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POLITICS

More from Milwaukee

Republicans are focusing on unity in Milwaukee this week.

After a last-minute invitation, former GOP rival Nikki Haley offered her “strong endorsement” of former President Trump at the Republican National Convention, saying “Americans were well-served by his presidency.” Primary challengers DeSantis and Ramaswamy also threw their support behind Trump, alongside surprise guests like rapper Amber Rose and the president of Teamsters (the nation’s largest union). 

J.D. Vance spoke Wednesday, officially accepting the VP nomination. He stressed his personal side, highlighting his working-class background, telling his kids to go to sleep, and praising his mom for being 10 years sober. He also promised to “put the citizens of America first.”

Former President Trump rounded out the week with a speech stressing “unity” that he reportedly rewrote after Saturday’s assassination attempt.

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Verse to consider as you watch a parade of politicians… “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war… And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Revelation 19:11, 16 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Biden’s Week

President Biden is off the campaign trail at a pivotal moment.

The White House announced the President is isolating in Delaware after testing positive for COVID. Biden says he “feels good” and “will continue to get the job done,” but pressure is once again mounting on him to drop out. 

Anonymous sources report that key Democrats, including former President Obama, have privately asked Biden to reconsider his campaign and that #46 has become “more receptive” to the conversation. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) became the highest-profile elected Democrat to publicly call for withdrawal, saying it’s time for the President to “secure his legacy” and pass the torch.

Meanwhile, the DNC still plans to nominate President Biden in a virtual roll call before its convention but has agreed not to start the process before August 1st.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Discussing and fretting over “what may happen” can be engaging but is ultimately unfruitful. No matter what happens, God will be in control. Jesus commands us to focus on Him and not worry about tomorrow.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33 (CSB) (read full passage)

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ECONOMY

Declines

This week has seen choppy waters on Wall Street.

On Wednesday, the tech-heavy NASDAQ fell more than 2.7%, its worst day in almost two years. This followed reports that the Biden Administration plans to crack down on companies exporting advanced chip technology to China and a Bloomberg interview with former President Trump in which he mentioned a “phenomenal” likelihood of tariffs on Chinese goods if he’s reelected.

Together, these pressures caused a major sell-off of mega-cap tech stocks (e.g., Nvidia, Apple) that spilled into other sectors yesterday.

When it comes to finances, President Biden thinks more Americans are concerned with rising rent. He proposed a plan to penalize corporate landlords (who own over 50 units) that raise rents by more than 5% a year. It needs congressional approval, which is unlikely to happen quickly.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Too often, we let eternally insignificant things like the ups and downs of the market control us. Seeking to steward money well is a good thing, but keep your focus on the Giver rather than the gifts.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB) (read full passage)

FX and Hulu are pre-popping bubbly. Their shows secured the most 2024 Emmy nominations: Shōgun (25) and The Bear (23). Based on a 1975 novel, Shōgun also became the first Japanese-language show to earn an Outstanding Drama Series nomination. Nominees—including first-timers Ryan Gosling (SNL) and Paul Rudd (Only Murders)—have until September 15th’s show date to practice their reactions. 


Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo took a daring dip into the Seine River on Wednesday to prove its Olympic readiness. After months of delays, Hidalgo declared the plunge “a dream.” Swimming in the Seine has been illegal since 1923 due to health concerns, and some Parisians are protesting the expensive ($1.5 billion) cleanup by signing a viral promise to #PoopInTheSeine. 

Elon Musk announced he’s moving SpaceX and X (Twitter)’s HQs to Texas, leaving California after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bars school districts from requiring they notify parents if their child requests to change gender or pronouns. Musk also tweeted that reports of him donating $45M/month to a Trump-aligned org was “Fake Gnus.”

The fallout from Saturday’s assassination attempt continues. House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) have called for Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation, but Cheatle has refused. The Secret Service reportedly beefed up security around the former President in recent weeks following intelligence reports that Iran was plotting an assassination attempt with no known connection to Saturday’s shooting.

Bob Newhart, perhaps best remembered as Buddy the Elf’s adopted dad, died yesterday of natural causes. Newhart began as a standup comic, with his 1960 record becoming the first comedy album to hit Billboard’s No. 1. He later starred in two successful sitcoms and earned his first Emmy for a guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory. He was 94.

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