Trump's Social Security Status Clear on Tax Forms
President Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) with finding waste in government programs, including entitlement programs like Social Security. This effort to root out waste may have some people wondering if wealthy older Americans like Trump are collecting Social Security benefits — or if being a president disqualifies him. Trump certainly isn’t among the 58% of seniors in 2024 Gallup poll who said Social Security was a major source of their income. Well, to satisfy the curious, not only does Trump not need Social Security benefits, he hasn’t filed for them — as his tax records reveal.
President Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) with finding waste in government programs, including entitlement programs like Social Security. This effort to root out waste may have some people wondering if wealthy older Americans like Trump are collecting Social Security benefits — or if being a president disqualifies him. Trump certainly isn’t among the 58% of seniors in 2024 Gallup poll who said Social Security was a major source of their income. Well, to satisfy the curious, not only does Trump not need Social Security benefits, he hasn’t filed for them — as his tax records reveal.
Doug Ford says Canada is ‘ready to win’ trade war
As the US-Canada trade war intensifies, Doug Ford, the leader of Canada’s most populous province, has stormed onto the battlefield with a series of bold offensive strikes. A day after it was applied, on Tuesday Ontario suspended a 25% surcharge on electricity exports after Premier Ford received an invitation to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Thursday. The surcharge would have impacted consumers in Michigan, Minnesota and New York, adding $277,000 in daily costs for 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses, according to the province. Ford had also said he would not “hesitate” to raise the surcharge or cut off electricity supply altogether. “Canada and Ontario didn’t start this trade war with President Trump, but Team Canada is ready to win it,” said the Premier of Ontario in a recent post on X. “As a first step in our response, Ontario will rip up our contract with Starlink, take U.S. alcohol off LCBO’s shelves and ban U.S. companies from government procurements.” The contract with Starlink, run by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was worth $100 million and was first signed in November 2024 to deliver satellite internet to rural and northern communities in Ontario. Meanwhile, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, or LCBO, is a significant importer of U.S. booze, buying more than 3,600 products from 35 U.S. states worth roughly $670 million annually, according to a press release about the “operational step.” In an interview with CBS, Ford said retaliatory moves will remain in place until U.S. tariffs on Canada are completely called off and “chaos” has been mitigated. “There's uncertainty right now, you know nothing's worse than uncertainty for investors, for people, for the market,” he told Ed O’Keefe, pointing to the fact that the U.S. stock market has shed trillions of dollars in recent weeks. “[Trump] ran on a mandate to create jobs and lower inflation. It's worked totally opposite so he needs to straighten this out.” With limited visibility on the future of this trading relationship, investors on both sides of the border are scrambling to figure out how to protect their portfolios. Here are three ways to bolster your finances for a protracted economic war.
As the US-Canada trade war intensifies, Doug Ford, the leader of Canada’s most populous province, has stormed onto the battlefield with a series of bold offensive strikes. A day after it was applied, on Tuesday Ontario suspended a 25% surcharge on electricity exports after Premier Ford received an invitation to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Thursday. The surcharge would have impacted consumers in Michigan, Minnesota and New York, adding $277,000 in daily costs for 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses, according to the province. Ford had also said he would not “hesitate” to raise the surcharge or cut off electricity supply altogether. “Canada and Ontario didn’t start this trade war with President Trump, but Team Canada is ready to win it,” said the Premier of Ontario in a recent post on X. “As a first step in our response, Ontario will rip up our contract with Starlink, take U.S. alcohol off LCBO’s shelves and ban U.S. companies from government procurements.” The contract with Starlink, run by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was worth $100 million and was first signed in November 2024 to deliver satellite internet to rural and northern communities in Ontario. Meanwhile, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, or LCBO, is a significant importer of U.S. booze, buying more than 3,600 products from 35 U.S. states worth roughly $670 million annually, according to a press release about the “operational step.” In an interview with CBS, Ford said retaliatory moves will remain in place until U.S. tariffs on Canada are completely called off and “chaos” has been mitigated. “There's uncertainty right now, you know nothing's worse than uncertainty for investors, for people, for the market,” he told Ed O’Keefe, pointing to the fact that the U.S. stock market has shed trillions of dollars in recent weeks. “[Trump] ran on a mandate to create jobs and lower inflation. It's worked totally opposite so he needs to straighten this out.” With limited visibility on the future of this trading relationship, investors on both sides of the border are scrambling to figure out how to protect their portfolios. Here are three ways to bolster your finances for a protracted economic war.
