President Donald Trump has mandated that automakers, including Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) , manufacture entire vehicles and all components within the U.S. This announcement was made during a press conference on Friday, coinciding with Elon Musk&#8217;s departure as a senior adviser at the White House.



What Happened: President Trump addressed concerns regarding tariffs impacting companies like Tesla that import auto parts.



He assured that Musk would eventually produce entire cars domestically, noting, &#8220;Pretty much he does.&#8221;



Trump emphasized that all manufacturers must build their parts in the U.S., expressing dissatisfaction with parts being made in countries like Canada, Mexico, and Europe.



&#8220;Nobody knew what the hell was happening,&#8221; he stated, declaring that within the next year, automakers must ensure complete production occurs in America.



Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts, which the auto industry claims will disrupt supply chains and increase car prices. While Tesla manufactures its electric vehicles in the U.S., many key components are sourced from abroad.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45691777/how-bill-ackmans-stock-tip-turned-a-new-york-taxi-drivers-50-thousand-into-a-3-million-retiremen">How Bill Ackman&#8217;s Stock Tip Turned A New York Taxi Driver&#8217;s $50 Thousand Into A $3 Million Retirement Fund</a>



Why It Matters: The automotive industry has been grappling with the implications of tariffs since President Trump hinted at increasing the 25% tariff on Canadian automobile imports in April, suggesting that the U.S. auto industry would benefit from reduced Canadian involvement.



In a statement from the Oval Office, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45018925/trump-says-us-doesnt-need-canadian-cars-hints-tariffs-could-rise-we-dont-want-your-cars-with-all-due">Trump remarked</a>, "We don&#8217;t want your cars, with all due respect."



In May, General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) CEO Mary Barra <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45664131/general-motors-ceo-backs-trumps-auto-tariffs-as-a-tool-to-level-the-playing-fieldtheyve-taken-the-time-to-understand-our-industry">expressed support</a> for Trump&#8217;s tariffs, citing them as a tool to level the playing field against foreign government subsidies and tax policies.



The Trump administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45249274/trump-eases-auto-tariffs-auto-makers-welcome-and-appreciate-the-move">eased some auto tariffs</a>, allowing for reimbursements for domestic car producers importing parts, though these reimbursements will phase out over time.



This policy shift underscores the administration&#8217;s commitment to strengthening the U.S. automotive sector by encouraging domestic production, a move that could have significant implications for automakers and their supply chains.



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</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

TSLA

Trump Demands Automakers, Including Tesla, Build Entirely In The US

Joe Rogan and British comedian Jimmy Carr held nothing back in their latest conversation on &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r63cwSWbFME">The Joe Rogan Experience</a>,&#8221; tackling outrage culture, taxes, and what they see as government mismanagement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Victimhood Over Talent?</h2>



Rogan and Carr criticized the modern trend of gaining attention through outrage or victimhood instead of talent or effort.



&#8220;This is a society that rewards outrage and that coddles people for the most preposterous beliefs,&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;It's a weird society of social media and the amount of attention you can generate.&#8221;



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Carr referenced a bit from comedian Chris Rock, saying there are three ways to get attention: You could be brilliant, infamous, or a victim.&nbsp;



Carr argued that the difference between ambition and entitlement comes down to responsibility. &#8220;If you want to do something about it, that's ambition. If you think that's someone else's problem, that's entitlement,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;



He said he has empathy for people dealt a tough hand but believes in empowering them to play those cards as best they can.



Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-ai-imaging-technology-has-been-used-in-more-than-500-surgeries-now-you-can-be-part-of-the-ai-imaging-revolution">Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 — 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taxes And The System</h2>



One of the most passionate parts of the episode came when Rogan slammed the idea of simply <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40408996/jamie-dimon-supports-warren-buffett-rule-of-taxing-the-rich-he-says-it-will-fix-americas-debt-proble">taxing the rich to fix America's problems</a>.



&#8220;What are you going to do? You're going to enrich [the government],&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;They're just going to get bigger and stronger and have even more power&#8230; It's not going to help you if they tax rich people.&#8221;



&#8220;Are the poor people going to get that money? No. Are their services going to improve? No, you&#8217;re just going to get more government,&#8221; he continued.



Then Rogan hit on what he sees as the real issue: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45597839/elon-musk-wants-the-us-government-to-hang-up-the-phone-government-is-wasting-about-100-million-per-y">government waste and mismanagement</a>. &#8220;Figure out what to do with the money they already get from everybody,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And you&#8217;re not doing a good job with it. That&#8217;s the problem, the problem isn&#8217;t that the rich people aren&#8217;t paying their taxes.&#8221;



Carr, who faced his own tax scandal in 2012, joked that you know you&#8217;re in real trouble when &#8220;the prime minister of the country that you live in breaks off from the G20 summit to come out and do a press conference where he talks about nothing other than your personal tax affairs.&#8221;



&#8220;It was tax avoidance, not tax evasion,&#8221; Carr clarified. &#8220;There's a difference, and the difference is about 18 months in prison.&#8221;



See Also: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Countries, Smaller Systems</h2>



Carr pointed to Scandinavian countries like Norway and Denmark as examples where high taxes actually deliver real public services, without much public resentment. Rogan responded that these are smaller, more manageable societies.



&#8220;When you scale that to like hundreds of millions of people, things get really weird,&#8221; Rogan said.



Carr also praised the European country of Estonia for offering a free, English-language medical school to attract foreign students. The idea behind it, as he says, is that some will stay, work, and contribute to the local economy.



