chinese goods.
What should I know?
The rationale: Despite saying some improvement occurred the past month in illegal border crossings, Trump said the flow of fentanyl from Canada and Mexico is still “out of control” and tariffs are necessary to stop it.
How Canada responded: Canada implemented a 25% tariff on $20.7 billion in goods, to be followed by an additional $86.2 billion worth of goods in 21 days. The tariffs were imposed on products like dairy, meat, grains, wine, beer, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper products. Canada is also filing dispute resolution claims at the World Trade Organization and through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
How China responded: China implemented 15% tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the U.S., as well as a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It also added 15 American companies to its export control list, which bar Chinese companies from exporting deal-use equipment to them. China also stopped lumber imports from the U.S., suspended permits of three U.S. companies to export soybeans, and announced an anti-dumping investigation into American fiber optic products. China’s response is viewed as more targeted, aimed at causing pain to industries that matter most to Trump supporters.
How Mexico responded: By saying it will announce retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures on Sunday.
What comes next: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested some of the tariffs might be rolled back this afternoon. Otherwise, President Trump said tariffs on steel and aluminum will take effect March 12 and additional reciprocal tariffs will take effect April 2.
The most recent on Ukraine
Tuesday, President Trump announced a pause on all military aid to Ukraine.
What should I know?
The details: The U.S. said it was pausing and reviewing aid to Ukraine to ensure it’s contributing to a solution; and that the pause would remain until Trump determines Ukraine demonstrates a commitment to peace. The U.S. did not consult or inform NATO before announcing the decision to pause aid.
How Ukraine responded: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated that Friday’s Oval Office blow up was “regrettable” and he is ready to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to reach lasting peace. He also said he’s ready to sign a minerals deal and engage in a staged process to reach peace.
What the “staged” approach would include: The first stage would include a release of prisoners, truce in the sky and sea, and stoppage of long-range drone and missile strikes. Zelenskyy said this could begin immediately. Depending on how it goes, a second stage would include working to secure a long term deal with security guarantees. Zelenskyy said he would only commit to this process if Russia does.
Where we are today: There was no immediate response from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tuesday, President Trump was weighing whether to return to the minerals deal with Ukraine. European allies continued reiterating their commitment to Ukraine.
Impact on Ukraine’s ability to fight the war: The pause in aid isn’t expected to have an immediate impact but should it extend into the summer, Ukraine will see negative effects. U.S. support is vital because Europe can’t provide what Ukraine needs in air defense systems, which could lead to increased civilian casualties.
Executive Orders & Legislative Actions
Let’s recap today’s Supreme Court decision on the Trump administration’s freeze of foreign aid.
Supreme Court weighs in on foreign aid
In a 5-4 vote Wednesday, the Supreme Court told a U.S. district judge to clarify a recent order requiring the Trump administration to release $2 billion in aid for work completed.
What should I know?
What this means: The temporary restraining order issued to pause the foreign aid freeze in mid-February remains in place.
Context: Following President Trump’s executive order to freeze all foreign aid, on February 13, a district judge temporarily restored spending. Nearly two weeks later, the Trump administration had not complied so the judge set a deadline for release of the payments for work already completed (last Wednesday). The Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court about this deadline.
What the Trump administration argued: The situation changed since it replaced a blanket freeze with individual terminations, leading to the cancellation of 5,800 USAID contracts and another 4,100 State Department grants, totaling nearly $60 billion in aid.
What prompted the decision: The majority noted the Trump administration hadn’t challenged the initial order – just the deadline. It said the district judge must clarify what obligations the government has to ensure compliance with the temporary restraining order, with due regard for feasibility of compliance timelines.
How the decision broke down: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson voted in the majority. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
What comes next: The presiding district judge will hold a hearing Thursday to consider a more lasting pause and also work to clarify obligations and compliance requirements, as per the Supreme Court decision.
Human Experience & Rights
Let’s dig into recent clarification on the February 14 Dear Colleague letter to eliminate DEI programs in schools.
An update on DEI guidance to schools
Friday, additional guidance went out to clarify a February 14 Dear Colleague letter to eliminate race-conscious programs and policies in K-12 and postsecondary schools.
What should I know?
How the guidance was delivered: In the form of a 9-page FAQ document.
What the FAQ says:
While schools may have discriminatory practices under “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the “DEI” label doesn’t automatically mean a program violates the law.
It affirms the Department of Education can’t touch school curriculum.
Programs focused on interests in particular cultures and heritages aren’t an issue if they’re open to all students. The same goes for educational, cultural, and historical observances.
Affinity group housing and graduation ceremonies constitute “segregation” and are unlawful.
Institutions must consider if programming discourages members from participating, either by excluding or discouraging students of a particular race or races, or by creating a hostile environment based on race for students who do participate.
What it leaves unclear:
What constitutes “encouraging or discouraging participation,” and how that might be interpreted beyond explicit language.
It largely overstates the scope of case law it references. Check out the February 17 edition of Ghost Reader for more details on the Dear Colleague Letter and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard it references.
How to think about this moving forward: While there are still areas of confusion, this FAQ differs in tone from the original Dear Colleague Letter and appears to be more grounded in legal analysis. This should reduce some pressure on schools to figure out how to comply.
Good for the Soul
We’ll leave you today with a feel-good story about a man who helped save more than two million babies over half a century with his rare blood.
About the “Man with the Golden Arm”
James Harrison, who died over the weekend at age 88, is credited for helping save the lives of 2.4 million babies in Australia over more than 50 years. He did this through donations of blood and plasma since 1954.
What should I know?
The background: When Harrison was 14, he got sick and had a lung removed. It involved a 3-month hospital stay, 100 stitches, and nearly 2 gallons of donated blood. His experience inspired him to donate his own blood.
The science behind it: Harrison’s plasma contained a rare antibody called anti-D. It’s used in medications to prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), also known as rhesus disease — a potentially fatal disease that occurs when a pregnant person’s blood is incompatible with that of their unborn child, prompting their immune system to attack it.
How common it is: According to scientific data, about 17% of Australian women who become pregnant end up needing anti-D injections. While that’s decently high, rhesus disease (HDFN) is generally considered to be uncommon due to preventative screening, the anti-D injection, and other blood transfusions or treatments that address the issue.
The impact of Harrison’s donations: He donated blood and plasma 1,173 times – every two weeks from 1954 to 2018. More than 3 million doses of anti-D containing Harrison’s blood were issued to Australian mothers since 1967, including members of his own family such as his daughter. Harrison received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999 – one of the country’s highest civilian honors.
Where things stand today: Most of Australia’s supply comes from a pool of less than 200 regular plasma donors. Doctors are working to create a synthetic version of anti-D since it’s so rare. They’re using Harrison’s and others’ blood to recreate and grow the antibody, with hopes it may someday be used to prevent HDFN.
How it shows up in the U.S.: Anti-D injections are also common for RhD negative pregnant women in the U.S. All RhD negative mothers receive injections throughout the pregnancy, regardless of fetal blood type. The percentage of RhD negative pregnancies in the U.S. is not specifically known, but estimates put it around 9.8%.
So may this story of the “Man with the Golden Arm” carry us forward into the second part of this week.
Until Friday – let’s keep trying to create clarity within the chaos.
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