The latest U.S. trade report showed the trade deficit widened in May, but the broader picture is more mixed. Record exports in services and energy point to areas of economic strength, while rising imports of machinery and industrial equipment could signal increased investment in U.S. manufacturing. At the same time, growing trade deficits with countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and Malaysia raise concerns that some imports may be circumventing tariffs through transshipment. The overall message is that while there are positive signs for American industry, stronger enforcement of trade rules is seen as necessary to protect domestic manufacturing and ensure tariffs achieve their intended effect.

The remarkable story of how patriots melted down King George III’s statue after the Declaration of Independence and transformed it into more than 42,000 musket balls. This episode explores one of the Revolution’s most powerful symbols of American ingenuity—turning a monument to tyranny into ammunition for freedom.

A closer look at the latest jobs report and what it means for the economy, the Federal Reserve, interest rates, inflation, wages, and the outlook for American workers.

Newly declassified intelligence records raise explosive questions about Dr. Anthony Fauci, the origins of COVID-19, and the media’s role in shaping the public narrative. A look at the evidence behind the lab-leak theory, the alleged cover-up, and why many believe it’s time for Congress to investigate.

Four major economic reports point to the same conclusion: inflation remains largely energy-driven, growth is steady, investment is strong, and the data simply do not support another round of Fed rate hikes.

Not all inflation is the same. The latest CPI and PPI reports point to an energy-driven price shock, not an overheated economy. While producer prices surged in May, energy costs—particularly gasoline—did most of the heavy lifting. The key question is whether those higher energy costs spread into broader inflation. History suggests the Federal Reserve should be careful not to respond to an oil shock with aggressive rate hikes that risk slowing growth and triggering recession.

A closer look at the May CPI report shows that higher gasoline and energy prices drove most of the increase in headline inflation, while core inflation remained subdued and came in below expectations. Policymakers should focus on underlying inflation trends rather than temporary energy-driven price spikes.

New manufacturing data points to a strengthening U.S. factory sector, with the ISM Manufacturing Index expanding for a fifth straight month and reaching its highest level since 2022. Rising new orders, production, and factory investment suggest growing industrial momentum, while increased spending on equipment and construction signals efforts to expand domestic manufacturing capacity. The analysis also argues that higher interest rates could slow this recovery by raising costs for manufacturers.