Read Next: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.30/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>



Image: Shutterstock

News

Joe Rogan Tells The Government To 'Figure Out What To Do With The Money They Already Get From Everybody,' Before They 'Tax The Rich People'

This past week, truncated by the Memorial Day, Wall Street saw a rollercoaster of action, as markets responded to geopolitical tensions, earnings from corporations, and economic data. In spite of the volatility, some ETFs were able to perform better, presenting investors with pockets of opportunity.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/05/45679047/nvda-tsla-turbocharge-qqq-surge-toward-best-month-since-2023">NVDA, TSLA Turbocharge QQQ Surge Toward Best Month Since 2023</a>



5 ETFs That Did Well This Week



Direxion Daily Uranium Industry Bull 2X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URAA#NYSE">URAA</a>): up 7.15%



Uranium prices have been glowing, and URAA captured that momentum with its 2x leverage on uranium-related stocks. As the world leans back into nuclear energy for cleaner alternatives, backed by President Donald Trump&#8217;s nuclear energy push, this ETF has surged on optimism around demand and geopolitical supply concerns.



Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KORU#NYSE">KORU</a>): up 10%



KORU led the charge with its 3x exposure to South Korean stocks, supported by a tech bounce and investor optimism in the region&#8217;s chipmaking capabilities. AI and semiconductor export sentiment remained positive and provided KORU with its weekly boost.



VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NLR#NYSE">NLR</a>): up 4%



NLR also surfed the nuclear energy wave, providing more diversified and lower-volatility exposure than URAA. The worldwide nuclear renaissance, particularly in Europe and Asia, has spurred investor demand for uranium-related infrastructure.



YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIYY#NYSE">AIYY</a>): up 9.17%



AIYY profited as it rode the AI boom with a spin—earning returns by employing options strategies on AI-themed equities. As Nvidia&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) quarterly results rekindled AI mania, income-hungry investors took refuge in this ETF as an intelligent wager on smart technology.



Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COPJ#NASDAQ">COPJ</a>): up 4.7%



COPJ rode higher copper prices, which were supported by firming global supply and growing demand for green technology and EV infrastructure. Junior copper miners, otherwise more erratic, received a firm bid from investors looking for the metal&#8217;s long-term path.



Market Overview



Wall Street served up a week of drama, with markets oscillating between optimism and worry. Tuesday got off to a robust start as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45627060/wall-street-rockets-as-bond-yields-drop-tesla-hits-3-month-highs-whats-driving-markets-tuesday">declining bond yields underpinned a broad advance</a>, lifting the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq while Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) jumped to a three-month high.



But by Wednesday, the momentum was lost as investors became nervous in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45651401/wall-street-stalls-as-treasury-yields-climb-again-ahead-of-nvidia-earnings-fed-minutes-whats-driving-markets-wednesday">anticipation of Nvidia&#8217;s earnings</a> and the release of Fed minutes, as Treasury yields slowly advanced, spoiling the mood.



On Thursday, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45677482/stocks-edge-higher-nvidia-rallies-to-3-month-highs-bitcoin-dips-below-107000-whats-driving-markets-thursday">Nvidia dazzled the tech industry with solid earnings</a>, pushing its stock to a three-month high and propelling the broader market, aided in part by a court decision that temporarily blocked a number of Trump&#8217;s tariffs on Chinese imports.



Just when all seemed rosy, Friday rolled in the clouds: Donald Trump blew back into <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45701116/wall-street-slumps-as-trump-reignites-china-trade-tensions-nvidia-wipes-out-earnings-rally-whats-driving-markets-friday">U.S.-China trade tensions by accusing Beijing of violating a tariff truce</a>, which spooked investors and erased much of Nvidia&#8217;s rally. Bitcoin, meanwhile, fell below $107,000, adding a pinch of crypto angst to the mix. All in all, the week was a volatile cocktail of earnings elation, bond market jitters, and geopolitical déjà vu.



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Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

AIYY

COPJ

KORU

NVDA

URAA

ETFs This Week: Markets Whipsaw On Nvidia, Fed, And China—5 Funds That Outperformed

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45171636/exclusive-aprils-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-apple-palantir-nvidia-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: April&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Apple, Palantir, Nvidia Stocks Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending May 30:



 CRH PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRH#NYSE">CRH</a>): The building materials company saw strong interest from Benzinga readers during the week. There was minimal news for the company outside of a recent quarterly financial report in early May. The company <a href="https://www.crh.com/media/press-releases/2025/crh-q1-2025-results">reported </a>revenue growth of 3% year-over-year with a figure that beat Street estimates. The company missed analyst estimates for earnings per share. Bernstein initiated coverage on the stock with an Outperform rating shortly after financial results. CRH CEO Jim Mintern said the first quarter results showed strength and highlighted the company's differentiated strategy and recent acquisitions.



"Although the first quarter is typically the seasonally least significant period for our business, we are encouraged by the continued strength of underlying demand across our key markets," Mintern said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172401/Screenshot-431.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933808" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172401/Screenshot-431.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172401/Screenshot-431-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172401/Screenshot-431-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>): The chipmaker rejoins the Stock Whisper Index months after<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-58"> a March appearance.</a> The company reported first-quarter financial results on May 1 with earnings per share of $4.04 beating a Street consensus estimate of $4.01. This marked more than 10 straight quarters or earnings per share that beat analyst estimates. The company beat analyst revenue estimates in the quarter, marking nine straight quarters of beating analyst estimates. Analysts were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MPWR/analyst-ratings">mixed on the quarter </a>with strong ratings remaining but several price targets taken lower.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172415/Screenshot-432.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933809" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172415/Screenshot-432.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172415/Screenshot-432-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172415/Screenshot-432-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APH#NYSE">APH</a>): The connectors and sensors company returns to the list <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45482435/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-65">two weeks later</a> with the stock soaring to new all-time highs and continuing momentum since reporting quarterly financial results. In April, the company beat earnings per share and revenue estimates from analysts, marking more than 10 straight quarters of beats for both figures. Sales were up 48% year-over-year in the first quarter with strong organic growth and contributions from recent acquisitions. Analysts raised<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/APH/analyst-ratings"> the price targets </a>after the results and more are diving into the stock in recent weeks. UBS recently maintained a Buy rating on the stock and raised the price target from $85 to $106. Citi maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $85 to $100. The stock was up over 8% for the week and shares are up over 35% in the last year. Amphenol could be one of the top stocks to watch heading into its next earnings report after a series of consecutive beats and analyst price target increases.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172429/Screenshot-433.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933810" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172429/Screenshot-433.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172429/Screenshot-433-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172429/Screenshot-433-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Home Depot Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>): The home improvement retailer saw strong interest from readers during the week after recently reporting<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45518559/home-depot-flags-tariff-and-supply-chain-risks-in-risk-statement-but-does-not-revise-outlook"> first-quarter financial results</a>. The company reported sales growth of 9.4% year-over-year with sales beating analyst estimates. Earnings per share from the company missed Street estimates in the quarter. Likely helping the company the most was reaffirming its full-year financial guidance in the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45536279/home-depot-accelerates-supply-chain-diversification-shifts-sourcing-away-from-single-countries-management-sees-limited-impact-from-tariffs"> wake of tariffs. </a>Home Depot did not specifically mention tariffs, but discussed potential supply chain risks, while remaining optimistic on the full-year outlook.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172445/Screenshot-434.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933811" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172445/Screenshot-434.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172445/Screenshot-434-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172445/Screenshot-434-768x392.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Snowflake Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>): A strong<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45553121/snowflake-q1-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-estimates-ai-data-cloud-company-sees-25-growth-ahead-shares-climb"> financial report </a>and analyst price target increases likely led to Snowflake being on the list and seeing increased reader interest. The company beat analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings per share in the first quarter with revenue up 26% year-over-year. The company ended the quarter with remaining performance obligations of $6.7 billion, up 34% year-over-year. The company also ended the quarter with 606 customers that have trailing 12-month product revenue of more than $1 million. Investors and analysts were impressed with the report and guidance with a large number of analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SNOW/analyst-ratings">raising their price targets</a> after the report. Along with earnings, Snowflake also announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45623498/snowflakes-ai-driven-insights-to-power-la28-olympic-and-paralympic-games">three-year partnership</a> to be the Official Data Collaboration Provider of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games and Team USA. Snowflake stock was up over 3% on the week with shares now up over 45% in the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172458/Screenshot-435.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933812" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172458/Screenshot-435.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172458/Screenshot-435-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30172458/Screenshot-435-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0530" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45183831/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May 2</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45335286/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-64" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May 9</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45482435/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-65" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May 16</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45600269/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-66">May 23</a></li>
</ul>



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Exclusives

Trading Ideas

MPWR

SNOW

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



In May, U.S. stocks recorded their strongest monthly rally since November 2023, driven by easing trade tensions and robust tech earnings. The S&amp;P 500 rose 6.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 9.6%, returning both indices to positive territory for the year. The "Magnificent Seven" tech giants led the charge, with Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stock climbing 24% after reporting a 70% year-over-year revenue increase.



Despite the tech sector's dominance, investors anticipate a broader market rally, citing improving earnings in sectors like industrials, consumer staples, and financials. Analysts expect the earnings growth gap between the Magnificent Seven and the rest of the S&amp;P 500 to narrow in 2025.



However, uncertainties remain. A U.S. court ruling declared President Donald Trump's recent tariffs illegal, though the decision was promptly appealed. Analysts warn that renewed tariffs, particularly on chips and pharmaceuticals, could threaten the sustainability of recent market gains.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.







The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45655507/tech-analyst-expects-palantir-stock-to-rise-above-400-as-ai-revolution-kicks-into-gear">"Tech analyst expects Palantir stock to rise above $400 as AI revolution kicks into gear"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicts Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) will surpass $400 per share and reach a $1 trillion market cap within a few years, citing its leadership in AI and calling it the "Messi of AI."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45675006/nvidia-stock-has-significant-upside-as-ai-godfather-jensen-huang-delivers-another-robust-quarter">"Nvidia stock has ‘significant upside' as AI ‘godfather' Jensen Huang delivers another ‘robust quarter'"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares rose after the company beat Q1 estimates and analysts projected a market cap of up to $5 trillion, citing surging demand for its Blackwell AI chips and growth in AI infrastructure despite China export restrictions.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45682895/ulta-beauty-stock-climbs-after-better-than-expected-q1-report-raised-fiscal-2025-outlook">"Ulta Beauty stock climbs after better-than-expected Q1 report, raised fiscal 2025 outlook"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Ulta Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>) shares surged over 11% after the company exceeded Q1 earnings and revenue expectations, posting $6.70 EPS and $2.85 billion in sales, and raised its fiscal 2025 guidance amid strong demand for skincare and fragrance products.



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45683235/uipath-stock-surges-on-q1-earnings-beat-raised-guidance-this-was-a-milestone-quarter">UiPath Stock Surges On Q1 Earnings Beat, Raised Guidance: ‘This Was A Milestone Quarter'</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45650179/uranium-stocks-hit-17-year-highs-as-mays-rally-marks-best-month-on-record">Uranium Stocks Hit 17-Year Highs As May's Rally Marks Best Month On Record</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/05/45648350/why-is-gsk-partner-spero-therapeutics-stock-skyrocketing-on-wednesday">Why Is GSK Partner Spero Therapeutics Stock Skyrocketing On Wednesday?</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45681892/marvell-technology-stock-slips-after-q1-results-details">"Marvell Technology stock slips after Q1 results: Details"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Marvell Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>) shares fell over 3% after the company posted Q1 adjusted earnings of 62 cents per share on $1.9 billion in revenue—both slightly above analyst estimates—but investors showed muted enthusiasm despite strong AI-driven data center demand and a raised Q2 revenue forecast of $2 billion.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45692578/regeneron-sanofi-stock-falls-after-uneven-smokers-lung-drug-data">"Regeneron, Sanofi stock falls after uneven smoker's lung drug data"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>) and Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>) shares declined after their experimental COPD drug, itepekimab, showed a 27% reduction in exacerbations in one Phase 3 trial but failed to meet the primary endpoint in a second trial, raising concerns about its efficacy.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45645056/gold-etf-bleeds-money-at-fastest-pace-in-3-years-is-the-safe-haven-trade-over">"Gold ETF bleeds money at fastest pace in 3 years — is the safe-haven trade over?"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) experienced $2.1 billion in outflows in May — its worst since July 2022 — as easing U.S.-China tensions and a surging S&amp;P 500 shifted investor appetite toward riskier assets, though Goldman Sachs still forecasts gold reaching $3,700 per ounce by year-end, driven by central bank demand and long-term macro risks.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/stock-split/25/05/45679654/mullen-automotive-stock-is-tumbling-thursday-whats-driving-the-action">Mullen Automotive Stock Is Tumbling Thursday: What's Driving The Action?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/05/45655674/rocket-pharmas-gene-therapy-future-clouded-by-regulatory-uncertainty">Rocket Pharma's Gene Therapy Future Clouded By Regulatory Uncertainty</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/05/45624650/why-is-neuropace-stock-falling-after-epilepsy-treatment-study-data">Why Is NeuroPace Stock Falling After Epilepsy Treatment Study Data?</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

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MULN

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PATH

PLTR

RCKT

REGN

SPRO

ULTA

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Nvidia, Palantir, Marvell Technology — And Markets Rallied In May

A gauge tracking the so-called &#8220;magnificent seven&#8221; — which includes Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) — surged 15% in May.



The rally coincided with an especially solid month for U.S. equities. The S&amp;P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), surged more than 6% for the month. That&#8217;s its strongest month since November 2023.



But beneath the surface <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/05/45675595/apple-eyes-worst-month-vs-sp-500-since-2018-but-history-says-buy-the-dip-now#:~:text=Apple%2520underperformed%2520S%2526P%2520500%2520by,expert%2520insights%2520for%252060%2525%2520off.">is Apple's rare underperformance.</a>



Six out of the magnificent seven tech giants logged monthly gains. The iPhone maker, however, lagged its peers and delivered its weakest relative performance against the S&amp;P 500 Index since 2018.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="535" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-1024x535.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933762" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-1024x535.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-300x157.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-768x401.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-1536x803.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30154913/image-426-2048x1070.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In contrast, Nvidia posted a staggering 24% monthly jump — its best performance since May 2024 — after delivering <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/05/45668727/nvidia-stock-is-surging-thursday-whats-fueling-the-move">better-than-expected quarterly earnings.</a>



Despite facing export restrictions on its chips to China, Nvidia's revenue resilience confirmed that artificial <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45675006/nvidia-stock-has-significant-upside-as-ai-godfather-jensen-huang-delivers-another-robust-quarter">intelligence demand remains healthy.</a> Overall revenue reached $44.1 billion, up 69% from a year ago.



"Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructure — just like electricity and the internet — and Nvidia stands at the center of this profound transformation," CEO Jensen Huang said.



While Wall Street paints a positive picture, Main Street tells a different story, as pessimism among U.S. consumers runs high.



The U.S. economy contracted by 0.2% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45669445/us-economy-contracts-by-02-in-q1-labor-market-shows-signs-of-cracks-as-jobless-claims-surge">in the first quarter</a>, a slight upward revision from the initial -0.3% estimate, yet a stark reversal from the 2.4% growth rate seen in late 2024. Inflation, as measured by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45693219/feds-favorite-inflation-gauge-slows-but-trumps-china-accusation-flips-market-mood">Personal Consumption Expenditures price index</a>, cooled to 2.1% in April — its lowest pace in six months — from 2.3% in March.



But the public doesn&#8217;t seem to trust the disinflation narrative.



According to the University of Michigan's May survey, Americans expect inflation to run at 6.6% over the next year, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/05/45697983/consumer-sentiment-stuck-at-3-year-lows-as-inflation-fears-hit-44-year-high">the highest level since 1981</a>. That figure reflects the widest gap ever recorded between perceived and actual inflation. Meanwhile, overall sentiment remains near three-year lows.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="535" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-1024x535.png" alt="" class="wp-image-933763" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-1024x535.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-300x157.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-768x401.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-1536x803.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30155117/image-427-2048x1070.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In a notable development on the trade front, the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down significant portions of President Donald Trump's newly proposed tariff actions.



While the move sparked brief investor optimism, analysts caution the Trump administration retains various legal avenues to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45672421/tariffs-blocked-by-court-but-goldman-sachs-says-trump-could-reimpose-them-within-days">reintroduce similar trade barriers.</a>



Now Read:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45703175/netflix-stock-could-climb-another-25-thanks-to-second-half-content-bonanza-says-bank-of-america">Netflix Stock Could Climb Another 25% Thanks To Second-Half &#8216;Content Bonanza,&#8217; Says Bank Of America </a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Tech

AAPL

AMZN

GOOGL

MSFT

Magnificent Seven Drive Wall Street's Rally, Nvidia Notches Best Month In A Year: This Week In Markets

During a recent meeting with President Donald Trump, Elon Musk was spotted with a black eye, which Musk said was the result of a playful incident with his son.



Musk&#8217;s visible bruise, noticed while he was standing next to Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.



According to a post on X, when asked about the injury, Musk explained,&nbsp;&#8220;I was just horsing around&nbsp;with Little X and I&nbsp;said, &#8216;Go ahead, punch me&nbsp;in the face.'&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Elon Musk just got asked why he has a black eye. <a href="https://t.co/8RScbhfdXv">pic.twitter.com/8RScbhfdXv</a>&mdash; Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueATLGeorgia/status/1928521949719793897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Little X, officially named X Æ A-Xii, is Musk&#8217;s eldest child with singer Grimes.



