Catégorie oBox : OBOXMA

Some people try to circumvent real-life paywalls when they hit the town. That can lead to the ire of bouncers who have to push them out.

An Atlanta bouncer went viral after sharing an exchange with a customer who insisted on getting into her club for free. Now her commenters are calling out the man.

‘This dude was so confident’

Atlanta bouncer Britknee (@britknee0405 on TikTok) posted a video that has more than 196,000 views. In it, she shared footage of a male customer trying to convince her to let him into the club without paying the entrance fee.

“This dude was so confident that he was going to get comped in by the manager,” the creator said in her video. The video then switched to actual footage of the confrontation. The camera faced the creator, but the customer was offscreen.

The customer told Britknee he didn’t have $20 for the cover fee, but that he also didn’t expect to pay it anyway as he is “usually VIP-ed up in [the club].” He tried telling her that she definitely knew who he was, but the creator responded, “I don’t.”

The customer then asserted that the club’s manager knew who he was, so Britknee asked for the manager. 

“How long that gonna take?” the customer asked. “A moment,” she responded.

The customer got agitated. He started asking for Britknee’s badge number. He then threatened to get her in trouble with her superiors, saying, “You about to get reported.”

The manager ended up arriving on the scene, and they made the customer customer pay for entry.

Commenters weigh in

The comments under Britknee’s video seemed to share her opinion of the man claiming to be a VIP. Multiple commenters poked fun at how he talked to her, from him asking for “a badge number” to criticizing his “cocky” tone. Viewers also praised the creator’s “calm” and “unbothered” demeanor.

“Ick,” wrote one commenter. “Guys that talk like that REPULSE me. SCREAMING for attention like a neglected little child. GROSS.”

“You were so spot on and professional, and you still remained very nice!” another wrote. “That was actually good enough to be a training video for people. Nice job!”

How to talk to the bouncer at a club

Clearly, the man broke some unspoken rules of nightlife etiquette. So what did he do wrong, and what’s the right way to go about engaging with club bouncers?

Club owner Alex Proud’s “guide to dealing with bouncers” advised customers to always “be polite and calm and respectful.”

“The bouncers have been standing in the cold for hours,” Proud wrote for Telegraph. “They have been speaking to people like you for hours. They are tired and bored and they have heard it all before. Nothing you can say will surprise a bouncer. Also, they have all the power. You have none. You can win an argument with a bouncer and he still won’t let you in. So be nice to the bouncers.”

In his blog, bouncer Joey Maccaferri warned against arguing about the rules or getting too inebriated. Thrillist also advised individuals to avoid flattery and to be empathetic. After all, bouncers are only human.

“When you approach a situation with an overall sense of positivity and good nature, you automatically trigger the neurons in other people’s brains to make them feel a sense of well-being, too,” former FBI hostage negotiator told Thrillist. “Be happy to see the bouncer. Smile. Don’t be a jerk. This is the most basic advice I can give anyone approaching a negotiation. It’s so simple, but so often overlooked.”

Buzz News has reached out to the creator via email.

@britknee0405 When the manager actually DOES know him… and still says charge him 😂#CanISpeakToYourManager#VIP#Comp#FreeAdmission#NotHere ♬ original sound – 💖Britknee-ATL🍑

Donald Trump n’a pas manqué l’occasion de ressortir l’un de ses sujets de prédilection concernant le Canada après que le pays soit officiellement entré en récession technique. Peu après que les données économiques aient confirmé que l’économie canadienne s’était contractée pour un deuxième trimestre consécutif, Trump a partagé un article de Bloomberg sur cette évolution sur Truth Social et y a ajouté un message bref mais provocateur : « 51e État ! » La publication a rapidement attiré l’attention des deux côtés de la frontière et a gagné encore plus de visibilité lorsque l’ambassadeur des États-Unis au Canada, Pete Hoekstra, l’a republiée sur X. La décision de l’ambassadeur d’amplifier le message a suscité une réaction immédiate de la part des politiciens canadiens, des dirigeants syndicaux et des utilisateurs des réseaux sociaux, dont beaucoup ont considéré cette publication comme une attaque inappropriée contre la souveraineté canadienne en cette période d’incertitude économique et de négociations commerciales délicates entre les deux pays.

