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Jan 21, 2025

Golden Cenarth is a Welsh Cheese lending itself to baking, creating a fantastic starter for two. Initially washed in cider, it boasts a mild taste when young but gradually develops a stronger, more pungent flavor as it matures. Having clinched the Supreme Champion title at the British Cheese Awards in both 2020 and 2016, Golden Cenarth won two pivotal elections in each of those years, unlike some people we could mention. Still, it also has a name like a new era evoked in yesterday’s inauguration speech by his royal highness, DJT, so we’ll keep it:

• Donald Trump Sworn in as 47th President of U.S.
• NFL AFC & NFC Matchup Set
• TikTok Back Online in the U.S.
• What Does Donald Trump Have Planned for America?
• Starbucks Plans Corporate Layoffs as Part of Turnaround

Meanwhile the “gilded age,” to borrow from Mark Twain, was from 1865 to 1902. It was a period characterized by rapid economic growth, a flood of immigration, and scandalous politics. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

The Village People and Snoop Dogg both performed on the eve of Donald Trump’s swearing-in as 47th president of our fabulous country. Within moments of assuming office, President Trump promised to initiate a series of executive orders, fulfilling the promises laid out during his campaign.

The event took place in the Capitol Rotunda, a departure from the usual outdoor setting, which created an exclusive atmosphere for attending dignitaries and guests, leaving some to view from an overflow room. Trump's address evoked the same spirit of urgent change that characterized his first term's commencement. He declared an end to "America's decline," affirming the beginning of what he described as the "golden age of America."

Among the day's notable declarations was the promise to declare a national emergency at the border and to guard it with military force, abruptly end programs aimed at promoting DEI, and to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," prompting a chuckle from Hillary Clinton.

The inauguration witnessed a gathering of tech billionaires, foreign dignitaries, hard-right European leaders, former presidents, celebrities, and an assortment of performers. Melania Trump wore a hat that people on Twitter compared to the Hamburgler and the Pizza Hut logo — "No one out-pizzas the hut," tweeted The Daily Show — but it is wrong to over-scrutinize the outfits worn by women in politics, so enough of that. It did prevent her husband from being able to kiss her on the cheek, prompting many to speculate that it was primarily worn for practical reasons.

AOC said she wouldn’t show up at the capitol because “I don’t celebrate rapists.” Senator John Fetterman wore shorts. Bernie Sanders stayed seated while other people applauded. Former President Joe Biden enacted a series of pardons in the closing moments of his term. Notable figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, alongside members of the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack on January 6, were preemptively pardoned — just in case #47 might have thought about targeting them with political prosecution. Elon Musk also appeared to give a Nazi salute from behind the presidential podium, which was widely remarked on his platform X.

Elon Musk posted screenshots on X of the transition of Trump’s account @realdonaldtrump to @POTUS. “The Return of the King,” Musk wrote. And there it is. I spent most of the morning explaining to my native English friends why I’ve chosen to live here in America. Read More

This is the first year of my life that I’ve paid attention to the NFL, watching all four of the huge games over the weekend that effectively set up the semi-finals of the league before the Super Bowl final. I’ve got to say that if you’ve got nothing else to do in January, watching football on a freezing cold weekend is kinda nice. My three-year-old kid even wanted to watch football on Monday morning when he woke up, and since there was nothing else compelling on TV yesterday, we did it!

The AFC Championship now features a heavyweight clash between the number 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs and the number 2 seed Buffalo Bills. This isn't either team's first rodeo in the AFC Championship's big-stage atmosphere. The Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have become a fixture in late playoff games, seeking to make history with a potential three-peat Super Bowl victory. Nobody else has ever done that. The Chiefs convincingly beat the Houston Texans. On the other side, the Buffalo Bills, under the leadership of Josh Allen, showcased their grit in a nail-biter victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Allen's dual-threat capability as a thrower and a runner of the ball has been a significant factor all season and was on full display as he managed to keep the Ravens at bay.