The child has often been seen with Musk during his tenure in office. Musk also humorously referred to a recent viral video involving France&#8217;s First Lady Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001741/grimes-mother-accuses-musk-of-withholding-children-amid-custody-battle-please-elon-i-beg-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grimes&#8217; Mother Accuses Musk Of Withholding Children Amid Custody Battle: ‘Please Elon, I Beg You&#8217;</a>



In the meeting, President Trump lauded Musk&#8217;s contributions to&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency.&nbsp;Musk, who has been serving&nbsp;as a special government employee,&nbsp;was presented with&nbsp;a large key inside a&nbsp;wooden box as a token of appreciation. 



Friday marked Musk&#8217;s last official day in this role, after which he plans to refocus on Tesla.



Musk&#8217;s tenure as a special government employee has been marked by significant contributions to&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency.&nbsp;



His playful interaction with his son, leading to the black eye, showcases his personal side amidst his professional commitments. 



His departure from the government role indicates his intent to refocus on Tesla&#8217;s operations, which could signal upcoming developments for the electric vehicle giant.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/05/45601162/elon-musks-father-open-to-more-children-despite-age-i-wouldnt-think-twice-about-having-another-child">Elon Musk&#8217;s Father Open to More Children Despite Age: &#8216;I Wouldn&#8217;t Think Twice About Having Another Child&#8217;</a>



Image: Shutterstock/cristiano barni

Social Media

Elon Musk Sports Black Eye in Oval Office: 'I Was Just Horsing Around With Little X and I Said, Go Ahead, Punch Me in the Face'

Gary Black, Future Fund LLC&#8217;s managing director and a prominent market analyst, has expressed concerns about Tesla Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) high forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, questioning the sustainability of its current valuation.



What Happened: In a detailed thread on X on Saturday, Black pointed out that Tesla&#8217;s forward P/E ratio stands at a staggering 180x. He noted that no trillion-dollar market cap company in stock market history has traded at such a high forward P/E ratio. 



Black argued that the long-term growth rate required to justify such a P/E would make Tesla&#8217;s market cap larger than Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), which he deemed &#8220;insane.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> now trades at a forward P/E of 180x. In the history of the stock market, we can't find a single $1T market cap company that traded at a forward P/E of 180x (we even asked Grok with no success). Why not? The long-term growth rate needed to justify a 180x P/E would cause…&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1928866265117941880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



&#8220;The long-term growth rate needed to justify a 180x P/E would cause TSLA market cap to be bigger than $AAPL and $MSFT, which seems insane since both have huge TAMs, unassailable brands, and highly predictable future cash flow streams,&#8221; he said in the post. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45687704/gary-black-says-teslas-robotaxi-launch-in-june-poses-minimal-risk-to-uber-will-offer-low-cost">Gary Black Says Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Launch In June Poses Minimal Risk To Uber: &#8216;Will Offer Low-Cost…&#8217;</a>



Black criticized Tesla bulls who dismiss his argument by claiming that&nbsp;the 2025 P/E is irrelevant.&nbsp;He emphasized that a stock&#8217;s&nbsp;valuation is the present value&nbsp;of all future cash flows,&nbsp;discounted back at a risk-adjusted&nbsp;cost of capital, plus net&nbsp;cash. To disregard P/E, according to Black, is equivalent to ignoring valuation&nbsp;when making an investment decision.



&#8220;TSLA bulls who pretend they understand finance dismiss my argument that TSLA's valuation looks stretched by saying the 2025 P/E is irrelevant. Rule #1 in investing is buy low, sell high. Rule #2 is price is what you pay, value is what you get. Arguing that P/E doesn't matter to an investment decision tells me the person doing the arguing has no valuation discipline and is just buying concepts, rather than on some assessment of value vs price,&#8221; Black continued. 



Why It Matters: Black&#8217;s comments come at a time when Tesla&#8217;s stock has been under scrutiny due to its high valuation. Despite the company&#8217;s impressive growth, some investors and analysts have raised concerns about whether its current stock price accurately reflects its future earnings potential. 



Black&#8217;s argument adds to this ongoing debate, highlighting the importance of traditional valuation metrics like P/E in assessing a company&#8217;s worth.



While Black clarified that he doesn&#8217;t foresee a situation where he would short Tesla, his comments underscore the need for investors to exercise caution and conduct thorough valuation assessments before making investment decisions.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45687331/elon-musks-right-hand-man-steve-davis-exits-doge-after-tesla-ceo-steps-back-from-government-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Long-Time Lieutenant Exits DOGE As Tesla CEO Steps Down From Government Work: Staffers At Agency Surprised</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock/bluestork

Gary Black Questions Tesla's Sky-High Forward P/E Ratio: 'Long-Term Growth Rate Needed To Justify a 180X P/E Would Cause Tsla Market Cap To Be Bigger'

President Donald Trump said that he has no knowledge of Elon Musk engaging in drug use during the 2024 election cycle, brushing off a media report alleging Musk&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45700477/elon-musk-was-using-drugs-while-on-campaign-trail-with-trump-including-ecstasy-and-psychedelic-mushrooms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drug consumption while on the campaign trail</a>.



According to a recent piece by The New York Times, the billionaire entrepreneur <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/us/elon-musk-drugs-children-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> consumed drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms during the campaign season, possibly while working with Trump.