Le Canada est officiellement entré en récession technique après que Statistique Canada a fait état de deux trimestres consécutifs de baisse du produit intérieur brut réel entre octobre 2025 et mars 2026. Les économistes ont mis en avant plusieurs facteurs à l’origine de ce ralentissement, notamment les tensions commerciales persistantes avec les États-Unis, la faiblesse des exportations, la baisse des investissements des entreprises et les efforts du gouvernement pour freiner la croissance des dépenses. Selon les dernières données, les exportations ont reculé de 4,1 % tandis que les investissements des entreprises ont chuté de 3,6 % au cours de cette période. Le Premier ministre Mark Carney a reconnu les performances économiques inégales, mais a fait valoir que les récentes décisions du gouvernement visaient à renforcer la résilience à long terme du Canada. S’adressant aux journalistes, MCarney a déclaré : « Ce gouvernement s’est attaché à jeter les bases d’une économie canadienne plus forte, plus résiliente et plus indépendante. Ce processus est en train de s’installer. Pendant que nous menons ces actions, les données vont être inégales. Nous constatons une certaine faiblesse, en partie due aux décisions claires prises par le gouvernement. » Le Premier ministre a soutenu que le ralentissement économique temporaire devait être replacé dans le contexte de réformes structurelles plus larges.

« Je n’arrive pas à croire que je doive le répéter, mais le Canada ne sera jamais le 51e État. Le Canada n’est pas à vendre. »

– Doug Ford, premier ministre de l’Ontario

Le dernier message de Trump, « 51e État ! », a marqué un nouveau chapitre d’un thème récurrent qui a maintes fois tendu les relations entre Washington et Ottawa. Depuis son retour à la Maison-Blanche, Trump a régulièrement laissé entendre que le Canada aurait tout à gagner à faire partie des États-Unis, des remarques que les dirigeants canadiens ont systématiquement rejetées. Le moment choisi pour ce dernier message était particulièrement délicat, étant donné que les discussions autour de l’Accord Canada-États-Unis-Mexique devraient s’intensifier à l’approche d’échéances commerciales importantes. Interrogé sur les derniers commentaires de Trump et la republication de Hoekstra, Carney a refusé d’aggraver le différend. Il a plutôt souligné que le gouvernement canadien resterait concentré sur les questions politiques de fond plutôt que de réagir à chaque publication sur les réseaux sociaux. Carney a qualifié Trump d’« exceptionnellement actif » sur Truth Social avant d’ajouter : « Nous n’allons pas répondre ou réagir à tout. »

La controverse s’est intensifiée après que Hoekstra a partagé le message de Trump avec ses propres abonnés. Les détracteurs ont fait valoir qu’un ambassadeur est censé renforcer les relations diplomatiques plutôt que de relayer des commentaires remettant en cause la souveraineté du pays auprès duquel il est accrédité. Parmi les réactions les plus virulentes, celle du président de la Fédération du travail de l’Alberta, Gil McGowan, qui a écrit : « L’ambassadeur américain au Canada republie un message du président des États-Unis dans lequel il affirme que le Canada devrait devenir le 51e État. À quel moment allons-nous enfin réagir face à ce trolling incessant ? Expulser l’ambassadeur ? » Ces remarques ont rapidement circulé en ligne et reflètent la frustration croissante des Canadiens qui estiment que les références répétées à l’annexion ont dépassé le stade de l’humour politique pour entrer dans un domaine qui porte atteinte aux conventions diplomatiques habituelles.

Les dirigeants municipaux et provinciaux se sont également joints aux critiques. Le conseiller municipal de Montréal Craig Sauvé a condamné les agissements de l’ambassadeur en des termes particulièrement directs, écrivant : « L’ambassadeur des États-Unis au Canada, mesdames et messieurs. C’est de la barbarie, pas une démocratie mature. » Le premier ministre de l’Ontario, Doug Ford, a également réagi avec force, réitérant un message qu’il a délivré à plusieurs reprises depuis que Trump a pour la première fois lancé l’idée que le Canada fasse partie des États-Unis. Ford a déclaré : « Je n’arrive pas à croire que je doive le répéter, mais le Canada ne sera jamais le 51e État. Le Canada n’est pas à vendre. » Ces commentaires ont souligné à quel point la rhétorique récurrente de Trump est devenue un sujet fédérateur sur le plan politique au Canada, rassemblant des politiciens de différents horizons idéologiques autour de la défense de la souveraineté et de l’indépendance nationales.

