☕ Daily Brief: Big Pharma Under Fire
Also, Dems hammer Trump over his Qatar gift
Editorial Team
May 13, 2025
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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
✈️ Democrats crack down on Trump over Qatar gift. House Democrats are demanding an ethics review over Qatar gifting a $400 million luxury jet to Trump. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) labeled the eventual transfer of the plane to Trump's library a "flying grift," questioning its constitutionality and AG Pam Bondi's approval, given her previous ties to Qatar. Trump’s questionable foreign dealings remain a weakness for Democrats to exploit.
🎯 House GOP targets Medicaid, EV mandates. House Republicans unveiled a plan for Medicaid work requirements and to roll back Biden's EV mandates as part of the “one big, beautiful bill” Congress is preparing. The bill seeks $900 billion in savings, also by limiting Medicaid for illegal migrants and fast-tracking natural gas permits. Keeping all of these items together in the bill may be tough, as House Republicans cannot afford to lose many votes.
🔎 DHS is investigating CA for paying illegals. The Trump administration is probing California's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), suspecting that "ineligible illegal aliens" are receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. Noncitizens who don’t qualify for Social Security benefits could be collecting up to $1,206.94 monthly. Federal pressure on state-level welfare programs signals a renewed focus on prioritizing citizens and legal residents.
🇦🇫 US ends Afghan refugee protections. The Trump administration rescinded Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees, affecting tens of thousands. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited improved security and economic conditions in Afghanistan as reasons for the refugees' potential return. The move returns TPS to its original intent, but leaves some Afghans facing uncertain futures.
INSIDER RADAR
Top GOP leaders on Hamas
Insiders behind the paywall: Edan Alexander, Ben Shapiro, Chris Wright, and Scott Bessent.
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QUICK AND IMPORTANT
President Trump endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for New Jersey governor ahead of the June primary.
President Trump set off for the Middle East, seeking security and technology deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected US demands to dismantle the country's nuclear facilities as "unacceptable.”
The Episcopal Church is refusing to resettle white Afrikaner refugees, and is cutting its ties with the federal government.
The most clicked link in our last newsletter was our insider exclusive article: “Marco Rubio: Foreign Policy Kingmaker.”
INSIDER EXCLUSIVE
An American pope stands opposed to Trump
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.
He is the first American to hold the papacy, though he has spent the majority of his career in Peru, where he holds dual citizenship.
Though relatively unknown before the conclave — where 108 of the 133 cardinals who elected Leo XIV were appointees of Pope Francis — he is suspected to have been a centrist choice…
THE MAIN STORY
Trump pressures Big Pharma to slash prices
WHAT’S HAPPENING_
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday aimed at dramatically reducing prescription drug prices. He has promised cuts of 50-90 percent by forcing pharmaceutical companies to match the lowest prices paid in other developed countries, also known as the “most favored nation” rule.
This marks Trump's second attempt at this approach, after a similar 2020 effort was blocked by courts and later rescinded by the Biden administration.
_THE FACTS_
Americans pay nearly 2.78 times more for medications than in comparable countries.
The order gives federal agencies 30 days to start setting pricing targets for pharmaceutical companies.
If companies refuse to lower prices, Trump is threatening regulatory actions and possibly revoking drug approvals.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America condemned the order, calling it a “Foreign First Pricing scheme” that is bad for Americans.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy suggested that, if European nations raised prices by 20 percent, it would greatly reduce US costs.
The order directs the Department of Commerce and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to address "discriminatory" policies that lower prices abroad, but not in America.
Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) announced that he would introduce the executive order “exactly as written” to become legislation.
Sen. Rand Paul (KY) argues that the order introduces price controls, which could lead to shortages.
_OUR INSIGHTS _
Insights and analysis are for members only.
Insights behind the paywall: Ro Khanna, Bernie Sanders, RFK Jr., and legal hurdles.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Is Trump’s move against Big Pharma a win or an overreach?
Comments are open for everyone.
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame Trump accepting the Qatar jet
Mentioned behind the paywall: CNN, The Associated Press, The New York Post, and Just The News.
THE DAILY DEBATE
📊 What do you think is the biggest risk with Trump’s EO on pharmaceuticals?Results will be in tomorrow's newsletter |
POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you think it would be a good idea for Alberta to become the 51st US state?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (657)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (149)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (118)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (16)
👍 Yes: “I lived in Calgary for 3 years and traveled extensively through other Canadian provinces during that time. The mentality (socially and politically) of many Calgarians/Albertans is more closely aligned to that of the US than any other Canadian province.” — JT
👎 No: “Let them be a territory like Puerto Rico. The US doesn't need more socialist states.” — Anonymous
🤔 Unsure: “Would this be a net positive for the US as a whole? What will it cost the U.S. taxpayer?” — LN
POP QUIZ
Which New Jersey politician did Trump endorse? |
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ari David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
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