The publication also noted uncertainty around whether these substances were used while Musk was involved with the Department of Government Efficiency.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38907748/days-after-facing-lawsuit-for-drug-use-musk-says-he-would-take-cocaine-if-it-boosted-long-term-produ" rel="noreferrer noopener">Days After Facing Lawsuit For Drug Use, Musk Says He Would Take Cocaine If It Boosted &#8216;Long-Term Productivity&#8217;</a>



Trump, speaking to journalists on May 30 after an event in Pennsylvania, dismissed the allegations, praising Musk and stating, &#8220;I&#8217;m not troubled by anything with Elon,&#8221; USA Today <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/30/donald-trump-not-aware-of-elon-musks-reported-campaign-drug-use/83956424007/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.



Musk, who heads Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX, and also owns social media platform X, was present at an Oval Office event the same day.



When pressed by a reporter about the drug claims, he deflected the question and criticized the Times&#8217; previous reporting, particularly its coverage of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, the report adds.



In a social media post in X on May 31, Musk mocked the alleged claims made about his drug use.



&#8220;I&#8217;m in meetings with dozens to hundreds of people every day and am photographed constantly. If this bs from NYT were true, it would have been EXTREMELY obvious,&#8221; Musk wrote.



The tech mogul acknowledged in March 2024 that he takes prescription ketamine for depression.



His past conduct also includes a much-publicized incident in 2018 where he smoked marijuana during a podcast interview, which raised concerns among board members and shareholders.



The White House has not issued any formal statement on the matter. No additional evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims of drug use during government work.



Musk continues to be a polarizing figure, not only because of his business ventures but also due to his political engagements and public statements. His increasing visibility in Washington has only intensified scrutiny around his personal habits.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/05/45709073/bono-tells-joe-rogan-that-300000-people-have-died-from-doge-led-usaid-cuts-elon-musk-calls-him-a-liar-says-zero-people-have-died" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bono Tells Joe Rogan That 300,000 People Have Died From DOGE-Led USAID Cuts: Elon Musk Calls Him A Liar, Says &#8216;Zero People Have Died&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

Trump Says He's 'Not Troubled' By Musk's Alleged Drug Use During Campaign: Report

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning over the weekend, labeling China&#8217;s potential military move against Taiwan as an &#8220;imminent&#8221; threat and encouraging Indo-Pacific nations to bolster their defenses in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/05/45709673/us-should-stockpile-bullets-not-bitcoin-jamie-dimon-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">close coordination with the United States</a>.



Delivering his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth claimed that Beijing is accelerating military preparations aimed at altering Asia&#8217;s power dynamics through force, especially toward Taiwan, which China claims but does not govern, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c071xm4x7g7o" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> BBC.



Hegseth warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping has allegedly set 2027 as the year by which China&#8217;s military should be capable of taking Taiwan. Although this timeline is cited by U.S. officials, Beijing has not confirmed it, BBC adds.



Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44891977/pete-hegseth-shared-yemen-strike-details-in-another-signal-group-chat-this-time-with-his-wife-brother-and-personal-lawyer-report" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Pete Hegseth Shared Yemen Strike Details In Another Signal Group Chat, This Time With His Wife, Brother And Personal Lawyer: Report</a>



He said China is &#8220;training for it, every day&#8221; and added, &#8221;&nbsp;The threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent. We hope not but certainly could be,&#8221; BBC quoted Hegseth.



China responded sharply, calling the U.S. the region&#8217;s &#8220;biggest troublemaker.&#8221;



In a Facebook post, its embassy in Singapore accused Hegseth of stoking confrontation and distorting China&#8217;s intentions, citing America&#8217;s military activity in the South China Sea as destabilizing, the report adds.



Hegseth pressed Asian partners to significantly increase military investment, referencing Europe&#8217;s rising defense budgets in response to Russian aggression. &#8220;Europe is stepping up,&#8221; he said.



He criticized allies for relying too heavily on U.S. protection and urged them to become &#8220;partners, not dependents.&#8221;



Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), also in attendance, criticized Hegseth&#8217;s speech as patronizing and said it strayed from core American values like human rights and international law.



She said, &#8220;We need to stand with our allies, work together, and send the message that America is not asking people to choose between the PRC (People&#8217;s Republic of China) and us,&#8221; BBC quoted Duckworth.



While China scaled back its involvement in the summit—sending a low-level delegation and canceling a key speech—U.S. officials said many Asian governments welcomed the firm stance on Beijing.



Still, analysts cautioned that while America&#8217;s message may resonate, regional compliance remains uncertain.



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Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

Hegseth Urges Asia To Arm Up as China Eyes Taiwan

Elon Musk, the world&#8217;s wealthiest individual and the CEO of Tesla Inc., SpaceX, and xAI, has stepped down from his official role with President Donald Trump&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).



What Happened: Musk&#8217;s decision comes amidst significant fluctuations in his net worth and a series of controversies.



During his time as a presidential advisor, Musk&#8217;s wealth saw dramatic ups and downs, primarily driven by his substantial stakes in his companies, especially Tesla. 



After the 2024 election, Tesla&#8217;s stock skyrocketed,&nbsp;adding $350 billion to its&nbsp;market value within a week and pushing Musk&#8217;s&nbsp;net worth past $300 billion&nbsp;for the first time in&nbsp;over three years. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44778605/elon-musk-digging-my-own-grave-by-tying-himself-to-doge">Elon Musk: &#8216;Digging My Own Grave&#8217; by Tying Himself to DOGE</a>



According to a report <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/30/heres-what-elon-musks-doge-tenure-has-done-for-his-net-worth/">by</a> Fortune, by December, his wealth had soared to a record-breaking $440 billion.



However, Musk&#8217;s association with the government led to a decline in Tesla&#8217;s value. His controversial approach to reform sparked widespread protests and&nbsp;acts of vandalism against Tesla&nbsp;dealerships, resulting in a significant drop in Tesla&#8217;s value and erasing $100 billion of Musk&#8217;s wealth by mid-March.