« Nous n’allons pas répondre ou réagir à tout. »

– Mark Carney, Premier ministre du Canada

Au-delà des élus, les Canadiens ordinaires ont également exprimé leur colère en ligne, en particulier à l’égard de la décision de Hoekstra d’amplifier le message du président. De nombreux utilisateurs ont accusé l’ambassadeur d’encourager une rhétorique clivante à un moment où les deux pays se préparent à d’importantes discussions commerciales. Certains ont qualifié cette publication de tentative de diffuser des discours « omniprésents et dangereux » destinés à « diviser notre nation dans l’espoir que nous implosions afin qu’ils puissent obtenir ce qu’ils veulent… notre nation souveraine. » D’autres ont réagi plus directement, en disant aux partisans de l’annexion : « Allez au sud, si vous aimez tant le fascisme. » Bien que cette controverse ne soit pas susceptible à elle seule de compromettre les relations globales entre le Canada et les États-Unis, elle a une fois de plus mis en évidence à quel point l’activité de Trump sur les réseaux sociaux peut rapidement devenir un problème diplomatique, en particulier lorsque de hauts responsables américains choisissent de relayer ses propos lors de moments économiques et politiques sensibles.

Canada’s housing market has just experienced one of the sharpest corrections in modern history, with home prices falling roughly 20 per cent nationally from their 2022 peak. Unfortunately, Canadians claim the dip is not enough, particularly younger adults hoping to buy their first home. While prices may have sunk 20 per cent, housing affordability remains largely out of reach for young Canadians. A new Bloomberg analysis argues that the downturn has exposed a deeper problem. According to the analysis, prices became so detached from incomes that even a major correction has failed to restore affordability. For many buyers, the market remains nearly as inaccessible as it was before the decline began. The analysis cited the pandemic housing boom as a lasting factor impacting prices.

Benchmark home prices have fallen approximately 20 per cent nationally since 2022, with declines exceeding 30 per cent in some markets. Even then, the Nanos Research poll conducted by Bloomberg found that 55 per cent of Canadians need prices to fall even further. Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, that figure rose to 69 per cent. Interestingly enough, even current homeowners largely support further declines. Roughly two-thirds of homeowners surveyed said falling home prices were either a positive or somewhat positive development for Canada’s housing market, a surprising statistic for some.

If you just look at the numbers, you would very quickly conclude this is a massive crash in home prices. But the thing is, it’s after prices had increased even more,

-Robert Hogue, assistant chief economist, RBC

Why such a significant correction?

Economists say the reason for the dip is simply the housing market returning to its norm. The correction is largely erasing the extraordinary gains recorded during the pandemic rather than creating genuinely affordable housing. Robert Hogue, assistant chief economist at RBC, said that while the drop appears dramatic on paper, it follows an even larger surge in prices between 2020 and 2022. In many regions, home values have merely returned to roughly where they stood before the pandemic. The problem, experts note, is that affordability was already considered a national crisis before COVID-19 ever arrived.

Mike Moffatt, founder of the University of Ottawa’s Missing Middle Initiative, argued the decline highlights how fundamentally disconnected housing prices have become from household incomes. According to Moffatt, prices can fall 15 to 20 per cent and still remain beyond the reach of many middle-class families. He said the current market demonstrates just how severely affordability deteriorated over the last decade. While politicians often laud falling prices as evidence that the crisis is easing, many prospective buyers are finding that ownership remains mathematically impossible without substantial family wealth or unusually high incomes.

I think it just shows how far out of whack prices are with incomes that prices can go down 15% to 20% and it’s still priced out middle-class families

-Mike Moffatt

Major cities are struggling even more

The affordability crisis is especially severe in Canada’s largest cities. RBC data cited in the report shows that households in Vancouver still need to devote approximately 88 per cent of their income to ownership costs, while Toronto households require about 63 per cent. Those figures remain among the highest in North America despite years of falling prices. In practical terms, many younger Canadians continue facing the same barriers they encountered before the correction: high down-payment requirements, elevated mortgage costs and incomes that have failed to keep pace with housing values.

