Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 - Tariff backlash; DOGE payroll power grab, xAI buys X; Noem’s spending; Gaza tensions; Le Pen convicted

Today’s Headlines: New U.S. tariffs targeting imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and Venezuela take effect tomorrow, prompting a joint response from China, Japan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, the federal government is reviewing $9 billion in grants to Harvard over its handling of antisemitism allegations. At the Department of the Interior, officials were placed on leave after resisting a DOGE request for broad payroll system access, which could control federal salaries. In Wisconsin, the Supreme Court declined to block Elon Musk from giving away $1 million checks to voters, and he finalized a deal for xAI to acquire X (formerly Twitter) in a $33 billion stock transaction. Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s travel records reveal $640,000 in taxpayer-funded expenses, including luxury trips. Internationally, Israel plans to reoccupy a quarter of Gaza in a pressure campaign against Hamas, and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement, receiving a prison sentence and a five-year political ban. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Reuters: China, Japan, South Korea will jointly respond to US tariffs, Chinese state media says CNN: Federal agencies reviewing nearly $9 billion in contracts, grants with Harvard over antisemitism concerns Wired: Top Officials Placed on Leave After Denying DOGE Access to Federal Payroll Systems   Axios: Musk hands out 2 $1M checks in Wisconsin after court declines to intervene  Wired: Elon Musk’s xAI Acquires X, Because of Course  AP News: Kristi Noem refused to say who financed some of her travel. It was taxpayers who were on the hook Axios: Israel to reoccupy 25% of Gaza to press Hamas to release hostages, official says AP News: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen barred from seeking office for 5 years, a political earthquake Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices