DATA POINTS
18: The number of congressional Democrats who are demanding Biden withdraw from the race (17 Members of Congress + 1 US Senator)
27: Simone Biles’ age; the oldest female gymnast to compete on the U.S. Olympic team in 72 years
37: The number of years President Theodore Roosevelt’s pocket watch was missing, resurfacing this year at a Florida auction house
47%: The percentage an average fast-food meal has increased in price in the last 5 years
78°: The temperature the Environmental Protection Agency recommends setting your AC to during a heat wave
165 mph: The record for strongest sustained winds prior to August, set by Hurricane Beryl
No Bye Week for Biden
President Joe Biden’s debate performance has sown anxiety into Democrats across the country, and now, he’s facing heat to step aside and let the DNC put forth a different candidate to take on former President Trump. This week, Sen. Peter Welch from Vermont became the first Democratic Senator to join a growing number of Democratic Representatives calling for Biden to drop out of the race. Sen. Bennet of Colorado also expressed doubts about POTUS’ electability but didn’t go as far as calling for a withdrawal. This intra-party turmoil spurred Biden to send advisors to meet with Senators where they assured them that he can get the job done. Yet doubts remain.
Outside Capitol Hill, President Biden’s campaign has been a fundraising machine, but tides may be changing. Big-ticket donors like George Clooney have rescinded support for his re-election. Fundraisers have been canceled and some big givers have said their donations will be halted until President Biden pulls out of the race. At this point in the year, campaigns need to be breaking goals each month… and Biden numbers are cratering.
Still, Biden is unlikely to throw in the towel. At a late-Thursday news conference on the heels of the NATO conference in DC, Biden attempted to assuage concerns (to mixed reviews), but was clear he is not going anywhere.
Even if he did, Democrats would need to quickly formulate a replacement plan in the least chaotic way. With Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and others in the wings, a replacement is not outside the realm of possibility. One thing Democrats have learned, however, is that Trump is a force to be reckoned with – and putting the wrong candidate against him may simply substitute one of the Party’s problems with another.
Read More at The New York Times
Are Content Creators Content?
Under the glamourous exterior of the world of influencers lies a secret: most content creators are not making much money. Despite having thousands – or even millions – of followers on social media platforms, many influencers make below the U.S. average salary each year. Many are only able to pursue social media fame as a side hustle while maintaining conventional jobs to keep insurance benefits and 401Ks. According to NeoReach, an influencer marketing agency, 48% of creator-earners made $15,000 or less in 2023. Only 13% made more than $100,000.
And the career is more complicated than it looks. Influencers must stay consistent and continue producing novel and exciting content to maintain their audience (and their income). Social media companies have raised the bar for how much engagement is needed for influencers to turn a profit. Content creators must spend many hours editing content, managing brand deals to advertise products, and selling merchandise to remain profitable.
But the lure of fame is strong. More than half of Gen-Zers dream of being an influencer, a higher ranking than young people who aspire to become a doctor, professional athlete, or actor. Many assume that being a content creator is relatively easy compared to other careers, with some willing to quit traditional jobs if given the opportunity to become a full-time influencer. For a few, the bet may pay off. For most others, it’s a bust.
Read More at The Wall Street Journal
Convention Ascension
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be a defining moment ahead of November’s presidential election. Happening July 15-18, viewers will see former President Donald Trump formally accept his nomination, culminating in a speech on July 18. Throughout the event, attendees will hear from up-and-coming Republican stars in the party including Rep. Elise Stefanik, TV star Amber Rose, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (a last minute add) – not to mention notable pop-culture personalities like UFC Exec Dana White. Suspense is thick as America awaits Trump’s VP announcement, who will address the convention on July 17. The rumor mill buzzes with VP guesses like Sen. J.D. Vance, Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, but nothing is confirmed.
Policy discussions will be front and center, too, focusing on Trump’s agenda to kickstart the economy, crack down on crime, revamp immigration policies, and strengthen national security. The Republican Party’s game plan echoes Trump’s key goals: letting states call the shots on abortion, building a strong missile defense, and slashing taxes to spur economic growth.
Democrats are busy preparing for their own event in Chicago from August 19-22, where they’ll rally around President Biden despite in-fighting surrounding his electability. Electoral ambivalence is not enough to cease campaigning, however, as Democrats are already hitting back at the RNC with ads on Milwaukee buses, highlighting issues like women’s rights and healthcare costs.
As both parties prepare for these pivotal gatherings, the stage is set for a clash of visions about the future of our country. These conventions aren’t just about speeches and policy debates; they’re about rallying the troops and setting the stage for what’s sure to be a heated election season.
No Denial of the West Nile
This year’s West Nile virus season is off to an early start, with cases reported across several states like Arizona, Texas, and Nevada. The virus, carried by mosquitoes, can lead to severe symptoms in some cases, including brain inflammation. The warmer weather, in part due to climate change, seems to be giving mosquitoes a longer season to thrive and spread these diseases. Alongside West Nile, there’s been a surprising increase in cases of dengue fever, another mosquito-borne illness, as reported by the CDC.
To stay safe, experts recommend simple steps like getting rid of standing water around your home and using bug spray when you’re outside, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Health officials are keeping a vigilant watch, but predicting where outbreaks might buzz next is as unpredictable as a mosquito’s flight path. As summer heats up, communities are gearing up to swat challenges away. Stay safe so you don’t let mosquitoes suck the fun out of your summer.
She’s a Mother, She’s a Track Star
Allyson Felix, a former Olympic sprinter who has received the most awards in track and field history, has her eyes set on a different finish line at this year’s Olympics. Felix is aiming to provide athlete-mothers with something she and others previously lacked at the Olympics: a nursery.
In collaboration with the diaper company Pampers, Felix has planned a nursery to ensure Olympic moms and their children have the support they need during the games. The Pampers Nursery will allow parents to see and care for their babies between competitions, and they will also have designated caregivers. France’s Olympics will also have a dedicated nursing area for mothers with infants and loosened restrictions around allowing children in the Olympic Village.
Olympic organizers hope that adding a nursery will encourage women to participate and feel welcome, showing that athletes don’t have to choose between being a mother and a professional athlete.
See you next week!
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