High prices affecting markets

The situation has created an unusual housing market where prices are falling, but buyers remain hesitant. Toronto realtor Alexis D’Souza told Bloomberg that first-time buyers increasingly ask whether prices could decline further before making a purchase. Some Canadians who bought near the market peak have already experienced the consequences firsthand. D’Souza said the condominium she purchased with her partner in 2022 has declined in value since then. That uncertainty has made many prospective buyers reluctant to enter the market despite improving conditions compared to several years ago. The market’s instability means that most Canadians cannot afford a home, but even the ones who can are hesitant to risk a poor return on their investment.

For now, Canada’s housing market remains stuck in an unsustainable middle ground. Prices are falling, rents are easing, and inventory is rising, yet many Canadians still cannot afford to buy homes. The result is a paradox few would have predicted during the pandemic housing frenzy: one of the largest housing corrections in decades has occurred, but for a majority of aspiring homeowners, the prospect of ownership remains just as distant as before.

A woman ordered DoorDash from Gibson’s, a famous Chicago steakhouse. Then she was shocked when she saw its $24 slice of carrot cake.

In a viral TikTok video with more than 1.5 million views, user Madison Waller (@goinggonemadd) explained what exactly shocked her and why she had plans “with this cake for the foreseeable future.”

Ordering the Gibson’s carrot cake

It all began when Waller made the decision to give herself “princess treatment” and order an expensive slice of cake from Gibson’s. Her order arrived in two bags.

She noticed that the one with the cake was exceptionally heavy. It became clear why once she showed the cake to her viewers.

“They sent me a quarter of the cake,” Waller said. She then held the cake close to her head, which revealed that it was larger than her palm.

Waller joked that the cake slice was so huge she could cater an event.

Was the huge slice of cake a mistake?

Waller did not receive the huge slice of cake by mistake.

According to Gibson’s social media, the restaurant prides itself on its “generous portions.”These portion sizes and the quality of the food have made the restaurant very popular on TikTok.

In another video with more than 5.5 million views, TikToker Youna Byun (@younabyun) showed off the huge slice of carrot cake when it arrived at her table.

Other reviews noted that the food also came in portions that would almost guarantee leftovers to take home.

Are smaller portions a trend right now?

While Gibson’s packs on the food for its customers, other restaurants are scaling back portion sizes.

Per AP News, restaurants from chains to trendy eateries have begun to offer special menus with smaller portions that cost less.

With the steady rise of the cost of living, Americans are dining out less on average. In addition, total costs for restaurants have increased by roughly 3.9% annually, which can make it difficult for businesses to maintain portion sizes or continue promotions.

Nevertheless, Gibson’s seems to buck any specific trends relating to portion sizes.

‘That’s a steal’

In the video’s comments section, the carrot cake (and its size) received plenty of praise.

“This feels like winning the lottery as a carrot cake lover,” Athenatherotty23 wrote.

“I got the carrot cake 2 years ago yesterday when I was on a work trip. i ate it for 3 days with 0 regrets!!!” Andi S added.

“For $24? That’s a deal. I’d buy it. That’s dessert, midnight snack & breakfast. They really did deliver on the carrot cake,” Scrapping’ Ale said.

One person was even willing to eat the cake, despite a carrot allergy.

“I’m allergic to carrots so really all I need is a fork, a private room, and an EpiPen,” commenter DiDi said.

Buzz News has reached out to Gibson’s Restaurant via contact form and Waller via email for comment.

@goinggonemadd #gibsonssteakhouse ♬ original sound – MadisonWaller

British Columbia’s minimum wage will rise to $18.25 an hour on June 1, but a new report suggests the increase will do little to solve the province’s growing affordability crisis. Research released by BC Policy Solutions and Living Wage BC found that roughly 775,000 workers, about one-third of all employees will still earn less than what researchers consider a living wage in their communities. While the provincial government says the increase will help workers keep pace with inflation, advocates argue that rising housing, food and transportation costs have widened the gap between wages and the actual cost of living.

Increase of just 40 cents not enough

The increase raises B.C.’s minimum wage from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour, a gain of 40 cents or roughly 2.1 per cent. The province says the adjustment is tied automatically to inflation under legislation adopted in 2024, giving both workers and employers greater stability among rising cost-of-living expenses. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside said the annual increases help protect low-income workers from rising costs while ensuring wages continue growing alongside inflation. B.C. currently has one of the highest provincial minimum wages in Canada, but the province also boasts the most expensive cost of living expenses in the country.

Even with regular minimum wage increases tied to inflation, too many workers continue to earn less than it costs to live in BC.