How to avoid costly gold bar scams
A Portland coin dealer is speaking out after one of his customers was nearly scammed out of $170,000 in a gold bar scam, reports KGW8 News. Michael Kakoullis, owner of Portland Precious Metals and Coin, said the whole thing started when an elderly man called his store asking to purchase $150,000 in gold bars. The next day, the man increased his request to $170,000. "He asked, how soon can he have it? Can he just pick it up right away? And he wanted to wire the money. And a little bit of a sense of urgency in his voice," Kakoullis told KGW8 News. He ended up locking the customer in for 57 one-ounce bars, and the customer planned to visit the bank to wire the money. A few days later, the elderly man and his banker called Kakoullis to tell him the order was cancelled — and that he was a victim of a scam. However, he still suffered a financial loss since he had a locked price and was on the hook for $4,000 in market price differences.
A Portland coin dealer is speaking out after one of his customers was nearly scammed out of $170,000 in a gold bar scam, reports KGW8 News. Michael Kakoullis, owner of Portland Precious Metals and Coin, said the whole thing started when an elderly man called his store asking to purchase $150,000 in gold bars. The next day, the man increased his request to $170,000. "He asked, how soon can he have it? Can he just pick it up right away? And he wanted to wire the money. And a little bit of a sense of urgency in his voice," Kakoullis told KGW8 News. He ended up locking the customer in for 57 one-ounce bars, and the customer planned to visit the bank to wire the money. A few days later, the elderly man and his banker called Kakoullis to tell him the order was cancelled — and that he was a victim of a scam. However, he still suffered a financial loss since he had a locked price and was on the hook for $4,000 in market price differences.
How In-N-Out's Lynsi Snyder earned her fortune
Lynsi Snyder may have been born into burger royalty, but she didn’t waltz into the CEO chair. Before taking the reins of In-N-Out, the fast-food empire her grandparents built, she insisted on starting at the bottom — slicing onions, prepping burger toppings and working shoulder to shoulder with employees who had no idea she was the heir. “I think that there’s a stigma that can come with being the owner’s kid,” Snyder told NBC's Today and Morning News Now. “I just wanted to be respected like others, doing it the right way and not having the special treatment.” That approach paid off. Since stepping in as president in 2010, Snyder has nearly doubled In-N-Out’s footprint, all while resisting the industry’s race toward automation, menu bloat and private equity buyouts. She became a billionaire on her 35th birthday — but unlike many heirs, she’s proven that inheritance alone doesn’t make a business leader. Her strategy — sustainable growth, staying true to core values and prioritizing quality over expansion — offers key lessons not just for business owners, but for investors and professionals looking to build lasting financial success.
Lynsi Snyder may have been born into burger royalty, but she didn’t waltz into the CEO chair. Before taking the reins of In-N-Out, the fast-food empire her grandparents built, she insisted on starting at the bottom — slicing onions, prepping burger toppings and working shoulder to shoulder with employees who had no idea she was the heir. “I think that there’s a stigma that can come with being the owner’s kid,” Snyder told NBC's Today and Morning News Now. “I just wanted to be respected like others, doing it the right way and not having the special treatment.” That approach paid off. Since stepping in as president in 2010, Snyder has nearly doubled In-N-Out’s footprint, all while resisting the industry’s race toward automation, menu bloat and private equity buyouts. She became a billionaire on her 35th birthday — but unlike many heirs, she’s proven that inheritance alone doesn’t make a business leader. Her strategy — sustainable growth, staying true to core values and prioritizing quality over expansion — offers key lessons not just for business owners, but for investors and professionals looking to build lasting financial success.
