Trump’s TRADE WAR Begins; Ukraine Aid Halted; Republicans in Congress on Defense
The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 65
Today's top stories in U.S. news, politics, government, and world affairs: In today's episode of The Josh Lafazan Show, we delve into significant political developments impacting the nation:
🇺🇸 Trump’s Trade War Kicks Off – The U.S. has officially imposed new tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, triggering immediate retaliation. Canada is slapping 25% tariffs on $100 billion worth of U.S. imports, Mexico is announcing its countermeasures this weekend, and China is hitting back with tariffs on American agricultural products. Investors are already rattled, with markets taking a hit, while economists warn that American consumers will bear the brunt of these higher costs. Trump promised to lower prices—so why is he driving them up instead? The last time the U.S. imposed tariffs this recklessly, we ended up with the Great Depression. Could history be repeating itself?
🇺🇦 U.S. Pauses All Ukraine Aid – In a shocking shift, the White House has confirmed that all military aid to Ukraine is now on hold until Trump determines that President Zelensky is making a "good-faith effort" toward peace negotiations with Russia. But was this Oval Office meeting just a pretext for Trump to abandon Ukraine all along? The White House won’t even say what conditions need to be met before aid resumes. This is a major reversal of U.S. policy, especially since most Republicans have historically supported Ukraine’s defense. But with Trump cozying up to Putin, the GOP is suddenly backing off their support for our allies. Some Republicans, like Reps. Mike Lawler and Don Bacon, are calling this move reckless, warning that it emboldens Russia, Iran, and China. Even Brian Kilmeade of Fox & Friends had to remind people that "Putin is the bad guy here." So why is Trump, and his VP JD Vance, attacking Zelensky instead of standing up to Putin? Worse, Vance falsely claimed Zelensky never even said "thank you" for American aid—a blatant lie, as we have video proof of at least 94 separate instances of him doing exactly that.
🏛️ GOP Town Hall Backlash – As Republicans push a budget that slashes Medicaid, public education, and food assistance—all while giving the ultra-rich massive tax breaks—voters are furious. Across the country, GOP lawmakers are facing angry town halls, or worse, refusing to hold them at all. From Texas to Wisconsin to New York, Republican members of Congress are being confronted by their own constituents, demanding answers about why they’re cutting services for working Americans while benefiting billionaires. In Belton, Missouri, Rep. Mark Alford faced a hostile crowd that packed a venue far beyond its capacity. In Georgia, Rep. Rich McCormick was bombarded with questions about Medicaid cuts. And in the Hudson Valley, Rep. Mike Lawler refused to even hold a town hall, leading to 300 people protesting his absence. Republicans are now telling their lawmakers to stop holding town halls altogether—because they don’t want to be caught on video being held accountable for their policies. Sound familiar? This was exactly the playbook before the 2018 midterms when Democrats flipped 41 seats by focusing on the GOP’s attacks on healthcare. Could history be repeating itself? With Americans overwhelmingly opposing cuts to Medicaid and public education, will this backlash cost the GOP the House in 2026?
🔮 Tim Walz 2028? – Reports suggest Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is considering a run for president in 2028. But is he the right candidate to lead Democrats into the future? The next Democratic nominee needs to be able to do three things: (1) win back the Rust Belt, (2) appeal to swing-state voters, and (3) perform better with independents than Biden did in 2024.
📜 Trivia & History: Who Was America’s Second President? – That’s right, John Adams. But did you know that Adams played a critical role in shaping America’s early government? He nominated George Washington to lead the Continental Army, pushed for the Declaration of Independence, and rebuilt the U.S. Navy—earning the title “Father of the American Navy.” Most importantly, Adams was the first president to peacefully transfer power to an opposing party, setting a precedent that has sustained America for 250 years—until Trump tried to overturn it in 2020.
🧐 Fact Check: JD Vance's Zelensky Lie – Trump’s VP pick, JD Vance, falsely claimed that Zelensky never said "thank you" for American aid. But we have video proof of 94 separate instances where Zelensky publicly expressed gratitude to the United States. This is a blatant lie meant to justify Trump’s dangerous policy shift on Ukraine. Why is the GOP attacking our allies while giving Putin a free pass?