Iglika Ivanova, BC Policy Solutions senior economist

Housing advocates say inflation-based increases are simply no longer enough because the costs that matter most to households are rising faster than inflation. According to Living Wage BC, the provincial minimum wage remains below the living wage in every single BC community studied. The report found living wages now range from $21.55 per hour to $29.60 per hour. Grand Forks, BC, had the lowest cost of living, while Whistler has the highest. In Metro Vancouver, the living wage sits at $27.85 per hour — more than $9 above the new minimum wage.

What is a living wage?

A living wage is the hourly income a full-time worker needs to be paid in order to cover basic expenses without experiencing chronic financial stress. The calculation includes necessities such as housing, food, transportation, child care, and other essential costs. It does not account for retirement savings, debt repayment, homeownership down payments or extraordinary family expenses. Advocates argue the distinction between minimum wage and living wage has become increasingly important as affordability pressures intensify across the province. With the living wage not including retirement savings and down payments, it can also be called a ‘survivable wage’. The living wage is the bare minimum amount that Canadians need.

Not only minimum wage workers suffering

While the rise in minimum wage has dominated the conversation, even workers making more than the minimum wage are often underpaid within the context of a living wage. The report found the affordability challenge extends far beyond teenagers and entry-level workers. Most workers earning less than a living wage are over the age of 25. Researchers also identified significant disparities across demographic groups. Women and racialized workers were also substantially more likely to earn less than a living wage than men and white workers. In Metro Vancouver, nearly half of racialized women earn below the region’s living wage threshold, according to the report.

In Kamloops, researchers calculated the local living wage at $24.45 per hour. Statistics Canada data obtained for the study showed approximately 27 per cent of the workforce, or 17,300 workers earn less than that amount. Similar affordability pressures exist throughout the province as rents, groceries and transportation costs continue rising faster than general inflation. Researchers noted that food prices have increased 31.4 per cent since 2020, while rents have climbed 33 per cent during the same period. By comparison, B.C.’s Consumer Price Index rose 22.4 per cent.

The findings arrive amidst continuing debate over how governments should address affordability. Living Wage BC argues voluntary wage increases by employers remain important but are insufficient on their own. The organization recommended increasing the provincial minimum wage to $20 per hour while expanding affordable housing construction, strengthening income support programs, and investing further in public transit. More than 500 employers across British Columbia have already voluntarily adopted living wage certification programs, though advocates say broader government action remains necessary. Approximately one-third of all workers in British Columbia make less than a living wage.

On May 26, Donald Trump underwent his annual physical, which he said went “perfectly.” Yet, with the U.S. president’s 80th birthday just days away, questions about his health are becoming increasingly common among the public and in the American media.

After spending more than three hours at the hospital, the oldest president ever elected in the United States posted on his Truth Social platform: “I just finished my 6-month medical exam at Walter Reed Military Hospital. Everything was checked and was PERFECT.”

A summary of the president’s medical exams is typically released a few hours or days later. However, it is up to the White House to decide how much detail it wishes to share on the matter.

Since returning to the presidency in January 2025, Trump has shown signs of aging, which he and his inner circle have downplayed.

Among other things, for several months now, Trump has been photographed with bruises on his hands, which are sometimes covered with heavy makeup.

According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, these bruises are the result of the president’s numerous handshake sessions.

Later, the president’s entourage admitted that Trump was suffering from a venous condition common among the elderly, and that excessive aspirin use could also be a factor.

In July 2025, a photo showing one of Trump’s swollen ankles reignited questions about his health. That is why the White House revealed that the president suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common among the elderly that causes swelling and cramps.

In March 2026, a red patch also appeared on Donald Trump’s neck. The president’s physician, Sean Barbabella, revealed at the time that he was using a cream to prevent irritation, without providing further details.

The Democratic opposition frequently highlights videos showing Donald Trump with his eyes closed during meetings and is increasingly questioning his mental health, citing particularly violent or rambling posts on his Truth Social platform.

According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, 59% of respondents believe Donald Trump lacks the mental capacity to lead the country, and 55% believe he lacks the necessary physical health.

As doubts about his mental state were raised, the president boasted on social media that he had undergone a third cognitive exam last January. “The White House doctors have just announced that I am in ‘PERFECT HEALTH’ and that I ‘PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS’ (meaning I answered 100% of the questions correctly!) my cognitive exam for the third consecutive time,” he rejoiced.

