Monday, July 7, 2025

⏰ Tick Tock

Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - 36
Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 120
Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 484
Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - 1,219

What I'm thinking about this morning...

Reboots are commonplace, even in politics.…A wealthy high-tech mogul, upset with elected officials who they feel are ignoring important issues, forms a new political party.

No, not Elon Musk, who announced this weekend he’s forming the “America Party.”

I'm thinking of Ross Perot, who founded the Reform Party in 1995.

Musk's America Party emerges from his fierce opposition to the massive GOP tax cut and spending bill, with threats to bankroll candidates challenging Republicans who supported the legislation. Sound familiar? Nearly three decades ago, Perot launched his political venture with similar frustrations about Washington's deaf ears to public concerns.

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm ran for the party’s presidential nomination after he was assured Perot had no intention of entering the race. But, Perot’s ego wouldn’t let him step aside. He eventually defeated Lamm for the party nomination.

Although he’s ineligible to be president, the America Party will likely revolve around Musk and his mercurial personality — if it ever gets off the ground, that is.

Musk has a long history of making big promises, then not following through. Tesla owners are still waiting for him to deliver on his 2015 prediction of fully self-driving cars “within three years.”

Musk’s massive wealth will help — after all, money is the lifeblood of the American political system.

The challenge for Musk is attracting support for the America party. He’s become one of the most unpopular public figures in America. 55% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of him, while just 37% view him favorably.

Here's what you need to know for Monday morning:

UTAH AND THE WEST

Valar Atomics: A look at the tech bros behind the company hoping to take Utah nuclear. [Utah News Dispatch]

Utah is the nation's top performer but voters deeply divided about the U.S. economy. [Deseret News]

A mine is coming to Sevier Dry Lake. Here's what it could mean for Utah's dust pollution. [Salt Lake Tribune]

NATIONAL

President Donald Trump claims the massive tax cut and spending bill is the "single most popular bill ever signed." Poll after poll has found the bill is wildly unpopular. [CNN]

The federal workforce shrank by just 1% over the first few months of President Trump's second term, despite the efforts of DOGE. [Fox News]

Columbia University is in talks with the Trump administration to strike a deal to restore federal funding. [Wall Street Journal]

Anthony Scaramucci wants "to discuss" new party with Musk, Mark Cuban offers ballot access aid. [Benzinga]

INTERNATIONAL

OPEC members agreed to increase their output of crude oil by 548,000 barrels per day. [CNBC]

ECONOMY

President Trump is set to announce that his long-threatened tariffs will kick in on Aug. 1. [Bloomberg]

President Trump's tariffs could increase costs for U.S. companies by more than $80 billion. [Semafor]

ENVIRONMENT

Drought is pushing tens of millions of people to the edge of starvation. [Guardian]

HEALTH

The U.S. has reached the highest number of annual measles cases in 33 years. [Washington Post]

MEDIA

Not only is Paramount paying $16 million to settle President Trump's lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, but Trump is claiming the network will air another $16 million worth of free advertising to promote his causes. [Variety]