The NFC Championship has its own compelling storyline with the Philadelphia Eagles facing off against the Washington Commanders. It’s a particularly intriguing matchup given the Commanders’ unexpected playoff success, which has seen them defeat higher-seeded teams with poise and determination. My brother-in-law adopted the Commanders this season as his team, and I’ve got to say I’m leaning the same way. Philadelphia, fortified by their star quarterback Jalen Hurts and bolstered by powerhouse running back Saquon Barkley, have had a stellar season. Their path to the conference championship was not simple, but the Eagles have shown they can shift gears when needed, especially in their weekend victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Commanders are the underdogs in this pairing, but they have repeatedly proven their mettle, riding on the back of rookie Jayden Daniels' outstanding performances. Their journey to the NFC Championship, marked by strategic plays and a few gambles, has paid off tremendously. With a Super Bowl entry on the line, they are not a team to be underestimated. See y’all next weekend! Read More

TikTok flickered back to life on Sunday after President Trump announced his intention to stall the looming ban via an executive order. The decision comes after the app ceased operations for U.S. users, following its removal from major app stores as a new federal law took effect.

TikTok's abrupt suspension and subsequent revival underscore the app's tenuous existence on American soil. Trump's impending executive order also raises critical questions about the rule of law and the executive branch's power in the United States. By attempting to temporarily neutralize a law that enjoys broad bipartisan support and was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court, Trump ventures into contentious territory.

The platform's significance cannot be overstated, especially given its role in reshaping the social media landscape and fostering a livelihood for millions of influencers and small businesses. The app's revival might be temporary, hinging on the specific details of Trump's executive order and the ongoing negotiations to secure a long-term solution. Legal challenges could emerge, focusing on the president's authority to halt the enforcement of federal law and the app's compliance with any new directives.

Moreover, the possibility of TikTok finding a non-Chinese buyer, as the law allows under certain conditions, remains speculative. Trump's new suggestion of a joint venture with a 50% U.S. ownership position introduces another layer of complexity.

If only he was on good terms with any tech bosses. Read More

Time political reporter Nik Popli joined us to talk about what to expect from Trump's first few days in office. Popli told us Trump has "already told Republicans that he's preparing around 100 executive orders on his first day in office," with many designed to reverse Biden's policies.

"It's going to be executive order after executive order," Popli said. Trump "sat down with Time Magazine in November after he won, and he told us that he can undo almost everything Biden did through executive order on day one, and that much of Biden's agenda will be undone." Popli added that Trump has already said he would "shut down the US-Mexico border, reverse an offshore drilling ban, cancel the so-called electric vehicle mandate," and "pardon January 6th prisoners very early on, possibly within the first minutes of taking office." Trump "has repeatedly said that he will act quickly, issuing pardons for many of the more than 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes related to their involvement in storming the Capitol in protest of the electoral certification,” Popli said.

Trump is also likely to take action on immigration, with Popli saying Trump "feels like he was given a mandate by the American people to take swift action." Popli added that Trump has said he would "close the US southern border" on day one, but that Trump's advisors have said that's not realistic. Popli also said that Trump has pledged to expand domestic oil drilling, but that doing so would likely require an act of Congress. Popli said that he doubts Trump will act on tariffs on day one, but that he might signal his intent to do so. Read More

Starbucks announced plans to implement corporate layoffs yesterday morning while everyone was paying attention to other things. The decision underscores the coffee giant's commitment to revamping its operational strategy to make more money amid declining sales.

The specific details of the layoffs, including the number of employees affected and the timeline, have not been disclosed. The decision to restructure at the corporate level points to a broader trend in the business world. The coffee industry is grappling with fluctuating consumer habits, increased competition, and economic pressures exacerbated by global events. The move echoes a growing sentiment among corporate giants that layoffs seem to be a good idea. Still, it always sucks to get laid off, no matter what. Right, Joe? Read More