President Trump has made his vitality an integral part of his political persona and a constant line of attack against his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. “I feel like I did 50 years ago. It’s crazy,” the Republican leader said on May 12.

President Donald Trump used Truth Social to once again portray himself as the victim of politically motivated prosecutions, declaring that he is «an innocent man» who has been «horribly treated» while demanding that legal cases brought against him in New York be dismissed. The lengthy post centered on recent comments made by his former personal attorney Michael Cohen, whom Trump now argues has effectively discredited the investigations led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump presented Cohen’s statements as evidence that prosecutors improperly pressured witnesses in what he described as a series of politically motivated attacks. The message is the latest example of Trump using his social media platform to challenge the legitimacy of the legal proceedings that have followed him for years.

In his post, Trump argued that any case relying on testimony that is later challenged should be immediately thrown out. «When a Star Witness totally recants, and in every way reveals that he was pressured and coerced to give testimony, and when the Prosecutor admits that this Witness was the single reason that the case was brought, there was no other, how can that Case not be immediately dismissed?» Trump wrote. The president was referring to recent claims by Michael Cohen that he felt pressured by prosecutors during investigations involving Trump. Trump has repeatedly argued that the various civil and criminal actions brought against him were politically motivated, often referring to them as “witch hunts” orchestrated by his political opponents. His latest comments suggest he believes Cohen’s remarks validate those longstanding claims.

«I am an innocent man who has been horribly treated. Hopefully the Courts will do what everyone knows should be done.»

-U.S. President, Donald Trump on Truth Social

Trump then directly accused New York prosecutors of coercing his former attorney into providing damaging testimony. «That is exactly what happened in the Democrat New York Attorney General and Manhattan District Attorney’s Hoaxes against me. Michael Cohen has come out and unequivocally stated that the Radical Left Prosecutors, Tish James and Alvin Bragg, pressured and coerced him to testify against your favorite President, ME, when they made him the key player in their Political Witch Hunts.» The statement reflects Trump’s continuing effort to undermine the credibility of the investigations that resulted in major legal setbacks. However, legal experts have noted that both the civil fraud case and the criminal hush-money case involved extensive documentary evidence, financial records, emails, internal communications and testimony from multiple witnesses in addition to Cohen.

Cohen remains one of the most controversial figures connected to Trump’s legal history. Once described as Trump’s loyal “fixer,” Cohen served as the president’s personal attorney and vice president of the Trump Organization before their relationship collapsed. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple federal crimes, including tax violations, campaign finance offenses and lying to Congress regarding the Trump Tower Moscow project. He later served prison time and became a key witness in several investigations involving Trump. During the 2024 criminal trial concerning hush-money payments, Cohen provided extensive testimony linking Trump to reimbursement payments and internal discussions surrounding the case. Defense attorneys repeatedly attacked his credibility because of his prior convictions and history of public criticism toward Trump.

Trump went on to argue that the cases should now be terminated entirely. «Now that his testimony is wiped away, and the unAmerican, Political Charade “Cases” are even further discredited, they should be put out of their misery, and dismissed, once and for all. Our Constitution, and the Rule of Law, demand immediate and swift dismissal, as well as for the Perpetrators of the Radical Left Lawfare and Weaponization to be held criminally responsible for their terrible misdeeds. We have to restore Confidence and Honor in our Justice System.» Legal analysts, however, have pointed out that Cohen has not formally withdrawn his sworn courtroom testimony. While he has criticized prosecutors and described feeling pressured during parts of the investigative process, there has been no court ruling invalidating the evidence presented in either case.

«That is exactly what happened in the Democrat New York Attorney General and Manhattan District Attorney’s Hoaxes against me. Michael Cohen has come out and unequivocally stated that the Radical Left Prosecutors, Tish James and Alvin Bragg, pressured and coerced him to testify against your favorite President, ME, when they made him the key player in their Political Witch Hunts.»

-U.S. President, Donald Trump on Truth Social

Trump concluded the post by returning to a theme that has become central to his public defense strategy. «I am an innocent man who has been horribly treated. Hopefully the Courts will do what everyone knows should be done.» The message arrived as Trump continues to challenge the legitimacy of investigations that resulted in substantial financial penalties and a historic criminal conviction. The president has consistently maintained that the cases were designed to damage him politically rather than enforce the law. His critics argue that courts, juries and judges reviewed extensive evidence before reaching their conclusions, while supporters view the proceedings as examples of prosecutorial overreach.

