Trump Tariffs Could Cost More Than Your Grocery Budget
Last week, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs aimed at reshaping U.S. trade relationships. These included a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for specific countries, notably 34% on Chinese goods and 20% on European Union products. Experts say tariffs on imported cars and parts could raise vehicle prices by up to $3,000. Grocery costs may climb due to tariffs on Mexican produce, while levies on Canadian oil could increase gas prices by up to 50 cents per gallon. Despite the blanket tariffs, Russia remains exempt from these measures, marking a notable exception in the new trade policy.
Explained: A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries. This can lead to higher prices on items like cars, groceries and gas. Over time, tariffs may also disrupt supply chains, reduce product variety and slow economic growth if trade tensions escalate. Economists expressed concerns that these tariffs could slow economic growth, contribute to inflation and result in job losses across various sectors.
Stock Markets Plunge After Trump Enacts Tariffs
A direct impact of the enacted tariffs and growing trade tensions was the plunging of the U.S. and global stock markets. The market’s instability was influenced by rumors of a potential pause in tariff implementations, which briefly spurred a rally. However, the White House quickly refuted these claims, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to the tariff strategy. On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) declined by 349 points (0.9%), closing at 37,965.60. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, ending at 5,062.25, while the NASDAQ Composite managed a slight gain of 0.1%, closing at 15,603.26.
What comes next? If the stock market continues to crash, the U.S. economy could slide into a recession, according to experts. Falling stock prices weaken consumer and investor confidence, reduce spending and hurt businesses. Sustained market declines could trigger job losses, slower growth and widespread economic instability.
“Hands Off!” Movement Erupts in Nationwide Protests
On April 5, the “Hands Off!” movement organized protests nationwide, with demonstrators participating in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Demonstrators voiced opposition to Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s influence, particularly concerning cuts to social services such as Social Security and Medicaid. The protests remained largely peaceful, underscoring widespread dissatisfaction with the administration’s direction.
By the numbers: The movement sparked over 1,400 protests across all 50 U.S. states and internationally, with participation estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million individuals. The largest gathering occurred on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands rallied.
Head of the National African American Museum of History and Culture on Leave
Kevin Young, acclaimed poet and director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) since 2021, has been on personal leave since March 14, 2025. Shanita Brackett, the museum’s associate director of operations, is serving as acting director during his absence. This development precedes Trump’s executive order aiming to reform the Smithsonian Institution by eliminating what he deems “improper ideology.”
The impact: Trump’s executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution seeks to eliminate “race-centered ideology” from its programs and exhibitions. This move has sparked concerns about censorship, with critics fearing it may reshape historical narratives, reducing the focus on racial issues and social justice. Such actions could impact the museum’s role in educating the public about American history.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Run for Georgia Governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms confirmed she plans to run for Georgia governor, stating a formal announcement of her candidacy would come soon. In a statement released last week, Bottoms said:
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that there is a ‘fierce urgency of now.’ For the people of Georgia, that includes having leaders who aren’t blindly following Trump off of a moral and economic cliff but focused on the pressing needs in our communities. I have previously publicly shared that I was seriously considering a run for governor and expect to make a formal announcement soon.”
The bigger picture: Bottoms served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022. During her tenure as mayor, Bottoms addressed significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests following the murder of George Floyd. In June 2022, she joined the Biden administration as senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. If elected, she would be the state’s first female governor.
Reality TV’s Dr. Oz will Lead Medicare and Medicaid
On April 3, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a 53-45 party-line vote. Dr. Oz, a former cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality, now oversees healthcare coverage for approximately 160 million Americans through programs like Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Why it’s important: Dr. Oz’s appointment has raised concerns due to his previous promotion of unproven treatments and potential conflicts of interest related to his past healthcare investments. In an interview with Fox News, Dr. Oz said he aims to promote healthier lifestyles, leverage artificial intelligence, expand telehealth services, and improve healthcare access in rural areas.
Harriet Tubman References Temporarily Erased from Underground Railroad Webpage
In alignment with the Trump administration’s erasure of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the National Park Service (NPS) appeared to temporarily revise its portrayal of the Underground Railroad, removing prominent references to abolitionist Harriet Tubman from its website. Previously, the site featured a quote and image of Tubman. An archival comparison of the webpage on January 21 and March 19, 2025, showed that these elements were replaced with images of postal stamps emphasizing “Black and white cooperation.”
The impact: While the images appear to have been reverted, critics argue that these changes downplay the central role of enslaved African Americans in their own liberation and obscure the systemic nature of slavery. Historians and educators express concern that such alterations may lead to a sanitized and less accurate representation of America’s past.
