`
Good morning, Wake Up Right fam! We made it through our first week back — and I’d call that a success. I won’t lie… There were a couple days I walked into work running on less than three hours of sleep. But as we close out the week, I’m feeling energized.
Thank you for the hundreds of emails and social media messages welcoming the newsletter back. I’m doing my best to reply to as many as I can. If you don’t hear from me directly, just know I’ve read every message and truly appreciate the support. ❤
✅ Trump shrunk federal gov to smallest size since 1966
🤡 38% say socialism would be good for the U.S.
📈 6% of 401K holders took hardship withdrawals in 2025
♂ 60% of GenZ men say women's equality discriminates against men
Sources: Fox Business, Fox News, Axios, IPSOS
Noem out at DHS
President Donald Trump is shaking up his national security team, removing Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and naming Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement.
The details: Trump announced the move on Truth Social, praising Noem’s “spectacular results (especially on the Border!).”
What’s next for Noem? Trump said she’ll “be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere.”
New sheriff in town: Mullin spent 10 years in the House and three in the Senate, where he’s emerged as one of Trump’s most loyal allies on Capitol Hill. On Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda.”
Why the change? Reports say pressure around Noem had been mounting for months and boiled over in recent weeks amid:
scrutiny over a hefty $220 million border-security ad campaign that the president may or may not have been aware of.
tensions between her and CBP and ICE leadership.
fallout from the Minneapolis immigration crackdown (I think she’s getting thrown under the bus on this one).
press coverage of alleged infidelity.
Big picture: Noem’s reassignment – rather than a full dismissal – suggests Trump still values her politically.
Troublesome: In July 2021, Mullin praised the U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd, who shot unarmed Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt on January 6, saying: "I actually gave him a hug, and I said, 'Sir, you did what you had to do,'"
Real talk from G: This is just me reading the tea leaves – it feels like there are two factions inside the Trump White House: the hard MAGA stalwarts and the establishment figures. And the two are constantly trying to undercut the other. Feels like the establishment got a scalp here with Noem’s firing.
[Much of this article comes from a Daily Caller scoop - I recommend checking it out for more details.]
China tops list of IP theft
China remains the world’s largest source of counterfeit goods — accounting for nearly 93% of all fake products seized by U.S. authorities, according to a new federal report.
The details: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2025 Notorious Markets List identified 37 online marketplaces and 32 physical markets worldwide that facilitate large-scale counterfeiting and copyright piracy. China topped the list.
The numbers: The report found: “IP-infringing goods from China… seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Fiscal Year 2024 accounted for almost 93% of the value of all IP-infringing goods seized from all countries.”
Who dunnit? Popular Chinese e-commerce platforms, including DHgate, Taobao, Pinduoduo, and Douyin Shangcheng, were also flagged as facilitating counterfeit sales.
Backup: China was the #1 counterfitter in 2024 as well.
Zoom out: The report says counterfeiting has grown as China’s domestic economy slows, with many physical markets now operating as fulfillment centers for online sales.
Who else is on the list? India and Mexico were other major bad actors. Others on the list included: Argentina, Peru, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Paraguay, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
Related: The report comes as China's economic engine is slowing. Beijing announced a 4.5-5% GDP growth target, the lowest national goal since 1991.
Big picture: IP theft from the U.S. costs American businesses up to $600 billion each year. Not to mention the serious safety risks these knockoffs pose, including toxic materials in physical products and malware hidden in digital files.
Real talk from G: Two years ago, I ordered my wife a funny Law & Order (she loves SVU) mug that I came across by way of an Instagram ad. Shortly after it shipped, I noticed it was being shipped from some province in China. When it arrived, we threw it out because I don’t trust that there isn’t lead – or some other toxic material – in the coating. Always check the country of origin.
[Source: Epoch Times, The National Pulse]
💩 House Democrats largely voted to allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown to keep going on Thursday, shrugging off Republicans' concerns about the increased domestic terror threat amid the U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran. Read more.
🛑 The House rejected a war powers resolution Thursday to halt President Donald Trump's attacks on Iran. Read more.
✈ United Airlines will start removing passengers from flights who refuse to wear headphones while listening to content on their personal devices, and such behavior could lead to a permanent ban. Read more. GOOD! I wish NJ Transit trains would do this.
🇨🇺 President Trump suggested his administration will turn its sights to Cuba after U.S. military operations in Iran are finished. Read more.
🚨 Pop star Britney Spears was arrested for driving under the influence on Wednesday night. Read more.
😲 U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has admitted to having an affair with former congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in 2025. Read more.
🎞 Netflix has bought InterPositive, a start-up founded by Ben Affleck that makes AI-powered tools for filmmakers. Read more.
🔫 Senator Mike Lee is pushing nationwide constitutional carry for firearms, a move that would eliminate concealed carry permits, fees, and criminal penalties for people who want to carry a firearm in public. Read more.
🎥 Trump hosts soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House. Watch.
🚨 $1.7 billion in crypto allegedly flowed to Iranian groups tied to anti-American terrorists. Here's how it happened — and who looked the other way. Find out. *
🎥 Iranian DJ releases a dance remix of President Trump announcing "Khamenei is dead." Watch. LOL BANGER!
🎥 Another day, another FIRE edit from the White House TikTok. Watch.
🎥 OMG... Man steps out of an elevator milliseconds before it malfunctions. Watch. This is insane.
🎥 Before-and-after images show the airstrike damage in Iran. Watch.
🎥 Why would Hollywood actresses do this to their faces? Watch.
🎥 Retired TOPGUN pilot explains how the blue sparrow missile killed Iran's leaders. Watch.
🎥 CNN drops reality check on its audience about Trump's approval. Watch.
🎥 Joe Rogan educates Steve-O [the guy from Jackass] about transgenders. Watch.
* indicates this is a sponsored partnership