According to a report published by the Financial Times, the United States has drained its oil stockpiles to their lowest level since 2004 as Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets. The report found that U.S. crude and petroleum inventories have fallen to roughly 1.57 billion barrels, raising concerns about the country’s ability to respond to future supply shocks after months of market intervention and heavy withdrawals from emergency reserves. Total inventories reportedly declined by 10.6 million barrels in a single week, while the United States increasingly relied on exports and strategic reserves to compensate for supply disruptions affecting global supply. The decline has raised concerns among energy analysts who warn that the country now has a significantly smaller cushion available should another major geopolitical crisis or supply disruption emerge in the coming months.

The Financial Times report paints a picture of an energy market under growing strain. As supplies from the Middle East became increasingly unstable, U.S. exports climbed to approximately 5.8 million barrels per day in an effort to help stabilize global markets. Washington also released tens of millions of barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and authorized additional withdrawals to ease pressure on consumers and businesses. The reserve, which has long served as an emergency safeguard during international crises, has become a critical tool in managing the consequences of the conflict. Energy executives have warned that inventories are approaching unusually low levels. Exxon senior vice-president Neil Chapman recently described stockpiles as reaching «really, really low levels» and cautioned that oil prices could rise substantially if supply disruptions continue and inventories keep falling. Analysts have similarly warned that a prolonged disruption could leave global markets increasingly vulnerable to additional shocks.

The decline follows months of military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Since late February, a series of military operations, retaliatory strikes and escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have repeatedly threatened one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the waterway, making any disruption immediately significant for global markets. Trump has consistently defended the military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking about the administration’s objectives, he said, «They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, that’s number one.» He later added, «That’s number one, two and three. They will never have a nuclear weapon.» Those comments have become a central part of the administration’s justification for maintaining pressure on Tehran despite the economic costs associated with the conflict and the uncertainty it has created across international energy markets.

Efforts to negotiate a diplomatic solution suffered a significant setback this week as tensions between Washington and Tehran once again complicated talks. Reports that Iran had suspended negotiations following renewed regional tensions fueled concerns that a breakthrough remained distant. The uncertainty immediately affected energy markets, with traders increasingly worried that disruptions to shipping routes could persist far longer than previously expected. While the administration has publicly maintained that diplomacy remains possible, Trump has expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations. At one point he said he «couldn’t care less» about the talks and later described negotiations as «very boring.» More recently, however, he suggested that discussions remained active and that progress was still possible. The conflicting messages have contributed to uncertainty surrounding both the diplomatic process and the future direction of oil markets.

«They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, that’s number one.»

-U.S. President, Donald Trump

American consumers have already felt the economic impact of the conflict. Gasoline prices surged dramatically in the months following the outbreak of hostilities, with national averages at one stage climbing above $4.48 per gallon, representing one of the sharpest increases since the conflict began. Although prices have fluctuated since then, they have remained significantly above pre-war levels, continuing to place pressure on household budgets. Economists estimate that higher energy costs have added billions of dollars in expenses for consumers while also contributing to broader inflation concerns. The OECD has warned that prolonged disruptions in global energy flows could slow economic growth and increase recession risks in countries heavily dependent on imported energy. Analysts have likewise cautioned that further disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz could trigger another wave of price increases across global fuel markets.

The Financial Times report suggests the United States is increasingly using its own energy reserves as a buffer against a conflict with no clear end in sight. Oil prices have periodically approached the $100-per-barrel mark since the beginning of the confrontation, while analysts continue to warn that prices could move substantially higher if negotiations fail and supply disruptions worsen. Chapman recently warned that physical Brent crude could eventually reach between $150 and $160 per barrel if inventories continue to decline. With U.S. oil stockpiles now at their lowest level in more than two decades, gasoline prices still elevated and diplomatic efforts producing only limited progress, the economic consequences of Trump’s confrontation with Iran are becoming increasingly visible both domestically and across global markets, leaving policymakers with fewer options should another major energy shock emerge.

Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s former personal criminal defense attorney and current acting attorney general, made a remarkable admission while discussing the president’s legal troubles during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s podcast. As the conversation turned to the criminal cases that surrounded Trump throughout the 2024 campaign, Blanche agreed that losing the election could have resulted in the president being sent to prison. The exchange provided one of the most direct acknowledgments yet from a top Trump administration official that the president’s return to the White House fundamentally altered the trajectory of the prosecutions that once threatened to make him the first former American president to serve time behind bars. The comments came during a discussion about the Trump administration’s long-running claim that the Department of Justice had been weaponized against the president and his political allies.

The exchange began when Hannity referenced Trump’s criminal conviction in New York and argued that the 2024 election had become a defining moment not only for the country but also for Trump’s personal freedom. Hannity reminded viewers that Trump «was convicted on 34 felony charges» before asking Blanche, «So, is it an accurate statement to say, ‘He either wins in 2024, wins the White House—it’s either the White House or the big house?’» Blanche immediately agreed. «Yes. I mean — oh, yeah, absolutely,» he replied. Hannity then followed up by asking whether Trump would have received a prison sentence had he failed to win the presidency. Blanche again offered a direct answer, stating, «I think so. I think that’s exactly where that was headed.» The comments quickly attracted attention because they appeared to confirm that Trump’s election victory changed the legal landscape surrounding the cases he faced.

Blanche’s remarks carried particular significance because he was the attorney who represented Trump in the Manhattan hush-money trial that led to the first criminal conviction of a current or former president in American history. Following that verdict in 2024, Blanche repeatedly made clear that avoiding prison was the primary goal of the defense team. During a previous appearance with Hannity shortly after the conviction, Blanche said, «Our goal there is quite simple, and that’s to keep the leading candidate for President of the United States out of prison.» He later added, «He shouldn’t go to prison.» Blanche further argued, «Under no circumstances, should spend a day in prison.» Those statements were made months before voters returned Trump to the White House and underscored the concerns among his legal team that incarceration remained a genuine possibility despite his status as a former president and leading presidential candidate.

«So, is it an accurate statement to say, ‘He either wins in 2024, wins the White House—it’s either the White House or the big house?’»

-Fox News Host, Sean Hannity

As he elaborated on his reasoning during the podcast, Blanche pointed to the multiple criminal investigations and prosecutions that were still active before Trump’s election victory. He said, «He had a D.C. case breathing down his neck. He had the Florida case, which had been dismissed, but they were appealing it. And then he had a judge in New York. There’s no scenario in which he wasn’t going to send President Trump to prison—and he didn’t after the president won.» Blanche’s comments referenced the federal election interference prosecution linked to January 6, the classified documents case involving records stored at Mar-a-Lago and the New York business records case. His argument was that Trump faced simultaneous legal threats across multiple jurisdictions and that the outcome of the election dramatically changed the future of those proceedings.

The legal saga that unfolded between Trump’s first and second terms produced a series of unprecedented developments. In May 2024, a Manhattan jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records connected to payments made before the 2016 election, making him the first former U.S. president to become a convicted felon. Judge Juan Merchan later imposed an unconditional discharge, meaning Trump received neither jail time nor financial penalties while pursuing an appeal. At the same time, Trump was facing other criminal cases, including the federal election interference case related to January 6, the classified documents case involving records kept at Mar-a-Lago and the Georgia election interference prosecution. Following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, those cases were either dismissed, abandoned or otherwise failed to move forward, largely because of legal, procedural and constitutional issues surrounding the prosecution of a sitting president.

«He had a D.C. case breathing down his neck. He had the Florida case, which had been dismissed, but they were appealing it. And then he had a judge in New York. There’s no scenario in which he wasn’t going to send President Trump to prison—and he didn’t after the president won.»

-Trump’s former criminal defense attorney and current acting attorney general, Todd Blanche

Blanche’s comments were notable not because they established what would have happened had Trump lost the election, but because they revealed how Trump’s former defense attorney views that period. As the lawyer who represented Trump during some of his most consequential criminal battles and who now serves as acting attorney general, Blanche has long argued that the prosecutions were politically motivated and part of a broader effort to prevent Trump from returning to office. Whether Trump ultimately would have received a prison sentence remains unknowable, as sentencing decisions rest with judges and depend on numerous legal factors. Nevertheless, Blanche’s willingness to say Trump would have «absolutely» gone to prison and that a prison sentence was «exactly where that was headed» offered a rare glimpse into how one of Trump’s closest legal allies interprets the criminal cases that shadowed his 2024 campaign.