Why It Matters: Despite these setbacks, Musk&#8217;s net worth has bounced back to $386 billion, as per&nbsp;the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 



He&nbsp;has vowed to cut back on political spending and has committed to continue serving as Tesla&#8217;s&nbsp;CEO for the next five&nbsp;years. 



This commitment to his companies and the reduction in political involvement could potentially stabilize Tesla&#8217;s stock and reassure investors.



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Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

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Elon Musk's Government Efficiency Push: A Closer Look at His Financial Gains and Losses

In a podcast conversation that was made public Friday, U2 frontman Paul David Hewson, popularly known by the nickname Bono, told Joe Rogan that over 300,000 people have died globally <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45345966/bill-gates-criticizes-elon-musk-over-usaid-cuts-demonizing-aid-workers-is-deeply-unfair-warns-against-undermining-global-health-efforts">due to severe cuts</a> to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a claim the billionaire swiftly denied, calling Bono a "liar."



What Happened: During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Bono cited a report suggesting that more than 300,000 people, mostly children, have died from the abrupt funding freeze at USAID.



He said that the cuts resulted in food, water, and medical aid being stranded due to mass layoffs of key personnel.



"There's food rotting in boats, in warehouses—50,000 tons of it," Bono said. "The people who knew the codes, who were responsible for distributing that aid, were fired. That's not America, is it?"



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45510245/elon-musk-was-once-a-microsoft-intern-now-his-company-is-bringing-grok-to-azure-incredibly-important-for-ai-to-be-grounded-in-reality-xai-ceo-tells-satya-nadella" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Was Once A Microsoft Intern — Now His Company Is Bringing Grok To Azure</a>



The statistic comes from modeling done by Brooke Nichols, an infectious disease expert at Boston University.



Musk responded to Bono's comment on his social media platform, X, formerly Twitter, <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1928650871035891811">saying</a>, "He's such a liar/i&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;," adding, "Zero people have died!"



Why It's Important: The USAID budget was slashed by over 80% earlier this year, following Trump's executive order authorizing DOGE to cut $1 trillion in federal spending, <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/usaid-doge-deaths-children-cuts-7nb83dfkp">reported</a> The Times.



USAID's programs, which once supported food aid, clean water access, and HIV treatment in over 120 countries, have been largely dismantled or folded into the State Department.



At a congressional hearing last week, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether anyone had died due to the aid cuts, which Rubio called a lie, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/28/rubio-aid-cuts-deaths-fact-checker/">reported</a> the Washington Post.



Rubio also called the question "unfair" and pointed to other countries&#8217; aid reductions.



Meanwhile, on Friday, Musk ended his contentious four-month stint as head of the DOGE.



Despite failing to deliver the anticipated savings, President Donald Trump presented him with a <a href="http://v/">golden key to the White House</a> in a symbolic gesture of appreciation.



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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bono Tells Joe Rogan That 300,000 People Have Died From DOGE-Led USAID Cuts: Elon Musk Calls Him A Liar, Says 'Zero People Have Died'

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) continues to slide on Friday and is down 2.5% at the time of publication, trading around $104,000, even as Trump Media and Technology Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) has closed a $2.44 billion private placement offering to establish <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45698521/bitcoin-drops-to-105000-after-trump-warns-hes-no-longer-mr-nice-guy">a corporate Bitcoin treasury</a>.



What Happened: The offering consisted of 55.8 million shares of common stock at $25.72 per share for $1.44 billion in gross proceeds, plus $1 billion in convertible senior secured notes due 2028. 



Trump Media will use approximately $2.32 billion in net proceeds to acquire Bitcoin and fund general corporate purposes.



&#8220;Trump Media is focused on acquiring great assets, and this deal will give us the financial freedom to implement the rest of our strategies,&#8221; said CEO and Chairman Devin Nunes in a <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/30/3091176/0/en/Trump-Media-Closes-Bitcoin-Treasury-Deal.html">press release</a>.



The company expects to become &#8220;one of the top Bitcoin holders among publicly-traded U.S. firms with one of the most comprehensive Bitcoin treasury strategies.&#8221;



The announcement initially triggered a 10% drop in DJT shares on Tuesday morning as traders sold the news. 



Trump Media, which operates Truth Social and the FinTech brand Truth.Fi, is down more than 37% year-to-date.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45692508/trump-administration-eyes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-as-part-of-us-market-infrastructure-overhaul" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Administration Eyes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve As Part Of US Market Infrastructure Overhaul</a>



Why It Matters: The timing of Trump Media&#8217;s Bitcoin treasury announcement coincides with broader market volatility that has seen Bitcoin pull back from recent highs. 



The apex crypto has struggled to hold on to early-week gains, dipping as low as $103,901 on Friday afternoon.



Prominent cryptocurrency analyst Kevin <a href="https://x.com/Kev_Capital_TA/status/1928497609062101224">noted</a> the relative resilience of Bitcoin during the recent selloff as many altcoins like Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) recorded losses between 3.5% and 6% on Friday.



Some traders view the current weakness as a potential buying opportunity. 



Prominent trader Flow Horse suggested that a sweep of $101,000 down to $97,000 is &#8220;probably a great bounce opportunity, if it presents.&#8221;



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Image: Shutterstock

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Bitcoin Dips Below $104,000 As Trump Media Raises $2.32 Billion To Build BTC Treasury

Hours after the U.S. Court of International Trade <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45660322/trump-tariffs-struck-down-by-federal-court-major-blow-to-white-houses-trade-strategy-report">struck down</a> President Donald Trump's tariffs on Thursday, another Washington-based federal judge blocked his attempt to exercise emergency powers to reshape trade policy.



What Happened: U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant Trump the authority to impose or adjust tariffs without approval from Congress, The Hill <a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5324212-court-blocks-trump-tariffs/">reports</a>. Trump had invoked the 1977 law to validate sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, referring to trade imbalances and fentanyl imports as threats to national security.