Fired CDC worker speaks out after layoffs
Last month, Carolyn Corrigan was fired from her government job amid the Trump administration's efforts to decrease the federal workforce. While “poor performance” was the reason cited, the single mom of two says she’s been with the government for nearly a decade, having never gotten a poor performance appraisal. She was 66 days away from completing her two-year probation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when she got the news, which she called “a slap in the face.” Fox5 News reported that Corrigan says she “wants Elon Musk to know she’s not just a number but a human being who now has to turn to public assistance to live.”
Last month, Carolyn Corrigan was fired from her government job amid the Trump administration's efforts to decrease the federal workforce. While “poor performance” was the reason cited, the single mom of two says she’s been with the government for nearly a decade, having never gotten a poor performance appraisal. She was 66 days away from completing her two-year probation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when she got the news, which she called “a slap in the face.” Fox5 News reported that Corrigan says she “wants Elon Musk to know she’s not just a number but a human being who now has to turn to public assistance to live.”
Border shop sees 80% sales drop amid tariffs
A British Columbia border shop is reeling from an 80% drop in sales, as trade tensions and shifting consumer loyalties shake its foundation. The owner, shocked by the abrupt decline in visitors — especially those from Washington state — called the situation impacting the 40-year old duty-free shop “unbelievable,” worrying about the store’s future. “This has been our biggest issue for over 10 years,” Peter Raju, president and owner of Peace Arch Duty Free, told Retail Insider. “Our business is down substantially. We’ve had to reduce staffing and if things don’t improve, we’ll have to close on weekdays.”
A British Columbia border shop is reeling from an 80% drop in sales, as trade tensions and shifting consumer loyalties shake its foundation. The owner, shocked by the abrupt decline in visitors — especially those from Washington state — called the situation impacting the 40-year old duty-free shop “unbelievable,” worrying about the store’s future. “This has been our biggest issue for over 10 years,” Peter Raju, president and owner of Peace Arch Duty Free, told Retail Insider. “Our business is down substantially. We’ve had to reduce staffing and if things don’t improve, we’ll have to close on weekdays.”
DOGE cuts contract with San Antonio non-profit
Since Donald Trump took office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been on a mission to fight waste, fraud, and abuse in the government. DOGE also has an X account highlighting the actions it is taking to allegedly help taxpayers save money. In late February, DOGE's X account sent out a message reporting it had ended a contract with a San Antonio non-profit called Family Endeavors, claiming that by having HHS terminate the contract, they’d saved taxpayers over $215 million per year. Endeavors, however, claims it was fulfilling its mandate, and that its contract was not an example of fraudulent spending. The non-profit issued a statement, saying that “any claims of corruption or mismanagement are baseless.” So, what exactly happened, and what was the contact DOGE put an end to?
Since Donald Trump took office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been on a mission to fight waste, fraud, and abuse in the government. DOGE also has an X account highlighting the actions it is taking to allegedly help taxpayers save money. In late February, DOGE's X account sent out a message reporting it had ended a contract with a San Antonio non-profit called Family Endeavors, claiming that by having HHS terminate the contract, they’d saved taxpayers over $215 million per year. Endeavors, however, claims it was fulfilling its mandate, and that its contract was not an example of fraudulent spending. The non-profit issued a statement, saying that “any claims of corruption or mismanagement are baseless.” So, what exactly happened, and what was the contact DOGE put an end to?
Canadian official says tariffs will 'devastate' US
In response to President Donald Trump’s tariff plans targeting Canadian goods, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has a dire warning. “If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything, including cut off their energy — with a smile on my face,” Ford declared during a mining conference in Toronto on Monday. “They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard? We’re going to come back twice as hard.” On Thursday, Trump announced a one-month delay on the 25% tariffs for imports from Mexico and Canada covered by the USMCA free trade agreement. But Ford isn’t backing down. Later that day, he told CNN that Ontario will impose a 25% surcharge on power it sends to 1.5 million homes in Minnesota, Michigan and New York starting next week, in response to Trump’s tariff plan. As of Friday, however, Trump announced he may impose new tariffs on lumber and dairy products coming from Canada sometime before Tuesday. While Trump has called tariff “the most beautiful word in the dictionary,” Ford warns that the economic consequences will be severe. “Donald Trump’s tariffs are going to devastate the U.S. economy, put Americans out of work and raise costs for hardworking American families,” Ford wrote in a post on X.
In response to President Donald Trump’s tariff plans targeting Canadian goods, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has a dire warning. “If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything, including cut off their energy — with a smile on my face,” Ford declared during a mining conference in Toronto on Monday. “They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard? We’re going to come back twice as hard.” On Thursday, Trump announced a one-month delay on the 25% tariffs for imports from Mexico and Canada covered by the USMCA free trade agreement. But Ford isn’t backing down. Later that day, he told CNN that Ontario will impose a 25% surcharge on power it sends to 1.5 million homes in Minnesota, Michigan and New York starting next week, in response to Trump’s tariff plan. As of Friday, however, Trump announced he may impose new tariffs on lumber and dairy products coming from Canada sometime before Tuesday. While Trump has called tariff “the most beautiful word in the dictionary,” Ford warns that the economic consequences will be severe. “Donald Trump’s tariffs are going to devastate the U.S. economy, put Americans out of work and raise costs for hardworking American families,” Ford wrote in a post on X.
KC Tenants Forced Out with 48 Hours’ Notice
A flooded basement with live wires, bed bug infestations, rodents, crumbling drywall. In late February, conditions at Cloverleaf Apartments were so dire that Kansas City building inspectors gave residents just 48 hours to permanently vacate the rental building. The short notice left many tenants in shock and in limbo. Amya Brown returned home to the complex on Feb. 26 to find her neighbors outside, watching city crews shut off the building’s electricity and water. "It’s very sad and devastating to see everybody go through something like this, including myself,” she told WDAF TV Fox 4 in Kansas City.
A flooded basement with live wires, bed bug infestations, rodents, crumbling drywall. In late February, conditions at Cloverleaf Apartments were so dire that Kansas City building inspectors gave residents just 48 hours to permanently vacate the rental building. The short notice left many tenants in shock and in limbo. Amya Brown returned home to the complex on Feb. 26 to find her neighbors outside, watching city crews shut off the building’s electricity and water. "It’s very sad and devastating to see everybody go through something like this, including myself,” she told WDAF TV Fox 4 in Kansas City.
U.S.-Canada trade war could hit families hard
Canadians and Americans have shared battlefields from Vimy Ridge to Kandahar. But they’re now bracing for an economic war against each other. Canadian economist Mike Moffatt is sounding the alarm about this 150-year old alliance unraveling as Trump’s tariffs reshape public opinion north of the border. “I think it's a combination of we're hurt and angry,” said former advisor to soon-to-be-ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a recent episode of The Prof G podcast. He warned that the trade war could cripple the Canadian economy while also imposing hard costs on ordinary Americans by diminishing U.S. soft power.
Canadians and Americans have shared battlefields from Vimy Ridge to Kandahar. But they’re now bracing for an economic war against each other. Canadian economist Mike Moffatt is sounding the alarm about this 150-year old alliance unraveling as Trump’s tariffs reshape public opinion north of the border. “I think it's a combination of we're hurt and angry,” said former advisor to soon-to-be-ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a recent episode of The Prof G podcast. He warned that the trade war could cripple the Canadian economy while also imposing hard costs on ordinary Americans by diminishing U.S. soft power.
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