Newly surfaced report provides more clues on COVID outbreak source and timeline

Explosive report suggests the virus was circulating in Wuhan 2 months before China disclosed it to the world

Michael Dorgan / FOX News

A 2022 Defense Department report long withheld by the Biden administration has recently surfaced and reveals that seven U.S. service members showed COVID-19-like symptoms after having competed in the World Military Games in Wuhan, China, months before the deadly virus first broke out in the U.S.

The explosive disclosure suggests that the virus was circulating in Wuhan months before China disclosed it to the world in December 2019. The games took place in October 2019, two months earlier. 

It also challenges the Biden administration’s public claims in 2021 that there was no evidence that any American participants contracted the virus at those games. The CIA, FBI and Energy Department have all now suggested that the COVID-19 virus pandemic may have originated via a lab leak from the city’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. Read more, see video and report here.

Inside Trump’s decision to pause most tariffs — and turn up heat on China — to lock in better trade deals for US 

Diana Glebova and Steven Nelson / NEW YORK POST

The idea of scaling back eye-watering “reciprocal” tariffs rattled around in President Trump’s head for several days after the April 2 announcement — even as he told staff and reporters he was willing to go full speed ahead.

Trump dramatically ordered a 90-day pause in imposing the higher rates on most countries Wednesday — hours after they took effect — claiming dozens of nations had pleaded for a reprieve to give them a chance to buy more US goods and eliminate trade barriers.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, one of Trump’s closest advisers, had nudged the president Sunday to use the 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline to “lock these people in” to more advantageous trade relations, an administration official told The Post.

Bessent suggested that a golden opportunity lay before Trump to permanently reform and improve conditions for US companies that manufacture and export goods overseas. Read more and see videos here.

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

Today, Friday, April 11th from 7 to 8pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss Trump’s decision to pause most tariffs except those on China; the House passes a bill to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections; DOGE finds thousands of fake unemployment claims; and a newly surfaced report provides more info re: COVID outbreak source and timeline. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

Trump Issues a Tariff Pause, Smacks China Again

Katie Pavlich / Townhall Tipsheet

 

President Donald Trump issued a 90-day pause on tariffs for countries coming to the negotiation table with the United States Wednesday afternoon, sending the stock market soaring.

 

"Based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subiects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately," Trump posted on Truth Social. 

 

In addition, Trump increased tariffs on China as the Chinese Communist Party plays a game of chicken with their economy and trade negotiations with the United States. Read more, see Xs and videos here.

Fourth Circuit Gives Trump Administration and DOGE Another Major Win

Jeff Charles / Townhall Tipsheet 

President Donald Trump can begin firing federal workers again after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor on Wednesday.

Several leftist organizations have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to eliminate wasteful spending while streamlining government operations.

But after the Supreme Court issued a similar ruling, it appears the efforts to stop the administration from cutting federal staff have failed.

From Politico

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to resume firing thousands of probationary government employees, lifting a lower-court judge’s order that had blocked most of the mass terminations.

A divided three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded Wednesday that the coalition of Democratic attorneys general...Read more and see X here.

Stock rally falters, Dow slides over 300 points as tariff concerns weigh

FOX Business Team 

The stock rally, driven by optimism of progress on tariff deals with U.S. trading partners, lost steam on Tuesday afternoon, with the three major indexes all closing in the red.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 300 points, easing from the 1,400 point jump at the opening bell. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were down 1.5% and 2.1%, respectively.

Stocks were higher earlier in the trading session after President Donald Trump said that he held a call with South Korea, discussing tariffs and other trade-related topics.

"I just had a great call with the Acting President of South Korea," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We talked about their tremendous and unsustainable Surplus, Tariffs, Shipbuilding, large scale purchase of U.S. LNG, their joint venture in an Alaska Pipeline, and payment for the big time Military Protection we provide to South Korea."

Is Newsom Nervous? DOJ Promises Arrests for Homeless Fraud

Katie Pavlich / Townhall Tipsheet

 

The Department of Justice has launched a new criminal task force to investigate "fraud and corruption involving homelessness funds" in California. 

Since 2020, the California government spent $24 billion on "the homeless" and yet, the rate of homelessness has only increased with additional funding. 

"Officials have been unable to account for all the expenditures and outcomes, and the homeless crisis has only gotten worse. Taxpayers deserve answers for where and how their hard-earned money has been spent. If state and local officials cannot provide proper oversight and accountability, we will do it for them. If we discover any federal laws were violated, we will make arrests,"  United States Attorney Bill Essayli released in a statement.