"This case is not about tariffs qua tariffs," Contreras wrote in a 33-page document. "It is about whether IEEPA enables the President to unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that it does not."



Despite this ruling, tariffs connected to other statutory powers, such as those on steel and cars, remain unaffected.



Contreras also rejected the Trump administration's request to move the case in the U.S. Court of International Trade. As a result, the lawsuit filed by two small Illinois-based companies, Learning Resources and hand2mind, will move forward in Washington, D.C.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45677845/court-ruling-limiting-trumps-tariff-powers-sparks-hope-for-risk-asset-revival-including-bitcoin">Court Ruling Limiting Trump&#8217;s Tariff Powers Sparks Hope For Risk Asset Revival, Including Bitcoin</a>



Why It Matters: While Conteras delayed enforcement of his ruling for two weeks to let the administration have time to file an appeal, the&nbsp;U.S. Court of Appeals for&nbsp;the Federal Circuit granted a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/05/45683326/trump-tariffs-temporarily-preserved-as-appeals-court-pauses-lower-ruling">temporary stay on the judgment of&nbsp;the U.S. Court of International&nbsp;Trade</a>.



The White House responded sharply to these new developments. "The courts should have no role here," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision-making process," she added.



The ongoing legal pushback against the tariffs could have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45667775/trumps-tariff-refund-could-cost-us-10-billion-with-2-month-end-rebalance-impact-on-equities-in-case-of-an-appeal-uncertainty-is-back-front-and-center">far-reaching impacts on the economy</a>, according to experts, with the administration potentially being compelled to refund $10 billion in tariff revenue. However, many top economists opine that the President has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45666535/hardly-the-end-of-this-story-trump-has-several-legal-options-to-maintain-tariffs-despite-federal-court-ruling-experts-say">many legal options to consider</a>, and that the tariffs are unlikely to be overturned completely.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45676270/chinese-stocks-soar-as-us-court-blocks-trump-tariffs">Chinese Stocks Soar As US Court Blocks Trump Tariffs</a>

Second Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Emergency Tariff Powers, Hours After US Court Of International Trade Ruling

Former Vice President Mike Pence reminded lawmakers that the U.S. Constitution gives Congress, and not the president, authority to levy tariffs.



What Happened: Pence took to X to urge Capitol Hill to "take immediate steps to reclaim their constitutional authority on tariffs," implicitly challenging President Donald Trump's push for blanket levies of up to 10 percent on all imports and as high as 60 percent on Chinese goods.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes and tariffs. Article 1, Section 8 provides that the Congress "shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." The president has no authority in the Constitution to unilaterally impose tariffs without… <a href="https://t.co/xZp7fGXCip">pic.twitter.com/xZp7fGXCip</a>&mdash; Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1928193832426033326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Pence wrote that the president "has no authority in the Constitution to unilaterally impose tariffs without an act of Congress" and that lawmakers must "restore the power to levy tariffs back to the American people." He hyperlinked a National Review column from April, where he warned that delegating trade powers "violates the founders' intent."



Backing up Pence&#8217;s call, Article I of the Constitution does vest the tariff and tax power squarely in Congress, though lawmakers have long ceded flexibility to the White House through statutes such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and Section 301 of the Trade Act. Legal scholars note that the courts have usually upheld those delegations, but according to a Reuters report, pressure is rising after a string of rulings that trimmed Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45663058/trump-wrong-to-claim-unlimited-power-to-impose-tariffs-says-legal-scholar-economists-also-breathe-sigh-of-relief-after-tariffs-blocked-by-court">use of emergency powers</a> to tax imports.



See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45686699/larry-summers-issues-stark-warning-the-big-beautiful-bill-is-actually-a-prescription-for-deadly-dangerous-decline">Larry Summers Issues Stark Warning: &#8216;The Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Is Actually A Prescription For &#8216;Deadly, Dangerous Decline&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: The Federal Court's decision to strike down Trump‘s tariffs, however, could have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45667775/trumps-tariff-refund-could-cost-us-10-billion-with-2-month-end-rebalance-impact-on-equities-in-case-of-an-appeal-uncertainty-is-back-front-and-center">broad effect</a> on the economy, stock market and individual companies, which were starting to settle with the idea of higher duties. However, as things stand, an appellate court has granted the Trump administration a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/05/45683326/trump-tariffs-temporarily-preserved-as-appeals-court-pauses-lower-ruling">temporary stay</a> of a lower-court ruling that invalidated most of the President's tariffs.



Pence isn&#8217;t the only former Trump administrator with a say on Trump&#8217;s current trade policies. Former White House adviser Larry Kudlow asserts that the United States is "China's best customer," but economist <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45334935/peter-schiff-rejects-larry-kudlows-claim-that-china-is-falling-apart-without-us-says-we-have-actuall">Peter Schiff counters</a> that ballooning U.S. debt lets Beijing finance American consumption.



Goldman Sachs economist Alec Phillips suggested Thursday that the Trump administration could shift its focus to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45672421/tariffs-blocked-by-court-but-goldman-sachs-says-trump-could-reimpose-them-within-days">sector-specific tariffs</a>, which Section 232 of the Constitution firmly supports.



Photo Courtesy: Gino Santa Maria on Shutterstock.com



Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45686648/chamath-palihapitiya-says-this-old-fashioned-asset-is-among-safe-trades-if-the-possibility-of-quantum-computing-cracking-bitcoin-is-even-remotely-true">Chamath Palihapitiya Says This Old-Fashioned Asset Is Among &#8216;Safe&#8217; Trades If The Possibility Of Quantum Computing Cracking Bitcoin Is Even &#8216;Remotely True&#8217;</a>

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Mike Pence Wants Congress To Take 'Immediate Steps' To Reclaim Constitutional Power On Tariffs, Says Trump 'Has No Authority...'

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